Another year has passed, which means another crop of albums has released. From long-awaited drops to sudden, meteoric rises from up-and-coming artists, 2025 had a lot of great music to offer. As the world faced strife, conflict, and challenge, musicians and fans alike sought out and gathered around inspiring, cathartic expressions that functioned just as much as refuge as they did acts of resistance. That isn’t to say that 2025 was all bad, though, as it was one of the most momentous years of my personal life. The selections that I’ve made for my top albums of the past year reflect both of those realities simultaneously — music that was both necessary for the world but also extremely important and transportive for me through a new job, a move, and a dream wedding season. I took extra time to reflect and decide the order of the list this year, as there was simply so much incredible material to choose from. I wanted to be confident with my selections, and at last, it’s time to unveil my top albums of 2025. Without further ado, let’s get into the list. But first, I’d be remiss not to list some honorable mentions that had an impact but didn’t quite crack the top ten.
Honorable mentions (in no particular order):
Cancionera - Natalia Lafourcade
Revengeseekerz - Jane Remover
Glory - Perfume Genius
Alfredo 2 - Freddy Gibbs
Dead Channel Sky - clipping.
DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS - Bad Bunny
God Does Like Ugly - JID
Hurry Up Tomorrow - The Weeknd
Don’t Tap The Glass - Tyler, The Creator
The Life of a Showgirl - Taylor Swift
10. Pain to Power - Maruja
To kick off the list, I felt the need to highlight the Manchester-based Maruja and their hard-hitting, bombastic debut album Pain to Power. There is a familiarity and maturity to this project that gives the impression that the band has been doing this for decades. But that couldn’t be further from the truth; instead, this potent group is completely fresh on the scene. Inspired by the likes of Black Country, New Road, black midi, and Geese, Maruja embraces a post-punk, noise rock sound that both overwhelms and hypnotizes its audience. At the same time, though, Pain to Power is thoughtful, poignant, and political in all the right ways. I can’t wait to see where they go from here.
9. Getting Killed - Geese
I discovered Geese through their lead singer Cameron Winter and his recent full-length album Heavy Metal. His gorgeously grating, instantly-recognizable vocals translate incredibly well to a group-based project, as Getting Killed is one of my favorite experimental releases of the year. There is a captivating balance of tenderness and unabashed aggression throughout this project, with syncopated melodies and unique subject matter. This project is wide-ranging, covering subjects from spiritual searching, anxieties of modern life, apocalypse, to loneliness and seeking purpose in our current society. A whirlwind, Getting Killed is a must-listen from 2025.
8. People Watching - Sam Fender
Another new discovery for me in the past year, Sam Fender and his newest full-length album People Watching immediately had me hooked. The English singer-songwriter’s heartfelt and evocative lyricism discusses nostalgia, class struggle, addiction, and the importance of reflection. The instrumentation on this project is vast and whole, and the production value is very impressive for a modern rock album. Certain tracks evoke a young Bruce Springsteen, but Fender’s originality and unique perspective make him much more than a copycat of any other artist. The original release of this project was impressive enough, but the deluxe version and the additional tracks and collaborations he introduced on it bring People Watching to the next level.
7. Portrait of My Heart - SPELLLING
The first full-length follow-up to her enchanting 2021 album The Turning Wheel, SPELLLING’s Portrait of My Heart is the stylistic and thematic curveball she needed to both evolve and live up to the incredibly high standard that she set for herself with her last project. Self-reflective, raw, and honest, Portrait of My Heart lives up to its namesake with Chrystia Cabral’s most introspective lyricism to date. But this emotional clarity and availability isn’t masked by understated instrumentation; instead, this album’s alternative hard rock sensibilities amplify and strengthen the themes that Chrystia gets across to her audience. The theatrics are still present, and Chrystia’s unique vocals will always be a staple of her sound, but this project was also a step into a new direction, and I couldn’t get enough.
