It's safe to say 2020 has been a bad year. But now that it's wrapping up, it's time to find some good qualities about the year. One of the best things about 2020 has been all the incredible albums released during the year. We saw a lot of experimentation from some of our favorite singers, as well as some highly anticipated returns.
2020 has been a rough year with a great soundtrack. It's basically like 50 Shades of Grey or Suicide Squad. Or the year 2016.
Here are the seven best albums released in 2020.
1. folklore - Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift's 'folklore': An Official RankingYouTubeTaylor Swift saved 2020. Who thought we'd be getting a whole new album and era from Taylor, not even a year after releasing her last album? Especially one without any promotion. Working with Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, and Bon Iver, Taylor released some of her most well-written songs, and arguably the best album of her career. Taylor decided to write songs from different people's perspectives other than her own, like the person who owned her Rhode Island house prior to her. She even came up with a trilogy of songs about a made-up love triangle, with one song from a different person's perspective. This was also Taylor's first album since '1989' to be nominated for 'Album of The Year' at the Grammys, which was long overdue. She's taken over country, she's taken over pop, and now she's taking over alternative.
Standout Tracks: 'cardigan', 'betty', 'august', 'the last great american dynasty', 'exile' (feat. Bon Iver), 'mad woman', 'my tears ricochet', 'this is me trying.'
2. evermore - Taylor Swift
This Is The 'evermore' Song You Should Listen To, Based On Your Enneagram TypeTaylor can't just leave well-enough alone. She has to keep one-upping herself by dropping a second surprise album a few days before her birthday. 'evermore' is a companion album to 'folklore', and it's just as good. Taylor is also jumping on the trend of making her album and song titles in all lowercase letters. We'll see how long this lasts.
Standout Tracks: 'no body, no crime' (feat. HAIM), 'willow', 'ivy', 'tolerate it', 'gold rush', 'marjorie', 'tis the damn season.'
3. Future Nostalgia - Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa GIF by AMAsGiphyIf there's one person who owned 2020, and had a breakout year, it's Dua Lipa. She improved her dance and perfomance skills, and dropped an incredible album. 'Future Nostalgia' is the perfect name for this album, because all the songs are influenced by disco and dance music, a blend of old and new. Every track is catchy as hell, and there's some gorgeous ballads in the mix as well, like 'Cool' and 'Boys Will Be Boys'.
Standout Tracks: 'Don't Start Now', 'Physical', 'Hallucinate', 'Levitating.'
4. Chromatica - Lady Gaga
Stupid Love GIF by Lady GagaGiphyLady Gaga has returned to her roots of dance pop on 'Chromatica.' And she gave us what we all needed right now. A fun, dance-pop record, with impactful lyrics, and powerful vocals. It's clear she's leaving her Ally Maine/Joanne era behind, and returning to her older eras. Every song is so incredible, that it'd be hard to find two people who have the same exact album ranking.
Standout Tracks: 'Stupid Love', 'Rain On Me' (feat. Ariana Grande), 'Sour Candy' (feat. BLACKPINK), 'Enigma', 'Replay', '1000 Doves', 'Babylon', 'Chromatica ll to 911.'
5. Rare - Selena Gomez
Look At Her Now GIF by Selena GomezGiphyJanuary 2020 belonged to Rare by Selena Gomez. She had been teasing her fans with a new album for years, and 'Rare' did not disappoint. The album is full of empowering tracks that are great to listen to after a break-up. She even dropped a deluxe version of the album in April, with three amazing new songs, 'Boyfriend', 'She', and 'Souvenir'.
Standout Tracks: 'Lose You To Love Me', 'Look At Her Now', 'Boyfriend', 'Souvenir', 'Feel Me.'
6. Confetti - Little Mix
Stop sleeping on Little Mix, America. They are an incredibly talented girl-group, and 'Confetti' proves it. It's a fun pop record with great hooks, danceable beats, and amazing vocals and lyrics. This is also a heartbreaking album because it is the last album Little Mix will make as an original foursome. Earlier this week, Jesy Nelson announced that she will be leaving the group after years of struggling with her mental health.
Standout Tracks: 'Happiness', 'Sweet Melody', 'Breakup Song,' 'Holiday', 'A Mess (Happy 4 U).'
7. Identity - Blair St. Clair
All Stars Sunglasses GIF by RuPaul's Drag RaceGiphyI do declare! Blair St. Clair's all grown up now, bitches! Her entrance line on 'RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars 5' this year proved it, and her second album also proves it. 'Identity' is full of empowering, emotional lyrics over danceable beats, which is Blair's forte. Drag queens are not just drag queens, people, they can be incredible music artists, and lyricists as well.
Standout Tracks: '9 Lives', 'It's Been Fun', 'Bad Judgement', 'Empty.'
