Despite all the challenges music has faced this year, 2020 has been one of the most incredible years for music releases in a very long time. That's why were finally returning at Wildfire Reviews with doing weekly updates and reviews, beginning with the best albums of the year. Enjoy!
1) Fiona Apple-Fetch the Bolt Cutters
Metacritic: 98
It's no surprise that Fiona is at the top of the list. Once every few years an artist releases a game changing album, one that just isn't the best of the year, but of a generation. Fetch the Bolt Cutters is a complete masterpiece. It's not only Fiona's best work to date, but one that will be remembered for years to come by fans and non fans a like. Everything about the album from the song writing to the setting to vocals are top notch, especially given the fact that Fiona did everything by herself.
2) Taylor Swift-Folklore
Metacritic: 88
Over time, Swift has proven one thing if not anything else: that she can change. From being country, to pop and now in the 2020 the artist does another huge change in her music style. Ditching the poppy sounds of her past few albums, Swift instead strips down to more of an indie and folk focus on one of the best albums of her career with Folk lore. Every song is exceptional, especially the one with Bon Iver.
3) Taylor Swift-Evermore
Metacritic: 86
There are very few modern artists that can out do themselves. Swift is one of them. No one has ever had two albums on Wildfire Reviews end of years list that ended up in the best of, let a lone in the top few places. The sequel to Folklore is truly exceptional, another masterpiece full length record that truly shows Swift's incredible song writing talents. It's great to hear a sequel tune that's even more emotional with Bon Iver than on Folk lore as well.
4) Haim-Women in Music, Part III
Metacritic Score: 89
An incredible album from start to finish, Women in Music represents the best of California folk pop and of the sister group Haim. Focusing on the girls ability to harmonize and incredible musicianship, the album is a rare treat. It doesn't feel like being almost two hours long, and every track is enjoyable to listen to. In fact, there isn't a dull moment, and Women in Music Part III is a low key triumph for the group.
5) Fleet Foxes-Shore
Metacritic: 87
2020 has been a crazy year for new artist releases with everyone seeming to release surprise records. Fleet Foxes is no exception, and Shore proved to be one of the band's best efforts to dates. With surprising dept, Shores is extremely emotional and a hypnotizing record from the very first song to the last. It truly highlights the groups abilities to harmonize with beyond exceptional vocals on every record of the album.
6) Neil Young-Homegrown
Metacritic: 88
Recorded entirely in Telluride, CO, Homegrown is a great stripped down version of what a great artist like Neil Young has become. It truly reflects on hard times and quarantining in the best possible ways of exceptional acoustic guitar work and song writing from one of rock's greatest albums. While there isn't any song like 'Keep On Rocking in the Free World' on the record, the acoustic guitar and simple ness of Homegrown is what we might need from an artist like Young right now. Unlike his other newer releases, Homegrown establishes itself as one of Young's most dominant works to date.
7) Bob Dylan-Rough and Rowdy Ways
Metacritic: 95
One of the best album releases from Dylan in the past dozen years or more, this record proves that another rock n roll great still has incredible talent. The song writing is intense and emotional, and the vocals are surprisingly the best he's ever done in a very long time. Every song on the album is a marvel and unlike other previously released newer Dylan albums, it's actually soothing and enjoyable to hear from front to finish. It's another extremely emotional record for 2020 that will make you cry as Dylan truly re invents himself on a masterpiece record, the best of his recent career.
8) Run the Jewels-RJ4
Metacritic: 89
Another record that truly reflects on how hard 2020 has been and quarantining is Run The Jewel's RJ4. The hip hop groups fourth record is by far the groups best. It represents the best of what America has truly become through extremely talented song writing and soul and hip hop music. Every artist in the group makes their own signatures on this record and the result is truly inspiring.
9) Phoebe Bridges-Punisher
Metacritic Score: 90
Phoebe Bridges returns with her sophomore album and the result is it's better than her first, if that's possible. This incredible singer song writer shows off her skills and the result is a product of the times that will never wash away with her fans. It's an album that you simply won't forget for a long time after listening to it, and that's a great thing. Phoebe's soothing vocals are matched perfectly will with the music behind her, and Punisher is a masterpiece, and in it's own way, perhaps the best album of the year if there weren't so many other great releases.
10) Lady Gaga-Chromatic
Metacritic Score: 79
Overall, Chromatic may feel like just another record from the pop icon, but if you cut down the 16 song record it's truly incredible in it's own way. Each song has a story to tell, which is unique for an artist like Ga Ga. Each tune plays out like it could be a mega hit or a movie, with incredible song writing behind it. It's a feel good pop record that's enjoyable to listen to, and to date, is one of Ga Ga's best records. As with most of her other music, Chromatic is above all else honest and were treated to who this amazing artist really is once more.
11) Bruce Springsteen-Letters to You
Metacritic Score: 89
It seems everyone was releasing new music this year and the boss himself was no exception. Usually putting out fantastic records despite his old age, the 20th studio release Letters to you is a fantastic return to form for Springsteen. The live recordings of the record helps is the highlight, but above all else, Letters to You is Springsteen's most rock n roll and hardest record to date. It's extremely enjoyable to listen to, and Springsteen fans will be pleased with another great album from the New Jersey native. Keep on rocking, Springsteen!
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