6. Forever Howlong - Black Country, New Road
With perhaps the highest stakes at hand with their 2025 album release, Black Country, New Road had the Herculean task of attempting to follow up the release of their 2022 smash hit sophomore album Ants From Up There after the departure of lead singer Isaac Wood, who for many fans, defined and sculpted the group’s identity. But the group didn’t regress into safety or mediocrity after this switch up — they rose to the challenge and doubled down by fully embracing their progressive, baroque-pop inspired sound and highlight each member’s unique talents brilliantly throughout the project. While not reaching the same cohesive and spellbinding heights of AFUT, Forever Howlong is an inspired, imaginative, and impressive showcase that proves Black Country, New Road is going nowhere but up as it features some of their best pieces yet.
5. Lotus - Little Simz
I truly believe that Little Simz is one of the greatest living hip-hop artists and is greatly underrated in the genre. Her 2025 album Lotus is another entry into her increasingly legendary discography that proves just that. After the public fallout with her longtime producer and collaborator Inflo, Simz had a chip on her shoulder and a point to prove. Lotus opens with a bang, addressing the conflict head on with the hard-hitting and direct “Thief,” but the project doesn’t linger and overly focus on a subject that proved he isn’t worth Simz’ time. The project expands to let her loyal fanbase into the mindset she was in when navigating this difficult period of her life, which often led to uncertainty and a lack of creative direction. But that struggle is also what was needed to create this beautiful, somehow relatable project. After seeing her live in concert in November of last year, I believed even more firmly that Simz is one of the best rappers alive.
4. Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You - Ethel Cain
Another installation of the lore-heavy sonic universe created and inspired by Hayden Silas Anhedönia, otherwise known by the same name as her title character Ethel Cain, Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You serves as part two and a prequel to the trilogy that her 2022 album Preacher’s Daughter introduced. This Americana, slowcore project delves into the depths of doomed young love, generational trauma, and disillusionment over the course of its sprawling seventy-three-minute runtime. While much of this project’s tracks are intentionally and methodically drawn out, its peaks are among the highest of the previous year, with tracks like “Nettles” and “Tempest” stealing the show with their inescapably poetic lyricism. “‘Cause baby I’ve never seen brown eyes look so blue” still twists the knife every time. I can’t wait to watch this trilogy conclude once Hayden is ready to tell the rest of her compelling and heart-wrenching story.
3. Let God Sort Em Out - Clipse
The reunion of Clipse’s founding brothers Pusha T and Malice is exactly what hip-hop needed in 2025. Not only is this project as hard-hitting and downright fun as their past work, like 2006’s classic Hell Hath No Fury, but Let God Sort Em Out showcases a maturity and emotional vulnerability that humanizes the brothers more than ever before. The album’s opening track, “The Birds Don’t Sing”, discusses and reflects on the passing of the brothers’ parents in the time since their most recent project, setting an emotional tone for the rest of the album. But that isn’t to say that the brash confidence of these two is gone — in fact, it’s stronger than ever. Tracks like “Chains & Whips” and “P.O.V” also employ the use of collaborations and features masterfully, with Tyler, The Creator and Kendrick Lamar offering some of the best verses of the year, respectively. This project’s production is top-notch, its melodies are infectious earworms, and the aura of Let God Sort Em Out is unmatched. Despite strong competition, this is by far the best rap album of the past year.
2. The Art of Loving - Olivia Dean
…
I know. I get it. This is one of the more unexpected selections that I’ve ever made on a top albums list, especially considering its very high placement at my number two spot for 2025. What you may be even more interested by is the fact that Olivia Dean was my top artist of 2025 according to Spotify’s Wrapped. Yes, I’m serious. I know.
But you, like I wasn’t, also shouldn’t be surprised. The Art of Loving is one of the most soulful, romantic, and uplifting albums of the decade so far. Olivia Dean’s ability to deliver timeless, vulnerable, jazzy pop music in a modern context is second to none. Songs like “Man I Need,” “So Easy (To Fall In Love),” and “Let Alone The One You Love” sound like they’ve always existed. And the emotional finale of “I’ve Seen It,” an interpolation of Bill Withers’ “Just The Two of Us” is simply exquisite. Dean is warm, welcoming, audaciously-talented, and we are lucky that she is sharing her gift to tap into this genre of music so delightfully with the world. This album served as the soundtrack for my Maui honeymoon, and I will continue to return to its brilliance for years to come.
