With 2020 just around the corner, we thought we’d spill some of this year’s greatest album releases that you may have missed. Here’s our unranked recap of the year’s most noteworthy drops.
Lana Del Rey: Norman Fucking Rockwell!
Our favorite femme fatale is back with a cocktail of the American dream, romance and danger in Norman Fucking Rockwell. By dropping a string of incredible singles throughout the year, the album comes together at a climactic point with lush melodies that transcends the listener to euphoria. Lana paints a picture of a strong woman with vulnerabilities that everyone can relate to such as love, sadness and lost dreams.
Press play on Lana’s ballad cover of Sublime’s “Doin’ Time” which plays tribute to the late Brad Nowell who passed just before the original song was released.
Young Thug: So Much Fun
Following Young Thug’s impressive mixtape releases, being featured on Camilla Cabello’s single ‘Havana’, and his help on writing Donald Glover’s ‘This Is America’, the rapper finally makes his debut with So Much Fun. Pushing new ground, the rapper keeps his sound fresh with collabs featuring his prodigy Lil Baby, Travis Scott, 21 Savage and more. In the midst of his superstar hour, Young Thus announced a joint North America tour with Machine Gun Kelly beginning late September.
Fire up the “Mannequin Challenge” track featuring Juice WRLD that celebrates the highs of rapper’s lifestyle.
Vampire Weekend: Father of the Bride
Six years since their last album release, Vampire Weekend strikes back hot with Father of the Bride. With the departure of founding member Rostam Batmanglij a few years ago, Father of the Bride is a new beginning for the band who take a bold step forward with an 18 track album. Exploring unfamiliar sounds, the group does pay homage to youthful exuberance but still keeps a level of maturity that foster more mellow, quarter-life crisis-like melodies.
Take a listen to “Bambina” which will bring back a wave of memories of underage drinking in college dorms and missing your exams.
Anderson .Paak: Ventura
Filled with eccentric R&B and future-funk Ventura is an ode to Anderson .Paak’s nostalgic soul. After his last underwhelming album, Oxnard, his newest drop is a polished and seamless package of warm vibes. Working closely with Dr. Dre, Anderson creates a whirlwind of high-velocity raps groovy percussion beats.
Kick it to his song “King James” which a is nickname of Lebron James and celebrates the basketball player’s community outreach.
Taylor Swift: Lover
After a couple years of downtime in the pop community, Taylor Swift breaks the silence with her newest flame Lover. The album is a brilliant collection of melancholy, bubbly and emotional mixing pot of melodies that are sure to bring you a wave of nostalgia. With appearances by the Dixie Chicks and Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco, Taylor Swift rises above her earlier years and offers a new level of maturity.
Be sure to check out “The Man” where Swift dives in on the topic of gender roles where is she questions how her role as a man would come into play in current times.
