51–75 | My Favorites My First 100 Album Reviews
In celebration of reviewing 100 albums on my blog, here is my favorite picks from my 50th to 75th reviews.
51.) Post by Bjork — “Hyperballad”
You are hard pressed to find a better representation of Bjork’s genius on Post than the single “Hyperballad”. From the hypnotic sizzle of the cymbals to the drama that the strings provide, you’re taken on a beautifully bright journey. It’s one of the best tracks in her entire catalog and a must listen off this album.
52.) Homogenic by Bjork — “Joga”
Bjork showed us how you can illustrate so much through her crisp Icelandic strings and volcanic beats. “Joga” perfectly personifies this notion in one distilled track. Her euphoric panic comes through brilliantly here.
53.) Vespertine by Bjork — “Hidden Place”
Bjork would go more introspective on her affectionately crystalline Vespertine. The lead single and opening track, “Hidden Place”, does a fantastic job creating a very evocative and intimate feeling of love. She mixes a choir, card shuffling, and a variety of samples and beats to create sonic ecstasy on this track.
54.) Medulla by Bjork — “Who Is It? (Carry My Joy On The Left, Carry My Pain On The Right)”
I don’t think many could pull off an entirely vocal album the way Bjork can. Even though I love the crunch of “Where Is The Line” and the beauty of “Vokuro”, nothing matches the pop majesty of “Who Is It? (Carry My Joy On The Left, Carry My Pain On The Right)”. She is able to conjure the electronic essence through only voices phenomenally here. I highly recommend giving the Bell Choir mix a listen as well.
55.) Volta by Bjork — “Innocence”
I understand why many people didn’t quite connect with Volta on first listen. It’s central theme of worldly exploration doesn’t immediately jump at you. The Timbaland produced “Innocence” has such a powerful presence that you will find yourself coming back for more of those guttural punch samples and Bjork’s soaring vocals.
56.) Biophilia by Bjork — “Mutual Core”
Bjork was very ambitious with her 2011 album Biophilia bringing in a tesla coil and a fully functional app in IOS to dive into with the record. The best track on this record continues to be the volcanic “Mutual Core”. It’s foreshadowing of Vulnicura’s breaking up through tectonic allusions give it a whole other layer of complexity that adds to the track’s allure.
57.) Vulnicura by Bjork — “Stonemilker”
When I first heard the Song Exploder podcast on “Stonemilker”, I knew it was something special. “Lionsong”, “Black Lake”, and “Family” all grapped me by the throat with their sadness over the loss of this relationship/family unit. Nothing held me as tightly as the frustration and brokenness of this album opener.
58.) Utopia by Bjork — “Arisen My Senses”
I was a bit lukewarm to the flute heavy tones of Utopia. It’s blend of joy and sadness had me a bit disjointed throughout the record. “Arisen My Senses” explosive Arca sample perfectly displayed what falling for someone feels like.
59.) Fossora by Bjork — “Atopos” (feat. Kasimyn)
I was so excited to hear Bjork was dropping a new album in 2022. It did not disappoint through her use of bass clarinet, gabber music, and the numerous guests (including her children) on the project. The best still comes with the beautiful chaos of “Atopos” (feat. Kasimyn).
60.) I’m Fun by Ben Lee — “Like This or Like That”
I’m Fun was really my first big introduction into Ben Lee’s work. I quite enjoyed this carefree blend of indie-rock/pop leaning tracks. My favorite comes from the driving electric guitar of “Like This or Like That”. Lee does well to show that not everything is as black/white as it seems.
61.) Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos — “Me and a Gun”
Tori’s debut was such a beautifully honest and emotionally evocative piece. Nothing matches the harrowing tale of surviving sexual assault that the acapella track “Me and a Gun” places you in. It shook me to the core when I first heard the song. I highly recommend giving this song a listen if you think you can handle the subject matter.
62.) Midnights by Taylor Swift — “Lavender Haze”
I was thoroughly disappointed with Taylor Swift’s latest album Midnights. Coming off of the acclaim of her folk inspired Folklore/Evermore projects, Midnights feels so shallow in comparison. I do like the nocturnal pop gloss that “Lavender Haze” brings to the table. It’s probably the only track I ever return to off the album. Unfortunately, the bulk of the project wasn’t my cup of tea.
