100 influential albums
a list of albums that have made the biggest impact on my life thus far
I think a person’s media consumption says a lot about them. Like I kinda don’t trust people who “don’t like music” and I feel understood by people who have over 1,000 movies logged on Letterboxd. I love people with record collections and people who still own CD players and people who go to the movies enough to have one of those subscription packages with AMC. While I know a lot of people have their niche - some people don’t love television, some people only connect with one genre of music, etc - I love seeing what other people are consuming because it not only tells me who they are or where they’re at, but it also gives me something new to check out. Even though I’m terrible at taking recommendations to heart, I do my best to at least poke my head in and see if the recommendation is worth my while.
Which is to say, I hope you’re ready to take a peek into my brain because I’m here today to talk about my 100 most influential albums of the last 29 years. (Well, okay, 28 years and…10 months? I turn 29 in May.) Here’s your official warning: I have very bizarre taste and I cannot promise that there aren’t some cringeworthy albums/artists on here. Deal with it!
If you’ve ever looked at Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest albums of all time list, that’s what we’re going for, although slightly different. I have a difficult time accurately listing my favorite albums and ranking them effectively because new music is always coming out and objectively I kind of believe an album like 1000 gecs is as good as Harvest is as good as Hannah Montana 2. How am I supposed to accurately rank those? (Yes, I’m aware I sound insane. Who would rank Hannah in the same caliber as 100 gecs and how do either of those compare to Neil Young? Me. That’s who.) That is why, for this list, instead of choosing exclusively my favorites, I want to talk about influential albums.
These are albums I’ve played on repeat, past favorites, all-time favorites, albums that shaped me as a person and a music listener and writer, albums that sound like a season of my life. Each of them has meant something different to me over the years, and while not all of them would rank in my current all-time favorites list officially, at some point in time, they were all on there. Which is to say, this list is also not technically a favorites list, if only because there are some key players that are missing…but that’s a problem for another day.
So buckle up, get your preferred music app open, and settle in. We got a lot of albums to talk about.
For those who want to explore these albums easily in Spotify, I’ve put the opening track of each of these (except three non-streaming albums) into a playlist so you can listen along if you so desire. The order matches the list, so 100 is at the top and 1 is at the bottom.
Pretty. Odd. - Panic! At the Disco (2008)
I know what you’re thinking. Jenna, of all the Panic! albums to put on this list, why did you pick this piece of garbage? Well, good reader, I do not think this album is garbage. I bought this CD when I was in early high school and I have vivid memories of playing it on my iPod while I sat at my brother’s baseball games. Even though Panic! has its own issues and has since disbanded, this little album was important to me if only because it was so goddamn weird. The instrumentals on this album are reminiscent of a weird folk album, and I think about it quite often, actually. It really introduced me to Panic! in a weird way, and this was the start of my collection of pretty odd music.
Back to Me - Kathleen Edwards (2005)
I bought this CD from Barnes & Noble because the cover looked cool, full stop. It’s a folksy-country-Americana album and it has seen me through many seasons of life. Kathleen’s songwriting is fantastic, and she’s such an underrated artist. I had no idea what I was getting when I bought this album, hoping beyond hope that I picked a winner, and it really encouraged me to seek out more Americana-esque artists. The songwriting on here is top notch!
Contra - Vampire Weekend (2010)
Every time I spin this album, I forget that I genuinely love the entire tracklist. It reminds me of springtime and May and bus rides to school in high school. It’s so essentially Vampire Weekend, and their unique sound is candy to my ears. While this album is kind of insane and I still have no idea what it’s about or what it’s saying, even now, it’s some of the most interesting music I’ve ever heard in my life, and it really helped launch me into weird and indie and underground music. It was the start of my Tumblr era, let’s be real.
Expectations - Hayley Kiyoko (2018)
If you did not get swept up in the Hayley Kiyoko craze of 2018, I feel sorry for you. This record was life-changing for gays everywhere, and it’s such a fantastic pop record. It’s cohesive and atmospheric and the production is top-notch. Her writing is so smart on this album, but more than anything it was one of the first major pop releases around that time that was by the gays for the gays. Lesbian Jesus made her mark, and I do think she made it possible for a lot of gay artists to pick up speed in the late 2010s/early 2020s.
lovestrong. - Christina Perri (2011)
When “Jar of Hearts” was played on So You Think You Can Dance in the early 2010s, I immediately fell in love with Christina Perri. I waited patiently for her debut album, and I remember being obsessed with it for weeks as the lead singles dropped. “the lonely” in particular is a song I’ve kept close to me for years, and I think Christina does such a fantastic job with her lyrics. This album is a long lost gem, and I wish more people appreciated it.
