The voice for the socially and politically oppressed was ignited this year through the difficult hardships and the ongoing atrocities that had far too long plagued our ignorant societies. 2 Casually Here | Possible Worlds Paul Cauthen | Country Coming Down Celtic Hills | Huldufolk Centinex | The Pestilence Van Chamberlain | In the Sun Factor Chandelier | Time Invested II Chrome Waves | Recursive Cinthie | DJ-Kicks Gerald Clayton & Charles Lloyd | Bells On Sand Rob Clearfield & Quin Kirchner | Concentric Orbits Cloud Rat | Cloud Rat Redux Cloud Rat | Do Not Let Me Off the Cliff Deluxe Edition Club dElf | You Never Know Cobra Spell | Anthems Of The Night EP Ezra Cohen | The Sweet Million Feli Colina | El Valle Encantado The Color Fred | Year And Change Common Deer | Maximalist Community Theater | Having Everything Confidence Man | Tilt Karol Conk | Urucum Conscious Route & Scott Bathgate | Pyramid EP Corlyx | Raindrops EP Cosmilk | Silent Places Kenny Cox | Clap Clap! Iconic heavyweights and OG's of the past dusted off their mics and collaborated alongside a new generation of poetic songwriters to produce some of the most prolific, introspective, empowering, and socially provocative music we've seen in years. I think a lot of these attempts are unsuccessful, but Open Mike Eagle adopts Pollen-esque pop to delightful effect on his 2020 effort.

This time teaming up with New York beatsmith Alchemist, the pair delivered, I'm a sucker for the constant iterations of Gil Scott Heron, but this edition is genuinely innovative. Rest in peace Pop Smoke, thank you for giving us one final incredible album to remember you by.. Mike Wood, There is not a more revolutionary underground rapper in the game right now than Quelle Chris. Great mixing, mash-ups, and on a full mixtape, is hard to find these days. All the music headed for your playlist in the coming days. I think a lot of these attempts are unsuccessful, but Open Mike Eagle adopts Pollen-esque pop to delightful effect on his 2020 effort.

Elzhi offers an efficient balance between technical skill and subject matter that only gets more impressive with each release.

Darryl Sterdan = Tinnitist. There are simply not many people making music like this at this level.

Ashton Howard, Pre-pandemic 2020. , Pre-pandemic 2020. His music has been leading in the new wave of young R&B acts for the last two years, the same way that Bryson Tilller invaded the scene in 2015, and his worldwide popularity continues to gain momentum , Abstract-yet-grounded instrumentals and personal narratives of Your Old Droog's immigration to the USA from the Ukraine make for a solid record from a unique perspective. sandwiched between bars about anxiety is just what the doctor ordered. His music has been leading in the new wave of young R&B acts for the last two years, the same way that Bryson Tilller invaded the scene in 2015, and his worldwide popularity continues to gain momentum Gregory Castel, Abstract-yet-grounded instrumentals and personal narratives of Your Old Droog's immigration to the USA from the Ukraine make for a solid record from a unique perspective. 2 Red Hot Chili Peppers | Unlimited Love Redveil | Better Reminders | Best Of Beach Punk Reubens Daughters | Mami Wata Revolver | Rephlummoxed Thomas Rhett | Where We Started Penny Rimbaud & Kate Shortt | Kernschmelze III Riot .303 | Riot .303 (1981-83) Richard Jr Riviera & Isak Sundstrom | Excursions Rocket From The Crypt | Group Sounds Vinyl Reissue Rocket From The Crypt | Live From the X-Ray Vinyl Reissue Pete Rock | PeteStrumentals 4 Shannon Rowley | The King Departs Roxy Music | For Your Pleasure Reissue Roxy Music | Roxy Music Reissue The Rural Alberta Advantage | Rise EP Gaviln Rayna Russom | Slabs Vol I EP Andrew Ryan | A Tiny Death Sadistik x Kno | Bring Me Back When The World Is Cured Satan | Earth Infernal Boddhi Satva | Kilulu Single Schatten Muse | Vergnglichkeit Scrunchies | Feral Coast Seabear | In Another Life Selbor | Mensaje Sally Shapiro | Sad Cities Remix Album Shrimpnose | Under Fire! , Black Thought, iconic rapper and the lead emcee of The Roots, returned to feed us knowledge once again with this new solo album. Kalen Murphy, Before coronavirus ravaged any chance of a normal 21st birthday, I was hoping to hear some J Hus in a club while enjoying my first legal drink. There's got to be a better way! She brought the R&B of my childhood in the 90's into the modern age in a way that I hadn't experienced before. Loud and unapologetic, this year's artists truly stepped up to the mic.

