https://likewatersounds.com/blog daily 0.75 2024-12-13 https://likewatersounds.com/blog/carlosbestof2024 monthly 0.5 2024-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/7e99379b-a70f-4055-8ce0-9068f04351d3/Bea.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 24. This is How Tomorrow Moves | Beabadoobee 25. Bravo! | Sorry Girls Indie Soft Rock I fell in love with the three singles off of this album from the beginning of 2023. While the rest of the album was nice, the dreamy soft rock feel of these songs is the type of thing you want to hear when you feel like the protagonist while riding transit. Seeing that they’re on the same label as my favorite band, TOPS, wasn’t so surprising as I felt that they had a similar sound. Favorite songs: “Breathe”, “Prettier Things” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/d547d7cb-794f-46c2-bdaf-76de26b56691/brat.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 4. BRAT | Charli XCX 4. Big Time | Angel Olsen Folk / Alt-country I’m noticing that the albums I enjoyed the most are the ones where an artist I already loved tries a new sound that is already adjacent to the rest of their discography. Angel Olsen could typically be heard hitting some harder indie- or folk-rock. In this album, she leans into the gentler sounds of country while still hitting with heavy lyrics under that big sky of pedal steel and country chords. And her singing is so great for this. The album is slow paced, but the themes are so strong that it’s hard to even think about skipping any track. Favorite songs: “All The Good Times”, “This Is How It Works” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/501a73b8-ae89-42f8-b97a-ae33ebbbf6d8/HanaVu.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 12. Romaticism | Hana Vu 12. Tiene Que Ser Para Mí | Natalia Lacunza Spanish indie pop Absolutely my favorite Spanish pop album of the year. I don’t even remember how I discovered it but I’m so glad I did. This album is loaded with the soft indie pop hits that I generally already love. Lacunza’s writing stands out lyrically, too. The transition from track 3 to track 4, go ahead and give that a Grammy immediately. If you’ve heard of Ruzzi, Daniela Spalla, or Vanessa Zamora, or like songs like “BUENOS AIRES” from Nathy Peluso, you’ll really enjoy this album Favorite song: “Muchas Cosas”, “Mi Sitio” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/4f8348d3-da44-4bae-94ef-df45dc5aed00/DuaLipa.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 15. Radical Optimism | Dua Lipa 15. Giving The World Away | Hatchie Dream pop At some point, I put this on my “Listen Soon” list. Then I did, and it was a really good idea. A lot of these songs sound like they come from an alt-pop early 90s album (honestly don’t know much about that but it feels like I would probably hear a lot of these pre-9/11). Still, it’s a sound that I want to keep hearing and thankfully this album gave 50 minutes of that which I couldn’t stop playing once I started. I’m really looking forward to hearing more from Hatchie in the future. Favorite songs: “Quicksand”, “This Enchanted” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/07052db0-9f75-4b9a-a522-d0f5ab83667d/OlivierFaubert.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 16. Pour ne pas mourir en hiver | Olivier Faubert 16. The Forever Story | JID Hip hop I kept hearing different songs at different times from this album thanks to Spotify radio. It took a while for me to find the album, and it delivered in a big way. JID is so artful in his flow, smoothing things out just right in slower moments and hitting briskly when he needs. This is the kind of album where an artist really shows off their range in all aspects of their craft, which kind of feels really present in “Surround Sound”. The features on here are great not just for their names, but the way they add to the experience. And of course, impactful and funny lines that are definitely worth coming back to listen to. Favorite song: “Surround Sound (ft. 21 Savage & Baby Tate)”, “Money” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1d866592-6af8-46eb-a9ca-cb22c5fd7c88/Marias.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 18. Submarine | The Marías 18. Paprika | La Bien Querida Spanish indie pop This album generally has a gentle pop feel that works really well with Ana Fernández-Villaverde’s singing. It has a good selection of catchy tunes. An easy-listening Spanish album from an artist I like, especially for her recent single “El Gato”. Favorite songs: “La Voz De Su Amo” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/4d0a63e0-7700-4ffa-9c3b-9600ec7878cb/Limperatrice.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 7. Pulsar | L’Imperatrice 7. De Todas las Flores | Natalia Lafourcade Dream pop / Chamber folk It feels like Natalia just went and created a new type of genre with this album. With little announcement and fanfare, as only the great ones can, she delivered this piece that, when you give it the right time, makes such a deep imprint on you. I’ve seen people describe it as minimalist, cinematic, soothing. It’s all of these and more. This could be one of the most beautiful Mexican albums ever Favorite song: “De todas las flores”, “Muerte”, “El lugar correcto” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/186e009d-8eba-4d04-af4f-7b3554f9cab4/MagBay.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 1. Imaginal Disk | Magdalena Bay 2. PRE PLEASURE | Julia Jacklin Indie rock / Singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin is one of those artists for me that almost anything she drops has a grasp on my attention. I love her lyrics, her arrangements, her performance. It’s hard to describe, but in the indie rock space, her artistry is elite, and it showed again in this album. When she dropped “I Was Neon” as a single before the album, I played the track over and over without stopping. The more I listen to the rest of the album, I find new little lines in the lyrics that hit me harder than any of her previous work. Give it a close listen and I’m sure you’ll love this too. Favorite song: “I Was Neon” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/9a0accaa-e25c-45f2-a592-addfdff0df8d/AllieX.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 17. Girl With No Face| Allie X 17. Tu Historia | Julieta Venegas Latin pop If you know Latin pop, you know that Julieta Venegas can make catchy songs that get you swinging your hips out of nowhere. In this album, Julieta sticks to a pop sound that fits the direction of today’s Latin indie pop. From the start, the first song is an earworm that I can see myself adding to every kind of playlist in the next year. Toward the middle of the album, it even feels nostalgic to earlier Julieta Venegas that we heard from Limón y Sal. Favorite song: “En Tu Orilla", “Mismo Amor" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/5e558049-2126-4763-ad6c-c7c647a991e3/Kacey.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 20. Deeper Well | Kacey Musgraves 20. Candydrip | Lucky Daye R&B Lucky Daye knows how to craft a smooth track. The singles from this album hooked me into the rest of the album and his voice are a perfect fit for the production. The pace is really gentle, so at times it’s easy to lose track of where you are in the album. But when you pick it back up, you remember why you fell in in the first place. Great follow-up to his last EP. Favorite song: “Over” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1b670612-8b65-458b-b11c-61755fb78a07/Telenova.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 9. Time is a Flower | Telenova 9. Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You | Big Thief Indie folk No denying that this is one of the best albums of the year. I really enjoyed the singles that came before this album a lot, and they are some of my favorite songs of the year. Following up on the masterpiece of Adrienne Lenker’s solo work from 2020, she brings the band together for more of a folk collection compared to the heavier rock sound that I associate with Big Thief. Lenker’s songwriting is so strong and it’s hard to find a weak spot anywhere in this album if you tried. Ride your bike on a cool, sunny day to this one. Favorite songs: “Certainty”, “Red Moon” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/f001ff33-4592-4b70-9d69-978a6ad94a98/FabianaPalladino.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 11. Fabiana Palladino | Fabiana Palladino 11. I Walked With You A Ways | Plains Indie folk / Singer-songwriter Outstanding folk project from two of my favorite singers in the genre, Jess Williamson and Katie Crutchfield, known as Waxahatchee. The album has a wonderful pace that makes it so easy to replay over and over. The songs make me want to put my boots and cowboy hat on for a long ride out west. It hops from fun to nostalgic and all the feelings that are the core of this sound. I especially like Jess Williamson’s singing and I’m happy to see her get recognition. Also, be sure to hear her single “Pictures of Flowers” from 2020. Favorite songs: “Abilene”, “Problem With It” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/251f4fc5-d300-4bac-9567-3d19956cef70/MaddieMoon.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 14. Melancholy | Maddie Moon 14. Dawn FM | The Weeknd Synth pop / Funk This feels like a fairly underrated album. I like that Abel picks up the pace and gets a little more electronic in this album. It’s kind of a concept album that merits listening to the songs in order, but it was pleasantly surprising to hear this kind of sound from someone already so talented. Favorite songs: “Take My Breath”, “Less Than Zero” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/8f8b0cc5-f2c8-4b03-982d-d944187d3617/CassandraJenkins.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 8. My Light, My Destroyer | Cassandra Jenkins 8. And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow | Weyes Blood Indie pop / Singer-songwriter Definitely a headphones-on, quiet room album. Just like in Titanic Rising, there is an ocean of sound that is so carefully crafted across every track. I appreciate the different sounds that Natalie Mering uses to add to the texture of her music. It’s already so encapsulating and her singing already so delicate that doing so is really showing off an incredible talent. I loved getting lost in this one, and even listening to it again for writing this review, I’m getting swept away. Favorite songs: “The Worst Is Done”, “Grapevine” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/8bff4a34-c7c2-4cea-bc75-21eddbc8b314/Clairo.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 3. Charm | Clairo 3. RENAISSANCE | Beyoncé Dance pop / R&B I keep repeating myself, but artists confidently creating new sounds is so impressive. And yet, it sounds like Beyoncé has been doing this kind of sound for her entire career. She has, she’s done it all, and she can’t miss. With incredibly smooth and sometimes abrupt but nevertheless logical transitions, this album displays a crazy range of different dance pop and R&B rhythms. I can’t stop listening to this on a bike, in a car, at the gym, anywhere. And the fact that she can simply drop this with little fanfare and make it one of the best albums of the year? Favorite songs: “CUFF IT”, “VIRGO’S GROOVE” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/7489e5a6-a15c-4799-931f-3b4f5b001e52/KaliUchis.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 5. ORQUÍDEAS | Kali Uchis 5. Laurel Hell | Mitski Indie rock / Synth pop I’ll bet I’m not alone in thinking that Mitski songs are generally sad. She knows how to convey strong feelings of reflection, confession, and personal struggle really well. Here, she does so again, but dresses it up in a more glamorous outfit that expands her range in ways I haven’t heard her try before. The more I listened, the more it grew one me, and eventually skyrocketed as I started to pick out all the little details about this new Mitski sound. “The Only Heartbreaker” is the perfect song to do a qualifying lap on an F1 simulator, so I’ve heard. Favorite songs: “The Only Heartbreaker”, “Love Me More”, “Should’ve Been Me” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/271f8b00-3e8d-456b-b7cb-9f71284e2f85/Kendrick.png Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 13. GNX | Kendrick Lamar 13. HYPNOS | Ravyn Lenae R&B Ravyn Lenae is one of the first artists I discovered when I dove into this genre again a few years ago. I really enjoyed the cloudy but sweet sounds from her first few Eps (Moon Shoes, Midnight Moonlight, and Crush). Ravyn crushes those and makes such an impressive album that is perfect for a cozy weekend morning or a little walk through some city blocks at night. The middle of the album especially goes back-to-back with songs you can’t stop listening to. Favorite songs: “M.I.A.”, “Skin Tight (ft. Steve Lacy)” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/458310b1-3065-4cf2-a7f7-78d9916d587e/MJLenderman.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 10. Manning Fireworks | MJ Lenderman 10. The Loneliest Time | Carly Rae Jepsen Pop It shocks me when people say they didn’t realize CRJ was still making music when she is delivering some of the poppiest pop of the last decade. Pure energy, pace, and fun lyrics that not a lot of others can do! There isn’t much to add beyond that—the music speaks for itself. If you haven’t already heard this and Dedicated, get to it! Favorite song: “Talking to Yourself” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/325e1f95-e2fd-42e2-883e-9ab2751922f2/StillCorners.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 6. Dream Talk | Still Corners 6. Wet Leg | Wet Leg Indie rock From the first time I heard “Chaise Longue”, I knew I wouldn’t stop playing it. Then I heard the rest of this album and it’s simply hit after hit. This is their debut album and Wet Leg came out swinging like they’ve been doing this for a long, long time. Head-banging, grooving, catchy tunes that I’ll be replaying for a long while. I hope they win their big Grammy for Best New Artist, because they certainly were that for me this year. Favorite song: “Chaise Longue”, “Being In Love” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/32d54c95-d9be-4714-9884-61a05655080b/BillieEilish.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 2. HIT ME HARD AND SOFT | Billie Eilish 1. Un Verano Sin Ti | Bad Bunny Latin pop / Reggaeton Last year, I said that 2021 belonged to Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast with the way she produced massive works of art in different media that defined the year for me. Bad Bunny has been doing this annually. With Un Verano Sin Ti, he takes another victory lap as a cultural standard-bearer. I swear, the little keyboard riff at the beginning of “Callaita” was the entire theme of my spring, summer, and fall, and any sunset after that. The way any of these songs immediately lit up a room the second they started playing is not surprising and equally impressive. The versatility of so many of these tracks invites anyone to come in and dance, even if for some reason they had not heard of Bad Bunny before (apparently this is the case in Columbus, Ohio!!). I personally love that he included one of my favorite bands ever, The Marías, to collaborate on what turned out to be my favorite song released all year. I love the attention they got for their own work from this too :) Favorite songs: “Otro Atardecer (ft. The Marías)”, “Ojitos Lindos (ft. Bomba Estéreo)” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/73c6221c-b508-4a06-96c7-4eafb574e863/NoaSainz.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 25. ISABEL LP | Noa Sainz 21. Midnights | Taylor Swift Pop So many people were saying “she did it again”. Did what, produce a forgettable flop like Lover? And then it started growing on me a little bit. My biggest criticism at first was the corny lyrics and that Taylor labeled this as a “concept album” without a concept. But she does know how to create pop songs that end up having you groove along. While it didn’t capture me like her indie folk era, Midnights does have some highlights that I see myself coming back to often. Favorite songs: “Lavender Haze” and “Anti-Hero” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/f4afa44f-0840-42f7-9e61-fd4fb0f6a597/Ruzzi.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 23. Mariana | Ruzzi 24. Dance Fever | Florence + The Machine Folk I did enjoy it at first but it didn’t stick like the first boygenius EP. Maybe I’m not smart enough to get it this time Favorite song: “My Love” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/5a5fb383-03a9-42cf-b41d-d3a1798fa719/VW.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 21. Only God Was Above Us | Vampire Weekend 22. Sunday In Heaven | Zella Day Pop I feel like the albums in this range have had a theme of expectations that ultimately fell short. I heard Zella Day release “Golden” last year and got really excited when she announced the album. While I wish there were more songs like that one, I still enjoyed a lot of the catchiness from other tracks, even when they drifted away from that style. Still, “Golden” is such a great hit and worth listening to the rest of the album. Favorite song: “Golden” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/6e92b35a-2d8b-4251-875c-c181f04f3085/MaggieRogers.