best of HONESTLY, 2020 - Finished!!

[Blue Rose]

Flo Milli snapped. Her mixtape/album was full of bops and that viral TikTok of a soccer mom rapping one of her verses is hilarious af.

love Ojerime too, obviously

[Wicked]

I wanna first point out Pop Smoke didn't pioneer New York (really just Brooklyn) Drill. Brooklyn Drill started around the time Bobby Shmurda dropped Hot *****. We love Pop here though. The first rapper in a long time from my part of NYC that had a chance to blow up.

 

Nice list tho! Flo Milli is my fave of the set.

Edited December 7, 2020 by Wicked

[SLIME]

not snorting 5G

[Psycho]

2000AND4EVA is a major serve I fear

[madonnas]

i dont even ever know where to classify mixtapes. usually just shove them into ep or album depending on length.

 

love to see the acclaim for flo milli  and of course bree.  but where is blue hawaii!?

[SLIME]

I just watched Kerosene and that is a video

[Tom Vercetti]

Took me about 3 listens to finally like Exeter. Gluee is still Bladee's best and he probably won't ever top it. La Zowi's was good as an introduction to her music. Pop Smoke's okay tho i'm more of a singles fan of him. 

 

Gotta check out the others. Video-wise dua def delivered. 

[Remmy]

I feel like I've only heard maybe 4-5 mixtapes in my lifetime  2000AND4EVA is one of them. It was good, I liked the EP from last year a little better but she has so, so much potential that it's insane.

[TRF.]

On 12/7/2020 at 12:47 PM, Blue Rose said:

Flo Milli snapped. Her mixtape/album was full of bops and that viral TikTok of a soccer mom rapping one of her verses is hilarious af.

love Ojerime too, obviously

Ojerime is excellent! She deserves more recognition!!

 

On 12/7/2020 at 1:04 PM, Wicked said:

I wanna first point out Pop Smoke didn't pioneer New York (really just Brooklyn) Drill. Brooklyn Drill started around the time Bobby Shmurda dropped Hot *****. We love Pop here though. The first rapper in a long time from my part of NYC that had a chance to blow up.

 

Nice list tho! Flo Milli is my fave of the set.

That's cool to know! I honestly though that the drill scenes in Brooklyn were more associated with Chicago rather than London, where I think Pop Smoke got a lot of his influence from (I know he worked w many UK producers). Regardless, not much of an expert myself so thanks for the info lol.

 

On 12/7/2020 at 4:40 PM, Madame X said:

i dont even ever know where to classify mixtapes. usually just shove them into ep or album depending on length.

 

love to see the acclaim for flo milli  and of course bree.  but where is blue hawaii!?

Lol yeah  I generally fit them somewhere else but I had so many albums to put in my main list I honestly think I could go and make a mixtape list instead. Also haven't heard the Blue Hawaii yet! I liked their last album.

 

On 12/8/2020 at 1:32 AM, Tom Vercetti said:

Took me about 3 listens to finally like Exeter. Gluee is still Bladee's best and he probably won't ever top it. La Zowi's was good as an introduction to her music. Pop Smoke's okay tho i'm more of a singles fan of him. 

 

Gotta check out the others. Video-wise dua def delivered. 

I honestly liked Exeter more than 333! Kinda agree with the Gluee take tbh.

 

On 12/7/2020 at 2:29 PM, Claw said:

not snorting 5G

 

Sorry I wasn't responding/posting but I was preparing for one of my finals. Which I passed! I'm so happy!

 

EPs update very very soon!

 

[Delta]

XS 

[Sunderland 4ever]

On 12/7/2020 at 12:38 AM, TRF. said:

Oklou - Galore

This one I've heard. It didn't grew much on me, but I liked it.

[TRF.]

 

TOP 20 EPs

 

 

 

#20. Nailah Hunter - Spells (new age/ambient)

 

In 11 minutes and six tracks harpist, singer, songwriter and composer Nailah Hunter builds a world that's heavily inspired by new age music, but gives it a twist fully of her own. My only complaint is that I wish it were slightly longer.

