26/1089 what an enigmatic way to start an album, love the vocal style and instrumentation. The dolphin-like vocals were a bit out of the blue but also weirdly really suited the song. Shameika was very groovy and fun. Fetch The Bolt Cutters, Under The Table and Relay is a strong stretch of songs The pacing is really good and interesting, it feels like she knows exactly when to change it up and how to change it up. Heavy Balloon really showcases this Cosmonauts had me in awe, what a stunning song, simultaneously sweet and relaxed but with a build I really really enjoyed this album and the way she plays with pacing and intensity, her voice is so rich and enthralling on top of some really full instrumentation. faves: Cosmonauts, Heavy Balloon, Newspaper, Fetch The Bolt Cutters least faves: Drumset, Rack of His, Shameika but they’re still good and will absolutely grow 5 stars for the second day in a row (93/100)

this album has aged lmao musically kinda okay classic moody boy britfolkpop but i never need to hear these songs again i fear fave: First of the Gang to Die least fave: I Have Forgiven Jesus

not my type of music but let’s see… already know ‘wouldn’t it be nice’ ofc cute! really enjoyed the interlude/instrumental track actually, sloop john b too lowkey god only knows is a classic for a reason tbf

Oh THAT’S the blitzkrieg bop lol hey ho lets go not a huge fan of their style of vocals… some fun quick bops though glad i listened but idk just really not for me 45/100

some classic bangers on this one some tracks do overstay their welcome (when streaming which isn’t their ideal/intended listening situation tbf) Praise You is still amazing. Love Island is another fave

cool doomer vibe ig, title track was atmospheric. Like the parts with singing in The Wizard but not so much the harmonica sections. Warning is my favourite i think 50/100

yet another opening track i recognise from the first notes (but not the title) Tangerine>>>> Bron-Y-Aur Stomp is also great really enjoyed listening to this actually! some nice blues-y rock, and the bits that didn’t stand out per se were still great bg listening

yet another iconic song that i was not ready to hear bc i never knew the name omg “i said a hip hop a hippy…” maybe that was just a sample lol… some cool flows and samples/interpolation, definitely feels like the blueprint for a lot of later hip hop really like The What ft. Method Man and Juicy Respect is good too Album is dragging a little for me. usually i like longer songs/albums but i feel like i’m reaching my limit for one sitting/hip hop album some VERY questionable (read: misogynistic) lyrics and some skits didn’t hit

Album 8 of 1089 and i’ve found my first (previously unheard) 5⭐️ album 💖 this is such a bit of me, i already really liked the title track and Frozen. it captures the essence of chill pop/electronica/trip hop that really resonates with me and i can hear the way it’s influenced later projects that i love. i added every song to my spotify which is a big feat for me. i sometimes find Madonna’s voice a little off/it doesn’t always click but on this album it does 94/100 faves: Sky Fits Heaven, To Have and Not To Hold, Frozen least faves: skin and candy perfume girl if i had to pick

not particularly my style, kinda annoying. Appreciate the concept though and am fully willing to concede that my lack of love for it is completely due to my taste and era rather than this album’s shortcomings Tattoo was kinda alright actually The radio concept is kinda saving it for me ngl, i love when albums have a thought out flow/story. i’d prefer the interludes/skits were separated from the regular songs though i can see for miles is nice but REPETITIVE “there goes mingy stingy” is a lyric 💀 that song went on for WAYYY too long sunrise is nice and a massive tonal shift after silas stingy not the Is**** song 💀 it feels like so many songs are extremely repetitive like just chants of the song title 25/100 i think my faves were Glow Girl, Melancholia and Tattoo least faves were Silas Stingy and the Raels

another album opener i didn’t know i’d know, it’s a classic tbf not feeling this one as much as III the style of guitar doesn’t do a lot for me, it was pleasant background music and had some nice moments but i don’t care much for it either way the plucky guitar in thank you is pretty good 3 stars or 66/100 faves Thank You and Bring it on home least faves idk maybe Living Loving Maid but i don’t dislike any songs, just unenthused