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 22. Don’t Forget Me | Maggie Rogers 23. El Big Blue | Bandalos Chinos Indie rock / Synth pop This indie pop/rock band from Argentina has always been producing catchy, groovy little hits that fill up Spotify’s Latin Indie playlists. This album feels like an excellent addition to that repertoire and makes for a great one to put on when you wake up early on Saturday morning to clean the house. Anda a limpiar, pibe. Favorite song: “Una Propuesta” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1636afa3-55a6-4f14-922c-75da8def4b83/Peso.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2024 - 19. ÉXODO | Peso Pluma 19. CRASH | Charli XCX Pop / Electro pop Gordon Ramsay voice: Finally, some good fucking pop. That in-your-face pop. That turn it up in the rideshare (no free ads) after the pre-game pop. That close your eyes, pick a song, and make a scene in public pop. That’s what this is. Favorite song: “Good Ones” https://likewatersounds.com/blog/carlosbestof2023 monthly 0.5 2024-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/5f62ff8c-0cb3-4083-92d8-4907ee1e24f1/695858-golden-state_1010.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 4. Golden State | Logan Ledger 4. Big Time | Angel Olsen Folk / Alt-country I’m noticing that the albums I enjoyed the most are the ones where an artist I already loved tries a new sound that is already adjacent to the rest of their discography. Angel Olsen could typically be heard hitting some harder indie- or folk-rock. In this album, she leans into the gentler sounds of country while still hitting with heavy lyrics under that big sky of pedal steel and country chords. And her singing is so great for this. The album is slow paced, but the themes are so strong that it’s hard to even think about skipping any track. Favorite songs: “All The Good Times”, “This Is How It Works” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/62ab777b-83a0-4fb3-abad-d33c01754f35/strongboi.png Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 17. strongboi | strongboi 17. Tu Historia | Julieta Venegas Latin pop If you know Latin pop, you know that Julieta Venegas can make catchy songs that get you swinging your hips out of nowhere. In this album, Julieta sticks to a pop sound that fits the direction of today’s Latin indie pop. From the start, the first song is an earworm that I can see myself adding to every kind of playlist in the next year. Toward the middle of the album, it even feels nostalgic to earlier Julieta Venegas that we heard from Limón y Sal. Favorite song: “En Tu Orilla", “Mismo Amor" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/a5fb650e-2aa6-4124-944b-77576d2f7596/carlyrae.png Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 1. The Loveliest Time | Carly Rae Jepsen 2. PRE PLEASURE | Julia Jacklin Indie rock / Singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin is one of those artists for me that almost anything she drops has a grasp on my attention. I love her lyrics, her arrangements, her performance. It’s hard to describe, but in the indie rock space, her artistry is elite, and it showed again in this album. When she dropped “I Was Neon” as a single before the album, I played the track over and over without stopping. The more I listen to the rest of the album, I find new little lines in the lyrics that hit me harder than any of her previous work. Give it a close listen and I’m sure you’ll love this too. Favorite song: “I Was Neon” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1ac4e8eb-4008-4860-b48f-39498115d916/645318-prestige_1400.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 15. Prestige | Girl Ray 15. Giving The World Away | Hatchie Dream pop At some point, I put this on my “Listen Soon” list. Then I did, and it was a really good idea. A lot of these songs sound like they come from an alt-pop early 90s album (honestly don’t know much about that but it feels like I would probably hear a lot of these pre-9/11). Still, it’s a sound that I want to keep hearing and thankfully this album gave 50 minutes of that which I couldn’t stop playing once I started. I’m really looking forward to hearing more from Hatchie in the future. Favorite songs: “Quicksand”, “This Enchanted” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/c7eeb05d-a681-45d7-8e51-7bb5b4efe33b/mollyburch.png Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 21. Daydreamer | Molly Burch 22. Sunday In Heaven | Zella Day Pop I feel like the albums in this range have had a theme of expectations that ultimately fell short. I heard Zella Day release “Golden” last year and got really excited when she announced the album. While I wish there were more songs like that one, I still enjoyed a lot of the catchiness from other tracks, even when they drifted away from that style. Still, “Golden” is such a great hit and worth listening to the rest of the album. Favorite song: “Golden” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/3d60670c-d40c-4140-9e4c-b1a390f48208/684139-genesis_2149.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 16. GÉNESIS | Peso Pluma 16. The Forever Story | JID Hip hop I kept hearing different songs at different times from this album thanks to Spotify radio. It took a while for me to find the album, and it delivered in a big way. JID is so artful in his flow, smoothing things out just right in slower moments and hitting briskly when he needs. This is the kind of album where an artist really shows off their range in all aspects of their craft, which kind of feels really present in “Surround Sound”. The features on here are great not just for their names, but the way they add to the experience. And of course, impactful and funny lines that are definitely worth coming back to listen to. Favorite song: “Surround Sound (ft. 21 Savage & Baby Tate)”, “Money” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1739327f-58b1-439d-a83f-79092719ffdc/carinleon.png Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 13. Colmillo de Leche | Carín León 13. HYPNOS | Ravyn Lenae R&B Ravyn Lenae is one of the first artists I discovered when I dove into this genre again a few years ago. I really enjoyed the cloudy but sweet sounds from her first few Eps (Moon Shoes, Midnight Moonlight, and Crush). Ravyn crushes those and makes such an impressive album that is perfect for a cozy weekend morning or a little walk through some city blocks at night. The middle of the album especially goes back-to-back with songs you can’t stop listening to. Favorite songs: “M.I.A.”, “Skin Tight (ft. Steve Lacy)” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/870b985f-8a92-438e-869f-4b28d92ebd31/autopoietica.png Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 5. Autopoiética | Mon Laferte 5. Laurel Hell | Mitski Indie rock / Synth pop I’ll bet I’m not alone in thinking that Mitski songs are generally sad. She knows how to convey strong feelings of reflection, confession, and personal struggle really well. Here, she does so again, but dresses it up in a more glamorous outfit that expands her range in ways I haven’t heard her try before. The more I listened, the more it grew one me, and eventually skyrocketed as I started to pick out all the little details about this new Mitski sound. “The Only Heartbreaker” is the perfect song to do a qualifying lap on an F1 simulator, so I’ve heard. Favorite songs: “The Only Heartbreaker”, “Love Me More”, “Should’ve Been Me” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/ee518d82-0ae1-42f5-b990-2d59c3b37339/mitski.png Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 2. The Land Is Inhospitable, and So Are We | Mitski 1. Un Verano Sin Ti | Bad Bunny Latin pop / Reggaeton Last year, I said that 2021 belonged to Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast with the way she produced massive works of art in different media that defined the year for me. Bad Bunny has been doing this annually. With Un Verano Sin Ti, he takes another victory lap as a cultural standard-bearer. I swear, the little keyboard riff at the beginning of “Callaita” was the entire theme of my spring, summer, and fall, and any sunset after that. The way any of these songs immediately lit up a room the second they started playing is not surprising and equally impressive. The versatility of so many of these tracks invites anyone to come in and dance, even if for some reason they had not heard of Bad Bunny before (apparently this is the case in Columbus, Ohio!!). I personally love that he included one of my favorite bands ever, The Marías, to collaborate on what turned out to be my favorite song released all year. I love the attention they got for their own work from this too :) Favorite songs: “Otro Atardecer (ft. The Marías)”, “Ojitos Lindos (ft. Bomba Estéreo)” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/c26b42d2-4f4a-4509-b256-de841bffa3cf/713421-rustin-in-the-rain_0922.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 25. Rustlin’ in the Rain | Tyler Childers 21. Midnights | Taylor Swift Pop So many people were saying “she did it again”. Did what, produce a forgettable flop like Lover? And then it started growing on me a little bit. My biggest criticism at first was the corny lyrics and that Taylor labeled this as a “concept album” without a concept. But she does know how to create pop songs that end up having you groove along. While it didn’t capture me like her indie folk era, Midnights does have some highlights that I see myself coming back to often. Favorite songs: “Lavender Haze” and “Anti-Hero” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/00e17196-e1fc-4a63-bb75-2f61dc1bb5d3/kali.png Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 10. Red Moon in Venus | Kali Uchis 10. The Loneliest Time | Carly Rae Jepsen Pop It shocks me when people say they didn’t realize CRJ was still making music when she is delivering some of the poppiest pop of the last decade. Pure energy, pace, and fun lyrics that not a lot of others can do! There isn’t much to add beyond that—the music speaks for itself. If you haven’t already heard this and Dedicated, get to it! Favorite song: “Talking to Yourself” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/b0c1b55c-3868-457a-8fd1-30fde3717923/record_boygenius.png Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 23. the record | boygenius 24. Dance Fever | Florence + The Machine Folk I did enjoy it at first but it didn’t stick like the first boygenius EP. Maybe I’m not smart enough to get it this time Favorite song: “My Love” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/35799cf5-78b0-447a-8e18-9fadb68302c6/670882-little-songs_1812.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 19. Little Songs | Colter Wall 19. CRASH | Charli XCX Pop / Electro pop Gordon Ramsay voice: Finally, some good fucking pop. That in-your-face pop. That turn it up in the rideshare (no free ads) after the pre-game pop. That close your eyes, pick a song, and make a scene in public pop. That’s what this is. Favorite song: “Good Ones” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/15a67e69-79f9-48ba-9478-f63a0339cb5f/ylabamba.png Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 11. Lucha | Y La Bamba 11. I Walked With You A Ways | Plains Indie folk / Singer-songwriter Outstanding folk project from two of my favorite singers in the genre, Jess Williamson and Katie Crutchfield, known as Waxahatchee. The album has a wonderful pace that makes it so easy to replay over and over. The songs make me want to put my boots and cowboy hat on for a long ride out west. It hops from fun to nostalgic and all the feelings that are the core of this sound. I especially like Jess Williamson’s singing and I’m happy to see her get recognition. Also, be sure to hear her single “Pictures of Flowers” from 2020. Favorite songs: “Abilene”, “Problem With It” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/6eecf34e-0709-4509-8777-7aecff7fb5f9/570717-norm.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 7. Norm | Andy Shauf 7. De Todas las Flores | Natalia Lafourcade Dream pop / Chamber folk It feels like Natalia just went and created a new type of genre with this album. With little announcement and fanfare, as only the great ones can, she delivered this piece that, when you give it the right time, makes such a deep imprint on you. I’ve seen people describe it as minimalist, cinematic, soothing. It’s all of these and more. This could be one of the most beautiful Mexican albums ever Favorite song: “De todas las flores”, “Muerte”, “El lugar correcto” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/fb73ba46-5391-414b-aeb7-c9a422be9fb4/712359-jardin_0411.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 20. Jardin | MUNYA 20. Candydrip | Lucky Daye R&B Lucky Daye knows how to craft a smooth track. The singles from this album hooked me into the rest of the album and his voice are a perfect fit for the production. The pace is really gentle, so at times it’s easy to lose track of where you are in the album. But when you pick it back up, you remember why you fell in in the first place. Great follow-up to his last EP. Favorite song: “Over” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/73595c23-e99a-4e2b-8b3e-b1bf1a52088d/596272-drop-cherries_1402.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 14. Drop Cherries | Billie Marten 14. Dawn FM | The Weeknd Synth pop / Funk This feels like a fairly underrated album. I like that Abel picks up the pace and gets a little more electronic in this album. It’s kind of a concept album that merits listening to the songs in order, but it was pleasantly surprising to hear this kind of sound from someone already so talented. Favorite songs: “Take My Breath”, “Less Than Zero” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/219561af-ef6d-4a1b-a388-d9b0717f94a6/670114-surf-the-sun_0522.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 12. Surf The Sun | Eleni Drake 12. Tiene Que Ser Para Mí | Natalia Lacunza Spanish indie pop Absolutely my favorite Spanish pop album of the year. I don’t even remember how I discovered it but I’m so glad I did. This album is loaded with the soft indie pop hits that I generally already love. Lacunza’s writing stands out lyrically, too. The transition from track 3 to track 4, go ahead and give that a Grammy immediately. If you’ve heard of Ruzzi, Daniela Spalla, or Vanessa Zamora, or like songs like “BUENOS AIRES” from Nathy Peluso, you’ll really enjoy this album Favorite song: “Muchas Cosas”, “Mi Sitio” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/67af8ef2-df03-41ef-845b-31c4b3bb84ba/bad.png Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 18. Nadie sabe lo que va a pasar | Bad Bunny 18. Paprika | La Bien Querida Spanish indie pop This album generally has a gentle pop feel that works really well with Ana Fernández-Villaverde’s singing. It has a good selection of catchy tunes. An easy-listening Spanish album from an artist I like, especially for her recent single “El Gato”. Favorite songs: “La Voz De Su Amo” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/f4ac9f24-ada0-43cf-8d27-9d651485d115/693625-yard_0914.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 22. Yard | Slow Pulp 23. El Big Blue | Bandalos Chinos Indie rock / Synth pop This indie pop/rock band from Argentina has always been producing catchy, groovy little hits that fill up Spotify’s Latin Indie playlists. This album feels like an excellent addition to that repertoire and makes for a great one to put on when you wake up early on Saturday morning to clean the house. Anda a limpiar, pibe. Favorite song: “Una Propuesta” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/5807c9bb-1138-4dc7-9267-b7374a6229bc/668024-bravo_0532.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 24. Bravo! | Sorry Girls 25. Bravo! | Sorry Girls Indie Soft Rock I fell in love with the three singles off of this album from the beginning of 2023. While the rest of the album was nice, the dreamy soft rock feel of these songs is the type of thing you want to hear when you feel like the protagonist while riding transit. Seeing that they’re on the same label as my favorite band, TOPS, wasn’t so surprising as I felt that they had a similar sound. Favorite songs: “Breathe”, “Prettier Things” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/f7b8b71a-00ac-488c-8793-1673847ba684/601057-cinerama_0148.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 9. Cinérama | Julia Jean-Baptiste 9. Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You | Big Thief Indie folk No denying that this is one of the best albums of the year. I really enjoyed the singles that came before this album a lot, and they are some of my favorite songs of the year. Following up on the masterpiece of Adrienne Lenker’s solo work from 2020, she brings the band together for more of a folk collection compared to the heavier rock sound that I associate with Big Thief. Lenker’s songwriting is so strong and it’s hard to find a weak spot anywhere in this album if you tried. Ride your bike on a cool, sunny day to this one. Favorite songs: “Certainty”, “Red Moon” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/ffbecad2-dc08-4e03-bebd-90532643f3bf/817383-silencio_013504.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 6. Silencio | Karen y Los Remedios 6. Wet Leg | Wet Leg Indie rock From the first time I heard “Chaise Longue”, I knew I wouldn’t stop playing it. Then I heard the rest of this album and it’s simply hit after hit. This is their debut album and Wet Leg came out swinging like they’ve been doing this for a long, long time. Head-banging, grooving, catchy tunes that I’ll be replaying for a long while. I hope they win their big Grammy for Best New Artist, because they certainly were that for me this year. Favorite song: “Chaise Longue”, “Being In Love” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/35a25c51-b143-4c93-bf66-fe8c339176d5/630652-mini-mix-vol-3_0331.