Pretty damn great 2-tone/ska album. If only there was More Specials... Oh wait.
"A Message to You Rudy" is a great all-time track, and will always get an obligatory "aah aah" out of me. I like the sound of the verses to "Do the Dog" but unfortunately can't take the chorus seriously. "Monkey Man" is simply good to listen to, and as a Toots & The Maytals fan, it gets a thumbs up from me. The intro bass of "Dawning of a New Era" is dope, love it when Terry Halls just be screaming. I love the chorus of "Blank Expression," point blank. "Little Bitch" is really nice sonically n all, but Lord that song could not be gotten away with in 2026. The guitar work on "Too Much Too Young" is nice asf. The knocking on the door in the intro of "You're Wondering Now" kind of jumpscares me when it comes on in my car unexpected, but great song overall, songs sung like that shouldn't be good, but it is. Has a couple songs that I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to, but lots of good ska tracks.

Introducing this album to a Victorian orphan I think would cause instant brain hemmorhaging. Kate's vocals on "Moving" feels like my brain is waving side to side inside my cranium. "Strange Phenomena" feels like an alien's idea of what David Bowie sounds like. I have no clue why I like "Kite," it feels like art-pop circus music. "Wuthering Heights" is really damn good for some reason I can't exactly name. It wasn't until I read the book Wuthering Heights in my late teens that I understood why she sounds like a cartoon ghost on this, I thought that was just Kate Bush being Kate Bush and I didn't question it. I used to do a really good Toad (from Mario) impersonation, with the sole caviat that I could only do Toad singing this song. I'm fond of "Oh to Be in Love," the background vocals being deep male voices accompanied by Kate Bush's voice which is so high that dogs within a thirty mile radius will start barking, is nicely complimentary. "Them Heavy People" is cutesy. I think everyone should be mandated to hear these songs at least once as a litmus test for "I listen to everything!" types. Also, absolutely fucking absurd that this album was released by a 19 year old in 1978, with some of the songs being written at 13. I don't know what is wrong with her, but please never stop.

This album has the ballads you probably expect from Céline like "The Reason" and "Immortality," sure, but then she throws in a fuckin Jamaican dancehall track out of the blue. I have to appreciate "Treat Her Like a Lady," and I hate to admit that I like it 😭. There's no reason on Earth why a Québécoise lady should sound okay on a dancehall song. "Why Oh Why" is a pleasant song, and fits her voice well. Oh yeah, and then she starts singing in fuckin Spanish on "Amar haciendo el amor," and it's actually great, love the chorus. And then she has a nice dance-pop song in the form of "Just a Little Bit of Love." Oh yeah, and then "My Heart Will Go On" is also on this album. You see, in my childhood I probably saw Titanic (no joke) like twenty times and that poor VHS tape was ran through. The song is prescribed into my brain, and upon request, you too can hear me badly sing it's chorus via text message voice memo. This album makes no sense as a collective body but honestly it is not that big of a deal.

Contrary to Orwell's works of fiction, 1984 was a GREAT year for music! Sade Adu, you are loved, trust and believe. "Smooth Operator" may be one of the best album openers of all time, it enchants you in with a monologue, and then slides you into the vibe that will carress you tightly for the rest of the album. If I had a nickel for everytime I've heard this song covered by some live band or a lone saxophone player, I may get a dollar! "Your Love Is King" is a horny lady anthem, gotta have 'em. "Hang On To Your Love" is funky asf and the pre-chorus is beautiful. "Frankie's First Affair" is a nice slow-down that I appreciate. "When Am I Going To Make A Living" is relatable and amazing. "Cherry Pie" hits and has real nice instrumentation. "I Will Be Your Friend" is a lovely track for everyday listening. How the actual fuck is this anyone's debut album? NO SKIPS! Everyone say thank you Sade! If you pronounce it "say-d" I'm tackling you.

Amazing vibe, energy, and production. Whenever a song from this album comes on in my car w/ friends and acquaintances, people immediately fuck w/ her sound. The slow parts of this album don't wow me as much, but when this album is high-level, parts of my body will be shaking that were previously stones. "Eh Eh" is danceable asf, maybe a lil' repetitive, but I suppose that's a part of the enthusiasm. I used to think that in "Sabry Aalil" there was surely some electronic effect on her voice to make it sound almost cut together in the verses (which I fucked w/), but then I saw a video of her sing that shit live and NOPE, she legit can just make her voice sound like that. She doesn't pause nor breathe! "Ah Law Gany Tany" for some reason reminds me a lil' of the theme to The Wizards of Waverly Place, but I am not complaining. The beat in "Ana Fel Gharam" hits like an eighteen-wheeler into a bag of dough, dope asf. "Bos Ba2a" is delightful. If the Americans ever start sampling Arab music like they were in the 90's, I suspect Sherine will be getting paid royalty fees like crazy.

