MCCh 2020 (12) July 15

[Otisredding]

The best albums of 2020 (update July 15)

The numbers presented next to each album title are the weighted average rating, and, in brackets, average and number of ratings (out of 32 included sources). The weighted average is based on a formula that includes a) the average of ratings and b) the number of sources that have rated the album.

The magazines I used for the ratings were:
EUR + Australia: Gaffa-dk; Gaffa-sw; Humo; Indiestyle; Jenesaispop; Laut; Mondosonoro; Musikexpress; Nojesguiden; Ondarock; Plattentests; Sentire Ascoltare; The Music
UK: Clash; DIY; God Is In The Tv; Load And Quiet; Music OMH; The Guardian; The Line Of Best Fit; The Skinny
USA + Canada: Allmusic; Consequence Of Sound; Earbuddy; Exclaim!; Nothern Transmissions; Paste; Pitchfork; Popmatters; Rolling Stone; Spectrum Culture; Under The Radar

Highlights: Rob makes the top three songs from the album according to Allmusic, Consequence of Sound, Jenesaispop, Plattentests, The Skinny, etc…

New entry or Re-entry
Albums that have obtained new reviews and improved the score
Albums that have obtained new reviews but worsened the score

Out:
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever: Sideways to New Italy
Ghostpoet: I Grow Tired But Dare Not Fall Asleep

65 - The Chats: High Risk Behaviour - 74,6 (78,3 / 10)
Highlights: Pub Feed - Identity Theft - Stinker
Garage Punk



64 - Lanterns On The Lake: Spook The Herd – 74,7 (79,0 / 8)
Highlights: Every Atom - Before They Excavate - Swimming Lessons
Dream Pop



63 - The Beths: Jump Rope Gazers - 74,7 (76,1 / 17)
Highlights: I’m Not Getting Excited - Don’t Go Away - You Are a Beam of Light
Indie Rock



62 - Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs: Viscerals - 74,9 (78,2 / 11)
Highlights: Halloween Bolson - New Body - Rubbernecker
Stoner Metal



61 - Dream Wife: So When You Gonna… - 75,1 (77,4 / 14)
Highlights: Sports! - Hasta la vista - Temporary
Indie Rock



60 - Mark Lanegan: Straight Songs Of Sorrow – 75,1 (76,1 / 18)
Highlights: Skeleton Key - This Game of Love - Stockholm City Blues
Singer-Songwriter



59 - Jessie Reyez: Before Love Came To Kill Us - 75,1 (78,8 / 10)
Highlights: Imported - Figures - Intruders
Trap Rap



58 - Sparks: A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip - 75,1 (76,5 / 17)
Highlights: Self-Effacing - I’m Toast - iPhone
Art Pop



57 - Code Orange: Underneath – 75,2 (78,2 / 12)
Highlights: Swallowing the Rabbit Whole - Sulfur Surrounding - You and You Alone
Metalcore



56 - Sonic Boom: All Things Being Equal - 75,2 (78,5 / 11)
Highlights: Just a Little Piece of Me - I Feel a Change Coming On - Things Like This (A Little Bit Deeper)
Neo-Psychedelia



55 - The Weeknd: After Hours – 75,2 (74,6 / 23)
Highlights: Blinding Lights - After Hours - Scared to Live
Alternative R&B



54 - Arca: KiCk i – 75,4 (75,0 / 22)
Highlights: KLK – Time - Mequetrefe
Deconstructed Club



53 - Hamilton Leithauser: The Loves Of Your Life - 75,4 (77,7 / 14)
Highlights: Here They Come - Don't Check the Score - Isabella
Indie Rock



52 - Julianna Barwick: Healing Is A Miracle - 75,4 (78,7 / 11)
Highlights: Inspirit - In Light - Nod
Ambient



51 - Lady Gaga: Chromatica - 75,5 (74,8 / 23)
Highlights: Stupid Love - Sine from Above - Rain on Me
Dance Pop



50 - Kvelertak: Splid - 75,5 (79,9 / 8)
Highlights: Bråtebrann - Crack of Doom - Fanden ta dette Hull!
Hardcore Punk



