All of tQ's editorial staff and columnists have voted for their essential 2020 albums of the year so far, and it's a slightly left-field choice, as it is to be expected from the Quietus.

So, the top 10:

1. The Soft Pink Truth - Shall We Go On Sinning So That Grace May Increase?

2. Einstürzende Neubauten - 'Alles In Allem'

3. Squarepusher - 'Be Up A Hello'

4. Beatrice Dillon - 'Workaround'

5. Jeff Parker - 'Suite for Max Brown'

6. Sex Swing - 'Type II'

7. Nadine Shah - 'Kitchen Sink'

8. Lyra Pramuk - 'Fountain'

9. Perfume Genius - 'Set My Heart On Fire Immediately'

10. Nazar - 'Guerrilla'

"There is a cathartic religiosity to the music of Sex Swing. During this era of sorrow and anxiety, Sex Swing remind us of the restorative powers of rock" - the Quietus says in a review of new album by the psych-rock band. "The guitars erupt, the rhythms sputter out, the volume is maximised... It’s an uplifting record that taps into the mysticism at the core of much experimental musics" - the Q adds. The band - a supergroup of sorts, with members living in different parts of the world - explains in an interview how they function.

Deradoorian's 'Monk’s Robes' is just a beautiful and just slightly strange song by the singer-songwriter; 'No-One' is a psychedelic stadium-rock song by the everlasting Psychedelic Furs; Deerhoof demonstrate chaos control on 'Farewell Symphony', with a good video; Sex Swing share their new psychedelic noise track 'Skimmington Ride'; Moore Jewelry demonstrate noise-industrial rap on 'Look Alive'; Skullcrusher's 'Places/Plans' is a delicate piano and guitar ballad; the beautifully named Angelo De Augustine shared a new single, 'Santa Barbara' which he worked on with the beautifully voiced Sufjan Stevens; Chelsea Wolfe and members of Dillinger Escape Plan covered Ozzy Osbourne's 'Crazy Train' - it's different, and it's great, especially with her voice; 'Halogen Eye' by the O'Brother is a big alt-rock song designed for stadiums

Quem Manda No Mic' by Angolan-Portuguese singer/rapper Pongo is an unusual ordinary song, the pop music's sweet spot; Shabazz Palaces released 'Fast Learner (ft. Purple Tape Nate)', their first new song in several years; Aalok Bala in an Andean artist who grew up in Queens but moved to LA five years ago, and it all can be heard on 'Sueño'; 'Rascal' by RMR is the strangest song this week where country meets trap, the video is even stranger; Jarvis Cocker's new band JARV IS... announced their debut album with a funky single 'House Music All Night Long'; Sex Swing delivered a sax-psych-noise song with 'Valentine's Day At The Gym'; Moaning have a simple song and a simple video - 'Make It Stop'; Etapp Kyle delivered a clockwork postcard from Ukraine with 'Nolove'; Kenny O'Brien made a lovely cover of The Waterboys' 'The Whole of the Moon'; Huntsmen have basically made a 21st century 'Planet Caravan' with 'God Will Stop Trying'.