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 8. mini mix, vol. 3 | Magdalena Bay 8. And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow | Weyes Blood Indie pop / Singer-songwriter Definitely a headphones-on, quiet room album. Just like in Titanic Rising, there is an ocean of sound that is so carefully crafted across every track. I appreciate the different sounds that Natalie Mering uses to add to the texture of her music. It’s already so encapsulating and her singing already so delicate that doing so is really showing off an incredible talent. I loved getting lost in this one, and even listening to it again for writing this review, I’m getting swept away. Favorite songs: “The Worst Is Done”, “Grapevine” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1bebfaac-b3cf-4858-bfcd-229ef4af3c49/571175-pollen.jpg Blog - Carlos’s 25 Favorite Albums of 2023 - 3. Pollen | Tennis 3. RENAISSANCE | Beyoncé Dance pop / R&B I keep repeating myself, but artists confidently creating new sounds is so impressive. And yet, it sounds like Beyoncé has been doing this kind of sound for her entire career. She has, she’s done it all, and she can’t miss. With incredibly smooth and sometimes abrupt but nevertheless logical transitions, this album displays a crazy range of different dance pop and R&B rhythms. I can’t stop listening to this on a bike, in a car, at the gym, anywhere. And the fact that she can simply drop this with little fanfare and make it one of the best albums of the year? Favorite songs: “CUFF IT”, “VIRGO’S GROOVE” https://likewatersounds.com/blog/findingmeaning2022 monthly 0.5 2022-12-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672353516033-B5DC44X3UC02ANYV7SL2/Screen+Shot+2022-12-29+at+4.27.51+PM.png Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672379292301-2WR3USRJSOV9O54CCDEF/a4040558537_10.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - GUMBO'! (DELUXE) - Pink SiiFu Favorite Songs: “SMILE (wit yo Gold)”, “"Bussin’ (Gold)” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672378523372-VGDQDN445M9VQQSZEED1/a1660335418_10.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Remember Your Northern Star - Yaya Bey Favorite Songs: “alright”, “meet me in brooklyn”, “big daddy ya” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672378523126-XDEJ0HPSEPFB8ZXIUZTP/06438c476644299f0a44a542ea58ea4c.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - COMETA - Nick Hakim Favorite Songs: “M1”, “Only One”, “Happen” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672378524939-EP3AP8BE5JNDPYTJ80UZ/a0196386795_10.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Talk Memory - BADBADNOTGOOD Favorite Songs: “Timid, intimidating” “Beside April” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672378526070-WE9X4271ZX3KNNR28EJG/ab67616d0000b27364d4d0d34aa7c7e7feef6fb4.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - flora + fana - Fana Hues Favorite Songs: “pieces”, “BAD bad” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672378548173-HCZWXSR9CDB5VW62Q27E/Screen+Shot+2022-12-29+at+4.37.40+PM.png Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Absolutely - Dijon Favorite Songs: “The Dress”, “Rodeo Clown”, “Talk Down” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/a4a4a0cb-15a0-4b23-8386-2d016f5a2f4e/a0443959521_10.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) ORION SUN. So much love is given to her smooth vocals and her velvety ass melodic beats. I can and have listened to this project on repeat, over and over again. Favorite Songs: “concrete”, “dirty dancer”, “celebration” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672352936848-SSRMLMGD0CFZJHYXANGW/a1154452619_16.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - 11 - Sault https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672352566806-LLDY6EX61H6JSJHX3RAE/Feedn95XEAMq9Hv.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Onwards! - Contour This is a great album. The keyword is intention. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672352936985-7XKWO39VA65QQIRMGICT/a3622269961_10.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Blue Phases (Deluxe) - Lablue &amp; Astrønne https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672352937979-62TK90F4IHNGNH22C90Y/IvoryOmarApolloAlbumCover.png Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Ivory - Omar Apollo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672352938065-Q75QH3JVOYI1IS71M34M/ab67616d0000b27364d4d0d34aa7c7e7feef6fb4.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - flora + fana - Fana Hues https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672352938846-KJRQV6NZRNERTH7ZFDW3/FblQNWiX0AMb1VO.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Artist: cktrl https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672352938876-YSYAWAANCB5X68VF8FKV/a0443959521_10.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Getaway - Orion Sun https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672353507711-Z4FC4X1SDZUZHA1OC3Y5/43247363-6b6a-46e8-ae90-811e2490c904_1626611_RETINA_PORTRAIT_3_2.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Hypnos - Ravyn Lenae https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672353610379-3AUSWJUBUHNBRFINPE89/06438c476644299f0a44a542ea58ea4c.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - COMETA - Nick Hakim https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672353725038-0ZCV9Q646VJNXSBKBL4R/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-03-07%2Bat%2B9.48.56%2BPM.png Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Artist: Destin Conrad https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672353724453-282WPH7GCPF1O2I3NA71/a1660335418_10.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Remember Your North Star - Yaya Bey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672354083389-PDOKOQB1LQRDYLEHMUMM/a0196386795_10.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Talk Memory - BadBadNotGood https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672353516033-B5DC44X3UC02ANYV7SL2/Screen+Shot+2022-12-29+at+4.27.51+PM.png Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Renaissance - Beyoncé https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672353552506-E85C7T9A77DY7GQNU88B/Screen%2BShot%2B2022-12-29%2Bat%2B4.37.40%2BPM.jpg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Absolutely - Dijon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672354545348-2VPJG039WOBMMJ1C6C4N/Screen%2BShot%2B2022-12-29%2Bat%2B4.45.54%2BPM.jpg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Gemini Rights - Steve Lacy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672354083426-MHCYDAOWU6L8K49MTDOZ/17pink-siifu2-mobileMasterAt3x.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - Artist: Pink SiiFu https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/5c30a0fa-1340-4ae7-bcad-2d5c37a5d6d1/Feedn95XEAMq9Hv.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) The keyword for Onwards! is intention - every beat, every word, every pause has a purpose. I learned a lot in the researching of this jazz-influenced album which discusses Blackness as it pertains to the past, present, and future. I feel like my words won’t do the artistry of this album any justice so here’s a link to a great interview. What I like most about this album is that it allows you to be. You’re not sure where the beats or words will take you, but you can surrender to them. Favorite Songs: “Crowded Afternoon”, “Eke No More”, “Repossess” (feat. Semiratruth) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672360912184-EIFGD9JFD2NQ0DXA35TP/Screen+Shot+2022-12-29+at+6.41.15+PM.png Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672360912262-VPKQ55SLMD9UIIUB7MWN/Screen+Shot+2022-12-29+at+4.45.54+PM.png Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672360853873-ZC4YLFX2QQVZ7VLWI71J/IvoryOmarApolloAlbumCover.png Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672376871464-M5B0B4Y5H96LO59FN8PW/cbef4a55d498ae2106eb6d60db2498bd.1000x1000x1.png Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - COLORWAY - Destin Conrad (2021) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1672376870960-LE5I1TY9O027FKIO21MT/Satin-Art-scaled.jpeg Blog - Not a Top 25 List (2022) - SATIN - Destin Conrad (2022) https://open.spotify.com/album/14DbuWegTlHKKUW1WfUdny?si=pLOn098XSiCvxG_B9ZsrmQ https://likewatersounds.com/blog/carlosbestof2022 monthly 0.5 2023-12-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1c4dabbc-a171-45a3-805e-5bd0e09d6814/lacunza.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 12. Tiene Que Ser Para Mí | Natalia Lacunza Spanish indie pop Absolutely my favorite Spanish pop album of the year. I don’t even remember how I discovered it but I’m so glad I did. This album is loaded with the soft indie pop hits that I generally already love. Lacunza’s writing stands out lyrically, too. The transition from track 3 to track 4, go ahead and give that a Grammy immediately. If you’ve heard of Ruzzi, Daniela Spalla, or Vanessa Zamora, or like songs like “BUENOS AIRES” from Nathy Peluso, you’ll really enjoy this album Favorite song: “Muchas Cosas”, “Mi Sitio” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/cb3141bd-c1f2-410a-99df-f8c213367531/wetleg.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 6. Wet Leg | Wet Leg Indie rock From the first time I heard “Chaise Longue”, I knew I wouldn’t stop playing it. Then I heard the rest of this album and it’s simply hit after hit. This is their debut album and Wet Leg came out swinging like they’ve been doing this for a long, long time. Head-banging, grooving, catchy tunes that I’ll be replaying for a long while. I hope they win their big Grammy for Best New Artist, because they certainly were that for me this year. Favorite song: “Chaise Longue”, “Being In Love” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/c082a5d1-0eca-4cec-b239-ad22d91609a2/mitski.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 5. Laurel Hell | Mitski Indie rock / Synth pop I’ll bet I’m not alone in thinking that Mitski songs are generally sad. She knows how to convey strong feelings of reflection, confession, and personal struggle really well. Here, she does so again, but dresses it up in a more glamorous outfit that expands her range in ways I haven’t heard her try before. The more I listened, the more it grew one me, and eventually skyrocketed as I started to pick out all the little details about this new Mitski sound. “The Only Heartbreaker” is the perfect song to do a qualifying lap on an F1 simulator, so I’ve heard. Favorite songs: “The Only Heartbreaker”, “Love Me More”, “Should’ve Been Me” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1ad3820d-b14e-4463-9b09-af8893e86939/charli.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 19. CRASH | Charli XCX Pop / Electro pop Gordon Ramsay voice: Finally, some good fucking pop. That in-your-face pop. That turn it up in the rideshare (no free ads) after the pre-game pop. That close your eyes, pick a song, and make a scene in public pop. That’s what this is. Favorite song: “Good Ones” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/3e38fafe-dedc-4b7a-9cda-a510bf94885d/bigtime.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 4. Big Time | Angel Olsen Folk / Alt-country I’m noticing that the albums I enjoyed the most are the ones where an artist I already loved tries a new sound that is already adjacent to the rest of their discography. Angel Olsen could typically be heard hitting some harder indie- or folk-rock. In this album, she leans into the gentler sounds of country while still hitting with heavy lyrics under that big sky of pedal steel and country chords. And her singing is so great for this. The album is slow paced, but the themes are so strong that it’s hard to even think about skipping any track. Favorite songs: “All The Good Times”, “This Is How It Works” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/56b80a80-bd6b-4fe0-9e40-5d0f13a7d382/BandalosChinos.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 23. El Big Blue | Bandalos Chinos Indie rock / Synth pop This indie pop/rock band from Argentina has always been producing catchy, groovy little hits that fill up Spotify’s Latin Indie playlists. This album feels like an excellent addition to that repertoire and makes for a great one to put on when you wake up early on Saturday morning to clean the house. Anda a limpiar, pibe. Favorite song: “Una Propuesta” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/4b106f91-e4b6-4554-8726-a97a6a69c8ea/julieta.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 17. Tu Historia | Julieta Venegas Latin pop If you know Latin pop, you know that Julieta Venegas can make catchy songs that get you swinging your hips out of nowhere. In this album, Julieta sticks to a pop sound that fits the direction of today’s Latin indie pop. From the start, the first song is an earworm that I can see myself adding to every kind of playlist in the next year. Toward the middle of the album, it even feels nostalgic to earlier Julieta Venegas that we heard from Limón y Sal. Favorite song: “En Tu Orilla", “Mismo Amor" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/619b953a-c8cb-41d1-ba29-8afa80a911e6/Florence.jpg Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 24. Dance Fever | Florence + The Machine Pop This was a case of one I was really looking forward to based on the singles and generally liking Florence. When she released “Free” and “My Love” in the middle of spring as the sun was coming out more and the temperatures were warming up, I really felt like this could deliver great summer hits. Well, those singles are so good that they carry the album into this list. Favorite song: “My Love” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/a1cf2ad0-e737-4c06-9e67-b3ea9c8ed840/Lucky-Daye-Candydrip-Artwork-scaled.jpg Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 20. Candydrip | Lucky Daye R&B Lucky Daye knows how to craft a smooth track. The singles from this album hooked me into the rest of the album and his voice are a perfect fit for the production. The pace is really gentle, so at times it’s easy to lose track of where you are in the album. But when you pick it back up, you remember why you fell in in the first place. Great follow-up to his last EP. Favorite song: “Over” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/69050fff-b16b-4603-8d50-4fa3c697fca2/bigthief.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 9. Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You | Big Thief Indie folk No denying that this is one of the best albums of the year. I really enjoyed the singles that came before this album a lot, and they are some of my favorite songs of the year. Following up on the masterpiece of Adrienne Lenker’s solo work from 2020, she brings the band together for more of a folk collection compared to the heavier rock sound that I associate with Big Thief. Lenker’s songwriting is so strong and it’s hard to find a weak spot anywhere in this album if you tried. Ride your bike on a cool, sunny day to this one. Favorite songs: “Certainty”, “Red Moon” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/2e8844af-77a2-4c9f-bff5-c6c00d34f464/amber.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 25. Three Dimensions Deep | Amber Mark R&B Since first hearing Amber Mark’s Conexão EP and the single “Mixer” a few years ago, I’ve been looking forward to hearing more of her sound in a full-length album. She delivered a 17-track, hour-long album this year that scatters some great sounds and some new grooves that remind me of those earlier works. This album is easy to listen to and fill into. Favorite song: “Foreign Things” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/ecf0fb99-359d-4d42-b232-d25e5099d6f5/Zella.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 22. Sunday In Heaven | Zella Day Pop I feel like the albums in this range have had a theme of expectations that ultimately fell short. I heard Zella Day release “Golden” last year and got really excited when she announced the album. While I wish there were more songs like that one, I still enjoyed a lot of the catchiness from other tracks, even when they drifted away from that style. Still, “Golden” is such a great hit and worth listening to the rest of the album. Favorite song: “Golden” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/2c90690c-e095-4e01-99f1-645dfdd12aad/dawnfm.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 14. Dawn FM | The Weeknd Synth pop / Funk This feels like a fairly underrated album. I like that Abel picks up the pace and gets a little more electronic in this album. It’s kind of a concept album that merits listening to the songs in order, but it was pleasantly surprising to hear this kind of sound from someone already so talented. Favorite songs: “Take My Breath”, “Less Than Zero” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/02e39dd1-7eae-47ac-b437-0643adcb6465/BadBunny_UVST.jpg Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 1. Un Verano Sin Ti | Bad Bunny Latin pop / Reggaeton Last year, I said that 2021 belonged to Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast with the way she produced massive works of art in different media that defined the year for me. Bad Bunny has been doing this annually. With Un Verano Sin Ti, he takes another victory lap as a cultural standard-bearer. I swear, the little keyboard riff at the beginning of “Callaita” was the entire theme of my spring, summer, and fall, and any sunset after that. The way any of these songs immediately lit up a room the second they started playing is not surprising and equally impressive. The versatility of so many of these tracks invites anyone to come in and dance, even if for some reason they had not heard of Bad Bunny before (apparently this is the case in Columbus, Ohio!!). I personally love that he included one of my favorite bands ever, The Marías, to collaborate on what turned out to be my favorite song released all year. I love the attention they got for their own work from this too :) Favorite songs: “Otro Atardecer (ft. The Marías)”, “Ojitos Lindos (ft. Bomba Estéreo)” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/5aa4b8d6-a651-4fa0-a919-4c9779afba28/bienquerida.jpg Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 18. Paprika | La Bien Querida Spanish indie pop This album generally has a gentle pop feel that works really well with Ana Fernández-Villaverde’s singing. It has a good selection of catchy tunes. An easy-listening Spanish album from an artist I like, especially for her recent single “El Gato”. Favorite songs: “La Voz De Su Amo” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/a48be69b-61ad-4f34-95c6-c343402b9834/hatchie.