Previously,
The Best 20 Albums of 2020: My Picks
20.
Clairo, ‘Sling’
Why do I tell you how I feel
When you’re just looking down the blouse?
It’s something I wouldn’t say out loud
If touch could make them hear, then touch me now
Sling diverges from Clairo’s debut album Immunity, embracing a more intimate, folk-influenced sound. Produced by the prolific Jack Antonoff, who has worked with high-profile artists like Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Lana Del Rey, Sling exhibits a lush, organic soundscape that diverges sharply yet softly from Immunity. The album is a pastiche of 1970s folk and baroque pop, featuring an array of vintage instruments such as the Wurlitzer, Mellotron, Rhodes, and pedal steel guitar. The album reflects Clairo’s grappling with themes of motherhood, mental health, and the pressures of burgeoning responsibility. She found inspiration during the pandemic while at her family home in Atlanta, where conversations with her mother and the adoption of her dog, Joanie, fueled her contemplation of domesticity and care. The album’s overarching theme is the juxtaposition of comfort and discomfort within familial and romantic relationships. Immunity showcased Clairo’s talent for intimate, emotive songwriting, and Sling doubles down on this approach. Clairo’s lyrics explore the dichotomy between the desire for stability and the fear of stagnation, which is poignantly illustrated on tracks like Reaper and Zinnias. In these songs, she meditates on the potential future of motherhood and the apprehension towards it. Tracks like Joanie, an instrumental tribute to her dog, are ventures into low-key jam sessions filled with rich instrumental textures. This adventurous spirit permeates the album, with tracks evolving organically, inhaling and exhaling, sometimes collapsing only to be revived by a flurry of patient instrumentation. Clairo’s vocal delivery on Sling is characterized by its softness and emotional resonance. While her whispery ballads may risk being perceived as understated or lacking urgency, they ultimately create a unique and compelling listening experience. Her vocals often swell into “pearlescent ‘oohs’ and golden harmonies,” providing a sense of warmth and depth.
Pulling back, I tried to find the point of wasting precious time
I Sip and toast to normalcy, a fool’s way into jealousy
I mock and imitate goodbye when I know that I can’t deny
That I’ll be here forever-while, I show up to the party just to leave
19.
Jon Batiste, ‘WE ARE’
In an era grappling with socio-political fissures and a persistent pandemic-induced melancholia, WE ARE—Jon Batiste’s sixth studio album—arrives like an exuberant shot of joy and cultural affirmation. This 2022 Grammy AOTY winner serves as not just a reflection but a celebration of Black American culture and Batiste’s own multifaceted life journey. WE ARE was largely written and recorded before the societal upheavals of 2020 but resonates deeply with events like the Black Lives Matter protests and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jon Batiste himself describes the album as “a culmination of my life to this point” and “a representation of genre-less music that’s just about the story”. Indeed, WE ARE gathers the threads of Batiste’s life—from his New Orleans upbringing to his current prominence as a cultural and musical force. The album’s themes are diverse, ranging from social justice to personal nostalgia, each imbued with a vehement positivity that’s both timely and timeless. WE ARE is a cornucopia of genres: jazz, funk, R&B, soul, and hip-hop meld seamlessly, embodying Batiste’s genre-fluid philosophy. His melodic sensibilities are exceptional, blending traditional New Orleans rhythms with modern production aesthetics. For instance, Tell the Truth dives into gritty rhythm and blues, while I Need You pushes this groove into an up-tempo, hand-clapping jubilance. Moreover, Batiste’s versatility as a musician shines through. Known primarily as a virtuoso jazz pianist, he plays a stunning array of instruments on the album, practically becoming a one-man band. In essence, WE ARE is a cultural artifact. It is a testament to the resilience and vibrancy of Black American culture, and a broad spectrum of emotions and musical styles.
18.
