For fellow music lovers to discover new music. I might post an album that I’m into at the time, one I’ve loved for a while, or one I just discovered. Regardless, I hope you find joy in them like I do.

Previous Albums of the Week

Lotta Sea Lice by Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile Two titans of the 2010s indie-rock scene, Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile, started jamming together in 2017. Later that year, they released this collaborative album full of sweet, melancholic, calm stories backed by exceptionally restrained guitar sprinkling. This gem of a jam session comes after the praise of Courtney Barnett’s debut double EP and debut album: The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas (2013) and Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit (2015), respectively; meanwhile Kurt Vile was high on the release of his two most successful albums: Wakin On A Pretty Daze (2013) and b’lieve i’m goin down… (2015). The pairing could not have been more serendipitously fitting for the fans, experiencing two legends in their primes. My favorite tracks are “Over Everything,” “Outta the Woodwork,” and “Continental Breakfast.”

Shawcross by Good Morning This group of Australian friends has been putting out consistent bops since 2014. I remember when my college roommate introduced me to this band, and I immediately knew this was my kind of music. Around that time, they released Shawcross with another one of their projects, Glory, and combined them onto a single vinyl LP. Glorcross had Shawcross on Side A and Glory on Side B, and I spun that record all day. They re-released it in 2021, so don’t miss your chance. I waited four years for them to come to Chicago, and they played at the Empty Bottle. For the non-Chicagoans, the Empty Bottle is practically a bar with a stage next to it, very intimate and raw, which quickly became my favorite venue. I got to chat with them and learned about their collections of video games on tour. While at the same time, my friend had been chatting online with them about lending them some games for the tour. Just a genuine group of people playing music for lonely hearts and video games for their lonely minds.

Déjà vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young This supergroup of three singer-songwriters combined their talents for the greater good: Stephen Stills from Buffalo Springfield, David Crosby from The Byrds, and Graham Nash from The Hollies. Their debut album Crosby, Stills, and Nash from 1969, received critical acclaim. Then, in 1970, they expanded. They invited Neil Young, the prolific solo artist and former member of Buffalo Springfield, to join. Together, they created soothing vocal harmonies over lovely acoustic instrumentals. If you give them an honest listen, I guarantee you’ll be humming their melodies later. My favorite tracks are “Our House” and “Almost Cut My Hair.”

The Dream Is Over by PUP This album is full of pain, guilt, satire, regret, love, fear, violence, sorrow, and rage. It’s the complete package. If you don’t like the first two songs, PUP is most likely not for you. But if you do, oh baby, you found your new favorite punk band. From their self-titled debut, PUP, to their most recent THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND, they do not miss. Their shows are absolutely insane, they constantly back charities, and prior to their third album, they released the lyrics and chords to an upcoming song and asked fans to play it. They then created a compilation music video of all of the attempts. Gotta love a fantastic band doing fun things to entertain the world. This album is a masterclass in songwriting and execution. Meet, my favorite album by my favorite modern punk band. Enjoy.

The End of Comedy by Drugdealer Oh man, I remember where I was when this album came out of nowhere and opened my eyes. If you have never listened, it is an epic. From start to finish, an homage to all that came before: a laurel canyon tribute. With collaborations from Weyes Blood, Ariel Pink, and Mild High Club, The End of Comedy is layered with satire and joyous melodies. A full listen-through feels like a movie. Listen, buy this record on vinyl. You will not be disappointed by its up-and-down ambiance. This is not a paid advertisement, but I’m not opposed to payment. My favorite tracks are “The Real World” and “Suddenly”. Enjoy!

To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar If you enjoy hip-hop, you are tired of hearing about To Pimp a Butterfly. Following the acclaim of his third album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, he rolled back into the studio to produce one of the greatest rap records of all time, loaded with skilled musicians and producers like Thundercat, Pharrell, and George Clinton. His creativity continues to impress critics, given his 17 Grammy awards and a Pulitzer prize for music. Hailing from Compton, California, Lamar dealt with more adversity than many of us can imagine, so his storytelling style fills your mind with illustrations you hope never to see. On Juneteenth, he hosted “The Pop Out: Ken and friends,” which featured performances by several artists from LA, including Westside Boogie, DJ Mustard, Dom Kennedy, Roddy Rich, Steve Lacy, Tyler the Creator, Dr. Dre, and the many members of Kendrick’s old label Top Dawg Entertainment (Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, and Schoolboy Q). The pop out was also a part of the beef with Drake, but that was not the highlight. At the pop out, Kendrick managed to unite the LA-area gangs, the West Coast, and the black community. It was a beautifully historic evening. Kendrick Lamar is a true leader and, in my opinion, the greatest rapper of all time. Full album