1. Vanisher, Horizon Scraper - Quadeca
Vanisher, Horizon Scraper was easily my top selection for best album of 2025. The artistic progression we are witness from Ben Lasky, known by his performing name of Quadeca, is unrivaled and truly inspiring. I knew that we were in for a treat once the intentionality of this album’s rollout became clear — every detail accounted for, not a single stone unturned. Then came the singles to introduce the new era: “GODSTAINED” and its Bossa Nova-inspired art pop, “MONDAY” and its progressive baroque tendencies, and “FORGONE” and its progressive chamber pop sprawl. What I could never have imagined was how Ben would be able to tie these tracks from one to the next so seamlessly, creating a narrative depiction of the sailor’s journey that explores individualism, existentialism, the search for meaning, and a futile pursuit of the impossible. This project’s themes and tracks resonated with me on a very deeply personal level, and the cyclical structure of this narrative is continually submerging in all of the best ways.
What truly sets this album apart as an incredible work of art, though, is its accompanying film. Not just a cheap visualizer, but a full-length narrative in-and-of itself with some of the most creative, symbolic, memorable, and cinematic imagery I have ever seen put behind a concept album. If you haven’t yet, you owe it to yourself to get lost in the world of Vanisher, Horizon Scraper as I have many times. You can do so by clicking this link. I can’t wait to discover the universe that Quadeca introduces to us next.
And there we have it! Always my favorite blog post to write, my top albums of the previous year list is complete, and there are so many great projects to revisit and choose from. What music did you get into last year? Which projects are you looking forward to or hopeful for in 2026?
Albums
Top Albums of 2022
After another year of reviews, active listening, and a plethora of new releases, it’s finally time to yet again recap the best albums of the year. 2022 was one of the most prolific and impressive years of music in recent memory with great albums releasing across all genres, making it incredibly difficult for me to narrow my selection down to only 10 projects. After careful consideration, I’m glad to say my list is complete. Before we jump right into the long-awaited selections, I need to shout out some fantastic records that didn’t quite make this year’s cut, but are absolute must-listens.
Here are my honorable mentions for 2022: Cheat Codes is Danger Mouse and Black Thought at their most cutting and nuanced, providing insightful bars over scrumptious instrumentals. (SCORE: 8/10.) Most recently, SZA’s triumphant return sophomore album SOS showcases her abilities as both a rapper and R&B superstar, even if the project suffers slightly due to its overextended tracklist (SCORE: 8/10.) Pusha T’s It’s Almost Dry serves as a statement to the rest of the hip-hop community that Pusha doesn’t mince words, but also that Pharrell and Ye’s production are still phenomenal (SCORE: 8/10.) The Weeknd’s Dawn FM demonstrates Abel’s willingness to evolve and grow, leaning more into 80s synth ballad aesthetics than ever before (SCORE: 8/10.) Father John Misty’s Chloë and the Next 20th Century is a theatrical and classy pastiche that both criticizes and praises the genre it pulls its inspiration from (SCORE: 8/10.) Conway the Machine’s God Don’t Make Mistakes features some of the most revealing and vulnerable lyricism that rap has seen in a very long time (SCORE: 8/10). Perfume Genius’s Ugly Season uses experimentation to its advantage over its entire tracklist, pairing perfectly with the dance piece that it’s meant to accompany (SCORE: 8/10.) Finally, Natalia Lafourcade proves yet again that her balladry and poetic lyricism are unmatched on the gorgeous De Todas las Flores (SCORE: 8/10.) I loved every single one of these projects, but not enough to call them one of my 10 favorite albums of year - a prestigious title belonging only to the best of the best.