11/1089 starting off with the star spangled banner… hmmmm i’m not super against the talking/emceeing, it suits the cool and laid back vibe the trumpet(?) is a bit too squeaky for my tastes but the rest of the music underneath is soothing Pt. I - Festival Junction is a hit! i can appreciate the quality and skill in the genre (and i’m enjoying it as background music) but i’m not sure i need to revisit skin deep is another hit for me 3 stars or 51/100 even if it isn’t something i’ll listen to again i feel like it would be wrong of me to put it any lower because that mostly comes down to taste and to me 0-49 is negative, 50 neutral and 51+ positive. This doesn’t deserve a negative or neutral because i actually enjoyed having this on in the background it was undeniable quality, i just can’t give it much more simply because it’s not what i seek out

12/1089 i’ve already heard a couple of Skepta’s songs (love the one that samples sophie ellis bextor) maybe i like grime more than i thought?? Konnichiwa and Lyrics are great, Corn on the Curb too It Ain’t Safe is the first kinda miss for me it’s too repetitive imo Numbers is so catchy and so mid 2010s Pharrell That’s Not Me is a hit and JME is once again a great featured artist Konnichiwa, That’s Not Me and Numbers >>> It Ain’t Safe <<<< really enjoyed this listen and will probably return to a few tracks 4 stars or 78/100

“Scared to run out of time” Charli xcx sampled this?!?! went into it thinking i wouldn’t recognise anything so imagine my surprise to immediately hear the original “scared to run out of time” sampled in Charli XCX ft Bon Iver Nick Of Time was cuteee i enjoyed that, a great opener, love a chill fade out too The album was a lot of similar sounding music and blended together so it didn’t feel groundbreaking but also was a nice vibe to have on. It felt like i was listening to the soundtrack of a classic 90s/00s romcom some will argue this shouldn’t be here and in some ways i agree (it’s not necessarily innovative) however it’s a pretty great example of it’s genre/style and i’d personally keep it in over some artists that got like 3+ albums fave: i loved Nick of Time (maybe partly bc i recognised a charli xcx sample lol) least fave: can’t say i have one, there weren’t any duds imo, but the rest of the album did blend quite a bit 3 stars or 63/100

14/1089 harmonica can be very hit or miss for me* but i’m enjoying this angsty start, i can already see how it’s influenced artists i love like Chappell Roan and Olivia Rodrigo. Early Katy Perry too. I definitely know the chorus of You Oughtta Know and parts of it sound similar to cadences in My Number One by Helena Paparizou *it’s a hit on Hand In My Pocket Lots of learning going on Realising that Ironic is THAT song was a great feeling, what a smash hit also liked Wake Up, it reminded me of Lamb (Gorecki specifically) not sure the You Oughtta Know remix needed to be included it’s dated 90s alt rock in the absolute best way, i love albums that capture a very specific moment in the culture i’m thinking 82/100 with 5 stars because i had a great time and will definitely be going back to this faves: Ironic, Wake Up, Right Through You and You Learn least faves: Perfect, Mary Jane YOK remix

15/1089 Ole Man Trouble was a great opener, Otis’ voice is beautiful. It has a very easy listening vibe to it. It’s interesting hearing the original version of Respect (having not previously known about it) naturally his voice sounds amazing on it Wow A Change Is Gonna Come got me teary, i’m not sure if i’ve heard this rendition before but it’s stunning. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long was very passionate and a nice listen his version of Satisfaction was a lot of fun and very energetic You Don’t Miss Your Water was a perfect ending, a really beautiful relaxed way to top of the album overall i really enjoyed listening to this. however, i find it hard to judge it knowing that the majority of these are covers and not original to Redding. That said, they were mostly really nice interpretations. I fully appreciate artists including covers and renditions of songs that are important to them/their record and these were very well incorporated, I just generally prefer original songs when i’m listening to the album of an artist who is new to me faves: A Change Is Gonna Come, You Don’t Miss Your Water least faves: Rock Me Baby, Wonderful World 3 stars or 61/100 i really liked this album and will likely revisit my favourites but it isn’t necessarily my taste as a whole

