If you know me, you know that I am constantly making playlists and listening to music. I love to explore all types of genres and eras, but this often leaves me knowing only a handful of songs from many different artists. There are, however, some songs that left me so utterly mesmerized that I had to check out the rest of the album that it came from. The following five albums are, in my opinion, the greatest albums of all time.
- Rumors by Fleetwood Mac (1977)
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I’m starting this list with my favorite album of all time. Rumors is a lyrical masterpiece that completely encapsulates the drama surrounding it. The album has influences from genres like pop, folk, and rock that are perfectly blended together into one cohesive unit.
If I was only allowed to listen to one album for the rest of my life I would pick this one with no hesitation. I would pick it solely for the treasure of a song that is “The Chain.” Fleetwood Mac could have easily let everything going on in their personal lives get the best of them, but instead, they channeled their emotions into songwriting and launched themselves into the peak of their careers.
- Melodrama by Lorde (2017)
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It was very difficult for me to choose which of Lorde’s albums to include on this list. As much as I adore Pure Heroine, I think that her second studio album takes bigger risks, and that is why I decided to include it on this list. This album has some genuinely heartbreaking songs that are perfect for when you want to get in your feels, but it also has songs like “Green Light” that make you want to scream along at the top of your lungs. I cannot wait to see what else Lorde has in store for her third album. (If she ever decides to release it).
- Hozier by Hozier (2014)
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Like with Lorde, I also had an extremely hard time choosing which of Hozier’s albums to include on this list, but I had to stick with the classic. Every single song on this album elicits such strong emotions from me, and I just can’t sit still while listening. This was one of the first indie rock albums I ever listened to, and I have been hooked ever since. Hozier’s voice is so unique and gorgeous that I would even be willing to listen to him sing happy birthday over and over again.
- Arrival by ABBA (1976)
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I don’t really have any logical reasoning for adding this album to my list—I just think it is so much fun. Online I have often seen the question: “What song would wake you up from a coma?” My answer to that question is any ABBA song ever made. There is no album that has ever made me want to get up and dance as much as this one has, and I always will.
- Stranger in the Alps by Phoebe Bridgers (2017)
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Rounding out my list, we have the heartbreaking debut album by Phoebe Bridgers. Bridgers’ voice is absolutely mesmerizing, and I could just listen to her sing all day. I was immediately hooked on this album, and it took me on an emotional roller coaster from start to finish. I can’t wait to witness Phoebe Bridgers grow as a musician and keep making people all over the world ridiculously sad.
Whether you are a music fanatic, or just simply someone looking for some new songs to listen to, I hope you were able to find something on your list that piqued your interest.