best of Ewan Chaos's Best of 2020! | Done!

[GreatestLoveofAll]

Omar and Declan's album are ones i've been meaning to get into tbh. I wanna getting into new sounds and they look real interesting plus is that Omar on the cover cause chile 

[potent]

I guess I really need to hear that Declan album huh? Daniel and Key to Life were great

I haven't heard of any of those male artists from previous years though 

The Slow Rush is great tbh, doesn't deserve any hate

Not a huge fan of Is It True though

[Psycho]

The Slow Rush was good enough tbh, love the singles and some album tracks

[Sunderland 4ever]

13 hours ago, Ewan Chaos said:

Tame Impala - The Slow Rush

I agree that listening to Lost In Yesterday would be magnificent live. I've got to see them live for a third time.

[geodancefreak]

Tame Impala 

[Lazuli]

the slow rush is not the best but its still a really good record, don’t understand the hate! 

[TheWayWeWere]

20 hours ago, Ewan Chaos said:

The way I basically feel the opposite way nnn I felt she RUINED Utopia, or maybe the blame for that should be on Bjork.

I'm gonna pretend Utopia never existed   I still pressed that she followed Vulnimasterpiece with this trash collection of its outtakes  

_________

 

The Slow Rush was a good listen, but I never fell in with it like with their previous effort

[ikiru]

Ugh I still need to check out the full Zebra Katz album, Lick It N Split is incredible omg

The Omar album was a bit of a disappointment for me

Declan's album is so good! Glad to see it on your list! But Emily is def the worst song on the album

[ARTPØP]

The Slow Rush 

[Ewan Chaos]

Here comes... another update!

 

"Make a splash and enjoy the fall..."

30.) George Clanton, Nick Hexum - "George Clanton and Nick Hexum" (Chillwave/Trip Hop)

Washed Out WISHES he could make chillwave this good in 2020. I liked George's album from 2018 a lot too, but I find there's something more... wistful about this record that makes me prefer it to that. Maybe that could be attributed to Nick? And the fact that the best two songs are the opener and the closer, ahh we love a cohesive project. 

Listen to: Aurora Summer, Shouldn'ta Done That, Driving in My Car, Time of Wandering, Out of the Blue

 

"Do you feel like a man in the morning, but you feel like a woman at night?..."

29.) La Roux - Supervision (Synthpop/Synth Funk)

I think it's still a controversial opinion in most pop circles to say you prefer Trouble in Paradise over La Roux (self-titled), but I've held that opinion since 2014 and continue to do so today. So when La Roux released what was essentially the Evermore to Trouble in Paradise (not really but I want the Swifties to follow along) I was actually quite pleased when everyone else was crying about it. Sure some tracks are a bit boring/reductive, but honestly I think this is a tight collection of fun, summery bops that seems to play to La Roux's strengths. I was a bit "mmm not sure I care for this album" for a while, but then I realized how much I'd been playing it and was like "okay no I like this."

Listen to: Do You Feel, Gullible Fool, 21st Century, Everything I Live For, Otherside

 

"I know sex can be a drug, but I just wanna be touched..."

28.) Empress Of - I'm Your Empress Of (Synthpop/House)

I was worried that I overrated this because of how much I didn't like Us outside of 3 songs, but as the year kept on going Empress Of proved to me that this continues to be a great record. I adore the stronger house influence throughout the songs on this album and it really suits her voice. Even though the songs are "more repetitive" I actually think that the lyrics and emotion in these songs is much more impactful than Us. Hell, the entire chorus of Love is a Drug is classic house droning on and on, but the desperation on the track HURTS. Even if I'm BOPPING. Empressie also adds some fun things like bongos on Give Me Another Chance and mother-sampling moments on the first song and U Give It Up. Yeah this album is geat.

Listen to: Love is a Drug, Give Me Another Chance, U Give It Up, Should've, Hold Me Like Water

 

"You took your lovin' from me and gave it to someone new..."

27.) Gabriel Garzón-Montano - Agüita (Contemporary R&B/Neo-Soul)

If you're unfamiliar with Gabriel, definitely check out his first album "Jardin" before this. I generally prefer the funk groovy soul of that album more than this (which makes sense that Someone is my favorite track since it's a bridge between the two albums nnn), but I actually prefer that Gabriel decided to explore more sounds on this album. The Spanish songs are huge bops (Mira My Look is my favorite because it's so silly but I love them all) and he has a few super orchestral, sweeping, dramatic songs on here that are all really nice (Tomb is my favorite). Also that ALBUM COVER!

