Mystical, cryptic and spacious. Seriously - what a comeback for the brothers.
It might be too early to call but I think this might be my 3rd favourite album of theirs.
Dizzee Rascal made an unbelievably strong statement with his debut album, helping to pioneer a genre which has since seen major success and seamless integration into UK culture.
The album is innovative, energetic and relentless. Sonically, it has a very muddy and gritty production style, driven by aggressive percussion and bass, which complements Dizzee's vocals and melodies very well. Easily one of the most impactful projects in the grime genre.
Most of Ferraro's early output consists of this very lo-fi and noisy style, but this album really sticks out. It is one of the most otherworldly things I've probably ever listened to, and I can't quite understand why I even like it. This guy is a musical prodigy who needs more recognition.
This is one of those albums that I just find absolutely extraordinary and even I have no idea why.
The record is so eclectic, bubbly and impactful that every song, even the weaker tracks, just completely captivate me. The production quality is simply outstanding, and helps push these songs into territory which they have no right to belong in, but who cares? Phenomenal album, in my opinion, and the best album Hudson Mohawke has ever produced for not just himself, but for anyone.
If this isn't the pinnacle of dream pop, I'm not sure what else to suggest. Perfectly crafted songs which are simple in their own special way, and somehow all feel relatable. Souvlaki is an escape, where I genuinely feel like I connect with the music on a personal level, and I think this is what makes the album so special for me. Not to mention the musical content itself; the soft guitars, reverberation and casual vocals make for an extraordinary journey.
An incredibly unassuming man from Germany makes the greatest video-game soundtrack of all time, crafting songs which transcend nostalgia and are emotional in their own right. This is due to his exceptional compositional skills and undeniable capability with not just piano, but electronics. It is one of the few albums which I can play and essentially do nothing but listen and perhaps reflect on better times. A very emotional listen for me and so many others.
Every moment in this album feels reflective, emotional, thought-provoking and ultimately blissful. An absolutely beautiful collection of music which takes you on a quest to find yourself and process your emotions. There is honestly nothing left to say, just go and listen to this album already.
There is something special about Tracy Chapman, from the interesting way she structures her songs, to the straight-forward and personal way she writes her lyrics. Tracy delivers an exceptional collection of folk rock, nothing more, nothing less, and I would even go as far as saying this is the best album in the genre.
Pablo Honey is often frowned upon, due to its failure to live up to later projects, but all I am hearing is a perfectly fine collection of grunge and alt-rock. Radiohead would certainly go on to make more interesting and fulfilling music, but this album shows a side of the band which is actually quite refreshing, and sometimes more enjoyable than the slower and melancholy vibe in their later works.
This album possesses a very unique atmosphere, cohesively blending Grimes' soft vocals with upbeat, often 80s inspired production. The songs are shrouded with reverb and cloudy synth pads, and I find that I lose my sense of reality when listening to it, almost as if I am lost in the music. I can certainly see this album growing on me even more.
UNKLE certainly makes a statement here, delivering dark and dusky trip hop music produced by the legendary DJ shadow. A pleasant listen all round, and I admire the creativity, but certain songs fall flat due to being executed poorly. The good however certainly outweighs the mediocre, and I believe there is plenty here to help cement this album as a classic.
If shoegaze wasn't dark and depressing enough, doomgaze might be just the thing for you.
Despite the dark undertone, this album at many points sounds very optimistic; its a good mix of many different emotions. This album is very unique, well put together, and an overall thoroughly enjoyable listen from front to back.
There is something about this style of music which allows you to fully focus on it. The complex textures, fuzzy guitars and vocals which are reluctant in delivery yet somehow very emotionally impactful. Its music for losers, made by losers turned winners, and I absolutely love that about this album.
This is the pinnacle of shoegaze and noise pop.
This album fascinates me in so many different ways, from its unorthodox structure, to its playful lyricism and ingenious song writing and composition.
There is something so comforting about being thrown straight into a melancholic 10 minute opus, followed by a small collection of fun-loving funk tunes. I would not change a thing about this album, apart from adding more tracks.
This is one of the most intriguing projects I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. It fascinates me how someone can create such an experimental record whilst maintaining a variety of enjoyable qualities. Its hypnotic, calming and refreshing.
The Prodigy make a statement with their debut, delivering energetic rave cuts which could move everyone in a room. This album lives up to it's title; just enjoy the experience and don't think too hard about what you're enjoying.
Thriller is the album I think of when I think about music, in general.
This speaks numbers about how instrumental it was in influencing thousands of other artists' sound. This is largely attributed to the masterful songwriting, carefully crafted production, and Michael Jackson's outstanding capability as a performer.
I am convinced you will never meet a person who dislikes this album strongly, as it is a perfect balance of safe and adventurous.
This is probably the all-time greatest collection of pure musical gold.
From the more melancholy moments, to those packed with energy, or to those with a sense of tongue and cheek, this album has everything you need.
If i were to be stuck on an island with one album, I would pick this one in a heartbeat. Long live Stevie Wonder.
Pure psychedelic bliss courtesy of the legendary Jim Morrison and the rest.
This record stands out amongst its contemporaries for its instrumentation; the organ is such a neat instrument, in my opinion. The long and relentless instrumental moments on this album are breathtaking, and the vocals are just as thought provoking.
I could only see this naturally growing on me as time passes.