Swelling and conflicting in genre,
A cesspool of violence and peace,
Radiating in perfect contextual harmony,
Guidance through conformity,
The ability to break free,
To recall any memory,
To think deep and get sleep.
Music Just means a shit load to me.
2010-2011
Wincing The Night away by The Shins
This was a time of weird teenage first love, a lot of feelings and no idea what to do with any of them. This album was an accurate representation of me in 2010 just a mess but the kind of mess you're comfortable with.
Wincing the Night away was something i was hesitant of at first because at the time i was against this "type of music", now its a source of limitless joy and a lot of nostalgia. Its a beautiful masterpiece with lyrics that stick and some beautiful poetry.
My earliest memory's of this album are just lying in bed with my friends, i like to think of this album as a gift from someone to me.
Favorite tracks: 'Red Rabbits' & 'Sea Legs'
Tourist History by Two Door Cinema Club
A lovely girl called Beth showed me this band when we were young, i was instantly hooked, this was the type of music i would exclusively listen too when i was a kid and this album sets the milestone in my opinion for pop/indie.
I remember it as a day starting album and a breakup album, something i listened too on a holiday that was exciting. Yet i still had the overhanging feelings of the times related to this album. A lot of scenic driving and sailing to this album, sunsets and beach strolls to a melancholy sounds. Most of all i see it as an album with a moving positive message, a cry that things will work out and to enjoy the life we have.
2011-2012
Camp by Childish Gambino
This album, which comes from a personal idol of mine, had messages which i think specifically spoke to me at the time. Raps about being a minority in an all white community, parental struggles that weren't necessarily "run of the mill", being the class clown and getting back up from failures.
The album is essentially an "embrace you and do it best" and states that with a bold array of tongue twisting verses and clever pop culture references, which will have you realizing what the 4th meaning to that line was 30 plays later.
Its a story, one which you can latch parts of you life to and take comfort in that these troubles are not just your own.
Favorite Tracks: 'L.E.S' & 'That Power'
Going through a bit of a obsession with Japan at the time i looked into some Asian artists and was blessed with the late Nujabes.
He was a master of incorporating unique sounds and beats into complex but at the same time simple tracks and melodies. The production value in this album was and is unmatched, it feels like the ghetto moved to feudal Japan and really keeps to its roots.
An all round classic that has songs for every taste, Nujabes dances with skill through multiple genres adding his own spin to them. he tells many tales and preaches many messages but his legacy lives on in his work. Not a day goes by where something beautiful reminds me of his tragic passing.
Rest in piece.
Favorite tracks: 'Lady Brown' & 'Highs 2 Lows'
2012-2013
Nostalgia Ultra by Frank Ocean
Channel Orange would be on here if this album wasn't 10x better (in its own right). This whole album gives me the mindset of a Hollywood celeb living it up on the little things which would be huge for a regular person. Talks of nature, love, loss, slavery, ancestry, addiction and culture all meld together for a truly nostalgic ULTRA album.
I don't remember much of 2012 but i do remember listening to this whenever i could, i'd go on walks just to imagine i was in a sweet music video! with Frank serenading you from track to track this album feels personal, direct and from the heart. Ive led with friends for hours listening to franks music.
Favorite tracks: 'Nature Feels & 'We All Try'
2013-2014WOLF by Tyler the Creator
Oh boy, The first album to make me feel more black than i ever had before. This album unlocked a ironic ignorance within me. This nasty, musky filth (in the best way possible) is the culmination of a man who is still learning the world (Im 21 what do i know). He wants to say his piece. It feels like (and is) a story. Tyler got his grove here, he found his sound. i remember looking at his earlier work and hating it at this point. Something about goblin and bastard really made me hate Tyler the first few listens. But then it just clicked. This specific album sparked my journey into different medias.