Listen to: Someone, Mira My Look, Aguita, Tomb, Moonless

 

"Dans ma vie rien ne se passe..."

26.) Yelle - L'ère du verseau (Synthpop/French Pop)

Love the album but highkey:

Also I can't decide if I like this more than Completment Fou or not, but I'm inclined to prefer this because **** Dr. Luke.

Listen to: Vue d'en face, Karate, Noir, Un Million, J'veux Un Chien

[Ewan Chaos]

Comments under the spoiler~

Spoiler

On 12/14/2020 at 10:40 AM, Madame X said:

the zebra katz album is good, i like that the weakest songs are in the middle, because you get a good beginning and end which is more important dont let anybody else tell you different.  glad its hitting you!

 

 

 

On 12/14/2020 at 10:41 AM, Madame X said:

the others.... well, ive been interested in omar, declean, and TI, but never... got around to it?

 

btw, did listen to dornik's album.  i enjoyed it, funky and the guests elevated the songs in all different ways.  couldn't really place a standout tho, needs another listen. 

You are VERY right, a strong opening and close is better! I knew you'd love Zebra too of course. YAS glad you liked Dornik's record. Yeah it is a bit of an "all songs are a bit the same in quality" album, but I stan Ms. Gavin Turek so of course that one was my favorite. Honestly not sure which of those 3 I'd recommend... you liked Sufjan so I think you'd like the new TI?

On 12/14/2020 at 10:54 AM, Kevin2803 said:

I guess i have to wait a little longer 

If not this update, DEF the next one  

On 12/14/2020 at 10:59 AM, BlackoutZone said:

I mean The Slow Rush was pretty acclaimed so I don't think it's underrated it made some lists too, I just don't think it gives us enough

I guess I keep using ATRL/indie folk GP opinions as whether or not people whine about their like/dislike of an album, but yeah I guess it wasn't as "panned" as Sufjan for example.

On 12/14/2020 at 11:39 AM, Blue Rose said:

I really wanted to like Declan’s album but it kinda bored me but it wasn’t atrocious like Slow Rush

Interesting! Well we all have opinions  

On 12/14/2020 at 12:10 PM, K$Ellie said:

Really really liked the Tame Impala album, I'm glad it's somewhat high on your list but it still deserved better

Lost In Yesterday shoutout  probs my second or third favorite song from them overall and my fave on the album

Is It True is a good choice for your fave, it's a lovely song  the lack of Borderline, Posthumous Forgiveness and It Might Be Time tho

Borderline I played too much last year for me to really bother to add to my favorites list nnn. It Might Be Time is prob #6. PF is okay!

On 12/14/2020 at 12:17 PM, Insanity said:

I literally ust listened to KLK and I wasn't sure exactly what that was lol

Oh enjoy your foray into hyperpop babes! Rip the Slit is the most chaotic of my top picks/I guess most chaotic on the album. My poor roommate when I played it for her...

23 hours ago, Remmy said:

Haven't heard any of these but it's so interesting to see how heavily polarizing Tame Impala's album was for fans   I've seen Declan's name a few times but wait, Glam Rock/Pop Rock!??! I might have to take a peek...

 

Well Funeral & Smoke Signals are among the best tracks so Actually she started off that album very well

YAS check out Declan. I think you'll like the album.

23 hours ago, TalkThatRihanna said:

I don’t know any of these from this update 

If you wanna check any of them out I'd recommend... maybe Tame Impala based off of your Best Of so far!

23 hours ago, Post Malone said:

TSR missing the top 30 whew panned

 

sksksksks the hate

23 hours ago, GreatestLoveofAll said:

stan! So do i 

 

 

Had no choice!

23 hours ago, GreatestLoveofAll said:

Omar and Declan's album are ones i've been meaning to get into tbh. I wanna getting into new sounds and they look real interesting plus is that Omar on the cover cause chile 

Omar's album is really short if you need to decide between the two. AND YUP YUP YUP YUP THAT IS HE

20 hours ago, potent said:

I guess I really need to hear that Declan album huh? Daniel and Key to Life were great

I haven't heard of any of those male artists from previous years though 

The Slow Rush is great tbh, doesn't deserve any hate

Not a huge fan of Is It True though

If you liked those 2 songs you'll definitely enjoy the full album! Louis Cole continues to be my favorite "new male standout artist discovery" if you wanted to check any of them out  

18 hours ago, Psycho said:

The Slow Rush was good enough tbh, love the singles and some album tracks

STAN

12 hours ago, Sunderland 4ever said:

I agree that listening to Lost In Yesterday would be magnificent live. I've got to see them live for a third time.