22 Break - Oh Wonder (2021)
When this album came out, I was going through a lot of turmoil in my relationships. For some reason, I really connected with the lyrics and feelings on this break-up album. It’s such a unique perspective because Josephine and Anthony wrote it during the early days of the pandemic when they lived together and nearly broke-up, but then when they announced this break-up record…they also announced that they got married. It’s my favorite album from them because the sound is so unique and gritty, and I love the honesty that plays out in their lyrics. It was such a comfort to me then and even now.
The Listening - LIGHTS (2009)
In early high school, I was heavily influenced by one friend in particular who introduced me to a bunch of electronic artists. (Think Owl City vibes.) When they showed me this artist and this album, I could not stop listening to it and it sparked a lot of my interest in electronic-pop. LIGHTS is such a fantastic writer, and this album has provided me so much comfort over the years.
Days Are Gone - HAIM (2013)
I got hooked on HAIM when “The Wire” was the free song of the week on iTunes, and by the time they got picked up to tour with Taylor in 2015, I was absolutely obsessed with their debut album and their sound. They are the girlband I never knew I needed, and this record in particular is a sound I’m always trying to find in other albums and artists. It’s groovy and smart and poppy and it was my whole personality for years.
Life Left to Go - Safetysuit (2008)
I have no recollection of discovering this album, but I’m sure I found it during one of my many deep dives in the iTunes recommendation sections. This band never did a lot, but they did a lot for me with this album. It’s pop-rock with a touch of emo-boy-band-alternative and for whatever reason, I felt deeply connected with this tracklist. “Annie” is a very special song for me and my best friend, but “Gone Away” is an all-time favorite of mine that calms me down whenever I get worked up. Underrated as hell and an absolute powerhouse that came out of 2008. (A common theme with this list.)
Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded - Rihanna (2008)
Bet you didn’t think I was a true Rihanna fan, huh! I bought this full album when I was thirteen because so many of the singles made it to radio. In 2008 you couldn’t go anywhere without a Rihanna song playing. This continues to be one of my favorite records from Rihanna because it’s so damn catchy and almost every single song is a hit. It’s pop at its best and it was one of the first black albums I really fell in love with.
Pang - Caroline Polachek (2019)
Originally I was drawn to this album because of the artwork and design, and then I found “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings” and decided I needed to learn more about this artist. Caroline is like Imogen Heap’s weirder, siren cousin with a penchant for Italian opera music, and she’s so good at what she does. This album really expanded my view of pop music and it made me so excited about singing again, if only because Caroline is an insane soprano that I could never ever match.
Dirt On Your Hands - The Orchardist (2014)
This album kind of doesn’t exist because it’s by an indie band from 2014 and it isn’t on Spotify, but I have to include it because it was made by some of my college friends and this album really affected me when it was released. It’s such a fantastic record - with some really deep lyrics and beautiful production - and I wish it was on streaming so more people could have access to it. It’s Christian-folk, with a song about The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, and it goes HARD. Like, boots stomping on the floor hard. But it also includes two of my favorite songs ever, “Beast” and “Sing Into My Silence.” If you ever decide you want to hear this record, please email me because I will send it to you! (Sorry Janie and crew oops.)
Stick Season - Noah Kahan (2022)
I can’t not put this album on the list because what white girl hasn’t been influenced by Mr. Kahan? I was pressured into listening to this album by a few friends, and even though it took a few listens to come around, I’m so glad I did. This album has been such a comfort in recent months, and it’s such a fantastic exploration of the Northeastern experience. (As someone who grew up around Chicago, I am allowed to relate to “Northern Attitude!”) The way Noah writes is really wonderful, and it feels like an Americanized-version of Sigh No More but more personal and more emotional.
Love + Fear - MARINA (2019)
I am well aware that this is possibly Marina’s worst album. But consider this: it’s my favorite. This album came out when I was 24 and restless and lost, and even though it is almost nothing like the original Marina + the Diamonds, it’s such a great pop record with some really fun beats and melodies, and it’s just a great time! Even though I was a fan of hers when her debut came out, this is the album that really convinced me to fall back in love with Marina as an artist, and it’s some of my favorite work of hers. Sue me! I never said I had good taste!