Tidal by Fiona Apple My first true Fiona experience blew me away. So much genre fusion from folk to soul, to jazz, to pop. The variety in percussive instruments is in itself mesmerizing. The rhythms swing with these percussive chords while her voice bleeds to you. A magnificent collection of production-dense, lyrically intricate concepts from a teenager’s debut album. As it stands, Fiona has released five studio albums, with her most recent, Fetch the Bolt Cutters, dropping in 2020 to critical acclaim. Fiona is a pure artist, and I will listen to her until I die. I will leave you with the speech from her MTV music award win where she quoted Maya Angelou and then proceeded to say: “This world is bullshit. And you shouldn’t model your life, wait a second, you shouldn’t model your life about what you think that we think is cool and what we’re wearing and what we’re saying and everything. Go with yourself.” Full album

IGOR by Tyler, the Creator Thus far, Tyler the Creator’s Magnum opus, I will happily debate that. A splendid blend of R&B, soul, hip-hop, rock, punk, and whatever else your heart wants. IGOR does not stop, each track flowing from one to the next. Tyler took the themes explored in Flower Boy and went to school on IGOR. To me, IGOR is a powerful love story, with side A loaded with upbeat, positive hits. Even claiming “I think I’m falling in love” on “I think.” But fearing the loss of his love on “Running out of time” and “New magic wand,” he desperately becomes their “Puppet.” Eventually, coming to terms with the loss on “Gone, gone/Thank you” and “I don’t love you anymore.” Before finally asking the age-old question, “Are we still friends?.” However, my favorite aspect of this album is how “Are we still friends?” does not resolve. Forcing you to restart it and live a love story all over again. My favorite tracks are “Igor’s Theme” and “Are we still friends.” Full album

Doin It!!!! by The Equatics Do you remember when Pepsi held contests for bands to create a jingle? Me neither, but in 1972, Pepsi hosted a “New Sounds of 1972” contest asking for 30-second demos from bands. A few high school kids in Hampton, Virginia, already had a band, so they submitted a demo and won. Next thing, Pepsi releases drinks with the bottle cap functioning as a voting system, allowing people to vote for which demo they liked the best. Pepsi would then help the winning band record an album. After a local campaign, The Equatics won and traveled to Richmond, Virginia, to record Doin It!!!!. Seemingly, over a weekend, it was recorded and remains for all to hear until the Earth dies, this beautiful artistic endeavor by a group of high school kids. Heavily influenced by prominent funk and soul artists at the time, George Clinton and Bill Withers, this album speaks volumes. If only they went on to do more. My favorite tracks are “Merry Go Round” and “Where is Love?.” Full album

Whatever People Say I am, That’s What I’m Not by Arctic Monkeys Whatever people say I am, That’s What I’m Not is a loud and thought-provoking debut from this British four-piece that exploded into the scene. It became the fastest-selling debut in British chart history. Hailing from Sheffield, England, and being the first band to gain popularity over the internet, you have heard something from them. Their album AM heaves radio hits, but that’s not what we’re talking about. We’re here to listen to heavily distorted guitar transform into a buttery smooth tone. Your British friend could likely name a song off of this album today. That’s how big it was, yet it’s lost in the never-ending library of new music and the shadow of AM. The Arctic Monkeys are just respectable punks. Here’s a clip of the lead singer pointing out a yawn live on SNL. I’d have a beer with them. My favorite tracks are “Riot Van” and “Still Take You Home.” Full album

Trick by Alex G Not many things intrigue me as much as hearing a unique sound in a digestible context. Alex G delivers. Come for the curiosity, but stay for the charming melodies. Called “the internet’s secret best songwriter” by The Fader, Alex G released nine albums over twelve years. Trick, his fourth album, was released before signing to a label. Notably, Alex G is a multi-instrumentalist and records his music at home, except for his most recent album, recorded in a professional studio. A self-made indie star, Alex G is known to play numerous crowd requests at shows until he started playing to large crowds. Here’s to bringing recognition to Trick following his recent Tiny Desk Concert. My favorite tracks are “String” and “Sarah”. Full album

Mr. Soul by Sam Cooke When the “King of Soul” drops an album titled Mr. Soul, you listen to it. A buttery smooth masterpiece from front to back, his ninth studio album is a perfect backdrop for a loving date night or an evening amongst candles and a good book. A prominent face of the civil rights movement, he refused to play segregated shows, using his influence to fight discrimination, as we all should. A recent play turned movie, One Night in Miami, depicts a fictionalized account of a conversation among friends Sam Cooke, Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali, and Malcolm X, discussing steps to take in the civil rights movement. Trust me, add this to your record collection. My favorite tracks are “I Wish You Love” and “For Sentimental Reasons.” Full album

