If there is one thing that can resuscitate me, it’s my Spotify Wrapped. While it’s obvious that Spotify Wrapped reminds us of all of the wonderful music that we’ve listened to, it also reminds us of what we’ve discovered and obsessed over. I’ve fallen in love with several albums throughout the year. However, when looking at my Spotify wrapped, there are a few albums that stand out to me. These are some of the albums that I fell in love with, and I highly recommend that you give them a listen.
- Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd by Lana Del Rey
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Lana Del Rey is an artist who has fascinated me for several years, but I, unfortunately, never took the time to explore her discography. I knew her classics, but I wanted to listen to more of her music. As the year progressed, this album, and this artist, have become staples in my playlists. This album transports me into another world. Every time I listen to a song from it, I discover a new detail. Some of my favorites at the moment are “Fishtail,” “Paris, Texas” (feat. SYML), “Sweet,” and “Margaret” (feat. Bleachers). I can’t get enough of this album, and I’ll definitely be streaming it for a long time.
- Unreal Unearth by Hozier
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Besides the iconic song “Take Me to Church,” I knew nothing about Hozier or his music. Thankfully, my roommate told me to listen to Unreal Unearth, and it might have been the best decision I’ve made recently. The lyrics and the instrumentation are simply captivating. This album is special and I struggle to find words to describe my love for it. I can confidently say that Unreal Unearth is beautiful and a must-listen. Some of my current obsessions are “I, Carrion (Icarian),” “Abstract (Psychopomp),” and “Francesca.”
- Preacher’s Daughter by Ethel Cain
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I can’t get enough of this album. Ethel Cain suddenly popped into my playlist with her song “American Teenager” earlier this year. However, as I explored the rest of this album, I knew I discovered an album that’s equally as unique as it is beautiful. I can’t wait for more music from her. My current favorites are “A House In Nebraska,” “Gibson Girl,” and “Sun Bleached Flies.” It’s rare that you find an artist that can make a seven to 10-minute song feel like three minutes. Preacher’s Daughter is an album that has made an impact on my life, and I’m thankful to have found and listened to it this year.
- Jaguar II by Victoria Monét
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Dare I say this is one of, if not my favorite R&B projects released this year. It’s about time Victoria Monét is getting the flowers she deserves. I can’t believe that the world is now fully realizing the powerhouse that Monét is. From her music to her songwriting to her performing skills, this R&B artist is truly everything. I first fell in love with her music in 2020, when Jaguar was released, and have been anxiously waiting for new music ever since. Jaguar II is a no-skip album for me. If you are looking for a fun, beautiful, and exceptional R&B album, you must tune in right now. My current favorite tracks are “Alright,” “Good Bye,” and “Hollywood” (feat. Earth, Wind, & Fire & Hazel Monét).
- Live For Me by Omar Apollo
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Okay, this isn’t an album, but an EP, nevertheless, it has a special place in my heart. I think this has to be some of Omar Apollo’s best work. While there are only four songs, each one is beautiful and holds a lot of meaning to the indie artist. All four tracks consume my mind 24/7, but “Angel” is at the forefront, and is the standout track for me. Apollo’s EP is definitely one of my favorite projects of all time, and I’m begging for more music similar to Live For Me.
This is just scratching the surface of the music I listened to and fell in love with. For example, some other albums I loved are The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We by Mitski and Javelin by Sufjan Stevens. Honestly, I can go on forever about every song or album that I’ve discovered, fell in love with, rediscovered, etc. At the end of the day, music is a personal outlet for everyone and these albums scratch my brain in a certain way that I have a hard time describing. I hope that you listen to these bodies of work at least once if you haven’t already. A few years ago, I would’ve never imagined tuning in to these albums. However, you’d be surprised how fun and rewarding discovering new music can be.