Looking through Best of 2020 lists over the past month or so and it becomes clear that ambient music, and what you might call ‘deep cuts’, have proved especially popular this year, their reviews normally containing comments like “I so needed this album this year”. Clearly, we have all been searching for ways to keep on an even keel, and I’ve certainly not been any different. Although with a slight twist.
This list contains five records that I think deserve greater attention, that reflect my listening to ambient and minimal electronic music during this tumultuous year, but also in records by El Gil and Boris Vian that offered me some catharsis in dealing with my emotions. Hopefully you can find something new in these choices that will allow for some kind of release until this year of doom is over.