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 15. Giving The World Away | Hatchie Dream pop At some point, I put this on my “Listen Soon” list. Then I did, and it was a really good idea. A lot of these songs sound like they come from an alt-pop early 90s album (honestly don’t know much about that but it feels like I would probably hear a lot of these pre-9/11). Still, it’s a sound that I want to keep hearing and thankfully this album gave 50 minutes of that which I couldn’t stop playing once I started. I’m really looking forward to hearing more from Hatchie in the future. Favorite songs: “Quicksand”, “This Enchanted” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/266fdd66-ccc8-4471-afd1-e123bf756221/Taylor.jpg Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 21. Midnights | Taylor Swift Pop So many people were saying “she did it again”. Did what, produce a forgettable flop like Lover? And then it started growing on me a little bit. My biggest criticism at first was the corny lyrics and that Taylor labeled this as a “concept album” without a concept. But she does know how to create pop songs that end up having you groove along. While it didn’t capture me like her indie folk era, Midnights does have some highlights that I see myself coming back to often. Favorite songs: “Lavender Haze” and “Anti-Hero” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/dbd610eb-7805-41a8-afae-a1ff7c81dcf2/natalia.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 7. De Todas las Flores | Natalia Lafourcade Dream pop / Chamber folk It feels like Natalia just went and created a new type of genre with this album. With little announcement and fanfare, as only the great ones can, she delivered this piece that, when you give it the right time, makes such a deep imprint on you. I’ve seen people describe it as minimalist, cinematic, soothing. It’s all of these and more. This could be one of the most beautiful Mexican albums ever Favorite song: “De todas las flores”, “Muerte”, “El lugar correcto” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/eedee300-8f40-447e-a18c-6049f29a4a3b/carly.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 10. The Loneliest Time | Carly Rae Jepsen Pop It shocks me when people say they didn’t realize CRJ was still making music when she is delivering some of the poppiest pop of the last decade. Pure energy, pace, and fun lyrics that not a lot of others can do! There isn’t much to add beyond that—the music speaks for itself. If you haven’t already heard this and Dedicated, get to it! Favorite song: “Talking to Yourself” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1040241d-fc5c-49aa-aa5a-e1598c364eba/JID.jpg Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 16. The Forever Story | JID Hip hop I kept hearing different songs at different times from this album thanks to Spotify radio. It took a while for me to find the album, and it delivered in a big way. JID is so artful in his flow, smoothing things out just right in slower moments and hitting briskly when he needs. This is the kind of album where an artist really shows off their range in all aspects of their craft, which kind of feels really present in “Surround Sound”. The features on here are great not just for their names, but the way they add to the experience. And of course, impactful and funny lines that are definitely worth coming back to listen to. Favorite song: “Surround Sound (ft. 21 Savage & Baby Tate)”, “Money” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/7143e022-03e1-47a9-85c7-7e7fa01be530/plains.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 11. I Walked With You A Ways | Plains Indie folk / Singer-songwriter Outstanding folk project from two of my favorite singers in the genre, Jess Williamson and Katie Crutchfield, known as Waxahatchee. The album has a wonderful pace that makes it so easy to replay over and over. The songs make me want to put my boots and cowboy hat on for a long ride out west. It hops from fun to nostalgic and all the feelings that are the core of this sound. I especially like Jess Williamson’s singing and I’m happy to see her get recognition. Also, be sure to hear her single “Pictures of Flowers” from 2020. Favorite songs: “Abilene”, “Problem With It” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/0e2e9f38-0493-463f-82f7-87bbe2ec02d1/bey.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 3. RENAISSANCE | Beyoncé Dance pop / R&B I keep repeating myself, but artists confidently creating new sounds is so impressive. And yet, it sounds like Beyoncé has been doing this kind of sound for her entire career. She has, she’s done it all, and she can’t miss. With incredibly smooth and sometimes abrupt but nevertheless logical transitions, this album displays a crazy range of different dance pop and R&B rhythms. I can’t stop listening to this on a bike, in a car, at the gym, anywhere. And the fact that she can simply drop this with little fanfare and make it one of the best albums of the year? Favorite songs: “CUFF IT”, “VIRGO’S GROOVE” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/4c668af5-2538-4935-b62e-4c59623731a0/ravyn.jfif Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 13. HYPNOS | Ravyn Lenae R&B Ravyn Lenae is one of the first artists I discovered when I dove into this genre again a few years ago. I really enjoyed the cloudy but sweet sounds from her first few Eps (Moon Shoes, Midnight Moonlight, and Crush). Ravyn crushes those and makes such an impressive album that is perfect for a cozy weekend morning or a little walk through some city blocks at night. The middle of the album especially goes back-to-back with songs you can’t stop listening to. Favorite songs: “M.I.A.”, “Skin Tight (ft. Steve Lacy)” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/78ff0495-94ef-4a79-8a71-0628b9cc9cbe/weyes.jpg Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 8. And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow | Weyes Blood Indie pop / Singer-songwriter Definitely a headphones-on, quiet room album. Just like in Titanic Rising, there is an ocean of sound that is so carefully crafted across every track. I appreciate the different sounds that Natalie Mering uses to add to the texture of her music. It’s already so encapsulating and her singing already so delicate that doing so is really showing off an incredible talent. I loved getting lost in this one, and even listening to it again for writing this review, I’m getting swept away. Favorite songs: “The Worst Is Done”, “Grapevine” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/8500e766-a682-40c7-a3ac-107ab312b296/jacklin.jpg Blog - Carlos’s Top 25 Albums of 2022 2. PRE PLEASURE | Julia Jacklin Indie rock / Singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin is one of those artists for me that almost anything she drops has a grasp on my attention. I love her lyrics, her arrangements, her performance. It’s hard to describe, but in the indie rock space, her artistry is elite, and it showed again in this album. When she dropped “I Was Neon” as a single before the album, I played the track over and over without stopping. The more I listen to the rest of the album, I find new little lines in the lyrics that hit me harder than any of her previous work. Give it a close listen and I’m sure you’ll love this too. Favorite song: “I Was Neon” https://likewatersounds.com/blog/honestly-im-sold monthly 0.5 2022-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/d3572b9e-8263-459f-ae32-0f3f4427d6d9/ab67616d0000b27322dfcfcc0742f339986d20cb.jpeg Blog - Honestly, I’m Sold - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://likewatersounds.com/blog/loversrock monthly 0.5 2022-06-22 https://likewatersounds.com/blog/v1-knxwledge monthly 0.5 2022-03-03 https://likewatersounds.com/blog/ouioui monthly 0.5 2022-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/f9d2614d-7b13-4e52-ba92-f297e14ab8cc/3616553765449.jpeg Blog - Astrønne and LaBlue - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://likewatersounds.com/blog/daishasbestof2021 monthly 0.5 2022-12-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/909f8900-e7ec-4df0-8e67-a95051e278c1/Helado-Negro-Far-In.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 5. Far In| Helado Negro Electronic/ Pop This album feels like laying out in the sun, watching the clouds as they pass you by. It’s melodic and breezy, filled with nostalgia. Calming and refreshing, maybe a tad bittersweet. Roberto Carlos Lange has a way of taking you into his world, and before you know it, you’ve reached the album’s end. Favorite songs: “There Must Be a Song Like You” and “Gemini and Leo” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/fda76b47-3154-49dc-9933-b8e9e1349a00/100000x100000-999.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 24. Vince Staples | Vince Staples Rap A smooth, smooth self-titled album produced entirely by Kenny Beats. I became especially excited for this album after watching the interviews he did amidst the album rollout, particularly this interview with Hasan Minhaj. Aside from the great music, he’s a cool person. Funny, wise, talented, just can do it all. Favorite Songs: “SUNDOWN TOWN” and “TAKE ME HOME” (feat. Foushee) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1161591e-252c-4267-a9f4-d917a71a6eb2/a3470501203_10.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 12. Untourable Album | Men I Trust Alternative / Bedroom Pop It’s called the Untourable Album, but the tour sold out worldwide?? How does that work? I guess that happens when the album absolutely slaps. Men I Trust have melodic, bedroom pop on LOCK. Put this on, lay in bed, stare at the ceiling, and proceed to drift away. Favorite Songs: “Always Lone”, “Sugar”, and “Before Dawn” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/29c3d021-eb15-4e01-a9cd-3b2c24c48334/Hiatus-Kaiyote-Mood-Valiant.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 4. Mood Valiant | Hiatus Kiayote Neo-Soul/ Jazz With the last Hiatus Kiayote album being released in 2015, this was another long-awaited and highly anticipated album for me. Just last year, I became a huge Hiatus Kiayote fan. I fell in love with Nai Palm’s voice and the soulful and jazzy content of their music. After I ran Hiatus Kiayote’s entire discography into the ground, I was elated to find Nai Palm’s personal album. I spent a lot of 2020 in my room, being transported away by their sounds. Then, Mood Valiant was released and it did not disappoint. The songs range from slow and sultry to entire melodies that transport you away and remind you of what it's like to be alive. It's expertly crafted, with an orchestra of instruments guiding your hand through each beat. Favorite Songs: “Sip Into Something Soft”, “And We Go Gentle”, and “Red Room” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/93e8f1a6-4066-45b5-be9c-1514255334ac/Charlotte+Day+Wilson+-+Alpha.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 14. Alpha | Charlotte Day Wilson Soul Alpha was another long-awaited album. A lot of my favorite songs I already heard of throughout the years- such as “Mountains” and “I’ll Take Care of You”. Nonetheless, this album was an enjoyable listen. Favorite songs: “Take Care of You” (feat. Syd) and “If I Can Only Whisper” (feat. BADBADNOTGOOD) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/170c6e8d-029f-4ea3-ae7b-f605cba7975f/Isaiah-Rashad-Keeps-The-Heat-Streak-Alive-with-New-Single-22Headshots-4r-Da-Locals22-.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/8abce8aa-7b23-47c9-a126-97677c6ff8ed/100000x100000-999+%281%29.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 11. to hell with it | PinkPantheress Electronic/ Dance Pop With most of her songs being just over a minute long, you could blink and miss all of to hell with it. But the eclectic sound on display here is only aided by those brief runtimes. Her music might actually be the internet personified. With quick songs to capture our shortened attention spans and beats that sound like windows 98, PinkPantheress tells us that she completely gets it. Favorite Songs: “Passion” and “Pain” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/0f1ff060-1419-4bb5-9269-3d0025b3a960/a0681354120_10.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 10. Collapsed in Sunbeams | Arlo Parks R&B/ Soul This album was absolutely beautiful. Parks expertly navigates through difficult topics of mental illness, love, loss, sexuality, and more. Arlo Parks uses her songs as a sound board for the troubles many people face as they go through life trying to navigate it the best they know how. Favorite Songs: “Bluish”, “Eugene”, “Green Eyes” and “Hurt” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/b2784f19-33ab-417f-a240-3285ca52b6f0/MICK-J-ARTWORK-1001x1024.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 18. Elephant in the Room | Mick Jenkins Rap It wouldn’t be a year in music for me without Mick Jenkins. Since 2014, his music has been a soundtrack for my life. Always melodic, meaningful, and thoughtful. I can’t do without. From the album: I just want to smoke my weed I just wanna love my girl I just wanna praise my God I just wanna sell my loose cigarettes I just wanna do my job Might wanna go for a jog Might wanna sleep in my car Might wanna sleep in my bed Here’s a list of seemingly trivial activities on a melodic beat. You bob your head along and want to know the song title, and there it goes: “Things You Could Die For If Doing While Black”. Best Songs: “Gucci Tried to Tell Me”, “Is, This Cigarettes”, and “Scottie Pippen” (feat. serpentwithfeet) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/21e83b8b-e2c3-4146-96dc-689fb5f6eafc/ab67616d0000b2731448c3a92e28193fcff2f32f.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 21. Table For Two | Lucky Daye R&B Lucky Daye is great, but I really love this album for the girls. There’s so many great features - Mahalia, Ari Lennox, Joyce Wrice, Yebba, and more. If you’re going through any heartbreak at all, put this album on and feel less alone. Or, just put this on to appreciate the human condition - knowing those feelings are temporary and lows won’t last for too long. Favorite Songs: “My Window” (feat. Mahalia) and “How Much Can A Heart Take” (feat. Yebba) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/05b56926-1aa0-4f26-9d7d-63ef821835c2/91Fa-A1oopL._SL1500_.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 17. An Evening With Silk Sonic | Silk Sonic Soul/ Funk This album reminds me of how I felt about the Free Nationals’ album. A lot of my favorite songs were the singles and I didn’t feel as excited when the album finally dropped, but alas it is here. Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars are a high energy, talented duo. With one song, I am transported to the 70s. I’m dancing in the kitchen, smoking cigarettes, and thinking about my hot and cold lover. They’re stressing me out, but in all honesty, I’m probably the cause of most of the stress. Favorite Songs: “Smoking Out The Window” and “After Last Night” (feat. Thundercat and Bootsy Collins) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/bc8c805a-b2cc-4cd5-a9a7-bf4d6f3a4e3f/Isaiah-Rashad.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 1. The House Is Burning | Isaiah Rashad Hip-hop/ Rap No surprises on this one. Another highly, HIGHLY anticipated album for me. Before THIB, Isaiah Rashad’s last album was The Sun’s Tirade back in 2016. Rashad has previously mentioned his struggles with depression, anxiety and addiction. These struggles have made it difficult for him to appreciate the fruits of his success, and even put out more music. I was ecstatic when he started releasing singles for this album—it almost felt unreal. 2021 really feels like Rashad’s year, and I’m happy he’s been able to find his way. He has such a distinct musical sound. There’s mixes of smooth R&B, 90’s southern hiphop, and even Bounce music in songs such as “What U Sed”. It’s smooth music for any kind of setting. Favorite Songs: “RIP Young”, “Headshots (4r Da Locals)”, “What U Sed” (feat. Iamdoechii and Kal Banx), and “HB2U” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/acc93bee-d7e3-4942-8d7a-3c35f2c38755/ab67616d0000b273a6294b2dee08310a2801b9b6.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 20. sg8 | Duckwrth Hip-hop/ Rap Duckwrth is a consistent provider of great music (see: SuperGood, 2020). In sg8, Duckwrth navigates feelings of anxiety in a “post-pandemic” world. He asks the age-old question: “Have I always been this anxious, or is this life shit ten times more difficult since I’ve been trapped in my room?” After he pushes past those feelings of anxiety, the entire album is a party - full of infectious (no pun-intended) tunes that make you want to dance the night away. Favorite Songs: “Mask Off (Feelings)”, Make U Go”, and “4K” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/6dc8f709-72e6-4810-ac68-c07869a01f0a/ab67616d0000b273a28ede4f399f385e7473be95.