Many people felt “lonely” in 2020 and needed a “motive” to get them through this “Blue World.” They wanted to know “What’s New” in the “Universe” after being stuck in quarantine for so long. Luckily, music artists came through for their fans and released new albums for them to indulge in during the pandemic, and five of those albums are simply magnificent.

#5. “Circles” by Mac Miller
Mac Miller’s posthumous album “Circles” was released Jan. 17, 2020. The 12-track album differs from the type of music Miller is known for and focuses on his vocals rather than his rapping.
It was originally meant to be a companion album to his 2018 record “Swimming,” but was left unfinished after his death in Sept. 2018. Composer Jon Brion, who worked with Miller during the producing and arranging of these albums, finalized “Circles” and released it per Miller’s family’s request.
“Circles” was a top-five album from 2020 because I thought it was a beautiful and sentimental way to wrap up Miller’s discography, and it seems to serve as a way for Miller to say a final goodbye to his fans. His death was sudden and tragic, and listening to “Circles” feels like receiving a big hug and a message from Miller, reassuring his fans that he was healing and on the road to recovery from his drug addiction.
After years of talking and rapping about his mental health struggles, fans have deduced that “Circles” is also about Miller’s journey to overcoming his setbacks. “Circles” is a hip-hop/rap album, but has aspects of EDM in “Blue World,” neo-soul in “Good News,” rock in “Everybody,” which is a cover of Arthur Lee’s 1972 hit “Everybody’s Gotta Live,” and more.
The single “Good News” with lyrics like “Good news, good news, good news/That’s all they wanna hear/No, they don’t like it when I’m down/But when I’m flying/I always make ‘em so uncomfortable,” shows how Miller feels stuck in the world’s perception of him, as if he can never escape the negativity.
“Things like this ain’t built to last/I might just fade like those before me/When will you forget my past” Miller sang in “Woods,” expressing his frustration with trying and failing to separate himself from his past mistakes.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 19.7 million adults in America grappled with substance abuse disorders in 2017. 43.8 million adults struggled with mental illness each year, according to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Any of those 63.5 million people can resonate with Miller’s story, and “Circles” is the perfect comfort album for anyone facing the same issues Miller did in his lifetime.
Almost a year and a half after his passing, Miller was still able to reach out to his fans and share his art with the world one last time.

#4. “Positions” by Ariana Grande
On Oct. 30, Ariana Grande released her sixth studio album “Positions.” The album is Grande’s way of sharing that she is slowly but surely healing from her past traumas and looking forward to new experiences and relationships.
“Positions” was a top-five album from 2020 because it makes me proud as a fan of Grande to see the way she has regained control in her life and turned all her negative experiences into positive lessons. The album is jam-packed with as many love songs as one could ask for, and is a nice change from her last heart-wrenching album “thank u next,” in which she sang about the heartbreak she endured after splitting with ex-fiance Pete Davidson and dealing with the tragic passing of ex-boyfriend Mac Miller.
In track four, “just like magic,” she expresses how she handles loss and struggles, singing “Losing friends left and right/But I just send them love and light/Good karma, my aesthetic/Keep my conscience clear that’s why I’m so magnetic.”
She talks about opening herself up to love and affection in track eight “my hair,” through the lines “This ain’t usually me but I might let it down for you,” and “Come run your hands through my hair/So don’t you be scared.”
Grande wraps up the album with a stunning R&B ballad “POV,” where she confesses her feelings of love and vulnerability toward fiancé Dalton Gomez. Hearing the lyrics “I’ma love you even though I’m scared/Learning to be grateful for myself,” and “I won’t keep you waiting, waiting/all my baggage fading safely/And if my eyes deceive me won’t let them stray too far,” fans can rest assured that Grande is safe and secure in her relationship.
“Positions” is an album for anyone looking to feel the same giddy and hopeful feelings that Grande shares through these songs. The optimism and strength that Grande exudes on this album allows for 14 back to back sensational tracks.

#3. “Good News” by Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion released her debut album “Good News” on Nov. 20. A staple of self-empowerment, the album showcases how Megan faces setbacks and celebrates life after a tough year.
“Good News” was a top-five album from 2020 because it was heavily anticipated after the success of her singles such as: “Savage,” “Captain Hook,” “Cash S**t”, and “WAP.” Fans were not disappointed as Megan is consistent with her production of feel-good songs with catchy beats and iconic features.
The first track on the album, “Shots Fired,” is a direct response to her controversy with Tory Lanez, when he shot her in the foot after an argument in July and then proceeded to make a diss track about her. Her response? “You shot a 5’10 b***h with a .22,” “I know you want the clout, so I ain’t saying y’all names/Oh you out here ballin’ huh/Who you get that money from,” and “Should’ve let them lock your a** up.”
Megan continues the album with upbeat, self-assured lyrics, such as the ones in her most recent single: “Body.” “Yeah you look good but they still wanna know where Megan at,” and “I could build a house with all the brick I got/B*****s spend a lifetime tryna get this hot” are prime examples of the self-love and confidence that Megan is known for preaching.
“Good News” is a well-rounded and exciting album with Megan reaching out of her comfort zone for the pop ballad “Don’t Rock Me To Sleep” and including features from popular artists such as City Girls, SZA, DaBaby, Young Thug, and Beyoncé.
Megan Thee Stallion has set herself up for a fulfilling rap career, and the success of “Good News” has people anticipating her future endeavors.