UGH lucky lucky. I'm a bit surprised they were gonna be touring stadiums honestly (at least here in the Bay Area).

11 hours ago, geodancefreak said:

Tame Impala 

SLAY

7 hours ago, Lazuli said:

the slow rush is not the best but its still a really good record, don’t understand the hate! 

Honestly I don't either! Maybe people hate when their ~indies~ go slightly mainstream, not that it's even a mainstream record nnn

4 hours ago, TheWayWeWere said:

I'm gonna pretend Utopia never existed   I still pressed that she followed Vulnimasterpiece with this trash collection of its outtakes  

_________

 

The Slow Rush was a good listen, but I never fell in with it like with their previous effort

That's fair, I def don't like it as much as Currents and haven't listened to their older stuff as much.

4 hours ago, ikiru said:

Ugh I still need to check out the full Zebra Katz album, Lick It N Split is incredible omg

The Omar album was a bit of a disappointment for me

Declan's album is so good! Glad to see it on your list! But Emily is def the worst song on the album

Lick It N Split is easily the best track but the whole album is worth a listen! EMILY GETS TOO MUCH HATE nnnn I always assumed it was because it was the slow track.

1 hour ago, ARTPØP said:

The Slow Rush 

Kevin SNAPPED!

 

[Into The Void]

I just listened to some of Empress Of the past week and I instantly loved it

[TalkThatRihanna]

More music idk  Lemme give that Tame Impala record a listen

[Post Malone]

 

Let me wait until an album that more than 3 people know shows up

[Remmy]

I'm Your Empress Of is good  Everyone drags Us but I actually enjoyed it nnn  Love Is a Drug, Give Me Another Chance, U Give It Up

[TheWayWeWere]

1 hour ago, Ewan Chaos said:

I think it's still a controversial opinion in most pop circles to say you prefer Trouble in Paradise over La Roux (self-titled), but I've held that opinion since 2014 and continue to do so today.

omg, there's someone who still likes her debut over Masterpiece in Paradise?

I think her step-up from self-titled to follow-up was so big, so I expected a bit more from Supervision  still loves most of it 

[Kevin2803]

Still waiting 

 

La Roux is cool tho, but i haven't listen to the new album yet.

[madonnas]

alright its getting gayer and i like it.

 

i didn't know george clanton had a project out, will check out cuz i liked his last album and god i need to listen to a better chillwave album than the washed out one lol

 

your picks for the albums are pretty muchy spot on.  i switched like a ****** w la roux, i actually preferred their debut for a LONG time but then about 3 years ago let me down gently really hit me and now i love the whole album.  her debut has a classic singles run, and uh, thats all lol.

 

i definitely like the new yelle more than complement fou, lol.  like way way way more.  complement fou only song i stanned was bassin, this one i like them all.

 

 

[Legend E]

 

Let me wait until an album that more than 3 people know shows up [2]

[GreatestLoveofAll]

Empress Of, tbh I thought she made like alternative R&B but its listed as synthpop so that's three albums to listen to!

[smholiv]

a lot of these.. i haven't listened to BUT i appreciate your write ups a lot and i will be checking out a few for sure.  Omar & Zebra mostly... I'll defiintely try to ge tto those!!!  Meanwhile for the others.. I ended up not being gripped by Sufjan's singles so i skipped his album.  It's interesting to see him get more mixed reviews since usually everyone loves everything he touches

 

folklore at #50 i like it a lot BUT i also think evermore is even better so... spoiler?

[K$Ellie]

I haven't heard the La Roux album but I hurd it's a total rehash and it came after a 6 year wait so  that's why I think evermore worked, if she released it as a separate album a few years later the reception probs wouldn't have been as good

I'm Your Empress Of was v good, it's my first album from her so I should probs check out her debut since I've heard that's good

[geodancefreak]

Wait, I am honestly shocked you liked that La Roux album. It sounds pretty bad to me 

[Lazuli]

trouble in paradise IS better than their debut tho  

supervision tho... all the songs could be compressed into one really good song. an entire album was just unnecessary 

empress of is cute! 

[Mark Rih]

Empress Of's album is really good. Idk why I didn't use it more since I love that genre, but she really deserves more attention