49 - Shabaka And The Ancestors: We Are Sent Here By History - 75,6 (79,6 / 9)
Highlights: The Coming of the Strange Ones - They Who Must Die - We Will Work (On Redefining Manhood)
Jazz



48 - Nine Inch Nails: Ghosts VI: Locusts – 75,6 (78,6 / 12)
Highlights: Run Like Hell - Around Every Corner - The Cursed Clock
Dark Ambient



47 - Ben Watt: Storm Damage – 75,7 (79,0 / 11)
Highlights: Irene - Balanced on a Wire - Retreat to Find
Alternative Rock



46 - The Strokes: The New Anormal – 75,7 (72,4 / 31)
Highlights: Bad Decisions - The Adults Are Talking - Brooklyn Bridge to Chorus
Indie Rock



45 - Mac Miller: Circles - 75,8 (77,4 / 16)
Highlights: Good News - Everybody - Complicated
Neo-Soul



44 - Georgia: Seeking Thrills - 75,8 (73,8 / 27)
Highlights: About Work the Dancefloor - Never Let You Go - 24 Hours
Electropop



43 - Keeley Forsyth: Debris – 75,8 (80,1 / 8)
Highlights: Lost - Look to Yourself - Large Oak
Avant-Folk



42 - King Krule: Man Alive! - 75,8 (73,5 / 28)
Highlights: Alone, Omen 3 - Stoned Again - Cellular
Art Rock



41 - Bdrmm: Bedroom - 76,3 (80,6 / 8)
Highlights: A Reason to Celebrate - Happy - If…
Dream Pop



40 - Owen Pallet: Island – 76,4 (79,4 / 12)
Highlights: The Sound of the Engines - A Bloody Morning - Paragon of Order
Chamber Folk



39 - Grimes: Miss Anthropocene - 76,5 (72,8 / 32)
Highlights: Delete Forever - My Name Is Dark - Violence
Art Pop



38 - Childish Gambino: 3.15.2020 – 76,7 (76,3 / 22)
Highlights: Algorhythm - Time - 19.10
Neo Soul



37 - Nadine Shah: Kitchen Sink – 76,7 (78,1 / 17)
Highlights: Ladies for Babies (Goats for Love) - Kitchen Sink - Trad
Art Rock



36 - BC Camplight: Shortly After Takeoff – 76,9 (80,9 / 9)
Highlights: Arm Around Your Sadness - Back to Work - Ghosthunting
Psychedelic Pop



35 - Bill Fay: Countless Branches – 77,0 (79,6 / 13)
Highlights: Filled With Wonder Once Again - I Will Remain Here - Salt on the Earth
Singer-Songwriter



34 - Sorry: 925 – 77,1 (76,4 / 23)
Highlights: Right Round the Clock - Starstruck - More
Indie Rock



33 - Lucinda Williams: Good Souls Better Angels – 77,1 (78,4 / 17)
Highlights: Big Black Train - Wakin' Up - When the Way Gets Dark
Blues Rock



32 - Torres: Silver Tongue – 77,2 (77,1 / 21)
Highlights: Good Grief - Last Forest - Dressing America
Indie Rock



31 - Khruangbin: Mordechai - 77,2 (77,1 / 21)
Highlights: Time (You and I) - So We Won’t Forget - Pelota
Psychedelic Rock



30 - Nicolas Jaar: Cenizas – 77,3 (81,6 / 8)
Highlights: Mud - Garden - Faith Made of Silk
Ambient



29 - Destroyer: Have We Meet – 77,5 (75,8 / 26)
Highlights: Crimson Tide - It Just Doesn't Happen - University Hill
Synthpop



28 - U.S. Girls: Heavy Light – 78,4 (77,4 / 24)
Highlights: 4 American Dollars - Overtime - Woodstock '99
Art Pop



27 - Charli XCX: how i'm feeling now - 78,8 (77,4 / 25)
Highlights: Forever - Claws - Anthems
Bubblegum Bass



26 - Hinds: The Prettiest Curse - 78,9 (79,6 / 19)
Highlights: Good Bad Times – Riding Solo – Come Back and Love Me <3
Indie Rock



