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THE TOP 20 ALBUMS OF 2020 by ImTheGirl89
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2020. It was a crazy year, the one year everyone wants to forget about. Despite the world ending last year, it brought out some of the best pop albums. The music was something people craved for, something to turn to as an escape. With so many music releases, I've decided to compile a list of, in my opinion, the best albums of 2020. There will be a good mixture of Western and Korean pop albums on here.

Twenty: Positions by Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande usually puts out the best albums. Her previous one, thank u, next, was one of my most played albums. This one, on the other hand, wasn't my favorite. It's got a couple of good tracks. Maybe her next album will be better, but for now, not her best. Favorite track is positions.

Nineteen: Manic by Halsey

Like Ariana Grande, Halsey's previous albums were my most played albums. Hopeless fountain kingdom was my favorite. This one is actually a good album, but it's also not my favorite from her. I do wish it was more cohesive, but I get why she made the album the way it is. A couple of favorite tracks include Still Learning and Killing Boys.

Eighteen: All About Luv by Monsta X

I'm kind of new to this KPop band. I do like some of their songs, especially the ones on this album. I kind of wish it was more like their Korean material, but oh well. Favorite tracks include Who Do U Love, and You Can't Hold My Heart.

Seventeen: Chromatica by Lady Gaga

Ah, the long-awaited Lady Gaga album. It had been almost a decade since she released a dance-pop album. Now she's back at it! It's got some pretty good tracks. It kind of reminds me of her Born This Way album. I'll admit I haven't listened to Chromatica in a long time, but I do know it's perfect for a party in your kitchen during this nonstop apocalypse. Favorite tracks include Rain on Me and Sour Candy.

Sixteen: Calm by 5 Seconds of Summer

Remember 5SOS? If I remember correctly, they had tons of fanfiction on Wattpad. I think they still do. Anyway, this is a good album, but I still think their previous one, Youngblood, was their best yet. Nevertheless, this feels like a rock band type of an album with only one singer, which I get why they did that. Favorite tracks include Teeth and No Shame.

Fifteen: I Trust by (G)I-DLE

I know this is a mini-album, but it still packs a punch. It's my favorite, so far, from this band. I love all the tracks. Most favorite track is Oh My God.

Fourteen: All Out by K/DA

I'll admit I wasn't too sure if I'd be into this band as they are a virtual group. Sure, real people are singing the songs, but still, you're seeing characters from a video game. Despite that, this album packs a considerable punch. All the pieces are bops. Most favorite track is I'll Show You.

Thirteen: In Life by Stray Kids

Stray Kids. They're probably the only boy band JYP Entertainment is focusing on at this point. This band just comes out with strong songs and equally strong albums. This one is a re-release of their album, Go Live. I, honestly, love most songs on both versions. Hyunjin is a beautiful man. Go stan Stray Kids. Favorite tracks include Back Door and TOP.

Twelve: BE by BTS

2020 truly is BTS' year. They got to avoid military service in Korea. Got a worldwide Song of the Late Summer. Rule the Billboard Charts. Namjoon. Jungkook. You name it. I'll admit I wondered how they would top their previous album, Map of The Soul: 7. It's a short album, but you know what? It's chill. It doesn't have to be more extravagant than their previous album. I think it's a nice breather from what they had done in the past. Maybe they will go back to doing story concepts where it would take multiple albums to tell it. For now, though, let's enjoy this little piece of chill heaven. Favorite tracks include Dynamite and Life Goes On.

Eleven: Eyes Wide Open by Twice

Twice. This girl group has evolved and matured from their previous cute concept. As someone who grew up with sexy girl group concepts, such as Destiny's Child and Danity Kane, I didn't get into Twice until they started having a more adult image and sound. This is where Eyes Wide Open comes in. It's more palatable for Western tastes and grown adults. This album is strong and powerful. The first half is my favorite as I can't stop listening to it. Stan Jihyo. Stan Twice. Favorite tracks include I Can't Stop Me and Up No More.

Ten: Heaven and Hell by Ava Max

This album was a long-time coming. I'm not sure why the long wait, other than Covid, but we finally got it. The Lady Gaga, ABBA, and Ace of Base influences are on this album. As someone who loves Europop, this is a great album. It's the perfect album when you need to host a one-person-only party in your kitchen. Favorite tracks include OMG What's Happening and Who's Laughing Now.

Nine: Red Moon by Kard

Co-ed groups. Mixed-gender groups. They're a weakness of mine. I love listening to both men and women singing together. I always have since I was a kid. They were a trend during the 2000s in both Europe and Latin America. In KPop, however, they're very few and far between. Kard is one of those bands. I've been a fan of them since they started. I wish they got more recognition in Korea, but they're huge in Latin America. This album is a great one. Listen to it. Stan Kard ASAP. Favorite tracks include Red Moon and Enemy.