Kalen Murphy, Fresh Veggies 2 is a solid listen from start to finish. , The legendary producer teams up with the Soul Brothers band to craft the long-awaited third entry in this instrumental series , Two of the most compelling rappers active today just clicking from the jump in this jazz-inspired, left of center project. All prices in USD. Angelicus | Approach Alhousseini Anivolla & Girum Mezmur | Algher (Mathami Remix) Autmata | Autmata Abdoulaye Badiane & The Kevin Fingier Collective | Kairo Bancou Moulu / Addis Ababa Bait | Sea Change Battle Ave. | I Saw The Egg Becko | You Are (Not) Alone Ptit Belliveau | Un Homme Et Son Piano Donny Bent | Le Piano EP The Big Sway | Almost Home Bign | Discipline Through Sound 25 Bittter | Sad Songs For Happy People The Bloodstreams | Clockwork Man Single Brainticket | Celestial Ocean Brainwaltzera | Itsame Bronze | Absolute Compliance Calibre | Double Bend Can | Monster Movie Vinyl Reissue Can | Soundtracks Vinyl Reissue Capitol K | Super Dhramas Carpenter Brut | Leather Terror Daniel Carter, Matthew Shipp, William Parker, Gerald Cleaver | Welcome Adventure! While I was impressed byK.T.S.E., her last album,The Album turned a few things that I thought I knew on their heads. It serves as an appetizer for whats to come on the rest of the project. Hayley Tharp, Deca's pretty, psychedelic production mixes with his poetic, spiritual lyricism to create one of 2020's most overlooked albums.

With appearances from rising underground artists (KeiyaA, Pink Siifu, Quelle Chris) and established acts (Earl Sweatshirt, Moor Mother, Nosaj) alike, Staying consistent as ever, Buffalo artist Benny the Butcher, an insanely talented member of Griselda, leaves us in awe with his wordplay in this powerful release. Alex Weissman, Giveon's first-ever project consists of three or four of the best songs in R&B for the year.

The project boasted viral tracks such as "Rags2Riches" and "Thug Motivation" that went crazy on social media, bringing Rod Wave's music to a much wider audience. Ashton Howard, Keep your eyes peeled for the name Xavier Omar in the coming years. If you're looking for an all-around good hip-hop record, Limbo is a chef's kiss. , Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Killah Priest comes through in 2020 with an album that is actually very innovative and fresh. Ashton Howard, For the second year in a row, Lucki is responsible for one of my favorite drops of the year, as tracks like, "Tarantino," "Runnin With" and, "Unlimited" are some of the best to be released all year from anybody.