25 - Jehnny Beth: To Love Is To Live – 79,0 (77,0 / 27)
Highlights: I’m the Man - French Countryside - Flower
Art Pop



24 - Hayley Williams: Petals For Armor – 79,2 (80,2 / 18)
Highlights: Simmer - Dead Horse - Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris
Art Pop



23 - Baxter Dury: The Night Chancers - 79,4 (81,1 / 16)
Highlights: I'm Not Your Dog - Carla's Got a Boyfriend - Slumlord
Synthpop



22 - Makaya McCraven: We’re New Again – A Re-imagining - 79,4 (82,1 / 13)
Highlights: Where Did the Night Go - New York Is Killing Me - I'm New Here
Nu Jazz



21 - Tame Impala: The Slow Rush – 79,5 (75,8 / 32)
Highlights: Lost in Yesterday - Posthumous Forgiveness - Breathe Deeper
Neo-Psychedelia



20 - Soccer Mommy: Color Theory – 79,6 (78,2 / 25)
Highlights: Circle the Drain - Bloodstream - Yellow Is the Color of Her Eyes
Singer-Songwriter



19 - J Hus: Big Conspiracy - 79,8 (83,8 / 9)
Highlights: Must Be - No Denying - Play Play
Hip Hop



18 - Laura Marling: Song For Our Daughter – 79,9 (79,5 / 22)
Highlights: Blow by Blow - Alexandra - Strange Girl
Folk



17 - Rina Sawayama: Sawayama – 80,0 (80,3 / 20)
Highlights: Comme des Garçons (Like the Boys) - XS - Dinasty
R&B



16 - Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist: Alfredo - 80,3 (85 / 7)
Highlights: 1985 - Baby $hit - Frank Lucas
Hip Hop



15 - Thundercat: It Is What It Is – 80,8 (79,8 / 24)
Highlights: Dragonball Durag - Black Qualls - Innerstellar Love
Nu Jazz



14 - Jessie Ware: What's Your Pleasure? – 80,8 (79,5 / 25)
Highlights: Spotlight - Save a Kiss - Remember Where You Are
Dance Pop



13 - Neil Young: Homegrown – 81,2 (81,6 / 20)
Highlights: Separate Ways - Try - Vacancy
Singer-Songwriter



12 - Caribou: Suddenly – 82,1 (79,4 / 29)
Highlights: You and I - Home - Never Come Back
Indietronica



11 - Dua Lipa: Future Nostalgia – 82,1 (80,8 / 25)
Highlights: Physical - Break My Heart - Don’t Start Now
Dance Pop



10 - Porridge Radio: Every Bad - 82,2 (81,8 / 22)
Highlights: Lilac - Sweet - Born Confused
Indie Rock



09 - Waxahatchee: Saint Cloud – 82,4 (79,7 / 29)
Highlights: Lilacs - Can't Do Much - Fire
Singer-Songwriter



08 - Haim: Women In Music Pt. III – 82,5 (79,9 / 29)
Highlights: The Steps - Up for a Dream - Summer Girl
Indie Pop



07 - Moses Sumney: græ – 83,7 (85,1 / 17)
Highlights: Polly - Virile - Neither/Nor
Art Pop



06 - Yves Tumor: Heaven To A Tortured Mind – 83,9 (81,9 / 27)
Highlights: Kerosene! - Gospel for a New Century - Romanticist
Nu Jazz



05 - Phoebe Bridgers: Punisher - 85,9 (82,9 / 30)
Highlights: Kyoto - Garden Song - I Know the End
Singer-Songwriter



04 - Run The Jewels: RTJ4 – 87,7 (85,7 / 27)
Highlights: Walking in the Snow - Yankee and the Brave (ep. 4) – JU$T
Hip Hop



03 - Bob Dylan: Rough and Rowdy Ways – 88,3 (88,0 / 22)
Highlights: I Contain Multitudes - Murder Most Foul - Goodbye Jimmy Reed
Singer-Songwriter



02 - Perfume Genius: Set My Heart On Fire Immediately – 90,2 (87,2 / 30)
Highlights: Describe - On the Floor - Without You
Art Pop