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 25. Drawing | Silas Short R&B/ Soul This album is absolutely beautiful, and akin to a Sunday morning. Melodic and harmonious. Short’s voice is light and airy. I may have actually heard this album for the first time on a Sunday, and it made perfect sense then just as it does now. It’s very easy to listen to this album all the way through, as the songs just flow into each other. Favorite Songs: “Queen of Paisley” and “TwO” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/3eb55e20-06bf-4d17-8ffd-f10d409502cf/a3281693219_10.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 22. Honey For Wounds (Deluxe) | Ego Ella May R&B/ Neo-Soul I can’t remember if I was introduced to Ego Ella May’s music by a dear friend, or if it was her COLORS performance on Youtube. I loved the title and lyrics of the song she performed - “Girls Don’t Always Sing About Boys”. As well, I was captivated by her voice and sound. There’s something so poetic and jazzy about Ego Ella May’s music. Her sophomore album Honey For Wounds was actually released in 2020, but in July 2021 we were blessed with a deluxe version featuring three new songs. Favorite Songs: “Girls Don’t Always Sing About Boys” and “Give A Little” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/b4344037-e768-4ec2-8ce7-892cdf1848f6/LYN-058HomeshakeCover_3000x3000_2_04e65d33-708a-4550-95e6-2ab5a40eb2cf_1024x1024.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 9. Under the Weather | Homeshake R&B/ Soul Written in 2019, but released in 2021, Under the Weather explores the feelings of depression and isolation Homeshake has been struggling with for a large portion of his life. With every sad feeling, there is a lot of beauty that can be felt in it. And that’s what I get from this album. It’s truly lovely and very easy to fall into. Favorite Songs: “I Know I Know I Know” and “Mindless” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/bd3d038a-374e-4587-af5d-22ef5ba1f9ff/a0856401958_10.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 7. Bittersweet | Amaria R&B / Neo-Soul The first song I heard by Amaria was “Twilight”. I was immediately drawn in by the smoothness of the track, the velvety tone of her voice. Bittersweet is her impressive debut album that delivers more of the same. Apparently Amaria is used to being behind the scenes. She’s known for recording music videos for other artists, but most recently she was pushed to stand in front of the camera and put out music of her own. I’m so glad she was given this push. She’s incredibly talented and I can’t wait to hear more from her. Favorite Songs: “Lose Control”, “Think About It”, and “Work” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/f02e0b2b-d84a-4f0c-a05d-eb65a65a2230/ab67616d0000b27353cdc236af0b7542718edbb1.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 23. Fleece| Juto R&B/ Soul As I’m writing this, Fleece has been out for about a week. I haven’t had much time to sit with this album, but I really enjoyed what I’ve heard. I’ve missed Juto’s presence in the music scene. Favorite Songs: “Riduh” and “Honor” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/e72bc710-acaa-41c6-8d6d-8796c8d4ea57/Mach-Hommy-Pray-for-Haiti.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 19. Pray For Haiti | Mach-Hommy Rap Last year, Tems was my artist to look out for. This year, it’s Mach-Hommy. He’s been on the scene for quite a few years now, but this year he’s really picked up traction with no intentions to slow down. He’s released two new albums this year, this one: Pray for Haiti, as well as Balens Cho (Hot Candles), released this December 2021. He also has a feature on Kaytranada’s most recent EP Intimidated. There’s something very classic, but refreshing about Mach-Hommy. It could be his flow, the blend of creole into his music. He has a way of bringing you into his world even though you might not completely understand it all. I also find it cool that he keeps his identity hidden. No one knows his face. Favorite Songs: “Marie” and The Stellar Ray Theory” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/b52cc76d-ad4f-491c-af4e-5296a46f79f7/a1554886129_10.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 2. Mother | Cleo Sol R&B Oh boy, this album is absolutely beautiful. Written for her newborn child, Cleo Sol elegantly discusses concepts of love through the lens of motherhood- how she was loved as a child, and how she intends to love her future child. The very first song, “Don’t Let Me Fall” is breathtaking and prepares you for the rest of the album. It’s intimate, thoughtful, and filling. I really recommend listening to this entire album. It’s really easy to. Every time I listen to this album, I discover a new favorite song. Favorite Songs: “Promises” and “Build Me Up” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/3fd9c1e5-8234-465f-b4af-d99da783b2b0/a3b034a4012e19fc42216a8a86491795.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 16. Planet Her | Doja Cat Pop Everyone knows that 2021 was Doja Cat’s year. She’s a household name and a superstar - making hit after hit, singing, dancing, headlining countless festivals, and more. From Moo (a great song) to eight times grammy nominee. She deserves all the recognition she’s gotten this year. This album was full of fun, airy hits that showcase her diversity and talent. Favorite Songs: “You Right” (feat. The Weeknd) and “Woman” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/b6e462d0-db6e-4063-b2f6-26cc341f0714/Mereba_+Azeb.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 6. AZEB | Mereba R&B/ Folk Ahh, you got me. It’s an EP, but I had to include it. Mereba has mastered the art of story telling - of her own experiences, black experiences, love, determination. Crazily enough, the night of AZEB’s release, Mereba’s first child was born. Favorite Songs: “Rider”, “Go(l)d”, and “Beretta”. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/f80b32fa-2ae6-4349-81ba-bf8c0317b07f/71VMgh5t97S._SL1200_.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 15. Rare Pleasure| Mndsgn R&B, soundtrack music, psychedelia and jazz In this album, Mndsgn reflects on the simple, but rare pleasures of life such as slow dancing with a loved one, self-care, and more over beats that vaguely remind me of a 90s infomercial mixed with jazz. I don’t know how to explain it. Maybe it’s the synthesizers, drums, and piano. It’s also a great album for some reflection of your own. In his song “Masque”, Mndsgn prompts us to “Lift the veils we love to be adorned with/ Set them aside and show me what's inside”. Favorite Songs: “Rare Pleasure II”, “Hope You’re Doin’ Better”, and “Slow Dance” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/2382d0de-89eb-49b6-8117-97bfc7b4ed52/100000x100000-999+%282%29.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 8. Life of a DON | Don Toliver Rap Don Toliver is the king of making moody music you can drive around too. This album took a minute to grow on me, but reflecting on it, every song is pretty damn good. Maybe it was less exciting at the time because it felt quite predictable, but it’s a great album nonetheless. Favorite Songs: “2 AM”, “Double Standards”, and “Swangin’ on Westheimer” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/ba9bc0ed-1798-4f89-8167-6cf74c514cb1/Topaz-Jones.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 13. Don't Go Tellin' Your Momma | Topaz Jones R&B/ Soul What makes this album one of my favorites this year isn’t just the music, but the amazing visuals that come along with it. Alongside this album is a beautiful 30-minute film (so stunning that it’s won a Sundance Film Festival award). If you have the time, I really recommend watching the film first. Using the Black ABCs to structure the film, we are taken through Jone’s upbringing. We get to see the aspects of his community that molded him — between interviews of activists, his family members, and absolutely stunning surreal-looking shots. The album itself is a funky, soulful reflection of life. Favorite Songs: “Black Tame” and “Rich” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/0fceaca6-59eb-4a7a-8b4c-4921e11b831d/qbtax7m7t9imc_600.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 3. The Melodic Blue | Baby Keem Rap/ Hip-Hop Nah, the first time I heard this album I did not get it. I did not understand. I specifically remember listening to this album all the way through, painfully, and then texting my friend confused as hell. To my surprise, they assured me that my ears were wrong - that I wasn’t hearing this album right, that maybe I wasn’t in the right headspace for it. So I gave it a break. It wasn’t until a few weeks later, I came back to the album while on a roadtrip to Houston. And in that moment, I finally understood. From there, I played this album every time I got in the car, at the gym, buying groceries, sitting in my room laying in bed. It just clicked. This album is so damn good. I can not emphasis this enough. I’m probably one of the only few people who this album didn’t immediatly resonate with, but I’m glad I saw the light. Favorite Songs: “vent”, “range brothers” (feat. Kendrick Lamar), and“lost souls (feat. Brent Faiyaz) https://likewatersounds.com/blog/carlosbestof2021 monthly 0.5 2022-12-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/a6a15d4e-4652-4575-9bee-7f21b69d96a0/Staves_GW.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 10. Good Woman | The Staves Indie folk / Indie pop This is one of the first albums I heard this year, and it has such comforting tracks that still hold. Picture this: You’re driving on the interstate on your way back home from a great day trip. It’s a clear, cold late winter evening and the sun and sky are shining orange and pink hues above you. In the dying moments of the day, there is a rush of excitement and comfort from how special that experience feels. That’s what this album makes me feel. Favorite songs: “Best Friend”, “Paralysed” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/2abd6398-788f-48f0-ba8f-07cd850b07ea/Hand+Habit_FH.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 24. Fun House | Hand Habits Indie folk / Singer-songwriter An indie-folk album that is fluid between sorrow and joy with the magic touch of Hand Habits. I first discovered Hand Habits through a 2020 collaboration with Jess Williamson called “Pictures of Flowers”. I was amazed by both artists and am happy to report that their individual efforts shine just as well. Favorite song: “Graves” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/2f306b6f-0c51-423b-8cfc-7916d3b0d6ab/Jenkins_Overview.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 2. An Overview on Phenomenal Nature | Cassandra Jenkins Indie folk This is an absolute work of art. Jenkins might have my favorite singing voice I discovered this year. It’s hauntingly comforting and finds a way to connect to your mind and soul. The way she sings “go to the water, it cures everything” in “New Bikini” sticks with me when I’m missing home or feel isolated on a cold, overcast Ohio day. But the real treat is “Hard Drive”. Part spoken, part sung, it’s an immersive experience into Jenkins’ soul with a cathartic but quiet release. Find a quiet room, put on good headphones, lay down and let “Hard Drive” carry you away. Favorite songs: “Hard Drive”, “New Bikini” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/2751e74a-a3e8-4683-a58e-3682207b030d/CHAI-WINK.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 14. WINK | CHAI Electro-pop / Indie pop This Japanese quartet is known for energetic pop. I didn’t discover them until this album, but I enjoyed how I could sense this energy in a slowed down, mellowed out way. At a lot of moments, CHAI touch on R&B and jazzy vibes that kept a lot of their songs stuck in my head in spring. There is so much nuance in this album, yet it feels so easy to let it play out. Favorite song: “Donuts Mind If I Do” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/a73206fd-8f93-4bc7-a935-a15cb807d222/Jbrekkie_Jubilee.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 1. Jubilee | Japanese Breakfast Indie pop 2021 belongs to Michelle Zauner. Released a best-selling memoir that is among the top books of 2021? Check. Composed and recorded an entire score for a video game? Check. With her band’s best work, Zauner unleashes a confident parade of feelings that shake you to your core. If you were lucky to see her in concert, you know how triumphant Zauner was when she performed “Paprika”. In the same way, the rest of the album is a celebration of strength in all the emotions we experience. There are no skips in this album; it’s a pure, smooth ride through highs and lows of Zauner’s life that are just as fulfilling every single listen. It’s a celebration of life, of feeling, of growing. It’s the album of the year. Favorite songs: “Paprika”, “Slide Tackle”, “Posing for Cars” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/552575f3-d808-4ea1-abe7-2bb2ff2f4f7f/Dacus_HV.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 16. Home Video | Lucy Dacus Indie rock Not much more can be said about Lucy Dacus. She is a masterful songwriter and her music has been a staple in cathartic sad girl playlists for years. With a beautifully humming voice, Dacus recounts what it’s like to come back home after being away for so long. Seeing the places and things that reawaken memories is something we can all relate to. Dacus puts all the right words and chords together for us. Favorite song: “Hot & Heavy” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/7f0ad525-c776-4234-b799-57eddd620956/Clairo_Sling.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 23. Sling | Clairo Indie pop / Baroque pop This album took a while to grow on me, but it bloomed beautifully when it did. Moving away from the soft, bubbly bedroom pop that everyone knows her for, Clairo crafted a singer-songwriter work that is comforting with every listen. Maybe everyone realized doing a Folklore would be a cool idea, but not everyone got it right (ahem, Ella). Clairo uses her gentle voice and soft production to deliver a strong collection of songs that feel like a blanket. Also, no more Jack Antonoff. Society has progressed beyond the need for Jack Antonoff. Favorite song: “Amoeba” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/42e51d8d-eee9-4ef5-af04-59662b98875c/Laferte_SEIS.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 7. SEIS | Mon Laferte Regional mexicano What a wonderful exposé of Mon Laferte’s songwriting capabilities. Laferte is already well known for her Latin alternative and pop music with a strong voice that can rattle any audience. Her voice is made for mariachi and regional Mexican. She proves so in SEIS with the kind of music your grandparents would appreciate. Favorite song: “Se Me Va A Quemar El Corazón” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/45680792-b4e7-4db3-a4a6-e4f54056d666/Marias_Cinema2.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 4. CINEMA | The Marías Indie pop / Synth pop / Alt. R&B The debut album of The Marías is such a special work. What makes them so wonderful is how every detail beneath Maria’s voice is so finely tuned to make you feel like you’re listening to the band live in a high-end basement club with elegant décor. This album is top 5 for the transition between tracks 1 and 2. Not that the Gr*mmy’s mean anything, but this album is nominated for Best Engineered Album. So grab a good pair of headphones and listen for yourself in a dimly lit room. Give yourself room to dance and groove, too. Favorite song: “Un Millón” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/7b60a03c-6263-4309-953c-d445aad47c57/CTangana_Madrileno.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 3. El Madrileño | C. Tangana Latin alternative / Nuevo flamenco C. Tangana’s previous discography is heavy on Spanish rap. After working with Rosalía on El Mal Querer, C. Tangana takes the new flamenco movement and runs away with it. He collaborates with established artists across several Latin American genres—bolero, corrido, bossa nova, and flamenco—without losing any of his personal genius. His Tiny Desk concert shouldn’t be missed either. With producer Alizz, C. Tangana delivered a truly no-skips album that will become a standard for modern Hispanic music that holds true to its roots. The Spaniards are really up to something. Favorite songs: “Ingobernable”, “Tú Me Dejaste de Querer”, “Comerte Entera” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/95e8de71-1a5d-4bf5-8306-896b1f21c37d/Tyler_CMIYGL.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 22. CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST | Tyler, The Creator Hip Hop Tyler won a Grammy for Rap Album of the Year in 2020 after the release of Igor, an album he explicitly called out the Recording Academy for since it was not a rap album. Fuck it, I guess. Tyler leaned into it and dropped a confident piece that follows up Igor with so many different melodies and rhythms in his rap and singing in the way only Tyler can do. Favorite song: “SWEET” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/4fc61761-40ba-4556-af66-7f08c5623f3e/MIT_untourable.