This is probably the hardest thing I had to do, and I know there’s going to be some debates about my list, but I’m down to talk about it! My decisions came from popularity, of course, chords, choruses, lyrics, beats, singles, producers etc. My rankings might be a bit off, but in all honesty, I think its pretty ok in my eyes. If you haven’t listened to most of the albums that are listed, then you should give it a try. So down below are my Top 25 Albums of The Year. Tell me what you think! I would really like some input. Thanks
1. AstroWorld – Travis Scott
Travis MF Scott has done amazing wonders with this album. Dealing with the transitions, the order of the album, and overall the psychedelic feels that this album gives you has all been in favor of Travis fans. Travis really delivered with this album, even with the long wait since his last album, Birds In The Trap Sing Mcknight. I personally enjoyed the variety of songs that he combined in the album, from rap to a little alternative, to R&b, Travis really did his thing. So that’s why this album is #1 in my eyes.
Key Tracks:
- Sicko Mode
- Stop Trying To Be God
- Yosemite
- R.I.P. Screw
2. Scorpion – Drake
25 whole songs. To be honest this album was hard to get into, even though I really really love Drake. I was able to start loving some songs from this album, through repetitive listening. Drake really gets personal with his life on this album, addressing rumors, taking jabs at certain rappers, and etc.
To be honest, it was way too many songs to get really connected to, but overall once you’re able to cut some songs down, it’s a pretty good album. If it really wasn’t for the certain singles that he put out and the constant radio play for them, I think Scorpion wouldn’t be some people’s top 10.
*BUT the concert was amazing.*
Key Tracks:
- In My Feelings
- Jaded
- Finesse
- NonStop
3. Redemption – Jay Rock
In all honesty, Jay Rock did amazing for this album . I haven’t heard of Jay Rock since 2011, when he had a song called “All My Life (In the Ghetto) ft. Lil Wayne that constantly played on MTV Jams. I know he had plenty of albums after that, but it didn’t really resonate with me like this one did. The versatility within this album is amazing, from start to finish. Very Cali inspired from songs like ” Rotation 112th” to “Tap Out” to “S**t Real”. My personal favorite Broke +-, is very vivid, very real, and I think its really hard for rappers to not claim how much money they have, the girls they get, etc. Rock kept it real from the beginning, and it’s a very solid album and it really deserves recognition.
Key Tracks:
- For What It’s Worth
- Win
- Knock It Off
- King’s Dead
4. Care For Me – Saba
Wow Saba. I would really say it was Saba’s Year. This album was genuine at its best. I really cried to this album multiple times (not that anyone cares lol), because it’s so golden, so personal, and real. Saba is a powerful storyteller.You can understand his story, feel his emotions, and I’m really blessed that he was able to process his life within this album and share it with his fans. I really think people slept on this album, and if you haven’t listened to it, go do that now. May John Walt Rest in Peace.
Key Tracks:
- Broken Girls
- Fighter
- Busy/Sirens
- Prom/King
5. Die Lit – Playboi Carti
Ahhh my lovely Broke Boi. I really get happy when I hear Carti’s voice. A Carti x Pierre collab is nothing but bangers, a classic, a MF gem. Even though Carti can be very expressive with his lyrics, it’s still really good. I know a lot of people don’t like this album, but they really don’t know what they’re talking about (just kidding, not really). I believe the short adlibs, and the beats really resonate with Carti. He can literally talk about Ants and a good amount of people would be down to mosh pit to it.
Carti is really different, and I’m really excited to see where he’s going to be in the upcoming years. This album had really good songs like my personal favorites ” Home”, “Mileage”, “Flatbed Freestyle”, and “Right Now”. Put a Carti song on, and everybody whole mood changes, watch.
*If you’re really down to mosh pit, Carti is definitely the concert to be at*
Key Tracks:
- Home
- Love Hurts
- Shoota
- Flatbed FreeStyle
6. Swimming – Mac Miller
This one really hits home. I don’t know if it was just me, but I feel as though that this album was just like a going away album for Mac. After his death, which definitely took a toll on me and many others, going back to listening to Swimming seems different. Like if you really listen to the songs like “Come Back To Earth”, “Wings”, and “Jet Fuel”, it seems like this man is already in the clouds in his mind. I’m really not trying to be on some superstition stuff, but if you really listen, everything is really vulnerable, emotional, and just humbling. So it’s pretty scary in a way.