 

Highlights: "Ruins", "Enter", "White Flower, Dark Hill" // BUY

 

#19. Nilüfer Yanya - Feeling Lucky? (indie pop)

 

Out of the new indie girls, Nilüfer probably has to be my favorite. With her debut album she marked herself as a creative force, and although this new EP is shorter and perhaps less "experimental" or musically varied, she still brings out top-notch songwriting.

 

Highlights: "Crash", "Same Damn Luck" // BUY

 

#18. LOLA - The Sleeping Prophet (alt r&b/downtempo)

 

I feel like you could be forgiven for thinking this initially as a generic alternative R&B project, but LOLA's songwriting and her taste for melodies and harmonies bring this debut project by the British singer up to a very special place for me.

 

Highlights: "Care", "Feral Soul" // STREAM

 

#17. Soul Glo - Songs to Yeet at the Sun (hardcore punk/screamo)

 

Philadelphia based punk band Soul Glo have a very interesting mix of hardcore, emo, powerviolence and contemporary rap music going on, with their most recent EP being one of their best releases thus far, taking on political and social issues regarding race and class in a very unique way.

 

Highlights: "Quietly Do the Right Thing", "2K" (feat. Archangel), "Mathed Up" // BUY

 

#16. Kelly Moran / Prurient - Chain Reaction at Dawn (post-minimalism/electronic)

 

Initially the music of experimental pianist Kelly Moran and noise genius Prurient may seem profoundly different, but on this split EP they both carry an incredibly intense yet quite airy and ethereal approach to music that catches one's attention without failure.

 

Highlights: Kelly Moran - "Helix III", Prurient - "Help If I May Ask" // BUY

 

#15. Golin - Crush (bubblegum bass/glitch pop)

 

I think the first thing one can compare this record to that comes to mind is the stuff you can find on PC Music, but the Japanese producer and singer brings a whole unique and personal take on that sound, that really puts the "hyper" on "hyperpop".

 

Highlights: "Hanakatoba", "Wet Nerve Stages", "Play Odds" // BUY

 

#14. Cecile Believe - Made in Heaven (art pop)

 

If you know Cecile Believe you probably do so from her presence on SOPHIE's already iconic 'Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides'. But the Canadian musician has a style and identity of her own, and she shows it on this debut EP which feels as grandiose as her voice is.

 

Highlights: "Last Thing He Said to Me in Person", "Yellowjacket", "7PM", "Pick Up the Phone" // BUY

 

#13. Mabe Fratti - Se parece a (art pop/electroacoustic)

 

Guatemalan-Mexican experimental composer Mabe Fratti released her debut album last year, and it was one of the most brilliant, gorgeous records of that year. 'Se parece a' feels like an extention of that, with her experimental take on folk and pop music taking a slightly darker yet marvelous turn.

 

Highlights: "Desde el Amor También Podemos Despedirnos / El Sol Sigue Ahí", "Aire" // BUY

 

#12. Loraine James - Nothing (uk bass/idm)

 

Another artist who had a brilliant debut last year was British producer Loraine James, with her brilliant 'For You and I'. This new EP sees her working closely with more vocalists, like Jonnine from HTRK or Farsi rapper Tardast, into building a more atmospheric yet equally moving club-like musical experience.

 

Highlights: "Marg" (feat. Tardast), "Don't You See It" (feat. Jonnine) // BUY

 

#11. Lila Tirando a Violeta - Limerencia (deconstructed club)

 

One of the collaborators in the Loraine EP was Uruguayan singer and producer Lila Tirando a Violeta, who released her first EP (or album? I'm not sure) under Mexican label NAAFI this year. 'Limerencia' is a combination of post-club trends with latin rhythms, hardcore club music and an ethereal sound that truly suits her, and positions her as one of the most interesting producers of the continent.

 

Highlights: "Nuevo Paris Piano", "Noche Tótem" (feat. Abssys), "Dry Season" (feat. Lighght), "Lagrima viva" (feat. El Plvybxy) // BUY

 

 

 

Top 10 EP's coming shortly! Promise!

[Sunderland 4ever]

6 hours ago, TRF. said:

#19. Nilüfer Yanya - Feeling Lucky? (indie pop)

Decent EP. I think she released another EP later this year, right?