10. Once Twice Melody - Beach House
Once Twice Melody is just as much of a feeling as it is an album. Its palpable, gleaming instrumentation and panoramic vocal layering encapsulate its listener into a warm, soothing array of tracks. Surprisingly, the album remains cohesive without overstaying its welcome with a runtime of almost 90 minutes. Beach House’s aesthetic is well-established at this point, and Once Twice Melody doesn’t challenge that status quo. Instead, their sonic universe is expanded over 18 dazzling songs, with “Pink Funeral” and “ESP” serving as standouts for me. (SCORE: 8/10)
9. Melt My Eyez See Your Future - Denzel Curry
Denzel Curry has proven time and time again that he has what it takes to keep up with the best rappers in the world. On Melt My Eyes See Your Future, though, Curry proves for the first time that he’s capable of true self-reflection. A cinematic and cohesive experience, this album utilizes its instrumentals, features, and Curry’s bars excellently to respond to a world in strife while tastefully pulling inspiration from other versed creators and artists. “Walkin” and “Ain’t No Way (Feat. 6LACK, Rico Nasty, J.I.D, Jasiah, Kitty Ca$h)” are the two songs I return to most often on this inventive and boundary-pushing project. (SCORE: 8/10)
8. I Didn’t Mean To Haunt You - Quadeca
I was initially very surprised by the lead singles that led up to the release of I Didn’t Mean To Haunt You. While Quadeca had previously released promising tracks like his viral and acclaimed “Sisyphus”, his foundations as a YouTube rapper clouded my judgement of his artistic validity. Any of those doubts were quickly extinguished with the release of his newest album, which is told from the perspective of a ghost who is grieving those he has left behind. The harrowing beauty, haunting creativity, and heartbreaking lyricism and instrumentation on this project are entirely unique and unlike anything I’ve heard before. “Born Yesterday” and “Knots” are the two tracks I return to most often, but this entire project is an experience that will leave any listener in contemplation. (SCORE: 8/10)
7. NO THANK YOU - Little Simz
Firstly, we need to acknowledge that Little Simz has made all music publications re-think when they schedule and release their end-of-year lists. The follow-up to last year’s stunning Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, NO THANK YOU comes just over a year after Simz’ previous release. Its lightning quick rollout and 10-song tracklisting were promising, but part of me expected a project of SIMBI B-sides. I couldn’t have been more wrong. NO THANK YOU is just as well-thought-out of a project as anything Simz has released so far, albeit not as conceptually thematic. Instead, stripped back but catchy instrumentals allow Simz to deliver some of the most concise, confident, and genius bars I’ve heard this year. NO THANK YOU feels like both a victory lap and a “fuck you” to anyone has doubted her unparalleled skill along the way to fame. The entire project is a must-listen, but so far my favorite tracks are “Gorilla”, “Heart On Fire”, and “Broken”. (SCORE: 9/10)
6. Hellfire - black midi
English rock trio black midi are an indescribable bunch of dementedly talented, shockingly young artists. Lead singer Geordie Greep is the prime example of this youthful spirit, confidently delivering impressive vocal performances throughout the group’s latest album Hellfire. This album isn’t just thematically chaotic or random, but instead has been carefully crafted and constructed to transport its listener via its many ornate and overwhelming soundscapes. The technical and musical prowess needed to create a track like “Sugar/Tzu” is unmatched. The inventiveness necessary to come up with a track as demonic as “Welcome To Hell” is awe-inspiring. black midi is nothing if not different, but this unconventionality is exactly what makes their releases some of the most enticing in all of music right now. (SCORE: 9/10)
5. The Forever Story - JID
Although J. Cole has released some classic hip-hop albums, it very well may prove true that his final legacy will be his innate ability to find and elevate undiscovered talent. Dreamville’s roster is quickly becoming one of the most skilled labels in the industry, and that is in large part due to the meteoric rise of Atlanta’s own JID. The Forever Story is one of the most technically impressive rap performance albums in the past decade, with each of JID’s verses quickly becoming rainbows when his rhyme schemes are highlighted. Full of both bangers and introspective cuts, The Forever Story is the perfect mix of entertaining and insightful. Mark my words: JID will one day be a household name, and for good reason. (SCORE: 9/10)
4. Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers - Kendrick Lamar
Hip-hop’s biggest and brightest release of the year belongs to Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. The Pulitzer-prize-winning artist made his long-awaited return to music with this project’s release and its attached “The Heart Part 5” music video. Like all of his projects up until this point, Kendrick’s newest album was an artistic left hook worthy of endless discussion and dissection. Ultimately, it’s an album dedicated to addressing and tackling trauma both recent and intergenerational. A chronological narrative and demonstrates the work needed to grow, evolve, and heal, Kendrick is doing the monumental task of destigmatizing mental health awareness in his community. Sonically, this album is often just as ear-catching and immersive as Kendrick’s best works, with “Father Time (feat. Sampha)” and “Savior” proving the most compelling selections months after this incredible project’s release. (SCORE: 9/10)
3. Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You - Big Thief
That title is still a mouth-full. Big Thief’s Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You was the most surprising album that released in 2022 for me. 20 songs and 80 minutes long, this indie folk epic seems destined to eventually become stale, but instead continually reinvents itself and offers distinct storytelling, unburdened instrumentation, and ambitious beauty. Its sprawling tracklisting spans from humorous and joyful to reflective and sorrowful, laced with humorous quips and insightful reflections. Adrianne Lanker’s vocal delivery is hypnotic, and the band’s ability to cover almost every topic under the sun isn’t lost on me. (SCORE: 9/10)
2. And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow - Weyes Blood
The second release of a confirmed trilogy and follow-up to Titanic Rising, Weyes Blood’s And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow is everything I hoped it would be and more. Frontwoman Natalie Mering is quickly becoming a baroque chamber-pop icon, with an instantly-recognizable voice and exquisite, poetic lyricism. Titanic Rising was incredibly impactful at the time of its release because it seemed urgent, pressing, and a call-to-action to combat a foreboding future. That then hypothetical is now being realized on And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow, which finds Mering and the listener picking up the pieces of the past three years. Angelic, swelling instrumentation is found on every track, no more so than on “Children of the Empire” and “God Turn Me Into a Flower”, the two standouts among many great songs found here. In any other year, this album would likely take the #1 spot on my list, and I can’t wait to see what Mering has in store for us with future releases. (SCORE: 10/10)
1. Ants From Up There - Black Country, New Road
When looking back at my top albums from each year so far this decade, I’ve noticed a pattern. The best of the best has a transcendent quality that makes each of these projects larger than life, greater than the sum of their parts, and elevated by the circumstances that surrounded their releases. For Fiona Apple’s Fetch The Bolt Cutters in 2020, it was the brutishly honest and raw, pent-up nature of her sonics in response to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that made it such a special and memorable listen. For Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders, and the London Symphony Orchesta’s 2021 album Promises, it was the timeless motifs, ethereal quality, and realization that a collaboration of this magnitude was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which was confirmed this year after Pharoah Sanders’ death. Ants From Up There is a perfect album not only because every note is intentional, powerful, and momentous, but because we will never hear the band who made it in the same form ever again. Just days before the project’s release, the band’s lead vocalist Isaac Wood announced his departure from the group, citing mental health as a primary factor that contributed to his difficult decision. With this in mind, many of the album’s themes garnered a new gravity that laced the triumph of the project with an overwhelming sadness. “Concorde” and “Basketball Shoes” are my favorite tracks here, if I had to choose, and demonstrate these themes perfectly. Simply put, Ants From Up There epitomizes bittersweetness. This album reminds us that we grow apart, that life is complicated, and beauty is often confined to the inherently finite nature of our existence. This is not only my favorite album of 2022, but my favorite album of this decade so far, and it isn’t close. (SCORE: 10/10)
I used to think it was silly when I called music one of my hobbies. Everyone enjoys listening to music - it’s a part of the human experience. But making that experience active instead of passive is one of the most invigorating and fulfilling decisions you can make as a listener. Great art wants to be understood. It wants to be analyzed, considered, discussed, and shared with others who will give it that same love and attention it deserves. As an active listener, 2022 has been one of the most incredible years of music in my life, and I’ve looked forward to sharing my best-of list all year. I hope you’ve had the chance to enjoy these projects, or whichever projects have spoken to you, all throughout 2022, and let’s plan to do the same in 2023.
Top Songs Of 2020
Earlier this month, I revealed my top favorite albums of 2020. Luckily, in an otherwise tumultuous year, we were able to turn to music for relief. To hone in on these impressive releases in more detail, I will now be ranking my favorite songs of the year. These tracks all offer something different and unique, and there is a good variety of genres included here. Let’s jump right into it.
10. “Soul Control” - Jessie Ware
Jessie Ware’s infectious, ‘80s inspired dance anthems are what made What’s Your Pleasure? so special. “Soul Control” synthesizes all of the fantastic elements from this album into one track with Ware’s excellent vocal performance, an upbeat instrumental backing, and synth-pop inspiration, making this track instantly-lovable. How could you not dance along?
