20.
Ariana Grande, ‘Positions’
Ariana Grande’s sixth studio album, Positions, continues her evolution from a chart-topping pop sensation to a nuanced artist exploring the depths of intimacy, romanticism, and personal empowerment. The album chronicles Grande’s exploration of love, sex, and happiness post-heartbreak, effectively marking a departure from the turbulent themes of her previous works, Sweetener and thank u, next. This transition is palpable from the opening track, shut up, in which Grande addresses critics with her characteristic blend of sweetness and assertiveness. The album’s title track, positions, further cements this thematic shift. It finds Grande navigating multiple roles in a relationship, resonating with a sense of modern empowerment, where flexibility and shared responsibility are key. Positions is arguably Grande’s most explicit and intimate album to date. Songs such as 34+35 and nasty leave little to the imagination, with Grande embracing an unfiltered honesty about her desires and affections. Positions marries classical strings with contemporary R&B and pop elements, resulting in a lush, almost cinematic soundscape. The orchestration on Positions is particularly impressive. Tracks like love language feature intricate string arrangements that complement Grande’s vocal finesse, adding a layer of sophistication to the album’s overall sound.
19.
Yves Tumor, ‘Heaven To A Tortured Mind’
Yves Tumor’s fourth studio endeavor, Heaven to a Tortured Mind, artfully weaves together elements of glam, psych rock, krautrock, Britpop, soul, and noise, establishing itself as a multifaceted masterpiece. Heaven to a Tortured Mind is entrenched in the exploration of sensuality and eccentricity. Yves Tumor morphs into a rock star, embodying an archetype that can be best described as a “carnal rock god.” This record showcases Tumor’s uncanny ability to channel the essence of a genre and transcend its limitations. The predominant theme weaving the tracks together is sex—a raw, unfiltered exploration of desire and intimacy. Heaven to a Tortured Mind is drenched in an eroticism that feels both genuine and transgressive. This thematic fixation on sensuality is apparent in almost every track, imbuing them with a visceral intensity that is palpably autobiographical. Tracks boast a grandiosity reminiscent of 70s glam rock, while retaining a modern, polished veneer. Crashing drums, bodacious guitar solos, and hellish brass all contribute to the album’s sprawling soundscape. The album doesn’t shy away from loud, ostentatious moments. In fact, it revels in them. Tumor’s collaboration with Justin Raisen has yielded a record that is as bombastic as it is precise. Songs like Romanticist and Dream Palette epitomize this balance; they are fiercely experimental yet grounded in a core of solid, rock-oriented production.
18.
Lil Uzi Vert, ‘Eternal Atake’
Lil Uzi Vert’s Eternal Atake marks a triumphant return for a rapper who has spent the better part of two years navigating label disputes, releasing occasional singles, and sparking endless fan speculation. The driving force behind Eternal Atake is its loose but fascinating concept revolving around abduction, aliens, and space. These thematic elements are hinted at through skits and an album trailer, setting the stage for a galactic adventure. However, the real core of Eternal Atake lies in Lil Uzi Vert’s exploration of fame and its associated luxuries, and the inevitable heartbreak it brings. For a rapper who has consistently blurred the lines between streetwise bulletins and emo confessions, Uzi’s detailed chronicles in this album stand as a testament to his growth as an artist. Sonically, the beats throughout the album are highly aware of current hip-hop trends but stretch them into new, imaginative territories. The album is full of spaced-out samples and animated punchlines, enriching the overall vibe. Tracks like You Better Move demonstrate Uzi’s playful irreverence, while Venetia and Chrome Heart Tags highlight his ability to switch effortlessly between melodic hooks and punchy verses. Eternal Atake is an unconventional version of rap. It’s Uzi’s best discography to date and a “scope-defying hour-long epic” that only Uzi could create.
17.
The Weekend, ‘After Hours’
In After Hours, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) delivers a vividly melancholic and multi-faceted album that bridges the duality of his persona—split between the hedonistic superstar and the introspective recluse. After Hours is a concept album that navigates the emotional turbulence experienced in the twilight hours of the night. Tesfaye himself described these as thoughts and feelings from “3 a.m. to 5 a.m.,” a period rich in vulnerability and self-reflection. Thematically, the album explores a labyrinth of emotions, including heartbreak, loneliness, overindulgence, and regret. This album is not merely a collection of songs but a cohesive narrative that bleeds into itself, a sonic journey through the highs and lows of Tesfaye’s nocturnal ruminations. Alone Again and Too Late set a mood with haunting, introspective lyrics and ominous soundscapes, capturing a sense of existential dread and isolation. As the album progresses, it delves into Tesfaye’s self-destructive tendencies and emotional conflicts, resonating deeply in tracks like Faith and Until I Bleed Out, where he finally confronts the toll of his actions. After Hours is an intricate tapestry woven with a variety of influences, seamlessly blending R&B, new wave, dream pop, electropop, and synthwave. The production meticulously balances modern pop sensibilities with retro-inspired beats, creating a soundscape that is both nostalgic and cutting-edge. One of the album’s defining features is its use of ’80s synths combined with heavy, pulsating basslines and atmospheric keyboards, as evidenced in tracks like Blinding Lights and In Your Eyes. The latter’s saxophone solo offers a euphoric burst of emotion amidst the album’s otherwise brooding aura. After Hours stands as The Weeknd’s most accomplished works, a tour de force of thematic depth and sonic innovation, embodying Tesfaye’s dual nature as both a pop icon and a profoundly self-aware artist.
16.
Moses Sumney, ‘græ’
Moses Sumney’s sophomore album, græ, is a double album that unfolds as a kaleidoscopic journey through sound, space, and self. This ambitious project, released in two parts, challenges the binary nature of much of our world and delves deeply into the “grey” spaces of existence. At the heart of græ is the concept of “in-betweenness” — the grey areas that defy black-and-white thinking. Sumney has stated that the album revolves around themes of multiplicity and marginality, which he calls “interstitial space.” This thematic underpinning is evident throughout the album, from its lyrical content to its genre-blurring soundscapes. Sumney’s investigation of these themes isn’t just academic; it’s deeply personal. He explores his own feelings of isolation and solitude, touching on elements of identity, love, and societal roles. On græ, Sumney marries his lyrical depth with an exceptional compositional breadth, blending an impressive array of genres. The album traverses electronic-laced R&B, folk, jazz, art-pop, glitch-hop, and even musique concrète. This multifaceted approach creates a sound that is as hybrid as it is harmonious. Sumney’s vocal versatility shines throughout the album, moving seamlessly from airy falsettos to deep, resonating tones. In Colourour, Sumney’s lower vocal range provides a stark contrast to the higher registers found elsewhere, adding a rich, musky texture to the record. Tracks like Two Dogs further illustrate his compositional prowess, featuring hushed bass lines and multi-layered vocals that create a delicate and intricate sonic landscape. græ is a magnificent, multi-genre mess in a dress of many colors, and one of the 2020’s boldest records.
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