Well, here we are. It’s almost the end of 2020. While problems are likely to persist, we all could use a little bit of a reset. One of the few positives out of this year has been the deluge of amazing music. It’s been one of the pillars of maintaining sanity for so many, and it’s even harder for the musicians since they can’t take this beautiful material on the road. With that in mind, and also bearing in mind that this list is by no means definitive, here are my picks for the best 10 albums of the year.
1. Steve & Teresa – Catching a Wave (reissue)
Originally released in the 1980s, Catching a Wave is what happens when you manage to capture the actual spirit of the Hawaiian islands on tape. The perfect blending between the late great Steve Jones and Teresa Bright on vocals, acoustic guitar and acoustic bass is something to behold. It’s a sonic balm for the soul, a splendid antidote to the unrelenting pain of 2020. I can’t say enough good words about this whole record; all killer, no filler.
2. Atramentus – Stygian
Here we have what would happen if 2020 was a sound. Towering, colossal, frozen wasteland metal. Bottomless low end growls and absolutely thunderous drums compliment the bleakness of the roaring vocals and icy ambience of the whole record. At just three tracks, Stygian still manages to clear the 40-minute mark. Not for the faint of heart; this is a voyage through the dark tundra of despair.
3. Turtle Skull – Monoliths
Australia is cranking out the psych rock these days, and the latest of the Aussie rock outfits to crack my eardrums is the excellently-named Turtle Skull. Their debut full-length, Monoliths, showcases their self-described style of “flower doom.” Juxtaposing smashing, clobbering, percussive guitar underneath droning, hypnotic vocals and powerful rhythms, every track here is a guaranteed ear worm. I can’t wait to see where they go in the future.
4. Myrkur – Folkesange
Danish multi-instrumentalist Amalie Bruun, known professionally as Myrkur, took a dramatic turn on her most recent album. Leaving the black metal of Mareridt in the dust (at least for the moment), Bruun dazzles on Folkesange; a compilation of both reworked Scandinavian folk traditionals as well as her own originals, Folkesange is a delightful showcase of Bruun’s many talents as composer, musician, and vocalist. Once again, as is typical of her work, there are too many highlights to succinctly break them down here. Another 10/10 record start to finish.
5. Jake Muir – The Hum of Your Veiled Voice
Subdued, steamy, red light district vibes permeate this intoxicating album. In Muir’s own words, it’s a dedication to “the allure of ‘gay bathhouses and spas, club back rooms and decadent boudoirs.'” It certainly strikes the ear as a forbidden pleasure; silky, comforting, yet mysterious and demure. Not to be missed if you are a fan of any sort of downtempo electronic music.
6. Slift – Ummon
French space rockers Slift roared into my brain earlier this summer with Ummon, their 4th (I’m pretty sure) album. After noting the obvious similarities and influences from legendary psych outfit Oh Sees, the first thing that is immediately apparent is that Slift, rather than reaching into the primordial ooze like Oh Sees, are blasting off into the farthest reaches out outer space and alien worlds. If you’re into high-octane, high-flying rock and roll with that certain otherworldly tinge, Ummon is a must-listen.
7. Norma Tanega – Walkin’ My Cat Named Dog (reissue)
My second reissue of the list. It’s my list, whatever. Originally released in 1966, Tanega’s song “You’re Dead” gained massive popularity upon gracing What We Do in the Shadows (both the movie and TV show) as its theme song. The rest of the record is just as good, with heart-melting vocals and some of the catchiest 60s folk this side of Simon and Garfunkel. The songs range from soaring joie de vivre to achingly beautiful love songs to back alley dirges. Idiosyncratic to the core and wonderfully unique.
8. Sun Araw – Rock Sutra
This album basically sounds like if Talking Heads was Animal Collective. If you’ve never listened to either group, first of all, shame on you. Second of all, it’s angular yet soft, improvisational yet right in the pocket, sprawling and adventurous yet soft and easy to listen to. I had heard of Sun Araw beforehand but never listened – this album is the perfect entry point to his work.
9. Tobacco – Hot Wet & Sassy
Any time there’s a new Tobacco album out, it’s one of the best releases of the year. Tobacco (Tom Fec) has been one of the most consistently excellent musicians in the last two decades, and Hot Wet & Sassy is no exception. Filled with his typical gooey, anxiety-inducing flair (and a terrifyingly intense track featuring none other than Trent Reznor), it’s the usual top-notch Tobacco sludge pop. If you know, you know. If you don’t, I suggest you fix that. Spoiler: this album includes segments from a previously cassette-only track called “Smoky Mountain Neverthing.”
10. Vaisseau – Horrors Waiting in Line
French synth-doom. I repeat, French synth-doom. It’s basically what would happen if the Stranger Things soundtrack was written by an actual dungeon master but he had access to a Korg. It’s simply one of the most mystifying yet captivating records I’ve heard in years. Psychedelic and industrial, meandering yet moving forward with distinct direction, it’s a genre I literally did not know existed and now I cannot live without it.
Do not crucify me, friends. There are countless albums that would qualify for this list, and countless more that I haven’t even heard. The point is, take solace and joy in music and let it fill you with strength to face whatever comes next. Hang in there.
