By Dirk Street
Run The Jewels- RTJ4
RTJ4 is a triumph for Run The Jewels, but it also represents a tragedy for the United States. The fact that songs like Walking In The Snow were recorded over a year ago, but still contain lyrics about police brutality that are even more relevant today, is a sad reflection on the social and the political landscape plaguing the country.
“You so numb, you watch the cops choke out a man like me
Until my voice goes from a shriek to whisper, “I can’t breathe”
Angry, politically charged, and absolutely vital for 2020, RTJ4 is an essential listen for any hip hop fan this year.
Yves Tumor- Heaven to a Tortured Mind
It’s no coincidence Yves Tumor’s real last name is Bowie, as Heaven To a Tortured Mind channels an immense amount of David Bowie’s glam rock style and merges it Yves’ killer drum work and strange electronic textures. This is their most accessible work yet, and songs like Gospel For a New Century and Kerosene are strong contenders for the best singles of the year. If you’re looking for something a bit experimental that still remembers to keep things catchy and engaging throughout, Heaven For a Tortured Mind is a must.
Spacey Jane- Sunlight
Spacey Jane’s long awaited debut delivered in spades this year, proving that Fremantle is one of the best places in the world for indie rock right now. Sunlight is a great example of; If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. The album is absolutely loaded with incredibly catchy pop rock songs that are built to be absolutely belted during a festival. It’s a shame we’ll have to wait to hear most of these songs played live, but once they’re able to be fully unleashed onto the touring scene again, Spacey Jane are poised to take over not just Australia, but the rest of the world.
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever- Sideways to New Italy
Along with Spacey Jane, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever are proving to the music world that Australia is a forced to be reckoned with in the Indie Rock scene. Their latest album is full of songs that are as impressive on a structural level as they are catchy, lead single Cars in Space initially plays itself off as a fairly straightforward song, before an incredible instrumental breakdown in the outro subverts all expectations set up earlier in the track. If you’re looking for one of the strongest indie rock/post punk releases of the year, look no further.
Charli XCX- How I’m Feeling Now
An album born directly from the COVID-19 pandemic, How I’m Feeling Now is a refinement of the trailblazing pop music Charli XCX has been pumping out over the last half a decade. The album was recorded in just over a month while Charli was locked down in her home studio in California, but the sheer amount of polish and fresh ideas throughout makes it feel like an album other pop artists would spend years to make. It’s an album that perfectly represents why Charli is one of the most unique and exciting pop artists in the music industry today.