The 14 Best Albums of the First Quarter of 2020

The first quarter has been quite eventful musically on the global scene. With several releases from our favorite artists, we have nothing to complain about the amount of work that has recently fallen on our ears, and let's face it, in the current scenario it is very good to have so much to enjoy while we must stay indoors.

We prepared a list with 14 albums released this year for you to enjoy your time at home (if you are) and hit play on the category that pleases you the most.

A list that goes from trap to reggaeton and has been making a lot of noise in the music scene.

1 – Theophilus London – Bebey

Following his big singles in 2019, Bebey and Only You, Theo  blessed us with the first album recorded by his independent label, My Bebey Records.
With aggressive instrumentals like in the tracks Whiplash and Whoop Tang Flow paired with his ability to bring beautiful melodies, this is definitely one of the most exciting works of the year.
Expect to find some OGs here, like Raekwon and Giggs.

2 – J Hus – Big Conspiracy

“J HUS IS FREE!”
The MC released one of the most solid albums of the year, crafted by the same producers of his last album (the acclaimed Common Sense from 2017) where he wrote about his most recent personal dramas. After a turbulent year in 2019 for the London MC, Big Conspiracy brings back a sharper and more precise J Hus to the streets, which you can check out in track 10 - No Denying.

3 – M Huncho – Huncholini the 1st

M Huncho put together a compilation to start the year by setting things ablaze. Released on January 31, the work features some of the most prominent artists in the UK scene, Headie One, Nafe Smallz, and D-Block Europe in Indulge. Unlike his reserved appearance, this album is undoubtedly bold and extravagant.

4 – Brent Faiyaz – Fuck the World

An R&B singer who sings about his social issues as if he were an R&B singer singing about his problematic relationships, you will notice this in Let Me Know. Brent has this detail in his lyrics that refers to the cliché title of his latest project. Containing 10 tracks, Brent Faiyaz shapes the concept of R&B in his own way.

5 – Pop Smoke – Meet The Woo 2

RIP POP SMOKE. No more.

6 – Young Nudy – Anyways

Without living in the shadow of his cousin 21 Savage, Young Nudy has elevated his game since his last significant project, Sli’merre, in collaboration with renowned producer Pi’erre Bourne.
Displaying a lifestyle in the lyrics and a shower of hi-hats as any good trap project should, Anyways certainly deserves to be on this list.
Our favorite, Cap Dem.

7 – Yunk Vino – 237

The São Paulo rapper showed great promise with the excellent mixtape OFF, released last year. Now, with his new work titled 237, released by Labbel Records (a label born from Boogie Naipe), Yunk Vino establishes himself as one of the most talented faces of this generation and features heavyweight names in his production. The MC sings about his experiences, emotions, and sensations in their rawest state; Interlude and the track 237, which shares the same name as the title, are on repeat here.

8 – Bad Bunny – YHLQMDLG

Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da Gana is the title of the Puerto Rican's second studio album; the translation is “I Do What I Want,” which suits the unpredictability of the reggaeton and Latin trap singer's persona. The work brings new life and continuity to past projects that also mix the hot rhythm with trap; supported by both new and old artists of the genre, the project is sure to be part of party playlists worldwide.

9 – Cesrv featuring Febem and Fleezus – BRIME!

Cesrv teamed up with MCs Febem and Fleezus to bring to life a project that will be remembered as one of the first in the national grime scene, which has been seeking recognition and is carried by the trio from São Paulo. The producer hit the mark by blending funk rhythms with UK rhythms and was able to count on the MCs pointing upwards to refine the diamond. The work is already emblematic by itself due to its cover, and when we remember that part of the project was recorded in London, it becomes clear that Brazil is also on the map of the scene.

10 – J Balvin – Colores

Another Latin singer who has placed danceable rhythms on the podium, the Colombian bet on 10 tracks of pure reggaeton named after colors in an attempt to bring more color to the world during these dark times, as he himself said.
With the help of Nigerian Mr Eazi, who appears on the 10th song Arcoíris, and Japanese Takashi Murakami, who designed the artwork, Balvin promoted the meeting of different worlds to bring life to this vibrant project.

11 – The Weeknd – After Hours

The sixth chapter of the Canadian's journey arrived with much fanfare, putting the artist back on prestigious lists such as Billboard and reflecting in the high number of copies sold.
The promotional material's aesthetic references 90s movies like Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas and Casino, while we can feel an 80s vibe in the sequence of tracks Blinding Lights, In Your Eyes, and Save Your Tears. The Weeknd brought back his dark and romantic side that distinguished him in his earlier projects, unlike the more commercial and egocentric facet we saw in his last album Starboy.

12 – Knxwledge – 1988

After 5 years since his last solo release, the American producer chose his birth year to headline his latest album, which features 22 tracks of solid work and an inviting atmosphere to traverse his most personal memories. The familiar voices of Anderson Paak (who together form the group NxWorries) and Meek Mill appear here, aligned with the heavy and characteristic percussion of the Californian, delivering beautiful themes to enjoy at any time of day. Knxwledge and chill.

13 – PARTYNEXTDOOR – PARTYMOBILE

Though he has a more private and reserved profile, here we have an R&B singer who sings about his problematic relationships, clearly visible in Trauma and Showing You. Returning after a long “offline” period and bringing Rihanna, who was also in her beauty sleep, it is worth mentioning that he is responsible for some of the artist's biggest current hits, such as Work and Sex With Me.
Party is a champion at expressing his feelings through his melodies, lyrics, and instrumentals with a more sensual connotation. With PARTYMOBILE, he is adding yet another trophy to this genre to his shelf.
The title refers to the period of the album's creation, during his long trips from home to the studios in LA or Toronto, the dashboard of his favorite Range Rover displayed “PARTY: Mobile Connected” when the Jamaican-born singer mirrored his phone's Bluetooth to the car to enjoy the guides and the beats of the project in traffic.

14 – Skepta, Chip & Young Adz - Insomnia

Young Adz from D-Block Europe chose the electrifying track Waze to be the single and the first video that opened the door to the surprise collaborative project among the three English artists.
The veterans Skepta and Chip arrive serving the hottest verses of the moment while the DBE newcomer with his melodic choruses shows why his group with Dirtbike LB (who appears on the track Demons) became one of the most loved in Europe last year. The challenge of uniting the not-so-similar styles of the trio was completely overcome, and this becomes clear with every play we give this work.
Insomnia is easily an album to keep safe this year.

BÔNUS: We included 3 albums released this midnight for you to keep on your radar and keep an eye on!

1 – Headie One & Fred again.. – GANG

Headie One joins forces again with producer Fred again.. as seen in the song Charades, released in January, which is also part of the tracklist. The project, which has a narrative different from what we are used to seeing from the artist, features surprising collaborators such as FKA Twigs, Jamie xx, and Sampha, making things even more interesting here. The project aired this Friday morning and is already available on digital platforms.

2 – Black Atlass – Dream Awake

Canada is one of the largest exporters of R&B in recent times, and Black Atlass is yet another product of the local scene; the elegant, fantastical, and dark sound of the singer is immediately perceived in the single Lie To Me. Recently released, Dream Awake is an intense trip into the imagination of the young singer from Montreal.

3 – Thundercat – It Is Whats It Is

Completing the trio of albums released this Friday, Thundercat discusses love, ups and downs, and mourning. In tribute to his deceased friend Mac Miller, after the untimely loss of the Pittsburgh rapper, the bassist seeks acceptance and to regain balance in his life with this album. Old friend Ty Dolla $ and Brazilian guitarist Pedro Martins helped him craft the work.