01 - Fiona Apple: Fetch The Bolt Cutters – 94,3 (92,6 / 26)
Highlights: Shameika - I Want You to Love Me - Under the Table
Art Pop

[Otisredding]

*Insert annual comment about 70 and over albums here.*

66 - Ghostpoet: I Grow Tired But Dare Not Fall Asleep - 74,3 (75,9 / 16)
67 - Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit: Reunions - 74,2 (76,6 / 14)
68 - Kate NV: Room For The Moon - 74,2 (78,5 / 8)
69 - Damien Jurado: What's New, Tomboy? - 74,1 (78,1 / 9)
70 - Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever: Sideways to New Italy - 74,1 (72,8 / 25)
71 - Moses Boyd: Dark Matter - 73,9 (77,3 / 11)
72 - Andy Shauf: The Neon Skyline - 73,9 (75,9 / 15)
73 - Boniface: Boniface - 73,9 (78,6 / 7)
74 - Banangun: The True Story of Bananagun - 73,8 (78,1 / 8)
75 - Dan Deacon: Mystic Familiar - 73,8 (73,8 / 21)
76 - Bonny Light Horseman: Bonny Light Horseman - 73,7 (77,4 / 10)
77 - Empress Of: I'm Your Empress Of - 73,6 (75,9 / 14)
78 - Kiwi Jr.: Football Money - 73,6 (77,6 / 9)
79 - Lido Pimienta: Miss Colombia - 73,5 (76,8 / 11)
80 - Nap Eyes: Snapshot of a Beginner - 73,5 (76,8 / 11)
81 - Halsey: Manic - 73,4 (71,7 / 26)
82 - Wire: Mind Hive - 73,3 (76,3 / 12)
83 - Muzz: Muzz - 73,2 (77,2 / 9)
84 - NZCA Lines: Pure Luxury - 73,2 (77,9 / 7)
85 - Bambara: Stray - 73,2 (76,2 / 12)
86 - Nine Inch Nails: Ghosts V: Together - 73,1 (76,1 / 12)
87 - Pearl Jam: Gigaton - 73,0 (71,7 / 25)
88 - Frances Quinlan: Likewise - 73,0 (75,3 / 14)
89 - Sløtface: Sorry For The Late Reply - 72,9 (76,6 / 10)
90 - Westerman: Your Hero Is Not Dead - 72,9 (75,9 / 12)
91 - The Soft Pink Truth: Shall We Go On Sinning So That Grace May Increase? - 72,9 (77,6 / 7)
92 - Blake Mills: Mutable Set - 72,9 (77,6 / 7)
93 - Pet Shop Boys: Hotspot - 72,9 (72,9 / 21)
94 - Pottery: Welcome To Bobby's Motel - 72,8 (74,8 / 15)
95 - Ohmne: Fantasize Your Ghost - 72,6 (77,3 / 7)
96 - Katie Von Schleicher: Consummation - 72,6 (77,3 / 7)
97 - Coriky: Coriky - 72,5 (76,9 / 8)
98 - Buscabulla: Regresa - 72,5 (75,8 / 11)
99 - Margo Price: That's How Rumors Get Started - 72,4 (75,4 / 12)
100 - Rufus Wainwright: Unfollow The Rules - 72,2 (72,9 / 19)
101 - Deerhoof: Future Teenage Cave Artists - 72,2 (74,8 / 13)
102 - Jade Hairpins: Harmony Avenue - 72,1 (76,1 / 9)
103 - Tennis: Swimmer - 72,0 (75,7 / 10)
104 - Swamp Dogg: Sorry You Couldn't Make It - 71,9 (76,6 / 7)
105 - Pantha Du Prince: Conference of Trees - 71,9 (76,6 / 7)
106 - Drive-By Truckers: The Unraveling - 71,7 (74,4 / 13)
107 - The Streets: None Of Us Are Getting Out Of This Life Alive - 71,6 (73,3 / 16)
108 - Pinegrove: Marigold - 71,5 (73,1 / 16)
109 - ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead: X: The Godless Void and Other Stories - 71,4 (74,4 / 12)
110 - Orlando Weeks: A Quickening - 71,3 (75,6 / 8)
111 - Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith: The Mosaic Of Transformation - 71,2 (74,5 / 11)
112 - 070 Shake: Modus Vivendi - 71,2 (72,8 / 16)
113 - The Big Moon: Walking Like We Do - 71,2 (72,8 / 16)
114 - Squarepusher: Be Up A Hello - 71,0 (71,9 / 18)
115 - Katie Gately: Loom - 70,9 (75,3 / 8)
116 - Car Seat Headrest: Making a Door Less Open - 70,7 (71,7 / 18)
117 - Stephen Malkmus: Traditional Techniques - 70,7 (70,3 / 22)
118 - Paul Weller: On Sunset - 70,3 (71,3 / 18)
119 - Cornershop: England Is A Garden - 70,3 (75,0 / 7)
120 - Disq: Collector - 70,2 (74,2 / 9)
121 - Braids: Shadow Offering - 70,1 (74,1 / 9)

