Top 100 Music Albums of 2020 by 
babyBlueSedan 
Another year, another year chart. Are year charts a way to track the best music of a given year? Or are they a signpost of another year that has passed, a substitute for more traditional anniversaries brought on by our incessant need to rate and rank? As time passes, we will grow weaker. Leaders will rise and fall, fads will begin and end. Entire civilizations may be destroyed. But year charts will remain, every year, appearing like clockwork. When did they start? What is their purpose? There is only one thing we can be sure of: they will never end.
(everything i've heard is here, high scores are better than low ones, my comments suck, blah blah blah)
(This has been a really weird year for me musically. For the past few years I've listened to ~100 new albums and typically between 25-30 of those end up crossing the 70 plateau. This year I've already got nearly 20 of those and the year isn't even half over. But despite that, only two albums have crossed the 80 threshold. So I guess this year has had a lot of consistent quality but no real standout releases. It's possible a lot of the current 70s and 75s starts to inch up as I listen to them more, so I guess we'll see what happens as the year goes on.)
(I'm still short on albums I love but the year seems to have evened out as the quality has dipped as the year's gone on. Either that or I've finally hit the age where I don't like new music.)
- Chart updated: 03/17/2021 22:45
- (Created: 01/29/2020 02:29).
- Chart size: 100 albums.
There are 4 comments for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 100 Music Albums of 2020 has an average rating of 90 out of 100 (from 8 votes). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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80/100
Present Excitement
Man, this is a lot of fun. I'm sure there are pop albums that are this much fun every year, but since the genre isn't really on my radar I probably miss them. A lot of people are comparing this to EMOTION but the closest similarity is that they're pop albums that indie fans are getting excited about. Or that they both have songs about hallucinating.
I'm not sure it has the front to back song quality that EMOTION has, but it's sure close. Don't Start Now and Physical are of course fantastic. Pretty Please is a little more restrained but has a great chorus. I love that recurring synth that sounds like a violin or something on Love Again. Overall I think the album has a few too many backing strings, but the point where they're at their cheesiest - the closer - really works. I like the closer a lot overall, and I think it ends the album on a real high point. (I will say that the "If you're offended by this song" part is a bit awkward. Partially because being "offended" has lost all meaning, and partially because addressing the audience during the song seems to be really straining to make your song a "big" "meaningful" statement.) [First added to this chart: 04/22/2020]
Present Excitement
Man, this is a lot of fun. I'm sure there are pop albums that are this much fun every year, but since the genre isn't really on my radar I probably miss them. A lot of people are comparing this to EMOTION but the closest similarity is that they're pop albums that indie fans are getting excited about. Or that they both have songs about hallucinating.
I'm not sure it has the front to back song quality that EMOTION has, but it's sure close. Don't Start Now and Physical are of course fantastic. Pretty Please is a little more restrained but has a great chorus. I love that recurring synth that sounds like a violin or something on Love Again. Overall I think the album has a few too many backing strings, but the point where they're at their cheesiest - the closer - really works. I like the closer a lot overall, and I think it ends the album on a real high point. (I will say that the "If you're offended by this song" part is a bit awkward. Partially because being "offended" has lost all meaning, and partially because addressing the audience during the song seems to be really straining to make your song a "big" "meaningful" statement.) [First added to this chart: 04/22/2020]
Year of Release:
2020
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,110
Rank in 2020:
Rank in 2020s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
2511. (=)
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70/100
Bubblegum bass
In a "best out of a bad situation" way, I was hoping we'd be getting a lot of quarantine albums and would be ranking them all when this is all over. So far this is the only one. Outside of "pink diamond" and "party 4 u" this doesn't really feel like it's about isolation though, which honestly is fine by me.
I like Charli's sound for the most part, but her last couple projects have been a bit inconsistent for me. This one is a lot better, shorter and easier to digest while also dialing down some of the more over-the-top moments. Not a fan of "pink diamond," I think it starts the album out in a weird way, but the next three songs are all fantastic. The freak out moment mid-way through the closer is also a favorite moment. It's been a great year for pop and this is up with the best I've heard this year. [First added to this chart: 05/22/2020]
Bubblegum bass
In a "best out of a bad situation" way, I was hoping we'd be getting a lot of quarantine albums and would be ranking them all when this is all over. So far this is the only one. Outside of "pink diamond" and "party 4 u" this doesn't really feel like it's about isolation though, which honestly is fine by me.
