My Top 10 Albums of 2020

2020 was definitely one for the books. We had no idea what was coming down the pipeline and then we were willing to barter for toilet paper.

One thing that was consistent in 2020 was the phenomenal music that we got from some of the biggest artists in the music business! It was a great year, creatively, for many of those that we look to for inspiration, comfort, and good times.

I wanted to share my thoughts on MY top albums of 2020 because.... why not!

This list may not be for everyone, as I have been told often that I have the music library of a 12-year-old girl (I do not contest this, it is just who I am). I do, however, think that my taste resonates with many and hope you will appreciate my thoughts on my top albums of 2020.

10. Kehlani - It Was Good Until It Wasn't

Released May 8, 2020

I cannot construe enough how much I appreciate Kehlani. Her album "SweetSexySavage" will eternally be in my top albums of all time (that is a clue that you need to go listen to it). There is something about her voice that strikes a chord within me and gives me a wine-like buzz. She definitely does not fall into the sophomore slump that many are concerned about with It Was Good Until It Wasn't.

She continues her slinky R&B rollercoaster of emotions with a more mature tinge with uber sexual songs like "Water" and my album fave "F&MU"! In my opinion, she carries the torch that many R&B divas before have passed down. This would include Aaliyah, Brandy, Keyshia Cole, etc. This is not to say that these players are no longer relevant, just that Kehlani has shown that she can run with the best of them!

Standout Tracks - "Can I", "Water", "Change Your Life", "Serial Lover", and "F&MU)

9. Katy Perry - Smile

Released August 28, 2020

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson has put us through the wringer these past few years. We hear the word reinvention tossed around a lot, particularly in relation to female pop stars. Ms. Perry is a PRO. After what many (not myself) considered a flop era, the Witness album, she returned to her candy-coated pop roots with a modestly exciting offer, Smile.

This album seemed to take a decade to release, with a plethora of songs being released before there was even proof a full album was going to come to fruition. Songs like "Never Really Over", "Small Talk", "Harleys In Hawaii", "Daisies", and "Never Worn White" were all released. I will say that the first handful of songs had me very excited to see what was to come with her 5th (depending on how you count it) studio album, with some of the previously released not being on the tracklist.

Overall I enjoy the album at a surface level. There are definitely some winners on the album, but to me, it is a bit forgettable. Ironically it has made my top 10 albums of the year 🤡. This is probably due to a few heroic songs on the album.

Standout Tracks - "Never Really Over", "Teary Eyes", "Daisies", and"Harleys In Hawaii"

8. Kylie Minogue - Disco

Released November 6, 2020

I am actually shocked at how low on this list Disco is, although it did only come out 2 months before the end of the year. Kylie knew that we need her to return to the dancefloor, especially after Golden (I will not comment).

This album is retro-yet fresh-and each additional listen gleans more value and fun. One Dua Lipa set out to make a disco album and Ms. Minogue informed her that she was set to be the queen of the dancefloor. Something that I truly love about this album is that it has no skip-worthy songs. It is a LONG album, especially if you are partaking in the deluxe edition, but it truly shines the whole way through. Some might call it an infinite disco.

If you've been sleeping on Kylie Minogue, do yourself a favor and listen to this album (and Aphrodite while you're at it).

Standout Tracks - "Miss A Thing", "Real Groove", "Supernova", "I Love It", "Where Does The DJ Go?", and "Dancefloor Darling"

7. Kelsea Ballerini - Kelsea

Released March 20, 2020

Kelsea Ballerini is the country-pop starlet I always dreamed of. As Taylor Swift made her foray into pop and alternative music, Kelsea Ballerini stood firmly on the line between the two and I think she is killing it!

I fell in love with her sophomore album Unapologetically after hearing the first single on the radio while traveling and doing further investigation. Since then I learned every word to the album and had the opportunity to see her at the Houston Rodeo. She's a breath of fresh air and I feel that I can always count on her to put out fun and beautiful country songs that stir something in my soul.

This album seems almost like a continuation of her previous, as I don't see exorbitant amounts of growth in the content or style, but sometimes it's good to know where you excel. It is worth noting that she did release a sister album (a concept that existed before T-Swifts Folklore & Evermore) titled Ballerini that is full of acoustic and somber reimaginings of the previous album's songs.

She is definitely one to continue to watch and listen to.

Standout Tracks - "Club", "Love Me Like A Girl", "Hole In The Bottle", "The Way I Used To", "Needy", and "A Country Song"

6. Selena Gomez - Rare

Released January 10, 2020

With the exciting year of 2020 just upon us (ha) Selena Gomez finally launched her anticipated follow-up to the more mature Revival.

The singles that had been released prior to the album built up a lot of excitement, especially after they were linked with Apple's iPhone and include videos that were shot wholly on one (they say). "Look At Her Now" has come to be one of the most listened to songs in my music library and somehow manages to not fade in excitement. Gomez seems to work with producers and songwriters that know how to create something that is mainstream yet unexpected. It also received a re-release not too long after, offering some of the best songs on the album.

I was not let down by this album and believe that it has solidified Selena as someone to expect consistently great music. Her cooking show is cute too if you haven't seen it!

Standout Tracks - "Rare", "Boyfriend", "Souvenir", "Look At Her Now", "People You Know", and "Let Me Get Me"

5. Ariana Grande - k bye for now (swt live)

Released December 23, 2019

Although the post clearly states 2020, Apple thinks that this came out late enough in 2019 (and I listened to it enough) to warrant it making the list.

