Rylo Rodriguez - Been One
Favorite Tracks: On Da Floor, You'll Find The One, Free Game, Unfuckwitable, Room Comfort, End of the Road, Ah Never Be The same, You Should, Thang For You
(Released June 30, 2023)
Alabama rapper Rylo Rodriguez shines on his latest full length release. Showcasing a multitude of flows over vastly different beats, Rylo delivers 19 strong tracks that illustrate his hunger and skill. One of the better trap projects to release this year.
A$AP Rocky - TESTING
Favorite Tracks: Distorted Records, A$AP Forever Remix, Tony Tone, Praise The Lord, Calldrops, Gunz N Butter, Kids Turned Out Fine, Hun43rd, Purity
(Released May 25, 2018)
I'll be the first to admit this album didn't do much for me initially. Between my friend convincing me to give it a second chance and seeing all the music videos from this era, I found myself having a greater appreciation for A$AP Rocky's artistry. This was a completely left field album by one of the premier names in hip-hop and the experimentation works so well because of the hands on aspect Rocky takes with every aspect of an album's presentation. The imagery, style, and aesthetic is draw here. What you do not get in lyricism or substance, you more than make up for with a set of boundary pushing songs that redefined everything an A$AP Rocky album could be.
Sky Ferreira - Night Time, My Time
Favorite Tracks: Boys, 24 Hours, Nobody Asked Me (If I Was Okay), I Blame Myself, You're Not The One, I Will
(Released October 29, 2013)
Sky Ferreira during this era had the alternative music community in the palm of her hands. She was like a raw, unfiltered version of the Disney girls her age: Miley, Demi and Selena. With Ariel Rechtshaid producing her debut album, Sky crafted songs that sounded as Bubblegum as Disney song, but had the edge and subject matter to give it indie credibility. The bold choice to be topless on the album art showcased the attitude and feel of Sky's music and personality. This was the real her, being human and expressing herself through songs that captured her unapologetic, fierce spirit.
Lil Uzi Vert - Pink Tape
Favorite Tracks: Flooded The Face, Suicide Doors, Crush Em, Amped, x2, That Fiya, Endless Fashion, Nakamura, Just Wanna Rock, Fire Alarm, Werewolf, Pluto to Mars, Patience, Rehab, The End, Zoom
(Released June 30, 2023)
The third studio album is the one where you get weird and experimental. Uzi manages the difficult task of making a compelling 26 song project, by mixing a diverse array of sounds with new flows, pockets and melodies. The sequencing allows it to begin with the energy of Eternal Atake, before the second half of the album gets into full metal territory, complete with features from Bring Me The Horizon and BABYMETAL. Bold experimentation at this point seems oddly on brand for Uzi who remains one of the more captivating and unpredictable innovators in music.
No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom
Favorite Tracks: Spiderwebs, Excuse Me Mr., Just A Girl, Happy Now, Different People, Sunday Morning, Don't Speak, Tragic Kingdom
(Released October 10, 1995)
No Doubt was a star making machine for pop starlet Gwen Stefani, and this album marks her first foray into being the primary songwriter. The presence, aura, and style she evoked not only led to the album being a massive success for the band, but for a moment led to a Ska resurgence in the mid-late 90s. A modern era classic, this was No Doubt at their peak.
Green Day - American Idiot
Favorite Tracks: American Idiot, Jesus of Suburbia, Holiday/Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Give Me Novacaine/She's a Rebel, Wake Me Up When September Ends, Whatsername
(Released September 21, 2004)
The aftermath of 9/11 and the Iraq War led to a generation of disillusioned youth and young adults who needed a soundtrack to their rebellious counter culture of the mid-2000a. This led to Green Day creating a Punk-Rock Opera with such compelling songs and themes that it would eventually be adapted into a Broadway Show. You can tell the history of music and 2000s American Pop Culture without this project.