Straight Outta Oz - Todrick Hall (2016)
Regardless of how you feel about Todrick as a person, this album is a masterpiece. It’s pop perfection, storytelling at its best, and I’ve been a fan of it ever since it released. The visual film that goes with it is also really well done, and I think it’s such a cool piece of work. It’s theatrical in all the best ways, and it has some of the best melodies I’ve ever heard. Also, the features on this album slap.
Saves the World - MUNA (2019)
When I found this record, I didn’t really know much about MUNA as a band, and they were set to come to Nashville later that week to play a show. I devoured this record, became totally obsessed, and spur of the moment decided to go see them…life-changing. MUNA is now one of my all-time favorite bands, and while this is no longer my favorite of theirs (self-titled forever), I cannot deny that this record supremely influenced me for years. Still is influencing me, honestly. It’s alt-pop at its best, and it was one of the first queer records I really connected with after I really started to understand my sexuality.
Born to Die - Lana Del Rey (2012)
Even though I know some of her later works are objectively better, this album will always be my favorite Lana record. It’s such a unique sound that really influenced the 2010s, sounding both old-school and new-school, and as a whole, it’s such a cohesive piece of work. It’s the album that got me interested in Lana, and truthfully it was the only era of hers that I was actually a huge fan. It was not relatable to me at all when I was seventeen (or even now), but as a Tumblr girl I cannot help but love this album.
Future Nostalgia - Dua Lipa (2020)
Let’s go back to the early days of the pandemic. We have to include this powerhouse of an album. It changed the pop landscape and started the 20s off on a high note. Even though this album is not technically disco music and I know a lot of real disco music enthusiasts would probably yell at me for making that claim…it’s not not disco…and I think it’s super innovative for its time. Sue me, I love pop.
22, A Million - Bon Iver (2016)
Definitely the weirdest Bon Iver record to date, and for a while I did not think I liked it at all…but the truth is, this little album is so unique and special, and even though I have no idea what it’s saying, the production on it is so strange that I can’t help but love it. It really influenced me in college, and now when I put it on it makes me think back to late night drives in the dark. It’s so underrated!
how i’m feeling now - Charli XCX (2020)
This is the album that put me on the hyper-pop scene. It’s not quite as out-there as gecs, but without lockdown and the early days of the pandemic, I would have never done a deep dive on Charli and her music. This album changed the game and it’s still one of my favorite pandemic projects. It’s weird and overproduced (in a good way), and it does a fantastic job stretching what pop and electronic music can be.
1000 gecs - 100 gecs (2019)
Since we’re talking about weird albums (are we?), I have to put gecs on here. If you don’t know about this band, I will caution you…they are not for everybody. When I first listened to them, I was coerced by a hot guy at work, and I did not see the appeal. It was computer music. However. For the sake of Hot Guy, I did my homework, and now Hot Guy is no more but gecs is forever. This is the album that really made me appreciate hyper-pop in a new unexpected way. It may make me a little insufferable, but I have to speak my truth: “FUCK SLEEP AND HIS COUSIN YEAH!”
Circus - Britney Spears (2008)
As a Baby Millenial whose parents did not listen to pop music, I did not listen to Britney Spears as a kid. Tragic, I know. I could only sing the big hits. So, by the time I was cognizant enough to have my own taste in music, she had already shaved her head and then it was 2008 and this album came out and I had to borrow it from one of my friends to really introduce myself to Britney. But this record (still my favorite Britney, even though I’ve listened to her other stuff now) is so strong and it’s a phenomenal pop record. Something was in the water in 2008, I’m telling you. While I’m not a very sexual being, this was the first record that really made me understand what it meant to be one. Yes, I was thirteen and “Phonography” was the song that spoke to me the most. What about it!
Fantasies - Metric (2009)
Back in the day, when they used to stock CDs at Target, I would go to the store with my mom and stalk the shelves and pick things out at random to buy. Okay, not random, I would go based on their cover art, but I vaguely remember buying this record for that reason. I had no idea who Metric was or what they sounded like, but I needed something new, and hey that lightbulb looks cool. And damn! It was! This was one of the records I kept coming back to in high school, and I love what they did with the instrumentation and lyrics on this album. It made me seek out a lot more alternative stuff.
If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power - Halsey (2021)
When this album was announced, I knew it would make a huge impact on me. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross producing for one of my favorite artists was exactly what I wanted, and even though I do wish parts of this album had turned out differently, every single track is flawless. I love the direction Halsey took this album and this tour, and it’s one of my all-time favorite pieces of music. The visual film that goes with it is also really cool! Dark cinematic alt-pop at its finest.