I like Charli's sound for the most part, but her last couple projects have been a bit inconsistent for me. This one is a lot better, shorter and easier to digest while also dialing down some of the more over-the-top moments. Not a fan of "pink diamond," I think it starts the album out in a weird way, but the next three songs are all fantastic. The freak out moment mid-way through the closer is also a favorite moment. It's been a great year for pop and this is up with the best I've heard this year. [First added to this chart: 05/22/2020]
Year of Release:
2020
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,431
Rank in 2020:
Rank in 2020s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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70/100
Art pop techno
Weird mix of art pop and techno. I wish the two were blended together more instead of some tracks feeling like straight techno songs. Those songs are some of the worst by the way, they're pleasant but they feel like kind of generic techno. Needs another listen but "LINE" is easily the best song here. [First added to this chart: 09/12/2020]
Art pop techno
Weird mix of art pop and techno. I wish the two were blended together more instead of some tracks feeling like straight techno songs. Those songs are some of the worst by the way, they're pleasant but they feel like kind of generic techno. Needs another listen but "LINE" is easily the best song here. [First added to this chart: 09/12/2020]
Year of Release:
2020
Appears in:
Rank Score:
284
Rank in 2020:
Rank in 2020s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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70/100
Fist raised afrobeat
Everything about this album is great but the highlight is easily the drumming. 100% what keeps me coming back. Again, everything is good, but those drums are transcendent. [First added to this chart: 02/20/2021]
Fist raised afrobeat
Everything about this album is great but the highlight is easily the drumming. 100% what keeps me coming back. Again, everything is good, but those drums are transcendent. [First added to this chart: 02/20/2021]
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65/100
Afro bop
Traditional jazz has never been my thing, but recently spiritual and afro jazz has become something I really enjoyed. Mostly groove based albums. This is a bit more like standard jazz, what with your jazz drumming and bass going bum bum bum bum but I still really enjoyed it. Like I was immersed in a way that Davis and Mingus and maybe even Coltrane have never really immersed me.
That feeling was fleeting and lasted about half of one listen, but that's further than I normally make it! [First added to this chart: 02/20/2021]
Afro bop
Traditional jazz has never been my thing, but recently spiritual and afro jazz has become something I really enjoyed. Mostly groove based albums. This is a bit more like standard jazz, what with your jazz drumming and bass going bum bum bum bum but I still really enjoyed it. Like I was immersed in a way that Davis and Mingus and maybe even Coltrane have never really immersed me.
That feeling was fleeting and lasted about half of one listen, but that's further than I normally make it! [First added to this chart: 02/20/2021]
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65/100
Disco pop
Smooth, sultry disco-influenced pop that I bet would sound really great on the dancefloor. It's 53 minutes long and every song is at least very good. The problem is that only a few songs are better than kind of great, meaning there's not a lot of variance in quality and very few high points. "Save a Kiss" is the obvious standout, and the only track that has really become a favorite after 3 listens. The title track is also great, but the rest is songs that I remember when they're on and wouldn't seek out otherwise. They're also all a bit long, which makes the album a bit tiresome. Wish I liked this more as it's been a very good year for pop and I wish I could add this to the list, but it's not quite good enough. [First added to this chart: 07/26/2020]
Disco pop
Smooth, sultry disco-influenced pop that I bet would sound really great on the dancefloor. It's 53 minutes long and every song is at least very good. The problem is that only a few songs are better than kind of great, meaning there's not a lot of variance in quality and very few high points. "Save a Kiss" is the obvious standout, and the only track that has really become a favorite after 3 listens. The title track is also great, but the rest is songs that I remember when they're on and wouldn't seek out otherwise. They're also all a bit long, which makes the album a bit tiresome. Wish I liked this more as it's been a very good year for pop and I wish I could add this to the list, but it's not quite good enough. [First added to this chart: 07/26/2020]
Year of Release:
2020
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,574
Rank in 2020:
Rank in 2020s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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65/100
Pop neo soul
Oh man, do I wish I liked this more. La Havas is a fantastic vocalist, and there are some stunning vocals on this album. But most of all, there's a cover of Radiohead's "Weird Fishes" on here that's easily better than the original. It was one of those songs I never really thought of, but her version of it, especially her vocals, have really made me reconsider it.
However, it's one of those soul albums that is very voice focused and has very little going on musically. I wish there was a bit more of a groove or musical dynamics here because if there was it might be my favorite of the year. [First added to this chart: 08/07/2020]
Pop neo soul
Oh man, do I wish I liked this more. La Havas is a fantastic vocalist, and there are some stunning vocals on this album. But most of all, there's a cover of Radiohead's "Weird Fishes" on here that's easily better than the original. It was one of those songs I never really thought of, but her version of it, especially her vocals, have really made me reconsider it.