63.) Under the Pink by Tori Amos — “Cornflake Girl”
It’s impossible to deny the hook that Amos created on Under the Pink’s second single “Cornflake Girl”. This song on women betraying women displays this concept fantastically. Tori’s epic piano solo is the sonic equivalent psychological warfare that pitting of women against women creates.
64.) The Loneliest Time by Carly Rae Jepsen — “Surrender My Heart”
I had such a hard time not putting the lead single “Western Wind” as my favorite off of Jespen’s 2022 release The Loneliest Time. I just think that “Surrender My Heart” holds the main heartbeat of the project. She excellently blends a euphoric edge to her need to let go and surrender herself to her next partner.
65.) Boys for Pele by Tori Amos — “Caught a Lite Sneeze”
Amos said she was channeling the volcano goddess Pele to steal fire from the men in her life and it shows on this record. Her use of the harpsichord on the lead single “Caught a Lite Sneeze” has me clamoring for more baroque/chamber pop from her. It’s view of this infatuation as just a sneeze comes off magically in a way only Tori can produce.
66.) The Honeymoon Suite by River Westin — “Cinema”
I was happy to see that River Westin was releasing his sophomore album The Honeymoon Suite in 2022. The bedroom pop artist went the chillhop/jazz route with his trademark dreamy sound. The single “Cinema” captured me the most
67.) Life in Plastic by Tom Aspaul — “Thessaloniki”
Tom came back hard with his Euro-pop infused sophomore album Life in Plastic. I continually return to the bumping beat of “Thessaloniki”. If you are ever in the need for a good sexy dance track to get you feeling yourself, this is it.
68.) To Venus and Back by Tori Amos — “Lust”
To Venus and Back will always close out an era of me in Tori’s catalog. It’s such a powerful exploration of electronic sounds. The atmospheric hold that “Lust” puts out is unlike anything else Amos has ever created and deserves a special place in anyone’s playlist.
69.) Pantheon of Me by Spellling — “Place Without a Form”
I fell in love with Spellling’s latest album The Turning Wheel and had to look into her beginnings. Tia’s dark ambience is something to experience on her debut Pantheon of Me. The best off the album in the industrially charged “Place Without a Form”. It’s raw energy makes it a clear stand out off the album.
70.) The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails — “Into The Void”
Trent Reznor took a heavier approach on his epic 2LP follow up to The Downward Spiral. Though I love the bleak chaos of the warped sounds of “La Mer”, I think the sister track “Into The Void” is closer to the soul of this project. Reznor’s urges for self destruction come off incredibly raw and intense on this track.
71.) Be Here Soon by iamamiwhoami — “Changes”
I am happy to have discovered the synth coated indie pop sounds of iamamiwhoami’s 2022 album Be Here Soon. It’s concepts around motherhood and the struggle with OCD come off great. The catchiest track has to be “Changes” with it’s strong chorus and menagerie of musical references in the lyrics.
72.) Replica by Oneohtrix Point Never — “Replica”
Oneohtrix Point Never created a fascinating sonic landscape on the commercial sample heavy Replica. The title track still remains a favorite with its moody piano and jazzy tone that brings to mind the dreary vibes of a rain soaked cityscape.
73.) To Bring You My Love by PJ Harvey — “Down by the Water”
Harvey’s 1995 turn into the theatrical on the dark bluesy To Bring You My Love well deserves all the acclaim it has. Nothing matches the omnious vibes of the lead single “Down by the Water”. That Lead Belly interpolation at the end of the track will have you transfixed for sure. It’s an iconic track and music video.
74.) Heaux Tales by Jazmine Sullivan — “Lost One”
Jazmine Sullivan came in strong with her 2021 conceptual release on sex lives of women Heaux Tales. The track that I return to the most off this fantastically executed album is the creamy tone of “Lost One”. Her pain of messing up a good thing and resentment of not having a ride or die just grabs you from the get go.
75.) Weather by Meshell Ndegeocello — “A Bitter Mule”
Meshell Ndegeocello’s softer edge on 2011’s Weather is something to behold. The rain soaked sadness of “A Bitter Mule” only adds to the pain Ndegeocello displays around the hard break this relationship seems to have had. It’s definitely a track worth experiencing multiple times for sure.
