While 2020 will always be known as the year the coronavirus pandemic took over, music lovers have another thing to remember this year by—the albums that seemed to be released when they weren’t expecting it. These are the albums that no one knew were being released, but that we can’t seem to stop listening to.
Childish Gambino, 3.15.20
Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) shocked fans when he released a new album called Donald Glover Presents on his website. But after just 24 hours, the music disappeared and reappeared on streaming sites as 3.15.20, which was the day the album was first released on his website.
Drake, Dark Lane Demo Tapes
Just hours after announcing his new album, Drake released Dark Lane Demo Tapes on May 1 at midnight. “Toosie Slide” reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
Bad Bunny, Las Que No Iban a Salir
On Mother’s Day (May 10) Bad Bunny dropped Las Que No Iban a Salir (The Ones That Were Not Coming Out) without any warning and it came just three months after he released YHLQMDLG, which made Billboard Top 200 history as the highest-charting all-Spanish language album ever at No. 2, the biggest streaming week ever for a Latin album, and the largest week for a Latin album. His new album went on to hit the top spot on Top Latin Albums.
Future, High Off Life
Future released High Off Life on May 15 which features Travis Scott, Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, DaBaby, Drake, Younboy Never Broke Again, Meek Mill, and Lil Baby. The album went on to become Future’s seventh No. 1 album on the Billboard 200.
Taylor Swift, Folklore
Just this past weekend on July 24, Swift surprised fans with an eighth album Folklore, announcing the album just a day in advance. “In isolation, my imagination has run wild and this album is the result. I’ve told these stories to the best of my ability with all the love, wonder, and whimsy they deserve. Now it’s up to you to pass them down,” Swift wrote on Twitter. The album features 16 tracks with Swift’s familiar guitar and piano sounds from her first couple of albums.