Austria is where i remember this album the most, it came out the day of a snowboard trip and i was scared that Austria wouldn't have anything that'd let me get it, so i stayed up till 12AM to download it before we flew off to another country... Mountains, ski lifts a blizzard, a romance and a 18 hour buss journey, all this with WOLF at the peak. Favorite tracks: 'Rusty' & 'Cowboy'
Because The Internet By childish Gambino
Here comes Gambino at another monumental time in my life, a huge transition in friendship groups, online presence and social status's. All things which Gambino covers in this Clever and experimental album. Hes back again with lyrics that make other rappers seem 2 dimensional.
With this album Bino covers all levels of emotion, from the cocky uprising to the fall back to the dirt. this album came out during what still is the best new year to me and an amazing December. He wanted his album out in the winter because he thought we felt more emotions during these times. In his own right he explains that hes been through it all and through rap and song try's to help you or maybe hes just expressing himself
.
Favorite Tracks: 'The Worst Guys' & 'Sweatpants'
Plastic Beach by Gorillaz
So many nights under stars that year, both real and fake to the songs on this album, images of lying on a beach with my friends, embracing my loved ones and all around good times come to mind when i think of this album. it has something for everyone, with features from Little Dragon to Mos Def, truly a pick'n'Mix.
Hours spent listening to this masterpiece with Lyd, Charley, Jack and Joe. this might be our theme album... It feels spacey and psychedelic and is easily one of the best Gorillaz albums, this album rises to the top for its production value and features which never fail to impress.
Favorite Tracks 'Empire Ants' & On Melancholy Hill'
2014-2015A Different Kind Of Fix by Bombay Bicycle Club
I was very late to the Bombay band wagon, in fact i remember criticizing them when i was younger without listening to any of their songs. I discovered this beauty at a friends family dinner while at Uni and even had a huge dance with said family.
This album brings me so much joy! i would listen to it with my friend Erin sometimes and it was the soundtrack to my second snowboarding trip! so i have fond memory of the scenery of Bulgaria and this in the background and weirdly just a sense of comfort for the old times. The journey was amazing, the snowboarding was amazing and this fit right in with Bulgaria's quiet and minimalist style.
Favorite tracks: 'Lights out, words gone' & 'Beg'
Nabuma Rubberband by Little DragonSwansea has a lot of hills and my original playlist lacked the energy to conquer these hills, then suddenly i was blessed with the erratically brilliant Little dragon. with such a unique singing style mixed with a very experimental but bold electro beat, Little dragon introduced me to a faster and more upbeat form of music.
Swansea beaches in the spring and hilarious nights in my uni accommodations flood back to me from every track of this awesome album. With each track changing the pace just a little bit the deep but powerful lead voice spins you with mixed emotions as she hits both lower and higher notes than the DJ does.
Favroite tracks: 'Nabuma Rubberband' & 'Underbart'
2015-CurrentDarwin Dees by Darwin Dees
Another breakup album i'm afraid, but not one without equal parts happy to sad. Half of this album was effectively used to combat my man whines. Hitting you with a deep and cryptic message about social construct and humanity's place in the world as well as his struggles as a hopeless romantic make this album is one of my more "clever" loves.
Saw him live at Truck festival for the first time, before that i'd never heard of him. I fell in love with the energy at that show and his love for what he does, this album shifts me back to festival days, better days!
Favorite Tracks: 'The Suicide Song' & 'Deep Sea Divers'
To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
Year 2 and 3 have been tough, this album was the slap in the face i needed at the time. A milestone in hip-hop i am lucky to be able to have experienced. Kendrick is a lyrical genius and i'd put all his other albums in here if i wouldn't have to write another 2000 words but his other albums are almost as good as this one.
This album took me out of a writers block and inspired me to attempt to be on a level with Kendrick which admittedly is impossible but the man makes you dream big!
Cooking breakfast with my friends and dancing in the kitchen on sunny days, house party's and end of night conversations all spring to mind as a sweep the track list and the tracks sweep back.
Favorite Tracks: 'These Walls' and 'Institutionalized'
Special Mentions
