Best Releases Of 2020 - So Far

[Poisoned Youth]

I just listened to this on your recommendation and I'm floored. Really good stuff.

Great. The most fulfilling part of this site remains discovering and sharing music. So that's always great to hear.

I quite like the vocals, myself. I will say that they follow a seeming recent trend, though, of it being very hard to discern the lyrics upon the first couple of listens. On Bent Knee's excellent 2019 release You Know What They Mean, the words that Courtney Swain is singing, are practically un-intelligible, but still that was my album of the year!

This is definitely in my mix, for my 2020 album of the year.

We will see how it ends up for me, but it's promising as I have already gone back to it two more times since first listen.

[Poisoned Youth]

Aka Moon's new album Opus 111 is based off a Beethoven Sonata. This is one is a bit of a "return to form" for them, blending some of Fabrizio Cassol's amazing arrangement/adaptation skills with a unique instrumentation approach. These clips will probably only be available in the USA, but I believe the album is on Spotify as well.

[Duncan Glenday]

It's been fun browsing and researching items in this thread so far.

Any newer new 2020 albums worth review?

[Mascodagama]

Aka Moon's new album Opus 111 is based off a Beethoven Sonata. This is one is a bit of a "return to form" for them, blending some of Fabrizio Cassol's amazing arrangement/adaptation skills with a unique instrumentation approach. These clips will probably only be available in the USA, but I believe the album is on Spotify as well.

Really interesting stuff, as ever with Aka Moon (one of my favourite groups of the last 25 years without doubt). Not sure yet whether this one is going to become a favourite. Thanks for posting as I didn't know they had this out.

[Mascodagama]

It's been fun browsing and researching items in this thread so far.

Any newer new 2020 albums worth review?

There's a new EP out from Ghost Rhythms, here:

https://ghostrhythms.bandcamp.com/al...nary-mountains

It probably goes without saying, this being Ghost Rhythms, that I think it's excellent. The first track, Coudreau's Dream, in particular is ridiculously great and also the hardest-rocking thing they have recorded.

[Trane]

Soooo far:

Shabaka & The Ancestors - We Are Sent Here By History
Zopp - Zopp
Elds Mark - s/t
Moleslope - Slope
Wildflower - Season 2
Irreversible Entanglements - Who Sent You?

[Facelift]

I haven't heard many 2020 releases and no prog, but I have been really liking Tame Impala's Slow Rush.

It's got a bit of an ELO vibe.

[Kavus Torabi]

So far for me-

JG Thirlwell/ Simon Steensland: Oscillospira

Aksak Maboul: Figures

[gearHed289]

The Devil's Staircase - https://thedevilsstaircase.bandcamp.com/releases

[Zappathustra]

Trane, Moleslope is a 2019 release. True, a late 2019 one.

[Sputnik]

The Devil's Staircase - https://thedevilsstaircase.bandcamp.com/releases

Thanks for the reminder. I've been meaning to sample this, and just did. Am ordering the CD now, really good!

Bill

[Kcrimso]

Aksak Maboul: Figures

I am waiting anxiously that one!

[Trane]

Aksak Maboul: Figures

I thought that was out only on May 25th??

Trane, Moleslope is a 2019 release. True, a late 2019 one.

OK, shucks.

[Kavus Torabi]

^ I was lucky enough to get a promo.
Heads up...it’s every bit as good as the other two. Really!
I can’t get enough of it.

[mnprogger]

between the working-at-home/other changes in schedule and lifestyle from Corona Virus and Diabetes (along with having to take care of a dog and even a cat now, lol), my consumption of new music has taken a dramatic backseat.

but here's what I have off the top of my head


Ours - Spectacular Sight III
Pure Reason Revolution - Eupnea
Pat Metheny - From This Place
Psychotic Waltz - The God-Shaped Void
The Dear Hunter - The Fox and the Hunt

in my cue

Bruce Peninsula - No Earthly Sound
Other Lives - For Their Love

update

1. Pure Reason Revolution - Eupnea
2. Ours - Spectacular Sight III
3. Pat Metheny - From this Place
4. Bruce Peninsula - No Earthly Sound
5. Green Carnation - Leaves of Yesteryear
6. Psychotic Waltz - The God-Shaped Void
7. The Dear Hunter - The Fox and the Hunt
8. The Monkees - The Monkees Live – The Mike & Micky Show
9. Nektar - The Other Side
10. Other Lives - For Their Love

Haven't Listened to Yet
Kristoffer Gildenlöw - Homebound
The Chap - Digital Technology
Marian Semkina - Sleepwalking
IAMX - Echo Echo

2019's in my playlist and feel like new albums
Lehto & Wright - Curios
Maraton - Meta
Misha Bower - Trying to Have it All

[Shadow]

Cody Carpenter Control Jan 17
Trilok Gurtu God Is a Drummer Feb 7
Dusan Jevtovic If You See Me Mar 20
Wayne Krantz Write Out Your Head Jan 14
Fernando Lamadrid De Paso Jan 31
John McLaughlin · Shankar Mahadevan · Zakir Hussain Is That So? Jan 17
Pat Metheny From This Place Feb 21
Anika Nilles / Nevell For a Colorful Soul Jan 10
Soften the Glare Glint Mar 3
Ray Suhy & Lewis Porter Quartet Transcendent Apr 17

[Shadow]

RAZA -The Cosmic Lighthouse : Free download - www.drrhk.com

[arturs]

Trane, Moleslope is a 2019 release. True, a late 2019 one.

I only first heard of 'em about a month ago so I'm putting Moleslope on my best of 2020 list! So there!

[Dok]

I kinda like PsychoYogi's new one Dangerous Devices though I would be the first to admit they're a bit of an acquired taste. Somewhat irreverent, dry and twisty with interesting lyrics.
https://psychoyogi.bandcamp.com/album/dangerous-devices

[moecurlythanu]

^ It's pretty good, thanks.

[Zappathustra]

^ I was lucky enough to get a promo.
Heads up...it’s every bit as good as the other two. Really!
I can’t get enough of it.

This sounds impossible, so there is a sudden rise of anticipation here.

[Trane]

I only first heard of 'em about a month ago so I'm putting Moleslope on my best of 2020 list! So there!

yeah, I'll keep it in my list as well.

==================

Three more: (now that the record shops are open gain)
Glass Museum - Reykjavik (belgian piano-drum duo doing a quieter GoGo Penguin type of music - their second album)
The Third Mind - S/T Dave Alvin (yes of The Blasters)'s excellent psych project including guest Jesse Sykes. lots of cover including Alice Coltrane's Saatchidananda
The Dream Syndicate - The Universe Inside my fave in a very long time.

also maybe;
Trees Speak - Ohms Neo-krautrock (Köln-Dusseldorf school)

[Steve F.]

I thought this was really great (need to listen more, but I loved it on two listens):

Lucian Ban - piano
John Surman - baritone & soprano saxophones, bass clarinet
Mat Maneri - viola

Transylvanian Folk Songs - The Bela Bartók Field Recordings

Here's one track that's on their bandcamp page:

[Zappathustra]

Dai Ka h t - easily the best so far 2020 release.

[walt]

Tyshawn Sorey-drums/percussion-piano;Jennifer Curtis-violin.Invisable Rituals.

Not jazz.Contemporay classical/chamber music is how i'd(clumsily) describe it.I dig it more with each listen.

https://newfocusrecordings.bandcamp....visible-ritual