In a hyperspeed world, it is increasingly meaningful to sit with the vision of one artist for an extended period of time. From drowsy hip-hop to pitch-perfect pop, albums of all genres felt more profound than ever. Synthesizing devastating breakups and calling for revolution in every style of sound, these albums went all-in on what matters. Listen to selections from this list on our Spotify playlist and Apple Music playlist. All releases featured here are independently selected by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, however, Pitchfork may earn an affiliate commission. British electronic producer Sam Shepherd has always exerted remarkable control over his meticulous musical output as Floating Points: With his favored instrument, the Buchla modular synthesizer, he can contour sound waves and alter circuitry to suit his needs. But Shepherd, like the rest of us, has comparatively little control over his input, and the chaos of the past three years—Brexit, Trump—shook something loose inside him. Out came Crush, a record that vibrates with sadness and anger, buoyed by squelching melodies that flutter and pop.


How to Digitize Vinyl Records


Shawn Mendes: “If I Can’t Have You”
About a year ago, Frank Ocean dropped off some oblique messages on his Tumblr page that still have fans hoping for a Blonde and Endless follow-up. Buoys , which the Animal Collective member co-produced with Rusty Santos, bristles with sub-bass and details intended to be heard on quality headphones. David Berman took a long musical hiatus after disbanding Silver Jews in , but his former bandmate Bob Nastanovich let it slip recently that Berman is plotting a comeback. Vinyl factories, start your presses. Jack White, whose bewildering solo LP Boarding House Reach once again moved wax like hotcakes , has another album on the way. They shared two new songs in December. Royal Trux appear ready to release their first album in 19 years. The reunited band have also shared two promising new songs.
Great Records You May Have Missed: Spring 2020
In , with one killer track, an artist could become a household name, sparking infinite conversations and even more memes. In addition to all the new names, established artists like Lana Del Rey and Vampire Weekend redefined themselves and reset the trajectories of their careers. At the end of one year, and looking ahead to the next decade, here are the tracks we believe will stand the test of time. Listen to selections from this list on our Spotify playlist and Apple Music playlist. Shawn Mendes seems beamed in from a pop era before face tattoos and pink hair and cursing: Last year, when the Canadian heartthrob revealed he liked to— gasp! On paper, Mendes is pining after the girl who got away with the obsessiveness of an Instagram stalker—and yet his effervescent delivery, and shameless cheesing in the video , make it clear that this winning rom-com of a song has a happy ending. The titular vocal sample, chopped into oblivion, is a suitable mantra: Nate returned to footwork while recovering from an injury that left him temporarily paralyzed from the waist down, a particularly cruel irony in a scene defined by movement. What emerges is a strangled, melodic hook offset by unsettling vocal effects and chords that spiral upwards in a nervous twist of energy.
In , the culture was lit and the playlists were wild. With one killer track, an artist could become a household name, sparking infinite conversations and even more memes. Here, Pitchfork looks back at the year that was, with lists of the best songs, the best albums, and much, much more. December 10 December 9 December 20 December 11 December 12 December 19 December 17