The fact that Prince's early works had so little help from others on them is genuinely absurd to me. If I am TMI, Prince was like my first ever "celebrity crush" as a child and if you are wondering why, please blame this album cover. I will leave that there. "I Wanna Be Your Lover" is so quintessentially Prince, it is funky and disco-y in a way I adore. The intro to "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?" supercharges my brain. Great bass work. No matter how many people cover "I Feel for You," nobody is fuckin' beating Prince, yes I am looking at you Chaka! Good memories associated w/ this song. I remember listening to "Bambi" in surplus when I was in High School and it still feels great today. "With You" is a cute ballad, not something I'm going back to constantly necessarily, but nice. How can you not immediately want to move your feet when the first second of "Sexy Dancer" hits your ears? If you like disco, funk, and pop, or the 70s/early 80s sound in general, you are missing out if you have not listened to this full album. I wish I could say this was a more complex album, or even that I love all the songs neccessarily, yet in spite of that, Prince's self-titled album remains probably my most-listened to album of his.

One of my favorite rap albums of the 90's for a long time now. Mos Def (now called Yasiin Bey) is great at his craft and doesn't play around with his lyrics. Speaks on real shit, and for such a well-known album, it does not shy away from what's going on IN THE SLIGHTEST, which I appreciate. I don't know anybody who sounds like him, the texture of voice is just his. The way this album sounds is so rich. "Fear Not Of Man" does its job as the album's opener and acquaints you with what you're in for. "Ms. Fat Booty" is just so good, and the production and sampling is a master-class. "UMI Says" is a nice change in sound expectations and tickles my brain nicely. "Mathematics" has only continued to age like fine wine, y'all ain't out-woking this motherfucker, don't bother trying! I have a WHOLE ton of respect for him as an artist for this album and his other works, you got babies out here begging their favorite pop stars to not be comically evil, when people like this exist? Why bother futilely turning shit into gold, when gold's already here! "Know That" hits hard as fuck, great track. If I had to listen to only one rap album for the remainder of my life, Black on Both Sides is a definite candidate.

Legitimately how is this album better known for her getting mollywhopped by a lion in the photoshoot and not the music??? Priorities people! "Feelin' That The Feeling's Good" feels like caressing your hands on warm linens. "Love And Its Glory" is so maternal and pretty. "Simple Things" feels like a hug. "Don't Let Anyone Bring You Down" is this lovely whimsical confident song. Minnie just leaks spirit and beauty out of every pore of her body. So damn good!!!

Classic great Fairuz album. Lowkey have no clue what year it was released 'cause I keep finding contradictory results. "Al Bostah" is just great vibes all around, who knew a song about a bus could be that good? The title track "Wahdon" feels devastating and emotional to the core of your being. When I got around to translating (I'm not an Arabic speaker) it only hit 50x harder.

I had the immense privilege of seeing her live in 2025, and no joke, this woman got like eight standing ovations (including from people who could hardly stand!). She's THAT talented. She has the kind of vocal jazz talent that feels once in a generation, and it is a pleasure seeing her get more and more into her own styling every year. Great album to put on as ambience or if you have an appreciation for classic jazz. "Reincarnation of a Lovebird" showcases her abilities very well. "You Stepped Out of a Dream" feels like rain trickling down your skin. "No More Blues" is cutesy and lovely, gots some great vocal chops too. Love the band on this.

Is it even humanly possible to dislike Baduizm? Self-referential, soothing, and manages to find beauty in relative minimalism in an era where music was loud asf. "On & On" is a fuckin' amazing song, and as will be a common theme with the remainder of Badu's discography, she captures an aura with her sound that seldom needs further explanation. "Appletree" feels almost conversational and bears the melodic energy of sitting amongst tall grass in a lukewarm apple orchard, just pretty. "Certainly" is gritty and jazzy, and has this ominousness exuding out of it to accompany the lyrics. For some reason it has always sonically been my favorite song on this album, maybe not for listening w/ others, but I feel like I'm being put into a trance by a snake charmer with the musicality of it. "Afro" is a nice jazzy freestyle, and even Erykah's most stripped-back songs still are enchanting. "Next Lifetime" is so great, and she captures how she feels about her relationship issues, sometimes not even needing words to do so! So many great tracks.