 

Based on the genres, I'd be more inclined to check Spells.

[madonnas]

i had no idea that cecil believe project was an EP!  but i enjoyed about half of it.  give us back your old stage name!!

 

i dont know any of the other ones  

[TRF.]

 

TOP 20 EPs

 

 

 

#10. Ascendant Vierge - Vierge (trance/hardcore/art pop)

 

The duo comprised of dark pop singer Mathilde Fernandez and Casual Gabbers member Paul Seul have been, since 2019, making some of the weirdest dance music of the past few years as Ascendant Vierge, and their first record is compiles everything that makes them so cool, the combination of Mathilde's operatic pop vocals with Paul's sick gabber and trance influenced beats. Sounds like if Zola Jesus was really into eurodance. Cannot recommend enough.

 

Highlights: "Influenceur", "Discoteca", "Jamais raison", "Faire et refaire" // BUY

 

#09. Himera - More Than Friends (trance)

 

The latest EP from the young Latvian-born artist is very sweet, almost PC Music-like take on trance music that is mostly drumless but yet still massive and expansive sounding. It is a genuine ode to friendship and it truly shows, sounds like a warm hug from a friend or memories of a night out with your favorite people on Earth.

 

Highlights: "Broken Friendship Bracelet", "It's U" (feat. Petal Supply), "Peaceseeker" // BUY

 

#08. Jup do Bairro - Corpo sem juízo (conscious hip hop)

 

Jup do Bairro's debut EP was in the works for a long period of time, and those years sure paid off. On Corpo sem juízo she speaks of her experience taking ownership of her body as a black trans woman in modern Brazil over Badsista's cutting-edge beats, and it ranges from fun to emotional to extremely cathartic sometimes all within the same track. It is a strong declaration to have as a debut project.

 

Highlights: "Trangressao", "Pelo amor de Deize" (feat. Deize Tigrona), "All You Need is Love" (feat. Linn Da Quebrada & Rico Dalasam), "Luta por mim" (feat. Mulambo) // BUY

 

#07. Jockstrap - Wicked City (art pop/glitch pop)

 

I had been anticipating Jockstrap second EP Wicked City for a while, but even I couldn't expect how absolutely insane it would be. Think singer/songwriter piano type of music mixed with what people would call "hyperpop" or "post-club" and you're kind of there. Every track is unique and fantastic in its own way, a fantastic way in which to see pop music. Just... perhaps ignore the band name if you're not into that, it's some out of this world stuff.

 

Highlights: "Robert" (feat. Injury Reserve), "Acid", "City Hell" // BUY

 

#06. NÍDIA - S/T (batida/hardcore)

 

Throughout the year, Príncipe-affiliated Portuguese producer Nídia put out three great releases, and this might be my favorite of them all. Tying her kuduro and batida influences with the most hyperactive of rave music, trance, industrial techno and hardstyle, it's stuff that truly makes you miss the club even you're not much of a club person yourself. She does not miss at all.

 

Highlights: "Hard", "Chef", "Nunun" // BUY

 

#05. Slauson Malone - Vergangenheitsbewältigung (Crater Speak) (neo-soul/experimental)

 

Last year, producer and musician Jasper Marsalis put out A Quiet Farwell 2016-2018, his debut album, which was a melancholic collage of rap, ambient music, jazz and soul from an electronic viewpoint. Vergangenheitsbewältigung (Crater Speak), his latest, is a more acoustic, stripped down version of his previous release, yet maintains the experimental qualities that made his previous record so appealing. Released alongside a book, the EP's name name coming from the German term for "coping with the past", it is truly an emotional ride.

 

Highlights: "Smile #6 (see page 198 and 158)", "My feet's tired (see page 108)", "THE MASSAGE 4: (see page 140, 32, 73 and 8)", "THE MESSAGE 3: Blood (see page 39, 179 and Bye)" // BUY

 

#04. Tkay Maidza - Last Year Was Weird, vol. 2 (pop rap)

 

Australian-Zimbabwean rapper and singer Tkay Maidza isn't exactly a new artist, she's been out for a long while, but I feel like in her latest EP 'Last Year Was Weird vol. 2', she's come to her own in a wonderful way. From more aggro moments like the JPEGMAFIA-featuring "Awake" or "Grasshopper" to more sweet and delicate moments like the opening track or full on house-pop songs like "24k", she simply kills it on every style in the most graceful way possible. It makes me so proud to see her flourish. 

