UncerCoverSadGirl’s Best Albums of 2020 So Far

Now that the majority of the U.S. population is taking steps toward social distancing, it’s peaceful to know that we can still count on good new music coming in. Although we can’t see the artist’s live, jumping up and down, sticking out their tongues, and riffing on their guitars, we are still thirsty for quality sounds. Music will ease us through the next few months of staring out our windows and I am standing at your door, with virtual arms wide!

If you like listening to any of these artists, I suggest purchasing their CDs or merchandise from their websites because they are suffering financially. Caroline Rose is accepting donations to her Venmo account (@caroline-rose-4) and a lot of them have online tip jars. These artists depend on the money from their tours and being nice will make you smile! Happy people don’t shoot their husbands!

Heavy Light – U.S. Girls

This album is exquisitely lost in an existential moment and I’m loving how emotive Meghan Remy is. Now is the perfect time to linger in some tunes that reflect on grief. In all seriousness, I’m looking for someone to gush over this new album with. The songs that I could get lost in forever are IOU, Denise, Don’t Wait, and Born to Lose. The song that grabbed me initially is And Yet It Moves / Y Se Mueve.

græ: Part 1 – Moses Sumney

Moses Sumney’s album is off to a good start, if this is part 1! It sounds familiar, like a museum you went to when you were younger, but it’s now more lavish and hip. The range of his voice is incredible and it feels like a fusion that’s hard to simplify into one genre. His music is similar to Solange’s in that it will grow on you, the more you dig in. My favorite songs from it are Cut Me, Virile and In Bloom.

Man Alive! – King Krule

This hits the spot on a rainy day or a day when you feel like no one gets you. Or when you want to scream, but in a goth way and you aren’t allowed out of your house. I was pulled in by Alone, Omen 3 at first, but Stoned Again and Underclass got me thinking deeper upon further listens. He’s angry and gutting through life with honest might and it sounds good.

The Slow Rush – Tame Impala

Tame Impala, everyone’s favorite psychedelic rock-star has given us another fleshy record. Each song has so many layers on top of each other, there is breathing room to live inside. It’s a compelling and mature album to say the least. My favorite songs are Posthumous Forgiveness, Borderline, and One More Year.

The Price of Tea in China – Boldy James and The Alchemist

The Price of Tea in China hits the spot when you are driving in your car at night. It isn’t trying too hard. It’s sounds manage to be both calm and suspenseful at the same time. My favorite songs? Surf & Turf, Pinto and S.N.O.R.T.

Swimmer – Tennis

Tennis took this album to a new level, as Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley reflect on the difficulties of pushing through tumultuous times with a soft pop sound. This album is self-produced by Patrick and Alaina and it feels like I’m on an Island, learning how to swim again. The demos were recorded in their sailboat (dream couple) with an acoustic guitar and drum sequencer. My favorite songs are Runner, How to Forgive, and Need Your Love.

color theory – Soccer Mommy

This album takes more stylistic edges than Sophie Allison’s prior work. It’s tangible and funky (in a good way). The standouts are crawling in my skin, circle the drain, and yellow is the color of her eyes.

Which Way is Forward? – Obongjayar

Obongjayar’s voice is so beautiful and husky on this EP (basically an album). The architecture of the songs is wondrous and catchy. I accidentally stumbled into him after seeing that he collaborated on two of the songs in Danny Brown’s last album (uknowhatimsayin¿ and Belly of The Beast). My favorite songs from this EP are God’s Own Children, 10K, and Soldier Ant.

Silver Tongues – TORRES

The new TORRES album seems like an intimate conversation about love- she has admitted that she uses her girlfriend, Jenna Gribbon as a subject for her art. Jenna Gribbon painted the cover of this album, so it seems like both of them are each other’s muses. The album’s writing is refreshing and demands ears. My favorite songs are Dressing American, Good Grief, and A Few Blue Flowers.

Suite for Max Brown – Jeff Parker

This jazz album, Suite for Max Brown is comprised of people I wish I were cool enough to be best friend’s with. It has experimental sounds that are both enchanting and groovy. The cover of the album is a photo of Jeff Parker’s mother- so sweet! My favorite songs from this album are After the Rain, Gnarciss, and Del Rio.

Likewise – Frances Quinlan

Her indie-rock album follows a voice which takes frantic and soothing turns at the times you would least expect. She has a great sense of humor and a unique way of twisting soft and large sounds. My favorite songs are Rare Thing, Your Reply, and Detroit Lake.