16/1089 She’s Fresh is an extremely fun opening track and feels like a very distilled version of 80s hip hop listening to this in 2025 really feels like i’m listening to a time capsule of a specific moment in music and it still sounds cool, dated in an unapologetic way which makes for a great listen It’s a Shame is a highlight so far for me i think. i love the outro loop Dreamin’ is a really nice change of pace, with some really lovely vocals and instrumentation. there are moments in here that feel very influential and that i’ve heard paid homage to in music i love THIS is The Message?! okayyy i love this and wasn’t expecting it to be on this album. The Message II is also really great i’ve loved listening to this project and i really didn’t know that i would. it manages to be dated but also sound fresh (at least taking into account it’s era) 4 stars or 81/100 faves: The Message II, The Message and Dreamin’ least fave: You Are (and i think it mostly just suffered from coming after Dreamin’ which has a similar vibe but better)

17/1089 it’s started off with some fun and catchy punky style, very easy and enjoyable to listen to so far I don’t have much to add, i’m still enjoying listening but the first song was definitely the stand out to me, the rest have merged a bit. Drugs and Dancing for Money aren’t my cup of tea i don’t think, they’re verging on irritating to me. though i sipposed that makes sense for Dancing For Money since that’s an unfinished outtake I didn’t listen to the last 3 tracks of the deluxe since they were just alt versions of a few of the songs fave: I Kimbra clears the rest of the album i really like that track least faves: Drugs and Dancing For Money 3 stars or 62/100

18/1089 i fear this is gonna be a dud for me, this just is NOT my style at all. Rise and Fall is is a decent song and i like it as an album opener Blue Skinned Beast was fine and i vibed with that one a bit. Tomorrow’s…, Primrose Hill and Mr Speaker aren’t for me i’m now realising that my issue with Our House is purely the chorus, i do quite enjoy the verses but the chorus just really grates on me the rest of the album was fine but it kind of merged together, nothing stood out majorly. 2 stars or 47/100 I’m trying to add a little objectivity to my taste so i feel like this is a fair rating. i am just really not a fan of this style vocally, instrumentally or lyrically. However i’m trying to reserve 1 stars/really low scores for albums that i actually struggle through and this one wasn’t too hard a listen in the end. I can sort of see the appeal. fave: Rise and Fall probably least fave: Mr Speaker

19/1089 a very relaxed and warm vibe, can’t say it’s my thing yet but it’s a nice change of pace. i dont really have the knowledge/framework to understand this music fully or pick out what parts i like in detail but it’s a pleasant listen and is something i’d enjoy as part of a soundtrack Maseru is fast becoming a stand out for me as is Inner Crisis, both of those were really great listens and definitely stood out The ending of Maesha is pretty magical i like that Ingoo Pow-Pow feels like an epilogue almost with the vocalising etc it’s a nice unwind/release after the rest of the album faves: Inner Crisis, Maseru no least faves 3 stars or 61/100

20/1089 World in my eyes is a great moody opener i knew that i knew at least one Depeche Mode song i just couldn’t place/name it, turns out it was Personal Jesus naturally, maybe i’ve only heard the single version or covers but i really enjoy the album version Halo is a great track, especially as a follow up to Personal Jesus. The production is really doing it for me and the vocals blend in so nicely and cleanly Waiting for the Night to Fall has a very understated but persistent feel akin to Low Roar which i really appreciate I’ve also heard Enjoy The Silence before naturally but never knew the name/artist, I can understand it’s popularity, it’s a great track Policy of Truth and Clean are 2 more great tracks. I think i’ve found my third 5 star album on this list! faves: Halo, World in my Eyes, Policy of Truth least faves: Blue Dress, Sweetest Perfection 5 stars or 90/100