[discord]

Number 4 is red

ah you fixed it

[Rob]

Here is the updated playlist:



The highlights should be added to Otisreddings' post soon.

Very happy to see Dream Wife and The Beths rank again. Those two had two of my favorite overlooked albums of 2018. Because they aren't particularly aiming to reinvent music people will probably keep ignoring them, but if you like their type of sound they are both very much worth checking out. Here's hoping I like their new albums as much.

[Harold]

The update is taking longer than usual - everything OK, Otisredding?

[Rob]

The update is taking longer than usual - everything OK, Otisredding?

I can't really speak on behalf of Otisredding, but every year in July and August there seems to be a "lost" update of some sorts. I always expect a Summer holiday of some sort plays a part in it.

[Harold]

The update is taking longer than usual - everything OK, Otisredding?

I can't really speak on behalf of Otisredding, but every year in July and August there seems to be a "lost" update of some sorts. I always expect a Summer holiday of some sort plays a part in it.

Maybe he's worried about being attacked by angry Taylor Swift fans if folklore's ranking isn't high enough.

[Wisnu Tirta Aji]

The update is taking longer than usual - everything OK, Otisredding?

I can't really speak on behalf of Otisredding, but every year in July and August there seems to be a "lost" update of some sorts.

Maybe he's worried about being attacked by angry Taylor Swift fans if folklore's ranking isn't high enough.

Or maybe he get ill, remember that some news channels still reporting corona today.

[Harold]

I can't really speak on behalf of Otisredding, but every year in July and August there seems to be a "lost" update of some sorts.

Maybe he's worried about being attacked by angry Taylor Swift fans if folklore's ranking isn't high enough.

Or maybe he get ill, remember that some news channels still reporting corona today.

What a wonderful, cheery thought. Why would you post something like this?

[Wisnu Tirta Aji]

Maybe he's worried about being attacked by angry Taylor Swift fans if Folklore's ranking isn't high enough.

Or maybe he get ill, remember that some news channels still reporting corona today.

What a wonderful, cheery thought. Why would you post something like this?

Just thinking of.

[Rdwdbob]

Maybe he's worried about being attacked by angry Taylor Swift fans if folklore's ranking isn't high enough.

Or maybe he get ill, remember that some news channels still reporting corona today.

What a wonderful, cheery thought. Why would you post something like this?

I just shake my head sometimes ... wow

[Honorio]

Or maybe he get ill, remember that some news channels still reporting corona today.

What a wonderful, cheery thought. Why would you post something like this?

I just shake my head sometimes ... wow

Yes, Wisnu Tirta Aji, that was an unnecessarily rude comment. Hopefully Otis would be enjoying a well deserved holidays and he will be back with an update when he can. There is not such a hurry, is there?

[Harold]

Yes, Wisnu Tirta Aji, that was an unnecessarily rude comment. Hopefully Otis would be enjoying a well deserved holidays and he will be back with an update when he can. There is not such a hurry, is there?

I actually don't think Wisna was trying to be rude, or sarcastic - I believe he was being completely sincere, and simply speculating out loud: "Hey, maybe this is the reason Otisredding hasn't posted yet." Clueless and utterly tone-deaf, to be sure, but sincere.

