albums I like
Click on the title to read a short review
Paranoia, Angels, True Love
Christine and the Queens
My current go-to album for medium background music to work to. It's very coherent and beautiful. I especially love Angels crying in my bed and Track 10.
SAYA
Saya Gray
One of the coolest new artists and my favorite album of 2025 so far. I saw Saya in NYC in May and she's just as good in person.
Eusexa
FKA Twigs
I love all of FKA Twigs' projects. Eusexa isn't my favorite, and I will admit I didn't love her concert, but this album is still a must listen.
Sable, Fable
Bon Iver
An album I've waited for for 6 years, and well worth the wait. Disc 2 is so uplifting.
Saint Cloud
Waxahatchee
Waxahatchee's 2020 project that originally got me hooked. I would listen to this on repeat and not get bored.
I Disagree
Poppy
One of the coolest combinations of pop and metal I've heard. I love the energy of this album.
choke enough
Oklou
Chill and peaceful EDM. I first discovered Oklou through a collab with Caroline Polachek and I've been a fan ever since.
The Crux
Djo
Djo's goal to bring back classic rock on this album works well imo. The album doesn't do anything particularly new but it's a fun listen.
For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)
Japanese Breakfast
How can you not love a Japanese Breakfast album?
19 Masters
Saya Gray
Much more experimental than her new album SAYA, this one took a little longer to get into. But there are some truly beautiful songs: Pap Test, SHT, Empathy for Bethany, If there's no Seat in the Sky, and Sadness Residue are my favorites.
Shabrang
Sevdaliza
Another excellent combination of electronic and pop music. A friend introduced me to Sevdaliza back in 2018 and I can't get enough. Her recent turn is into reggaeton but this album is the peak of her original sound.
I know I'm funny haha
Faye Webster
Faye Webster has such a unique voice quality. I love the twang to her music.
Unreal Unearth
Hozier
I saw Hozier in 2024 at Boston Calling and was so impressed by his performance. Out of any singer, his voice is the one I aspire to most.
BREAD
Soffi Tukker
One of the few artists I've seen live multiple times. I saw Soffi Tukker in 2022 at Yale and in 2024 at Roadrunner in Boston. They have the perfect blend of pop, EDM, and Brazilian music.
Don't Forget Me
Maggie Rogers
Maggie Rogers went a little more mainstream with this album, but I don't think that's a problem. It's a comfortable and fun listen. I especially love The Kill and Don't Forget Me, seeing those live was like a dream.
empathogen
Willow
Those who know Willow as Will Smith's daughter will be surprised by this album's depth and complexity of sound. Willow's voice masterfully combined with jazz themes and rhythms blends into a cohesive, albeit too short, album. Symptom of Life is by far my favorite song (and has an impressive time signature of 7/4 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=YxYVEa_urTo).
Illinois
Sufjan Stevens
20 years later and I still can't stop listening. I went to see the musical version on Broadway in 2024 and it was the best show I've ever seen. Very sad it's not running anymore.
Desire, I want to turn into you
Caroline Polachek
My top album of 2023, from my favorite artist. No skips!
Pang
Caroline Polachek
Caroline's breakout album and the album that solidified her as my favorite artist when I saw her in New Haven back in 2021. Yes, she does sound like this live too! Truly an artist in the greatest sense of the word.
22, A Million
Bon Iver
I genuinely think that this album changed my conception of what music is and what it can be for. The blend of folk and electronic music is one of the most unique sounds out there. For me, this is an album about lost love and the painful yet carthatic process of moving on. Of note: through 715 - Creeks I fell in love with the vocoder sound. 33 'God' has one of the most moving single lyrics of any song I know: 'These will just be places to me now' is so painful and yet optimistic at the same time.