Vibing On Vinyl’s Top Albums Of 2020

Posted On December 30, 2020

Samantha Colleran, December 2020

As this wild rollercoaster of a year comes to a close, I thought it would be important to reflect on the music that made it all a bit more bearable by highlighting my favorite albums of this year. These are in no particular order. Feel free to share your favorite albums released this year in the comment section, I’d love to know what music you’ve been listening to! I’m hoping 2021 treats everyone a little kinder, and brings us lots more music to celebrate (hopefully at live shows)! 

Walls, Louis Tomlinson

I’ve written about this album as well as specific songs from this album a number of times (which you can read about here, here, as well as linked above), so it’s obvious that Walls is special to me. It’s Louis’ debut album and seeing his excitement to release it, as well as finally being a proud owner of both a physical CD and vinyl that contains twelve tracks of solely his work, has brought me so much joy this year. On Walls, Louis truly showcases some of his most incredible vocal performances and proves to an audience just how lyrically talented he is. We see him sing about a wide range of topics; from losing his mother, to young love, to heartbreak and being vulnerable, Walls is one of the standout albums of the year and earns a spot on my top album choices. (It also deserved way more promo and credit, but I’m hoping his nearly sold out world tour and move from Simon Cowell’s now extinct label, Syco, will allow him to finally, finally get the proper credit he’s deserved for years). 

Sam’s Song Selection: “Always You”, “Only The Brave”, “Habit”

Heartbreak Weather, Niall Horan

On his sophomore album, Niall took a different approach than with his debut album Flicker. Heartbreak Weather seems like a breakup album on the surface, but it actually explores all aspects of a relationship. Finding love, falling out of it, regrets and confusion, longing to be back to better times, Niall brings it all on Heartbreak Weather and allows listeners to see a different side of his art both lyrically and musically. This album doesn’t fit a specific genre, every song has a different, unique feel. We got a little sneak peek of some Heartbreak Weather songs live when Niall performed a livestream event at Royal Albert Hall, and it only made me even more excited to see this album performed in person once it’s safe for artists to tour again. The slow songs, the powerhouse songs, every single track on this album will make you feel something different and by the end of your listening session, you’ll feel hopeful and empowered. 

Sam’s Song Selection: “Everywhere”, “New Angel”, “Dear Patience”

Future Nostalgia, Dua Lipa

If you’re searching for a flashback to 80s pop, stop looking and start listening to Dua Lipa’s sophomore album! As soon as Dua dropped her first single of this era, “Don’t Start Now”, it was clear that she had a completely different style and approach to creating music. The world needed this album; upbeat and rather lighthearted tracks driven by that familiar 80s feel. If only we could have properly partied our asses off to this album with friends on nights out. Future Nostalgia is the perfect feel good album, and once we’re able to be back in the high energy crowds in clubs and venues, I’m sure a number of songs from this album will be staples for the upcoming good times. This album also earned Dua 6 Grammy nominations, which is a success in itself!

Sam’s Song Selection: “Levitating”, “Physical”, “Love Again”

Manic, Halsey

Manic is definitely Halsey’s most honest record. If you look closely at the album art, it says “H3” and “A01”, signifying that it’s her third album as Halsey but her first album as Ashley, her true self. The opening track “Ashley” is the most Halsey sounding song in order to ease her audience into a newer sound, as stated in an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music. She has a number of really cool features on this album such as Alanis Morissette for “Alanis’ Interlude” and Travis Barker on drums for the song “3 am”. There’s also very emotional moments such as the simple acoustic love song “Finally // beautiful stranger”, and “929”, where Halsey went into the studio and laid out the entire song in one go. Manic is a beautiful album and I’m really glad that Halsey shared it with her audience.

Sam’s Song Selection: “Finally // beautiful stranger”, “killing boys”, “929”

CALM, 5 Seconds of Summer

I have a rather complicated relationship with 5SOS, but there was so much behind the scenes industry action that surrounded their fourth studio album release, I knew I had to listen to it. (A brief rundown for those who don’t keep tabs on industry updates or 5SOS; a week before the release, 10,000 copies of the album were accidentally shipped early. This resulted in a massive loss of sales that should have counted towards release week, Billboard wouldn’t add the lost copies on to the release week. 5SOS were given the #2 position on the charts, but expressed gratitude to their fans for standing up for them). Content wise, this album is a lot different than I expected it to be. It has some strong moments like the impeccable drumming on opening track “Red Desert”, Jeff Buckley inspired power ballad “Lover Of Mine”, and soft closing track with breathy vocals and really nicely layered harmonies titled “High”. I wasn’t a huge fan of the earlier singles (although the message behind “No Shame” takes a brave stand against the industry), but I did enjoy this album after getting over my hesitation to listen. 

Sam’s Song Selection: “High”, “Lover Of Mine”, “Red Desert”

Father Of All Motherfuckers, Green Day

I’ve loved Green Day for a very long time, so when they announced a new album I was so excited! The shortest Green Day album to date clocking in at only 26 minutes long, this is the band’s final album under their long term label Reprise Records, a sub label under Warner Music Group. The album consists of ten tracks with no actual underlying theme, which is unusual for Green Day since they’re notorious for political themes in their music (American Idiot being their most widely recognized). Receiving a lot of mixed reviews, Father Of All… has some interesting moments that reflect past Green Day vibes and include some newer sounds, as well as a lot of shocking high voice singing from Billie Joe. My personal favorite track, “Junkies On A High”, is the perfect song to describe this album; it feels like it could have been on some of their earlier albums sound wise, yet it’s a bit more refined. Their tagline for this album always makes me laugh: “Nothing says fuck you like a unicorn”, which is very, very Green Day and very, very hilarious. 

