2020 was a bizarre year for so many reasons, but that didn’t stop artists from getting creative and making some of the best music of their careers. These are the #EROCKS Best Albums of 2020…in no particular order.
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The king of 2020, Bad Bunny did not disappoint, YHLQMDLG is the party album that we all wanted. We may not have been able to go out to the club or see him live in concert, but we were definitely perriando to this album, especially to “Yo Perreo Sola.” That track is an anthem about, believe it or not, empowering women, but it’s not just an anthem for independent women, it also sheds a light on marginalized groups who don’t always get the space to just be themselves. Bad Bunny has said it in various interviews he doesn’t just write music to have a good time, he writes music that has a deep and meaningful meaning, he does that with YHLQMDLA, but he goes even deeper in El Ultimo Tour Del Mundo.
Not one, not two, but three albums, Bad Bunny released three albums in 2020, his latest El Ultimo Tour Del Mundo. In this album, we find Bunny experimenting with genres, from punk-rock to r&b, rap to rock en español. Why the different genres? According to Bunny, this album is his farewell album that was supposed to be released in 2030 when he retires. This album is supposed to show us how his sound has evolved throughout his career, and it definitely evolves. Our favorite tracks: “Maldita Pobreza,” “El Mundo Es Mío,” “Yo Visto Así,” “Antes Que Se Acabe,” “La Droga,” “Te Mudaste.” The entire album is spectacular but those songs in particular resonated with us, the way Bunny tells a story is mind-blowing.
Dua Lipa is the Queen of 2020, every track off Future Nostalgia is a pop anthem. The pop and disco infusion throughout the album is a breath of fresh air and Lipa’s vocals? Simply spectacular. Our favorite tracks: “Cool,” “Don’t Start Now,” “Levitating,” “Physical,” “Boys Will Be Boys,” “Break My Heart.”
We had the opportunity to chat with Paty Cantu about her latest album La Mexicana, which if you haven’t listened to, you’re missing out. One of the best Latin albums of 2020, Cantu sings about overcoming depression, getting over an ex, empowering both the LGBTQ community and women. We’ll just go ahead and say it, Paty Cantu is one of the best songwriters, she knows how to tell a story, La Mexicana is one of her best albums to date. Our favorite tracks: EVERY SINGLE TRACK!
John Lindahl has the swagger and falsetto of Justin Timberlake with bad ass dance moves from Michael Jackson, he is a pop superstar in the making. His album Opening Night showcases his massive talent, fusing r&b and pop, Lindahl is making a statement, and we’re all listening. Our favorite tracks: “The Greatest,” “Honest,” “All Day,” “Nothing In The World,” and “Idols” it is brutal, you must listen to that track.
Three badass sisters making music together, Haim are the best of the best, and Women In Music Pt. III is definitely the best of the best. Confusing? Listen to the album and you’ll find out why we’re saying the best so many times.
Papi Juancho aka Maluma came to quench everyone’s thirst in 2020 with an album that made us sweat in our living room, since clubs aren’t open, hopefully, in 2021 we can all dance on the dance floor once again. The album’s lead single “Hawaí” was an ode to his ex and he spits some truth, “ADMV” is a love letter to his parents’ relationship (listen to the ballad version, you will cry), “Medallo City” honors Medellin where Maluma grew up. Those are some of the key songs to listen to, Papi Juancho delivered, we can’t wait to see and hear what he has in store in 2021.
Hayley Williams, best known as the lead singer of Paramore, dropped her highly-anticipated solo album Petals for Armor in 2020. She ditched the alt/rock sound we’ve known to know her for and delivered an album that shows a much more vulnerable side of Williams. One that shows us that artists are people, they go through things they don’t talk about but show us their pain and growth through music. Petals for Armor is a beautiful piece of work, we can’t wait to hear more from Williams in 2021.
Rock icons, The Killers imploded 2020 with their much-anticipated album Imploding The Mirage, which was recorded in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Park City, UT. It is the first Killers album to be written and recorded since leaving their hometown of Las Vegas, NV. The album is filled with rock anthems like “My Own Soul’s Warning,” “Caution,” “When The Dreams Run Dry,” and title track “Imploding The Mirage.” Imploding The Mirage is one of The Killers best albums to date, it’s no surprise as to why they’re icons, we can’t wait to rock out to the new music at one of their shows, hopefully in 2021!
Los Dos Carnales dominated 2020 with their infectious music and their old school sound. “Al Estilo Rancheron” their critically acclaimed album features 14 songs, including 12 corridos and 2 romantic tracks. The album includes title track “Al Estilo Rancheron“, a song that narrates the life of the country and things in the ranch that will always be remembered. There’s no denying that Los Dos Carnales will continue to make music history, we can’t wait to hear what they release in 2021.