Category: Year End List

My compilation and ranking of the best albums released during a calendar year

The Best 75 Albums of the 2010s: My Picks #75-71

75.Brandi Carlile, ‘By the Way, I Forgive You,’ 2017 The title of Brandi Carlile’s sixth studio album, By the Way, I Forgive You, might imply a casual absolution, but the music narrates a story of deliberate, active forgiveness. Carlile’s songwriting throughout the album tackles deeply personal themes, including betrayal, resilience, transformation, self-reflection, parenthood, and social issues….
The Best 20 Albums of 2023: My Picks #5-1

Previously,The Best 20 Albums of 2023: My Picks #20-16The Best 20 Albums of 2023: My Picks #15-11The Best 20 Albums of 2023: My Picks #10-6 5.Jessie Ware, ‘That! Feels Good!’ Why do my realities take over all my dreams?Gimme something good that’s even better than it seemsWhy does all the purest love get filtered through…
The Best 20 Albums of 2023: My Picks #10-6

Previously,The Best 20 Albums of 2023: My Picks #20-16The Best 20 Albums of 2023: My Picks #15-11 10. Blondshell, ‘Blondshell’ Formerly known for her pop-oriented work under the moniker BAUM, Teitelbaum has embraced a darker, alternative rock sound that draws heavily from the 1990s in her self-titled debut album, Blondshell. The overarching theme of “Blondshell”…
The Best 20 Albums of 2023: My Picks #15-11

Previously,The Best 20 Albums of 2023: My Picks #20-16 15. Victoria Monét, ‘JAGUAR II’ JAGUAR II is a continuation of the themes introduced in Monét’s 2020 EP, Jaguar. The album delves into themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and sensuality. Monét likens herself to a jaguar, an animal known for its stealth and power, symbolizing her journey…
The Best 20 Albums of 2023: My Picks #20-16

Previously,The Best 20 Albums of 2020: My PicksThe Best 20 Albums of 2021: My PicksThe Best 20 Albums of 2022: My Picks 20.Young Fathers, ‘Heavy Heavy’ Heavy Heavy, the fourth studio album of the Scottish hip-hop group Young Fathers, is an album that thrives on contrasts and contradictions. The title itself hints at the duality…
The Best 20 Albums of 2022: My Picks #5-1

Previously,The Best 20 Albums of 2022: My Picks #20-16The Best 20 Albums of 2022: My Picks #15-11The Best 20 Albums of 2022: My Picks #10-6 5.Rosalía, ‘MOTOMAMI’ Rosalía’s third album, MOTOMAMI, is a kaleidoscopic self-portrait that explores themes of transformation, duality, and self-empowerment through a rich tapestry of sounds and styles. The title itself encapsulates…
The Best 20 Albums of 2022: My Picks #10-6

Previously,The Best 20 Albums of 2022: My Picks #20-16The Best 20 Albums of 2022: My Picks #15-11 10.Sudan Archives, ‘Natural Brown Prom Queen’ They don’t know that I’m smartKnew it right from the startSpreadin’ all those lies that you brought outThrowin’ dirt on my nameWe don’t play those games Sudan Archives’ (Brittney Parks) sophomore album,…
The Best 20 Albums of 2022: My Picks #15-11

Previously,The Best 20 Albums of 2022: My Picks #20-16 15.Fontaines D.C., ‘Skinty Fia’ Fontaines D.C.’s third studio album, Skinty Fia, is a record that transcends the Irish post-punk quintet’s previous works, providing an introspective exploration of identity and dislocation amidst themes of cultural nostalgia and diaspora. The title Skinty Fia is a reference to an old Irish…
The Best 20 Albums of 2022: My Picks #20-16

Previously,The Best 20 Albums of 2020: My PicksThe Best 20 Albums of 2021: My Picks 20. Ethel Cain, ‘Preacher’s Daughter’ A life full of whiskey but I always deliverJesus, if You’re listening, let me handle my liquorAnd Jesus, if You’re thereWhy do I feel alone in this room with You? In the balmy depths of…
The Best 20 Albums of 2021: My Picks #5-1

Previously,The Best 20 Albums of 2021: My Picks #20-16The Best 20 Albums of 2021: My Picks #15-11The Best 20 Albums of 2021: My Picks #10-6 5. The Weather Station, ‘Ignorance’ Is it alright if I don’t wanna sing tonight?I know you’re tired of seeing tears in my eyesBut everywhere we go there is an outsideOver…