21/1089 Can’t say that this is my cup of tea, his vocal style isn’t really for me and I can’t say I relate a lot to the vibe Badlands and Adam Raised a Cain really didn’t do much for me, I can’t say sort of see the appeal if this is your style i guess, it’s not “bad” necessarily Something in the Night was decent as a rocky power ballad, his voice suited the sound for me in that song the rest of the album just kind of went by. I appreciate the artistry but it’s dated in the wrong way for me fave: Something In The Night i guess least fave: Adam Raised a Cain 1 star or 35/100

22/1089 my first non-english language album in this challenge and it’s also a language i’m unfamiliar with! Generally i’m really not into religious/faith-based music but since i don’t understand the lyrics i can probably get around that. Since Spotify only lists the dual album ‘Love and Devotion’ I’m going to listen to the Devotional Songs first and only rate them but I’ll probably go back and listen to the Love Songs too from the opening strings I can tell that i’m pretty sure I’ll enjoy this one. Allah Hoo Allah Hoo had a really nice consistent rhythm and pace, i love his vocal style. I could definitely see myself adding this to my ‘background music to read to’ collection. Yaad-E-Nabi Gulshan Mehka has such a beautiful sound and vibe to it Haq Ali Ali Haq was a really good listen, and i like the intensity of Ali Maula Ali Maula Ali Dam Dam i’m such a sucker for the deep, thumpy drums common in south/south east asian music, especially with some plucky strings over the top This was a really nice and interesting listen, I know the list overall is pretty english-/west-centric but this is exactly the sort of thing I want to be discovering. faves: Haq Ali Ali Haq, Mast Nazroon Se Allah Bachhae least faves: Ne Main Jana Jogi De Naal if i had to choose, it had some really nice parts but clicked the least sonically. 4 stars or

23/1089 - birthday album ☺️😅 really enjoying his vocals, the reverb on it with the instrumentals is so atmospheric. The Lana Del Rey fan in me is loving these first couple songs. The Stranger Song is great, the rapid guitar plucking in the background works so well will his deep voice and rambly lyrics over the top not a fan of the clock/creaking sounds in Sisters of Mercy but the guitar and Cohen himself sound good Teachers has a very nervous and unsettled energy which is enthralling This being a debut album is pretty wild, it doesn’t have that feeling at all in a positive way That was a pretty magical project and i can hear the influence it’s had on artists I adore like Lana etc the only reason it’s 4 stars and not 5 is that it had a section of songs from Sisters of Mercy to Stories of the Street that didn’t stand out/click to me faves: The Stranger Song, Teachers, Suzanne least fave: Sisters of Mercy 4 stars or 81/100

24/1089 Love the feeling of pressing play on one of these albums and immediately hearing some music you’ve heard before that you never knew the title/artist of, this album is no different i guess Do It Again is a solid and stylish start to the album, with a nice progression and vibey sound instantly not a huge fan of the organ(?) on Dirty Work. While Do It Again managed to feel pretty timeless, Dirty Work felt very dated to me after a solid start this project lost me for a bit, Reelin’ In The Years brought me back a bit though, it’s a fun song and the combination of vocals and instrumentation clicks for me. Not a fan of the piano in Fire In The Hole. I do like the vocals on this chorus a lot the rest of the album didn’t really do it for me, felt quite same-y and when that same-y isn’t a style i love it just doesn’t resonate 2 stars or 40/100 Do It Again and Reelin’ In The Years saved it from being a 1 star

