The 2020 LowPreaux Awards!
Welcome to the LowPreaux Awards!
Before we get started with the show, I just want to say thank you. Today marks a year since I started LowPreaux, just as a platform for me to talk about what I like, and here we are, 30+ countries and thousands of views later. You all have truly inspired me to continue to churn out content and express what I like. If you don’t mind, comment at the bottom of this anything you’ve gotten into since I started this site. I’m grateful to all of you and the encouraging words every day.
Alright, let’s get started.
2020 has been a helluva year for all of us. I’m sure we all saw it going very differently at the top of the year, only for it to turn into something we’ve never seen in our lifetimes. Despite all of this, it’s been a wonderful year for music and media. So much so, that when it came time to wrap the entire year, I felt I’d be doing myself a disservice by trying to narrow it down into one list. So this year, I’ve decided to do three top ten lists.
The lists are going to be broken down as follows: alternative/indie/rock, r&b/jazz, and lastly hip-hop/rap. For my lists, there are a few rules:
No EPs: Only full albums are allowed on this list (sorry Giveon)
No deluxes of albums released in previous years: While the concept of a deluxe album is nothing new, Uzi set a trend with making your deluxe album a completely new project under the same name. I personally hate this trend, so I won’t be including deluxes from previous years, no matter how much I like them (sorry Pierre & Black Pumas)
These are all subjective: As I stated last year, trying to rank music objectively is stupid, in my opinion. The best part about music is that it has a different effect on people thanks to their own personal experiences and tastes. So even acting like I can be objective about music I love would be a waste of your and my time.
With all of that out of the way, let’s begin the awards!
Top Ten Alternative/Indie/Rock Albums of 2020
10. The Slow Rush by Tame Impala: Kevin Parker has definitely proven himself to be a staple of the alternative wave. His latest offering, The Slow Rush is an album that he’d teased for an extended period of time. With him having dropped singles for this album over a year before it’s release, the anticipation had reached a fever pitch, and he didn’t disappoint. The Slow Rush transitions from somber, thoughtful tracks like “On Track” to boisterous and exuberant tracks like “Lost In Yesterday” with ease. Kevin flexes his tight production and songwriting all over this album.
Favorites: Borderline, Patience, Lost in Yesterday, On Track, Posthumous Forgiveness
9. Ultimate Success Today by Protomartyr: Protomartyr is a band that I had the joy of being hipped to this year. I began my journey with them with their 2014 masterpiece, Violent, which I took to believe applied to the protests we were seeing around the time their latest album dropped. Protomartyr’s music is haunted by an ominous electric guitar that draws you into its melancholy overtones, while Joe Casey’s deep vocals reverberate and lull you into his dark story telling. Truly a haunting album to listen to, yet extremely satisfying.
Favorites: Bridge & Crown, Michigan Hammers, Worm in Heaven, Processed by the B
8. No Good Left to Give by Movements: Movements is a band that I was loosely familiar with before 2020, but the hellscape that is 2020 gave me plenty of time to get acquainted. Movements is a rock band that revels in allowing you to feel the darker spectrum of your emotions. Each song is drenched in self loathing, and really sick guitar. Movements definitely captures that feeling you had listening to emo music as a teenager and makes it relatable to you as an adult now. Fun at parties, for sure.
Favorites: Living Apology, 12 Weeks, In My Blood, Santiago Pea
7. Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez by Gorillaz: Honestly, everyone’s heard of Gorillaz by this point. Their music is iconic and synonymous with that one NOW commercial from ‘05 (iykyk). At first glance, you’ll notice that this album is absolutely decked with features, and that’s because it was entirely means to be a collaborative album. Song Machine was announced as a web series back in January, meant to release monthly and evolve the Gorillaz sound. I definitely believe they succeeded. Song Machine is a triumph in the Gorillaz sound, while also allowing others to join in on the fun. This album features ScHoolboy Q, EarthGang, 6lack, Elton John, Moonchild, Skepta, & many more. It wasn’t uncommon for me to find myself singing the hook on Opium (much to the dismay to everyone around me). Give it a listen.
