[776 words, 4 min estimated read time]
I just thought it would be fun to share my favorite music albums that came out this year:
Mentors – Fish in a Birdcage
I can’t remember the last time I was actually waiting for an album to drop, usually I just happen to stumble upon them after an artist has released them. But I happened to go through Fish in a Birdcage’s full song list right before this album dropped, and had time to actually get really excited for it.
One of the things I appreciate the most about Fish in a Birdcage is theres so much experimentation with different genres and each album has a unique feeling to me. I’m not even that big of a fan of all the albums or songs, but because Fish in a Birdcage experiments I think you’re bound to find something you like.
While I think Through the Tides is still my favorite album, this one is a very close second, and given more time I think I’ll enjoy it more and more. Some of my favorites from this album are Rule #35 – Microphone, Rule #36 – Long Way from Home, and Rule #44 – Badger.
Exploitopia – That Handsome Devil
I’d only ever listened through one other album by That Handsome Devil, “The Heart Goes to Heaven, The Head Goes to Hell” (2011), so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but man I ended up really enjoying this album and between the two like it way more (not that the other is bad, but).
I think the songs explore some really interesting themes, while still just being a ton of fun to listen to. I think the one that sold me was Buddha Was a Rich Boy. It goes into how those who are held up as famous philosophers and academics were the wealthy, but also expresses that despite the barriers that exist and critiques of it, there’s still a desire to be part of it.
“Give me something to rebel against / So I can feel more relevant
Give me something to rebel against / I wanna feel intelligent”
Even a song like Tonight that would normally just be a let-loose party song has some really interesting insights. It doesn’t romanticize or idealize the idea of ‘letting loose’, it shows the self-destructive side of it and regret even in the moment at their actions and how it stems from a hate at the lack of control in their life.
“I’m gonna get thrown out of the club /
I’m gonna write my name on the side of something /
I’m gonna take pride in something /
I’m gonna feel like I’m alive or something (Tonight!)”
“I’m going to lose a shoe wondering what the hell did I do? (Tonight!) /
I am going to break my phone, I’m going to wander through streets alone (Tonight!)”
Hyperdrama – Justice
This album’s just fun. This was one of those albums where I had no idea it was coming out and only heard afterwards, and I’m so glad I did. I’d only listened through one other of Justice’s albums, the title album from 2007, but as soon as I saw the first track was a collab with Tame Impala I knew it’d be a fun time.
Alligator Bites Never Heal – Doechii
I’d heard Nissan Altima before the rest of the album had dropped, and went in expecting more fast-paced songs like it, but quickly came around to the tone of the album when I realized how much more introspective it was gonna be. I think my favorites from the album are probably Denial is a River or Beverly Hills.
Denial is a River is both such a great recap song for Doechii to just share what’s been going on in her life while still being self aware and introspective, while on top of that just being such a fun song to listen to.
And Beverly Hills is just so nice to listen to. I don’t really know the words to describe why I love it so much it but it’s one I just keep coming back to, it has such a beautiful flow to it.
And if you just want a fun fast-paced song, I think Nissan Altima is one of my favorites by Doechii.
Brat – Charli xcx
Sorry to put the bright green here at the end but, yeah I just had a good time listening to this album.
In particular though I really liked the expanded album. I feel like it actually did a really good job adding interesting additions with some of the songs features, my favorite probably being “Girl so Confusing” with Lorde.
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