Jonas Brothers - Jonas Brothers (2007)
For better or worse, I am a child of the early 2000s. So much of the music that made an impact on my life came from Disney Channel, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without it. I remember when this album came out because I borrowed it from my best friend at the time, and it was just full of bangers. I was never really a boy-band kind of a girl, and I wasn’t the biggest Jo Bros fan, but this album was played over and over when I was in middle school, and it was the first concert I begged my mom to let me go to. I fought hard to get tickets to see them (and Miley and Hannah - oh, 2007…) and I do think seeing them in concert altered my brain chemistry. This isn’t my favorite JB album by any means, but there are some awesome tracks on here. I’m not afraid to admit “That’s Just the Way We Roll” is a roadtrip jam.
In Between Dreams - Jack Johnson (2005)
I stumbled on Jack Johnson randomly, having only seen the cover for one of his other albums on an Apple ad, and when I listened to the samples of this record, I decided to give it a go. I love beach music, who knows why, and this album really got me interested in guitar work. It’s the perfect album for a rainy day or a sunny day, and it’s the kind of music that makes me want to build a home. It’s one of the greatest albums of all-time, I’m convinced.
AR - EP - Addison Rae (2023)
I’m not sure this EP should be as high as it is, but here we are. I am just as shocked as you are that Addison Rae makes good music, but I’ll be real with you…this EP is flawless. It’s so 2020s pop but it reminds me of 2003 and 2008 (the other iconic pop years of my time), and it’s the perfect blend between now and the early 2000s. While the lyricism isn’t anything to write home about (“This ah-ah sex to die for!”), the production is kind of ridiculous. Unfortunately, I am not immune to a good pop album. Oops.
Sigh No More - Mumford & Sons (2009)
I think we all had a Mumford & Sons phase. Back when this album dropped in 2009, it was all me and my family listened to, and I still think it’s one of the greatest records of all time. It’s such a strong album, with some incredible singles, and regardless of where this band is now, this album influenced me and so many of my friends to get into acoustic folk alternative music. (Yes, that’s their official genre! I did just make it up!)
Golden Hour - Kacey Musgraves (2018)
This record got Album of the Year at the Grammys (for obvious reasons), but I fell in love with it when it was released. It was the first full album of Kacey’s that I loved, but I had been following her for a few years since “Follow Your Arrow,” and way back when “Blowin Smoke” was a free single on iTunes. This album is such a great country-pop-crossover vibe, and it’s a no-notes record. One of the greatest albums of the 2010s, no doubt about it.
Rolling Up the Welcome Mat - Kelsea Ballerini (2023)
What can I say, I have fallen in love with divorce albums. Even though this is technically an EP, it still counts because I love it desperately. It’s Kelsea’s best work, and it came out of nowhere in 2023 to become one of my favorite records of all time. The lyricism and production on this cut to the core, and Kelsea does such a fantastic job with storytelling in just a few songs. This is what pop-country should be!!
Unbeautiful - Lesley Roy (2008)
Add this to the list of albums I bought in eight grade because it’s by a cool singer-songwriter girl in her 20s. This record really impacted my songwriting at the time, and I was obsessed with Lesley’s sound and lyrics. In recent years, I’ve actually gotten to photograph her (and the love of her life!) and it was so cool getting to hang out with her after admiring her as a teenager. This is such an underrated indie gem from the 2000s! Few people these days can match the energy and impact of “Psycho Bitch.”
Differently - Cassie Davis (2009)
I have only purchased a limited number of international CDs in my life, but I had to import this one because I was so obsessed with Cassie and her video for “Like It Loud.” The way she wrote and produced was so important to me in ninth grade when I was learning how to play guitar and write my own music, and her sound was revolutionary at the time, in my opinion. While it may not stand up so much today, “Mess of Mine” will always be one of my all-time favorite songs, and I still think this is such a memorable record. Underrated bop for sure!