However, it's one of those soul albums that is very voice focused and has very little going on musically. I wish there was a bit more of a groove or musical dynamics here because if there was it might be my favorite of the year. [First added to this chart: 08/07/2020]
Year of Release:
2020
Appears in:
Rank Score:
606
Rank in 2020:
Rank in 2020s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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65/100
Sunshine country
One of my favorite albums from last year was Orville Peck's Pony, which took traditional country styles and turned them into a dark, gothic sound. I was excited for Honey Harper's debut because I expected pretty much the opposite - traditional country filtered through a glam and sunny psychedelic lens. I expected this because of the exceptional Strawberry Lite, which was one of my favorite songs from last year. It's a beautiful song, and slowly but beautifully morphs into Oh Holy Night as it goes on. This album is pretty much what I expected: a shimmering, sunshine take on traditional country. Unfortunately it's lacking any really great songs outside of Strawberry Lite, so it's a bit disappointed. But I'll be listening to the follow-up in the hope that the songwriting is better. [First added to this chart: 03/14/2020]
Sunshine country
One of my favorite albums from last year was Orville Peck's Pony, which took traditional country styles and turned them into a dark, gothic sound. I was excited for Honey Harper's debut because I expected pretty much the opposite - traditional country filtered through a glam and sunny psychedelic lens. I expected this because of the exceptional Strawberry Lite, which was one of my favorite songs from last year. It's a beautiful song, and slowly but beautifully morphs into Oh Holy Night as it goes on. This album is pretty much what I expected: a shimmering, sunshine take on traditional country. Unfortunately it's lacking any really great songs outside of Strawberry Lite, so it's a bit disappointed. But I'll be listening to the follow-up in the hope that the songwriting is better. [First added to this chart: 03/14/2020]
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60/100
UK rock
I listened to this because one song I sampled had a cool slowcore feeling to it but overall this album is a lot like that Porridge Radio album in that it feels like a 90's British rock album. Who knew that would be this year's revival? I liked it well enough but like a lot of albums it lacked standout tracks. "Ode to Boy," which should really be the closer, is phenomenal though. [First added to this chart: 04/03/2020]
UK rock
I listened to this because one song I sampled had a cool slowcore feeling to it but overall this album is a lot like that Porridge Radio album in that it feels like a 90's British rock album. Who knew that would be this year's revival? I liked it well enough but like a lot of albums it lacked standout tracks. "Ode to Boy," which should really be the closer, is phenomenal though. [First added to this chart: 04/03/2020]
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55/100
90's pop
Little Richard's favorite new artist?
This is more 90's nostalgia and reminds me of Snail Mail a bit though much more on the pop side. Like Snail Mail the songwriting here is pretty samey and although I like a lot of these songs there's not enough variety to make this work. [First added to this chart: 10/24/2020]
90's pop
Little Richard's favorite new artist?
This is more 90's nostalgia and reminds me of Snail Mail a bit though much more on the pop side. Like Snail Mail the songwriting here is pretty samey and although I like a lot of these songs there's not enough variety to make this work. [First added to this chart: 10/24/2020]
Total albums: 14. Page 1 of 2
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Top 100 Music Albums of 2020 composition
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Kaatayra | 1 | 1% | |
| Hum | 1 | 1% | |
| Skáphe | 1 | 1% | |
| Moor Mother & Billy Woods | 1 | 1% | |
| Deradoorian | 1 | 1% | |
| Porridge Radio | 1 | 1% | |
| Charli XCX | 1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
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|
|
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| |
62 | 62% | |
 |
14 | 14% | |
 |
7 | 7% | |
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4 | 4% | |
 |
3 | 3% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
 |
1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 100 Music Albums of 2020 chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
 Up 1 from 30th to 29thDaughter by Lydia Loveless |
| Up 1 from 29th to 28th Shrines by Armand Hammer |
| Up 1 from 4th to 3rd Purple Moonlight Pages by R.A.P. Ferreira |
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 2 from 2nd to 4th Keleketla! by Keleketla! |
| Down 2 from 28th to 30th Miss Anthropocene by Grimes |
| New entries |
|---|
 Græby Moses Sumney |
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Other year charts (from the 2020s) by babyBlueSedan
Top 19 Music Albums of 2023 by babyBlueSedan (2023)Top 97 Music Albums of 2022 by
babyBlueSedan (2022)Top 88 Music Albums of 2021 by
babyBlueSedan (2022)Top 100 Music Albums of 2020 ratings
90/100 (from 8 votes)
where:
av = trimmed mean average rating an item has currently received.
n = number of ratings an item has currently received.
m = minimum number of ratings required for an item to appear in a 'top-rated' chart (currently 10).
AV = the site mean average rating.
N.B. The average rating for this chart will not be reliable as it has been rated very few times.
Showing latest 5 ratings for this chart. | Show all 8 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 100/100  | 01/12/2021 11:16 |  Larcx13 | | 86/100 |
| 90/100 | 12/17/2020 10:39 |  Arthurknight | | 89/100 |
| 85/100 | 11/16/2020 23:17 |  sssvnnn | | 83/100 |
| 100/100 | 11/12/2020 10:41 |  Purplepash | | 88/100 |
| 95/100 | 07/13/2020 16:05 | AledJames | | 98/100 |
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Top 100 Music Albums of 2020 comments
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100/100
From Larcx13 01/12/2021 11:16
Larcx13 01/12/2021 11:16
perfect note for the work put in
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
85/100
From sssvnnn 11/16/2020 23:14
sssvnnn 11/16/2020 23:14
Good chart, even better genre comments.
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100/100
From Purplepash 11/12/2020 11:32
Purplepash 11/12/2020 11:32
I'm giving this chart a rating of 100 for the insightful and thoughtful comments (I wish I could work out and verbalise why I do or don't like an album as much as you seem to be able to) even though you diss a lot of my favourite albums of the year :-)
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
90/100
From 
ledaero 05/31/2020 07:24
ledaero 05/31/2020 07:24
Really appreciate your writing on the albums! Don't always agree with your perspectives, but I love the thought and work that you put into your criticism. Look forward to checking out your lists more.
Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
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We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.