Sorry if there is already a thread for this, but I couldn’t find one.
My top faves so far (no particular order yet):
Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over The Country Club
St. Vincent - Daddy’s Home
Prince - The Truth (Technically re-release, but first wide release)
Prince - Welcome 2 America
Various Artists - In The Heights - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
Barbra Streisand - Release Me 2
Yola - Standing For Myself
Laura Mvula - Pink Noise
Leon Bridges - Gold-Digger’s Sound
interested in others’ picks. Last year’s thread helped me give some albums another chance, resulting in them becoming some of my favorites of the year.
Compared to last year, this year started off slow, but recent releases have me feeling more optimistic about this year.
- [ ] Lorde - Solar Power - [ ] Olivia Rodrigo - Sour - [ ] Angel Olsen - Aisles - [ ] Chvrches- Screen Violence - [ ] Halsey - If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power
Based on the two songs released so far, I’m also very excited for:
- [ ] Kacey Musgraves - star-crossed
Also, while disappointed that it may initially a digital release only, looking forward to Lil Nas X’s Montero. He has definitely defied my every expectation.
- [ ] Lorde - Solar Power - [ ] Olivia Rodrigo - Sour - [ ] Angel Olsen - Aisles - [ ] Chvrches- Screen Violence - [ ] Halsey - If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power
Based on the two songs released so far, I’m also very excited for:
- [ ] Kacey Musgraves - star-crossed
Also, while disappointed that it may initially a digital release only, looking forward to Lil Nas X’s Montero. He has definitely defied my every expectation."
Miles, Did you purchase Kacey's cd? Although I've only listened once, I'm kind of disappointed. She is usually a favorite. I found my mind wandering multiple times while listening. Hopefully, it will grow on me.
Yes, I bought it on CD, several vinyl variants, etc…
Needless to say, it’s one of my favorites of the year. I will say I was a bit underwhelmed on first listen, but it’s really grown on me. After multiple complete listens almost every song has stayed with me. Still, lots of clever lyrics paired with great pop hooks.
Miles2Go2 said: "Yes, I bought it on CD, several vinyl variants, etc…
Needless to say, it’s one of my favorites of the year. I will say I was a bit underwhelmed on first listen, but it’s really grown on me. After multiple complete listens almost every song has stayed with me. Still, lots of clever lyrics paired with great pop hooks."
You were right. After multiple listens, I really love it. I'm not sure about the last song. It seems out of place. Any insights?
I don’t have any insights other than it’s a concept album about the stages of the dissolution of a relationship and ends in joy/hope. And I believe Gracias a la vida translates to “ Thanks to life.” Having said that, it’s not my favorite song on the album.
Are you a Reba fan? Next week she is releasing a 3 cd remixed set. I love her and usually buy everything she puts out. But 3 cds are a little too much, so I'm not sure on this one.
Most of the albums you named, along with Pressure Machine (The Killers), A Beginner's Mind (Sufjan Stevens/Angelo De Augustine), and MONTERO (Lil Nas X).
I just discovered the band Lawrence, and I absolutely love their sound, which is a pop-soul-funk fusion. They dropped their newest album Hotel TV this year, and they put an acoustic gospel version of their song Don't Lose Sight on their YouTube channel.
Yes I like Montero quite a bit and I love what I have heard of A Beginner's Mind (ordered signed vinyl and am waiting until it arrives to give a full spin).
Also, Tori Amos released the first song (“Speaking To Trees”) from her upcoming album (Ocean to Ocean) today. I know she can be a acquired taste for some, but I’ve listened to it on a loop today.
My favorite Album of the year is TERRA FIRMA by the brilliant Tash Sultana!
Seriously, I urge everyone who reads this to check out Tash Sultana as they are one of the most brilliant musicians alive and it boggles my mind that they are not more well known. Their show at Red Rocks in late 2019 was a religious experience.
Tash is a 26 year old non binary, one person band, from Melbourne Australia, who got their start busking on the streets. They’re a looper who creates their music live through looping. They play 20+ instruments and has a 6 octave range. Think Janis Joplin mixed with Jimmy Hendrix and John Mayer (w/ their guitar skills). Seriously check them out and thank me later.
Their living room performance of Jungle went viral and is a great representation of their skills. Jungle: LIVE BEDROOM RECORDING
My favorite Tash Song: BLACKBIRD which they wrote during their drug addiction recovery while trapped in a cave in New Zealand. The Guitar work in this song is insane.
I haven't bought Adele yet. I am usually at the store release day. I'm having a hard time motivating/caring about anything lately. How does it compare or does it, to her earlier releases?
I love it. On first listen, I loved the first half (because it contains her most musically adventurous work yet) and the second half less so, but after subsequent listens, I love the whole thing. There’s a reason why almost all critics are saying this is her best album. Lyrics are her most personal and specific to date paired with some new musical directions plus…that voice.
Adele's 21 & 25 are hard to top. Their brilliant masterpieces in song writing. Adele's 30 lacks the knockout hits her previous two albums had. But half of it is still breathtaking. I can pass on three songs easily, but really enjoy "Easy On Me", "Love Is A Game", "I Drink Wine" & "Oh My God". And "Hold On" is one of her all-time best songs.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.