Dermot Kennedy - Dermot Kennedy (2019)
I know you probably want me to put Dermot’s actual debut album Without Fear on this list, but I have to put his self-titled on here. This album introduced me to Dermot and made me a fan of his work. It’s such a beautiful record, and even though he’s grown a lot since he put this out, I think it’s still one of my all-time favorites. “For Island Fires and Family” remains one of my favorite songs ever, and it would not exist without this album. Something about Irish men playing guitar…
Leave This Town - Daughtry (2009)
For every distinguished artist, I have to put one that is unexpected and makes no sense! Hence, Daughtry. I’ve been a fan since I was in middle school, if only because I’m an American Idol kid and my dad loves Daughtry’s early stuff. He put this CD on all the time, and when I was in high school I became obsessed with it. Lyrics, production, sound, all of it. It’s such a strong record, and to this day I still think it’s one of my all-time favorites. “What I Meant To Say,” kind of the song of all time. Chris’s voice is amazing, and I love the emotion he puts into these catchy rock songs.
Montevallo - Sam Hunt (2014)
The reason I listen to Sam Hunt is because Morgan Matson put one of his songs in her book and because Taylor Swift brought him out as a special guest for one of my 1989 shows. I barely knew anything about him back then, and I wasn’t a huge fan of his lead single “Take Your Time,” but then I dove into this album and over the years it has had a huge influence on my music taste. I am simply a woman who loves white men rapping. Sam got me into country music in a new way, and unfortunately I find his voice and his lyricism incredibly attractive. What a shame. This album is kind of perfect from top to bottom though…
Paint My Bedroom Black - Holly Humberstone (2023)
Of all the upcoming pop artists in recent years, Holly is one that feels so timeless to me. While she channels some early 2000s grunge and a little acoustic-singer-songwriter, she is also just so great at writing catchy pop hooks and melodies. Her lyricism especially has been inspiring and life-changing, mainly because she writes a lot about friendship and self-loathing, and at this time of my life, these topics have been hugely important to me. Perfect album, perfect artist.
Hadestown - Anais Mitchell (2010)
I stumbled on this album about ten years ago, and it was right around the time when Anais was developing her soon-to-be hit musical. This is the first musical I followed almost from the beginning of its journey, and it’s all because this record has Justin Vernon featured. (What can I say, I love that man.) This album is a concept album about Orpheus and Eurydice, as I’m sure you know if you’ve kept up with the musical, and while the musical arrangement is wonderful in its own way, I love this album because it’s cohesive and less-theatrical. It impacted my Broadway adventures, but due to the nature of its content I think it also influenced the way I see the world. “Why We Build the Wall” especially…whew.
Coco - Colbie Caillat (2008)
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve listened to this album. I have been a fan of Colbie since “Bubbly” was the free song of the week on iTunes, and this record is one that used to play over and over again when I was writing songs in eighth grade. As a songwriter, it was really pivotal to me for some reason, and I always felt such a strong connection to this beachy album. The lyrics are great but the production is so calming, I could not get enough.
Mon Bleu - Jacque Jordan (2016)
Similar to The Orchardist, this record was scrubbed from the internet because my good friend Jacque does not keep her stuff available for more than a few months. But my god, this record is one of my all-time favorites. It’s a jazz record, totally unexpected and out of left-field for me, but the writing on this is divine. “Something Like Grace” and “The Break” are both very important songs in my collection, and I constantly wish Jacque would put this back online because she should be very proud of the work she did on this. I also happened to help do the graphic design for this CD, so what can I say. All-time favorite, and I’m not just saying that because she’s my friend. (If you ask nicely I’ll send you this one too… I WILL DO IT JACQUE THE PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR THIS RECORD!)
Sing It All Away - Walk Off the Earth (2015)
This album came out when I was in college, and my dad bought it after falling in love with Walk Off the Earth’s five-people-one-guitar cover of “Somebody That You Used to Know.” We played it on repeat as we visited Yellowstone that summer, and to this day I believe this is a perfect record. As a band WOTE is incredibly underrated, and they are such talented musicians. Every song on this album is a bop, and the lyrics are really smart. The opening track alone is enough to get this album on my list.
Riot! - Paramore (2007)
The record that got me into Paramore as a band. I always thought they were too emo for me (yes, that is a common theme with a lot of my music), but I heard “crushcrushcrush” and decided that I should give them a shot. When they blew up in 2008, I was there and I was obsessed. This is such a cohesive record, and it’s essential 2000s listening. Changed the game.
Carnival Ride - Carrie Underwood (2007)
One of the things I miss most about the 2000s is that you would have to buy full CDs to determine if you liked an album or a song. There are so many records that I grew to love only because it was all that was available to me, because I took a chance on buying them. This is one of those records. I was always a fan of Carrie’s big starter hits - “Jesus Take the Wheel” and “Before He Cheats” - and I do not know what compelled me to own this CD, but I loved the cover and some of the lead singles, so I committed. And it’s still one of my favorite country records ever. The sound, the lyrics, Carrie’s vocals…kind of a classic. It was arguably the first full country record I bought and loved! Well, beside Taylor, obviously.