I went to this concert in 2019 and it was amazing. The stage performance was not monumental or anything overly exciting, but I did think that Ariana's vocals were so ethereal that it made it one of the best concerts I've been to. If you haven't, give this album a listen or watch her excuse me, i love you concert on Netflix. The outfits and the vocals definitely make it worth it!

Standout Tracks - "Sweetener", "Side To Side", "Love Me Harder", "Breathin", and "Tattooed Heart"

4. Meghan Trainor - Treat Myself

Released January 31, 2020

This is another album that had multiple lives and basically took an eternity to come out. Say what you want about Meghan Trainor but I think that she is exceptionally talented and knows how to create a catchy song.

There's not much more that I can say about this album beyond if you enjoy yourself some Meghan Trainor, you will enjoy this album. Apparently, I do!

Standout Tracks - "Wave", "Nice To Meet Ya", "Workin' On It", "Ashes", and "Make You Dance"

3. Taylor Swift - folklore/evermore

Released July 24, 2020

I too am shocked that this is not the top album of my year. I feel like Taylor Swift infiltrated 2020 with her surprise mid-year release. Although the album was not an immediate hit, it definitely grew on me and I feel like I could not live without it. In a year where there was not much variance or excitement, it was interesting to receive a subdued album full of stories and intricacies that have been perfected by Taylor Swift.

I will say that I have done A LOT of research into the characters mentioned in these songs and have re-arranged the tracklist multiple times to form a storyline. Let's just say.... I'm in deep.

I am including evermore, as they are "sister albums" and I think that not having the album listed on within my top played would be unfair as it only came out on December 11, 2020.

Standout Tracks - the whole thing + the deluxe track "the lakes"

2. Lady Gaga - Chromatica

Released May 29, 2020

I would like to request a one-way ticket to Chromatic, please. After "Stupid Love" took over my ears for what seemed like a month, I knew that this was going to be an album to remember. There was so much buzz surrounding this album, including features from well-known artists and the EPIC photos and promotional materials that support it.

THEN Ariana Grande. Rain on me had such an impact and was tailored to be THE pop song that we needed to help us dance, AT HOME, through a pandemic. It was also announced that she was to collaborate with BlackPink AND Elton John. TOO MUCH TO HANDLE.

One thing I truly love about this album, like all of Lady Gaga's albums, is that it is an experience. You get lost in Chromatica and can take a cathartic trip through Lady Gaga's mind, set to dancefloor anthems.

Standout Tracks - All of them. It would do you and it no justice to skip a song. Press play and let the album run out. You're welcome.

1. Ariana Grande - Positions

Released October 30, 2020

I'm sorry, Ariana owns my heart. Positions may not be the best album she's released, it definitely holds a dear place in my heart and in her catalog. Ariana turns up the sexuality on Positions, especially with tracks like "34 + 35". This is another album that is not an exorbitant stretch from the artist's previous, but you can tell that Ariana enjoyed making this and that it was a passion project that helped her stay busy during the pandemic.

I will say that many of the songs on the album are a bit lacking in depth, but she makes up for it with effortless angelic harmonies. It is also extremely possible that this album is #1 solely because of the number of times that I listened to "Positions" on repeat. Issa mood.

Standout Tracks - "Just Like Magic", "Off The Table", "Safety Net", "West Side", "Positions", and "POV"

Honorable Mentions

If you've made it this far, thank you and I'm sorry.

There are a few albums that I wanted to mention that did not make the list and I feel are important to note.

Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia

Released March 27, 2020

Not sure how this wasn't in my top 10, but I guess my over-listening of other albums booted this one out. This is a stellar album and an AMAZING promotional project. This has solidified Lipa as a pop DIVA!

Standout Tracks - "Don't Start Now", "Cool", "Levitating", "Hallucinate", and "Boys Will Be Boys"

Britney Spears - Glory (2020 Re-release)

Released December 18, 2020

How could I not find a way to sneak a Britney album, especially one that was originally released in 2016, onto my top albums of 2020?

Although there is currently a lot of commotion surrounding Britney's life, I am extremely grateful for these new songs that have emerged to save the craptastic year that was 2020. The new songs, Backstreet Boys, the new cover, it's all too good to pass up!

Sending my love to Birtney ❤️

Standout Tracks - "Mood Ring", "Swimming In The Stars", and "Matches"

Little Mix - Confetti

Released November 6, 2020

This is another album that I am shocked didn't make it into my top 10! This is probably my favorite album released by the group, now a trio, and consists of such high-quality songs that make any drive a blast.

Standout Tracks - "Sweet Melody", "Confetti", "Nothing But My Feelings", "Gloves Up", and "If You Want My Love"

Blackpink - The Album

Released October 2, 2020

While the length barely makes this an album, Blackpink launches an amazing smattering of songs that will be stuck in your head... forever.

Some may say it's formulaic, but it works for me! Nice job girls! Can't wait for more!

Standout Tracks - "How You Like That", "Pretty Savage", "Lovesick Girls", and "Crazy Over You"

Troye Sivan - In A Dream - EP

Released August 21, 2020

This EP is so good. I have been a fan of Troye Sivan for so long. I appreciate that he is openly gay and that manages to infuse soul into his songs which feed my soul! This, like many others on the list, seems to be his branching out into more mature content. It is definitely a valiant effort and solidifies my love for him.

Standout Tracks - "Take Yourself Home", "Easy", and "Stud"

*I do not own any of these album covers, nor am not implying I do.