Favorites: Opium (feat EARTHGANG) , Pac-Man (feat ScHoolboy Q), Désolé (feat Fatoumata Diawara), The Pink Phantom (feat 6lack & Elton John),
6. The Main Thing by Real Estate: You know how sometimes when you’re at the mall, you hear that one fire song but you don't Shazam it in time? That’s Real Estate. Real Estate’s selling point is it’s phenomenal guitar and percussion combo. They do a great job of conveying an emotion through instrumentation alone. The lead vocals sort of float over this combination, creating a blend of the two that sets you adrift, if you’re in the right headspace. This was a summertime fave for me, but I can’t say it didn’t hit in the fall too. Either way, you should try this one out.
Favorites: Paper Cup, Also A But, Gone, The Main Thing
5. AUGUST by Lewis Del Mar: This album is gorgeous. I think that’s the easiest way to describe the sound these two DC natives created. AUGUST is like riding down the highway in the late summer, and you look out the window and feel the sunlight streaming between the trees. This album excels in creating beautiful melodies and using Danny’s vocals & strings and Max’s drums. The pair compliment each other well, as they meaningfully fill the spaces the other leaves on each song. My summertime sadness was definitely fueled by this album, but I definitely don’t regret finding it at all.
Favorites: Do You Need Me, Sewers, Where Are You Now, Bloom
4. The New Abnormal by The Strokes: The Strokes are back! In their first album since 2013, The Strokes give us that authentic lighthearted sound, combined with their signature dynamic guitar. They’ve returned to show us that they do indeed still know how to create a good song, and then do it over and over until they’ve made a great album. Julian Casablancas’ vocals are as tight as ever, and deliver triumphant choruses (chorusi?) back to back in rapid succession. I say this to emphasize this point, Ode to the Mets is the best close to an album in 2020. I can’t say how often I’ve gone back to just listen to the last 1:33 of this song. It begins as an intoxicating murmur of a break down that increases in volume and pitch (but not clarity) until it’s a yell to close the album, as if it’s the last line in an encore.
Favorites: Ode to the Mets, Not the Same Anymore, Selfless, At the Door
3. Moredechai by Khruangbin: Everyone needs to listen to more Khruangbin. Seriously. This psychedelic funk trio from Houston majors in creating deep grooves to get lost in. Each song drips with its funk inspirations, thanks to some extremely excellent yet simple basslines. The tracks vary from tunes that’d make you want to find a cardboard box & spin on your head, to soothing tones of guitar that can completely relax you. Khruangbin makes Sunday afternoon music, if that makes sense. Actually, I have a saying, “It’s Sunday, listen to some Khruangbin.”
Favorites: Time (You and I), So We Won’t Forget, Shida, If There Is No Question
2. What Kinda Music by Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes: It was honestly hard for me to put this album at number two. It was most definitely a toss up between this wonderful blend of modern and ethereal music and what eventually ended up as number one. I think that’s the only way I can explain this album. It sounds like jazz music at times, then at others it’s purely experimental. All of it sounds amazing. Tom’s vocals coexist and merge with Yussef’s snare-ridden rhythms and create harmonies. Then, out of nowhere it has my favorite Freddie Gibbs feature of 2020. It’s a win-win for me. If I had to have an album to be associated with, I’m pretty sure it’d be this one.
Favorites: Nightrider (feat Freddie Gibbs), What Kinda Music, Kyiv, Tidal Wave
1. Heaven to a Tortured Mind by Yves Tumor: If you’ve been in my car at any point in 2020, you’ve definitely heard this album. This was my first time listening to his work, but I am thrilled to have found his music at this point. Heaven to a Tortured Mind is a triumph in songwriting and musical direction. At times it is a ballad of obscure sounds and electric guitar and others it is a soft medley of voices over an infectious drum rhythm. This is my official road trip album. I played it whenever I was on my way to do something fun ‘cause it always got me in the right spirit to be out and about. The basslines on this album are immaculate, man. Ultimately, I had to make it my #1 because whenever I got too low this year, I threw this on and immediately reflected and felt better. If nothing else, it convinced me that it’s only upward from here.
Favorites: Kerosene, Strawberry Privilege, Hasdallen Lights, Super Stars,
(the whole damn thing)
Alright, that’s Alternative out the way, now on to R&B,
Top Ten R&B/Soul/Jazz Albums of 2020
10. After Hours by the Weeknd: The Weeknd has finally returned with his first full album since Starboy, four years ago. Before this album, Abel dropped My Dear Melancholy, a very strong EP that was reminiscent of earlier times, and announced that his album would be produced by the same people he worked on Trilogy with. What came of it is a R&B/Pop blend of an album. If Trilogy and Starboy had a child, it’d be After Hours. This album combines the Weeknd’s falsetto lonely lyrics with electronic and synth rhythms to create a dark combination. A great answer to fans that wanted his old sound and those that were content with his newer work. Also, Repeat After Me is the dirty mack anthem of the year.
