Porches, Allie X, Perfume Genius and more stun on some excellent records.
For Their Love by Other Lives
Another incredible album from the Oklahoma folk-rock band Other Lives. Reminiscent of music out of a dream, this entire album evokes powerful cinematic and orchestral solos and also supplies some great lyrics. My favourite song from the collection, "We Wait", is a gorgeous, melodic battle that has lead singer Jesse Tabish crooning, "you're on my mind", followed by a beautiful vocal hook. I would describe the album as something out of an artsy western movie. The searing melodies and stunning instrumentation on this album makes it a definite 2020 favourite.
Set My Heart on Fire Immediately by Perfume Genius
Perfume Genius, the stage name of American singer Michael Aldren Hadreas, is an emotive singer and lyrical genius who crafts hits along the lines of "Slip Away", featured in the 2019 movie Booksmart, and the romantic yet heartbreaking tune "Otherside" featured in the trailer for the adaptation of Donna Tartt's novel "The Goldfinch". His latest album "Set My Heart On Fire Immediately" follows similar themes of his previous albums--sexuality, his personal struggle with Crohn's disease, and domestic abuse-- and resonates just the same, if not even more intensely. "Without You" is a portrait of body dysmorphia with warm, twangy guitar chords. It's light-hearted in melody but the lyrics are stunning. The entire album is musical poetry and deserves a listen.
Watch This Liquid Pour Itself by Okay Kaya
Norweigan-born New Yorker Kaya Wilkins has always made cutting-edge, groundbreaking music. She has a very distinctive and calming voice that shines on each of her songs, especially with the really memorable lyrics she manages to write. Deadpan and often surprising, she truly knows how to write a memorable song, and on Watch This Liquid Pour Itself, she really shows off this skill. The song "Insert Generic Name" is both the catchiest thing I have ever heard in my life, but also is an example of her lyrical prowess. Listening to this album is running through an abstract art museum, in the best way; but it also makes a whole lot of sense. Give it a listen.
Cape God by Allie X
Canadian sensation Allie X is known for writing catchy, innovative, and stunning goth-pop. First rising to fame in 2015 with her debut hit song "Catch", she has truly come to gain a massive cult-following. Her newest album, Cape God, exemplifies her amazing skill at crafting a song. Plus the album features both Mitski and Troye Sivan, and the songs they are featured in are easily the best songs on the entire album. "Susie Save Your Love" is an emotional song about "being in love with your best friend who is dating a guy you don't like", and "Love Me Wrong" is a gloomy, heartfelt song about familial relationships and the complicated intricacies between parents and their children. Such a good album, I can't give it enough praise.
Ricky Music by Porches
This album is super ambitious, strange, and stunning, and although critics have been mixed on it, somehow the album works for me. Aaron Maine, under the alias of Porches, has written an album that seems both personal but also a collection of collective memories and feelings. "Do U Wanna" uses a cowbell to really add some spice, but is overall a great song about the varying personas that individuals take on when struggling with social anxiety. "I Wanna Ride" is a synth-y song that sits in your stomach and pulls you in on it's whirlwind of emotions; it's a song about being in love with an idealized version of someone, and being more interested in companionship than the actual person themselves. The bonus track "rangerover" is a romantic, colourful song about summer love. It's a great record, one that showcases Porches as a multi-dimensional musical risk-taker.
When I first read this I thought it said 5 best bums of 2020