Best Albums of 2020 Artist Edition: Ali Barter

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.

Having rounded out 2019 with the release of her critically acclaimed second album last year titled Hello, I’m Doing My Best, real life rock queen Ali Barter spent the start of 2020 touring the US, before the you-know-what quickly changed her (and everyone else's) plans. It was during that time that she wrote what would be her sole single of 2020, 'Twisted Up', when she was feeling "really weird, like I wanted to run away or blow something up." An entirely relatable anthem which would take on an entirely new meaning by the time her fans heard it, 'Twisted Up' is a fusion of her sugar sweet vocals and confessional punk lyrics, and sets the scene for exciting things to come from her as we move into 2021.

Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia

This record is epic. I was obsessed with 'Don't Start Now' so I was absolutely hanging out for this. Got me through many a Saturday night in lockdown

Tia Gostelow - Chrysalis

I love Tia so much and this album is really special. My husband mixed it so I was very lucky that I got to hear it before it was released. 'Two Lovers' is my fave track.

K-Flay - Don't Judge A Song By It's Cover

K-Flay just put out an EP of 90s covers including 'Self Esteem' by The Offspring and 'Break Stuff' by Limp Bizkit ahhhhhhhh. So incredibly awesome!

Kit - Kit EP

I love this artist. Her debut EP is full of gorgeous alt rock gems and I was lucky enough to collaborate on a song with her, 'Good Guy'. Go listen to Kit!

The Avalanches - We Will Always Love You

I know it's not out yet [Editor note: this album is now out] but I ALREADY KNOW that I'm gonna love this record. My fave song of the year is 'Running Red Lights' from this album, which features my music crush Rivers Cuomo and I just cant wait to get my ears around the rest of it!