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 15. Untourable Album | Men I Trust Dream pop As the title suggests, this album wasn’t meant to go on tour. The Quebec-based group spent their COVID isolation crafting from their studio. Those familiar with Men I Trust find that their style only grows stronger in these tracks. Their dreamy pop sound is still strong enough to move your body even if you’re just sitting down or lying in bed. “Tree Among Shrubs” is a particularly good one for a late-night drive. Favorite songs: “Tree Among Shrubs”, “Sugar” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1903c660-cf0c-4d5f-a32e-78ff05184ae5/SilkSonic.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 20. An Evening with Silk Sonic | Silk Sonic Contemporary R&B / Soul Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak are entertainingly corny and wildly successful because of it. Bruno’s voice makes anyone receiving Social Security checks feel young again. Anderson turns any record he touches into gold. In this highly anticipated album, the duo use their individual strengths to fill in the other’s weaknesses, if any. The hype for this piece grew as the pair pushed their release date after “Leave The Door Open” was dropped. Hop on this ride for yourself and see that it was all worth it. Favorite song: “Dusk” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/bad2e276-a60e-4418-9a92-70489daed1d1/monogem-gardenia.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 17. Gardenia | Monogem Electro-pop / Latin alternative Mongem is a Mexican-American artist we should be paying attention to. This album is jazzy and soulful. It has you nodding your head and moving your hips just enough. The lyrics behind these songs are also powerful. I don’t remember how I found her, but my Latin alternative playlists will never be complete without at least one song from this record. Favorite song: “Paraíso” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/bfd8e7ae-79b3-4592-ba7e-305cb3c3dcb3/Webster_Funny.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 8. I Know I’m Funny haha | Faye Webster Indie pop / Alt. folk Pedal steel! A staple of Faye Webster’s entire discography is back in a subtle way as Webster goes into a softer pop sound for this album. One of our older pieces covers Webster’s previous album Atlanta Millionaire’s Club. This time, Webster sounds more comfortable with herself, even in the rugged honesty of longing things and people that aren’t there. While there is still a defeat in some of these sounds, Webster’s music reminds us that we’ll find peace at the end. Favorite song: “Better Distractions” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/3933859d-4452-4a1b-8d5b-b9715377bb32/WeatherStation_Ignorance.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 5. Ignorance | The Weather Station Indie pop / Art pop Most days it feels like there’s no way this timeline we’re living in is real. There’s a mist around everything that makes it difficult to uncover what we should be thinking or feeling. Over the course of ten tracks, The Weather Station make this reflection with the brilliant songwriting of Tamara Lindeman. The beats and sounds shake away the fog. Lindeman’s voice is the light that pierces through. Among indie records, this one stood out among every year-end poll and ranking as well as the one at the top of this list. Favorite song: “Parking Lot” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/9a9307e5-19c8-4944-bc43-b92f36dc00c2/Snail+Mail_V.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 21. Valentine | Snail Mail Indie rock Another album that took a while to grow on me. Snail Mail got plenty of accolades as soon as this came out and I couldn’t find myself agreeing. But the guitars became grittier and her voice more piercing as I listened over and over. Favorite songs: “Valentine”, “mia” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/7aa47063-9105-4f93-9310-908f324dbbd7/HeladoNegro_FI.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 6. Far In | Helado Negro Alt. R&B / Ambient pop It’s a long album, but it’s so easy to let it run its course. There are so many distinct tracks that all fall into a dreamy vibe for the listener to lose themselves in. The production of record is spectacular. Personally, this album fills in the soundtrack of the overcast autumn and winter days here in the Midwest. Even when the skies remain grey, Helado Negro plugs in the energy that buzzes behind the cold air and bleak skies. Favorite songs: “There Must Be a Song Like You”, “Gemini & Leo” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/75122f65-0dc9-453d-b52c-3d5ba59efe41/Kirby_CDP.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 11. Cool Dry Place | Katy Kirby Indie rock / Singer-songwriter Katy Kirby was the first act I saw perform live after the pandemic’s pause on live music. Kirby’s songs are like a grungy folk rock that turn soft with a quick turn of a knob. There’s a lot of range to this album, a lot of raw emotion, and a lot of great guitar arrangements too. “Juniper” is a lot of fun to listen to; it’s the track that will get stuck in your head. But for a real treat, listen to “Cool Dry Place” in a quiet space. Let that track build and crash the way Kirby created it. Favorite songs: “Cool Dry Place”, “Juniper” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/e60c843f-5776-4238-853c-78ac256fbce3/SFK_santa+cumbia.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 18. Santa Cumbia | Santa Fe Klan Cumbia / Regional 22-year-old Ángel Quezada has shot through as a hip hop artist from Guanajuato with incredible accordion skills. So much that the band of the late Celso Pina, arguably the most legendary cumbia artist, featured Santa Fe Klan in collaborative work. This album is a testament to how Quezada brings modern energy to a genre that has bewitched people to dance for decades. Quezada’s album isn’t shy to reveal the difficult upbringing that many experience in urban Mexico. With all the angst and struggle, the wailing accordion becomes a healing song that slows under the sun and speeds beneath the moon of his songs. While cumbia has never died, Quezada reawakens it masterfully. Favorite songs: “Soledad”, “Luna y Mar” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1c29240e-4b1b-4d28-b273-04de22955f26/Bomba_Deja.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 9. Deja | Bomba Estéreo Tropical / Electronic / Latin alternative Fantastic summer album from an experienced group that knows how to make you feel the heat of their songs in every beat. These beats lean into tribal beats, tropical instrumentation, all on top of an electronic bed that energizes the album appropriately. Let the windows down on a sweltering day and blast this out your speakers. Favorite song: “Agua” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/31465054-abec-44e7-910e-723df1de203a/Bedouine_W.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 25. Waysides | Bedouine Indie folk / Singer-songwriter Bedouine has the voice you imagine singing to you while you sit by a fire on a cold night. It’s a blanket whose songs offer comfort, even when they touch on themes of loneliness and isolation. Bedouine says these songs as some that were written early in her career, but they demonstrate an impressive songwriting skill with the right amount of production to let the lyrics shine. Favorite song: “It Wasn’t Me” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/415ab205-35b0-4bc9-96f8-5dbdbc57712e/Lafourcade_UCPM.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 12. Un Canto por México, Vol. II | Natalia Lafourcade Folclore mexicano / Bolero At this point, Natalia Lafourcade is the Mexican Minister of Culture. She is the most iconic Mexican songwriter of this generation and turns everything she touches into the gold sun of a Veracruz sunrise. In this follow-up to the project she started last year, Lafourcade rearranges standards and some of her own works with the folkloric instrumentation that preserves these as classics of our culture. Make yourself a café de olla, sit down with some tamales, and let yourself fall into the spell of these songs. Favorite song: “Alma Mía / Tú Me Acostumbraste / Soledad y El Mar” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/f7423fef-f9ca-49cd-89b4-a93e5115fb2b/Burch_RI.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 13. Romantic Images | Molly Burch Indie pop Such soft songs with such groovy beats. The title tells no lies—the lyrics lean into the romantic dreams and pictures that the production holds in its arms. These songs are incredibly catchy. The first song I saved in 2021 was “Emotion” ft. Wild Nothing when it dropped on January 1. The album didn’t come out until July, but it feels like a perfect end of summer/start of autumn let yourself fall in love album. My mother loves it. Favorite song: “Heart of Gold” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/4479aa0b-11df-4858-8715-28e4948e5ec2/Kaplan_TTTN.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2021 19. Tonight Turns to Nothing | Olivia Kaplan Indie rock This is the only Olivia to make a Top 25 album this year. Thanks to a recommendation from Madeline Kenney, Olivia Kaplan’s music appeared on my playlists often. I was excited for this release and Kaplan does not disappoint. Her vocals are dreamy and float over some really great production. They make for some great music to sit down and write to. This is breaking the fourth wall. Favorite song: “Wrong” https://likewatersounds.com/blog/favorite-songs-of-2020-by-the-friends-of-like-water monthly 0.5 2021-01-01 https://likewatersounds.com/blog/kid-in-the-corner monthly 0.5 2020-12-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1608231983372-3PI31UEUQ2THPA2A17JX/misao.jpg Blog - Kid in the Corner - Misao McGregor - Kid in the Corner - Misao McGregor 24 May 2019 - Secretly Canadian https://likewatersounds.com/blog/daishasbestof2020 monthly 0.5 2021-12-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607662591963-HZ01T9CIOLIFEVIEFEEZ/91BOH2-JLzL._SL1425_.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 9. Lianna La Havas | Lianna La Havas Neo-Soul/ Folk A word for this album is powerful. Every song in this album showcases the talent that Lianna La Havas possesses. Her music is unique, captivating, amazing.. It’s almost hard to describe. Here’s a COLORS performance, go fall in love. Best Songs: “Bittersweet”, “Please Don’t Make Me Cry”, and “Read My Mind” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607662936293-LWD0VVWLKJPJ3WU9UO29/a3047958992_10.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 3. Hold Space For Me | Orion Sun R&B/ Soul “Hold Space For Me” is Orion Sun’s sophomore album. There were a few singles that came out prior to the album’s release such as “Coffee For Dinner” and “Ne Me Quitte Pas (Don’t Leave Me)”, but nothing prepared me for the greatness of this album. It felt so intimate, so personal, and so real. I felt the emotions of love and loss, trying to understand someone, trying to understand yourself. I really like Orion Sun and I can’t wait to hear more from them. Best Songs: “Coffee For Dinner” and “Trying” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607662352034-HASJVGXIS2HXLN421R89/263b9efbe426af160d60b44d8375ea93.800x800x1.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 22. Nothing Much Has Changed, I Don’t Feel The Same | Daniela Andrade Alternative/ Indie Andrade stole my heart with Tamale, and she’s making sure she keeps it with this record. It’s short but sweet and perfect to me. You have to listen to the whole thing. It’s only 12 minutes with songs ranging from 1-2 minutes. Find the time to listen, it’s worth it. Best Song: “Puddles” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607662489469-VHVEM0V49LWUT0TVSEP1/220ec42dc256de4d27aa27314abea52f.1000x1000x1.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 10. Borderline | Christian Kuria Alt-R&B/ Soul Christian Kuria is someone to look out for. His EP Borderline takes us through the ups (“Too Good”) and downs (“Bitter Pill”/ “Losing You”) of love. Kuria seductively croons on each song, sometimes accompanied by jazzy saxophone and a smooth guitar. It’s hard to not become a huge fan after listening to this album. This album makes me wants to fall in love, just to fall out and experience the intensity of it all. Best Songs: “Too Good” and “Losing You” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607660711534-UIUCUC46D045GLGESML6/Gunna-Wunna-Deluxe.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 17. Wunna (Deluxe) | Gunna Hip-Hop/ Rap A lot of my friends are tired of Gunna, but oops I literally can not say the same (even after this man dropped a deluxe album). This album gets me through long car rides, workouts, pre-test rituals- just what I NEED. I love this album for me. I have ran the songs with Young Thug into the ground, so those are my suggestions- listen to “One Watch” and “Dollaz On My Head”. Best Songs: “Sun Came Out” and “Nasty Girl/ On Camera” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607671161516-HFHALNJ85RWLS3A1RRSF/01-0141-1593785056.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 15. The Album | Teyana Taylor R&B/ Soul Imma need y’all to give Mrs. Teyana Taylor her flowers. She is so talented and proves it time and time again through her music. This is a smooth R&B album with some impressive features. In “Ever Ever” she samples Lauryn Hill effortlessly and then turns around and has her on the last song “We Got Love”. Best Song: “Wake Up Love (feat. IMAN)” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607624292525-UYR8ZJ2OO4RDWHMLN27G/a0911513519_16.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 16. Mordechai | Khruangbin Psychedelic/ Funk When this album opens with “First Class”, you know you’re in for a ride. Khruangbin has a way of making psychedelic tunes like no other. It’s also been quite a year for this H-Town based band with Jay Electronica sampling their song “Hymn” on “A Written Testimony”. Additionally, I LOVED their collaboration with Leon Bridges this year. Texas Sun gives me a deep yearning for something.. and I don’t know what it is. Best Songs: “First Class” and “Connaissais de Face” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607662664210-ANDR2QOG7NWE381BJJG8/TEMS-Damages-Lyrics.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 7. For Broken Ears | Tems R&B/ Contemporary Featured on Wizkid’s Made In Lagos, Tems is another upcoming artist I recommend you keep an eye on. For Broken Ears is her debut album where Tems refuses to be defined by a single sound. This short album takes you on a journey as it walks you through different peaks and valleys Tems has experienced throughout her life. Best Songs: “Ice T”, “Damages”, and “Free Mind” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607661751711-9WLZIQKJOS3HSJVBKY2N/Wizkid.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 13. Made In Lagos | Wizkid Afrobeats/ Soul This superstar really outdid himself with this album. Every song flows into the next seamlessly, and I could listen to it on endless loop. This album also makes me yearn for normal life. What I would give to hear this album at a party, but for now I’ll settle for dancing in my room. It is entirely too difficult to pick a favorite song. Please listen to the whole thing BUT if you don’t... Best songs: “Essence (ft. Tems)” and “Mighty Wine” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607662630469-ASHTS3QA9L6I5QI51CZL/61b3JtPCBVL._SL1200_.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 8. 1988 | Knxwledge Hip-Hop This album was just a groove for me. It was a reminder to live in the moment, stress a little less, vibe more. When you put the track list of the 1988 together, it reads as follows: “Don’t be afraid because tomorrow’s not promised. Do you. That’s all we can do. Listen; Learn how to cope with reality. You only get one so live life. Be safe. Watch who you call your homie. They come and go. [You] don’t gotta be gangsta all the time, believe me. It can be so nice. Make use of the time, make it live forever. A woman’s life is love. A man’s love is life. Keep on minding my business.” It helps make sense of the album, which feels like a reflective timepiece, frozen in the 90s. The songs range from a few seconds to 4 minutes long. They all provide something unique, but dually important to the album. Best Songs: “itkanbe[sonice]”, “makeitliveforever” and “don’t be afraid” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607662737683-TSN89TBXCR4DI1QOI0AI/GQ_MacMiller-Circles-200130.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 6. Circles | Mac Miller Hip-hop/ Rap Circles was a beautiful goodbye. To think that Mac Miller recorded this in 2018, it feels like a foreshadowing… that Mac Miller may have knew his time was coming soon. It’s reflective, it’s sad, it’s beautiful.. showcasing the parallels of life. There’s themes of doing your best but still falling short, fighting with thoughts and demons that try to convince you you’re unworthy of certain things, being surrounded by others but still feeling alone.. I’m sure we’ve all experienced those feeling, as they’re apart of being human. There’s also a few songs that feel like an extension of Swimming, which carry a certain groove to them. It’s really difficult for me to suggest one song as the whole album’s really good. Whenever you’re in a reflective, contemplative mood just play it. Good crying soundtrack. Best Songs: “Woods”, “Surf”, and “I Can See” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607659252601-QDIPSN5FBO9VDTGS3IX6/Leven-Kali-High-Tide.v1.