The Pool by Jazzanova

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The Pool
Jazzanova
2018

Sampling, hybrid grooves, guest singers, etc. This is one of those bands that I can’t believe I’ve never heard until now. Thankfully, that means I have their whole back catalog to dive into and this album was a great start.

Track recommendation: Everything I Wanted

Dear Wormwood by The Oh Hellos

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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

Fairytales Of Slavery by Miranda Sex Garden

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Fairytales Of Slavery
Miranda Sex Garden
1994

If the soundtrack to the middling 1995 movie Hideaway hadn’t been so good, I might never have discovered this incredible album. Artfully blending gothic madrigal singing with driving industrial rock makes for a kind of crazy drama that I am very here for. More classically trained artists should dabble in pop.

Track recommendation: Cut

The Demonstration by Drab Majesty

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The Demonstration
Drab Majesty
2017

On my first listen, I fell in love with how this album made me feel and didn’t look back. The high-concept lyrics detract from the whole and, in my opinion, the album shines brighter when they’re ignored. Drab Majesty does their best to push themselves beyond an 80’s pastiche and mostly succeed.

Track recommendation: Dot in the Sky

Solid State Logik 1 by The KLF

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Solid State Logik 1
The KLF
1991

This is the closest version to the original 1991 release, “The White Room” that you can find on streaming. I remember buying it for my best friend’s birthday that year and we listened to it over many hours of Street Fighter II. I was far too young at the time to know of or understand any of the band’s self-hating shenanigans and took their music at face value. I’m all the better for it because several of their tracks were instrumental in getting me further into the new electronic sounds coming from England.

Track recommendation: 3AM Eternal

Moth by Chairlift

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Moth
Chairlift
2016

A surprising combination of experimental beats with a winning sound. This is the sound of a band refusing to give in and push themselves past the safe sounds that made them famous.

Track recommendation: Romeo

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

Running by Cafuné

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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

The Bela Session by Bauhaus

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The Bela Session
Bauhaus
1979

There’s much to enjoy about hearing the birth of a new sound and this album definitively birthed the early goth music sound. As a teenager I found it too cheesy but I’ve come around to appreciating it.

Track recommendation: Bella Lugosi’s Dead

Goodbye by Ulrich Schnauss

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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

Substance by Joy Division

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Substance
Joy Division
1988

Joy Division is one of those bands where intellectually, I know their songs are sad but emotionally, they make me feel good in a deep-down way. If you’re interested, use their hit songs to guide you into the rest of their short-lived catalog.

Track recommendation: Love Will Tear Us Apart

Black Cherry by Goldfrapp

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Black Cherry
Goldfrapp
2003

Try and ignore all the mainstreaming Target’s TV ads gave Goldfrapp. This album is a sensual beauty bubbling up through singed electric waves.

Track recommendation: Strict Machine

Fever Dreams Pts 1 - 4 by Johnny Marr

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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

Howling by Lupus Nocte

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Howling
Lupus Nocte
2019

This 80’s synthwave EP is the new Girl from Ipanema: a song that gets stuck in my head ALL. THE. TIME. Also a favorite of YouTube videos, I’ve decided to embrace it to what my daughter calls, “an embarrassing degree.”

Track recommendation: Howling

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

Shore by Fleet Foxes

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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

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