With appearances from rising underground artists (KeiyaA, Pink Siifu, Quelle Chris) and established acts (Earl Sweatshirt, Moor Mother, Nosaj) alike, Shrines evokes an appreciation for Woods' and Elucid's storytelling abilities, especially on songs like "King Tubby" and "Bitter Cassava." Get more free design templates for your record label by checking out our new social media templates. 19:10/19/73 Oklahoma City Fairgrounds Arena, Oklahoma City, OK Grave Next Door | Sanctified Heathen Greenbeard | Variant Greyboy Allstars | Get A Job Daryl Hall | BeforeAfter The Hara | We All Wear Black Mayer Hawthorne | Man About Town Vinyl Reissue Elliah Heifetz | First Generation American The Hellacopters | Eyes Of Oblivion Lia Hide | The Missing Fourth Guest Hidden Spheres | You Are Not Your Body Veda Hille | Beach Practice Hrishikesh Hirway | Rooms I Used To Call My Own EP Bren Holmes | Everything You Never Wanted Acoustic Horojo Trio | Set The Record Hundred Sins | Fuss Christian Lee Hutson | Quitters Hybrid Man | Shapeshifting Hassan Ideddir | Atfalouna If It Kills You | Invisible Self I Klatus | Targeted Chris Imler | Operation Schnheit Michael Gregory Jackson | Electric Git Box Graeme James | Seasons JakoJako | Metamorphose Jamboree | Life In The Dome Jameszoo | Blind Jaxsaun | The Comezino Jimbo | Odin The JLB | Jamie Loves Bangers Daniel Johns | FutureNever Josiah The Gift | Mightier Than The Sword Karhide | Restart Devon Kay & the Solutions | Grieving Expectation Kellarissa | Voice Leading Caroline Kennedy | Caroline No Kublai Khan TX | Lowest Form of Animal EP Kid Cupid | Heartlands EP Kill The Noise | Embrace King Garbage | Heavy Metal Greasy Love King Yosef | Fair Bloom Franz Kirmann | Forget Me Not Ivan Knight & The Imaginary Friends | Memory Lane Single Sam Kogon | Sam Kogon EP K2 | Hybrid Dub Metal Musik Kuolemanlaakso | Kuusumu Lael | It Didnt Know It Was A Butterfly Lapche | Spirit Bunnies (Remixes) EP Latarnik | Marianna Damian Lazarus | Music Inspired by The Film Beijing Spring The Lazy Eyes | SongBook Sondre Lerche | Avatars Of Love Sid Le Rock | Invisible Nation Lightning In A Twilight Hour | Overwintering Lights | PP Chloe Lilac | How Does Your Girlfriend Feel About It Lil Eggnog | Oh Shit 3 The Long Hunt | Threshold Wanderer Lords Of The Trident | The Offering Losing Lustre | August / Autumn Love & The Outcome | Only Ever Always Lunacy | Echo In The Memory Lustmord & Godflesh | The Others (Lustmord Deconstructed) Maj | Avenge Malneezy | Play It Like You Stole It Malneezy | XM Fifth Anniversary Mamas Gun | Cure The Jones Melissa Manchester | Live 77 Cassidy Mann | If Its Not Forever EP Daniel Maunick | Persistence Scott McCarl | Play On Reissue Francisco Mela and Shinya Lin | Motions Vol.

So much talent on every track and really only the beginning for them. , Dropping an EP in the middle of a pandemic and while protests were erupting throughout the country, New York hip-hop artist Gift raps to bring awareness to the injustice and inequality that Black lives face daily.

. Great mixing, mash-ups, and on a full mixtape, is hard to find these days. Magi Camaj, After setting the table in 2019, Los Angeles vocalist, Blxst ate all of 2020 off the back of his brilliant EP, No Love Lost. Lo-fi and indie like vocals giving us the unexpected but gentle closure we all needed after his passing. Not only does it remind me of the early days at EARMILK, but it even precedes that. Gregory Castel, One of the most enjoyable albums of the year, front to back. His latest release, Niagara, is a display of the talents he has already cultivated, as well as the potential he has as an artist at the beginning of his career. Magi Camaj, Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Killah Priest comes through in 2020 with an album that is actually very innovative and fresh. Magi Camaj, UK emcee Seinna and German producer Scientific's collaborative project is moody, reflective, and deeply rooted in visceral thoughts Tayo Odutola, Shygirl's genre-blending Alias mixes hip-hop, grime, UK bass, and house into an entertaining, experimental record full of layered sounds. John Peterson, Redveil created quite the movement with Niagara, catching the hip-hop community by storm.

