Listed below are the best albums of the 2020s (so far) as calculated from their overall rankings in over 59,000 greatest album charts. (Chart last updated: 3 hours ago).
"I don’t know how it’s possible, but this album is both the blandest and the most sincere of Noel’s entire career. There are tracks like Dead To The World that make me cry every time. Easy Now could have been Oasis in the 2000s. Council Skies feels like a plagiarism… of Noel Gallagher’s High Flyin...""I don’t know how it’s possible, but this album is both the blandest and the most sincere of Noel’s entire career. There are tracks like Dead To The World that make me cry every time. Easy Now could have been Oasis in the 2000s. Council Skies feels like a plagiarism… of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Think Of A Number has a beautiful solo… But my favorite is There She Blows."[+]Reply
"all the songs on the album are good, but the last one (which is said to be David's last ever) is a masterpiece that could be included on a Pink Floyd album..."scattered""Reply
"K.M’s most accomplished and complete record yet demonstrating a mastery of his musical craft he’s been slowly building towards for the past five years. Clearly this is his “Breakup Album” seemingly parting ways with long time partner Katie Crutchfield aka Waxahatchee"Reply
""I Know I'm Funny Haha" shows Faye Webster solidifying her sound. Faye has created this blend of country guitars and light R&B vocals that set her apart from the indistinct singer song writer norm. "Cheers" in particular has a fantastic guitar breakdown at the end. The contrast is the song writin..."""I Know I'm Funny Haha" shows Faye Webster solidifying her sound. Faye has created this blend of country guitars and light R&B vocals that set her apart from the indistinct singer song writer norm. "Cheers" in particular has a fantastic guitar breakdown at the end. The contrast is the song writing. Webster will introduce an intriguing idea and it will be stopped after two of three lines. Greater exploration is needed for the audience to really connect with feelings. Webster has her sound, now she needs to deepen it. "[+]Reply
"(Really cool mix of Soul, R&B, Gospel, Blues, Hip Hop, Neo-Soul, Jazz etc etc. And maybe most remarkable is how Batiste and Co. are able to make these varied sounds and textures meld into a coherent album. Not just a coherent album, but a joyous, celebratory, powerful, bright, inspiring album. On...""(Really cool mix of Soul, R&B, Gospel, Blues, Hip Hop, Neo-Soul, Jazz etc etc. And maybe most remarkable is how Batiste and Co. are able to make these varied sounds and textures meld into a coherent album. Not just a coherent album, but a joyous, celebratory, powerful, bright, inspiring album. One of my favorite listens recently and highly recommended.)
Right from the jump, with the absolute stunner that is the opening track "WE ARE", this album treats us to such euphoric, spiritual joy, its hard for me to imagine anyone who enjoys soul/gospel/R&B/Blues or the rich history of Black American music NOT at least liking this. That opening track sets the mood so high and does so so forcefully it's truly impressive.
From there the album takes on a historical tour of some of the greatest musicians and movements of the last hundred years. One song sounds like some Sly and the Family Stone jam, then the next sounds like the modern Stevie Wonder or Marvin Gaye, then you'll be hearing some D'Angelo or Duke Ellington vibes, then some soulful blues of Albert King, and on it goes. The Neo-Soul and Conscious Hip Hop thrown in and done quite well and ably as well just adds yet another layer to this buffett of truly great and enriching music.
If the album has a major flaw, or flaws, its that the whiplash created by switching up with such dexterity between so many different genres and tempos can be I bit discombobulating. The other flaw is the well-worn go to critique of "iT's sO dErIvAtive!". And, jokes aside, I can hear where this make-believe person is talking about. Most of these sounds and styles are so FULLY embraced and integrated by Batiste that it really does feel like he is pouring himself and what makes him unique into the influences. On occasion I also feel like the sounds are a bit derivative. These moments are rare and even when that feeling of unoriginality comes in, the songs and the performances are so strong I find this critique fade away behind my bobbing head and stupid grin.
This is a refreshingly alive, vital, joyous and optimistic sounding album. It has a brightness and a hope that is infectious. The way the album starts is stunningly great. Track 1 "WE ARE", track 2 "TELL THE TRUTH", track 3 "CRY" (another song of the year candidate), track 4 "I NEED YOU", and track 6 "BOY HOOD" are each flawless. Its rare an album comes out the gates THIS. FREAKING. HAAARD.
Of course with such a beginning its likely to fall off a little in the second half lest it be one of the 20 best songs ever made. And fall off a bit it does. Still some of the songs on side 2 are quite stunning. The D'Angelo-ish jam "ADULTHOOD", and the anthemic Sly-esque "FREEDOM" being a couple examples of latter half gems.
Of course it would be silly to end a comment on this album without remarking on Jon Batiste as a vocalist and a musician. He is a great, personable, almost effervescent force as a vocalist. He radiates some kind of warmth and relatability that I love to hear and is what has been the main driving force behind me listening to this album for hours today. And as a musician, well, he got this band together, arranged these songs, assembled this album and made this music - I think he is a world-class musician and artist. Glad I found this and heard it. It really has brightened up my day."[+]Reply
"Beautifully performed modern Sufi wrapped in a jazz blanket. Certainly night is its domain; it is by turns dark and soothing. Aftab’s voice is smooth and mellifluous and the playing complements it wonderfully. Superb."Reply