Albums that Saved 2020 – Our Staff’s Selection

Albums that Saved 2020 – Our Staff’s Selection

Twenty-twenty will not be remembered as a great year, but the Earth did not stop spinning and musicians continued playing, recording, producing and releasing music! We therefore cling dearly to the album releases which provided us with a little escape from reality. At least for the duration of a song our difficult circumstances were forgotten, and the artists who created these gems deserve a big thank you. ?❤️ We’re sure that everyone experienced this kind of moment, and we’d like to share with you which albums particularly marked some of our staff members. We hope that you discover some good music and share a magical moment with us.

#musicisourpassion

Joe (Marketing??)

  • Woods – Strange to Explain

An album that was surely meant to be a precursor to many festival shows, was released just as Covid confinement rules were loosening and just in time to raise my spirits. It’s catchy, jubilant and poppier than I usually like but that’s exactly what I, and surely many others, needed in May 2020. Thanks Woods!

  • Andy Shauf – The Neon Skyline

Released in January this album stuck with me throughout the year because its magnetic storyline (and production and arrangements) just keeps you listening. The album is written in a way that connects the songs into one meandering story of the protagonist and a girl named Judy. A gem from this Canadian multi-instrumentalist.

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Charlan (Marketing ??)

  • Thundercat – It Is What It Is
    After two years of hibernation, Thundercat has come back with a new very fresh cosmic Jazz-Funk-RnB mix. The album features appearances by Steve Arrington, Flying Lotus, Steve Lacy, Louis Cole, Childish Gambino and other beautiful people. The album also features a memorial to the recently deceased Mac Miller.
  • JUL – La Machine
    The golden years of the French rapper! Honest and sensational lyrics, civilized adaptations and a special kind of charisma. La Machine hits the golden vein!

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Elisa (Hotline ??)

  • Mac Miller – Circles
    Circles was a surprise for everyone since Mac Miller had passed away relatively recently. This album was a way to bring Mac back among us, with his soul and his groove always at its best and an incredible production by Jon Brion.
  • Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes – What Kinda Music
    With “What Kinda Music” it’s very hard to explain how each song on this album makes you feel. Pure groove… press play and you’ll understand why I chose it, right from the first song.

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Mark (After Sales Service????)

  • Alpha Steppa – Raise the ark
    It is in line with the UK steppas, it’s meditative, serious, heavy and the bass hits really hard. The lyrics oscillate between the mystical and the critical of our time. The arrangements have a touch of “traditional music” which brings freshness and novelty to the genre, a big additional point for the intro of the album which comes straight from space.
  • Calexico – Seasonal shift
    After the surprise of hearing Calexico make a Christmas album (why not…) the album is pure Calexico. It’s hovering, it’s elegant, the titles follow one another and take us to the foot of the (Christmas) cacti. The lyrics are certainly geared towards the holiday season, but it’s simple, beautiful, and the whole thing brings a kind of positive nostalgia that is welcome these days. Big extra point for Glory’s Hope and Peace of Mind.

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Chloé (Hotline ??)

  • Bukahara – Canaries In A Coal Mine
    German band that I’ve adored for years, super eclectic with different genres and languages that make you travel but also contain strong messages… I recommend it a billion times!
  • Aurore Voilqué Trio – A summer evening
    A talented violinist and childhood friend, I have all of her albums and love them. She is awesome and surrounds herself with musicians who are just as great as she is, so the result is nothing short of amazing! Also collaborated with big names in music (Lockwood, Dutronc…) for the pleasure of our ears!!!

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Mikkel (Hotline ??)

  • Killer Be Killed – Reluctant Hero
    Deconstructing self-destruction combines elements of Dillinger Escape Plan, Mastodon and Sepultura and wraps it all up in a masterfully crafted production with such heavy guitars and punchy bass. It is just as beautiful as it is chaotic and balances the two perfectly.
  • Intervals – Circadian
    Circadian takes the intricate but beautiful and catchy progressive melodies of Intervals and the immense technique of Aron Marshall to new levels, and should be included in any guitar geek’s playlist. In addition, there is a saxophone solo. What more do you need?

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Laura (Marketing ??)

  • Taylor Swift – Evermore
    “Evermore” is a nice surprise and I’m sure you’ve never heard Taylor Swift like this before!
  • AnnenMayKantereit – 12
    The lyrics are super important, and if they surprise me, I’m all for it. “12” is a conceptual album, difficult to listen to, but one that speaks the truth.

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Adam (Hotline ??)

  • Polaris- The Death of Me
    With their latest album The Death of Me, you can hear the band grow and evolve. The balance between complexity and simplicity of their mixed heavy / pop style is really well executed and obviously they are Australian so they are awesome! Haha.
  • Jakub Zytecki – (2020) Live
    What an absolute trip, it’s brilliant in so many ways, with video or without. If you haven’t listened to it yet, you should because I can’t recommend it enough!

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Thomas (Hotline ??)

  • Anaal Nathrakh – Endarkenment
    We live in dark and uncertain times, and no artist sums up this feeling better than Anaal Nathrakh, combining elements from all facets of extreme metal, filling an album with utter terror and despair, but also including enough epic, melodic (and rather catchy) bits to leave the listener with enough hope and catharsis for this dark album to be truly uplifting in the chaotic whirlwind we call 2020.
  • The Ocean (Collective) – Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic
    Following their critically acclaimed 2018 album, The Ocean this time around shows a more experimental and progressive side to themselves. The fact that Jonas Renske (Katatonia) is here again for a vocal appearance, along with Tomas Hallbom (Breach) on the very next track, elevates this already formidable album to a true work of art.

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Julian (Marketing ??)

  • Audio Werner – Abundance
    Probably the most varied album in the “Electronic Music” genre – at least for me. Coming from the clubby side of Dance Music, Werner offers an excellent mix between some groovy house tunes and a few more experimental and dubby tracks.
  • Kamaal Williams – Wu Hen
    For me, the most refreshing jazz album of 2020 by one of the hottest artists. Funky Fusion-Jazz – which reminds me of late Weather Report recordings – combined with urban UK-Garage and Breakbeat elements.

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Author’s gravatar
Joe has been singing since he can remember and started playing guitar when he was 10. He's been using it as a songwriting tool ever since. He is passionate about melody and harmony and admires musicians who create these in unique ways. Check out his alternative / indie projects Best of Feelings and Zef Raček.

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