Michael Jackson - Off The Wall
Favorite Tracks: Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, Rock With You, Get On The Floor, Off the Wall, She's Out Of My Life, I Can't Help It, It's The Falling In Love
(Released August 10, 1979)
14 years ago, we lost the greatest pop star to ever live, the incomparable Michael Jackson. Today we take a look at his breakout solo LP, Off The Wall. A star since his childhood as a member of his family band, this release was the one where the world finally saw all that Michael could be on his own. The first release during his working relationship with Quincy Jones, we saw elements of disco, funk, r&b all under the guise of Pop thanks to Michael's signature showmanship. This is the first album that I ever had on CD, and is partially responsible for my introduction to being a music connoisseur. My earliest music memories are of listening to this album on my CD player in the backseat of my mom's car. We miss you everyday, MJ.
Rihanna - ANTI
Favorite Tracks: Consideration, James Joint, Kiss It Better, Work, Desperado, Woo, Needed Me, Same Ol' Mistakes, Love on the Brain, Sex with Me
(Released January 28, 2016)
To date, this is the most recent release from the Bad Girl, and it is by far her best full length effort. Everything you could want from a RiRi album can be found in spades here. Home to some of her greatest vocal performances of all time, ANTI is Rihanna at her most realized. You can hear the maturity compared to earlier releases and the instrumental selection ranges from Alternative R&B to Dancehall to Doo-Wop. Despite recently headlining the Super Bowl, we haven't heard much about a follow up project. Between her work in Fenty and her newfound motherhood, we could very well not see any more projects from Rihanna, but if this was her last one, she went out on a high.
Young Thug - Business Is Business
Favorite Tracks: Money On The Dresser, Gucci Grocery Bag, Uncle M, Oh U Went, Hellcat Kenny, Mad Dog
(Released June 23, 2023)
In the midst of a lengthy legal trial that has kept him imprisoned for the last 14 months, Young Thug's latest release must be looked at through a lens. Not getting to be in studio and fine tune an album to his personal preference, there was the ability to fall short of the lovely standard he has built for himself. And likely unable to talk about his legal situation without implicating himself, there wasn't too much said about many of the speculations held over the last year. With that being said, Thug is able to lean on some friends, namely executive producer Metro Boomin, Drake, Travis Scott and others to make a set of pretty fun songs that should be in heavy rotation this summmer.
Mac Miller - Watching Movies With The Sound Off
Favorite Tracks: Avian, Objects in the Mirror, Red Dot Music, Watching Movies, Someone Like You, O.K., Claymation
(Released June 18, 2018)
As we sit here a decade after this albums release, we can view as a turning point in his career. The late musician had begun collaborating with members of burgeoning movements in the Southern California rap scene such as Earl Sweatshirt, ScHoolboy Q, and Tyler the Creator which came along with a maturity in sound that would be expanded upon in subsequent releases. No more was the funny, young frat-rapper and in his place was an artist that would leave a permanent imprint on hip-hop and popular music over the next decade of his tragically short career.
Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Favorite Tracks: Bring Da Ruckus, Shame On A Nigga, Can It Be All So Simple, Da Mystery of Chessboxin', Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit, C.R.E.A.M., Method Man, Protect Ya Neck, Tearz
(Released November 9, 1993)
This album laid the blueprint for all rap groups... from the posse cuts, the ability to create stars out of each individual member, the influential production style of RZA that established the tone and aesthetic of many of the classic East Coast albums that would succeed it in the following years... The Clan would spend the next 5 years or so each appearing on each other's Classic solo albums, but this project is our introduction to many of these all time greats and the first time we get to hear the chemistry they all share. The RZA, The GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon the Chef, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Masta Killa.
The Velvet Underground & Nico - The Velvet Underground & Nico
Favorite Tracks: Sunday Morning, I'm Waiting For The Man, Femme Fatale, Heroin, I'll Be Your Mirror
(Released March 12, 1967)
For all intents and purposes this is the first ever pretentious hipster album. Curated and executively produced by Pop Art Icon Andy Warhol, this was the introduction to some of the most controversial figures in music history: Lou Reed, the effortlessly cool, brash frontman who would usher in a new era of lyrical subject matter. Singing about the fast lives of many of Warhol's superstars in the New York scene, this was the first albums to popularize songs about drug use and sexual deviancy. Another key figure, Nico, a German songstress with a distinct voice, and shadowy legacy, shines throughout this album as the ideal muse for this world that Warhol was curating. This album is a picture of the "Artsy" side of music and insight into 1960s Pop Culture from America's epicenter.