The only thing that takes away from this album is the fact its a live album from the 70's before today's recording technology. There are moments where the live setting of this album though sends it into another dimension though, the way the crowd interacts with him in the intro of "The Ghetto" is amazing. Don't get me started on "You've Got a Friend" where the crowd harmonizes with him. And we can't forget "Jealous Guy," which... damn. I feel it everytime, lemme tell you. "We're Still Friends" feels like getting stabbed in the guts. Donny was so damn talented and it is such a shame we didn't get more from him. Such an amazing awe-worthy voice.

Love this album. There's a reason she's the Queen of Tejano Music, people! "Como La Flor" is obviously the big hit off of it, and it is (expectedly) amazing. "Yo Te Sigo Queriendo" and "¿Qué Creias?" are the type of songs that's got me singing at the top of my lungs in my car. "La Carcacha" is fun as fuck to dance to with friends (and their aunties). "Missing My Baby" feels like it was thrown in last minute sonically, but is an appreciated addition that's delightfully 90's. Not every song really is a "Oh wow, I love this" moment, but plenty of great hits on here.

This may be my favorite Nina Simone album, it is just beautiful. I don't think an album exists with a name that captures the energy better then this; the songs are either silky, smooth, and magestic, or filled to the brim with just complete soul - and trust - her piano skills are on full display here. I have very vivid memories of listening to album (I had it downloaded) on nonstop repeat in my senior~ year of High School. "Lots O' Love," "Cherish," "Consummation," and "The Look of Love" just do something calming to my nervous system like a drug. God, the part where she gets loud in the middle of "Cherish" just does something to me. "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free" is such a great political song and hits so hard. "Save Me," "Why Must Your Love Well Be So Dry," and "Go to Hell" are suburb tracks on the more upbeat end of things. MWAH. 💋

While I do like the more psychadelic sound on alot of Joplin's earlier works, I really do like the sound of her final two albums, feels more emotive. Her raspy vocals are nice, there's a nice lil' soul, country, and funk inspo on this album while still maintaining her very-much rock roots. I can tell you I listened to an absurd amount of Janis in my mid-teen years, and relistening to it feels nostalgic. The instrumentation on "As Good As You've Been to This World" is amazinggg. "Maybe" and "To Love Somebody" makes me feel like I'm sitting out on a dock on a warm day. "Try" was and probably still is my favorite song off this album for everyday listening. "One Good Man" is a classic. Pretty damn good, and though this album as a package feels amazing, I think it gets overshadowed by some of the big hits on her other works throughout her short life.

While not the most cohesive album in the world, Frank is absolutely a perfect résumé for what Amy Winehouse was capable of as a singer-songwriter. The fact she was only 20 years old and singing in the way she did, with the sort of musical repertoire she had? Crazy work. This album tackles jazz, R&B, and hip-hop head on in a way that only Amy could really embody at that time. "Take the Box" is so vocally amazing (highly recommend watching live videos of her singing it), "In My Bed" is something that's going to have you bopping your head, "What Is It About Men?," "Brother," and "Amy Amy Amy" are the type of brutally honest songs that really make you appreciate her nerve, and "Stronger Than Me" really sells you her personality. As a complete package, I don't know if it is five stars material, but when split into its constituant parts it is a very beautiful piece of work. Frank is the type of album that you no joke feel like you're just straight up reading someone's diary.

I don't know what I was expected when I listened to her for the first time many years ago as per the suggestion of many a queer friend, but it was not this. How the fuck were half these songs released in 1995? "Army of Me" running on a car radio hits so hard you feel it in your innards, "Enjoy" and "I Miss You" are very fun tracks, "Hyper-ballad" makes you feel kind of like you're being raptured, and just when you think you're beginning to understand Björk's music she throws "It's Oh So Quiet" at you. I find it difficult to capture words that justify why anyone listens to Björk, and I think that is what I love about her. I find myself on occasion continually going back to her discography, even though it never makes sense exactly why.

My favorite rap mixtape/album to be dropped in recent years. Enough said. I've had my eyes on her for a lil' while now, and when she dropped this it felt like the equivalent of dropping a nuclear bomb on a bunch of coughing babies. "BOILED PEANUTS" and "BULLFROG" are so damn gritty and deep, and I love it. "CATFISH" carries that same energy and has my favorite bar on the album. When I listened to "NISSAN ALTIMA" for the first time I had to stop the track and reverse it back a couple times because I was just blown away. I know that song front to back to this very minute in 2026. I need the damn industry to catch tf up. I wish I could say I vibed with all the songs on the album, but the ones I really fuck with are so damn good that I don't care if there's a song or two I may be inclined to skip.

