All Punked Up Presents: Our Albums of the Year (2020 Edition)

Well, we somehow made it to the end of 2020. I don’t know exactly how we did it, but I do know that music helped out a TON! Check out each All Punked Up contributor’s album of the year for 2020 below.

Bruise by Lizzy Farrall

I’ve chosen Lizzy Farrall’s debut album, Bruise. It can’t be easy having to release an album during a global pandemic, not to mention, dealing with the postponement of her tour with Set It Off. I have a huge amount of respect for Lizzy Farrall and Bruise was a reminder of that. It’s a flawless album, from the lyrics to the vocals and the imagery/themes behind it. I feel like there’s a song for every mood on Bruise. Feel like dancing and crying at the same time? This is the album for you! My standout songs from the album are “Gas Lighting”, “Knocked For Six” and “Machines”.

Bruise is a blend of atmospheric alt pop tracks that are catchy as hell, right through to emotional ballads – the whole album resonates with me and I’d recommend it to anyone. Lizzy Farrall is the alt-pop princess that everyone needs to listen to.

-Evie Shaw

color theory by Soccer Mommy

The first time I heard Soccer Mommy was when I was getting lunch with a friend at Wayback Burgers. “Cool” came over the intercom and instantly grabbed my ear. Problem was, I left my phone in my friend’s car and couldn’t Shazam it, and then spent the next year looking for the song until I finally found it around the time of color theory‘s release. Before I found the song, “circle the drain” showed up in my YouTube recommendations and the song’s late 90’s/early 2000’s sound and video captured me immediately. Once I found out the two songs were by the same artist, I explored more of her work and became a fan. color theory is a brilliant album exploring Sophie’s struggles with her mental health next to warm late 90’s/early 2000’s influenced instrumentation.

-Ian Thompson

don’t you wanna be glad by Super Whatever

This is my album of the year so far simply because I LOVE Super Whatevr. I have been following this band for a few years now, and any time they release new music I anticipate it maybe a little more than I should. This album is fun, unique, loving, emotional, and truly anything I could have wanted out of new music from these guys. This album shows how Super Whatevr has grown with their sound over the years, and since this album has been released its my go to any day of the week!

–Britnee Thayer

House on Fire by Asking Alexandria

My favorite album this year is “Like a House On Fire” by Asking Alexandria. I love any new music by AA, so I was overly excited when this album dropped. Overall it’s a killer album, there’s not one song I would skip. “Antisocialist” definitely has to be my favorite, it’s really one of those songs you go hard for and feel better after. It’s a good one to get your anger out to. If you haven’t checked out “Like a House On Fire” yet I highly recommend you do.

–Nicole O’Gorman

Into The Raging Sea by Broadside

My favorite album of the year is Broadside’s Into The Raging Sea. From the brutal honesty of “Clarity” and “Seasons” to the romanticism of “Dancing On The Ceiling (With You)” and “Heavenly,” this album balances the theme of perseverance amid struggle with authentic lyrics and driving instrumentals. With this album, Broadside has diversified their sound while remaining true to who they are. Into The Raging Sea is dynamic, honest, and powerful. It demonstrates Broadside’s growth as a band and proves that they can make a true impact on the scene. More than being my favorite album of the year, it’s one of my favorite albums of all time.

-Claire Rodgers

Re-Stitch These Wounds by Black Veil Brides

Black Veil Brides released Re-Stitch These Wounds, a re-recorded version of their debut record We Stitch These Wounds. In an interview with Rock Sound, frontman Andy Biersack mentioned that this was how they had envisioned the record to sound ten years ago and just that statement alone should tell you everything you need to know about the record. With punchier baselines, healthier screams from Andy himself, and a version of “The Mortician’s Daughter” that is chillingly beautiful. Let’s just say it involves Jinxx playing the melody on the violin and it’s purely instrumental, driving the story of the mortician’s daughter home. It’s everything we could ever want from a Black Veil Brides album and more.

-Natalie Roberto

Souvenirs Vol. 1 by Paper Jackets

I was impressed by this album. The catchiness is the music and the deeper meaning behind the lyrics. This is one album that I can sit and dance to around the house or let it hit the soul.

-Bree Budell

Wake Up, Sunshine by All Time Low

When Wake Up, Sunshine dropped in the middle of quarantine, I was ecstatic. All Time Low is in my top few bands of all time (haha) and I was in need of some fresh tunes to get through each day. Wake Up, Sunshine really captures All Time Low’s growth and maturity as people and as a band. From poppier tracks like “Sleeping In” and “Summer Daze” to the slower, more emotional “Pretty Venom”, and the songs in between, Wake Up, Sunshine tells a story and catches every emotional possible throughout its 45 minute tracklist. The album is great for long drives, work outs, sad nights, and really any moment is a great moment to blast this record from cover to cover. You 100% need to listen to the record in order though– it really enhances the listening experience!

–Julia Pearl