His album Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon was posthumously released six months later, and served as a reminder of just how good Pop Smoke was. The way she moved not just hip-hop culture, but all culture forward this year is something to be in awe of. , Singer Joya Mooi brings forth a nice mix of future soul, R&B with a swagged out hip-hop demeanor on her new project , Kemba proudly represents The Bronx throughout this 4-track EP, which highlights the fight for Black lives and leaves a lasting impression with impactful words, messages, and powerful delivery.

, MIKE has been existing in a space only he can inhabit for years now. 2022 Tinnitist. Magi Camaj, Coming out of Las Vegas, Big Homie Stone & Impact RH both dropped solid solo projects this year, but it was their collaborative effort that really sent them off. Vol. The eloquent spoken word and rap pieces over top of ambient production make an interesting and unique combination worthy of much dissection. Hayley Tharp, Don Toliver had an MVP-caliber year and it all starts with the release of Heaven or Hell. Max Pasion-Gonzales, Releasing this project towards the end of 2020, multitalented artist and producer Russ flawlessly spits bars with the help of a few OGs. Plus, in a time where being QUARANTINED become the new norm, lyrics like, "we get high, we get fat!" Acidgvrl | August Acidgvrl | Liveinpe4ce frica Negra | Antologia Vol.1 Jeremie Albino | Past Dawn EP Christian Alexander | I Dont Like You Tarquin Alexandra | A Tyrants Demise Amosphre | More Die of Heartbreak () Anya Anastasia | Dissenter EP Ancient Settlers | Our Last Eclipse Andy And The Odd Socks | Odd Socks Calling! His album.

Written, produced, and recorded (almost) exclusively by redveil in his bedroom, Niagara is a testament to the power of the DIY artist. And then some. All Rights Reserved. Highlighted by records like, "Impress Me," "Opp" and others, Airplane James takes toxicity and gives it a refreshing spin over his engaging debut album. Ashton Howard, Fuck the World was easily one of the most impressive releases. Ashton Howard, A big focus of this year for me has been introspection, and this album has a level of self-awareness and transparency that relies heavily on looking inward. On-Demand Online Courses for Independent Record Labels, Blog | Freebies | Courses | Book a Call | Patreon | Mailing List | Products | Directory. There are simply not many people making music like this at this level. Wiki | Half God Blue Wilson | Future Street Wolf | Shadowland Wordcolour | Bluster Wrath Of The Nebula | The Ruthless Leviathan Dusty Wright | Lonelyville Yamashta & The Horizon | Sunrise From The West Sea YNW BSlime | Goat Thom Yorke | Thats How Horses Are Yume | Ambitious Cards. The eloquent spoken word and rap pieces over top of ambient production make an interesting and unique combination worthy of much dissection.

2018-2022 Other Record Labels. Gregory Castel, Billy Woods and Elucid of hip-hop duo Armand Hammer delivered one of the most ambitious rap albums of the year.

Freddie Gibbs offers characteristically gritty vocals on standout single "Nightrider."

, Lex Lavo is a New York hip-hop artist who beautifully represents East Harlem in his latest release.

Need I say more? sandwiched between bars about anxiety is just what the doctor ordered. Great from start to finish. Tracks like "200 FOR LUNCH" and "WUNNA FLO" made the deluxe edition one of the year's most enjoyable projects.

