Music to Soothe Your Soul: The Best of 2020
2020 was a tough year for many of us. But through it all, music has always been there to soothe our souls. Check out our list of the best music of 2020.
Best Pop Albums of 2020
We all know how 2020 has been quite a year. There’s been a lot of soul-searching and we all could use a little pick-me-up. Music has a way of doing that, so we’ve put together a list of the best pop albums of 2020. From upbeat anthems to soulful ballads, these albums are sure to soothe your soul.
Billie Eilish- “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”
Billie Eilish’s debut album, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” is a sonically cohesive work of art that explores her innermost thoughts and fears. The lyrics are vulnerable and honest, the production is dark and atmospheric, and the overall effect is one of eerie intimacy. This is an album that will stay with you long after the initial shock of its brilliance has worn off.
Ariana Grande- “Thank U, Next”
Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next” was one of the best pop albums of 2020. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and features the hit singles “7 Rings” and “Thank U, Next”. The album is a pop powerhouse that is sure to please fans of all ages.
Lizzo- “Cuz I Love You”
One of the most talked about and acclaimed albums of the past year, Lizzo’s “Cuz I Love You” is a soulful, emotional tour de force. Blending elements of R&B, hip-hop, and pop, the album is a masterclass in modern pop music.
Lizzo’s voice is the star of the show, as she effortlessly switches between powerhouse vocal runs and delicate falsetto. The lyrics are deeply personal and honest, with Lizzo opening up about her body image issues, her struggles with relationships, and her journey to self-love.
The album’s standout tracks include the anthemic “Truth Hurts”, the heart-wrenching “Good As Hell”, and the triumphant “Soulmate”. “Cuz I Love You” is an essential listen for any music fan, and it’s sure to be remembered as one of the best albums of the decade.
Best Hip-Hop/Rap Albums of 2020
It’s been a tough year for everyone, and music has been one of the things that has helped people get through it. There were a lot of great albums released in 2020, but these are the best hip-hop/rap albums of the year.
Megan Thee Stallion- “Good News”
Megan Thee Stallion’s major label debut album, “Good News,” is packed with bangers that’ll make you want to twerk the night away. But the Houston rapper also touches on more serious topics, like police brutality and systemic racism, on tracks like “Body” and “I Made It.” The result is an empowering record that celebrates Black women and demands respect for them.
Lil Baby- “My Turn”
Lil Baby’s “My Turn” was one of the best hip-hop/rap albums of 2020. It was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200. The album features the singles “Woah”, “Sum 2 Prove”, and “We Paid”.
Pop Smoke- “Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon”
Pop Smoke’s posthumous debut album, “Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon,” is a record that both honors the late rapper’s short life and cements his place in hip-hop history.
Released in July 2020, just two months after Pop Smoke’s untimely death at the age of 20, the album features some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including Quavo, Lil Baby, DaBaby, and Karol G.
With its mix of hard-hitting trap bangers and sentimental ballads, “Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon” is a fitting tribute to Pop Smoke’s life and career. It’s also a reminder of how much potential he had as an artist, and how much he will be missed.
Best R&B Albums of 2020
The year 2020 has been a trying one for us all. From a global pandemic to racial injustice, it’s been a lot to take in. But through it all, music has been a source of comfort for many of us. R&B, in particular, has always been a genre that soothes the soul. If you’re looking for some R&B albums to help you get through 2020, we’ve got you covered.
H.E.R.- “I Used to Know Her”
H.E.R.’s second album arrives as the full Flower Moon is in bloom, and like Solange’s When I Get Home, it’s an ode to blackness and its beauty, something to hold on to in dark times. It’s also a reminder that when it comes to mainstream R&B, H.E.R. is one of the genre’s true originals, a visionary songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist who knows how to craft timeless songs about love, loss, and heartbreak.
Khalid- “Free Spirit”
American Spirit is the second studio album by American singer Khalid, released on April 5, 2019, through Right Hand Music Group and RCA Records.
The album consists of eighteen songs, including three interludes. It was supported by the singles “Talk”, “My Bad”, and “Better”. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with 247,000 album-equivalent units, of which 42,000 were pure sales. American Spirit received generally positive reviews from critics and was nominated for Album of the Year at the 61st Grammy Awards.
Khalidbin Abdulaziz AlKhalid (born February 11, 1998), known mononymously as Khalid, is an American singer and songwriter. He is signed to Right Hand Music Group and RCA Records. His debut single, “Location”, was released in July 2016 and peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was later certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His debut studio album, American Teen, was released on March 3, 2017. The album peaked at number four on the US Billboard 200 chart and was later certified double platinum by the RIAA. In 2018, Khalid released the singles “Love Lies” with Normani and “OTW” with 6LACK and Ty Dolla Sign.
Summer Walker- “Over It”
One of the most successful R&B releases of late 2019, Summer Walker’s debut album “Over It” arrived at the perfect time. The project found the singer at her most raw and vulnerable, with tracks like “Girls Need Love” and “Session 32” providing an intimate look at her personal life and past relationships. Not only did the album spawn a number of hits, but it also helped establish Walker as one of the most promising new voices in R&B.
