The Best (and Worst) Albums of 2020 So Far
By Camden Maggard
This article was originally published on November 1st, 2020.
Welcome to the first installment of The Scroll’s music review column, where we review the newest albums and EPs. If you have any albums you would like to see reviewed in this column, DM @thesunsetscroll on Instagram!
Light and Shadow | Nate Smith | Soul, Funk, Jazz | Spotify
Rating: 9/10. This recent EP from drummer Nate Smith combines an interesting fusion of styles — Smith draws on funk, pop, modern electronic styles, and jazz — and the result is a short and intriguing listen. “If Love Won’t (Can We Forgive Ourselves?)” could be a radio hit, with its soulful vocal and upbeat tempo, and the slow instrumental “Leaping: Believe” showcases Smith’s arrangement skills. This marks a new direction for Smith focused on more conventional pop-song structure, and further hypes the release of the full-length follow up to 2017’s Kinfolk.
Likewise | Frances Quinlan | Indie, Pop | Spotify
Rating: 7/10. Frances Quinlan’s solo debut is raw and reflective, driven by an excellent vocal performance. Highlights: “Piltdown Man,” “Detroit Lake.”
Making A Door Less Open | Car Seat Headrest | Electronic, Rock | Spotify
Rating: 7/10. Car Seat Headrest’s newest album is a less structured than their last two releases, taking the once-indie purist band to new directions — with mixed results. The hit single “Can’t Cool Me Down” is a solid pop song, pairing Will Toledo’s raw vocal with a slew of electronic instruments. Also standouts are the single “Martin,” “Life Worth Missing,” and “There Must Be More Than Blood.” Unfortunately, there’s some filler here, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that most of this album is highly listenable.
Another Kind Of Soul (Live) | Tony Kofi | Jazz | Spotify
Rating: 7/10. This well-captured performance by British saxophonist Tony Kofi has an energetic quality as a result of its live format. The influence of Cannonball Adderley here is clear — the opening cut, “A Portrait of Cannonball,” is even named after the saxophonist’s 1958 album, and he dedicates to him the sixth number. Kofi’s lines are clear and melodic, and he is accompanied by Alex Webb on piano. The musicianship and recording quality make Another Kind Of Soul a pleasant listen, but the album doesn’t take enough risks to make it stand out.
It Is What It Is | Thundercat | Funk, R&B | Spotify
Rating: 8/10. At only 37 minutes long, this album packs in 15 surprisingly diverse tracks of contemporary funk that draw heavily on both modern popular music and 70’s groups such as Parliament. Not to mention, it also features superb guest artists such as Kamasi Washington and Steve Arrington on multiple tracks. The only thing it really needs is a bit more grit — Thundercat could take a lesson from Sly Stone.
Circles | Mac Miller | Pop, Rap | Spotify
Rating: 7/10. Somewhat reminiscent of a more nuanced Jack Johnson, Miller’s brand of mellow pop is packed full of catchy acoustic melodies. A solid last album in a career ended tragically short — Miller died of a drug overdose in September.
MAP OF THE SOUL : 7 | BTS | K-Pop | Spotify
Rating: 2/10. BTS’s new album, MAP OF THE SOUL : 7, is well produced, but the high production quality doesn’t compensate for the fact that the songs have little to no musical backbone. If performance-based music is your thing, there may be something here, but frankly I don’t understand the hype.
In Life | Stray Kids | K-Pop, EDM | Spotify
Rating: 5/10. Far better than the latest BTS release, and a good debut, albeit highly commercialized. Standouts: the second track, “Back Door”; the acoustic pop of “Another Day.”
RTJ4 | Run The Jewels | Rap | Spotify
Rating: 8/10. Heavy. The latest release by rap duo Run The Jewels is chock-full of political commentary that pertains directly to the BLM riots, and is fittingly brash and aggressive in tone. If you’re a fan of rap music, this album has a lot to offer.
