Something You Said’s top albums of 2020
2020 hasn’t been much fun, but at least we’ve been treated to some absolutely cracking albums over the past 12 months. Here are the best 20, as voted for by the Something You Said team:
1. LAURA MARLING – SONG FOR OUR DAUGHTER
Initially planned for release at the back end of this year, the award-winning singer/songwriter decided that, given all the chaos that COVID caused, she would bring forward her seventh studio album to much earlier in 2020. She explains, “In light of the change to all our circumstances, I saw no reason to hold back on something that, at the very least, might entertain, and at its best, provide some sense of union.” Song For Our Daughter certainly did that and, alongside 2010’s I Speak Because I Can, it represents her best work to date.
2. ALEX THE ASTRONAUT – THE THEORY OF ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
We’ve been raving about Alex The Astronaut from when she first appeared on our radar nearly five years ago, so we were incredibly excited that her debut long-player finally dropped in 2020. It was absolutely worth the wait too. Alex Lynn’s intimate folk stories create a world of love, kindness and truth and, in 2020, that’s just the kind of world that we need.
3. THE CRIBS – NIGHT NETWORK
The Wakefield band’s eighth album is their best in over a decade. It bursts with the kind of energy and chaotic singalong brilliance that made the brothers so well loved in the first place. The Cribs are back and we’re delighted about it!
4. PHOEBE BRIDGERS – PUNISHER
The second studio album by the American artist displays downcast beauty in its tales of doomed love and quiet strength. This is an album that, without fanfare, gets under your skin and stays there, its sense of tone and mood feeling more perfect with every listen.
5. FANNY LUMSDEN – FALLOW
This third LP from Fanny Lumsden deservedly won Best Country Album at the 2020 ARIA Awards. Taking the familiar Lumsden wit and melody, Fallow is about life, love, challenges, sadness and optimism, summed up by the track, This Too Shall Pass, in which she explains, ‘Some of this is magic and some of this is pain’. One thing’s for sure, whatever subject Fanny Lumsden touches upon, she does so with utter believability and integrity, and obviously with one heck of an ear for a tune.
6. LISA CARUSO – IN FEELINGS
The Sydney artist’s debut album began life in 2017 with calm bedroom studies, exciting London demos, and plans to work with Sarah Blasko’s right hand man, Ben Fletcher. A battle with Crohn’s disease then ensued, which delayed the album but also fed into Caruso’s creativity, and informed her music’s emotiveness and transparency. The resultant album is one of strength, of vulnerability, of pain and of power.
7. JIM BOB – POP UP JIM BOB
In the seven years since the former Carter USM legend dropped a solo album, Jim Bob has firmly established himself as an acclaimed author, so we weren’t necessarily expecting new music this year. It’s a real treat then that not only did Jim release a brand new long-player in 2020, but that it’s perhaps his best solo record to date. Pop Up Jim Bob is a stunning album, telling tales of everyday modern life with trademark wit, tenderness and anger. At times it’s visceral and punky, elsewhere delicate and emotive, and there are plenty of sweeping indie-pop crescendos. Superb stuff!
8. ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER – SIDEWAYS TO NEW ITALY
The sophomore album from the Melbourne indie-rock band offers more sparkling, summery, jangly catchiness, delivered via three guitars and with a lovely sense of romance.
9. FLEET FOXES – SHORE
Robin Pecknold considers the passing of time on this beautiful record. The rich folk harmonies are exactly what you would want from the Fleet Foxes.
10. KEVIN MORBY – SUNDOWNER
The sixth LP from the American musician, singer and songwriter is a reflection of his Kansas City home. This is delicate and introspective folk, simple yet emotional.
11. MOSES SUMNEY – Græ
12. PORRIDGE RADIO – Every Bad
13. TAYLOR SWIFT – Folklore
14. RUN THE JEWELS – RTJ4
15. A. SWAYZE & THE GHOSTS – Paid Salvation
16. FIONA APPLE – Fetch the Bolt Cutters
17. THE WEEKND – After Hours
18. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – Letter To You
19. MEGAN THEE STALLION – Good News
20. JARV IS – Beyond The Pale
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Previous winners…
2019: FAYE WEBSTER – ATLANTA MILLIONAIRES CLUB
2018: SHAME – SONGS OF PRAISE
2017: LCD SOUNDSYSTEM – AMERICAN DREAM
2016: DAVID BOWIE – BLACKSTAR
2015: SUFJAN STEVENS – CARRIE & LOWELL
2014: FIRST AID KIT – STAY GOLD
2013: KIRIN J CALLINAN – EMBRACISM
