Wild Pink - Yolk in the Fur: The strings give it a cool Coldplay vibe.

Wild Pink - Wild Pink: Feeling familiar.

Vitreous Humor - Vitreous Humor: I can see myself listening to this again.

Touche Amore - Lament: Their best, most complete album yet.

Suicide Commandos - Make a Record: Great early punk album.

Sufjan Stevens - The Ascension: Too long, but not obscenely so.

Bruce Springsteen - Letter to You: Comfort in 2020.

Seaway - Big Vibe: Big swing that makes good contact.

Pup - This Place Sucks Ass: This EP does not suck ass.

Public Enemy - What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down: i wish I had skipped this one.

Policy of 3 - An Anthology: Emocore indeed.

Open Mike Eagle - Anime, Trauma, and Divorce: Failed to engage me.

Niiice. - Internet Friends: Heavy Midwest emo for the modern age.

Mountain Goats - Getting Into Knives: I do not know how, but they have done it again.

Mountain Goats - The Coroner's Gambit: Not sure how I missed this one, but I am disappointed that I did.

Mil-Spec - World House: Hardcore done right in so many ways.

Wynton Marsalis - The Ever Fonky Lowdown: Not at all what I was expecting from him.

Knope - An Exercise in Patience: Emo worship.

Karate - In Place of Real Insight: Post-rock vibes meet mid-90s emo.

How to Dress Well - Love Remains: Emotionally perfect for the soundtrack to the 2020 election.

Laura Jane Grace - Stay Alive: Took a bit for Heart Burns to worm its way. Expecting the same here.

Fleet Foxes - Shore: Mature.

Field Medic - Floral Prince: Deliberate.

Field Medic - Fade Into the Dawn: Upbeat is not quite the right word.

Field Medic - Songs from the Sunroom: Melancholy, lo-fi, and wonderful

Everyone Everywhere - Everyone Everywhere (2012): Slightly more polished.

Everyone Everywhere - Everyone Everywhere (2010): Emo revival done well.

Deftones - Ohms: Never thought a Deftones album would be an AOTY contender, but 2020.

clipping - Visions of Bodies Being Burned: Unsettling.

Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine - Tea Party Revenge Porn: You should already know what you are going to get. I did and was not disappointed.

Bartees Strange - Live Forever: Shape shifting string of singles.

Gary Wilson - You Think You Really Know Me: So much oddball music out there, but this was very good.

Teenage Halloween - Teenage Halloweed: Pop-punk, emo-adjacent ripper.

Teenage Halloween - It Was Weird, But It Worked: Good first outing.

State Lines - For The Boats: I like Oso Oso more, but this is worth a listen.

Shabazz Palaces - Black Up: Left field hip hop that is more atmosphere than normal.

Jeff Rosenstock - 2020 Dump: Cool to have.

Quasimoto - The Unseen: Much better than I remember.

Marilyn Manson - We Are Chaos: Subdued, but compelling.

Lootpack - Soundpieces- Da Antidote!: Stones Throw was magical.

Into It. Over It. - Figure: Feels like forever since their last album so this is very welcome in 2020.

John Fogerty - Blue Moon Swamp: Dated production, but good songs here.

Doves - The Universal Want: Another Doves album that sucks you in at the end.

Cubbiebear - Force Back to Sleep: Has a slight Eminem vibe going on.

Code Orange - Under The Skin: Might be the best thing they have done.

clipping - Double Live: Fascinating release, if only for a single listen.

Busdriver - Perfect Hair: Perfect? Close.

Bartees Strange - Say Goodbye, Pretty Boy: Enjoyable covers EP of National songs.

100 gecs - 1000 gecs: Assault on the senses in most of the right ways.

Young Jesus - Welcome to Conceptual Beach: Trying hard and trying too hard is a fine line. Right now, this sits on it.

Sonic's Rendezvous Band - Sonic's Rendezvous Band: Shame we never got a proper release.

Sepultura - Roots: Nu-metal touchstones on another pretty solid album.

Sepultura - Chaos A.D.: Pretty complete album experience.

Sepultura - Arise: Pretty good follow-up to a really great album.

Secret Machines - Awake in the Brain Chamber: Scratching a major itch I did not know I had.

Ho99o9 - Blurr: There is a subtlety here that I do not remember, but I like it.

High Dials - War of the Wakening Phantoms: Worth the high praise for this Beatles-indebted band.

Gulch - Impenetrable Cerebral Fortress: Pretty eclectic barrage of hardcore influences.

Guitar Fight From Cooly Fooly - Soak: I would not be disappointed if these songs came on at random.