Own the Night - Lady A (2011)
Even though their sophomore album made a huge impact on me, I cannot deny that this record also influenced me. This sounds like my senior year of high school, and it has a romantic quality that still makes me emotional to this day. It has some of my favorite production and songwriting ever, and I wish I could live in this record. Life-changing.
Light, Dark, Light Again - Angie McMahon (2023)
Although this is a recent release, it has crept up on this list because of its emotional impact. It’s an album that feels like your late twenties, and the lyrics are incredibly relatable to me during this season of my life. It’s such an underrated record with really beautiful production and arrangements, and it’s so good that I literally ordered the CD for it so I can listen in my car. I haven’t done that (for a non-Taylor record) in a long time. This album is a huge part of my thesis (personal, not academic lol) right now and I wish everybody would give it the attention it deserves.
Live in London - Regina Spektor (2010)
It’s very rare to find an artist that is better live than on their records. Or rather, I aim to find artists that are better live. Regina is one of those. I had heard some of her stuff here and there over the years - “The Call” was my favorite back when you couldn’t buy the single anywhere - but when I heard her live album for the first time, I fell in love. The way she translates her songs to just her and her piano is masterful. And this collection is just some of her greatest hits. It made me a fan and made me interested in other songwriters like her, although granted, nobody can be her.
Melodrama - Lorde (2017)
Can’t make a list without our Lorde and savior Ella. This album changed the world in 2017, and “Green Light” shifted something in my energy when it dropped that spring. I still think this is one of the greatest albums of all time - from a production stand-point as well as lyrically and melodically. The world Ella created in this record is so comforting and dark and beautiful, and if I could live in an album, this would be one I’d stay in for a long time.
BEYONCÉ - Beyoncé (2013)
Before 2013, I always thought Bey was a little overrated. And yes, that’s probably some internalized racism, but we’re moving past that. In truth, I never listened to her deep cuts, and all I knew was her big radio hits. But when she dropped this surprise album, her sound was entirely new and it had a visual album. My friend forced me to listen, and this is the album that made me a Beyoncé fan. It’s still my favorite record of hers, and it’s one of my all-time faves. It introduced me to black music in a way that nobody ever had, and I think it’s some of Bey’s best work by far. Definitely one of the greatest records of all time.
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess - Chappell Roan (2023)
I’ve been following Chappell since early 2020 when one of my friends put “Pink Pony Club” on a playlist for my birthday. I have watched her grow into such a spectacular artist, and this debut album is so impressive. It has some of the best singles of all time, and it’s such a huge success for gay people everywhere. Her brand is strong, her songwriting is clever, her voice is angelic, and the production by Dan Nigro is exquisite. Album of all time. This will define the 2020s for me.
The Human Condition - Jon Bellion (2016)
Of all the albums I listened to in college, this one in particular really stuck with me. Jon’s such a fantastic writer and producer, and everything he touches turns to gold. This record is incredibly personal to me, and it got me through a lot of dark moments. It’s so cohesive and smart, and it’s a staple in the pop/hip-hop genre. (Let’s be honest, I have no idea what this genre is, but it’s great!) “Hand of God” is one of my all-time favorite pieces of music, and every time I listen to it I am moved to tears. All-timer.
Sonic Highways - Foo Fighters (2014)
This is definitely not the best Foo album, and any real fan would stick his nose up at how much this album influenced me, but this is the album that made me really, genuinely fall in love with Foo Fighters. I grew up listening to them, I always wanted to understand why my dad loves them so much, and while I really enjoyed “Walk,” I didn’t click with a full album of theirs until this came out. This is the record I saw them tour with, and it made me officially obsessed with Dave’s silly little band.
This Is War - 30 Seconds to Mars (2010)
You may not know this, but Jared Leto has a rock band. And he’s actually like, really good. (It’s unfortunate.) But this album was life-changing for me in ninth grade. It’s a concept album of sorts, and at the time it felt really unique - like if a rock band added in some cinematic pop elements. Sadly, I love Jared Leto’s voice, and some of his lyrics are just too fantastic to ignore. This was one of the first rock records I found on my own, and it pushed me to find more bands that sounded like this.
