Despite the canceled tours, DIY music videos and delayed release dates, the music played on this year, even in the midst of a pandemic. Truly, we've never been so indebted to the sounds pumping out of our headphones as we have in 2020.

Throughout the chaos of COVID-19, the presidential election, and all manner of social unrest and mounting global anxieties, our pop stars kept calm and kept us entertained (all while socially distancing) with some of their best releases to date.

From the disco grooves of Dua Lipa's equally nostalgic and futuristic sophomore record to the intergalactic dance-pop of Lady Gaga and the post-apocalyptic, lovesick electro of Grimes (or should we say, Miss Anthropocene?), music offered a welcome—nay, necessary!—distraction from it all.

Below, check out Team PopCrush's favorite albums of 2020.

Didn’t see an album you loved on our list this year? Let us know in the comments or hit us up on Twitter!

Best Albums of 2020

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