Front Bottoms - In Sickness & In Flames: Some worthwhile songs.

Classics of Love - World of Burning Hate: Angry and I like it.

Bright Eyes - Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was: The longer it played, the more I settled into it.

Be Well - The Weight and the Cost: Melodic hardcore excellence.

Void - Potions for Bad Dreams: Much maligned, but unfairly.

Trash Talk - Squalor: Hard, fast, wonderful.

Stuck - Change is Bad: Post-punk ear worms.

Strike Anywhere - Nightmares of the West: Contender for best punk album of the year.

Streets - None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive: First one since Original Pirate Material to grab me.

Social Distortion - Mommy's Little Monster: No idea they were around for so long.

Sepultura - Beneath the Remains: Unreal how good this is.

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez - The Clouds Hill Tapes: Another subversion of expectations.

RKL - Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare: Pretty forgettable.

Pool Kids - Music to Practice Safe Sex To: A little too safe.

Pink Siifu - Negro: An experience.

Papa M - A Broke Moon Rises: Relaxing.

New Found Glory - Forever + Ever x Infinity: This is a New Found Glory album.

Nana Grizol - South Somewhere Else: Very low key and enjoyable.

Naked Raygun - Jettison: Would love to hear a remaster because there are some songs here.

Roger Miller - The Return of Roger Miller: Another country gem from the '60s.

Microphones - Microphones in 2020: Satisfying.

Lawrence Arms - Skeleton Coast: Comforting.

Illuminati Hotties - FREE I.H.: This Is Not the One You've Been Waiting For: Yes it is.

Husker Du - Candy Apple Grey: Such a solid album.

Hunting Accident - Trees and Parks: Better than the last one.

Hunting Accident - Hunting Accident: For Piebald-related completionists.

Hum - Inlet: Surprise release and the hype is justified.

Haim - Women in Music, Pt. III: Admittedly, I never did revisit their earlier work. Clearly that was a mistake.

Fontaines D.C. - A Hero's Death: The debut never really grabbed me and neither did this.

Fire Deuce - Lords of Diesel: EP-worthy side project.

Every Scar Has a Story - Every Scar Has a Story: Looking forward to more of the story.

Bob Dylan - Rough and Rowdy Ways: A modern classic.

Doughboys - Whatever: Street punk meets pop punk gem.

Deftones - White Pony: Need a few more listens, but crazy that this type of band got as big as they did.

Constant Elevation - Constant Elevation: Good, but glad it is not a full length.

Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher: Listening is not punishment.

Bad Moves - Untenable: Huge step up for these guys.

Bacchae - Pleasure Vision: Certainly some catchy songs, but meant for a live setting.

ALL - Allroy Sez..?: Hard to take seriously after Alfredo.

Neil Young - Homegrown: A classic.

Virginity - With Time: Some really good songs here for the emo crowd.

Truth Cult - Off Fire: I need more of this melodic hardcore in my life.

Run The Jewels - 4: Album of the year.

Jeff Rosenstock - So glad to have him back. He was missed.

Retirement Party - Runaway Dog: Pretty compelling for what it is, but I wish the vocals were a little more prominent.

No Age - Goons Be Gone: Minimal in all the right ways.

Daniel Johnston - Lost and Found: A fitting end to my journey.

Daniel Johnston - Fear Yourself: So clean. So needed.

Daniel Johnston - Hyperjinx Triangle: Dreamy.

Daniel Johnston - The Lucky Sperms- Somewhat Humours: Feels...calculated.

Daniel Johnston - Rejected Unknown: As scathing as he could be.

Daniel Johnston - Fun: Indeed.

Daniel Johnston - Artistic Vice: First full studio album is a success.

Daniel Johnston - 1990: The sadness is palpable.

Daniel Johnston - It's Spooky: A big step up, but a lot of filler.

Daniel Johnston - Respect: Another hit or miss affair.

Daniel Johnston - Retired Boxer: True love found me in the end.

Daniel Johnston - The What Of Whom: Full of despair.

Daniel Johnston - Lost Recordings, Vols. 1 & 2: Most of this could have stayed lost.

Daniel Johnston - This is going to be a long project.

Jehnny Beth - To Love Is To Live: Feels like a somber soundtrack to an unreal year.

Gerbils - Battle of Electricity: Hallmarks of Elephant 6, but not enough to convince me of a revisit.

Danny & The Nightmares - Cool Beans: A continuation of the LP

Danny & The Nightmares - Danny & The Nightmares: One down, many to go

Coriky - Coriky: An album I did not know I wanted until I had it.

