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excess, rooted in the place where prog meets alt-rock, and full of plenty of shimmering yet muscular guitar leads as well as numerous reasons why Doves should’ve been embraced on a worldwide basis like Radiohead.
4. ‘Citizen of Heaven,’ Tauren Wells
The rising R&B-pop star convincingly builds upon the success of his head-turner of a debut, 2017’s “Hills and Valleys,” with an even more impressive sophomore outing that should help secure his place in the industry for years to come.
Wells is on top of his game throughout the album’s 13 tracks, which wonderfully balance highgloss pop production with positive vibes and the star’s warm and inviting vocals. Highlights include the uplifting anthem “Famous For (I Believe)” and “Millionaire (Good Like That),” the collaboration with gospel music icon Kirk Franklin that might just be the feel-good jam of the year.
5. ‘Alphabetland,’ X
The legendary SoCal punk band, which should really be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by this point, returned in April with its first album since 1993’s “Hey Zeus!” Even more significant, it was the first to feature the band’s original lineup since “Ain’t Love Grand” in 1985.
And it was absolutely worth the 35-year wait to hear Exene Cervenka, John Doe, Billy Zoom and D. J. Bonebrake back together and
rambling through these 11 strong, concise cuts, of which 10 clock in well under the three-minute mark. The album is rough around the edges, in all the ways you’d want, but bristling with powerful reminders that this is indeed the same crew that gave the world the legendary punk album “Los Angeles” 40 years earlier.
6. ‘Sawayama,’ Rina Sawayama
The Japanese-born, Londonraised singer-songwriter delivers nothing short of a clarion call,
announcing her arrival as one of pop music’s true rising stars with the release of the most confident and convincing full-length debut of 2020.
Yet, the “pop” label may be too limiting for Sawayama, who takes on a wide variety of musical styles — from EDM to R&B to metal and more — on this always-vibrant collection. No matter the genre, however, the grooves remain undeniable — as does Sawayama’s talent.
7. ‘Restoration,’ Lecrae
Having parted ways with Columbia Records earlier this year, the Houston hip-hop hero sounds absolutely rejuvenated as he marks his return to the indie-label world with this stellar 14-track collection.
Lecrae brings a sense of urgency to every line — but never more so than on the chilling John Legend collaboration “Drown.” The album is equal parts passion and perseverance, as the star rhymes his way through struggles and triumphs, darkness and light, on his way to healing and, ultimately, “Restoration.”
8. ‘Color Theory,’ Soccer Mommy
Much is made of the ’ 90s musical influence on Sophia Allison — aka Soccer Mommy — who was born in 1997. But while there’s little doubt that Allison’s second full-length album should appeal to those who spent a good portion of the ’90s listening to Liz Phair, Sheryl Crow, Belly and Veruca Salt, “Color Theory” also somehow manages to sound like one of the freshest indie-rock records to come around in years.
9. ‘Good to Me,’ Rhett Walker
The former leader of the Rhett Walker Band, the Nashville-based roots-rock outfit arguably best known for the 2012 hit “When Mercy Found Me,” shines oh-sobrightly on this solo debut album.
It’s clear from the moment you drop the needle that you’re in for something good, as the album firmly grabs and holds your attention with the joyous opener “Believer.” From there, this Southern son of a preacher man just keeps rolling out solid songs that should appeal to fans of such country champs as Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw as well as firsttier classic rockers like Bob Seger and Bruce Springsteen.
10. ‘Lianne La Havas,’ Lianne La Havas
The British singer-songwriter’s self-titled third album is a neosoul triumph, wonderfully showcasing her warmly captivating vocal work over the course of a dozen solid tracks that traverse the ups and downs of relationships.
The songs come across as both timely and timeless, as great ones often do. La Havas seems to draw inspiration from everyone from Joni Mitchell to Lauryn Hill to Milton Nascimento. You’ll even find some Radiohead, as the singer includes a cool cover of the band’s “Weird Fishes” on the album.
Honorable mentions
• “Awake in the Brain Chamber,” Secret Machines
• “Graves Into Gardens,” Elevation Worship
• “Rough and Rowdy Ways,” Bob Dylan
• “Top,” YoungBoy Never Broke Again
• “Power Up,” AC/DC
• “Forever, Ya Girl,” KeiyaA
• “Fetch the Bolt Cutters,” Fiona Apple
• “RTJ4,” Run the Jewels
• “My Turn,” Lil Baby
• “The Slow Rush,” Tame Impala
• “Reunions,” Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
• “Women in Music Pt. III,” Haim
• “Future Nostalgia,” Dua Lipa
• “The New Abnormal,” the Strokes