Erika de Casier, ‘Sensational’
Erika de Casier’s sophomore album, Sensational, serves as an intimate and nostalgic journey into the heart of late ’90s and early 2000s R&B, while also marking a significant evolution in the Danish singer-songwriter’s artistic vision. Sensational predominantly explores themes of female autonomy, relationships, and navigating romantic entanglements with a modern perspective. De Casier herself notes that the album conceptually centers on dispelling stereotypes surrounding single women and dating. Written largely during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, the project delves into personal experiences with less-than-ideal partners, reflecting a broader societal narrative through a distinctly personal lens. Lyrically, de Casier boldly tackles the trials of romance while asserting her independence and resilience. She constructs narratives that deflect the expectations of victimhood typically found in love songs. Her words are not just reflective but also imbued with a sense of empowerment, observing the intricacies of modern relationships through a lens of independence and self-worth. The undercurrent of girl power and rejection of egotistical suitors is deftly woven throughout the album, reinforcing the thematic fabric of Sensational. De Casier’s musical inspirations are firmly rooted in the late ’90s and early 2000s, drawing from iconic R&B and pop figures like Destiny’s Child, Craig David, TLC, and Aaliyah. However, her work transcends mere homage; Sensational transforms these influences into a contemporary soundscape that feels both nostalgic and innovative. The album’s production is characterized by its minimalistic yet lush arrangements, which de Casier adroitly manipulates to create richly textured compositions.
17.
Snail Mail, ‘Valentine’
Lindsey Jordan’s sophomore album as Snail Mail, Valentine, is a vivid portrayal of heartbreak, emotional turmoil, and self-discovery. The album explores its theme with a level of complexity and introspection that sets it apart from more conventional breakup albums. Jordan delves into the nuances of relationships, self-identity, and the bruising aftermath of love lost. Tracks like Ben Franklin reference her personal struggles and time spent in a rehabilitation facility, adding layers of vulnerability and self-reflection that are both poignant and relatable. Valentine represents a bold departure from the raw, lo-fi aesthetics of Jordan’s debut album, Lush. Jordan, with the help of producer Brad Cook, who has worked with notable artists like Bon Iver and Waxahatchee, infuses the album with a rich palette of warm synths, strings, and orchestral hums. This evolution in sound marks Jordan’s willingness to experiment and expand beyond her indie rock roots. The title track, Valentine, exemplifies this shift. It has a hauntingly atmospheric intro that gradually builds into a powerful anthem. The use of contrasting soft and loud dynamics is reminiscent of the soft/loud paradigm perfected by bands like Nirvana, showcasing Jordan’s knack for crafting emotionally potent melodies. Ben Franklin is a standout track where lo-fi filtered electric guitar and harmonies invigorate the song, adding a layer of ardent energy. The dampened bass and gentle synths blend seamlessly with the warped guitars and emotive lyrics, creating a cohesive and compelling soundscape.
Lived on, but nothing feels true
Sometimes I hate her just for not being you
Post rehab, I’ve been feeling so small
I miss your attention, I wish I could call
16.
Kacey Musgraves, ‘star-crossed’
Chronological order and nothing but torture
Scroll too far back, that’s what you get
Look at me, I’m living all alone
And now you’re only living in my phone
Kacey Musgraves has established herself as a transcendent figure in modern music through her 2019 Grammy AOTY winner album, Golden Hour, blending country roots with pop, psychedelia, and even disco flair. Her fifth studio album, star-crossed, positions itself as a deeply personal and conceptually rich exploration of her divorce from singer-songwriter Ruston Kelly. Musgraves boldly frames Star-Crossed as a “tragedy in three parts,” a nod to classic Greek tragedies and Shakespearean motifs. This structure allows Musgraves to guide listeners through a journey of emotional turbulence, from the initial cracks in her marriage to moments of self-reflection and eventual resolution. Comparing this album to iconic “breakup” records like Bob Dylan’s Blood On The Tracks and Joni Mitchell’s Blue, Musgraves offers a contemporary take on age-old themes of love and loss. Songs like good wife showcase her internal struggles and the unrealistic expectations she placed upon herself to preserve her marriage. Justified, another standout track, captures the conflicting emotions that accompany grief and heartache. Musgraves croons over a blend of country-pop instrumentation, wrestling with feelings of anger, sadness, and eventual forgiveness. The lyrical prowess of Musgraves on this track and others like breadwinner and camera roll exemplifies her ability to infuse universal experiences with a deeply personal touch. The trio’s synergy is evident throughout Star-Crossed, where they blend elements of pop, rock, folk, and psychedelic music into a cohesive sonic tapestry. This genre-defying approach ensures that the album remains fresh and engaging from start to finish. The album’s production is crystalline and meticulously crafted. The use of analog synthesizers, looped drums, and layered harmonies adds a dreamy, almost surreal quality to tracks like the title song and Angel, where the flamenco-style guitar riffs set the tone for a cinematic experience that resonates throughout the album.
I’d pull you out of the darkness
Keep you out of the rain
Everythin’ would be better
You’d never have to change
But something’s gotta change
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