Wipers - Youth of America: Wow, this is an amazing piece of work that sounds like it could have come out yesterday.

Turnover - Good Nature: Too much at one time.

Turnover - Peripheral Vision: Not what I was expecting based on the fan base.

This Will Destroy You - Young Mountain: An EP at 35 minutes seems appropriate for this very good post rock release.

Strokes - The New Abnormal: I keep trying, but it never seems to sick.

Stay Inside - Viewing: Kind of ended unexpectedly.

Rotting Out - Ronin: Solid hardcore.

Peanut Butter Wolf - My Vinyl Weighs a Ton: Sounding like both a relic from the past and a brand new release.

Origami Angel - Broke Minecraft: I do not think I have ever loved a remix release as much as this.

Newfound Interest in Connecticut - Tell Me About the Long Dark Path Home: Especially coming off the EP, this is far too long.

Newfound Interest in Connecticut - Less is More or Less: Good, but not as great as others in an oversaturated genre.

Mountain Goats - Songs for Pierre Chuvin: More like this please!

Masterpiece Machine - Masterpiece Machine: Love it is a 2-song release.

Damiera - M(US)IC: Good, but did not stick around.

Classics of Love - Walking in Shadows EP: Not quite a substitute for Operation Ivy, but good in its own right.

Classics of Love - Classics of Love LP: Solid, but EP sticks out more.

Car Seat Headrest - Making a Door Less Open: Feels like an early 2000s blog darling in all the best ways.

Cannibal Ox - The Cold Vein: A bit long, but something special, especially for 2001.

Be Well - Be Well: This is perfect.

Battery - Final Fury: Solid hardcore from what I consider to be an empty time in the calendar.

Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters: 10.0? Lofty, but not impossible.

John Anderson - Years: Simple, elegant, heart warming.

Hank Wood and the Hammerheads - Use Me: Sudden urge to see them tour with Give.

Watsky - Placement: I cannot understand why he is not more well known.

Various - Closure/Breakwater Split: Not sure which side I like better.

Various - The Scaries/Uphill Down Split: Streaming has devalued the previously-essential split release.

Various - Summer Ninety Six: Nostalgia is a powerful thing.

Too Many Zooz - Subway Gawdz: Captivating YouTube video makes for a fairly compelling album.

Tame Impala - The Slow Rush: I am not sure why I continue to try.

Screeching Weasel - My Brain Hurts: Not sure it holds up to the reverence.

Portraits of Past - Discography: Some great screamo, but a lot to get through in a single sitting.

Pictures of Vernon - bug: Been a while since I bought physical media without hearing it first. Cannot say I am too disappointed.

Pennywise - Pennywise: Not sure how I escaped this quintessential band.

Pears - Pears: Cannot place why, but struggled to get into it.

Mr T Experience - Milk Milk Lemonade: Great album I overlooked because of the silly band name.

Mae Shi - Heartbeeps: What a nice balance.

Mae Shi - Terrorbird: What a let down.

Mae Shi - To Hit Armor Class Zero: What a debut!

Machine Girl - U-Void Synthesizer: Consistently engaging by subverting the expectation.

Hundreds of AU - Mission Priorities on Launch: Continuation of the debut.

Hundreds of AU - Communications Link Re-Established: Indebted to the past in all the right ways.

Gouge Away - Consider/Wave of Mutilation: Would not turn down a full album of Pixies covers.

Childish Gambino - 3.15.2020: Would love to hear a version with unadulterated vocals.

Brian Fallon - Local Honey: Perfectly fine.

Empty Country - Empty Country: This is going to be a grower.

Don Martin Three - 7"/12": Worth a listen but more compelling examples exist.

Dogleg - Melee: Infectious and unrelenting.

Code Orange - Underneath: A big swing that manages to clear the fences.

Cave In - Final Transmission: Time to revisit the older catalog.

Breakwater - Discography: Soundtrack to a quarantine.

The Beatnigs - The Beatnigs: Fascinating early Franti.

Amber Inn - All Roads Still Lead Home: Fantastic progression from first wave emo.

Bombay Bicycle Club - Everything Else Has Gone Wrong: I can see a lot of fan overlap with Elbow.

The Taxpayers - A Rhythem in the Cages: Folk punk excellence.

Short Fictions - Fates Worse Than Death: A standout I overlooked last year.

Reversal of Man - Discography: Nice to have, but the LP is the essential release.

Reversal of Man - This Is Medicine: I hear a lot of what would become American Nightmare.

Reversal of Man - Revolution Summer: Great version of Look Back and Laugh.

Frances Quinlan - Likewise: I can see it being an ear worm.

