Tunes & Oats

It’s the 9th annual Tunes & Oats Best Albums of the Year!

Check out my top picks of the year👇🏽

Also, FREE PALESTINE FOREVER 🇵🇸

& ABOLISH ICE

Continue reading BEST ALBUMS OF 2025

Alright folks…

It has been quite a year. I was doing so good keeping up w/ this blog but you know how it goes. Apparently, time becomes something scarce when in quarantine (and running for office). It has actually been a hell of a year for me. I learned so much. And I’m continuing to learn.

2021 will be a much better year for us all, I know it. I made some mistakes, had some losses, but I think we are all a work in progress. We are young and have room to grow. Special thank you to my friends for keeping me grounded. And I believe in you!

I’m excited for this yearly post that I do. Ngl I did procrastinate here but let’s make it a goal to do less procrastinating in 2021. I hope you enjoy my picks for 2020 and if you don’t, you’re wrong! Jk. But I mean,,,,it’s my blog right? You can disagree and it’s totally cool because maybe you can find something new from this post or maybe you can introduce me to some of your favorite bangers of twenty twenty.

But please don’t hate me for not putting san benito on here.

Here we go!

10. Cub Sport – LIKE NIRVANA

Number 10 on the list I’m gonna have to give it up to a band I fell in love with this year. I’ve been missing out, but soon after discovering them I listened to their whole discography and THEN they surprised me w/ their 4th studio album LIKE NIRVANA. They are a sensual pop band led by Australian husbands and if you’re a friend who likes “basic” mainstream pop, this is one easy bridge to cross to the alt side of music. Seriously, listen to their other stuff and have fun w/ LIKE NIRVANA.

If you’re hella down then I recommend listening to the world premiere live performance of LIKE NIRVANA (which I stayed up until 3AM to watch from California).

9. Fleet Foxes – Shore

You know that phrase “it’s 2020, anything can happen?” Well I was pretty darn surprised when I heard about Fleet Foxes releasing an album this year. Shore made it onto my list because it invoked much emotion and was delicately crafted in the way that Fleet Foxes has historically done. It feels like a brisk walk which such intensity at times that it attacks a sweet spot in me. They are a bit of an indie folk band and you should know that it is a soft and harmonious work.

8. Megan Thee Stallion – Good News

Yes Meg is back on my blog and she had her best year yet in 2020. It took me some time to get around to listening to Good News but when I finally did, I was replaying the hell out of it. My fave is definitely “Girls In The Hood.”

7. Chicano Batman – Invisible People

I’ve written about this Invisible People before and after revisiting it for this blog post, I decided that it deserves a spot in the top 10. I almost want to not like it so much but Chicano Batman just could not disappoint. Looking forward to more of their concerts in the future and more great jams.

6. The Strokes – The New Abnormal

Here is another album I’ve put on T&O that is making a return before the end of the year. The New Abnormal is in the top 10 for its journey-like alternative spirit in the age of 2020. By the way, have you checked out their vlog “5guys talking about things they know nothing about?“

5. 100 gecs – 1000 gecs and The Tree of Clues

You know I’m a gec fan and you know I had to cop their limited edition vinyl and t-shirt this year. This album goes crazy. If you haven’t given them a chance or if you are anti-gec, here is a sign that you need to give them a Tunes & Oats approved listen.

4. Choir Boy – Gathering Swans

I love Choir Boy. All my homies love Choir Boy. They are my waviest vibe of 2020, for sure. Read what I had to say about Gathering Swans and listen listen listen.

3. HAIM – Women In Music Pt. III

Sooo in the process of listening to albums this year to put this list together, I realized that I overlooked HAIM. Women In Music Pt. III is seriously and universally one of the nicest albums that was put together in 2020. I’m going to go into 2021 listening to it and “3AM” rocks hecka. Great stuff, HAIM.

2. Yves Tumor – Heaven To a Tortured Mind

YVES TUMOR IS A GENIUS. Heaven To a Tortured Mind is a trip and is not just supported by it’s lead single “Kerosene!” This album is amazing and musically explosive yet sound. They are a breakout star and need to be given a serious chance. I really dig “Folie Imposée” and “Strawberry Privilege.”

1. The Avalanches – We Will Always Love You

Alrighty….Here it is. Our best album of 2020. I was first introduced to this long-lasting band through the title track which features Blood Orange. Then I realized and I realized some more. This album reminds me of Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories. It features a bunch of well known names including: MGMT, Johnny Marr, Jamie xx, Kurt Vile, and our favorite Karen O. If you feel like voyaging into another dimension while imploding your heart and soul, give The Divine Chord a careful listen. I’ll stop there.

I hope you liked my selections. Have a happy new year and have fun. ~ David 12/31/2020

Y’all you need to check out the world release of TONATIUH’s first EP. It’s my best friend performing vocals and all of the instruments. It’s relaxing but more importantly it’s a philosophical awakening and musical diary of his life so far. I’m really impressed by it in its entirety. I shouldn’t have favorites but I do love “Navegando,” a bunch. Watch out for TONATIUH and follow him on IG @tona_t_u for more history and heart of Fresno.