Album Highlights of 2020 – Part 2

Despite there being much uncertainty surrounding 2020, one thing that we have been able to rely on is a steady output of spectacular new music releases. This is by no means a definitive list, but we’ve handpicked a fine selection of some of our favourite albums from 2020. 

Taylor Swift – Folklore & Evermore

2020 saw Taylor Swift release not one, but two stunning albums. The first came in the form of Folklore in July. Co-written with Aaron Dessner of The National and featuring a collaboration with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, Swift produced an exceptional eight studio album full of exquisite indie folk with stunning vocals, glorious string sections and various forms of intricate instrumentation. Just after everybody had digested Folklore, Swift announced that she would release a sister album in December titled Evermore. Featuring collaborations with HAIM, The National’s Matt Berninger and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, Evermore follows on right where Folklore left off. 

Niall Horan – Heartbreak Weather

Mullingar native, Niall Horan, released his second studio album, Heartbreak Weather, in March 2020. The album is a collection of lush pop numbers and features the feel good singles Black and White, Nice to Meet Ya, Put a Little Love on Me and No Judgement. Horan hit the number one spot in his homeland as well as getting to the top spot in the UK and to number four in the US Billboard 200.

Yungblud – Weird

Yungblud has taken 2020 by storm with the release of his second studio album, Weird. The pop punk rocker released a record which draws comparison to the likes of American greats such as My Chemical Romance and Panic! at the Disco with a 2020 UK twist. The album features Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker as well as Machine Gun Kelly on guitar. Featuring a total of six singles, including the infectious Cotton Candy, the album hit the number one spot in the UK and landed at number ten in the US Top Rock Albums chart

Shawn Mendes – Wonder

Canadian pop icon Shawn Mendes appears to have taken his career to new heights with the release of his fourth studio album, Wonder. Debuting in both Canada and the US at number one, Mendes became the youngest male artist to reach four number one albums in the US Billboard 200. The album features a double up of Canadian excellence as Mendes and Justin Bieber collaborated for the blissfully mellow R&B track Monster.

Pop Smoke – Shoot for the Stars

Originating from Brooklyn, Pop Smoke’s debut and most unfortunately, posthumous studio album, was released in July 2020. Following his murder in February this year, rap legend 50 Cent helped guide and organise the project for its release during the summer. Featuring guest appearances from the likes of Quavo, DaBaby, Future and 50 Cent himself, Shoot for the Stars achieved major success in albums chart all around the globe by hitting the top spot in more than ten countries including Ireland, Canada, the UK and the US. 

Eminem – Music to be Murdered By

With the release of Eminem’s eleventh studio album Music to be Murdered By, the ruthlessly sharp rapper became the first artist to reach ten consecutive number one albums in the US. The constantly witty and socially observant artist packed in a fine selection of playful yet powerful numbers including collaborations with Ed Sheeran, Anderson Paak, Juice WRLD and Q-Tip. With hip-hop giant and long time collaborator Dr Dre on production duty, this album was always going to pack a punch.

Juice WRLD – Legends Never Die

Jarad Anthony Higgins, also known as Juice WRLD passed tragically at the end of 2019. His posthumous album Legends Never Die was released in July 2020 and was the most successful performing posthumous record in the US in over 20 years. Legends Never Die blends huge bass and percussive hip hop sections with emotionally charged vocals from Juice WRLD. Singles including Righteous and Wishing Well deal with courageous and honest themes including loss and drug use and there’s no denying that this runs deep now after Higgins’ death

Dermot Kennedy – Without Fear (Complete Edition)

In November, Dermot Kennedy released the Complete Edition of his debut album Without Fear. Featuring the mighty single Giants, the 14 track record is a stunning revisit to the Dubliner’s globally successful debut and feels like a celebration of the artists recent achievements. Just last week, Kennedy continued to break records on his home shores as he became the first Irish artist to hit the top spot in both the album and singles Irish charts for the third consecutive week.