The Neon Skyline – Andy Shauf

Andy Shauf’s self-produced album has a nice cadence and his descriptions really set the scene. It feels like I’m at a bar with Andy, clinking a drink and feeling uncomfortable about saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. My favorite songs are Fire Truck, Where Are You Judy, and Living Room.

Purple Moonlight Pages – R.A.P. Ferreira

Rory Allen Philip Ferreira’s rap album is all-encompassing freedom. These are some poetry beats I want to dance to and reflect on. My favorite songs are Laundry, Greens, and Mythical.

Every Bad – Porridge Radio

Every Bad is a conversational rock album, where she suddenly yells and aches in a beautiful way. Listen to it and you will feel understood. My favorite songs are Sweet, Don’t Ask Me Twice, and Give/Take.

Desire – Desire Marea

Desire Marea’s experimental album sounds holy and spine-chilling. It’s full of South African sounds that come across as sacred. The most memorable songs are Tavern Kween, You Think I’m Horny, and Self Center.

Superstar – Caroline Rose

Superstar is brimming with character and is genuinely fun to listen to. It’s about fame and how much it’s really worth. I’m most pulled in by the songs, Freak Like Me, Do You Think We’ll Last Forever?, and Command Z.

Please Daddy – Sarah Mary Chadwick

Sarah Mary Chadwick’s album is heavy and organic sounding. It’s the kind of morose music that swings in a cathartic way. My favorite songs are When Will Death Come, Let’s Fight, and If I Squint.

Best New Tracks 10/30/19

This is our weekly best new tracks article. We cover mostly brand new songs but also some gems from the last few weeks. Follow our playlist if you want to follow on Spotify or if you hate my writing and just want the music:

Dead Battery – L’Orange and Jeremiah Jae

Oh man, this song is piping hot like when you eat that first bite of mom’s beef stew right off the stove son. I’m cheating a little bit because this came out as a single a month ago (haha or 2 months ago tomato potato) but it was too hot not to lead. And a banger is a banger whether or not I caught it when I came out am I right guys? Anyway, damn this is a heater.

Summer Camp – L’Orange and Jeremiah Jae

What can I say, this team from North Carolina and Chicago respectively is something special. Check out our review of the album (it’s a brief review, who has time to read a full review right guys, am I right) but this song is also amazing and is a center piece of one of my favorite albums of the year.

Devil In Her Eye – Mad Gatsby

HOLY SHIT, did these guys come out of nowhere. Singer/Songwriter Brandon Burtis and Producer Alec Berkley burst through the gates on some hot ass on fire ass horses like in Hercules (?). Amazing EP in general, Cult also SLAPS. Love these guys, can’t wait to hear more. Also can’t wait to see the next album art, because this one is SICK.

My Love – Anna of the North

Anna coming in HOT with the album! ‘Playing Games’ was an early entry on the Indie Pong playlist, one of the first entries when the single came out. We’ve been highly anticipating this album and it did NOT disappoint! Bangers throughout and very well constructed. Check it out and make sure not to miss this banger and also Lonely Life (also slaps).

Things I Do – Andy Shauf

I’d like to joke about Andy Shauf being pregame music because it’s low key but in all honesty I would easily pregame to Andy Shauf and probably have an awesome night because this shit is just awesome music as per usual. This is some strutting down the street in khakis music, definitely with some Ray Bans, kind of mood where you would make thumb guns at someone to let them know how hard you were vibing but you would never do that because you have such refined music taste which basically makes you a God.

Reflection – Hana Vu

Is this going to piss my musical theater sister off? I don’t know, she hasn’t answered my text yet. Are you down though? Because I’m fucking down.


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P.S. Mulan is the coolest

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Pixel Affection – yeule

I-D/Vice said that yeule is a Singapore producer crafting a darkpost-pop dream world. Can I phrase that better? Definitely not. Here’s the article if you’re interested in reading more: https://i-d.vice.com/en_us/article/qvmmkd/yeule-is-the-singapore-producer-crafting-a-dark-post-pop-dream-world

In my opinion anyone can make the right synth and anyone can find the right vocal modulation, but what’s really hard is finding that perfect combination of not only those two things but also lyrics that match. I’m down for some pixel affection get at me.

Sunset by Plane – Anamanaguchi, Caroline Lufkin

Who’s trying to go hard like it’s the end of an anime in a club (?) like a super lit anime where they club at the end to some Nintendocore Bitpop- you down? Because I’m fucking down, spike my hair and call me by my middle name (Akira) because I’m down af.

Worth Noting: We’ve already featured King Princess and Great Grandma and they’re still on the list, both great albums that you should check out! Follow our playlist for weekly updates without having to read!