The Best Of 2020. Top50. 11 - 20

20. Burrito Panza "Autosabotaje" (p)El Genio Equivocado 

"Autosabotaje", the 4th LP of the Albacete-based quartet, is the logical progression of their previous work "El Nuevo Frente Frio". And just like its predecessor, this album is the gentle and intimate take on dreampop/shoegaze's most intelligent version.

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19. Bay City Killers "Delivery Of Goods" (p)The Braves Records 

Read this 

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18. Marcos Y Molduras "Te Espero En Casa" (p)Discos de Kirlian

The twee pop revivalist girl/boy duo sings odes to daily grind and troubled (or only allegedly troubled) relationships accompanied by drum machine and - surprisingly intense for this kind of music - guitars.

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17. Maria Jaume "Fins A Maig No Revisc" (p)Bankrobber 

The blueprint of Pau Vallve's production is evident on this LP by 20 years old singer/songwriter from Mallorca. But what amazes me the most is the fact that the songwriting is incredibly competent for a persont in her adolescent years. The bright and beautiful, this album is such a debut most of young songsmiths could only dream of.

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16. Dena "Ezer Sentitzeko" (p)self-released 

With Berri Txarrak calling it a day and Lisabo rarely coming up for air, I do believe the torch of the best 'loud rock' band from Basque Country #rightnow should be passed to these folks. 

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15. Matsu "Nosotros" (p)WeAreWolves 

I've been using the tagline "trippy, druggy, atmospheric" with negative connotations for years. This time I proudly use it heaving in mind something good. The best electronic album this side of Combray's "Ullapool"

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14. Not A Number "A Life Made Of Wood" (p)El Hombre Bala 

Read this 

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13. Salina "Lava" (p)Saltamarges/ Discos Delejos/ Beauty Fool 

Let's put it simple: the best post-hardcore album of the year. 

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12. Keep Out "Minimal Songs About The End Of The World" (p)Fakie 

This is how the huge fuck you to the world should sound like: dirty, noisy, chaotic, emotionaly charged, oozing with angst and anger lo-fi (I'd rather say, no-fi) manifesto. 

YTB

11. Super Gegant "Una Casa Als Aiguamolls" (p)The Indian Runners 

This album was released in the end of the year 2019 so it didn't get a chance to enter the 2019's annual polls. But this well-balanced blend of jangle pop, post punk, Superchunk and present-day Catalan indie rock surely deserves it.

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The Best Of 2020. Top50. 21 - 30

30. DOM "Emergency" (p)Discos Delejos 

Read this 

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29. Terry Vs. Tori "Heathers" (p)El Genio Equivocado 

Read this 

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28. El Relevo Aleman "La Septima Invasion" (p)Repetidor 

There's something in the music of El Relevo Aleman what I can't resist. Their proportions of grunge/ post-hardcore/ noise rock are almost ideal so everything what they do is my ear's delight.

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27. Trau "33/45" (p)U98 Music 

The 70's-tinged hook-filled slightly psychedelic indie pop from Catalonia produced by the Catalan indie pop's jack of all trades Roger Gascon.

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26. Blusa "Resonance" (p)self-released 

The Sevillians don't lower their standards with their most recent release remaining the most hidden gem of Spanish post-rock scene.

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25. Ajeeb "Toss And Turn" (p)El Hombre Bala 

Read this 

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24. Trial "La Nova Olada" (p)self-released 

At the first glance this disc sounds pretty unambitious and nonchalant but when the album terminates you find yourself humming its melodic hooks, and I think it's a perfect feature.

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23. Anna Andreu "Els Mals Costums" (p)Hidden Track 

Anna Andreu, former one half of indie folk duo Cálido Home, has created this short album of exceptional beauty where space and silence is as important as words and melody.

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22. Capitan Sunrise "Dramas del Primer Mundo" (p)Jabalina Musica 

Read this 

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21. Da Souza "Salsa Agredolça" (p)Bubota Discos 

Read this 

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The Best Of 2020. Top50. 31 - 40

40. Junco Y Mimbre "Junco Y Mimbre" (p)Hidden Track 

Call it jangle pop, call it college rock. What Junco Y Mimbre lack in ambition they compensate it in quality of songwriting.

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39. El Lobo En Tu Puerta "Santana Bendita" (p)Spinda 

One of the best metal releases of the year - I mean, one of the best worldwide. Quirky, heavy, inventive, sarcastic and ultra-melodic record whose creators should be proud of. 