But right now I can’t even go past the first track without crying, so this album is everything to me. Even though it took someone to pass away, for them to get the recognition they deserve, I’m glad he’s getting the love. Also congrats to him for his first Grammy nomination for this Album. May you Rest in Peace Malcolm.
Key Tracks:
- Come Back To Earth
- Wings
- 2009
- What’s The Use
7. Ye – Kanye West
Kanye, Kanye, Kanye. Producing wise, this album is hands down genius. I really love my personal fave “Yikes”, cause listening to that in the headphones is beyond me. This album was not his best album, in my opinion. Just because I don’t think he touched down on a lot of things that many people want to know since this year everybody is really skeptical about him.
Also I really just miss the Late Registration, Graduation, Ye. When he actually had some meaning to his songs. I get where is he going, since the songs that he is making now is currently like the music that many of us listen to, but I was hoping that he still followed his old ways.
I really didn’t want him to switch up his sound as much. But overall this album is definitely a different sound then what we are used to from Ye, but it does have some special songs on it that we do appreciate.
Key Tracks:
- Yikes
- Ghost Town
- No Mistakes
- All Mine
8. Sweetener – Ariana Grande
Ms. Ariana Grande, came through with the vocals, with the songs, with everything that an album really needs. I always loved Ariana, so my opinion on this album would not help. If you really into poppy music, a little R&B, or just overall need to express yourself or sing on top of your lungs, this is definitely the album for you.
Key Tracks:
- R.E.M.
- God Is A Woman
- Breathin
- No Tears Left To Cry
9. Invasion Of Privacy – Cardi B
Cardi has had one breakthrough year, and one amazing debut album. Invasion Of Privacy was already a hit when Bodak Yellow came out, but she definitely went crazy with songs like “Ring”, “I Like It”, “Bickenhead”, and more. Cardi went through a lot in one year, she debuts her album, got married, got a baby, about to get a divorce, but most importantly she got 4 nominations for the Grammys.
Like she is the ultimate queen and a bad woman if I may say so myself. I love that this album represents her and her background from her being a rapper, and also getting in touch with her Latin roots. It’s very inspirational for many people to see where she has come from, to where she is now. She’s very humbling and has become many people’s favorite and I can’t wait to see her prosper next year.
Key Tracks:
- Ring
- Bickenhead
- Best Life
- She Bad
10. East Atlanta Love Letter – 6lack
I feel like 6lack is really slept on, and this album is really slept on, and it definitely deserves the recognition it needs. After 2 years of releasing his debut album Free 6lack, EALL is everything his fans been waiting for. He touches base on a lot of conflict between love and trust and basically trying to figure himself out throughout the situations that he is going through.
With very melodic beats, kind of chilly vocals, and overall honesty, 6lack is the one to watch. He kind of reminds of Frank Ocean. This album was sharply produced, and I believe that his raspy voice just makes this album content and fits him to the point, that one can feel his emotion within each song. This album was genuinely beautiful.
Key Tracks:
- Sorry
- Disconnect
- Scripture
- East Atlanta Love Letter
So those albums were my Top 10. I went down from 40 albums to my best 25, so down below is the continued list for my best 25 albums of the year. Don’t come at me please. Thanks for reading.
11. Noir – Smino
12. My Dear Melancholy – The Weeknd
13. Last Day of Summer – Summer Walker
14. Hive Mind – The Internet
15. OnePointFive – Amine
16. QuarterThing – Joey Purps
17. Lost & Found – Jorja Smith
18.Drip Down Season 3 – Gunna
19. Stereo – Omar Apollo
20. Life’s a Trip – Trippie Redd
21. Isolation – Kali Uchis
22. Room 25 – NoName
23. Krash – Jean Deaux
24. KOD – J Cole
25. Kids See Ghosts – Kids See Ghosts
Honorable Mentions:
BeerPongs and Bentleys – Post Malone
Nothin 2 Prove – Lil Yachty
Slime Language – Young Thug
Testing – A$AP Rocky
K.T.S.E. – Teyana Taylor
A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships – The 1975
Ballads 1 -Joji
