Top 5 albums of 2020

In a week where numerous Tory MPs went berserk at the prospect of having to wear a mask to nip to Tesco for some eggs and milk, despite NHS staff having to wear them for a full 14-hour shift, London underground cleaners unknowingly removed a Banksy piece on tube carriage and B*ris J*hnson confessed that fox-hunting excited him, likely more than the rise in the number of food banks does, new music is *still* being released and is continuing to be my saviour during this god awful world we’re living in.

There have been so many brilliant album releases this year, and I’ve found it hard to whittle them down to my favourite 5, but I’ve managed, and the one’s I don’t review will receive an honourable mention at the end. I can promise you all that there’s something here you’ll enjoy, whether you’ve heard of the band or not. Give it a chance or you’ll never know. These are in no particular order by the way.

The Orielles - Disco Volador

Disco Volador quite literally translates to “frisbee” which is obviously a flying disc and this album feels like you’re on a voyage into an undiscovered part of space, without feeling too alien.

The Orielles are unafraid to explore their capabilities, and take you on a journey to a wonderfully weird new universe, with their trademark synth-pop/cosmic pop sounds, but also include sounds of soul, funk and jazz. They have moved away from the conventional sounds of their first album and have delved into new and exciting textures, which have produced some dazzling new material.

Every song is exciting and a little bit different, be it the texture, the style, or the genre and I highly recommend it. Some massively upbeat, some a little more laid back, but all of which have manufactured an album of the highest class.

Best song - Come Down On Jupiter

Khruangbin - Mordechai

“Elegantly funky”. The perfect summary made by Lauren Laverne on Radio 6 last week, and I had to include it, because of how accurate it is.

A hugely distinctive band have again, released an absolute corker of an album, which has been inspired by each corner of the earth in some way shape or form. Khruangbin is an experimental trio that enjoys utilising material from different countries and music styles, to then create some of the dreamiest funk/psychedelic music I’ve ever heard, and this album is no different.

Having researched what styles of music inspired them to write “Mordechai”, I wasn’t at all surprised when I found that Indian folk music, Jamaican dub, Congolese guitars and references to South Asian ’70s and 80’s sounds were just a few of what assisted them in composing this faultless album. Almost every song is influenced by a different part of the globe, which could have been because of the 3-year world tour they went on a few years back.

This exquisite record fits perfectly in with their 2 older albums and they’re one of the most underrated bands out there at the moment. Listening to Mordechai is a must.

Best song - Time (You & I)

Tom Misch, Yussef Dayes - What Kinda Music

Tom Misch, the young producer and singer-songwriter and Yussef Dayes, an artist who has come up through the jazz underground scene, have collaborated and created this experimental and expansive record which places the pair into uncharted territory.

The title of the album is a good question. What kinda music is a producer and a jazz artist, two artists from very different musical backgrounds, going to come up with? Indie jazz? Indie-electronica? And the most important question, is it going to be any good? The answer is a resounding yes. It’s really good.

This record isn’t overly produced and creates an immersive atmosphere from the get-go. Psychedelic vibes, swooning synths, high vocals and Dayes’ faultless punchy drum beats. It’s a strange recipe, but one that works, throughout the whole record.

A masterclass of music prowess, that gradually gets funkier as the album progresses. Dayes glueing the funky bass lines and the wondrous guitar riffs together is a treat in itself.

Perfect background music, yet even better to listen to alone, as giving this delicacy your full attention is a joy to behold.

Best song - I Did It For You

Tame Impala - The Slow Rush

You already knew this was gonna be extraordinary if Kevin Parker is involved. And it is. A full 57-minute insight into the thoughts of one of the most perplexing songwriters of a generation. A move away from guitars and a move into mega-pop with the addition of huge electronic strokes. A bit of a risk considering it’s quite a drastic change, yet one that definitely pays off.

“Lost In Yesterday” is a reflection of nostalgia and “It Might Be Time” is Parker’s fear of fans losing interest and him losing his talent, so despite the music being upbeat and positive, the lyrics are quite the juxtaposition.

Overall, it’s exhilarating and admirable, in that they’ve completely changed their direction in terms of their music and genre, but I highly doubt any of their early fans, who enjoyed the psychedelic rock sound, are likely to turn away from “The Slow Rush”, as it’s quite astonishing, and again, proves that Kevin Parker is a superhuman wherever music is involved.

Best song - One More Year

Caribou - Suddenly

Immaculate. Electronic auteur meets singer-songwriter. Psychedelic warmth. Filled with contrasts. Some tracks feature the upbeat glamour, glitchy electronic sounds and chilled vocals you expect when listening to Caribou, yet some are the opposite.

The chilled vocals can be interpreted as cool vocals or with an element of fragility, and the album cover matches the vulnerability of some songs. Even the name of the album makes sense when you give the album a full listen; some songs change drastically in the middle, making it sound like you’ve got the next track of the album on.

It’s nothing over the top, and it’s by no means underwhelming. Dan Snaith has nailed this on the head. The mixing of the synth sounds and the vocals are nothing short of perfect and I never believed he’d be able to top Our Love, the record he released a full 5 years ago, but somehow, he has.

There is only one person out there who is capable of producing an album such as this one, and Dan Snaith is that man. He’s one of a kind.

Best song - Home

I’ve also compiled a list of albums that I’ve loved listening to so far this year and deserve some recognition.

1. Laura Marling - Song for Our Daughter

2. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - Sideways to New Italy

3. Thundercat - It Is What It Is

4. Georgia - Seeking Thrills

5. The Big Moon - Walking Like We Do

6. Sorry - 925

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy listening to these 5 brilliant, yet very different records. Keep on listening to music, and hounding out the constant bad news that constantly surrounds us.