#2. “Tickets to my Downfall” by Machine Gun Kelly
Machine Gun Kelly released an alternative pop-punk album titled “Tickets to My Downfall” on Sept. 25. This release was completely different from his usual rap sound, but the risk of changing his sound was ultimately a success, as his single “bloody valentine” was crowned “#1 Rock Song of 2020” by Billboard.
“Tickets to my Downfall” was a top-five album from 2020 because MGK was an artist that I was only recently introduced to, but I immediately fell in love with how unique and refreshing this album is. I felt like I was able to see inside his mind through these songs while also jamming out to the heavy instrumentals. The album contains messages of youth, heartbreak, breakups, and is an outlet for MGK’s angst and anger.
In track one, “title track,” the lines “I sold some tickets to come see my downfall/It sold out in minutes/I saw friends in the front row/They’ll leave when I’m finished” introduce the album’s theme that MGK feels like his demise would be something that people, even his friends, find entertaining.
MGK shares his feelings of heartbreak and emptiness in track 13 “nothing inside” ft. Iann Dior. Over a plethora of drums and heavy guitar he sings, “I did this all for you/Look what I turned into/She looked dead into my eyes and she saw nothing inside.”
The album takes a more melancholy turn with track 15, as MGK dedicates the song “play this when i’m gone” to his daughter. The song serves as an apology for his mistakes as a father and is intended to be there for her if MGK were ever to die unexpectedly. “I’m fighting with myself and my sobriety every night/And last time I could barely open my eyes, I apologize/I’m not gonna lie and tell you it’s alright/You’re gonna cry and baby that’s alright” MGK sings, showing a vulnerable and emotional side that he hadn’t shown in previous albums.
“Tickets to My Downfall” sold 126,000 units in its first week in comparison to MGK’s previous album “Hotel Diablo” which sold 39,000 units. MGK seems to have found a style that works for him and that fans are responding positively to. “Tickets to my Downfall” is an album for those searching for angsty, authentic punk tracks you can headbang to.

#1. “[12:00]” by LOONA
K-pop girl group LOONA released the best album of 2020, “[12:00],” on Oct. 19. “[12:00]” (read “Midnight”) is the group’s third mini-album since their debut in 2018, and each of the eight tracks explores a different genre to add to LOONA’s portfolio.
“[12:00]” was a top-five album from 2020 because even though they have been making music for four years, LOONA continues to deliver quality and creativity in every release. Their songs are uplifting and meaningful and they are known for empowering young women across the world with their message and concept.
The electronic pop single “Why Not?” relays a message of coming out of your shell and overcoming the obstacles to follow your dreams with catchy lyrics like, “Follow your mood/Follow your feeling/Why not? Do it!”
Track seven, “OOPS!” is a Latin pop song. LOONA sings, “Look at me that has changed/I’m not the old me/It’s useless to try so/Get over yourself” showing how they intend to inspire their fans to be their unapologetic true selves.
The second single, “Voice,” is a retro ‘80s pop track that is nothing less than a masterpiece. Through the lyrics, “The voice that woke a sleeping heart, your voice/Faintly it’s heard, it’s heard/And lights the darkness, alright/The voice that rings in my heart, your voice,” LOONA tells a story of the voice of a lover that saves them.
As if it already couldn’t get any better, LOONA also released an English version of “Voice,” called “Star.” The meaning of “Star” is that LOONA wants to run freely through life with their lover by their side, but they are also afraid to lose them, as seen in the lyrics “We’re running we’re running/It makes me nervous/We’re almost for sure/barely scratch the surface/So close to perfect it hurts to throw it away,” and “I’m in your mind/You’re in my dreams/I’m freaking out, I don’t wanna leave/So selfishly I want you and nobody else.”
In “[12:00],” LOONA also tries their hand at R&B, pop ballads, and dance tracks, and never disappoints. The album is perfect for anyone looking to broaden their music taste with playful and fun songs from an international artist.
“[12:00]” was the fourth-highest peaking album by a Korean female artist on the Billboard 200 chart, coming in at 112. It also peaked at number four on the US World Albums Chart, and number one on the US Heatseekers Albums chart. LOONA not only saw global commercial success with this album, but they also continue to impress fans from all around the world.