Sam’s Song Selection: “Junkies On A High”, “I Was A Teenage Teenager”, “Stab You In The Heart”

Tickets To My Downfall (SOLD OUT Deluxe), Machine Gun Kelly

It was clear after Machine Gun Kelly’s appearance as Tommy Lee in the Mötley Crüe biopic The Dirt he’s capable of being a rocker, but this album shows a new side of his art that I was thoroughly impressed with. Produced by blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, MGK delivers incredible pop punk vibes with features from close friends including Halsey, Trippie Redd, blackbear, voice notes with Pete Davidson and current girlfriend Megan Fox, and others. The first single from this album, “bloody valentine”, proved that Machine Gun Kelly is worthy of the pop punk title. TTMD is driven mostly by heavy drums, guitars, and loud, gritty vocals that are reminiscent of the alternative/pop punk sounds of the late 90s and early 2000s. I’m obsessed with this album, and I really hope MGK decides to stick with this sound for a little while, even if it’s only for one more album. Also be sure to check out the movie adaptation of the album narrated by MGK and Travis Barker called Downfalls High set to release in January!

Sam’s Song Selection: “jawbreaker”, “body bag”, “hangover cure” (this changes so often because I’m obsessed with every single song on this album)

Wake Up, Sunshine by All Time Low

All Time Low is one of my all time favorite bands, and I was so excited when it was announced they would be releasing a new album this year. Wake Up, Sunshine is full of so much of that classic ATL sound I’ve grown to love so deeply since I was around 13, but it has newer elements that I’ve already begun to love as well. All Time Low never fails to deliver incredible lyrics and instrumentals, this album certainly lives up to that statement. Each of these 15 tracks all have a different feel, but they follow one underlying theme; “waking up to a new life and feeling rejuvenated, but it’s also a call to action” according to frontman Alex Gaskarth. It’s one of the albums that came out really early during the lockdown, and it’s upbeat energy and positive vibes of learning to feel comfortable in your skin are exactly what the world needed when it was released back in April. I really hope All Time Low tour once it’s safe to do so, I can picture some amazing moments with some of these tracks.

Sam’s Song Selection: “Glitter & Crimson”, “Basement Noise”, “Melancholy Kaleidoscope”

Confetti, Little Mix

Little Mix’s sixth studio album is full of girl power anthems, heartbreak, and finding your true self. I’ve written about a couple of tracks individually as Sunday Sounds posts (here and here), as well as the full album (linked above), so it’s clear that the LM girls are incredibly talented. We have love songs, break up songs, songs about friendship (which is a staple in Little Mix music and has been since their very first album), party songs, self love songs. It’s a slightly more mature sound for the girls, their voices blend together perfectly as usual and they all have their standout vocal moments. With this being their sixth studio album, I’m hoping that they gain more popularity in the US so I can experience Confetti (and everything from DNA to LM5) live with my girls! 

Sam’s Song Selection: “Happiness”, “My Love Won’t Let You Down”, “Not A Pop Song”

Positions, Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande dropped a surprise album this year, and music is always a much appreciated gift, but it was much more appreciated in this crazy year. Covering themes of falling in love, sex positivity, and trust, we see a new side of Ariana. There are some really cool features on the album, including the wildly popular Doja Cat on “motive”, The Weeknd on moody number “off the table”, as well as Ty Dolla $ign on one of my favorite tracks “safety net”. Each track has a completely different vibe, which allows it to perfectly fit any mood or event. There’s the sexy songs, the sassy songs, the cry songs. Positions has a track for everyone, and although it isn’t my personal favorite Ariana album it has a lot of standout moments and I’ve loved listening to it the past couple of months!

Sam’s Song Selection: “my hair”, “west side”, “safety net”

Plastic Hearts, Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus’ turn to rock has been one of my favorite unexpected surprises of this year. This album is full of glorious 80s inspired rock elements that will have you dancing and singing your heart out one minute, and crying on the floor the next. Miley featured rock legends Billy Idol and Joan Jett on two tracks, as well as Dua Lipa, who has also been putting an 80s spin on her sound. Even on the more rock sounding tracks, we see a new side of Miley; she talks openly about how she was scrutinized in the media for years but is still standing her ground, the troubles of relationships, and still trying to figure out her path in life. It was such a great album to end November with, and I can’t wait to rock out to it all throughout 2021!

Sam’s Song Selection: (This has changed slightly from my first initial listen!) “High”, “WTF Do I Know”, “Hate Me”

weird!, YUNGBLUD

Times have been rather “weird” lately, and Doncaster born singer Dominic Harrison, better known as YUNGBLUD, highlights that sense of weirdness in his thirteen track sophomore album released on December 4. There’s gritty moments like “strawberry lipstick” that sound like they could fit right into a coming of age movie, Beastie Boys inspired “superdeadfriends”, powerful moments with strong messages like the track “mars”, and a feature from previously mentioned Machine Gun Kelly on “acting like that”. YUNGBLUD sings about a lot of different topics, meaning there’s a song everyone can relate to! This album received a lot of poor reviews from critics, but I simply can’t understand how when it’s such a special album to come out of this year. YUNGBLUD is an incredibly strong and unique presence in the industry, and this album will definitely stick with me beyond 2020.

Sam’s Song Selection: “it’s quiet in beverly hills”, “cotton candy”, “love song”

And that’s a wrap! I know this post was lengthy, so I thank you for reading all the way through if you’re up to this point! I’d love to know your favorite albums to come out of 2020. Are they on this list, am I missing some? Let me know in the comments, and have a safe, healthy, and incredibly happy new year! I will also be going live on Instagram later today at 7pm EST, so if you’re around I’d love to see you there!