9. “WAP (feat. Megan Thee Stallion)” - Cardi B
Both an instant meme and an empowering statement for women around the world, the release of WAP took the internet by storm. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion let it all hang out on this track, bringing some of their strongest and most confidence verses to the table. Wonderfully vulgar and hilariously explicit, I had to recognize WAP’s significance on this list.
8. “Only The Strong” - Laura Marling
Laura Marling’s beautiful singer-songwriter album Song For Our Daughter is made up of one compelling track after another. Though I could choose many from this project, “Only The Strong” meant the most of them all to me this year. Marling’s delivery is more blunt and to-the-point than usual here, and the ambient acoustic and piano-backed folk instrumental is a feather in the wind. Fantastic song that reflects on a variety of topics.
7. “The Adults Are Talking” - The Strokes
The opening track to The Strokes’ most recent album The New Abnormal is exactly what I wanted from this band. Sonically similar to the fan favorite “Reptilia”, “The Adults Are Talking” utilizes Julian Casablancas’ recognizable vocals perfectly. The backing instrumentation is impressive, and the post-chorus call-and-response guitar riffs are simply addictive.
6. “Blinding Lights” - The Weeknd
This smash hit will define The Weeknd’s current era for years to come. Sparkling synth progressions, a bouncy and playful beat, and echoing vocals make for a return to popular ‘80s sounds. It’s no wonder why this track is as popular as it is. Abel’s vocal performance is up to his high standard, making this one of my favorite tracks off of After Hours.
5. “Aries (feat. Peter Hook and Georgia)” - Gorillaz
Gorillaz’ album release this year left me satisfied that they had finally returned to the sound that I fell in love with when I was younger. While a track like “Pac-Man (feat. ScHoolboy Q” follows the band’s formula more closely, I selected “Aries” because of its relaxing aura and genius feature implementation. Peter Hook, of New Order fame, brings his signature sound to this spectacular track, and Damon Albarn’s vocals are distorted perfectly. Great stuff.
4. “I Know The End” - Phoebe Bridgers
I said in my review for Punisher that “I Know The End” is one of the best closing tracks on any album in recent memory. Bridgers’ gentle vocal delivery haunts the first third of the track as the stage is set for the coming narrative: an apocalyptic reality. The second third of the song picks up tempo, and the narrative continues as Bridgers’ drives straight into the end of the world. The track crescendos into a loud and unsettling climax with multilayered instrumentation, as Bridgers screams quietly into the mic. Fantastic track.
3. “Shameika” - Fiona Apple
I recently upgraded Fiona Apple’s Fetch The Bolt Cutters from a 9 to a 10 as I’ve come to better understand the closing tracks, which were the only thing stopping me from calling this album perfect. Its raw and chaotic energy are still enticing and fascinating, and no track embodies that more successfully than “Shameika.” Spastic piano backing, an overwhelming drum presence, and unsteady but controlled vocals help portray childhood uncertainty and insecurity. I love the story being told here.
2. “Good News” - Mac Miller
The first posthumous single after Mac Miller’s unexpected death hit me, and many others, like a ton of bricks. The tasteful music video accompaniment chillingly complements the almost prophetic lyrics in which Miller reflects on life more clearly than ever before. “Why does everybody need me to stay?”, “Maybe I’ll lay down for a little”, and “I wish that I could just get out my god damn way” eerily haunt the listener who knows Mac is now gone. The plucky and flowy instrumental is gentle, and the chorus tugs at the heartstrings. Miss him.
1. “walking in the snow” - Run The Jewels
I knew this was my song of the year on its first listen. Released right around the Civil Rights protests that helped define 2020, this track, recorded in 2019, reflects on many of these themes preemptively and accurately. This is less of a prediction and more of an indication that these topics, such as police brutality, are perpetual and are just now getting public attention in the U.S. El-P’s verse about the nature of oppression is strong, especially with the hard-hitting instrumental backing, but Killer Mike’s verse is one of the best rap verses in the past decade for me. Every bar is meaningful, impactful, and layered. It covers intergenerational wealth mobility, the education system, news programming, police brutality, performative activism, and systemic violence among other topics. “Until my voice goes from a shriek to whisper “I can’t breathe”” is the standout bone-chilling line, but Killer Mike’s entire verse is spectacular. This timely and grimy track is so potent that it is my favorite song of 2020.