Look to, "Catch the Sun" if one needs further convincing. The only flaw found in this project is that Brent didn't choose to make it longer. Plus, in a time where being QUARANTINED become the new norm, lyrics like, "we get high, we get fat!" Robin Fulton, Rap N Roll is the perfect balance of lyricism and trap. Mac Miller post-humous release. The Polyphonic Spree Finally Got Down To The Soul, Classic Album Review: Marah | Float Away With the Friday Night Gods, Classic Album Review: Robert Plant | Dreamland, Classic Album Review: Dave Matthews Band | Busted Stuff, Classic Album Review: Darius Rucker | Back to Then, Dark Below Struggle With The Present Tense, Thursday Mixtape | 134 Songs That Cant Play By Your Rules, Man (Side 1), Thursday Mixtape | 134 Songs That Cant Play By Your Rules, Man (Side 2), Thursday Mixtape | 134 Songs That Cant Play By Your Rules, Man (Side 3), Thursday Mixtape | 134 Songs That Cant Play By Your Rules, Man (Side 4), Next Week in Music | March 28 April 3 New Books, Next Week in Music | March 28 April 3 The Short List: 8 Titles You Want to Hear, Mike Bern Worships At The Shrine Of Shirl, Jae Ordon Learns To Listen As Life Whispers On, Albums Of The Week: Regressive Left | On The Wrong Side Of History, Albums Of The Week: 1990s | Nude Restaurant, Albums Of The Week: Broke Royals | Local Support, Albums Of The Week: Jeff Beck & Johnny Depp | 18, Albums Of The Week: The Gabbard Brothers | The Gabbard Brothers. While the project is only 36 minutes in runtime, it's chock full of an array of hits that showcase Don's potential to become a leader of his class Kalen Murphy, Duckwrth drops his debut project with much glee as he serves up a wide range of sounds that is as diverse as ever.

Magi Camaj, Although it feels like a formality, I just personally didn't want to be remembered for omitting the best album of the year, regardless of genre. Includes various vinyl record mockup angles and perspectives to create product images for Bandcamp, Instagram, and web stores. David Sikorski, Senior Editor, Highlighted by records like, "Impress Me," "Opp" and others, Airplane James takes toxicity and gives it a refreshing spin over his engaging debut album. This is the perfect project to let run straight through as you take care of tasks around the house. Photoshop and Canva templates to help you improve your record labels social media startegy! Two formidable artists in their own right, Misch and Dayes collaborate for a batch of fascinating brooding moods and heavy grooves. , Although it feels like a formality, I just personally didn't want to be remembered for omitting the best album of the year, regardless of genre. The album showcases Dom's impressive range and stamina that sets his artistry above all the rest right now. Look to, "Catch the Sun" if one needs further convincing. Sick & tired of all that pointing & clicking? , Releasing this project towards the end of 2020, multitalented artist and producer Russ flawlessly spits bars with the help of a few OGs. Four helpful tips on how to make effective and creative album artwork! He's made too big of a splash this year to ignore with his baritone presence.- Gregory Castel, This year was filled with a lot of deluxe albums but none of them revamped the project like Gunna's re-release for WUNNA.

Mike Wood, I'm a sucker for the constant iterations of Gil Scott Heron, but this edition is genuinely innovative. After setting the table in 2019, Los Angeles vocalist, Blxst ate all of 2020 off the back of his brilliant EP, Deca's pretty, psychedelic production mixes with his poetic, spiritual lyricism to create one of 2020's most overlooked albums. Another highlight is Fastlane which finds veil reflecting on the trials and tribulations of his childhood over a jazzy piano loop. David Sikorski is a San Francisco-based writer and Senior Editor at EARMILK. The Joyful Noise Craic Boi Mental | Neurowavey Cr!st | In This Loneliness EP Crows | Beware Believers Claudie Dada | La Pense Javel Ori Dagan | Click Right Here Dance System | In Your System Dare | Road to Eden Doris Day | Early Day: Rare Songs from the Radio 1939-1950 Doris Day | My Heart Vinyl Reissue The Dead Tongues | Dust Deathcave | II EP Nina Del Ro | What I Loved About You Alabaster DePlume | Gold Design Flaw | Beasts of A Future Decay EP Desparecidos | Live at Shea Stadium Beau Diako | Nylon John Dikeman, Pat Thomas, John Edwards, Steve Noble | Volume 1 Dirty Shirt | Get Your Dose Now! Innocent Country 2 showcases unequivocally proves it, and the high-level appearance from Earl Sweatshirt on "Mirage" makes an easy case for best lyrical collaboration of the year. , UK emcee Seinna and German producer Scientific's collaborative project is moody, reflective, and deeply rooted in visceral thoughts , Shygirl's genre-blending Alias mixes hip-hop, grime, UK bass, and house into an entertaining, experimental record full of layered sounds. , Transcendent and emotional R&B from the head-scratchingly underappreciated Brooklyn-based artist that encapsulates loss and love in ways few artists are capable , Independent hip-hop is attempting to stir more and more towards bedroom pop melody and instrumentation. His style of melodic rapping caught many people's attention and is something that set this album apart from his peers in 2020. Nathan Whittle-Olivieri, I can't stop coming back to this. Ashton Howard, Limbo is a multi-dimensional journey of hip-hop and R&B. , Don Toliver had an MVP-caliber year and it all starts with the release of, Duckwrth drops his debut project with much glee as he serves up a wide range of sounds that is as diverse as ever. Lo-fi and indie like vocals giving us the unexpected but gentle closure we all needed after his passing. A free digital Photoshop file to help your record label promote your record labels vinyl releases.

