Airi's Most Loved Albums of 2020 ♡

Welcome back, everyone! Today, I have part two of my end-of-year rankings!

In my last post, I talked about my favorite singles of 2020 (You can read it here!). Today, I will be talking about my favorite albums of 2020. ♡ I listened to new albums, revisited old albums, but which has made it to the ranking as my top favorite albums of the year? Now, I'm going to share it with everyone~ 

Similarly, as I said in my previous post, please tell me if the banner looks good. My laptop got shattered so I finally upgraded to the newest model of the Macbook Air with Retina display. However, now my 540px banners and every other images look super pixelated and low quality even though they look fine on my cellphone... Photoshop is hard and this is going to bug me forever.

Before we begin, here are a few notes to share about my ranking: 

1. I have to like a majority of the songs on album unless specified otherwise. For example, if an album has ten tracks, I need to enjoy at least six tracks.

2. For each album, I will share at least five songs that I enjoyed the most. There may be a few exceptions, like some albums having fewer songs, but I will do my best to share as many songs as possible.

11. L&

by King & Prince

– released September 2nd, 2020 – 

Despite how huge King & Prince has grown since their debut (!!!!), I've never really became a huge and dedicated fan of the group – a Tiara, essentially. I consider myself a casual listener of the group and they do have a handful of songs that I love a lot. After enjoying Mazy Night, I decided to take a look at their second album once it was released and I was very pleasantly surprised. This is a very cohesive album that really shows of King & Prince's style very well. I would describe the feeling of this album as very pretty and very trendy. It's not my most favorite album in the world, yet I keep gravitating to it. Could 2021 be the year where I am converted into a true Tiara, a full Kinpuri stan? We'll wait and see at the end of 2021. 

𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢: &LOVE, Namiute Kokoro, Seikatsu (Kari), Focus, No Limit Tonight, Key of Heart. 

10. Fab! -Music speaks.-

by Hey! Say! JUMP

– released December 16th, 2020 – 

I don't know if I mentioned this a lot on my blog; however, I absolutely love fairytales. So when it was confirmed that Hey! Say! JUMP was doing a fairytale concept for their album, I went crazy. It's not the fairytale concept that I imagined, but it's still very much inspired by fairytales and I will take what I can get. The overall sound of the album is a weird cohesive mess, and that's not inherently bad. There were songs that were very much Hey! Say! JUMP's usual style; however, with them collaborating with other producers, it's very nice to see and listen to them trying new things with this album. They collaborated with Avu-chan and Ookami Seinen is *chef's kiss.* They even collaborated with Mafumafu and Otogi to Shiru Sekai is a very fun track. It's not my most favorite album from the group; however, I still enjoyed the ride that was Fab! -Music speaks.-

𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢: Puppet, Fab-ism, Ookami Seinen, Kiss Your Lips, Otogi to Shiru Sekai, Senya Ichiya, MANTRA

9. サヨナラまでの30分 OST

by ECHOLL

– released January 22nd, 2020 – 

Yes, I know. I am fucking biased as hell when it comes to Mackenyu. I could not help myself; I listened to this soundtrack so much this past year. It's not my most favorite album on the list, yet I can't stop listening it. I keep gravitating toward it. Mou Nidouto is the best track from the album and hearing the full version after listening to previews felt so satisfying. I really do hope that moving forward in the future that Mackenyu has more music opportunities, especially with Takumi. He really does have a nice voice. 

𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢: Mou Nidouto, Mahiru no Seiza, Kaze to Hoshi, Shunkan (sayonara ver.), stand by me (piano ver.)

8. Never Grow Up

by ちゃんみな

– released August 7th, 2019 – 

As I've mentioned in my previous post, Chanmina is one of the artists that I have been getting into this year. I wasn't that big of a fan of her early works (2016-2017). However, upon listening to her music from the past two years or so, I've been really enjoying it. I love the entire vibe of Never Grow Up. Personally, for those who are trying to get into Chanmina's music like me, I believe that this is a great album to start off with as it has a mix of various hip hop and EDM. Every tracks complements each other in one way or another; I was just vibing the entire time while listening to thus album. 

𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢: Never Grow Up, Archive ni Hozon Shita Kyouku, GIRLS, Doctor, SAD SONG

7. BL

by 女王蜂

– released February 19th, 2020 – 

Ziyoou-vachi are back at it again with another album, featuring another hit song BL. After being obsessed with last year's Introduction, I was very excited to see what the group would bring next and I was not disappointed. Obviously, my favorite track within the album is BL. It's so addicting to listen to, like an eerie and dark hook for the soul. The other tracks such as P R I D E and Keisei Daikoku Mai are also very good but, since it's name is in the album title, BL just outshines it all. .

𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢: BL, CRY, P R I D E, Abu to Hachi (L ver.), Keisei Daikoku Mai

6. PAGES

by Sexy Zone

– released March 13th, 2019 – 

When this album first came out, I did not appreciate it enough. Actually, I never really gave this album a real chance. Around this time, I was in a bit of a slump when it came to the group. When I listened to La Sexy Woman for the first time, I will be very honest... it was one of the most boring title tracks from the group that I ever listened to. The music video was very pretty, but the song was boring. With this year, as I had more time, I decided to sit down and give the album an actual chance. And oh my god, the rest of this album was so fucking good. I am shocked and ashamed of myself for not listening to the other tracks sooner. All of the other tracks in this album are so much fun and exciting and catchy, and ya'll promote La Sexy Woman over another track like Zen Zen Kankenai or Wonder Love. In summary, this is a very solid album from Sexy Zone and just skip La Sexy Woman.

𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢: Zen Zen Kankenai, Wonder Love, Aoi Koibito, Kimi ga Ita Natsu ni..., CRY, Fukeiga (Sato Shori solo), make me bright

5. STRAY SHEEP

by 米津玄師

– released August 5th, 2020 – 

From my personal observation, this was one of the most anticipated and hyped up releases of 2020 and I was not disappointed. Please come and get your crown, king. When listening to Yonezu Kenshi's latest album, it felt like I was going through a journey when it comes to his music. We go from funky, retro tunes like Kanden to whimsical arrangements like Machigai Sagashi to ballads like Canary. Furthermore, the album features vert strong single tracks like Lemon and Uma to Shika. I honestly loved so many of the songs within this album. I've said this probably so many times, which makes me a basic bitch, but Yonezu Kenshi has never disappointed me with his music so far. 

𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢: Campanella, Machigai Sagashi, Himawari, Kanden, PLACEBO, Décolleté, ... You know what, just listen to everything! 

4. XYZ=repainting

by Sexy Zone

– release February 14th, 2018 – 

When I listened to this album for the first time back in 2018, it was okay. I don't recall being too crazy about it. I enjoyed a few tracks and then I left it in my music storage to collect dust... up until now! I decided to revisit the album and I really love it this time! This has become my second favorite album from the group now. Sexy Zone showed off so many different sounds this album and I really do believe that this was a significant turning point in their music. XYZ=repainting, I am so sorry that i did appreciate you enough. My music tastes has grown since 2018 and now I finally appreciate you for the gem that you truly are. 

𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢: Wasurenai Hana, Meiwakiyaku, Filter Goshi ni Mita Sora no Ao, Luv Manifesto (Kento, Sou, Marius sub-unit), Unreality, O.N.E ~Our New Era~, Fantasy ~Ichibyou no Kiseki~

3. だから僕は音楽を辞めた

by ヨルシカ

– released April, 10th, 2019– 

I fucking discovered Yorushika this year and... I'm so mad at myself for not discovering them sooner, for not noticing them last year. I stumbled upon their song Parade by chance when I was looking for new music to listen to while being stuck in quarantine. I fell in love with the song at first listen and decided to take a deep dive into their discography. I was sucked into the Yorushika black hole ever since and I haven't looked back since. Beautiful lyrics mixed with amazing composition? *chef's kiss* ♡ This is a very strong first album for the group and I am in love. Is it safe to say that they became one of my all-time favorite duos so easily like that? Yes. I cannot stop listening to their music.

𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢: Ai Nijou, Dakara Boku wa Ongaku wo Yameta, Parade, Rokugatsu wa Ame Sara no Machi wo Onegai, Elma, Utagaki to Coffee

2. 盗作

by ヨルシカ

– released July 29th, 2020 – 

In this household this blog, we stan Yorushika. 

I love this album, there is nothing else that I can say.

𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢: Just listen to the entire album! All of it!

1. POP x STEP!?

by Sexy Zone

– released February 5th, 2020 – 

This just might be the best Sexy Zone album by far. Initially, when this album came out, it took awhile to grow on me. However, after having this album on repeat all year long, I'm absolutely in love with it. While staying true to their usual Johnny's sound, the album features the group taking on different sounds that are more trendy in the form of Time Travel, ○△□ (pronounced "Maru Sankaku Shikaku"), Blessed, and MELODY. Throughout the year, I would continue gravitating toward this album. It's addicting and I can't stop listening to it. I really do hope that moving forward into the next year that Sexy Zone continue to try out new sounds because, so far, all of the work in the recent years have been on point. 

𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢: All of it! Listen to all of it! Just do it!

And now, here are some of my honorable mentions for other great albums of the year!

Okay, in all truth, it's not much but you need to check it out!

• 今は今で誓いは笑みで by ずっと真夜中でいいのに。

• 朗らかな皮膚とて不服 by ずっと真夜中でいいのに。

• and... literally the rest of Yorushika's discography!

What were your favorite album from 2020?~ Please let me know in the comments! Also, stay tuned for final part in which I give my masterlist of most favorite songs from 2020! 

Until next time, jyaa ne~ ♡