2020's
Tear It Down by My Brightest Diamond
Tear It Down
My Brightest Diamond
2007
I’m usually shy about remix albums but there is so much great artistry at work here. If you’re struggling with unhappy emotions, Shara Nova’s beautiful voice will travel with you through the dark.
Track recommendation: Golden Star - Alias
Here Is Everything by The Big Moon
Here Is Everything
The Big Moon
2022
These are the sounds of life’s unstoppable movements changing everything around you. You can’t stop them so turn to face them as bravely as you can and stand fast in your refusal to be crushed.
Track recommendation: 2 Lines
Blue Weekend by Wolf Alice
Blue Weekend
Wolf Alice
2021
If I were a professional reviewer, I would list the multitude of genres and influences each track on this album shape-shifts between. I would also point out its “hot single” but that would be like recommending a random chapter in a book. This whole album is a voyage that rewards you listening to its entirety.
Track recommendation: The whole damn album
Past Is Prologue by Tycho
Past Is Prologue
Tycho
2006
Tycho is the sound of a relaxing weekend; of golden sunlight shining through the windows with an accompanying cool breeze. This is focus music that I don’t ignore.
Track recommendation: Send and Receive
Lullabies For Adults by Youth Valley
Lullabies For Adults
Youth Valley
2023
This won’t be everybody’s cup of tea but this album was a real winner with me. The singer vacillates between The Smiths and Depeche Mode while the music is all 1990’s shoegaze.
Track recommendation: Father Forgets
Dear Wormwood by The Oh Hellos
Dear Wormwood
The Oh Hellos
2015
The Oh Hellos set themselves apart with Celtic song structures and beautiful vocal harmonies. This album in particular does well at tapping into the feelings of picking yourself up after a fall.
Track recommendation: Soldier, Poet, King
Running by Cafuné
Running
Cafuné
2021
This is the musical version of a lush, blue sky summer break where few things can break into your little world of chilling with friends in the sun. The possibility of a new love. Easy come, easy go. Driving is more important than where you end up.
Track recommendation: Tek It
Goodbye by Ulrich Schnauss
Goodbye
Ulrich Schnauss
2020
There are feelings and emotions rooted in the deeper, darker heart of ourselves that can only be touched by diving below our surface. Music is a frequent guide to accessing this unexplored territory and helping us explore what we don’t have words to express. This album has become one such guide for me.
Track recommendation: Stars
Fever Dreams Pts 1 - 4 by Johnny Marr
Fever Dreams Pts 1 - 4
Johnny Marr
2022
Turns out that the guitarist and co-songwriter of the Smiths doesn’t need Morrissey to make great songs. If you only listen to one song, make it the opening track: Spirit Power and Soul.
Track recommendation: All These Days
Shore by Fleet Foxes
Shore
Fleet Foxes
2020
I was excited to hear a Fleet Foxes album that reaches the heights of their first release. These are the perfect haunting melodies for keeping warm in winter.
Track recommendation: Sunblind