Potential jokes about the album name aside, this is my favorite Dinah album. It was the first of her's that I ever purchased physically (my second ever jazz~ record), and lemme tell y'all, it is great if you love vocal jazz, swing, and bluesy music. This lady could sing a damn phonebook and somehow make it sound amazing and bring character, charisma, and personality into every word. Dinah Washington is a masterclass on expressing personhood and emotion through lyrics. There's artists out here writing their own fuckin' songs, and singing it monotone on the damn record! Even songs that are almost tacky nowadays like "Makin' Whoopee" have such expressiveness and even humor in it (and WOW, those vocals!). Her renditions of "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye," "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?," and "Somebody Loves Me" are classics in my book, fight with your mother, NOT me! Even my old man agrees w/ me! (P.S., how is it physically possible that Quincy Jones' name is on so many amazing albums... Did he just not sleep for decades?)

I do appreciate Zachary Richard's relatively unique sound within the realm of Creole and specifically Cajun music. He blends genres and makes them into something Creole which is so interesting to hear. "J'ai Été Au Bal" is a fun dance track where he's scream-singing half the time. "Chanquis Chanque" is another dance track that feels almost a lil' bluesy and rock'n'roll inspired. I'm quite fond of "Colinda," it feels nostalgic for some reason; something my Dad would really like if he could speak French (he actually likes Creole music alot despite not understanding it, but I digress). "On A Beau Dit" feels like it should be playing at my funeral, he got Catholic af on that track w/ the way he sings. I read an article at some point that the song "Réveille," (if my memory serves me correctly) got him kicked from attending a musical festival because of its politics against Americanization. I like his later stuff better by a long shot, but I like the experimentalness of this record.

I'm tellin' y'all, no matter how many times I listen to this album, it has NEVER gotten old. Her voice is simultaneously harsh yet smooth like butter, her lyricism witty, self-aware, and emotionally devastating, and her production, pen, and band's game is like nothing else. There's so few albums from the 2000's that I listen to where you wouldn't be able to tell when it was released, and this is one of them. It uses this old styling and instrumentation style that you just straight up don't hear today (except for when people are crudely trying to replicate her sound), and you can tell that Winehouse and the others who worked on this project were legit about their love and adoration for jazz, R&B, and blues music. There ain't a single part of this album where I am thinking, "Wow, Amy sounds like INSERT PERSON HERE," everything is so eviscerally her. "Wake Up Alone" is one of those songs that I cannot listen to unless I'm trying to ruin my day, the title track has been an (unfortunate) soundtrack to a breakup or two in my life, "Me & Mr. Jones" is such a classic, and "Addicted" is one of those songs that remind you to not take life too seriously. There's a reason probably half of your favorite artists nowadays cite this lady as an inspiration to their craft!

So, this was my #1 listened-to album of 2025, and for great reasons. The lyrics are so amazing, and it genuinely pisses me off that I'm probably missing out on additional nuance as a non-Spanish speaker. The sound has amazing range w/ awe-worthy production and legitimately transports you to another place. No shade to the competition that year, but y'all ain't comparing to this. My favorite track was "CAFé CON RON," though "NUEVAYoL" comes in close second. I couldn't go anywhere for at least four months without hearing "EoO," the pen-game in "LA MuDANZA" is wicked, and there's so many songs on this album that I would be shocked if they don't become classics listened to many years from now. I will finish this off w/ the following line: "Aquí mataron gente por sacar la bandera / Por eso es que ahora yo la llevo donde quiera, cabrón, ¿qué fue?"

I don't know that I would describe someone's eleventh studio album as their arrival per se, mais mon Bon Dieu, does she arrive striking on this album. This was the first album of hers that I listened to front to back many years ago, and also the first physical record of Franklin's I bought. If you're looking for a pretty damn good showcase of the absolute vocal powerhouse that was Aretha Franklin, this is just a fraction of her power, and she still blows me away. If you're an artist, and she covers your song, be comfortable w/ the fact that she's going to do it better than you. The entire second side of this album is my favorite, from "That's Life," to "Baby, I Love You," (probably my most listened to song of Aretha's in general), and "I Wonder." Her rendition of "Never Let Me Go" is so damn good. Is it her most unique album in the world, and would I describe it as her best, perhaps not, but that has not stopped me from playing this shit front-to-back over the years.