 

Highlights: "24k", "Shook", "Awake" (feat. JPEGMAFIA), "Grasshopper", "Don't Call Again" (feat. Kari Faux) // STREAM

 

#03. Christine and the Queens - La vita nuova (synthpop)

 

Released almost by surprise with an accompanying 13-minute visual, La vita nuova is probably Christine and the Queens' strongest collection of songs yet, and solidifies her multilingual brand of pop perfectly. Songs like "People, I've been sad" are emotionally affecting yet work perfectly around more upbeat songs like the title track. As short as this release may be, it succesfully conveys a lot of emotions.

 

Highlights: "People, I've been sad", "Je disparais dans tes bras", "Nada", "La vita nuova" (feat. Caroline Polachek) // STREAM

 

#02. Isabella Lovestory - Mariposa (neoperreo)

 

Honduran singer Isabella Lovestory creates a world of her own that is inspired by late 90's and early 00's reggaeton as well as contemporary pop and rap music, with slight electronic flourishes. Mariposa, her second EP, is probably her strongest release to date. Literally every song, even the ones that are more moody and emotional, are guaranteed to get a party going. Producer Chicken carries this record well enough, but what really drives this home is Isabella's endless charisma and fierce attitude.

 

Highlights: "Mariposa", "Golosa", "Whiskey & Coca Cola", "Kitten Heel" // BUY

 

#01. Shygirl - ALIAS (uk bass/experimental hip hop)

 

Shygirl's debut EP 'Cruel Practice' is pretty much the definition of a collapse, a slow burner that slowly revealed its greatness with each play. Assisted by Sega Bodega, every track felt like a true rush. Her second EP, on the other hand, feels a lot more immediate, but just as incredible. With the addition of new people like SOPHIE, Kai Whiston or Happa to her circle of producers, she tries new things like vocal house-y bangers ("Tasty") but the sick and twisted appeal of her music, the smoke-y vocals and the sexual intensity of her whole discography remains intact. If there's any doubt she was here to stay, well... she is. It's only up from here.

 

Highlights: like literally every track? omg // BUY

 

 

[SLIME]

You stay coming through with stuff I've never heard of. Like the Kelly Moran / Prurient split oh wow, oh wow.. Love how you chose the correct #1 - the rest of this page I will have to pore over in the morning with fresh eyes.

[Sunderland 4ever]

8 hours ago, TRF. said:

#03. Christine and the Queens - La vita nuova (synthpop)

I heard this EP once several months ago, but that was it.

 

8 hours ago, TRF. said:

#05. Slauson Malone - Vergangenheitsbewältigung (Crater Speak) (neo-soul/experimental)

I'm interested in this one.

[TheWayWeWere]

La vita nuova is truly her best 'album' so far, even tho I loved her since very beginning

[madonnas]

update your threat title!

 

WOW, YOUR TOP 3 IS PERFECT

 

i missed out on jockstrap this year and am regretting it. 

[Blue Rose]

Currently listening to ALIAS (thanks to @Madame X )

 

 

Jockstrap solid too. I remember checking it out just because of the name  

 

Xtine stomping

Edited December 16, 2020 by Blue Rose

[Orfeo]

Shygirl, isee this name in many counts 

[Ewan Chaos]

Xtine and Shygirls, LEGENDS!

 

I've been meaning to check out that Jockstrap band nnn

[Lazuli]

ahhh yes the christine EP, and you just reminded me of the mini film! such good stuff 

[Pink Matter]

Xtine  

Great gowns at Shygirl  (I'll give her another chance later)

Downloading the Slauson Malone EP just off the strength of his name nn

[Remmy]

Haven't heard any of these but I remember Tkay having a solid verse on Troye's first album. Let me come back later and check her + others out  Actually a few days ago I peeked at a few Shygirl tracks but none of them connected with me.