2020 Albums

The lost year. The most historic year most people now living will experience. A massive pandemic that impacted everything. A relationship ended, an exciting new one began. I changed jobs from one I loved, to a new one I loved more. I had more free time that I have ever had as an adult. I didn’t hear a whole lot of new music I loved, though I certainly tried. I’m still mostly getting into albums by artists I already know well.

My favorite albums from 2020

  • The Loves of Your Life by Hamilton Leithouser - I’ve enjoyed each of his three solo records released to date, but each one sounds more and more like his old band The Walkmen and I’m not going to complain. I loved The Walkmen. [Memory: Being excited there was any new music to listen to during the pandemic]

  • McCartney III by Paul McCarney - In the depths of early pandemic anxiety I was really excited to hear about the third in the series of McCarney’s self titled records. I and II had been some of Paul’s most experimental and groundbreaking work. I pre-ordered on vinyl the day it was announced. It managed to be better than I thought it could be. I listened again when I wrote this, and realize I am still liking it more with each listen. It is remarkable that he can make music like this at his age and career state. [Memory: Hearing that this existed was welcome good news in one of the roughest periods of my life]

  • Tomorrows I by Son Lux - [2020 FAVORITE] - Another welcome distraction in the lost year was the three part epic by Ryan Lott and band. The albums play out more like films in a trilogy than a multi-movement musical piece. This one does a great job setting up the themes and concepts of the whole work. [Memory: This was released right after I moved back to Rochester]

  • Tomorrows II by Son Lux - If part one was A New Hope, this definitely is Empire Strikes Back. Everything is shaken up and broken apart. The reviews I saw didn’t like this one. I don’t think we were supposed to be comfortable. This is the middle act in the trilogy when things get harsh and difficult. [Memory: Being very disappointed with this until part III resolved everything]

  • The Ascension by Sufjan Stevens - I’m glad that Sufjan is back to making weird music, that is when he is at his best. [Memory: For some reason I listened to my vinyl copy of this for the first time while watching a video of my high school class Promenade on Facebook]

  • It is What it Is by Thundercat - Not as perfect at his previous record Drunk but still an amazing record on the boundaries of R&B and jazz. [Memory: I spent a really long time deciding if I really needed a copy of this on vinyl, apparently I did]