The Professionals - The Professionals: Madlib is always worth a listen.

Prince Daddy & The Hyena: Cosmic Thrill Seekers: Big growth.

Prince Daddy & The Hyena - I Thought You Didn't Even Like Leaving: Very much looking forward to seeing this live.

Prince Daddy & The Hyena - Adult Summer: Oh boy, this is going to be a thing I like.

of Montreal - UR FUN: Very enjoyable all the way through.

Nana Grizol - Ursa Minor: A lot softer.

Nana Grizol - Ruth: I love it less now, but think I will love it more later.

Nana Grizol - Love It, Love It!: I do.

Marietta - Summer Death: High water wark for the current emo revival.

Left Banke - There's Gonna Be A Storm: The '60s were something special.

Greet Death - New Hell: Powerful.

Green Day - Father Of All: Great album by one of their other personas.

Eminem - Music To Be Murdered By: Delivers.

Dogleg - Remember Alderaan: I love the intensity.

Dogleg - Dogleg: I can see this becoming something more.

American Television - Watch It Burn: By the book pop punk.

AJJ - Good Luck Everbody: Why do I keep ignoring this band?

The Who - The Who: Another solid late career album.

Weyes Blood - Titanic Rising: Pretty good.

Wavves/Zach Hill - Babes: Would lov to see it fleshed out.

Various - A Doggone Split: Great little primer.

Jail Socks - It's Not Forever: Now this is something special.

Good Sleepy - The Clock Shop: Something to dig into.

Good Sleepy - Okay With The Way It Is, As Is: More nuanced.

Good Sleepy - Rest Easy: A little too on the nose.

Gangrene - Vodka & Ayahuasca: Interesting, but nothing to write home about.

Fontaines DC - Dogrel: Good, but great? What am I missing?

Flossin - Lead Singer: Zach Hill strikes again.

Bob Dylan - Anniversary Collection 1969: Always nice to have.

Dave - Pyschodrama: I can see why it was at the top of a few lists.

clipping - The Deep: Nice little companion.

Boo Radleys - Giant Steps: Early Radiohead meets Stone Roses.

American Nightmare - Life Support: I like it, but wish it came under a different moniker.

Neil Young - Colorado: New Neil is good Neil.

Kanye West - Jesus Is King: Clipse!

Strange Ranger - Remembering the Rockets: Not sure the hype is justified.

Saves the Day - Through Being Cool (20th Anniversary Edition): Nice to have, but not particularly gripping.

Jeff Rosenstock - Thanks, Sorry!: Great document of his live experience.

Restraining Order - The World is Too Much: My favorite hardcore release of the year.

Origami Angel - Somewhere City: Such a great emo album.

Refused - War Music: Easily skipped.

Piebald - A Musical Christmas Adventure: Hoping there is more in the (near) future.

New Pornographers - In The Morse Code of Brake Lights: Completely acceptable.

Les Rallizes Denudes - Heavier Than a Death in the Family: This will hit right when the in the mood.

Les Rallizes Denudes - '77 Live: The type of album that will get you banned from picking the playlist in public.

Hold Stead - Thrashing Thru the Passion: Glad to have them back.

Futureheads - Powers: Some good singles.

FKA Twigs - Magdalene: Boundary pushing mainstream pop.

Fiddlehead - Get My Mind Right: Love this band.

Fear Before the March of Flames - The Always Open Mouth: Way better than expectations, especially in light of my previous dismissal.

Billie Eilish - When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?: I liked portions of this quite a bit.

Bob Dylan - Bootleg Series, Vol. 15: The volume I will revisit the least.

Cursive - Domestica: More subtlety than I was expecting.

Billy Corgan - Cotillions: Not sure why his solo work does not get more attention.

Coldplay - Everyday Life: I appreciate the attempt and major step up from the last few albums.

David Ackles - American Gothic: Sgt. Pepper of folk is apt, if not accurate.

Sturgill Simpson - Sound & Fury: Feels like a classic album.

Ramallah - The Last Gasp of Street Rock 'n' Roll: Feels more like Sinners 'n' Saints, even ignoring the cover, which is a great thing.

Powerhouse - No Regrets: Has a little Youth of Today at moments.

Outspoken - A Light in the Dark: I would love to hear a better recorded version of this album.

No Right - Senescence: Great little EP with some Indecision vibes.

Menzingers - Hello Exile: Bordering on adult contemporary.

Lana Del Rey - Norman Fucking Rockwell!: Deserved hype.

Kero Kero Bonito - Civilisation I: Bite size. I like it.

Jimmy Eat World - Surviving: Pretty safe.