I’m excited to see what kinds of releases we get, both songs and albums, in 2021. Hopefully artists who are overdue to release projects come through with strong offerings. Until then, these songs and tracks from my favorite albums of the year are on repeat. Thanks for reading.
For The Record: A Vinyl Series (Part 1)
What’s old is new again. The cyclical nature of pop culture, style, and social trends tends to occasionally repopularize relics of the past as new shiny objects of the future. Whether it’s chunky dad sneakers, polaroid cameras, or in my case record players and vinyl, anything which was once “in” is subject to come back in full force in due time. Before moving back into my downtown Atlanta apartment last month, I was given the early birthday gift I had been pining after for a very long time by my parents, which is a stellar bluetooth record player and accompanying booming speakers. My propensity and tendency to collect things has predictably bled into this new area, as I’ve been playing catch-up by purchasing my favorite albums on vinyl over the past few weeks. In this series, similar to my “Best Foot Forward” series, I will be highlighting and discussing various selections from my collection in each installment. Who doesn’t like a little bit of show-and-tell? Let’s get into it.
Record 1 (Upper Left): Fetch The Bolt Cutters - Fiona Apple
It feels appropriate to feature this album first on this series because it was the first record in my collection. Fiona Apple rightfully received huge critical acclaim after the release of this project in April. Since then, it has slowly become my favorite album of the year so far. Sonically and thematically, Apple is able to capture the essence of tension associated with the unstable state of affairs in the country. This two-sided double LP sounds fantastic on vinyl, as the multi-instrumental tracks allow each layer to shine, all while being complemented by Apple’s haunting vocals. Great album, and one I’m glad to have in my record collection.
Record 2 (Upper Right): To Pimp A Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 magnum opus To Pimp A Butterfly is one of my favorite albums of all-time. This project is able to tackle immensely complicated topics such as self love, systemic racism, generational inequality, and Black identity simultaneously, all while fitting into a genius narrative and providing hit after hit. This project has a vintage and nostalgic feel even when not on vinyl, but this sense is amplified (quite literally) when the record is spinning under the needle. This was a must to add to my collection.
Record 3 (Lower Left): The Money Store - Death Grips
One of the most experimental and trend-setting albums of the 2010s, The Money Store influenced countless artists after its release. Abrasive, aggressive, but catchy at the same time, Death Grips provide an aesthetic here so unique that I can’t accurately compare it to any other album I’ve ever listened to. My Edifier speakers handle the sometimes obnoxious and sound-heavy moments on this record beautifully. I’m happy to have this album in my collection, and will likely be picking up Bottomless Pit soon, too.
Record 4 (Lower Right): Pure Comedy - Father John Misty
It wouldn’t be right to own a record player and not have my favorite album of all-time on vinyl to spin on it. This limited-edition and exclusive red marble pressing looks absolutely stunning, and the sound quality is fantastic, adding another dimension to an album which I never imagined could become deeper and more meaningful to me. This is likely going to be the album I play the most on vinyl since it’s the one I played most on streaming. If you haven’t listened to this project yet, stop reading. Go now. Listen. Do it!
I think I’m a collector by nature. Whether it’s clothes, sneakers, video games, or records, when I start getting into something, I’m quick down the rabbit hole. It has been fun exploring record stores like Criminal Records in downtown Atlanta as I learn more about vinyl and continue to add my favorite albums to the collection. Have you ever owned a record player? Thanks for reading.
Albums Which Have Earned A Perfect Score (10/10) From Me
Music has become one of the central topics I discuss on this blog. Whether I’m reviewing a new album, making a ranking list of projects which have come out in a given year, or discussing how my taste in music has changed over time, I’ve found that I have a lot to say when discussing music. In one of this blog’s first posts, I outlined my rubric and criteria for scoring albums and giving scores out of ten. After writing over twenty album reviews on this blog, none of the new releases in recent months have received a perfect score of 10/10. I give this score out sparingly and infrequently, reserving it for only the most influential, masterful, and flawless records which also have personal significance to me. While Charli, IGOR, RTJ4, and The Highwomen have all come close on this blog with scores of 9/10, none have earned the highly coveted perfect score. In this post, I’m going to be discussing a few albums which I consider prime examples of albums worthy of such critical acclaim.