Favorites: After Hours, Repeat After Me (Interlude), Faith, Until I Bleed Out
9. Dur& by Durand Bernarr: I first ran across Durand Bernarr on Kaytranada’s Bubba & Knxwledge’s 1988. He delivered a very strong feature on both projects which piqued my interest. Durand actually has a lot of funny videos on youtube of him singing. What I like about Durand is that he is actually sangin’ on these songs. He delivers his lyrics loudly and clearly, not a note is missed and not a t uncrossed. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Favorites: Stuck (feat Ari Lennox), Gratitude, Company, Prepared
8. Jaguar by Victoria Monét: From the very beginning with Moment, Victoria Monét draws you into her album with her sultry voice and soulful production. She shines at creating sexual tension with her vocals and her tantalizing lyrics. She spins tales of lovemaking and heartbreak as she alternates through themes and still puts together a complete project. Ass Like That is definitely gym motivation for my ladies that get to those squats and Touch Me is self explanative. I’d definitely recommend this one with some candles & incense lit.
Favorites: Moment, Ass Like That, Touch Me, Dive
7. Ungodly Hour by Chloe & Halle: Originally, Beyoncé’s protegé’s Chloe & Halle were known for their opera-esque vocals on smooth R&B production being family friendly, for the most part. Ungodly Hour marks their growth and maturity into young women, as they tackle more adult themes like love and sex. Chloe & Halle ain’t just for the kids anymore, with this album they announce that they’re adults too. This album’s rollout was excellent, as it probably was the best we’ve seen this year. From the backyard performance of Do It on the Today Show to their Afrofuturistic Ungodly Hour performance at the VMAs; they nailed it.
Favorites: Baby Girl, Lonely, Do It, Don’t Make It Harder On Me
6. No Love Lost by Blxst: Blxst is an artist I looked out for after I heard his feature on Brand New with Bino Rideaux (more on him later). His sound is smooth, and runs smoothly on top of his guitar laced production. All of these songs have that bounce to ‘em, so they all run very well in the car. Definitely a nighttime or late afternoon album.
Favorites: Gang Slide, Overrated, Be Alone, Hurt
5. Dinner Party by Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, 9th Wonder & Kamasi Washington: Dinner Party is the first jazz entry on this list, but as you can see; it’s stacked. This album is a collaboration between legendary producers and musicians to create a solvent of jazz and hip-hop on its deluxe version. Each song creates an atmosphere of peace with perfect arrangements of instrumentation and vocals. Play this when you’re really in the mood to feel your solitude, but enjoy it.
Favorites: First Responders, Freeze Tag (feat Phoelix), From My Heart and My Soul (feat Phoelix), Love You Bad (feat Phoelix)
4. It Is What It Is by Thundercat: Thundercat is one of my favorite artists out. Honestly, when this dude dropped Dragonball Durag it spread in my house like a pandemic. It’s got such an infectious rhythm and catchy melody that I was stuck playing it over and over for days. Next thing you know, all my friends were playing it just as much as I was. This is Thundercat’s first project since the early passing of Mac Miller. The sadness really reaches its peak on songs like Existential Dread and Fair Chance. He goes from silly to serious and flexes his fingers on funky and complex bass lines throughout. Fun fact, he traveled to Japan and recorded Unrequited Love for an anime on Netflix.
Favorites: Dragonball Durag, Black Qualls (feat Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, & Childish Gambino), Unrequited Love, Funny Thing
3. Lianne La Havas by Lianne La Havas: Like me, many people’s introduction to this angel from the UK was her Colors show. Lianne’s voice coats her acoustic guitar in sweet lullabies and tragic love stories. I had the pleasure of attending her show on Youtube back in July, and I can attest that she’s the real deal. Recently, I dug into Radiohead’s In Rainbows album and Lianne blessed us with a cover of my favorite song, Weird Fishes. Lianne’s voice sounds like a warm hug. I think that’s the long and short of it.