25/1089 I’ve wanted to listen through Björk’s music for a long time, so this’ll be an interesting first album Pretty sure i’m gonna be on the side for whom her music properly clicks, Pleasure Is All Mine is a stunning way to start an album I can really hear where Empress Of takes inspiration from in Where is the Line, that song was such a satisfying listen Vokuro was captivating, i adore the icelandic language a lot and it fits this sound so well. I got pretty absorbed in the project, the techniques she uses and the way she manipulates her voice for the music is so impressive. Oceania and Submarine were some highlights Mouth’s Cradle is magnificent and feels almost like the centrepiece of the project. Mikvikudags and Triumph Of A Heart really feel like an epilogue and a release, thelatter especially just had me grinning what a stylish and addictive song. This was an album that I really wanted to like going into it but i was fully prepared for the possibility i’d hate it, but I didn’t need to worry because i love this 5 stars or 95/100 faves: Triumph of a Heart, Mouth’s Cradle, Submarine least faves: don’t have any

26/1089 what an enigmatic way to start an album, love the vocal style and instrumentation. The dolphin-like vocals were a bit out of the blue but also weirdly really suited the song. Shameika was very groovy and fun. Fetch The Bolt Cutters, Under The Table and Relay is a strong stretch of songs The pacing is really good and interesting, it feels like she knows exactly when to change it up and how to change it up. Heavy Balloon really showcases this Cosmonauts had me in awe, what a stunning song, simultaneously sweet and relaxed but with a build I really really enjoyed this album and the way she plays with pacing and intensity, her voice is so rich and enthralling on top of some really full instrumentation. faves: Cosmonauts, Heavy Balloon, Newspaper, Fetch The Bolt Cutters least faves: Drumset, Rack of His, Shameika but they’re still good and will absolutely grow 5 stars for the second day in a row (93/100)

27/1089 I’ve heard this artist before thanks to Me Gustas Tu, but i can’t place where i heard that originally and it’s driving me crazy. Clandestino is a captivating start and the flow into the second track was so smooth. one of my favourite things to hear in an album the production on Bongo Bong is really infectious and his voice compliments it so much. very Gorillaz and the way it flows into je ne t’aime plus is wild. Mama Call really reminds me of ZABA by Glass Animals which i love. I quite like it having short songs but still a good overall length, it gives it a really exciting pacing and none of the songs grow old before they finish. Welcome to Tijuana was fun but a little too repetitive for me. Malegria is a fun pick up of the pace, the production once again is super catchy and the effects on his vocals are cool and stylish La Despedida almost feels like the precursor to Me Gustas Tu, a very well crafted penultimate song This album was a joy to listen to from start to finish, I will absolutely be returning to it. faves: Bongo Bong, Desaparacido, La Despedida, Malegría, Mama Call least faves: I liked them all but if i had to choose then Minha Galera has to be 5 stars (94/100)

28/1089 feels a bit unfortunate that I got this album of his first, it’s neither one of his iconic early projects nor is it Blackstar which overshadowed this one. it’s a pretty classic alt rocky style, the production is decent and his voice is unmistakable, so it’s an interesting listen, but the songs aren’t showstopping (so far) in the way that his classics are. Valentine’s Day and If You Can See Me are stand outs for me, definitely enjoyed those. It’s a solid record which i think i’d appreciate more if i’d heard his prior work and had heard this at release. 3 stars or 62/100

29/1089 Dirty Boots is a fun and edgy rock n roll moment to introduce the album. Really loving the style of Tunic, her non chalant vocals over the intense guitarring is really cool. i love when songs are given space to breathe and become almost ambient and Mote is a good example of that. I think i need a second listen at some point to get the second half of the album properly because it started to merge but i really enjoyed listening to this one faves: Tunic, Dirty Boots, Cinderella Big Score least faves: Scooter & Jinx 4 stars 72/100

30/1089 - first album i’ve heard in full previously (and the version with the british release bonus tracks) Laura is SUCH a good song and is so impactful as an opener. take your mama flowing into comfortably numb was soo smooth the production and vocals on Mary are so dreamy at times, very nostalgic some outdated wording on tits on the radio but their hearts are in the right place and it’s groovy filthy/gorgeous is a CLASSIC, what a perfect song It Can’t Come Quickly Enough has a different vibe and intensity to it but i really enjoy that about it Return to Oz is an excellent closer to the standard album and Message from Ms. Matronic is such a fun way to segue into the bonus tracks, classic scissor sisters. Get It Get It is a great track and would’ve made a great addition to the standard album. 5 stars or 89/100

