The 40 Best Albums of 2020
Above is Metacritic's list of the 40 best-reviewed albums of 2020, ranked by Metascore. This list only includes new albums receiving at least 15 reviews from professional critics (though you'll find a quick list of the top albums with a smaller number of reviews at the end of the gallery.)
Otherwise, all full-length studio albums (or mixtapes) released between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 are eligible, though reissues, live albums, box sets and other compilations are excluded. Albums are ranked by Metascore prior to rounding based on scores as of December 23, 2020.
(#8) It's hard to say that anyone had a good 2020, but if there's anyone who did, it just may be Taylor Swift. She's the only artist to place two albums in our year-end top 40 list, both recorded during the same sessions with Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner and revealed as surprise releases about five months apart. Folklore has the slight edge in score over its just-released follow-up, evermore, and it also has a making-of documentary streaming on Disney+.
“It's a sharp turn to the left for Swift and a fine reminder that she is more than just a gleaming pop phenomenon, but a remarkable songwriter too.” —Uncut
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