Vibez's Top Albums of 2020...so Far

We have been spoiled for choice so far this year in the music world with albums released by new and upcoming artists to the old favourites that we’ve been anticipating for a long time. It’s been a rotten old year and it’s now time to focus on the good stuff.

We have compiled a list of our top five albums of the year (so far), ones which we truly think deserve recognition and are working as a great distraction getting us through the lockdown.

The Slow Rush - Tame Impala

Released: February 14

Kevin Parker’s latest album, 'The Slow Rush' which has left a lot of his early fans disappointed, after experimenting with alternative sounds to what we might have expected of him. However, the album does offer us a mixture of melodies, with a few sticking to his usual catchy chorus’ and iconic guitar riffs such as 'Borderline' and 'Breathe Deeper'. We are given a real mixture of Parker’s creative flair in this album. Songs like 'Tomorrow’s Dust' bring a pacey tempo to the album, through dreamy, echoing vocals and a Latino acoustic guitar riffs. The order of the tracklisting works well, with each song bouncing off one after the other, overall making a very enjoyable and eloquent listen.

Favourites: Borderline, Posthumous Forgiveness, Breathe Deeper

Rating: 4/5

New Me Same Us - Little Dragon

Released: March 27

Photo of Little Dragon, by Theresa C. Sanchez

The four-piece band has once again nailed their unique and exciting sound in their sixth album 'New Me Same Us'. The album delivers R&B, pop, soul, reggae, and disco sounds, heard in the likes of ‘Hold On’, setting the album off on a good, bouncy stride. Each song greets us with something new, making the album exciting and enjoyable to listen to.

Favourites: Hold On, Are you feeling sad?, Where you belong Rating: 4/5

Man Alive! - King Krule

Released: February 21

Archy Marshall's third album as King Krule, ‘Man Alive!’ showcases his inner workings as an artist providing a thought-provoking and experimental album. The 14-song album has underlying tones of gloom and despair with his moaning bass guitar melodies and eerie vocals, creating a very mellow tenderness overall but, It wouldn’t be a King Krule creation without these on the checklist. His use of plucked chords and slow (ish) tempo throughout draws attention to his poetic flow throughout.

Favourites: Stoned Again and Alone, Omen 3

Rating: 3.5/5

It was Good Until It Wasn’t - Kehlani

Released: May 8

Three years post-release of ‘SweetSexySavage’, Kehlani delivers a very personal album, detailing the events of a failed relationship. With artists such as Jhene Aiko, Tory Lanez, and James Blake featured on the album we hear sophisticated yet raunchy tracks making Kehlani identifiable in the female R&B world. This album serves as a public ‘eff off’ to a past fraught relationship, empowering to many fans that relate to Kehlani’s situation.

Favourites: Can I, Grieving and Open (Passionate)

Rating: 4/5

What Kinda Music - Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes

Released: April 24

The collaborative album has not failed to reach expectations from fans of both artists. Dayes’ structured rhythms work well alongside Misch’s pitch-perfect, flowing vocals. The pair excelled in building on the jazz nature of the album, collaborating with saxophonist Kaidi Akinnibi in ‘Storm Before The Calm’ which is well-coordinated and produced staying true to all artists original sound, which is identifiable throughout. This album truly serves as a relaxing, feel-good album that heightens any mood.

Favourites: What Kinda Music and Nightrider

Rating: 4/5