2020. What a year it has been. It’s fair to say that everyone in the entire world is glad to see it end. We may not be out of the woods yet, but the new year always brings that sense of optimism. The wonder of what the future holds. Let’s face it, it can’t get much worse.
Say what you like about 2020 but there have been some ups – not many, but some. One of these being that it has been an incredible year when it comes to music releases. We wanted to spend that weird week between Christmas and New Year looking back on some of our favourite music that has been released this year. We wanted to start off by taking a look at some of the killer albums that have been released by bands. Here we go!
The Vamps – Cherry Blossom
Cherry Blossom by The Vamps was released towards the end of the year, in October. It’s been a while since the band put out a new album. They felt the need to take their time to avoid burnout after being in a whirlwind cycle of record, release music, tour, record, release music, tour and so on. They wanted to create an album that they were proud of and wanted it to be entirely their own, without much help from outside the band. Cherry Blossom was mainly written, recorded, and produced by the members themselves – and it was finished during lockdown.
They certainly did not disappoint. Once Cherry Blossom was released, they snatched up that number 1 title with flying colours. Fans went crazy for it and it’s not hard to see why. Lyrically, it was highly deep and meaningful, will definitely mess with your emotions, and rip your heart out. The musicianship is truly phenomenal and the asthetic is flawless. Everything you could ask for in a number 1 album.
Our Favourites:
- Treading Water
- Better
- Part Of Me
New Hope Club
We saw a few new faces in the charts this year – one of these being the highly anticipated release of New Hope Clubs’s self-titled debut album that was released in February. Although it was the bands’ first album, people went wild for it and they earned their place in the top 5 of the UKs Offical Album Chart. Their sound is nothing like you have heard before. It’s bouncy, unique, translates beautifully live, and will put a smile on your face for sure.
New Hope Club have been a band for a good few years, and have spent that time building a rather large and dedicated fanbase. It is not surprising that when their album finally came out, the loyal fans got them to where they deserved to be in the charts. We’re very much looking forward to what New Hope Club have planned for 2021.
Our Favourites:
- Why Oh Why
- Permission
- Medicine
5 Seconds of Summer – CALM
Aussie band 5 Seconds of Summer – commonly known as 5SOS – released their fourth studio album CALM at the beginning of the year. The progression and maturity that you hear within each 5SOS album is incredible. Their very first album that was released in 2014 had some absolute bangers. But, in comparison to CALM, you can tell that the band have grown up musically and personally. They are still that fun-loving group you can’t help but love, and their music still allows you to escape from the world, but as they’ve got older, their music reflects on their experiences. You learn the same lessons that they have within the storytelling and there is something so pure and powerful about that.
When it came to the chart position in the UK, they had some competition. They just about snatched the number 1 title against Dua Lipa’s popular album “Future Nostalgia.” Once again, 5SOS, have a very loyal and dedicated fanbase. They would have done anything to see them reach that top title.
Our Favourites:
- No Shame
- High
- Wildflower
All Time Low – Wake Up, Sunshine
If you’re a pop-punk lover, you’ll know exactly who All Time Low are. They are a classic and popular band amongst that scene. 2020 saw the release of their brand new album Wake Up, Sunshine. All Time Low gave us that wonderful teenage nostalgia. They showcased their notorious rock sound that is so addicting. You will have this album on repeat from the moment you press play. It’s so hard to pick a favourite as the album just keeps giving you banger after banger. We can only imagine what these amazing tracks will sound like live. They are highly mosh-pit worthy, and the energy will just bounce of the walls.
Our Favourites:
- Some Kind of Disaster
- Monsters (ft blackbear)
- Basement Noise
McFly – Young Dumb Thrills
If you have read any of our previous posts, then it should be no surprise that McFly’s new album, Young Dumb Thrills, is being mentioned in this article. This has to be one of the most highly anticipated album releases of 2020. McFly dropped their last studio album “Above The Noise” ten years ago…and then seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth. Yes, McBusted was a thing and yes, that era was one of the best things to ever happen. But McFly were deeply missed by their fans. Nobody knew the reason why until they cleared things up in an ITV documentary talking about it. It’s fair to say, they have been through it as a band and their wholesome friendship is stronger than ever.
This year, they finally felt comfortable to release new material. And wow was it worth the wait. Young Dumb Thrills has some of the catchiest songs we have ever heard. It will take you on one hell of an emotional rollercoaster. You will laugh, you will cry, you’ll want to go bankrupt after spending all your money on their tour next year. McFly have shown just how it is done. They’ve stayed true to themselves, but still experiment with their sound. It’s so unique, that it is hard to place into a specific category. McFly don’t seem to have a genre, McFly ARE the genre. And we love it.
Our Favourites:
- Tonight Is The Night
- Another Song About Love
- Not The End
And there we have it! The world may be in shatters right now but there is always a silver lining. Music is a wonderful art that has always brought people closer together. We have needed that now more than ever and we have these bands to thank for that. 2021 will only bring more exciting new releases and that is something to look forward to.
Let us know what your favourite albums released by bands were this year over on our Twitter! – @AboutThe_Noise