Favorites: Weird Fishes, Bittersweet, Green Papaya, Sour Flower
2. F*ck the World by Brent Faiyaz: I honestly don’t understand the Brent Faiyaz slander. He gave us a flawless album with FTW. Everytime I play this album, I end up looping it a couple of times for an hour or so. I think Brent’s voice floats perfectly over each song, and he’s wonderfully toxic on each one. I know toxic is an overused buzzword at this point, but it’s apt in Brent’s case. Then, even after delivering an excellent record, he allowed the Chopstars to come in and chop & screw it as well. FTW is a well put together album that flows seamlessly.
Favorites: Bluffin, Rehab (Winter In Paris), Been Away, F*ck the World (Summer In London)
1. Fire Sign x Braxton Cook: Yes, my number one for this year is a jazz album. Braxton Cook has recently worked with artists like Mac Ayres & Christian Scott, and his saxophone served as an anchor on both. So when I saw that he released his own project, I knew that as a fellow fire sign, I needed to check it out. Fire Sign is an amazing piece of saxophone work assisted by Braxton’s layered and harmonized melodies. Honestly, the entire album is a work of art. Each song is especially crafted to take you on a journey. Shooting Star is a consistent part of my daily routine, it just gets me there. Definitely run this album on a Sunday evening, or if you’re up working early/late, like I usually am.
Favorites: Shooting Star, All I Want, Don’t Wanna See You,The Rise
With that said, we can now move to the feature, my top ten hip-hop/rap albums of 2020.
Top Ten Hip-Hop/Rap Albums of 2020
10. Kiss 5 by K Camp: Give K Camp his damn flowers. He’s the reason my years in undergrad (2012 - 2016) at A&T were as great as they were. He’s never lost the pulse of where the game is right now and has delivered every time. Kiss 5 is most definitely no different. The Atlanta-born legend has delivered his best project in years, which he only emphasized when he dropped his deluxe on top of that. K Camp has a command over melodies through repetition that’s unique just to him. I personally believe that his sound is timeless enough that he’ll enjoy a very long career.
Favorites: Ice Cold, Friendly, Top 10, Tatted Up
9. Outside by Bino Rideaux: It’s a cruel joke that a great album named Outside dropped during quarantine. Bino is a west coast rapper whose autotuned crooning over west coast beats really does it for me. His words are murmured but he gets his point across, and really taps into the pulse of what we like about that West Coast sound. This album feels like sitting on the porch in the summer and watching a block party develop. Another one you’re guaranteed to have heard in my whip this summer.
Favorites: F*CCWITCHU, Breakfast (feat. BlueBucksClan), COLD FEET (feat. Ty Dolla Sign), Brand New (feat Blxst)
8. >Music by Shordie Shordie: Shordie Shordie is definitely one of my favorite finds of 2020. This MD native is a genius and creating songs with that bounce. His lyrics are lighthearted and fun, and the production on this album is top notch. >Music (pronounced Greater Than Music) is an album that’ll get you up and get you out. This is just a fun album to listen to.
Favorites: F*cc Friends, Stay Wit Me, Holding Hands, Save A Little
7. Burden of Proof by Benny the Butcher & Hit-Boy: At this point, Benny has proven to us that he knows how to create an album, and Burden of Proof is nothing but an emphasis on that. The Hit-Boy produced full feature dazzles with Benny’s mafioso coked laced bars with some very solid features from Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Dom Kennedy, Freddie Gibbs, & Westside Gunn. Hit-Boy’s 2020 has been nothing less than noteworthy, and he flexed his seasoned production all over this album. Benny has also been no slouch, as he has features on three more albums featured on this list.
Favorites: War Paint (feat Westside Gunn & Conway the Machine, Where Would I Go (feat Rick Ross), Sly Green, One Way Flight (feat Freddie Gibbs)
6. The Outrunners by Curren$y & Harry Fraud: Curren$y is a living legend, and at this point if you haven’t figured it out then you’re just lost. Personally, I believe that he’s at his best when he’s working with Harry Fraud. The trio of The Outrunners, The Director’s Cut, & Bonus Footage (yes, I know I’m cheating) are all proof of this duo’s longrunning chemistry. Both are in a bag comparable to Cigarette Boats with what they bring to each track featured on these projects. There’s been a lot of talk about producer of the year that’s excluding Harry Fraud, and that needs to stop. If that man can keep up with Curren$y and produce this many crazy beats, he needs his name recognized.
