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Best Albums of 2020 Artist Edition: Ninajirachi

29 December 2020 | 3:21 pm | Emma Jones

This year, we've asked some of our favourite artists to tell us their favourite albums of 2020. Today, we present Ninajirachi!

This year, in addition to our own Best Songs of 2020 and Best Albums of 2020, we asked some of our favourite artists to tell us about their favourite releases of this year as well. Throughout a confusing and isolated year, music in particular has been a place of refuge for many, with the communities that surround this music becoming more important than ever. Here, we ask artists from various communities whom we love and admire to engage in the very reason we exist: sharing music.

From emerging artists to living legends, acts with cult followings to artists on the verge of truly breaking through, this series includes so many different people. Hip hop, dance, psych, rock, pop, electronic and much more, the genres and sounds in this series are as varied as the metaphorical pages of Purple Sneakers itself, and offer something for everyone no matter what your taste might be. We’re so thankful to all the artists who provided their own lists, and to the extensive communities we’re grateful to tell the stories of every day.

For the Purple Sneakers team’s own count downs, read our Best Songs and Best Albums of 2020. To read the full Artist Edition series, check it out HERE.

We've been singing Ninajirachi's praises for years now, but in 2020 she levelled up in a way even we didn't expect. Not only did she release her most accomplished EP yet in Blumiere, she released a second collaborative EP with label mate and fellow Purple Sneakers favourite Kota Banks. She also delivered remixes for Hermitude and Deadmau5, and has production credits for the likes of HartleyGenes and yergurl. She leaned into embracing her own vocals to create her most vulnerable single yet in 'Alight', and continues to oversee a rapidly growing fanbase while winning over critics at the same time. It's really only up from here for Ninajirachi!

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Yves Tumor - Heaven to a Tortured Mind

Kerosene! And Gospel for a New Century were definitely two of my most-played songs this year.

A.G. Cook - 7G

I like Apple too but I kept revisiting so many songs from 7G over the year, it really inspired me creatively. The ideas are so simple and amazing and it reminded me not to think about my own music too much when I’m making it. This is tough because there are so many but I think my faves are Drink Blood, Being Harsh, Superstar (Live) and Gemstone Break.

Yung Lean - Starz

I’m a long time fan and I saw the documentary the other day, it was awesome and cool to see footage of Australia in it haha. My favourites are Acid at 7/11 and Hellraiser

Mechatok - Defective Holiday OST

I wanna use this slot to name both 2020 Bladee albums too haha. I’m typing this shortly before the Mechatok x Bladee album is coming out and that might make this list too if I got to hear it in time haha. I like the songs on this album pretty equally but maybe my favourites are Agency Loop and Global Dj

Grimes - Miss Anthropocene

I loved the visual art direction that came with this album sooooo much and I listened to it a lot throughout the super hectic lockdown period in April. My favourites are IDORU and Delete Forever

Taylor Swift - Folklore

I’ve only really known Taylor Swift’s big songs until this year but I’m so glad I listened to this album thoroughly, it’s so intricate and delicate and beautiful. My favourites are The 1, Invisible String and Peace

Oklou - Galore

I’ve followed Oklou for a bit and it was so cool to hear this whole project, I can’t wait to hear more of her music. I think my favourite song from it is Fall

Shygirl - Alias

I can’t wait to DJ again so I can play out the tracks from this EP. My favourites are Slime and Bawdy

DMA’s - The Glow

I loooooooved Learning Alive as soon as I heard it, it’s one of my favourite songs of this year

Arca - KiCK i

Love miss Arca for this. It’s probably my favourite album cover of 2020 and I think my favourite song on here is Machote

Baauer - Planet's Mad

Loved the movie that came with this album too! My favourite song is probably Aether but there are so many good ones