Harvest - Neil Young (1972)
When I was sixteen, my guitar teacher lent me her CD of this album, and told me I had to listen to it because we were learning “Heart of Gold.” And at first, I was not interested. I do not like oldies, sorry. But then something changed and I found myself listening to this album while I did my math homework, while I was sitting in study hall, while I was on the bus, and suddenly I Got It. It is my favorite Neil Young record, and one of my favorite albums of all time, and it makes me think of autumn and my hometown and my guitar teacher and high school. It’s exquisite. It really influenced my guitar work for a long time.
Imploding the Mirage - The Killers (2021)
This is the record that got me into The Killers, oops. While I had listened to their hits before this, it wasn’t until Mirage that I figured out that I’m a massive fan of Brandon Flowers and his band, and this record is such a strong pop/rock work that I couldn’t not include it here. It altered my perception of The Killers and now that band is one of my favorites of all time. Crazy. I love the production on this album, especially the song with Weyes Blood.
I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it - The 1975 (2016)
I listened to this record for the first time on a drive down to 30A, riding in the dark of the night, and that weekend will always be engrained in these songs. I feel so much comfort in this album, regardless of whatever the hell the lyrics are saying, and it brings me so much peace to listen to it. It was the first full album of The 1975 that I fell in love with, and it is in my top ten albums of all-time. It’s beautiful and atmospheric and catchy and fun, and it altered my brain chemistry right there by the beach.
Strange Desire - Bleachers (2014)
While this is no longer my favorite Bleachers album, it’s such a strong debut, and when I discovered it in 2016, it changed my life. Jack’s unique style and production really shines on this record, and it launched a type of music that has become my personal favorite. Bleachers is such an important band to me, and I wouldn’t be where I am without “I Wanna Get Better.”
Blurryface - twenty one pilots (2015)
Even though Trench made me love the pilots, this album was kind of the start of it all. I remember buying “Stressed Out” and “Tear in My Heart” reluctantly after the entire internet became obsessed with this album in 2015. These songs were catchy, I guess, but it wasn’t until I really dug into the lore of Dema and the character of Blurryface that I came to appreciate this album as a whole. It’s a near-perfect record, and it never got the true recognition it deserved. Hall of Fame. Instant classic. Possibly Tyler’s best work.
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful - Florence + the Machine (2015)
Believe it or not, when this album came out, I could not care less about it. It didn’t seem as good as Ceremonials, so for about two years I ignored it. Then something changed and I gave it a chance and bought the CD and now this is one of my all-time favorite albums. Ever. I’ve been a huge Florence fan since her debut in 2009, but this record is revolutionary. It’s her at her best, and so much of this record speaks to me. Not to mention the insane visual film The Odyssey. I think if I had to choose one Florence album to really describe her as an artist, it would be this one.
It’s Not Me, It’s You - Lily Allen (2009)
I got all my friends into this album in 2009 because I found it on iTunes, and to this day, I think it’s still a banger. Lily’s a May 2 baby so she’s automatically my bestie, but this record is so cheeky and British and when I was thirteen it was all we wanted to play in my friends’ basements. I still have no idea why I loved it so much since most of the source material and lyrics were not relatable in the slightest, but maybe I just really liked “Fuck You.” Anyway, if you wanna know what 2009 was like, play this album and then The Fame by Lady GaGa and then Fearless by Taylor Swift.
Brand New Eyes - Paramore (2009)
Some days I think this is Paramore’s best work. It’s such a distinct sound, slightly atmospheric, the perfect mix between alternative and rock, and the lyrics are absolutely insane. Obviously “All I Wanted” is a stand out for obvious reasons, but I think so many of these songs are at the top of Paramore’s discography. This record came out when I was starting high school, and it was the soundtrack I played while doing my Geometry homework.
Paramore - Paramore (2013)
This right here is my favorite Paramore album and it is in my top ten records of all time. It’s such a fantastic collection of songs, especially their little interludes, and even though there was a lot of chaos happening for them during this era, 2014 was the first time I got to see them live, so it’s pretty important to me. These songs have comforted me and given me so much hope over the years, and I don’t know where I would be without this album.
That’s the Spirit - Bring Me the Horizon (2015)
I never liked BMTH because full-out screamo is just…not my jam. So when I stumbled on this record, their first not-totally-screamo album, I was utterly shocked. It became my whole personality for like a year. It’s one of my all-time favorite albums. The concept, the lyrics, the production, the vocals…it’s a near perfect album. It’s so 2010s, but if I had to describe my ideal sound, I think this might be it.