Elzhi offers an efficient balance between technical skill and subject matter that only gets more impressive with each release. . Cuts such as "For The Night" and "Mood Swings" went viral on social media, but also showed that Pop could appeal to the softer side of rap, just like a certain 50 Cent did back in the early 2000's. Highlighted by the slow-burning hit single, "Brand New," the duo showcases their genius knack for melodic direction on this festive EP. Backed with expertly flipped samples, chopped up by Alchemist, Freddie Gibbs tone and flow cut through like a knife through butter. .

Every verse including the features on this project brings the competitive spirit over painfully beautiful production from an all-star purist cast. Nicole Proctor, Baltimore emcee drops a 10-track project that dwells on the ups and downs of being an artist in these modern times.

Meshing his festival West Coast production style along with his relatable lyrics, Blxst provided one of the more replayable projects of the year. It has established him as a budding artist who is wise beyond his years and has quite a lot to say. With the help of over 75+ contributing writers from seven different countries around the world, check out EARMILK's picks for the Best Hip-Hop and R&B songs of 2020. Albums Of The Week: Various Artists | Earls Closet: The Lost Archive Of Albums Of The Week: Willi Carlisle | Peculiar, Missouri, Albums Of The Week: Elf Power | Artificial Countrysides, Albums Of The Week: Naujawanan Baidar | Khedmat Be Khalq. It is followed by Weight which features a woozy vocal sample squashed underneath trap drums. , For the second year in a row, Lucki is responsible for one of my favorite drops of the year, as tracks like, "Tarantino," "Runnin With" and, "Unlimited" are some of the best to be released all year from anybody. Killer Mike and El-P came through full force yet again this year, with a jarring, politically charged effort that also happened to be a blast to listen to as well. , A match made in heaven. Alex Weissman, Dropping an EP in the middle of a pandemic and while protests were erupting throughout the country, New York hip-hop artist Gift raps to bring awareness to the injustice and inequality that Black lives face daily. Max Rosenfield.

He has also been wildly acknowledged for his engagement to a burrito. After his show-stopping feature on Kaytranada's latest album, Durand Bernarr released one of the more enjoyable R&B albums of the year in, A big focus of this year for me has been introspection, and this album has a level of self-awareness and transparency that relies heavily on looking inward. Need I say more? Alex Weissman, Singer Joya Mooi brings forth a nice mix of future soul, R&B with a swagged out hip-hop demeanor on her new project Tayo Odutola, Kemba proudly represents The Bronx throughout this 4-track EP, which highlights the fight for Black lives and leaves a lasting impression with impactful words, messages, and powerful delivery. Statik Selektah has a habit of bringing collaborations that seem too good to be true to fruition. Steph Evans, Two formidable artists in their own right, Misch and Dayes collaborate for a batch of fascinating brooding moods and heavy grooves. All contents may not be used without written permission.

Steph Evans, Rapper Mr Lif and producer Stu Bangas (Vangarde) team up for a no holds barred, experimental project that dives into real-time issues with their own little twists.