Josh Balogh’s Top 20 Albums of 2020

Music released in 2020 to the rescue! Seriously though, I’m not sure if I’d have made it even as intact as I am without the lift, Joy, and tears these musicians and their craft have brought me. All told, I’d rate the year of music as a solid 4.225 out of 5, and a great beginning to a new decade of tunes. So without further ado…Onward to my Top 20 Albums of the Year!

20. Holden Days – Sylvan Lands II (4 Stars)

A silky smooth soundtrack for that space between dreaming and waking up. Sylvan Lands is flat-out gorgeous.

A terrific review can be found here: https://www.google.com/amp/s/murlough23.wordpress.com/2020/05/09/holden-days-sylvan-lands-vol-ii-move-like-a-dream/amp/

19. The Porter’s Gate – Justice Songs/Songs of Lament (4 Stars)

Really two separate albums here but I believe they need each other for fuller context. A beautiful challenge to the church to rise up and make no peace with oppression.

A great read and review of these albums can be found here: https://www.google.com/amp/s/artandtheology.org/2020/09/12/songs-of-lament-and-justice-by-the-porters-gate/amp/

18. Chase Tremaine – Unfall (4 Stars)

You’d be hard pressed to find many albums with as excellent guitar work as what is present here on Tremaine’s full-length debut. Some parts indie rock, emo, and alt-pop, it’s all good whatever you call it.

Full Review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/Unfall.asp

If you love it consider supporting (aka streaming and purchasing) Chase’s music here: https://chasetremaine.bandcamp.com/album/unfall

17. Benjamin Daniel – Shaping Season 1 (4 Stars)

Great finger-picked melodies and top-notch lyrics make Benjamin Daniel an artist to watch. The follow up album (Shaping Season 2) is due next year and eagerly awaited.

Full Review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/ShapingSeasonVolume1.asp

Go buy you some Benjamin Daniel’s tunes here: https://benjamindanielmusic.bandcamp.com

16. Off Road Minivan – Swan Dive (4 Stars)

This 2000s era alt-rock album was a nice surprise on the year.

Full Review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/SwanDive.asp

15. The Classic Crime – Patterns In The Static (4 Stars)

Though some of the lyrical content borders on bleak, it’s easy to listen to this Uber-catchy pop/rock gem.

Full Review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/PatternsInTheStatic.asp

14. The Brilliance – Suite No. 2: The World Keeps Spinning (4 Stars)

Lush instrumentation and some Radiohead influence make for a stirring and pretty listen.

Full Review from Mason: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/SuiteNo2WorldKeepsSpinning.asp

13. Slick Shoes – Rotation & Frequency (4 Stars)

This is an undeniably good punk album with the best guitar work of the year in my opinion. Objectively this is top 10 material but I never could latch onto it for repeat personal listens for some reason. Great stuff here regardless.

Full Review from Scott Fryberger and a Second Opinion from Michael Weaver: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/RotationandFrequency.asp

12. Lecrae – Restoration (4 stars)

Certainly my most-listened to hip-hop album of the year, Restoration flirted with Top 10 status for a long time though it ultimately missed. Barely. Lots of bangers here that are fun to turn up loud.

2 Review Opinions Here: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/RestorationLecrae.asp

11. Wake Low – Self-Titled – (4 Stars)

If there had been more time to spend with this one it might just have cracked into upper-tier. As it is it was my most streamed album of November so there’s that. Ultimately I liked the other project the Peterson kids were involved in just a bit more…

Full Review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/WakeLow.asp

10. Ella Mine – Dream War (4 Stars)

I still don’t fully get this album, but it’s continued to vex me in a good way drawing me back again and again. It’s largely piano-based with some harder rocking moments, and there is plenty of story being told as well. I deem this debut by Ella Mine alluring.

9. Nashville Life Music – Here For Jesus (4 Stars)

This is simply a fun album and I haven’t grown tired of its peppy encouragement. Love the 70s vibe.

8. Gable Price & Friends – Fractioned Heart (4 Stars)

These fellas are extremely good, with light echoes of fellow indie-musician John Mark McMillan. Fractioned Heart is passionate and pure, bringing 80s-soaked indie Sonics to the table for a fresh take on modern worship music.

7. NAMO – Self-Titled (4 Stars)

Collective of up-and-coming artists all masterfully produced for a cohesive electronic-pop album full of catchy songs.

Full Review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/indiemusic/NAMO.asp

6. Needtobreathe – Out of Body (4 stars)

I should never doubt this bands ability and versatility. Out of Body has a little something for every era of fan, including a radio-ready ballad, two barn-burners and a treasure trove of lyrical nuggets to chew on.

Reviews: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/OutofBodyNEEDTOBREATHE.asp

5. Citizens – Joy of Being (4.5 Stars)

Citizens has been a band on my periphery for a long time, but The Joy of Being assertively got my attention. Hopeful longing and celebration abounds. I needed this one this year.

Full Review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/TheJoyofBeing.asp

4. John Mark McMillan – Peopled With Dreams (4.5 stars)

Still going strong a decade later McMillan continues to craft some of the best tunes the industry has to offer.

Full Review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/PeopledwithDreams.asp

3. Chris Renzema – Let the Ground Rest (4.5 stars)

The title track has been a family theme of hope in the waiting times all year. Terrific singer-songwriter vibes with the type of lyrics that being you back for the layers.

Full Review: https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/LettheGroundRest.asp

2. Colony House – Leave What’s Lost Behind (5 stars)