Favorite Japanese Albums, 2020

50 favorite records from Japan

Instead of experiencing yet another headache from ranking titles— this is my seventh year-end list and fourth one that’s not organized alphabetically — I decided to get creative using this Topsters-generated grid as an inspiration. Each row is organized by a certain sound, style or vibe related to the album on the first column; each column loosely represents a different tier in terms of how much I liked the album. So, the seven on the first column you can say are my top 7 albums of the year, and I’m pretty confident with those choices.

Each title has a Spotify link. If you want songs or playlist of music from these records, I recommend you instead consult these year-end lists:

100 Favorite Japanese Songs: Pt. 1 (1–50) / Pt. 2 (51–100) | Spotify playlist

100 Favorite Japanese Idol Songs | Spotify playlist

ONE (1A — 1G)

• 4s4ki: Hyper Angry Cat
• Reol: Kinjitou
• Yackle: 2020
• Haruru Inu Love Dog Tenshi: Lonely EP
• kZm: Distortion
• Neibiss: Hello Neibiss
• (sic)boy & KM: (sic)’s sense EP

TWO (2A — 2G)

• Tricot: Makkuro
• Ging Nang Boyz: Nee Minna Daisuki Dayo
• Japanese Baseball: Japanese Baseball EP
• Yanakoto Sotto Mute: Beyond the Blue
• B.O.L.T.: POP
• Toricago: Neko Ga Naiteru
• Kudaranai1nichi: Kudaranai1nichi

THREE (3A — 3G)

• iri: Sparkle
• Chara + YUKI: Echo EP
• eill: Love/Like/Hate EP
• Ako: Misty Experience
• Zombie-Chang: Take Me Away from Tokyo
• Ibuki Takai: Kaleidoscope EP
• Kaede: Ima No Watashi Wa Kawari Tsuzukete Ano Koro No Watashi De Irareru

FOUR (4A — 4G)

• Kaede: Stardust in Blue
• RYUTist: Falsetto
• Anna Takeuchi: Matoustic / at FOUR EP
• Ayami Muto: Ano Koro, Kimi Ni Watashita Playlist Wo Ima Demo Boku Wa Kuchizusamu EP
• Kitri: Kitrist
• Ryusenkei & Hitomi Toi: Talio
• Ai Furihata: Moonrise EP

FIVE (5A — 5G)

• Envy: The Fallen Crimson
• Asunojokei: Wishes EP
• Haru Nemuri: LOVETHEISM
• RAY: Pink
• Sway Emotions Slightly: Empathies
• Melon Batake A Go Go: To IDOLS, To US, To YOU
• RilisReverse: Juvenile EP

SIX (6A — 6G)

• Yonige: Kenzen Na Shakai
• Laura Day Romance: Farewell Your Town
• Ayutthaya: I Know, Right? EP
• Mele: Yume Atau Kagiri EP
• Lovely Summer-chan: The Third Summer of Love
• Regal Lily: Bedtime Story
• Pearl Center: Humor EP

SEVEN (7A — 7G)

• SAKA-SAMA: Kimi Ga Ichiban Kakkoiijan!
• Dempagumi.inc: Ai Ga Chikyuu Sukuunsa! Datte Dempagumi.inc Wa Family Desho
• EMPiRE: SUPER COOL EP
• Migma Shelter: Alice
• 963: Tick Tock
• Caeca: Hanauta
• Dai Dai Dai: ∅