Sprained Ankle by Julien Baker This somber debut delivers. Stories of isolation highlight the visceral struggle felt through Julien’s 20-year-old vocals. The lack of percussion, a stylistic decision in Julien’s early works, lifts the subtle melodic phrases. Julien, of course, would become one-third of the supergroup boygenius with Lucy Dacus and Phoebe Bridgers, and her sound has only matured since Sprained Ankle. My favorite tracks are “Something” and “Sprained Ankle.” Full album

Mama’s Gun by Erykah Badu The sophomore album from the “Queen of Neo Soul.” Following a Grammy-winning triple-platinum debut album, Baduizm, Erykah released another platinum record, Mama’s Gun. Around the same time, Erykah began collaborating with the black-music collective The Soulquarians, which features the infamous band The Roots. In producing Mama’s Gun, The Roots and other Soulquarians make up the majority of credited musicians, i.e. Questlove drums on half of the tracks. This album is a culmination of the soul movement in the late 90s. With Erykah’s political stamps throughout, the stunningly beautiful instrumentals, and clean production, this album influenced modern hip hop. My favorite tracks are “Didn’t Cha Know” and “A.D. 2000.” Fun fact: Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson” is about Erykah Badu’s mom. Full album

Songs of Her’s by Her’s I shutter to write about this one due to the awful nature of the artists’ passing, but their art remains treasured for the icons they were becoming. This duo consisted of a guitarist and vocalist, Stephen Fitzpatrick, bassist Audun Laading, and a drum machine. Simple, yet effective given the complex chord voicings and soulful melodies lifting each track. Stephen’s vocals range from energetic to low-pitched storyteller. Their connection creates a beautiful harmony, evident from their interviews and performances. I enjoy this one in particular. Contagious energy, anyone would love to experience live. Gone but never forgotten. My favorite tracks are “What Once Was” and “Medieval.” Full album

FIDLAR by FIDLAR Punk is alive and well. The debut from this all-star group set the stage for what was to come: pure rage. They fill your punk void: unforgiving lyrics, harsh vocals, catchy distorted rhythms, and blunt truths. FIDLAR, which stands for “fuck it dawg, life’s a risk,” has three albums and recently, as of 2024, dropped four EPs within five months. If you want an actively touring punk band, search no more. Although a member recently left on good terms, they continue to tour. My favorite tracks are “Cheap Beer” and “5 to 9.” Full album

Duke Ellington & John Coltrane by Duke Ellington & John Coltrane So you have never listened to Jazz before, great! Now is your chance! Get ready to listen to a collaboration by two of the greatest players ever. How could you pass that up? Let’s make a deal. Just listen to the first song. If you do not like it, Jazz probably is not for you. Do we have a deal? By coincidence, my favorite track is the opener, titled “In a sentimental mood.” Full album

Tough Love by Forth Wanderers I love layered melodies. One guitar plays a melody while a second melody plays on top. One thing that drew me to the Forth Wanderers was reading that the guitarist writes melodies and sends them to the singer, who will write lyrics and send them back. While listening, you can hear how beautifully the lyrics fit the complex melodies in every song. And I will not forget to credit the uniquely vibrant vocals and polyrhythm drummer. I love this band. It is a shame they have gone, but they served their time. My favorite tracks are “Television” and “Fuck.” Full album

Lush by Snail Mail Lindsay Jordan, famously known as Snail Mail, whose debut album established her as an indie staple. Released just before her 19th birthday, Lindsay shows age is just a number. Meanwhile, she released two EPs and performed on Audiotree Live before turning 18. The next indie talent has arrived. Littered with hypnotizing guitar melodies, Lush delivers emotional stories from an effortlessly tranquil voice. And for that, I am grateful. My favorite tracks are “Deep Sea” and “Pristine.” Please listen responsibly. Full album

Peripheral Vision by Turnover A divergence from their pop-punk form, Turnover gave us Peripheral Vision, an honest and heartbreaking journal entry that outlines the woes of coping with severe anxiety and depression. Turnover strayed from their “pop-punk” sound by relishing heavy reverb, chorus, and delay to create a “wall of sound” background effect throughout the album. With heavily distorted guitars, this album would fall under the lesser-known genre, Shoegaze. But with soft vocals, soft percussion, and lack of guitar distortion, the album is recognized as the even lesser-known genre, Gazecore. Both genres stem from the post-hardcore family of punk. Peripheral Vision is one of my all-time favorite albums because it perfectly either renders the listener empathetic to an anxious and depressed mind or gives solace to those suffering from anxiety and depression. Full album

