Albums of the Year 2020

In 2020 I have reviewed sixty albums/EPs and listened to many more. The albums I have chosen to review have all connected with me on some level, so picking a favourites list feels almost cruel to those I have left out. Despite this I still think a ranking list is also a satisfying way to reflect on the year in music, as a writer and a fan.

In the end I have chosen twenty favourite albums and the order was decided on a combination of time spent listening and gut instinct. Some of these artists did not appear on my favourite songs of the year as their albums work as a collective whole rather than having one individual brilliant song (and vice versa). For me that total immersion into an artist’s vision makes albums still my preferred way of listening to music.

Please note that this list only includes albums I have reviewed so there will be some omissions. This list includes links to my original album reviews, rather than risk repeating myself. Please let me know your favourites in the comments.

20) Bettye LaVette – Blackbirds

19) Laura Veirs – My Echo

18) Malin Pettersen – Wildhorse

17) Natalia Lafourcade – Un Canto Por Mexico

16) Adrianne Lenker – Songs/Instrumentals

15) Shemekia Copeland – Uncivil War

14) Bonny Light Horseman – Bonny Light Horseman

13) Emma Swift – Blonde on the Tracks

12) Ashley McBryde – Never Will

11) Lucinda Williams – Good Souls Better Angels

10) The Chicks – Gaslighter

9) Emmy the Great – April / 月音

8) Lianne La Havas – Lianne La Havas

7) Laura Marling – Song for Our Daughter

6) Courtney Marie Andrews – Old Flowers

5) Margo Price – That’s How Rumors Get Started

4) Waxahatchee – Saint Cloud

3) Whitney Rose – We Still Go To Rodeos

2) Brandy Clark – Your Life is a Record

1) Jaime Wyatt – Neon Cross

A playlist with a choice from each album can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1EYnVIMeyTSW31MBgyqfW2?si=TiZtuwqIQZmIkgA88_ipfA

Thank you to everyone who has read/shared my posts this year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.