Since I wrote about the best albums of 2020 so far, it’s only right that I do one about the best songs of 2020 as well. I’ve also included a handy playlist of every song listed HERE if you’re inclined to give them a listen.
Wonderfully encapsulating Thundercat’s personality and musical talent into a brief 3 minutes, “Dragonball Durag” is peak Thundercat in his most mainstream accessible stride.
Grooves upon grooves upon grooves, the Malaysian band’s start into the new decade is their best work yet. Though it’s not a detour from their usual sound, they’ve perfected it to the point of pure ecstasy.
The bass lines alone on this song helped propel it up this list. It also helps that Channel Tres’ performance on the track oozes confidence and eccentricity, making it a song I can’t help but dance to.
An acoustic cover of Rascal Flatts’ “These Days” doesn’t seem like a recipe for virality, but the ski mask-totting RMR made it happen. The lyrics on this rendition is hilarious but most importantly, RMR’s voice is sexy as hell.
I loved “SUGAR” when it came out, but this remix blows it out of the water. Switching out the admittedly occasionally clunky rap verses for superior contributions from Ryan Beatty and Dua Lipa, this is BROCKHAMPTON’s best pop tune yet.
3.15.20 was a disappointment coming off the genius of Awaken, My Love!, but my dismay was rewarded at the end as “53.49” mirrors the manic energy of “Zombies”, a highlight of AML. This is the Gambino that I wanted to hear in 2020.
I have a…’thing’ for French vocals in pop songs. On “People, I’ve Been Sad”, Christine delivers a powerful first verse in English before crushing me with a second in French. I have no idea what she’s saying but the gorgeous performance and production tells me enough.
“ooh la la” is a slight departure from Run The Jewels’ usual fare. The hard-hitting rapping is still here in full force, but there’s a certain cordial energy to the track. It’s not just anger or bombastic drive behind the song. For the first time, Run The Jewels makes me want to dance.
I was never a huge fan of DMX, heck, I was 6 when he was in his prime. However, I figure that “DIET_” is the closest I’d ever get to understanding people’s adoration for him. Denzel’s heavy DMX influence is exhilarating and absolutely decimates Kenny Beats’ production.