November is officially here, and I am so glad because that means Texas can finally experience cooler days more consistently. With the changing temperature also comes the end of the year, and this is one that has brought 2016 back for many of us. So, to bid the year a farewell, here are a few albums that will both let you say goodbye to 2026 and give you a dose of nostalgia.
Tourist History – Two Door Cinema ClubÂ
Two Door Cinema Club is an Irish band that became best known for their songs “What You Know” and “Undercover Martyn” in 2010. If you were on Musically (TikTok before it became TikTok), you were probably familiar with their sound, as it was one of the trending audios at the time. Their music provides a more gleeful and energetic feel, highlighting the simplicity of childhood in the early 2010s.Â
Tourist History is one of my most listened-to albums by them, as it gives me nostalgia, but in a more light-hearted way, rather than the dread nostalgia is so often associated with. I think it’s the perfect album to sing the year goodbye to.Â
Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys – My Chemical Romance
Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge has always been one of my favorite MCR albums. However, I have recently been listening to Danger Days nearly every day while studying. Unlike previous albums, like The Black Parade, I Brought You My Bullets, and You Brought Me Your Love, which provide a moodier atmosphere, Danger Days provides a more upbeat atmosphere. I LOVE this album! Apart from the change in themes, its lyrics as well as music videos paint a dystopian future with a message of resistance against dominant forces.Â
If you want a hit of nostalgia with some powered-up energy, I recommend giving this album a listen. It’s very difficult to choose favorites, but some include:Â
- “S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W”
- “Planetary (GO!)”
- “The Only Hope for Me Is You”
Sale el Sol – ShakiraÂ
The throwback of throwbacks! I remember taking a long road trip with my family and having this album on repeat, just staring out the window, wishing to get to our destination quickly. From the title track to the end of this album (remixes included), Shakira brings all the vibes! She always does; maybe it’s the familiarity I have with the album that makes this one of my favorites. There’s a mix of calm, with songs like “Antes de las Seis” and “Mariposas,” and a more upbeat dance beat as well, with “Loca” and “Rabiosa.”
If not this album, honestly any of Shakira’s older albums are a great hit of nostalgia that will allow you to happily close the year.