31/1089 hearing his young(er) voice was a bit of a shock, but it’s so smooth and relaxing stardust was a really nice introduction. very sleepy but not in a bad way necessarily. I may or may not have heard Georgia On My Mind before but I’ve definitely heard reference to it in other songs. I’m not a harmonica fan generally and that song didn’t change that. Blue Skies was sweet and jazzy, the harmonica worked better there for me his version of Unchained Melody is pretty great This album was so calm and nice to listen to, it’s not something i expect to go back to (maybe when i next get a willie nelson album on this list because there must be more here) but i’m glad i heard it. this one’s hard to rate because of the style and the consistency across the tracks (no one track stands greatly over the others) fave: Stardust least fave: Don’t Get Around Much Anymore but i’m thinking 3 stars or 61/100

32/1089 knew i must know at least something from this album and lo and behold, i knew the first song from the first notes title track is iconic of course, though i suspect i’ll appreciate the album but not necessarily love it Jimmy Jazz took an unexpected turn but i appreciate that about this project even if it’s not my style the nest songs were decent but not jumping out to me but then Lost In The Supermarket came on and i really like this vibe for them! The album is solid and i think is a great example of it’s genre etc, a lot of it just sort of blurred together since it’s not a style i’m hugely into or knowledgeable of. Glad i listened though and can see myself returning to it faves: Lost in the Supermarket and Train in Vain least faves: couldn’t say 2 stars or 55/100

33/1089 solid start, if repetitive Just What I Needed is pretty great (and familiar) this record was a great listen, loved that it’s not super long either, it felt very swift and easy to listen to, every song felt essential to the album 4 stars 75/100 faves: Just What I Needed, Moving In Stereo, All Mixed Up least faves: Good Times Roll (though it’s grown on me a little

34/1089 Natural Mystic is a cool opening track and The Heathen is another strong one. Turn Your Lights Down Low is a nice vibe. How did i not know/remember that Don’t Worry, Be Happy is actually called ‘Three Little Birds’? it’s a classic for a reason, such a nice listen it’s a really nice reggae album and has some highlights but isn’t one i will necessarily return to in full. faves: natural mystic, the heathen, three little birds least fave: exodus and jammin maybe? just didn’t quite click 3 stars or 54/100

35/1089 Changes is a perfect pop song, i’m still a bit biased towards the Shrek version though. Oh you pretty things is also v familiar and a classic. Life on Mars? is just too good, Jessica Lange’s rendition on American Horror Story will always stick with me but it’s really an iconic song and concept Fill Your Heart really isn’t clicking i just found it mostly irritating it’s a cool album and i prefer it over The Next Day which is the other Bowie project i’ve heard in full but i feel like Changes, Life on Mars and Oh You Pretty Things set a high standard that the rest of the album struggled to keep up with a little faves: Changes, Life on Mars?, The Bewlay Brothers least faves: Fill Your Heart, Eight Line Poem 4 stars 71/100

36/1089 The plucky guitar and campfire vibes at the end of a soldier’s tale is very sweet i enjoyed that part This is a good listen, it’s technically decent and pleasant to have on but i feel like i’d appreciate it more if it wasn’t in this list (that said i probably wouldn’t have listened to it that way to be fair) quite enjoyed the extended and increasingly chaotic outro to the album, it feels like the project was slowly building to this release and they succeeded in capturing that feeling not sure how to feel about this one, it wasn’t incredible, it also wasn’t bad, there were a few standouts but the rest were completely forgettable to me faves: Green Fields, Herculean and A Soldier’s Tale, TGTBATQ least faves: none that stood out 3 stars or 64/100