Due to the global pandemic, there was a disruption to “The Process” in constructing our annual best-of list for the year. However, we still wanted to recognize that music was in fact released during these difficult times, and sometimes it was even quite good. So once again, for the purposes of our records (and your shopping list), here are our favorite albums from the past year.

10. Idles – Ultra Mono; EOB – Earth

9. Wolf Parade – Thin Mind; Moaning – Uneasy Laughter

8. Fleet Foxes – SHORE; Muzz – Muzz

7. Fiona Apple – Fetch the Bolt Cutters; Cults – Host; Deftones – Ohms

6. Waxahatchee – Saint Cloud; Fontaines D.C. – A Hero’s Death

5. Pearl Jam – Gigaton; Hum – Inlet; The Strokes – The New Abnormal

4. X – Alphabetland; Washed Out – Purple Noon

3. Run the Jewels – RTJ4; Protomartyr – Ultimate Success Today

2. Yves Tumor – Heaven to a Tortured Mind

1. The Avalanches – We Will Always Love You