Eight: It'z Me by Itzy

Out of all the albums Itzy had released, this one is my favorite. It's not just because of Ryujin's iconic shoulder moves. All the songs on this album are potent bops. It was one of the albums that got me through my two-month furlough. I even made my first TikTok with their single, Wannabe! Stream this album, and you won't regret it. Favorite tracks include Wannabe and Nobody Like You.

Seven: Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa

Before this album, I wasn't too crazy about Dua Lipa. Sure, she had a couple of good songs, but I felt indifferent. This album, on the other hand, made me a fan. It's a full dance-pop album. All the tracks will make you feel like you're at a club while being stuck in your kitchen because of the apocalypse. Dua Lipa, and The Weeknd with the Blinding Lights song, helped offset this disco-pop trend. It was what everyone needed. I hope she'll release more albums like this one in the future. Favorite tracks include Physical and Break My Heart.

Six: Map of The Soul: 7 by BTS

This album was the epitome of BTS. Everything is leading up to this one album. The final music video from this album, We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal was evidence of that. The lead single, On, was like a fight song. Their fight to create paths and reach to the top without playing dirty. It was unfortunate this song wasn't played on American radio. Still, the fact alone they charted high, especially at a time when a Korean film, Parasite, won a couple of Academy Awards, was phenomenal. If you haven't scanned BTS yet, what are you doing with your life? Favorite tracks include On and Filter.

Now some honorable mentions before we get to the final Top Five albums. Taylor Swift's two albums, folklore and evermore. These two are not my favorites, but they made waves, hence the honorable mentions. It's not that I think these albums aren't good. It's just that the music is not something I'd listen to. I'm glad other people love these two works. As for me, I'll stick with dance-pop and KPop.

Five: Disco by Kylie Minogue

I've always liked Kylie Minogue's music since she blew up in the early 2000s. Sure, I was probably a bit too young to listen to her back then, but I didn't care. I knew early on what bops were. This album is a strong one. It feels good. It sounds awesome. It charted high in the UK. You have to listen to this masterpiece ASAP. Favorite tracks include Real Groove and Where Does The DJ Go?

Four: Plastic Hearts by Miley Cyrus

Say what you want about Miley Cyrus, but she came back strong with this album. Her previous albums after Bangerz were not my favorite. This one, on the other hand, was my favorite. The first half is all bops. The second half is okay. As someone who likes some pop-rock thrown into the mix of my Spotify playlists, this is a great one. Favorite tracks include Midnight Sky and Prisoner.

Three: Confetti by Little Mix

Little Mix, where do I begin? I had been a fan of them since they were formed on the British X Factor. I choreographed a dance piece to one of their early tracks, DNA. Since my final semesters in community college, their music had been with me to now as a grown woman trying to win this personal chess game known as life. This album is strong, mature, yet fun. This was also the final album with Jesy Nelson. It's sad to see her leave the band, but I get why she needed to go. Will she ever come back? Time will tell. They just achieved their first number-one single in the UK from this album. Always stan Little Mix. Always. Favorite tracks include Sweet Melody and Confetti.

Two: The Album by Blackpink

Blackpink, another KPop band I followed since they began. This album has been a long-time coming. Some music critics and stans may not like this work, but I do. I don't skip any tracks on this masterpiece, which is a rarity for me. That's how good this album is. Yes, it's your typical girl group pop album, but it's a strong one. I wish it were longer. Who knows if Blackpink will ever release another album. One thing is for sure, don't ever sleep on Blackpink, especially you, YG Entertainment. Favorite tracks include Lovesick Girls and Pretty Savage.

One: What The Future Holds by Steps.

Steps, a British pop group from the late 90s and early 2000s. Their first run ended with ugliness. They came back in the 10s. They stumbled for a bit until they returned with a strong album, a proper comeback, Tears On The Dancefloor. Now they're back for the 20s with this album. A strong album to end 2020. A powerful masterpiece to take us to the rest of this decade. Stream this album. If there's any time to stan Steps, now is the time to do so. It's British culture at its finest. Favorite tracks include What The Future Holds and To The Beat of My Heart.

In conclusion, these are, in my opinion, the best albums of 2020. Despite 2020 starting this decade with nothing but screaming, the music came out strong. Hopefully, we'll continue to see even stronger pop albums throughout this decade. Pop is what people need and want these days. Pop music is an escape. It doesn't matter if the music comes from Britain or South Korea. A strong pop album is a strong pop album. They're all bops. Stream them. Stan them. Let's get through the Screaming 20s with fantastic music.