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38. Arista Fiera "Cromatismo Domestico" (p)El Genio Equivocado 

The dreampop band from Malaga. There are songs where you think: "Wow, it's the best release of the year!" There is a couple of songs that leave you less enthusiastic. But the weighted average is undoubtedly high.

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37. Ana Bejar "Sahara Star" (p)Discos Belamarh 

What you see is what you get. Hot, dry, scorched like a world's most famous desert - that's what this music is.

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36. Llum "Los Anos Liquidos" (p)Discos De Paseo 

It took 8 years for indie pop singer/songwriter Jesus Saez to release the successor to "Limelight" (his previous LP) though he released some singles and EPs in the meantime. What could I say - for sure it was worth waiting for Llum's return.

SPTF

35. Nueva Vulcano "Ensayo" (p)La Castanya/ BCore Disc 

Read this 

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34. Kracauer "Diferencia Y Repeticion" (p)Subterfuge 

This name is abolutely new for me. I mean, I know that "kracauer" or "krakauer" means "from Krakow" in German. I know who Jon Krakauer is. But as a band, the name is new. This band is from Murcia, they successfully blend guitars with synths to get a pack of potential hits.

SPTF

33. Breis "On" (p)Sweet Song/ Producciones Acaraperro 

Read this 

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32. Atlantic "Volem Els Ponts" (p)self-released 

This is how to make Weezer's music better than Weezer themselves. The two-faced band (with Maria Lopez as frontwoman they perform as Moonflower) shows considerable progress against their debut record as Atlantic ("1976") which was good in its own right but sounded less concentrated.

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31. Nucli "Ephemeral Water Courses" (p)Hidden Track/ La Plana Sola 

With links to Nueva Vulcano, Bullitt, Cala Vento, Power Burkas and Bad Religion the Catalan band Nucli has created the ultimate punk rock album of the year.

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The Best Of 2020. Top50. 41 - 50

Sounds fun but the music reviewers are the only persons whose activities weren’t spoiled by the covid19 pandemic. All other parties of the business were affected: musicians, clubs, festivals, promoters, labels, record stores etc. – everyone but reviewers. Nevertheless, my own activities were affected by my laptop’s hard disk crash that ruined the list of 400 albums I had listened to up to that moment (along with my whole iTunes collection). Moreover, I was totally crashed by the untimely passing of my best friend due to post-covid19 complications. That fact derailed me and switched me off the process to the point where I wanted to stop doing it this year. But at the end of the day the music appeared to be the best cure, the best painkiller, the best kind of helper to cope with the loss.

I think, the list you are about to find below - well, one fifth of the list - in no way is the list of anything 'best'. This is the list of impressions. I only hope this music will find its way to impress you as much as it impressed me.

50. Nestor Mir "Un Immens I Infinit Continent" (p)Malatesta 

The best choice for those who, like me, have found the latest Pau Vallve's effort a bit too slow and/or sleepy. 

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49. El Columpio Asesino "Ataque Celeste" (p)Oso Polita 

The Basque electro/post punks get warmer and mellower on their sixth LP.

SPTF

48. Cementeri "Asma, Corte, Afonia, Pisoton" (p)Nooirax/ Spinda/ The Braves 

For me, it seems like this music has its roots in Motorhead - but these roots, before reaching the surface of the ground, apparently came through the Betunizer-filled soils.

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47. Gessamí Boada "On Començo Jo" (p)Segell Microscopi 

It’s so beautiful that my rock-oriented soul can't stand falling in love with it. 

SPTF 

46. Lluis Paloma, 'Patinet' "Els Somnis Del Futur S'Escriuran Amb Acer!" (p)El Mamut Traçut 

I don't know what it is. I pushed play button to taste it and then just found myself in the end of the last track. But I don't know how to describe it, and what to say more than "It's music".

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45. Kohatu "Oskolak" (p)self-released 

The metal factory of Basque Country never stops. Berri Txarrak may leave the stage for good but they've got some great heirs in there.

SPTF 

44. Somos La Herencia "Dolo" (p)Humo Intl. 

As uncategorizable as the most part of Humo Intl. releases are, this goth/electro/art/punk music is strange, gutwrenching and evocative. And a bit frightening at times. 

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43. Pinpilinpussies "Fuerza 3" (p)Aloud Music 

Read this.

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42. Diego Hdez "Paisajes Confinados" (p)Discos Delejos/ Foehn 

Read this.