[Honorio]

Well, Harold, probably you're right. Anyway it sounded rude...

[Edre Peraza]

Perhaps they are still coving corona because here in America, just about everyone i know has been infected or knows someones who has been in the past month or two

[Rdwdbob]

Perhaps they are still coving corona because here in America, just about everyone i know has been infected or knows someones who has been in the past month or two

Wow. Where do you live? I do know a few individuals who have been infected. Most notably my own Mother (81 years of age), my Aunt and Uncle-In-Law, a cousin and a couple of removed acquaintances. Not to minimize the severity of the potential of this virus but they all have recovered with mostly mild symptoms equivalent of a flu/cold. We all DO need to protect those most vulnerable and continue to wear masks and stay socially distanced for now. I have not spoken to anyone, (And I know a lot of people in NoCal), who has come close to stating that “just about everyone I know has been infected” No disrespect Edre ...

[Harold]

Perhaps they are still coving corona because here in America, just about everyone i know has been infected or knows someones who has been in the past month or two

Wow. Where do you live? I do know a few individuals who have been infected. Most notably my own Mother (81 years of age), my Aunt and Uncle-In-Law, a cousin and a couple of removed acquaintances. Not to minimize the severity of the potential of this virus but they all have recovered with mostly mild symptoms equivalent of a flu/cold. We all DO need to protect those most vulnerable and continue to wear masks and stay socially distanced for now. I have not spoken to anyone, (And I know a lot of people in NoCal), who has come close to stating that “just about everyone I know has been infected” No disrespect Edre ...

Don't we have a coronavirus thread in the General Discussion section? I thought this was a Mega-Critic thread...

[Jirin]

I only know one person who got COVID. But I live in Massachusetts and all my friends and family are computer nerds and/or super anxious types who socialize in small group settings and follow mask and distancing advice.

[Edre Peraza]

“just about everyone I know has been infected” No disrespect Edre ...

Wow, you massivly misquoted me. If you actually read what I said I said everyone I know has been infected OR knows someone who has been infected. Big difference

[Future Critic]

I think I speak for everyone when I say that I hope you're doing well, and I'm looking forward to the updated chart when you have time to update it!

And, as probably the biggest Taylor Swift fan on the forum, I promise not too razz you based on the placement of folklore.

But it is in the top 10, right?!

Hope all is well!

[Otisredding]

Hi all

Thank you for your concern for me.

No, I have not gotten sick from covid19 (and I hope none of you got sick).

I apologize to everyone. I have not been able to publish the July 31 update. Tomorrow I will publish the one of August 15.

[Otisredding]

MCCh 2020 (13) July 31

[jamieW]

Hi all

Thank you for your concern for me.

No, I have not gotten sick from covid19 (and I hope none of you got sick).

I apologize to everyone. I have not been able to publish the July 31 update. Tomorrow I will publish the one of August 15.

No apology needed, Otisredding. I'm just happy to hear you are well. (As I'm sure everyone else will be.) Thank you for all the work you put into the MCCh charts!

[SpunaroundSaturn]

Agreed, absolutely no apology necessary Otisredding. Just glad to see you are well and healthy and back posting again. The Megacritic chart really is one of the highlights of the internet and your efforts are appreciated by so many around the world.

[Wisnu Tirta Aji]

Hi all

Thank you for your concern for me.

No, I have not gotten sick from covid19 (and I hope none of you got sick).

Yes! If none of AM users got sick, everything gonna be alright. Right? Thankfully, Otisredding is still in good health.

I apologize to everyone. I have not been able to publish the 31 July update. Tomorrow I will publish the one of 15 August.

You don't need to apologize. I supposedly apologize to you because I say to you too rude. So, if my words are wrong, I'm sorry so much Otisredding. Next time, my English dialeg must been better than yesterday. Thank you so much Otisredding.

[Rdwdbob]

Otisredding - So happy to see that you are safe and healthy! Obviously we all appreciate the Megacritic chart that you compile and post here. Welcome back!

[Honorio]

Otis, una alegría verte de nuevo por aquí. Las cosas se estaban poniendo un poco rarunas en tu ausencia...
Otis, glad to have you back again. Things were getting strange in your absence...