Here's my 2020 music review as well as my love letter to Brett Eldredge & Harry Styles. Also, if Kelsea Ballerini & Halsey happen to read this, I wouldn't be upset.
Fine Line- Harry Styles. It has come to my attention that this album actually came out in December of 2019, but I'm gonna ignore that because listening to it was one of my favorite parts of 2020. Typically, when a pop song gets overplayed on the radio, it means I'm not going to like the album very much. (Blame that on being an on-air personality for adult contemporary radio stations for 7 years.) However, I'm still not sick of Adore You or Watermelon Sugar. They're the sweet, sexy, upbeat, interesting songs that we needed to get through this hell year. Are they my favorite songs from this album? Nah. That title belongs to Cherry. But also, it's impossible *not* to belt out "I'm just an arrogant son of a bitch"when To Be So Lonely comes on. It's so good.
Kelsea- Kelsea Balerini. I'm convinced that Kelsea & I are supposed to be best friends. But that's besides the point. This is the most authentic, vulnerable and heartfelt albums I've heard in a very long time. She gets refreshingly honest about her anxiety, marriage trouble, losing her virginity & self-doubt. Homecoming Queen breaks my heart every time I hear it. I can't even sing along to it without getting choked up. This raw single was the most perfect introductory to Kelsea's best collection of work. Personally, I relate to Overshare on a deeeeep level. Shoutout to all the other overly-friendly, anxious, people-pleasing goofballs reading this... Overshare is our anthem. Plus, Hole In The Bottle is a BOP. Singing along to it while making Easter brunch & drinking champagne with my mom was one of the highlights of my quarantine.
Future Nostalgia- Dua Lipa. There isn't a bad song on this album. Not one. Every second of this album is perfection. I don't think I've ever said that about an album before, but Future Nostalgia deserves the praise. It's truly one-of-a-kind. The timing of this album's release was almost comical. Shelter in place had just started and it seemed like the world was literally on fire. But then, Dua Lipa rescued us by giving us a funky and energetic, pop-disco album jam-packed with songs to dance to. Listening to it every day was actually a saving grace during the pandemic. It kept my spirits up. My personal favorites include Good in Bed, Cool and Levitating. And while the album is mostly lighthearted and fun, I highly encourage you to listen to the lyrics in Boys Will Be Boys. It's one of the smartest and, unfortunately, one of the most honest songs I've ever heard. Every female can relate to it and it's so well done. Consider me a proud member of Dua Lipa's fan club.
Circles- Mac Miller. Honestly, I still can't listen to this album without tearing up. I truly loved Mac throughout his career & was absolutely heartbroken when he passed away. Hearing his posthumous album was definitely bittersweet. Obviously, I was happy to hear some of his best work but it was also a stark reminder of a career cut too short and a life lost way too soon. Truthfully, it's hard for me to speak about this album because I don't think my words can do it justice. But trust me, it's one of the best pieces of music to come out of the year as well as Mac's career in general. Spotify told me that Blue World was one of my "most listened to songs of the year" but I also love I Can See & Surf.
Manic- Halsey. I want to personally thank Halsey for simultaneously helping me through a pandemic & a breakup. You're the best! I would like to be best friends with you & Kelsea Ballerini, k thanks! Okay, but for real. Manic is incredible. You can tell that Halsey is a poet in this album because the lyrics are simply stunning. I'm always the girl who sings along to her favorite songs, but I don't always do that with Halsey. Her words are so powerful and hauntingly beautiful that I'd rather hear them straight from the source. Graveyard is one of the greatest songs and best stories I've ever heard (I know I've said that a few times in this post, sue me). But Clementine holds a very special place in my heart. Oh, and You Should Be Sad? It's a masterpiece.
Sunday Drive- Brett Eldredge. If there's one good thing that came out of this year, it's that people started to get very real about their mental health struggles. Even handsome, talented, goofy, successful men like Brett Eldredge. If you know me, you know I have a massive crush on him, so I'm going to love anything with his name on it. But all bias aside, this album is a breath of fresh air. Do yourself a favor and put your phone on airplane mode, go on a long walk & listen to this album all the way through. You won't regret it. I think you'll agree that Where the Heart Is, Magnolia, Gabrielle & Sunday Drive are standouts.
Honorable Mentions...
Rare- Selena Gomez. 2020 was full of some wonderfully poppy, female empowerment albums & I loved every second of it. Plus Kid Cudi makes an appearance on this one, so yay!
Man On The Moon 3: The Chosen- Kid Cudi. Speaking of Kid Cudi... Is there anything better than hearing his "hmmmm" again? Nope. This album literally just came out so I haven't had a ton of time to obsess over it yet but Dive, Tequila Shots & Lovin Me are so good.
Literally everything that Ariana Grande did. Huge Ariana fan over here. And once again, she gave us some pop perfection this year. She collaborated with fellow pop superstars Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber & Mariah Carey. Plus, she gave us Positions without much warning! Off The Table, 34+35, My Hair & POV are the best songs on the album, don't @ me.
Also, anything that Carly Pearce did. If you need an ego boost while getting ready for a Skype date (cause ya know, covid), you *have* to listen to Call Me. It's one of the most underrated songs of the year. Scratch that, Carly's entire self-titled album is one of the most underrated of the year. Plus, she went #1 with Lee Brice for their song I Hope You're Happy Now. Despite these achievements, Carly was mostly in the spotlight this year because of her unexpected divorce from fellow country star... what's his name? Doesn't matter. Carly is a queen & she's released her best, sassiest and most honest music since the divorce. Next Girl is equal parts polite and savage and I'm living for it.
Petals For Armor- Hayley Williams. If you didn't love pop-punk in middle school, we can't be friends. I have been obsessed with Paramore, specifically Hayley, for so long and her first solo album did not disappoint. It was equal parts "sad girl shit" and "I am the shit" which is pretty perfect to me. It's impossible for me to pick a favorite song from the album so go ahead and listen to the whole thing.
What were your favorite musical moments this year? Any that didn't make my list? Let me know! I'm literally always looking for music suggestions.
Here's hoping 2021's soundtrack is even better!
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