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41. Gyoza "Early Bird" (p)The Braves Records 

Read this

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The Best Of 2020. EP's and mini-albums

Top10 EP's and mini-albums (in alphabetical order)

Bullitt "Drawer Sessions" (p)BCore Disc 

This is the proof of the simple fact: Bullitt don't make weak songs at all. Even their outtakes are great. I really can't understand how and why they could put such delicious track as "Opening Harbours" aside.

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Calibra "Okavango" (p)Polar 

The first song contains a guitar line that sounds like a Two Door Cinema Club guitar line. Actually, I hate the sound of TDCC's guitars. In the light of this fact to get into this list looks like even more significant achievement than it really is. What's the answer? The songs. At the end of the day, the answer is always the songs.

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Detergente Liquido "Tu Tampoco Eres Como Antes" (p)self-released 

Read this

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Future Ark "John" (p)Leonora 

Starting with ethereal IDM at some point the music ascends to Alcest-like post-black only to return to fragile electronica in the end. Finland-born Tero Heikkinen (also of Kindata) has been residing in Sevilla for years where he managed to position himself successfully as an active contributor to the local indie music community. This is his second solo EP under Future Ark moniker.

SPTF

Honolulu "Gold" (p)Foehn 

Honolulu is a perfect example of today's world. The siblings of French origin, Lea & Quentin Mevel, reside in Barcelona and release their songs with lyrics in English and French via Catalan indie label Foehn Records.

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Madee "Under The Sun" (p)BCore Disc 

The Catalan cult favourites return to activity with this 4-song teaser for the forthcoming LP (to be released in the beginning of 2021).

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Margarita Quebrada "Luces" (p)Jabalina Musica 

The minimalistic Neue Deutche Wellesque synth-driven gothic rock meets The Pains Of Being Pure At Hearts'y naïve nugaze on this mini album created by Valencia-based trio under the wing of renowned indie label Jabalina Musica.

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Pumuky "Castillo Interior" (p)Keroxen 

Read this

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Scoff "City Lights" (p)self-released 

This EP is such a cool cocktail of Hole, Sonic Youth and obscure Canadian band Sully (highly recommended) prepared by the band from tiny Andalucian town Utrera (for me personally this town is best remebered for the perfect solomillo con salsa pimienta in La Brasa restaurant).

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Verkeren "ellllla" (p)Right Here Right Now 

The Barcelona-based five-piece returns after 4 years of hiatus with a pack of beautiful electro rock songs in the vein of The Killers or Dorian.

SPTF

The Best Of 2020. Compilations (and a split album)

I’m still devoted to the ‘solo performer or a band’ standard regarding the selection for the main Top50 list but the truth is, if I wasn’t that stubborn the list would be topped by a compilation. One of these compilations below. 

Conjunto Podenco/ Lullavy "Garabato" (p)Repetidor 

Read this

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Various Artists "Radar Keroxen Vol.1" (p)Keroxen 

That said best release of the year. Four bands (Gaf Y La Estrella De La Muerte, Conjunto Podenco, Pumuky, Saletile), two tracks per band. The perfect combination of four different approaches united by the commonly shared vision that only Canarians (and the Gaf bandleader/ Keroxen co-head Mladen Kurajica) can share. Gaf's "Watashi Wa Tako" is the best track I have listened to this year.

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Various Artists "We Are Never Alone. Songs of Vic Chesnutt" (p)No Aloha 

The indie label No Aloha Records has started its activity with this quite unexpected tribute to late American singer-songwriter - and this is that rare tribute where every cover version reflects simultaneously the persons of both author of the song and the musician who reimagines it.

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Various Artists "Yo La Tengo C(L)overs" (p)edita la servidumbre 

The huge 52 track tribute to one of the most critically acclaimed indie bands of the world. No surprise at all that this attempt was taken by the [world's best] record store Ultra-Local Records well-known for its friendship ties with Yo La Tengo. There is a suggestion that this comp says more about Spanish underground than of the Hoboken three-piece.

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Various Artists "De Zaragoza a Tokio: Viajando con Capitán Sunrise" (p)Confesiones Tirado en la Pista de Baile 

A lovely compilation of cover versions that celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Santi Diego-led indie pop vehicle. The bands of Puzzles Y Dragones and Detergente Liquido caliber were gathered by the blog Confesiones Tirado en la Pista de Baile to pay homage to one of the Spanish indie pop scene's most renowned bands.

