Top 50 Albums of 2020 (20-11)

 One more day away from my top albums of 2020, so the countdown continues:

20.

Empress Of - I Am Your Empress Of

After the slight misstep of her sophomore record, Empress Of hits it out of the park with I Am Your Empress Of.  It's chock full of dancefloor bangers that show off her innovative production skills.

19.

Roisin Murphy - Roisin Machine

As I always say, in a perfect world, Roisin Murphy would be the biggest pop star. She's just a little too quirky to be mainstream, but the mainstream should appreciate and honor her. On her remarkable record Roisin Machine she goes dark and dirty for a disco-inspired extravaganza that pushes you to the limits of satisfaction and keeps you wanting more.

18. 

Bearcubs - Early Hours

Although Bearcubs has a similar croon to British producer James Blake it is wrong to say that he is just aping Blake's style.  Early Hours sounds like its title, lots of downtempo tracks with melodies drowned in aquatic effects with vague hints of Caribbean instrumentation.  It's a mysterious record that envelops you deep in its luxurious atmosphere.

17.

Moaning - Uneasy Laughter

Post-punk acolytes follow the usual Joy Division, New Order, Cure, and Echo and the Bunnymen blueprints but somehow make it their own sound.  What helps is that the songwriting it so solid and brings the emotion to the forefront.

16.

The New Division - Hidden Memories

This year's best dance-rock record goes to The New Division.  It is all hooks and no filler.

15. 

Darkstar - Civic Jams

Hymns and mantras to the abyss.  Sublime perfection.

14. 

I Break Horses - Warning

Swedish dream pop/shoegaze band came back this year with their most incredible record yet. It simultaneously sounds old and lived in and also fresh and new.  The album leans heavily on synths this time around but their monolithic sound adds so much weight and grandness to the songs.  

13.

Shygirl - ALIAS EP

Over thunderous beats and twisted synths, South London singer Shygirl's sly vocals slip, slide, and tease. It's an EP about fucking, pure and simple.  Shygirl is always in command.

12.

Charli XCX - how i'm feeling now

Created during the quarantine, how i'm feeling how is a record of and for its time, but such a great album that it stands on its own for any time period.  The songs touch on love, loss, and loneliness during these unreal times.  The production is pure Charli, future pop, bright and sparkly, and turned up to 11.

11. 

Autechre - SIGN

The experimental UK duo has been quite prolific lately with several new series of music being released, each one being almost more inscrutable than the last.  With SIGN, however, there are flashes back to their earlier production; haunting melodies, defined drum programming, and a sense of purpose.  This is also one of their prettiest records.