Pop

    Celebrate by Halo Maud

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    Celebrate
    Halo Maud
    2024

    Adventerous and difficult to pin down by genre, Halo Maud feels like somebody who grew up listening to some of my favorite artists. The French sensibility she brings to familiar sounds and structures is refreshing and something I want more of.

    Recommended Track: Last Day Song

    playpen by Juliet Ivy

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    playpen
    Juliet Ivy
    2023

    A surprising new find from my wife. It would be easy to blow it off as playful and short but the unapologetically fun and feminine-forward emotions Juliet Ivy has packed into those five tracks makes me want to hear more.

    Recommended Track: boytoy

    99 Cents by Santigold

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    99 Cents
    Santigold
    2016

    Santigold is a pop genius who is somehow able to add substance to normally temporal music and give it staying power. 99 Cents continues to outlast the twenty-teen trends it plays with.

    Recommended Track: Rendezvous Girl

    Bewitched by Laufey

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    Bewitched
    Laufey
    2023

    Laufey’s popularity gives me faith that pop won’t drown into a sea of screaming melisma. Her songs are a magical concoction of dreamy and self-assured jazz that draws you into a wonderful sonic hug.

    Recommended Track: From The Start

    So I Married An Axe Murderer OST by Various Artists

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    So I Married An Axe Murderer OST
    Various Artists
    1993

    I would love to know how many times I’ve listened to this soundtrack over my lifetime because the number has to be insanely high. With that many listens, I’ve lost all objectivity to this early 1990’s alt-rock treasure box.

    Recommended Track: Long Day In The Universe

    Whiteout Conditions by The New Pornographers

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    Whiteout Conditions
    The New Pornographers
    2017

    A prime example of contrasting musicians making stronger music together than on their own. This album has all the fun and drive of power-pop but with the sensibilities of other musical genres bursting from the seams. Neko Case and Kathryn Calder singing in harmony is my ASMR.

    Track recommendation: Whiteout Conditions

    Bankrupt! by Phoenix

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    Bankrupt!
    Phoenix
    2013

    My favorite Phoenix album to revisit. I have to admit that it is one of those albums I’ve listened to so frequently that all my objectivity is lost and its sounds live in my bones now.

    Track recommendation: Entertainment

    About U by MUNA

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    About U
    MUNA
    2017

    The yearning vocals and driving synth on the opening track instantly grabbed the undying teenager inside of me and pulled him along a whirlwind of hormones and self-doubt. This album is a year of high school translated into music.

    Track recommendation: So Special

    Tear It Down by My Brightest Diamond

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    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

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    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

    Good At Falling by The Japanese House

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    Good At Falling
    The Japanese House
    2019

    I don’t know why The Japanese House’s sound is so cathartic for me but here I am again with this album on repeat. What I do know is their music resonates with the excitedly optimistic part of me that’s still unsure about how other people’s brains work. We’re all still figuring life out.

    Track recommendation: Maybe You’re the Reason

    Seal by Seal

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    Seal
    Seal
    1994

    Many convention-breaking details have kept this album elevated past the decade it was created in. Have I really been listening to this album for nearly 30 years!?

    Track recommendation: Kiss from a Rose

    Fashion Nugget by CAKE

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    Fashion Nugget
    CAKE
    1996

    Best when loudly sung along to in the car. Listen past the hit singles and you’ll discover unique, irreverent pop arrangements.

    Track recommendation: Italian Leather Sofa

    Together by The New Pornographers

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    Together
    The New Pornographers
    2010

    The early 2000’s elevated power pop to new heights and this album is a prime example. Neko Case is a majestic knife that cuts through everything. Lots of repeat listenings to this one.

    Track recommendation: Crash Years

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