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The Best Of 2020. Honorable Mention

Every time it gets harder because every time there are more albums in the scope as compared to the previous year. Back in the year 2013 when I did it for the first time, it was the case of ’the 30 best albums out of 55’ as my vision – that one of a neophyte – on the scene was pretty narrow at the time. This time it’s like ‘the 50 best albums out of 450’. In addition to the main Top50 list I’ve marked 68 albums more as the ones that deserved to be mentioned – but to mention them all is impossible to do. Thus, I have to cut off lots of flesh from the bones. Below you may find a list of 20 records in alphabetical order that haven't made it into the Top50 list. Some of them were featured earlier in this blog (Atalaya Roja, Bisquit, Lua Gramer, Sauna Bytes).

Alice's Cream "Medicina Carmica" (p)Flor Y Nata BNDCMP - nice take on the psychedelia-tinged hard rock made by La Alcarria indie scene mainstays.

Atalaya Roja "!Quemad Las Naves!" (p)self-released BNDCMP

Biscuit "Negligencia Programada" (p)La Castanya BNDCMP 

Biznaga "Gran Pantalla" (p)Slovenly BNDCMP - the best album of the ferocious social punk band from Madrid.

Como Vivir En El Campo "Siempre Te He Amado, Nunca He Dejado De Quererte, Toda Mi Vida Es Para Ti" (p)El Genio Equivocado BNDCMP - the least eclectic (as well as the most relaxed) record in CVEEC back catalogue.

Confeti De Odio "Tragedia Espanola" (p)Snap! Clap! Club BNDCMP - pop melodies are crossing garage rock guitars in this short thematically acerbic album made by songwriter Lucas Vidaur and Carolina Durante's drummer Juan Pedrayes.

El Nino Erizo "Y Mi Respuesta Es…" (p)Flor Y Nata BNDCMP - the band may sound old school at times but speaking of melodies - the hooks, catchy choruses, etc. - this album is more than worthy.

Isius "Fox & Castle" (p)Ernie Producciones BNDCMP - the second Isius' album in two years is more fascinating than its predecessor "Songs From Everywhere". It resembles some international indie stars like Nada Surf or even The Flaming Lips in their more straightforward version..

Kuartz "II" (p)self-released BNDCMP - the paisanos and soul brethren of Nina Coyote Eta Chico Tornado make Royal Blood sound like suckers.

Llacuna "Incendis" (p)BCore Disc/ Saltamarges/ La Agonia De Vivir/ etc. BNDCMP - sonically abrasive, rhythmically inventive and emotionally charged post-hardcore album whose sound pallette is broadened with such the rare instrument for the genre as trumpet.

Loss Leader "Songs About" (p)BCore Disc/ Saltamarges/ Waterslide/ etc. BNDCMP - the debut LP of the Madrid-based punk band that shares memebers with Wild Animals and Ulises Lima - which sounds like reference in its own right.

Lua Gramer "Destruir El Pop" (p)Clifford BNDCMP

Mostaza Galvez "Desventura" (p)Subterfuge SPTF - the perfect pop record that could be even better if Guille Mostaza and Frank Galvez added some touches of their live performances' rock feel.

Mourn "Self Worth" (p)Captured Tracks BNDCMP - after two albums that showcased their edgy noisy side the new one successfully demonstrates Mourn's melodic self.

Que Bailen Los Demas "Flip" (p)self-released BNDCMP - the country rock attempt of Detergente Liquido's helmsman Alberto Rodway shows that Alberto never loses his original world view. Just look at the song names: "I'd Like God Existed Just To Make Her Guilty", "The End Of The Man Who Met The Most Boring Woman In The World", "Song In English" (all these songs are in english in fact).

Roger Pistola "Quart Creixent" (p)Bubota Discos BNDCMP - the psychedelic folk-pop that draws inspiration from Beach Boys legacy, for the most part of album escaping comparisons to contemporary pillars of the genre (Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, etc.)

Salvador Toxico "Canciones Del Laboratorio" (p)self-released BNDCMP - the third LP of the former Algora guitarist Javier Castellanos features some of his best songs to date.

Sauna Bytes "Sauna Bytes" (p)self-released BNDCMP

Sensible "Precovid Sessions Vol.1, Vol.2" (p)self-released BNDCMP BNDCMP2 - Jose J. Martin (Gaf Y La Estrella de La Muerte, Estratega Pencherjevsky) has created two albums of laid back bedroom pop heavily influenced by the 80's. The second volume is a bit better for my taste but the first one contains one of the best tracks of the year - "Modo Avion".

Shitbrain "The First Songs" (p)edita la servidumbre BNDCMP - the collection of recordings by an obscure band led by Ed Matto (Glitterhouse, Beauty Fool Records) in array from meditative lo-fi to loud noise rock.