What Albums Helped Me Through 2020.
Out of all of the issues 2020 gave us, the music released this year gave us an escape. From the two surprise album drops by Taylor Swift to the return of SZA’s lyrical power, 2020 may have disappointed in many ways but when it came to music there was a place to breathe and relax. Here are a few of my favorite releases this year.
SAWAYAMA - Rina Sawayama
Rina Sawayama may be rising to the top right now but she is not new to the music scene. Following her 2013 double single ‘Sleeping in Waking’, she released her EP ‘RINA’ in 2017. Her indie-pop meets dance-pop style embodies the idea that genre can’t confine you when it comes to music. With a single feature by Shamir, her debut tells us that she doesn’t need anyone to make a mark.
And her message continues with her debut album SAWAYAMA. The mix of harsh rock songs with a message that addresses her struggle with racism as a Japanese-British woman titled ‘STFU!’ to her mocking of capitalism in ‘XS’ and her observance of misogyny in ‘Comme des Garçons (Like The Boys)’. Sawayama is not just someone to look out for in 2021, she is someone to be excited for.
Chip Chrome and the Monotones - The Neighborhood
Chip Chrome and the Monotones - The Neighborhood
As a life long devoted ‘The Neighborhood’ fan, there was no way their 2020 release couldn’t make the list. As their 5th studio album ‘Chip Chrome and the Monotones’ may be a contender as one of their best albums. The band has gone through many identity changes through the years but with their new (softer) soft-rock sound and their new look as well they were bound to stand out.
With lyrics that show us the rough realist side of being in love including the song ‘Pretty Boy’. “As long as I got you / I'm gonna be alright / As long as I got you, yeah / I'm not afraid to die / I'm alright” to being truly defeated and still having a smile on your face in Hell or High Water, “Went through hell /To get to high water /And now I'm tryin' not to drown/ Each time I fail/ It makes me try harder/ I'll reach the stars next time around.” Chip Chrome and the Monotones is an album that will make you wish you were in love if you aren’t already, with songs touching at the different sides of love and relationships and self-achievement.
Favorite Track(s): Pretty Boy, Stargazing, Devils Advocate, and Silver Lining.
When to Listen: Can be great study music or great crying music! Whatever you’re up for!
Ungodly Hour- Chloe x Halle
Chloe x Halle is undeniable at the top of the pack when it comes to the group of rising women in pop. Their indisputable vocal talent and enjoyably catchy music let you easily fall in love with them. You can easily hear their songs on TikTok due to their "danceability" as well. Each song has an air of independence to it. Regardless if they're singing about someone's infidelity in "Busy Boy" or making sure you know that they are fine on their own in "Do It", you know that their talent is real.
Favorite Track(s): Ungodly Hour and Forgive Me.
When To Listen: Fed up with People and their nonsense? Check This Out.
Limbo - Aminé
Aminé's popularity grew intensely in 2017 with the drop of his debut album "Good For You", featuring some of his most popular songs including "Spice Girl" and "Caroline". But he really struck gold with his most recent album ‘Limbo’. His collaboration with Disclosure and Slowthai on his track ‘My High’ earned him a well deserved Grammy nomination. Aminé touches on many important and emotional topics on Limbo, he connects them to his personal experiences and tells them in a way that you can’t help but listen to.
He talks about how his life had changed after hearing the news about the Late Kobe Bryant, who passed in a helicopter crash with his young daughter in early January of 2020, and how (like many fans) were affected personally. He touches on his own personal growth with love in many humorous ways on the album like on "Compensating feat Young Thug", which can vary from lyrics like “Compensatin' for your feelings / And you know the feelin' / This is what you thought would heal it / But it makes you feel it.” to lyrics like “I eat a lil' cheese like a snack, baby.”
Favorite Track(s): Roots, Pressure in My Palms, and Woodlawn.
When To Listen: Feeling Nostalgic but still want to feel like you’re in the present? This is for you.