Regardless of the pandemic, 2020 still was a year with some great music. Check out some of our favourite projects of 2020 below:
Chiild – Synthetic Soul
Montreal’s Chiild had a huge breakout year in 2020 with his ‘Synthetic Soul’ EP. He is going to be mainstream in 2021 no doubt. – Kyle
Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes – What Kinda Music
One of 2020’s biggest surprise collaborations that worked so well. Hope they make a sequel to this one, Yussef Dayes drums are on another level. – Kyle
Mk.Gee – A Museum of Contradiction
Really liked Mk.Gee’s new project he dropped this year. Seemed like a lot of people in Hip Hop also were playing out his album this year too. – Kyle
Khruangbin – Texas Sun/ Mordechai
Khruangbin obviously took another big step in terms of popularity in 2020. They are now being featured in beer commercials and playing at your local LCBO’s, music is still fresh tho! Wouldn’t doubt if they play the Grammy’s next year. – Kyle & Troy
Lojii – lo & behold
Underground rapper and producer Lojii dropped this sleeper project in 2020. Low key probably one of my favourite hip hop albums of the year. – Kyle
Tame Impala – Slow Rush
Had to include Tame Impala on the 2020 list. – Kyle & Troy
Dan Kye – Small Moments
Dan Kye is Jordan Rakei’s alter House ego he uses when he releases music on the respected label ‘Rhythm Section International’. Dan Kye’s 2016 EP is still one of our favourites. This year he dropped a new project titled ‘Small Moments’ and it did not disappoint. It was definitely felt a bit closer to Jordan Rakei’s natural material though, but that ain’t a bad thing. – Kyle
Mild Minds – MOOD
Mild Minds dropped a refreshing sounding electronic album on Counter Records (home to ODESZA, Maribou State, etc). The remix album they dropeed had a some heaters too from Jaqcques Greene, Laurence Guy, DJ Boring, etc. – Kyle
Laurence Guy – Your Good Times Will Come
We were close to bringing Laurence Guy to Toronto in 2020 but than the pandemic hit – Kyle
Yves Tumor – Heaven To A Tortured Mind
Great project by Yves Tumour. Got some Prince vibes on this record. – Kyle
Popcaan – Fixtape
This was one of our favourite albums of the summer. Featuring dancehall, reggae, pop, and R&B records, there was something for everyone on this tape. Despite high profile features from the likes of Drake, PARTYNEXTDOOR and French Montana this one flew a little under the radar. Had it been a summer sans social distancing, these tracks would have been all over. – Troy
Giveon – Take Time
Take Time was an excellent debut for the young baritone crooner from California. After being featured on Drake’s Chicago Freestyle – a standout from Dark Lane Demos – Giveon delivered with this concise but strong project. Giveon is one to watch in 2021. – Troy
Disclosure – Energy
These two Englishmen keep doing their thing with a project touching house, electronic and pop. – Troy
Buddy & Kent Jones – Janktape Vol. 1
One of the best hip hop tapes – Troy
Mick Jenkins – The Circus
Mick Jenkins is the shit. The man stayed consistent with this 7 track EP highlighting his taste in beats and overall vibe. – Troy
Maribou State – Fabric Presents Maribou State
Masego – Studying Abroad
Masego delivers a gift to fans later in the year – Troy