We all have that one album from our favorite musician/band that we adore. The moment when you push play on your smartphone or CD player, or drop the needle on your turntable you know that you’re mood is going to change. Our favorite albums are something that we carry deep in our hearts. With that, here are my top 10 favorite albums. Trust me, it took a while to sort out my top 10. Here are my top 10 albums in ABC order according to artist:
Arctic Monkeys, AM (2013)
Amazing vocals, catchy guitar riffs, and poetic lyrics sum up this album. What more could you want? The combination of Alex Turner’s sexy voice and poetic lyrics will for sure make you melt. Each song is such a head banger that contains catchy guitar riffs, a banging bass line, and sweet harmonies. The teen angst vibe is real with this album which is why it’s one of my faves. Probably the best album to listen to on blast in the car with your friends late at night or when you want to fuck shit up.
Top Tracks: R U Mine?, Arabella, I Want It All
The Beatles, Rubber Soul (1965)
Not gonna lie, choosing my favorite Beatles album for this article was difficult. I could have gone with Abbey Road but, that’s a little basic. I chose Rubber Soul because it’s smack dab in the Beatles album spectrum. It has a touch of the early ‘goody two-shoes’ Beatles with a hint of ‘mature bad boy’ Beatles. However, this is a folk rock inspired album. You can hear the folk rock influences in John Lennon’s guitar jangle and George Harrison’s sitar playing. This album is a stepping stone towards the psychedelic Beatles era. It’s the perfect album to listen on vinyl and when you just want to chill.
Top Tracks: Girl, Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown), If I Needed Someone
Bruno Mars, Unorthodox Jukebox (2012)
Bruno Mars describes this album in three words: sensual, sensual, and sensual. Speaking as a Hooligan, I can definitely agree with that. (“Gorilla,” anyone?) Not only is this album sensual, it’s also unorthodox. You don’t get one specific genre of songs, but a variety. Each song also tells a different story in it’s own unique way. You can definitely hear Bruno pour his heart and soul into this album. His first album introduced you to his boy next door side but in this album you soon find out he’s a total baddie. I still remember high school me listening to ‘When I Was Your Man’ for the first time and crying over an ex that never existed. The album is THAT good.
Top Tracks: Show Me, Moonshine, When I Was Your Man
Drake, Take Care (2011)
If you didn’t at least say the phrase ‘yolo’ once in 2011, were you even a Drake fan? I remember everyone going crazy when Drake filmed ‘The Motto’ music video in San Francisco! I love this album because Drake did have a lot of collabs in this album. Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, and The Weeknd are featured in this album. Personally I think that this is the best album to “Drake” to. I mean, have you not heard ‘Marvin’s Room’? Simply iconic. Thanks for blessing us, Champagne Papi.
Top Tracks: Marvin’s Room, Crew Love, The Motto
Justin Timberlake, The 20/20 Experience (2013)
I remember fangirling over this album with my friends when it first came out my sophomore year of high school. JT brought Sexy Back in Suit & Tie form. (See what I did there?) The songs in this album are pretty lengthy and range from 5 to 8 minutes. However, you won’t get bored listening to them. This album will make you sing at the top of your lungs and dance like nobody’s watching. This is an awesome album to listen to while you’re getting ready to go out with your girls.
Top Tracks: Pusher Love Girl, Suit & Tie, Let The Groove Get In
Lana Del Rey, Born to Die: Paradise Edition (2012)
This reissue album is the definition of the best of both worlds. You get songs from Lana’s first album, Born to Die and her EP, Paradise. Lana Del Rey is one of my favorites because she has this vintage flare to her music, voice, and fashion. I’m a huge fan of music from the 1960s and Lana has this ’60s flare in her songs. I recommend watching her music videos, they are simply beautiful. She’s the definition of the femme fatale and tells her stories through her songs. The themes in her songs range from: nostalgia, pain, passion, relationships, joy, and freedom. This album is definitely a classic.
Top Tracks: Off to the Races, Diet Mountain Dew, Lucky Ones
Santana, Supernatural (1999)
If it wasn’t for this album, I probably wouldn’t have a passion for rock music. My brother owned this album on CD back in the day. I can still remember hearing Santana’s guitar solos coming out of my brother’s stereo system when I was in preschool. Santana has strong latin roots and rhythm in his songs. His guitar playing in this album is phenomenal which is why he’s my favorite guitarist. I will never forget the time I saw him live at AT&T Park. (Shout out to the random lady for the free floor seats.) Those guitar solos I heard from the Supernatural album were even better live and will be forever engraved in my mind.
Top Tracks: Maria Maria, Corazon Espinado, Smooth
Michael Jackson, Thriller (1982)
It doesn’t get more iconic than this, folks. Michael Jackson’s Thriller is one of my favorite albums to blast through my speakers. He has a duet with a Beatle in this album. A BEATLE. If you’re looking for an album to sing at the top of your lungs to from start to finish, listen to Thriller. I guarantee you by the middle of the album, you’re gonna be doing the ‘Thriller’ arm movements, discreetly grab your crotch, and attempt to moonwalk.
Top Tracks: The Girl Is Mine, Human Nature, P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
Pink Floyd, The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
If you haven’t seen this album cover around anywhere you probably live under a rock. It took me a while to listen to listen to Pink Floyd because I thought they were too experimental. However, I listened to this album and instantly fell in love with it. This isn’t the kind of album where you can skip songs. You HAVE to listen to The Dark Side of The Moon from start to finish. It’s like you’re transported into this rock n roll journey. Yes, the songs are a little lengthy but it’s what makes this album a classic. This is a great album to listen to if you just want to get away from everyone. So lock yourself in your room, turn off the lights, put your earphones on blast, and have a nice trip.
Top Tracks: Any Colour You Like, Money, Time
The Weeknd, Starboy (2016)
Not gonna lie, this is one of my fave albums to listen to when I do homework. There’s something about The Weeknd’s voice that makes me feel relaxed. To be honest, it took me a while to listen to this album. (I go through music phases, don’t yell at me.) I’m so glad I ended up listening to the whole thing. His songs in this album are the definition of bops. Each song is so unique in its own way. Not only is this a great album to listen to while doing homework but also in the shower. Actually nevermind, this is a great album to listen to 24/7.
Top Tracks: A Lonely night, Rockin’, Six Feet Under