Albums everyone needs in their collection (According to Me)
- Jade McLeod
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
If, like me, you live and breathe music, then chances are your album collection is impressive, so in my "definitely not biased opinion", here are the albums I think you need in your collection!
One Christmas, I brought Dad Abba Gold on CD only to steal it back from him and play it on repeat in my own CD player. Why did I do that? because of the simple truth that my music catalogue yearns for a bit of ABBA! ABBA Gold has the best of the best of ABBA, featuring songs such as Dancing Queen, Knowing Me, Knowing You, Take A Chance On Me, Mamma Mia, Lay All Your Love On Me, Super Trouper, I Have A Dream, The Winner Takes It All, Money, Money, Money, Chiquitita, Fernando, Voulez-Vous, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight), Does Your Mother Know, One Of Us, The Name Of The Game, Thank You For The Music and Waterloo... Best believe I can sing them all word for word!!
Eighteen months after we first met them sight-unseen on Netflix’s Building the Band, Midnight Til Morning dropped their debut EP, Afterglow. Afterglow lands like sunrise after a cross-country drive: your eyes are heavy, but your heart is wide awake, and the world suddenly feels full of new possibilities. MTM’s trend-chasing singles carve out a lane that’s unapologetically pop yet fiercely band-driven, with real guitars, lush harmonies, and a dash of grit. Tracks on this album include a bittersweet, reflective post-love anthem that blooms from intimate verses into a clean, radio-tight chorus. Reflective verses give way to a clean, modern-pop chorus closure without cruelty. Modern pop-rock tracks with a dusting of country grit in the vocal edges. Guitar-forward tracks with a rock backbone, the vocal colouring leaning country-ish in the best way. Slow-burn ballads and “vocal moments” chest-voice sincerity, and a shimmer of nostalgia. There’s a whisper of disco nostalgia in the feeling. The core of the album is coming-of-age tenderness. A sombre, slow confessional. which is very MTM: sad thoughts, soft light. Beautiful yet bruising vocals carry the weight. Faster, upbeat, and flirty, all neon-dashboard synths and late-night skylines. Hopeful, cinematic pop.
I mean.... Do I Wanna Know, Why'd You Only Call Me when You're High... enough said, you need this album! AM by Arctic Monkeys is a classic album every indie-rock-loving album collector needs!
Another Obvious one, with tracks such as American idiot, Boulevard of Broken Dreams and Wake Me Up When September Ends this is THE Green Day album you need!
Because I am, in fact, my Father's Daughter, Appetite For Destruction by Guns N' Roses needed to be on this list! Tracks such as Welcome to the Jungle, Paradise City, and Sweet Child O' Mine are my personal favourites.
The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean is one of my personal favourites because of its emotional intimacy. tracks such as Nice to each other, So easy (To Fall In Love), Man I Need, and I've seen It, Had me hooked from the very first listen!
Another album I have attempted to steal from dad at one point, with Tracks such as Rehab and Back to Black, this is THE Amy Winehouse album your collection needs!
Blood on the drums by Ashton Irwin is hands down one of my most frequently spun records! Ashton Irwin crafted Blood on the Drums as a two-part journey: Side A, The Thorns, arrived on June 12, 2024, with Side B, The Roses, blooming on July 17, 2024. This project delves into the tangled roots of life, love, pain, and growth, shining a light on both suffering and healing. The title itself is a testament to Irwin’s unwavering devotion to his art and the sacrifices that fuel his creative fire. The title track stands as a rallying cry for artistic devotion. It dives into the all-consuming commitment to one’s craft, even when it demands personal sacrifice, laying bare the extent to which Irwin pours into his music and identity. I See the Angels shifts the mood toward hope and introspection. The song explores the pursuit of goodness, urging kindness over cruelty and judgment. It celebrates those who rise above negativity to embody compassion and acceptance. The Canyon sets the emotional landscape for The Roses. The track looks back on Irwin’s twenties, a time shadowed by depression, and links his story to the silent battles many young men face. The canyon becomes a powerful metaphor for hidden struggles, a chasm of unspoken pain. The song becomes both confession and a hand extended in solidarity, offering unity in vulnerability. California Holds Her Breath is a delicate, atmospheric composition that addresses addiction and the more sombre aspects of Los Angeles. The song is characterised by subtle observation and compassion, illustrating the city’s simultaneous beauty and suffocating qualities. Glory Days provides a nostalgic reflection on Irwin’s tenure with 5 Seconds of Summer. The song recalls the simplicity and freedom of the band’s formative years, celebrating experiences that contributed to his development. It strikes a balance between sentimentality and groundedness, expressing gratitude for both past experiences and personal growth. Blood on the Drums is both a reckoning and a victory album. It captures the cost of creation, the dance between beauty and pain, and the endless transformation of living. Ashton Irwin lays his soul bare on both sides, thorns and roses, delivering his most raw, mature, and deeply human work yet.
How many times have you gone through a music lover's albums and seen this cover? It's for a reason, or should I say a few reasons, namely Born to Die, Video Games, Radio, and Summertime Sadness.
I am SOOOOOOO Biased when it comes to this album because when I FINALLY purchased my first record player (Ziggy), I had to christen him with a special album, obviously, and what did I buy first? Boy by Luke Hemmings, of course! What stands out about this album is the emotional vulnerability in a way only Luke can get away with!
