Our Top Releases of 2020
2020 was one hell of a ride. Art and creative escapism were more important than ever this year, as we lived through COVID and the heartbreaking loss of live shows. 2020 pushed the boundaries of heavy music once again, with solid albums from scene mainstays and new breakout artists cementing their place. Here are some of Scene Daddy’s picks for top releases of 2020.
Hana
Wake Up Sunshine - All Time Low
Wake Up Sunshine just happened to be the right album released at the right time. Everything was perfectly aligned and somehow hope was inspired through relatable lyrics and catchy pop punk beats. At the time I was rather in a slump, both creatively and mentally. While trying to come up with content, I felt a lost sense of identity and struggled finding not only the will to write and create, but the will to do anything that required more energy than just getting out of bed. All it took was one listen through and I instantly knew I had found my album of the year. Each track is a banger of a bop, leaving my heart fulfilled, mind motivated, and energy fueled. Much as this album is my number one, it was no wonder that the single “Monsters” off of Wake Up Sunshine has received the number one hit spot for 11 weeks straight. Each listen is as powerful as the first run through, and quite honestly this album hits just as hard and was just as influential as Nothing Personal.
Hello There - Saving Vice
Brave Faces Everyone - Spanish Love Songs
The Crush - Marina City
Nothing is True & Everything is Possible - Enter Shikari
Schae
GLUE - Boston Manor
Boston Manor grew a steady fanbase over the past couple years, but they truly broke out this year with GLUE. Building on a darker sound we’d heard on Welcome to the Neighbourhood, GLUE hits you in the pit of your stomach. From the haunting drone of “On a High Ledge” to the defeated piano-driven “Stuck in the Mud” to the manic, industrial energy of “Everything Is Ordinary,” the Blackpool band is proving they are at the top of songwriting and innovation in the scene.
Manic - Halsey
POST HUMAN: SURVIVAL HORROR - Bring Me the Horizon
Afterburner - Dance Gavin Dance
Heartwork - The Used
Audrey
Wake Up Sunshine - All Time Low
No Good Left To Give - Movements
Hello There - Saving Vice
POST HUMAN: SURVIVAL HORROR - Bring Me The Horizon
No Eternity In Gold - Like Moths To Flames
Pink Elephant - Stand Atlantic
Danielle
GLUE - Boston Manor
The Blackpool boys really outdid themselves on this record by channeling all of their anger about everything going on in the world. There are songs of outrage, starting with “Everything is Ordinary” on the album, yet we also get a more delicate sound which draws attention to the hate and expectations surrounding what “masculinity” truly means. The band created different sounds and styles on this album that ended up fitting perfectly together where all listeners can find a song they can relate to. Not only is GLUE a relevant album for 2020 as a whole, but overall it brings the band to the next level.
POST HUMAN: SURVIVAL HORROR - Bring Me The Horizon
All Distortions Are Intentional - Neck Deep
weird! - Yungblud
The Path - Fit For A King
Ryan
Bleach - SadBoiSam
In a year where many rappers have evolved, it's an obvious truth that can be said with SadBoiSam's album Bleach. Fully crowd funded by his fans, SadBoiSam came out with a thrilling album that molds a blend of catchy hooks, amazing samples and a lucid dreamlike state. From start to finish, there's something alluring that drags you in. The heavily experimental final track of the album "Black Swan" captures a frightening power as guest vocalists from Fairwell and Swim Gustavo brutalize the lofi scape with heart wrenching, pulse-pounding roars. All in all, this album has had me coming back for more and more throughout the year. Highly recommend for fans of emo rap and Soundcloud rap.
An Autumn Abandoned In D-555 - Keanu Dicaprio
Idealism - Coletta
EGGYPOCKET - Bilmuri
Afterburner - Dance Gavin Dance
Sammie
Forever and Ever x Infinity - New Found Glory
A band and an album that really doesn’t need an explanation. New Found Glory continues to prove why they are kings of their genre with each release and this was no exception. When it comes to songs of love, longing, and lust, New Found Glory can do it like no other. New Found Glory is one of those bands that stands the test of time, that remains immovable and unchanging in their sound, can get away with experimenting in new sound territories, then come back swinging with an album such as this to show that they still got it. Yes, they don’t exactly reinvent the wheel with this album. But, what this album does is deliver its promise on the ultimate pop-punk experience when it comes to quality, energy, outlook, and unparalleled instrumentalism. When it comes to those characteristics alone, you can bet New Found Glory will always hit those marks every single time without question.
Self Care - Yours Truly
Levels - Fame on Fire
Guardians - August Burns Red
Fear No Empire -Fear No Empire
Heirloom - Dear Youth