Favorites: Mugello Red (feat Rick Ross), Pounds of Paper, 90’ IROC-Z (feat Wiz Khalifa), Gold & Chrome
5. Heaven or Hell by Don Toliver: Heaven or Hell really surprised me. Before this year, my knowledge of Don Toliver was very limited, other than he had my second favorite feature on Travis’ Astroworld. I turned on this album mostly curious about where his sound was going next. I was not disappointed. Don’s drug-laced harmonies are really a treat. His talent for making a catchy hook is unmatched, and every beat on this project is absolutely insane. If there’s a recipe for making a hit, Don has definitely unlocked it and flexes this knowledge on this album. Also, the chopstars did their thing on this album and made it even crazier.
Favorites: Wasted, Candy, Company, Can’t Feel My Legs
4. Pray for Paris by Westside Gunn: Griselda isn’t going anywhere. Since they kicked the door into the game, they have consistently dropped good to great projects. Gunn’s latest offering is on the latter half of that spectrum, because it is truly special. There isn’t a skip on this album, and at times it feels like his features brought out his competitive nature, as everyone snapped on this album. Gunn himself delivered on every song, and seemingly challenged himself to increase his effort from song to song. 327 is probably the most memorable hook I’ve heard this year.
Favorites: Claiborne Kick (feat Boldy James), 327 (feat Tyler, the Creator & Billie Essco), 500 Ounces (feat Freddie Gibbs & Roc Marci), Versace
3. Alfredo by Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist: Freddie Gibbs has given us four classics in two years: Freddie, Fetti, Bandana, and now Alfredo have set the bar for the type of work we should expect from him. Freddie and Alc have both had an extremely busy year, between Alc’s collaborative albums and Freddie’s feature work, both have contributed to excellence this year. The two of them join forces for a full project for the first time since the aforementioned Fetti, and we’re all the better for it. As much as I enjoy the songs with features like Scottie Beam & yet another landmark one from Tyler the Creator on Something to Rap about; it’s the solo tracks on this album where this duo shines. Skinny Suge actually sounds like a rap ballad. It’s something that I’d want to hear to close out a show. I enjoyed this album so much, that I treated myself to a nice amount of merch; it’s that good.
Favorites: Skinny Suge, God is Perfect, Scottie Beam (feat Rick Ross), Look At Me
2. The Price of Tea In China (Deluxe) by Boldy James & Alchemist: I’ve always known Boldy James as that one feature that went on a bunch of projects, so when I saw he dropped the Boldface EP with Alchemist, I knew I wanted to take a listen. Boldface impressed me enough that when he dropped The Price of Tea in China a couple weeks later, I listened day one. The Price of Tea in China is as sophisticated an album as its Kei Imazu artwork would suggest. Boldy and Alc create a one two combo of calmly delivered coke bars over quiet, contemplative beats. Alc’s sample heavy production paints pictures of places like the south of France while Boldy’s gritty bars decorate it like gold jewelry. This project boasts Vince Staples’ best verse this year as well as one of Benny’s best feature verses this year. Any time I drove over water this summer, I made sure to play Belvedere to set the tone.
Favorites: Belvedere, Scrape the Bowl (feat Benny the Butcher), Phone Bill, Grey October
1. My Turn (Deluxe) by Lil Baby: Ever since Lil Baby kicked in the door in 2018, he took a foothold in hip-hop and hasn’t relented since. With My Turn at the top of the year, Baby announced the type of year he was planning to have and he fulfilled it. On this album, Baby finds pockets in flows and stays in them while continuously upping the ante on each verse. The first time I heard Grace, it quite literally blew me away. That & We Paid are probably the most popular picks for rap ballads of the year, while I personally believe We Should with Young Thug is criminally underrated. It doesn’t matter which song you choose to start with, you’ll probably end up playing the whole album until you loop back to that same song. It’s hit after hit after hit.
Favorites: Grace (feat 42 Dugg), We Should (feat Young Thug), We Paid (feat 42 Dugg), No Sucker (feat Moneybagg Yo)
This year, music has been incredibly different for me. Having the time to listen to everything whenever I want because I was working remote is an experience I’ll never forget. I have a bunch of honorable mentions that I’ll get to in a separate article, if y’all want it.
Thank you everyone, you’ve no idea what your support means.
-E
