Best Album Of 2020 - Honourable Mention
Keeping with a tradition that started last year when our team began to grow, we give you a list of albums that didn’t quite make our list of “Best Albums Of 2020,” but were good enough that they deserved some sort of official recognition.
That recognition comes today with our best albums of 2020 - honourable mention. This list of ten wonderful albums comes one day before we unveil our 25 favourite full-length records of the past year. That list - which concludes our year-in-review - comes out tomorrow so be sure to revisit the site in 24 hours.
Until then, dig into these incredible ten albums below. Have a listen and support the artists if you find something you enjoy!
Cryptozoologists - Pond Life
Art-Rock at its finest. This record was obscenely under-rated this year. Put your headphones on and get lost in the multiple layers of Pond Life.
Dead Quiet - Truth and Ruin
Striking a perfect balance in Hard Rock. Riff-tastic waves and a pummelling rhythm section will have you gasping for breath as you die for more.
Freak Heat Waves - Zap The Planet
Freak Heat Waves warbled this record out of left field. Their new sound will anesthetize you into a groggy euphoria. Revisit this record now that you’ve come to terms with FHWs musical shift.
Lyrique - Poetry Is My Pleasure
Calgary rapper Lyrique honed his style for years before releasing his amazing debut album. Lyrique’s introspective look at his immigrant experience in Canada deserves repeat listens.
Marlaena Moore - Pay Attention, Be Amazed!
Marlaena Moore crafted the best work of career. Whimsical when it wants, heart wrenching when it wants, bold when it wants… This album does what it wants and we are all richer because of it.
Military Genius - Deep Web
A clash of genres come together to create a debut we won’t forget. Jazz meets krautrock meets ambient meets psych to create the best 3:00am album of the year.
Noble Son - Life Isn’t Fun
Heart on your sleeve lyrics combined with devastatingly beautiful arrangements made this singer/songwriter’s album a “must hear” in 2020.
Odario - Good Morning Hunter
Hip-Hop meets Soul in this expertly produced and poetically poignant album from Odario who may be best known for his other act Grand Analog, but a record this good will quickly change that association.
Pantayo - Pantayo
This record was the unexpected gem we needed this year. By combining kulintang music of The Philippines with electronic grooves, Pantayo exploded into our hearts on their debut studio album.
YlangYlang - Interplay
Unknowingly, Catherine Debard made the perfect album for 2020. The general theme reflects on how we adapt and survive as individuals in dark times, the music is a smattering of sounds that both clash and come together in unity… fitting, no?
Thanks for tuning into our honourable mention for the best albums of 2020. Come back tomorrow to see which albums we called our favourites from the past year.
If you missed any of our Best of 2020 lists, take some to check out:
- Releases that “Slipped Through The Cracks”