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West
This is an album which I grew up listening to on repeat throughout my teenage years. It’s one of the main reasons Kanye West is the artist I’ve listened to most all-time on Spotify. This album defines my favorite Kanye West era: Braggadocious, socially conscious, artistic, and self-reflective. Each beat is luxurious and grandiose, establishing the perfect backdrop for Mr. West and all of the accompanying features to advance the album’s enticing narrative. I think every song belongs exactly where it finds itself on the track-listing, and there is nothing I would change about this project. Tracks like “POWER”, “All Of The Lights”, and “Runaway” were classics the moment they released. The multimodality created by Kanye West’s short film Runaway adds even more to this project’s lore, and because of that, it earns a perfect score.
The Money Store - Death Grips
This isn’t an album I recommend to everyone I meet. Death Grips’ The Money Store is one of the most influential experimental hip-hop albums of all-time, but it’s not for everyone. Its production was far beyond its years upon its release in 2012, and since then, it has proven to be a guideline for industrial and electronic hip-hop releases for a wide range of artists. Tracks like “Get Got”, “I’ve Seen Footage”, and “Hacker” are just as good now as when I was introduced to them years ago, and the chaotic energy this album presents is unparalleled. There’s nothing I could ever change about this album.
Rumours - Fleetwood Mac
This may be the least controversial selection on this list. It’s fairly widely established that Rumours is one of the greatest albums of all-time by any metric. The circumstances in which it was written and recorded were both peculiar and necessary for the creative genius that went into crafting an album consisting of classic after classic. From “Dreams” and “Don’t Stop” to “Go Your Own Way” and “The Chain”, Fleetwood Mac was able to compile some of the most famous and critically acclaimed songs of all-time all on the same project. This album will never get old and will always have a special place in my heart and musical library.
To Pimp A Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 magnum opus To Pimp A Butterfly is one of the most sonically and thematically masterful hip-hop albums of all-time. Its stellar production, thematic messaging, and creativity make it stand out not only as a great project, but as a very unique record as well. The jazz influences found throughout this album create the perfect backdrop and aesthetic for Kendrick’s intricate delivery of insightful political and socioeconomic commentary. I return to “u”, “Alright”, and “How Much A Dollar Cost” regularly. The usage of the continuing poem throughout this album which culminates in one of the best musical twists ever as Kendrick reveals he has been conversing with Tupac the entire time is still chill-inducing. I will forever love this project, and I’m so glad that Kendrick Lamar was the first concert I attended.
Pure Comedy - Father John Misty
This is my favorite album of all-time. Josh Tillman’s take on an indie folk epic which discusses every element of American society hits on all cylinders for me. Each track is unique and offers relevant and potent critiques on the world around us. Some call this record too heavy or depressing to enjoy listening to, especially repeatedly, but I argue otherwise. The project’s final track, “In Twenty Years Or So”, is able to acknowledge that the world can be difficult, unfair, and make little sense, but that it’s worth living nonetheless with the closing lines “There’s nothing to fear”. I love every song here, but “Pure Comedy”, “Total Entertainment Forever”, “Ballad Of The Dying Man”, “Smoochie”, “So I’m Growing Old On Magic Mountain”, and “In Twenty Years Or So” are some of my favorites. Being able to see Father John Misty perform with my girlfriend after listening to him almost exclusively when meeting and getting to know her was an otherworldly, almost spiritual experience. I even got to touch his bizarrely cold hand from the front row, how cool is that? Pure Comedy epitomizes everything I look for in an album. It has complex lyricism, fantastic and creative production, heartfelt delivery, social commentary, and timeliness. This is the easiest 10/10 I could ever give.
I’m certainly not opposed to giving a perfect score to an album on a new review if any project is able to check all of the boxes and meet the standards set by the projects discussed here. Music is hugely important in my life, and I’m comforted by the fact that returning to these albums will always be an option for me. What are some of your favorite albums of all-time which earn a perfect score from you? Let me know. Thanks for reading.