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 25. High Tide | Leven Kali R&B/ Soul High Tide is an effortless ode to love. What I admire about Leven Kali is the way he can make any sound distinctly his own. In High Tide, he flows from old school r&b to a modern-day groove. Leven Kali and Syd are also a match made in heaven. I have yet to hear a song by them that I didn’t love. Best Song: “Made 4 U” feat. Syd https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607662985451-E895BMTEBOL21Y350B2S/c8d8a0ac-ec10-4683-851f-7981454c99ac.sized-1000x1000.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 4. Spilligion | Spillage Village Hip-hop/ Rap We love a collaborative album. I was thinking of putting “Revenge of the Dreamers III: Deluxe” on this list, but I realized I’d rather talk about this album which really blew my mind. I loved this album so much- it was so much fun, but also very spiritual. It made me feel proud to be black (more than I already am) and I feel really connected to these people. In my head, Mereba, JID, and I are the best of friends. Best Songs: “Oshun”, “Baptize”, Shiva” and “PsalmSing” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607715040826-JDK20RIEKSGT40LGILMQ/2-Tame-Impala-TSR-%E2%80%93-Neil-Krug.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 12. The Slow Rush | Tame Impala Psychedelic-Pop / Rock The Slow Rush was a highly anticipated album, having it been 5 years since Currents, Tame Impala’s last album. Despite the time in between, you can always count on Tame Impala to cultivate a unique sound unlike any other. This album reflects the passage of time as Parker navigate the themes of love, loss, and more. Best Songs: “Tomorrow’s Dust”, “On Track”, and “Breathe Deeper” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607620954458-0QCN462PTECDDZBP2XR6/unnamed.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 19. To Myself (Deluxe) | Baby Rose R&B/ Soul A word to describe Baby Rose is special. Special. You hear her voice and you’re immediately lured in. She’s been compared to the likes of Nina Simone- who’s voice also reached a very deep register. There’s something so soulful and kinda haunting about her music. Her debut album To Myself was released in 2019, but in September 2020 we were blessed with a deluxe version featuring 3 new songs. You can check out her Tiny Desk here. Best Songs: “Marmot”, “Borderline” and “All To Myself” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607659460369-N4G3G5M22SXU6W5QRA9D/616DGD29eaL._SL1200_.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 24. It Is What It Is | Thundercat Electronic / Soul Similar to the title of the album, my enjoyment of this album just is. There’s nothing in particular I have to say, just that it’s very uniquely Thundercat. He provides a sound like no other that is captivating, groovy, soulful, and just draws his fans in time and time again. Best Songs: “Funny Thing” and “Overseas” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607625583960-H9N4FA9G9HOMDUVHVWTN/16929c358939d2e34e8ee44d6030d7da.1000x1000x1.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 23. Dylan Sinclair | Proverb R&B/ Soul When initially introduced to Sinclair, an artist that immediately came to mind was Daniel Caesar. On the first impression, you can hear the gospel-like influences in Sinclair’s music, akin to Daniel Caesar. As well, he is also a Canadian R&B singer who grew up with a church background. Despite these similarities, I have to say Sinclair is making a lane of his own. This soulful 19-year-old blew me away with the depth and maturity of his music at such a young age. Best Song: “Get Away” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607659749919-C2ET65VE2AZX6TGME723/c41304deee9ffa1f5a37ac22e0bd2dcc.1000x1000x1.png Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 21. if You Feel | Xavier Omär R&B/ Soul Xavier Omär. KING of providing consistent, good music. Last year was Moments Spent Loving You, a few years ago it was Hours Spent Loving You under Omar’s former alias SPZRKT and this year it’s if You Feel. Songs like “So Much More” and “Like I Feel (feat. Mereba)” feel like falling in love. Best songs: “All Our Time (feat. Jae Stephens)”, “Like I Feel (feat. Mereba)”, and “Surf (feat. Masego)” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607662790995-ISO7RNKLJ7E1KA7XS3RL/ETW7qeVUwAECcCC.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 2. Take Time | Giveon R&B/ Soul On the note of special voices, such as Baby Rose, it’s important to mention Giveon. Giveon was featured in Drake’s “Chicago Freestyle”, where he arguably made the entire song. Before this song was officially released, I remember a snippet of it floating around the internet for the longest time. It left a lot of people wondering who this mystery man with a voice of honey was. His EP Take Time did not disappoint. He immediately sky rocketed his way up to one of my favorite artists. I honestly could recommend his entire discography. While you’re listening to this, also listen to “Garden Kisses” and his more recent EP When It’s All Said and Done. Best Songs: “Like I Want You” and “This Ain’t Love” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607662439757-59P2S7V13SNYCLWWD8FG/image-asset.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 11. Fuck The World | Brent Faiyaz R&B/ Soul Ah, Brent. Our toxic fave. This man could literally sing anything and make it sound beautiful. And for that reason, his albums will continue to make the top of my lists as long as he continues to drop them. Best Songs: “Lost Kids Get Money” and “Been Away” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607663056726-7NJLDNQXIHBAHQHBPVOB/81F06jMfuFL._SL1400_.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 1. What Kinda Music | Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes Neo-soul/ Funk What Kinda Music feels the most indicative of my year. As I mentioned previously, as 2020 progressed, my relationship with music shifted. I wanted more quiet, more peace, less words, and this album had a really good balance. I found myself listening to it everyday, as well eventually the rest of Tom Misch’s discography. Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes balance each other really well. I feel like Yussef Dayes helps Misch push new boundaries. In a lot of these songs, you can tell that they were just having fun and doing what sounds good. There is one song, Kyiv, that is completely improvised. Learning that completely blew my mind. Best Songs: “Lift Off”, Nightrider”, “Tidal Wave”, “The Real”, and “Kyiv” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607623002518-K1SGU9O7RJOI3Z0213KV/Omar-Apollo.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 20. Apolonio | Omar Apollo R&B/ Soul My boy Omar can sang. Every time I listen to Omar Apollo, I’m in awe of how talented he is. Between the vocals, production, and guitar, man has it all. What I love about Apolonio is that every song sounds different than the last. It’s a clear exploration of Apollo’s sound and a testament to his creative freedom. It took me a while to get around to this album, but I was so happy that I did. I really like it. He sings with so much soul while still maintaining this youthful and unique sound. While we’re here, enjoy this video of Omar and Kenny Beat’s in the Cave. Best Songs: “Want U Around (feat. Ruel)”, “Kamikaze”, “Bi Fren”, and “Stayback” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607632205462-1CWKG7G9GGA06MFW03XY/a0254329394_16.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 18. Couldn’t Wait To Tell You | Liv.e R&B/ Soul Introduced to Liv.e by a friend, the first song I heard of hers was “You the One Fish in the Sea”. I loved how soulful her music sounded, how it felt disjointed but also complete. Every song starts and ends where it likes. I immediately thought of Erkyah Badu, but thought maybe I was reaching. Turns out, Liv.e is one of Badu’s prodigies. She’s a Dallas native, went to the same fine arts school as Badu, and has since been taken under her wing. Liv.e glides on the beat, so jazzy, so free. I can’t wait to hear more from her. Best Songs: “She’s My Brand New Crush” and “You the One Fish in the Sea” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607662193376-P02HLQWNHR92W7753G3P/819Y9boQO-L._AC_SL1400_.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 14. Alfredo | Freddie Gibbs Hip-Hop/ Rap I love me some smooth rap and Alfredo was that for me. Ask me to rap “Baby $hit”. I’d do it, and I’d do it again. Best Songs: “Baby $hit” and “Something To Rap About (feat. Tyler, the Creator)” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607662869625-HWVP80DI1BZIZ0N49RXC/Amine_Limbo.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 5. Limbo | Amine Hip-hop/ Rap Amine's had a soft spot in my heart since OnePointFive, which was singlehandedly the soundtrack to my last breakup. I don’t want to mention the amount of times I cried during the line about Chick-Fil-A on “Shine”. Limbo feels like a more intimate album since the last as Amine grows into his artistry, with songs like “Mama”, “Roots”, and “Becky”. I love this album so much. Amine is really talented and this album solidified that for me. As I’m writing this, he just dropped the deluxe version of this album and I’m looking forward to listening to that as well. Best Songs: “Can’t Decide”, “Woodlawn”, and “Easy (feat. Summer Walker)” https://likewatersounds.com/blog/top25ci monthly 0.5 2021-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607653991274-CE8UIBSTZJ1T34T48FAJ/apple-ftbc.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 12. Fetch the Bolt Cutters | Fiona Apple Alternative / Experimental Fiona Apple has to be one of the most talented singers of our generation. Not to use platitudes, but this album is truly unlike anything you’ll hear for a few years. It’s an exploration through some of Fiona Apple’s dark, traumatic memories presented in what feels like a playful, chaotic lens. The composition goes beyond just your typical pop instrumentation; percussion is all over the place and her voice is a Swiss Army knife. It’s being widely regarded as the best album of the year, and I can’t argue against that. It might just take you more than one listen, but that’s okay: This album deserves to be heard several times over. Best song: “Cosmonauts” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607668564469-JN0V3EX7MH4JR9M6XGXO/sawayama-s.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 18. SAWAYAMA | Rina Sawayama Pop / Alternative Rina’s first studio album departs from the singles from her early discography, and we’re here for it. Rina knows what she wants to say and she’s not holding back. “XS” is the strongest track; an allegory on consumerism and how we let ourselves be poisoned by a system that keeps us wanting more. “STFU” is an aggressive metal track attacking the stereotypes she faces. “Comme Des Garçons” sounds like a disco track, a commanding takedown of toxic male traits (that apparently started as a shot at Beto O’Rourke declaring himself ‘born to run’ for President). Best song: “XS” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607653912850-4A3GZWT6I35CY5HMZ3BN/yaeji-whatwedrew.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 10. What We Drew | Yaeji Electronic It’s hard to find other albums that hit your ears with effortless confidence. Yaeji’s whisper-singing lets the beats take off how they want. There’s a chill energy that doesn’t let you just sit down. Whether it’s your body or your thoughts, something is always moving. Then she turns up the energy and makes sure you’re listening with tracks like “WAKING UP DOWN” and “WHEN I GROW UP.” Best song: “SPELL” ft. YonYon and G.L.A.M. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607668505016-O0GY84O1UFON3SJUW895/lafourcade-ucpm.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 17. Un Canto Por México, Vol. 1 | Natalia Lafourcade Mexican Folk / Traditional In the last few years, Natalia Lafourcade has ascended to be the keeper of traditional Mexican music. She’s already paid homage to Mexican folk in Musas and legendary songwriter Agustín Lara in Mujer Divina. In this record, Lafourcade reworks songs from her earlier pop discography into traditional regional Mexican sounds. Originally part of a fundraiser for a Veracruz cultural center, the project invited well-established and small, local artists to piece together this tribute. Lafourcade establishes herself as a cultural icon and representative of Mexican music. Best song: “Nunca Es Suficiente” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607668838415-PRY0X4UHPVDWFOJA9WQC/spalla-pt.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 24. Puro Teatro | Daniela Spalla Indie Pop Daniela Spalla is already established in the Latin American indie scene (try “Prometí” and “Estábamos Tan Bien”). This year’s release became my favorite work from her. The themes are similar, but the songs are energized with the pop energy of the 70s and 80s. Though some of the songs are sad, Spalla sings through it powerfully, as in “Te Veo A La Salida” and “Ya Nos Vamos.” And how could you not dance along to “Provincia” and “Me Voy?” Best Song: “Provincia” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607654158066-QZ4NOO9K2LYQOHZU7AM4/dualipa-fn.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 13. Future Nostalgia | Dua Lipa Dance-pop Catchy, danceable tunes are key to a successful pop album. Dua Lipa continues to craft hits with writing that flows naturally without any drag. She’s in control at all parts, from verses to choruses. Future Nostalgia is fun, energetic, and certainly an everlasting pop record. It feels carefree, but still has the intensity to make sure you get up and dance. Best song: “Break My Heart” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607668471587-LP18QNBBS9EAGHRHMBYK/yz-toc.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 16. Truth or Consequences | Yumi Zouma Indie Pop Yumi Zouma has a sound. It’s consistent and it’s cool. The New Zealand based group give the best example of their sound in this album. Lyrically, it explores themes we’re familiar with: doubt in relationships, deciding how to act, wanting to belong. Yumi Zouma manage to wrap it in a layer that makes it easy to digest and bob your head to. Take a walk to “Magazine Bay” or “Right Track/Wrong Man” and you’ll know what I mean. Best song: “My Palms Are Your Reference To Hold To Your Heart” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607668715477-X3W3A6QV8PIQZT8W7PVM/YHLQMDLG_Bad+Bunny.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 20. YHLQMDLG | Bad Bunny Reggaeton / Rap As someone who didn’t pay much attention to Bad Bunny before, I’m sold. His stardom brings the weight of the musical world on his shoulders, but Bad Bunny does whatever he wants (that’s basically the album title in Spanish). Unbound by genre labels, Bad Bunny commands the beats and crafts a new direction for music that only he has the moxie to accomplish. He pays homage to those that came before him, elevates his peers’ voices, and drops beats that should be at every club once we’re all vaccinated. Best song: “25/8” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607668805450-2XGDIV3R4GUDWSDJGP7I/luv-ea.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 23. Eternal Atake | Lil Uzi Vert Hip Hop After a long wait for his fans, Lil Uzi is back. Not only did he drop his first studio album in three years, but he added fourteen tracks in the Deluxe version just days later. What’s evident throughout the album is that Lil Uzi never slowed down. His songs do actually zoom across the galaxy. Lil Uzi is here for the ride, and there’s no doubt he’s enjoying himself from the beginning. Best song: “Baby Pluto” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607668774722-6I12HV1MX1BPSFP6GB76/thundercat-iiwii.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 22. It Is What It Is | Thundercat Electronic / R&B Thundercat is already an impressive musician. He shows it off with groovy tracks that bounce around different speeds. Moving between quick, jazzy rhythms and smooth electronic arrangements, Thundercat brings out a complete album. Best Song: “Black Qualls” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607668879761-3GHTIOD0VYQHBYTQZRHT/SWIMMER_Tennis.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 25. Swimmer | Tennis Pop-Rock The duo stays true to their soft rock and indie pop sound in their 2020 release. A lot of the tracks tend to go softer, but the best tracks are energized by conflict. “Need Your Love” battles and concedes itself. “How to Forgive” rocks to the indecisiveness of difficult relations. The album gives us a couple of indie pop songs that can’t go without mention as some of 2020’s best. Best song: “How to Forgive” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607668610996-0BBBJ0TPBIOQRCPIRLOC/marling-sfod.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 19. Song for Our Daughter | Laura Marling Folk Marling is an impressive songwriter and even better storyteller. The tone of her singing is a warm hug surrounding heavy topics. The folk strumming of her guitars give her a platform to deliver poetic songs about perseverance and coping with the world around her. Best song: “Held Down” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607653829874-Q9VQJELEOUILOMFPRH46/khruangbin-mordechai.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 14. Mordechai | Khruangbin Psychedelic Pop This Houston group is already known for groovy instrumentals and emotive psych-rock songs. They bring even more energy in this release. “First Class” is a great primer, leading off slowly as the beats pick up. “Time (You and I)” brings things to speed before slowing down into a leisurely wave throughout most of the album. “Pelota,” sprinkled in the calmness, feels like the sun is imposing itself on the scene, but the party goes on. This album makes for something to put on in the summer while you sit out on your balcony. Best song: “Pelota” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607652643203-7QTWZV80XNFA423R5TSS/helenadelandsomeonenew.