The Smiths by The Smiths Here’s that excuse you’ve been waiting for to listen to the debut album by one of the greatest British rock bands. Whether or not you enjoy post-punk is irrelevant. Johnny Marr’s catchy guitar melodies, layered with Morrissey’s somber air, soothe the listener’s ears. These two were responsible for completing four albums before their notorious split. For a band that only lasted five years, they left an enormous footprint in the music industry, influencing countless future bands. Remember that scene from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off where they’re roaming the Art Institute of Chicago? Can you hear the song? Well, it is a cover of a Smiths song. There’s your new party quip, enjoy! Full album

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars by David Bowie Whether we know it or not, we have all heard something by the late, great David Bowie. But as a collective work, Bowie’s concept album Ziggy stands at the precipice. “Five Years” discusses impending doom, while “Starman” indoctrinates hope. Bowie began blossoming on his fourth album Hunky Dory and entered superstardom with Ziggy. Maybe you are not a fan of David Bowie, which is fine, but you can surely appreciate that Bowie mastered the art of beginning a song. Just give him a listen: “Changes,” “Oh! You Pretty Things,” “Andy Warhol,” “Moonage Daydream,” “Starman,” “Modern Love,” and “Space Oddity.” Full album

Tapestry by Carole King Ranked 25th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of all Time sits Tapestry by Carole King. The 2nd album from this Laurel Canyon treasure, flooded with hits, is rated 10 out of 10 by Pitchfork and won four Grammy awards. That is no surprise considering its construction by an iconic storyteller and piano-melody songwriter accompanied by well-known musicians James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. Besides its immense musical influence, Tapestry exhibits its cultural significance through its preservation in the Library of Congress. If I have not convinced you to listen to Tapestry by now, this is not the blog for you. Full album

All Things Must Pass by George Harrison George Harrison’s magnum opus. Released the same year as the Beatles infamous breakup, the so-called “quiet one” spoke up. This double LP tells George’s story of growing up in the Beatles. At the release of the Beatles’ fourth album, George was only 21 years old. This album reached worldwide critical acclaim with many radio hits, but my favorite is “Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll).” Such a charitable and loving man taken too soon, but as he would say, all things must pass. Full album

Down in Heaven by Twin Peaks When these indie-punk princes of Chicago moved on from playing in friends’ houses, the people finally listened. A friend group emerging from the south side of Chicago formed Twin Peaks during their high school years. Their initial ethereal garage-rock sound arose from recording on “a crappy iMac from 2004” in a basement. From their basement debut, Sunken, to their Last Supper, Wild Onion, comes their Mona Lisa, Down in Heaven. For those who have struggled with love and happiness in the modern era, this album is for you. Open your mind to the mastery of introspection throughout Down in Heaven. A sense of unapologetic vulnerability cradles you like a warm hug to prevent melancholic lyrics from spinning you off a cliff. You will not regret this listen. My favorite tracks are “Holding Roses” and “Heavenly Showers.” Full album

Loaded by The Velvet Underground Arguably the most influential band of all time’s final album before impending fallout. Chosen to entertain guests at Andy Warhol’s factory parties, The Velvet Underground were a household name in the late 1960s. Supposedly, the name Loaded derives from loading the album with radio hits while being loaded on drugs. Although it remains a less popular Velvet Underground project, it is a masterpiece. With an immaculate stream of hits on side A, you won’t be able to turn it off, and with soothing twin tracks in “I Found a Reason” and “Oh! Sweet Nuthin’” on Side B, there’s a spectacle for everyone. Full album

Salad Days by Mac DeMarco The quintessential indie album, Mac DeMarco, arguably the creator of the modern indie sound, puts his creativity on full display on Salad Days. Mac, known for playing every instrument in his songs, shows prowess by creating incredibly catchy melodies over playfully rhythmic patterns and jazzy chords. My favorite tracks are “Blue Boy” and “Brother”. If you’re more of a garage rock fan, check out his album 2. For those looking for campfire songs, check out This Old Dog. For the disc jockeys, add Rock and Roll Night Club to your collection. Enjoy! Full album

Either/Or by Elliott Smith Elliott Smith’s homage to the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. For those who fantasize about artists rasping somber poems while plucking unique chord voicings under smooth baselines, “Say Yes.” Unfortunately, suffering from mental illness most of his life, he fell deep into alcoholism. His song “Between the Bars” is sung from the perspective of alcohol pleading to an addict. Elliott’s masterful songwriting was timeless. He passed away at 34 years old due to an unconfirmed suicide, a master of his craft taken too soon. Full album

Maggot Brain by Funkadelic George Clinton’s iconic funk masterpiece, Maggot Brain, opens with a beautiful fever dream in the title track. Rumor has it the ten-minute track took one take, and George told guitarist Eddie Hazel to play as if he discovered his mother had died but learns later that she is still alive. That is just the first track. Some tracks create existential wonder, while others free the mind from monotonous dread. My favorite tracks are “Maggot Brain” and “You And Your Folks, Me And My Folks.” I hope you enjoy it. Full album