Lil Yachty - Let’s Start Here
Favorite Tracks: The Black Seminole, The Ride, Pretty, We Saw The Sun, Drive Me Crazy!, Say Something,
(Released January 27, 2023)
I remember when One Night dropped my freshman year of college. The style & energy of the new crop of rappers that year led to an exciting run unlike many we've ever seen. Even back then Yachty always found a way to stand out. What he lacked in 21's tenacity, Denzel's lyricism, Kodak's flow or Uzi's style he more than made up for with an engaging personality and penchant for making catchy songs. On his latest project this shines through more than ever, making an artistic detour from his signature sound to cultivate one of the years most pleasant releases so far. This project is filled to the brim with feel-good music and the pivot into Psychedelic Rock territory showcases that at this state of his career, we still don't know everything Lil Yachty has to offer. Excited to hear what's next.
Radiohead - OK Computer
Favorite Tracks: Paranoid Android, Subterranean Homesick Alien, Exit Music (For A Film), Karma Police, No Surprises, Lucky
(Released May 21, 1997)
For Thom Yorke, building out euphoric atmospheres to partner with his abstract lyricism and storytelling laid the groundwork for generations of artists to utilize their third albums as their "experimental" projects. Meant to be absorbed in one sitting, this album feels like an audible representation of the uncertainty that lay ahead in the 21st century. It's the UK in 1997, BritPop has reached an inevitable oversaturation of the moment, Princess Diana had just passed, Tony Blair had just become Prime Minister... The times were changing and the people along with them... This was the soundtrack to it all.
Katrina and the Waves - Katrina and the Waves
Favorite Tracks: Red Wine and Whisky, Que Te Quiero, Walking On Sunshine, Mexico
(Released March 22 1985)
A major label issue of some tracks that appeared on their first few albums. The group's signature song Walking On Sunshine is easily a highlight. Lots of fun new wave summertime sunshine songs.
Chic - C’est Chic
Favorite Tracks: Chic Cheer, Le Freak, I Want Your Love
(Released August 11, 1978)
Decades before Get Lucky, Niles Rogers and Chic were pioneering danceable, feel good disco songs. The signature guitar licks, string arrangements, brass sections, and sultry vocals are everything you want in a smooth disco project.
Run-D.M.C. - King of Rock
Favorite Tracks: King of Rock, It's Not Funny, Darry and Joe - Krush-Groove 3
(Released January 21, 1985)
Hip-Hop Pioneers Run D-M-C pretty much invented Rap-Rock fusion on this album, a sound that would become popular in the years that followed and help groups like the Beastie Boys find their sound. This is also possibly them in their best rapper alive era too. I love looking at hip-hop through the lens of who's run was going on when your album dropped and I think they can firmly say when this dropped nobody was touching them.
Stevie Wonder - Original Musiquarium
Favorite Tracks: Do I Do, Ribbon In The Sky, Front Line
(Released May 4, 1982)
A compilation of some of Stevie's best tunes along with some previously unreleased songs that are up there with his best ever - Do I Do & Ribbon In The Sky
Whitney Houston - I’m Your Baby Tonight
Favorite Tracks: I'm Your Baby Tonight, My Name Is Not Susan, All the Man That I Need, I Belong To You, We Didn't Know
(Released November 6, 1990)
A well established artist for her pop singles such as How Will I Know, and I Wanna Dance With Somebody, but for the Bodyguard Soundtrack, we have I'm Your Baby Tonight, the appeal to urban audiences album. It didn't see the success of the albums before or after it, but it has no shortage of great cuts from the greatest voice to ever be on wax.
Patti LaBelle - I’m In Love Again
Favorite Tracks: I'm In Love Again, Love, Need and Wat You, If Only You Knew
(Released November 25, 1983)
After years of leading the legendary female supergroup LaBelle, Patti LaBelle had a strong debut, then failed to meet her standards on the next few subsequent releases. Rent was due and she needed a smash hit. Luckily this album was filled with them. Despite the short 8 track run time, two of her all time greatest efforts can be found here in Love, Need and Want You, and If Only You Knew.