| FlagAsh's Top 25 of 2020 |
| 1 |  | Fiona Apple
Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Fi created an instant classic with this one, a record seeping with powerful emotions about breaking free from the ones trying to hold you down, but playful in its music with banging household objects and barking dogs to suit. |
| 2 |  | Phoebe Bridgers
Punisher
A step up from her debut, she really grew into an indie folk darling with this album. A beautifully mellow atmosphere accompanies her soft voice and lonely lyricism for most songs and ends the record in a burst of horns, like the calm before the storm, where the storm is the end of the world and she accepts her fate. |
| 3 |  | Jessie Ware
What's Your Pleasure?
Fun, sexy, interesting, and just super well done. I think I have been obsessed with every song on this album at least once this year. Pop artists need to take a note about consistency from this album. |
| 4 |  | Roisin Murphy
Roisin Machine
Roisin's take on disco was different than Ware's. Instead of pop songs that stand amazingly on their own, Roisin decided to melt her songs into one entire experience that should be listened to in full. It's hypnotic, it's cathartic, and most of all it's fun to listen to. |
| 5 |  | Charli XCX
How I'm Feeling Now
Probably the most interesting "big" pop girl, Charli doesn't shy about using influences from many different electronic genres in her songs. From the harsh deconstructed banger of "Pink Diamond" to the drum and bass "I Finally Understand" to the hyper energetic "Anthems" that hits too close to home, it's all so well done. |
| 6 |  | A.A.L. (Against All Logic)
2017-2019
Another set of amazing and infectious electronic songs by Jaar, leaning more into a mechanical and cold sound than the previous album that I really appreciate. |
| 7 |  | Perfume Genius
Set My Heart On Fire Immediately
Mike keeps getting better with every album and I can't get enough of him. Blake Mills did a fantastic job with producing this, with the synths and atmosphere perfectly blending together with Mike's vocals and romantic/sentimental lyrics. When Describe came out I did really wish he leaned into this more noisy/raw sound, but I'm happy with what we got. |
| 8 |  | Ichiko Aoba
Windswept Adan
I mean, Ichiko makes some of the most gorgeous and calming albums out there. I do miss her more contemporary folk sound, but this is just as pretty and more ambient, like a soothing wave that takes over. |
| 9 |  | Yves Tumor
Heaven To A Tortured Mind
A really nice step up from the previous album and definitely a grower. I love this direction of blending harsh glitchy sounds with clear psychedelic/art rock. It's hypnotic and sexually tense, yet fragile at times and paints a picture of the different aspects of falling in love. |
| 10 |  | Rina Sawayama
Sawayama
An album that tackles problems with wealth, capitalism, and family in the best way possible, by fusing dance-pop and alt rock. Seamlessly addressing problems within modern society over fantastic bass lines, letting the anger out through more rock-centric songs, and calmly thanking what you do have, Rina shouldn't be overlooked. |
| 11 |  | Adrianne Lenker
Songs |
| 12 |  | The Weeknd
After Hours |
| 13 |  | Protomartyr
Ultimate Success Today |
| 14 |  | Chloe x Halle
Ungodly Hour |
| 15 |  | Laura Marling
Song For Our Daughter |
| 16 |  | Jeff Rosenstock
NO DREAM |
| 17 |  | Lianne La Havas
Lianne La Havas |
| 18 |  | Gorillaz
Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez |
| 19 |  | Dua Lipa
Future Nostalgia |
| 20 |  | Tennis
Swimmer |
| 21 |  | Dan Deacon
Mystic Familiar |
| 22 |  | Kali Uchis
Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) |
| 23 |  | The Strokes
The New Abnormal |
| 24 |  | Fleet Foxes
Shore |
| 25 |  | Sufjan Stevens
The Ascension |
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