If Like me you were raised by a father who played Elton John's music at concert volumes then you need this album! The tracklist includes songs such as Your Song, Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long, Long Time), Crocodile Rock, Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting), Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,
Candle In The Wind, Bennie And The Jets, Someone Saved My Life Tonight,
Don't Go Breaking My Heart (with Kiki Dee), I'm Still Standing, I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues, Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (with George Michael), Can You Feel The Love Tonight or in other words this album fits my entire childhood!
The air? smells salty. Your door? rusty. What does that mean? It's autumn, and this is the album you are reaching for!
Everyone's a Star by 5 Seconds of Summer showcases the band's full range of growth and feels like the result of years of change and reinvention, with each song offering a vivid, emotional experience. with raw studio energy, strong drums, and Luke’s familiar dreamy vocals, with Sierra Hemmings’ credit adding emotional warmth. “Not Ok” comes in as a powerful anthem for anyone struggling through adulthood. “Boyband” is one of the album’s most emotionally deep songs, combining an upbeat beat with a hidden sadness, criticising invasive fan behaviour and the media’s dismissive attitude toward boy bands. “I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep Again” is for the YearnSOS truthers. “Ghost” looks at identity, reflection, and the fear of seeing yourself in someone else through lines like “late at night, we’re the same, it shows you and I haunted by a similar ghost” and “I can’t look you in the eyes because I’m afraid it looks like me,” “Evolve” starts with a strong beat, classic humour, detailed vocal layers, and bold production choices, including a short sample about girls’ brains, while lines like “round and around an emotional junkie” show repeated emotional patterns.
Very rarely do I recommend a CD single, but when it comes to Friday I'm In Love by The Cure, you just need it. I don't make the rules 🤷♀️
Looking for an album where you can just hold your speaker up to your therapist and say, "This is exactly how I feel", then this is the album you need!
For the Pop Punk Lover who needs an album to let it all out too this is a classic! with tracks such as Sk8er Boi, Girlfriend, Complicated, I'm A Mess (with Yungblud), I'm With You, When You're Gone, Here's To Never Growing Up, Keep Holding On and Head Above Water, this is one you need!
DUH!
Harry Style's self titled album is one of my favourite start to finish listens! This album is a tapestry of vulnerability, longing, heartbreak, and soul-searching. It begins with aching honesty, as Harry navigates the tangled aftermath of loss and the ache of letting go. Fleeting moments of flirtation and joy flicker throughout, shimmering with a bittersweet glow and capturing the delicate dance between hope and sorrow. The soundscape shifts from hushed confessions to electrifying anthems, echoing the wild swings of love, solitude, and self-discovery. In the end, the album entwines connection and separation, longing and comfort, inviting listeners into a space that feels both unfiltered and deeply healing.
Yungblud's "Idols" album, now with Part 2, fuses the warmth of nostalgia with a bold modern edge, inviting listeners on a vibrant emotional adventure. At its heart, the album pulses with vulnerability, rebellion, and the restless quest for identity. Across both parts, Yungblud pays homage to his heroes, threading echoes of Bowie, Oasis, Blur, The Cure, Queen, and others into a soundscape that feels both grandly theatrical and rawly intimate. The album ricochets between unfiltered heartbreak and wild, playful chaos, painting the rollercoaster of youth, love, and loss in bold strokes. Songs leap from explosive, stadium-sized anthems to moments of hushed vulnerability, with lyrics that dance between mischievous hope and searing honesty. Part 2, in particular, loops back to themes from Part 1, tying the journey together in a satisfying, full-circle narrative. At its core, the album is a celebration of connection: to musical heritage, to personal truth, and to everyone listening. Its rich layers and fearless honesty spark a cathartic release, honouring both the beautiful chaos and quiet wonder of being alive. "Idols" ultimately shines as a beacon, illuminating the path from darkness to self-discovery through vulnerability and heartfelt tribute.
Kansas Anymore by Role Model is such a fun listen with some of my favourite tracks include Look At That Woman, Deeply Still In Love, Something, Somehow, Someday, and Sally When The Wine Runs Out.
Sabrina Carpenter’s album Man’s Best Friend bursts with color and candor, diving headfirst into the chaos of modern relationships, self-worth, and empowerment. Each track pulses with infectious energy, pairing sparkling pop beats with lyrics that crackle with humor, sass, and razor-sharp observations. Carpenter spotlights the wild ride of love and dating for women, turning old gender roles on their head with a wink and a fearless grin.
Credit to my younger brother for this one... its probably the only album we agree on! Laufey’s album “A Matter of Time” sweeps listeners into a cinematic odyssey of nostalgia, heartbreak, femininity, and self-discovery, weaving classic jazz with modern pop and vivid storytelling. Dreamy yet daring, its lush arrangements, showgirl shimmer, and intimate ballads conjure a world that feels both enchanted and achingly personal.
I Think we all know I am insanely biased towards this album because it gsve me my entire career! With Order Chaos Order, Calum Hood delivers a deeply human record, raw, self-aware, and full of heart. It’s not just an exploration of chaos, but also a search for meaning and music within it!
OBVIOUSLY!!
Michael Clifford’s album “Sidequest” bursts with color and feeling, diving headfirst into vulnerability, nostalgia, and self-acceptance against a backdrop of electrifying pop-punk. Each track pulses with energy and emotion, weaving bold synths, gritty guitars, and shimmering electronic layers into stories that feel both intimate and universal. Clifford explores the tightrope of romance, the mirror of self-reflection, and the winding road to self-love, all with a sharp wit and a fearless honesty that invites listeners in. But also the graphics for this album... how do you not want that on your shelf?
Ok Ok I may be A little biased 🤏🏻 since I went to this tour but trust me, this album is one of the best to put on and just enjoy start to finish.
Comments