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 3. Someone New | Helena Deland Alternative From the beginning, the listener can hear Deland’s energy beneath the darkness. The album explores the effect of a relationship that loses its luster, but maybe has something to still take away. There’s a pulse that drives this to a brooding cliff on songs like “Someone New” and “Comfort, Edge.” Some sit and wonder what’s worth it, as in “Lylz” and “Dog.” Some songs sit at the end of the bed, ready to get up and go for once like in “Truth Nugget.” There’s a palpable darkness throughout this album. Deland’s singing and composition surround the cold agitation in just enough warmth. Best song: “Comfort, Edge” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607705235478-XW9W10AQJLNENT2374BN/tswift-evermore.jpeg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 11. evermore | Taylor Swift Indie Folk / Pop This list was pretty set in stone until the morning of 10 December when Taylor Swift once again revealed a surprise release. This isn’t a collection of B-sides from folklore. It’s a standalone that highlights Swift’s impressive songwriting as she moves to become a generational storyteller. Instead of using herself as a protagonist, Swift sits by the fire, gives you a warm blanket, and compels you with tales you’ll want to pass down: A jealous daydream in “gold rush,” dangerous reconnections in “‘tis the damn season,” murderous revenge in “no body, no crime.” Best song: “no body, no crime” ft. HAIM https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607653643000-NFDZM3EVTNLWEJ3IT2KP/lily-breach.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 7. BREACH | Fenne Lily Indie Folk / Rock This album definitely tugged at my emotions. It’s heavy and gloomy, like when the sun sets in late autumn before the grey clouds take over in winter. Lily explores people that entered and exited her life with quiet singing and comforting guitar riffs. There was a full week that I couldn’t stop playing this album. The heartbreaking waterfall of “Berlin,” “Elliott,” “I, Nietzsche” and “Birthday” back to back hit you like a truck. It’s beautifully painful and I love it. Best song: “Birthday” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607653365413-Y7AX42PADBRJM2HISHKM/bridgers-punisher.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 6. Punisher | Phoebe Bridgers Indie Rock / Indie Folk So much has already been said about this album. There are so many details in each verse that it’s a disservice to speak on the themes of this album in a few sentences. Bridgers’ dread and regret in these songs are piercingly honest. Already one of indie rock’s biggest names, Bridgers establishes herself as an elite songwriter and performer in the field. Best songs: “Savior Complex” and “Chinese Satellite” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607652907810-3G59PHMXI8NBANQDM295/swift-folklore.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 2. folklore | Taylor Swift Indie folk Writing, composing, and recording from home allowed Swift to create her seminal work. A departure from the pop persona that came from her last four albums, folklore wanders into the woods and uncovers the gentle sounds that set her imagination free. Swift opens a cabin door to let you into her mind. “august” feels like the last days of summer slipping away, taking the memories with it. “seven” creates the imagery of a humid summer afternoon beneath the trees. “this is me trying” is figuring out who it’s becoming. Taylor’s 8th album is appropriately titled. Her stories wander beneath tall canopies and become a magical collection that gets passed down like folk songs. Best songs: “seven,” “august,” and “this is me trying” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607668746532-3JX93A992V8CD3IBJWC4/tops-ifa.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 21. I Feel Alive | TOPS Indie Pop / Soft-Rock TOPS is one of those reliable indie pop bands. Jane Penny’s voice is the perfect layer to the Canadian groups’ groovy rock. Spotify stats websites point out the danceability in lots of the tracks I listen to. I have to give TOPS credit for that. In early parts of the pandemic, when this album was released, Penny and the band dropped a record that radiated the energy we wish we could have in Spring. Best songs: “I Feel Alive” and “Witching Hour” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607653763758-MNYGVNBMLR81CCUPETBF/alliex.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 8. Cape God | Allie X Alt-pop / Electronic This album surrounds the scene of a grimy party. Allie X is trying to figure out the characters around her and where she fits in. Naturally, there’s a lot of energy in the actions and reactions to all of it. She dips her toes in songs like “Devil I Know” and “Super Duper Party People.” Some songs try to slow things down and get a grip on what’s going on, like in “Regulars” and “Madame X.” There’s never a boring moment in this situation and Cape God’s variety makes sure of it. Oh, even better: there’s a Mitski feature. Best song: “Susie Save Your Love” ft. Mitski https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607651209017-9A9GQ3YJ2UJAXI9Y3OCN/haim-wimp3.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 1. Women in Music Pt. III | HAIM Indie Rock / Pop You can tell that the Haim sisters are having the time of their lives on this album. Haim write and sing about taking care of themselves, brushing aside ignorant doubters, and loving themselves and the people around them. Some songs find an R&B-like groove, like “3 AM” and “Another Try.” Their best sound comes from the stripped-down rock in “Gasoline” and “I’ve Been Down.” They are vulnerable, but still enjoy the comfort they give each other in “Los Angeles” and “Leaning On You.” The best track, “The Steps,” sounds the warmth of a reminiscent sun on a winter day. The album runs smoothly, shifting between beats and instruments that don’t box the group into one clear genre. Danielle, Este, and Alana are having fun, and the listener will, too. Best song: “The Steps” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607652988944-9JR4GY27OTNC0IG808LZ/suckerslunch-mkenney.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 4. Sucker’s Lunch | Madeline Kenney Indie Folk / Soft Rock This album captures the nostalgia you might feel when you return home a lot sooner than expected. Kenney reflects on mistakes and regret. Her voice aches at watching the sun set sooner than she hoped. You can feel the sky turn to lavender as the sun sets in “Tell You Everything” and “Picture of You.” There’s a sense of hope in “Cut The Real” and the confident beat of “Jenny,” followed by the defeated shrug of “Sucker.” If you feel your bones chill thinking about where things went wrong, this album is here to sit next to you with a cup of coffee. Best song: “Sucker” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607653540773-C5LMJW47FD441I30CWGJ/lenker-songs.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 5. songs / instrumentals | Adrianne Lenker Indie Folk / Instrumental Adrianne Lenker experienced a breakup right as the pandemic sent us all into isolation. She took herself to a cabin in western Massachusetts and wrote, recorded and produced one of the most beautiful albums of 2020. Almost exclusively strumming on an acoustic guitar, Lenker echoes feelings of solitude that many of us have become more familiar with recently. She recalls memories in vivid, poetic detail in “ingydar” and “half return”. The tracks that are most striking are the ones still reeling in heartbreak. “anything” tugs at your heart, begging to return to days lost in love. “zombie girl” is even more bare: Lenker describes life-like dreams of a lover now gone and the emptiness of an empty bed when you finally wake up. instrumentals, released separately, should not be ignored. “music for indigo” paints the gentle scenes of quarantine’s still, lonely afternoons. In its written turmoil, Lenker still creates peace in her sound. Best song: “anything” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607668414729-9CSSR1VCWYODU40LI25D/leng-l.jpg Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 15. LEMONS | Nick Leng Alt-pop I discovered Nick Leng three years ago, through a song that I couldn’t find until Spotify added it to one of my playlists. There was a personal nostalgia to some dark December day in 2017 when I heard “Playing with Fire.” Re-discovering Leng revealed a relaxing, enjoyable album for when the days become grey in the winter. You’ll hear soft pop songs like “Walking Home to You” and soulful tracks like “Sweet Thing.” Or maybe you’ll feel some of that nostalgia creep in with “LEMONS.” Best song: “LEMONS” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1607653873265-U0ZZVXV0Y09B57V304HH/LianneLaHavas.png Blog - The 25 Best Albums of 2020 9. Lianne La Havas | Lianne La Havas Soul / R&B Lianne La Havas is a talented singer. If you didn’t know her before, she makes sure you won’t forget her after listening through this album. The accompanying composition is malleable, and La Havas takes full advantage by molding her stories to the sound of her voice. You might be tempted to put this on while lounging, but La Havas commands and controls the attention of the room. This is probably the smoothest album of 2020. Best song: “Please Don’t Make Me Cry” https://likewatersounds.com/blog/sucker-mkenney monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1605813223939-B4RSWCL48A5SFL7I8JNA/suckerslunch-mkenney.jpg Blog - Sucker – Madeline Kenney - Sucker – Madeline Kenney 31 July 2020 - from Sucker’s Lunch https://likewatersounds.com/blog/comfort-edge-hd monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1605198392790-3Q1GM0JJB45GERBGJQPZ/helenadelandsomeonenew.jpg Blog - Comfort, Edge – Helena Deland - Comfort, Edge – Helena Deland 16 October 2020 - from Someone New https://likewatersounds.com/blog/please-dont-make-me-cry-llh monthly 0.5 2020-11-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1605198178894-245M581C021GA8E4WU0N/LianneLaHavas.png Blog - Please Don’t Make Me Cry – Lianne La Havas - Please Don’t Make Me Cry – Lianne La Havas 17 July 2020 - from Lianne La Havas https://likewatersounds.com/blog/melodrama-lorde monthly 0.5 2020-06-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1592502026092-WW4UJTOGIGT28VO40WCM/melodrama.jpg Blog - <em>Melodrama</em> - Lorde - Melodrama - Lorde 16 June 2017 - Universal Music NZ https://likewatersounds.com/blog/quemame-chloesclue monthly 0.5 2020-11-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1590548013011-Y4QLVPNKE4VH6DFFIMPU/quemamechloesclue.jpg Blog - Quémame – Chlöe’s Clue - Quémame – Chlöe’s Clue (ft. 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Tenderness - Jay Som - “Tenderness” - Jay Som 23 August 2019 - from Anak Ko https://likewatersounds.com/blog/subside-eloise monthly 0.5 2020-04-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586485382945-MGQ979DWDWINQ49NNO83/eloise+this+thing+called+living.jpg Blog - Subside - Eloise - “Subside” - Eloise 30 May 2019 – from This Thing Called Living EP https://likewatersounds.com/blog/atlanta-millionaires-club monthly 0.5 2020-12-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586368455380-26VFTCJZQO8AIK3FMWZE/Atlanta+Millionaires+Club Blog - <em>Atlanta Millionaires Club</em> - Faye Webster - Atlanta Millionaires Club - Faye Webster 24 May 2019 - Secretly Canadian https://likewatersounds.com/blog/a-couple-things-bollinger monthly 0.5 2020-04-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586057690469-PGKHAU2WDIFOZWD1XZ91/unnamed.jpg Blog - A Couple Things - Kate Bollinger - “A Couple Things” – Kate Bollinger 11 March 2020 – single https://likewatersounds.com/blog/category/Album+Guides monthly 0.5 https://likewatersounds.com/blog/category/Selected+Songs monthly 0.5 https://likewatersounds.com/blog/tag/albumsof2021 monthly 0.5 https://likewatersounds.com/blog/tag/2024 monthly 0.5 https://likewatersounds.com/blog/tag/2023 monthly 0.5 https://likewatersounds.com/blog/tag/2022 monthly 0.5 https://likewatersounds.com/blog/tag/2021 monthly 0.5 https://likewatersounds.com/blog/tag/albumsof2020 monthly 0.5 https://likewatersounds.com/blog/tag/aoty monthly 0.5 https://likewatersounds.com/home daily 1.0 2024-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1734072672734-FAVPL75Q46YLS307CD1Q/cover2.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/410c12c4-9434-4ac8-8c37-76699f4e30d7/3616553765449.jpeg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/ccf2973d-86b2-4c5d-a141-0115dba514fc/a1543203837_16.jpeg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1605814491417-6U29XMZ6JWNYZNTYJW63/LianneLaHavas.png Home "Please Don't Make Me Cry" - Lianne La Havas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1605814487087-UMAJ1SOC29Z4G3Z20SX7/helenadelandsomeonenew.jpg Home "Comfort, Edge" - Helena Deland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1605814488218-6T3RJD3PWQ3ETHBXRFMZ/suckerslunch-mkenney.jpg Home "Sucker" - Madeline Kenney https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1703978535485-9P52Z8W6S7JBLMUDKMT2/cover.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1587004316456-6R3CH68OWJ49X4P5GEWM/anakkojaysom.jpg Home "Tenderness - Jay Som" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/a931cffe-50e3-423d-98d9-b2a8b90ac5b3/daiashahalf.jpg Home https://likewatersounds.com/aboutus daily 0.75 2024-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/05698d10-53fe-4da1-b284-50325d402693/IMG_3933.jpg About Us - Daisha Likes: Kaytranada, Daniela Andrade, Hiatus Kaiyote, Erykah Badu, Tom Misch, Isaiah Rashad, Mereba, and more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/4cb7c136-e2d5-4ea7-86c6-a21a226945ce/01JBPZH87VNF0Q94RYZ3PHNSXM-low-res-branded-.jpg About Us - A few of Carlos’ favorite artists: TOPS, Magdalena Bay, Japanese Breakfast, Julia Jacklin, Clairo, The Marías, Junior H, and more. https://likewatersounds.com/playlists daily 0.75 2021-06-01 https://likewatersounds.com/playlists/feelgood monthly 0.5 2020-04-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1587941891231-GO6L6UOMCCCFHZQU50DG/IMG_6192.jpg Playlists - Feel Good https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586027881598-5R1XNPNDRT0RFT6LZGB5/189-1897218_transparent-listen-clipart-available-on-spotify-logo-hd.jpg Playlists - Feel Good Spotify https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586027913868-54ZWFO1HVP6G089UVZFD/18-189854_listen-on-apple-music-logo-hd-png-download.jpg Playlists - Feel Good Apple Music https://likewatersounds.com/playlists/relax-with-me-001 monthly 0.5 2020-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1587941584249-L9J3W6FDGPP6NMEW717Z/IMG_6043.JPG Playlists - Relax With Me (Vol 001) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586027881598-5R1XNPNDRT0RFT6LZGB5/189-1897218_transparent-listen-clipart-available-on-spotify-logo-hd.jpg Playlists - Relax With Me (Vol 001) Spotify https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586027913868-54ZWFO1HVP6G089UVZFD/18-189854_listen-on-apple-music-logo-hd-png-download.jpg Playlists - Relax With Me (Vol 001) Apple Music https://likewatersounds.com/playlists/better-days-are-coming monthly 0.5 2020-04-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586027881598-5R1XNPNDRT0RFT6LZGB5/189-1897218_transparent-listen-clipart-available-on-spotify-logo-hd.jpg Playlists - Better Days Are Coming Spotify https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586027913868-54ZWFO1HVP6G089UVZFD/18-189854_listen-on-apple-music-logo-hd-png-download.jpg Playlists - Better Days Are Coming Apple Music https://likewatersounds.com/playlists/summeratdacrib monthly 0.5 2020-08-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586027881598-5R1XNPNDRT0RFT6LZGB5/189-1897218_transparent-listen-clipart-available-on-spotify-logo-hd.jpg Playlists - summer at the crib Spotify https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586027913868-54ZWFO1HVP6G089UVZFD/18-189854_listen-on-apple-music-logo-hd-png-download.jpg Playlists - summer at the crib Apple Music https://likewatersounds.com/playlists/theflat monthly 0.5 2020-08-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586027881598-5R1XNPNDRT0RFT6LZGB5/189-1897218_transparent-listen-clipart-available-on-spotify-logo-hd.jpg Playlists - we at the flat? Spotify https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586027913868-54ZWFO1HVP6G089UVZFD/18-189854_listen-on-apple-music-logo-hd-png-download.jpg Playlists - we at the flat? Apple Music https://likewatersounds.com/playlists/thecoffeeshop monthly 0.5 2020-08-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586027881598-5R1XNPNDRT0RFT6LZGB5/189-1897218_transparent-listen-clipart-available-on-spotify-logo-hd.jpg Playlists - The Coffee Shop Spotify https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586027913868-54ZWFO1HVP6G089UVZFD/18-189854_listen-on-apple-music-logo-hd-png-download.jpg Playlists - The Coffee Shop Apple Music https://likewatersounds.com/playlists/amoment monthly 0.5 2020-10-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586027881598-5R1XNPNDRT0RFT6LZGB5/189-1897218_transparent-listen-clipart-available-on-spotify-logo-hd.jpg Playlists - a lil r&b moment Spotify https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e87e1a31b2121713d68edce/1586027913868-54ZWFO1HVP6G089UVZFD/18-189854_listen-on-apple-music-logo-hd-png-download.jpg Playlists - a lil r&b moment Apple Music