Rather than a list of our objectively “best” albums of 2020, CentralSauce would like to present you with something more personal. These are the albums that kept each one of our writers hanging on to their sanity throughout a particularly difficult year.
hip hop
Why We Like It: ArmstrongWW’s “For You”
ArmstrongWW sees love in the skies and carries the light of his fallen friend on “For You.” The subtly jazzy track sees the emcee reminiscing on the past to move forward for not only himself but for his friend.
Why We Like It: BRIDGE- “It’s Ok”
Alternative R&B with blues guitar has us sold on BRIDGE’s new single, “It’s Ok,” but the specificity of the circumstance beneath it is what keeps our attention. Searching for companionship to escape turmoil is something we can all relate to.
Conversations with Chris Patrick: From the Heart, Vol. 2
Among internal strife and external chaos, Chris Patrick searches for peace of mind. On his highly anticipated 2020 album, ‘From the Heart, Vol. 2,’ the New Jersey emcee grapples with striving for lofty goals within a system that’s designed to make even his success an outlying statistic.
Why We Like It: Dende’s “Phone Number” Ft. Chris Patrick, Bairi
“Phone Number” feels like a low light neon-tinged love song but opens a window to lessons Dende has learned about keeping a tight circle. Guest features from Chris Patrick and Bairi make a bright blend of bars and R&B that’s easy to groove to.
Why We Like It: Milla Thyme’s “3 Dimensions”
Milla Thyme takes us to downtown Toronto and shows us around the city in “3 Dimensions.” His groovy flow is easy to settle into and the production is as alive as the city he describes.
Why We Like It: Vallé’s “Prodigy” Ft. John Givez, Sam V
The prodigal son, Vallé, is back to drop off barrels of bars on “Prodigy.” John Givez and Sam V join him as they cut through the competition in spectacular fashion. It’s hip hop on pop rock melodies.
Why We Like It: Dylan Owen’s “A Time To Move On”
Dylan Owen is moving on, and this full-bodied dedication to the home in which he grew is sure to hit you where you live. The keys and drums of “A Time To Move On” are steeped in hometown nostalgia and Owen’s reflections on growth are tied to the memories of growing.
Why We Like It: Voice Monet’s “Dynamite 2.0”
On “Dynamite 2.0,” Voice Monet struggles to find the words that will bring serenity to her relationship, lamenting her inability to communicate. Her sing-song flow makes use of neo-soul sensibilities with hip hop bounce.
Why We Like It: MONEYPHONE’s “Indecision”
Hip hop duo MONEYPHONE cuts through with “Indecision” by layering vocals harmonies over slinking guitar-based production. The song’s lo-fi pitched verses sing about the drive to be decisive with your life. Hesitation and second-guessing are inhibitions to a forward-moving pace.
'