Need You Now - Lady A (2010)
Back when Lady A was a big deal, which is to say, when this album came out and every radio station was playing “Need You Now,” I took a chance on this, their sophomore record, and decided to become a fan. I bought their CD at Target and immediately fell in love with their sound and their vibe and their lyrics. This band was a huge part of my country awakening, and I vividly remember playing this CD when I was learning how to drive. It still stands up today (even if Lady A doesn’t).
x - Ed Sheeran (2014)
Some albums make an impact because of their music and writing and production, and some of them make an impact because they take you back to a time and place. This album came out when I was entering my sophomore year of college, and it instantly reminds me of night drives around my hometown, going to see my friends and trying to savor my summer at home. This is my favorite album from Ed, and this was such a comfort when I was struggling that summer. “Afire Love” and “Photograph” are still some of my all-time favorite songs.
+ - Ed Sheeran (2011)
This is horrible to admit, but aside from the top 40 hits of 2008 (I’m talking Flo Rida’s “Low” and almost any hit Pitbull track), Ed was my first real introduction to rap. If only because he took a page out of Ms. Lauryn Hill’s book and did the lyrical, melodic rap that she helped originate. I discovered him just before he went on to tour with Taylor (shocking, I know), and this album shaped a lot of my songwriting around that time. More than that, “You Need Me, I Don’t Need You” was probably the first actual rap song I learned in its entirety. Ed has changed so much as an artist, but his early stuff is still his best, and I cannot deny that it has played a huge part in my life and my taste in music over the years.
Born and Raised - John Mayer (2012)
Yes yes, I know, we hate John Mayer. Except I cannot lie, the man makes music that sounds like heaven. This record came out when I was in high school, and it is the only JM album I care about. The sound is more folksy than his other stuff, but the writing is incredible. He’s always been a pro at guitar, but the riffs on this record are particularly wonderful. It’s such a great piece about aging and being sad and trying to get through the day. It altered my brain chemistry at sixteen and this is one of my all-time favorite albums, even now.
Memento Mori - Flyleaf (2009)
When it comes to concept albums, this is one of the best. I found this album on iTunes and then it was further recommended to me by a friend, and we bonded over the storytelling on this record. It’s Christian-emo, with a lot of religious references, but to this day it is still one of the tightest albums I’ve ever heard. Sonically it’s cohesive, and the lyrics still cut me to my core. Flyleaf made such a huge impact on me in high school, back when I was still deep in the Christian faith, and while my religion has changed a lot since then, I still love the overall atmosphere of this record. An all-time favorite.
The Click - AJR (2017)
From the moment I hit play on “Overture,” I was sold. I found this band randomly after this album had been out for a while, and I loved the sound of “Sober Up,” so I tested out the full album on iTunes and immediately fell in love. The way Ryan produces their records (or at least, this and Neotheater, honorary mention) is so innovative and unique, and I love how the early days of AJR were almost like musical theater in a way. This record made me such a huge fan of them as a band, and it is still their magnum opus in my opinion, if only because of that opening track. Masterpiece.
BADLANDS - Halsey (2015)
The world stopped when Ashley dropped this album. I had to wait for this to be released after seeing her perform her unreleased songs live, and by the time it finally came out, I was chomping at the bit. It’s such a cinematic record, and it will always remind me of Sarah J Maas’s Throne of Glass series. This put Halsey on the map and immediately made them one of my favorite artists of all time. Innovative, extraordinary, alt-pop perfection.
Astoria - Marianas Trench (2015)
The first time I turned on this album I was in the car, testing out an Apple Music subscription, driving to Ohio. The internet told me to listen to it, and I was skeptical…but then that opening song played and I had a religious experience. I saw god, not clickbait. (Okay, kind of clickbait.) Then with each subsequent track, I realized that I had discovered a new favorite album and band. This is a stand-out record, and one of my all-time favorites. It’s kind of all over the place as it emulates a bunch of different bands and sounds, but it’s a loose concept album and the lyrics and melodies hit incredibly hard. This album made me a Marianas Trench fan, and it was vital in shaping my taste in music.
Lights - Ellie Goulding (2010)
When I was in ninth grade, I followed this singer-songwriter on YouTube who loved Ellie Goulding. At the time, Ellie did not have an album out. But I knew a few of her songs because people in the UK were covering her constantly. I had to buy her debut album from the UK and import it to the US so I could listen to this record, and it continues to be one of the best pop albums of the 2010s. It changed the way I write music, and it made me a fan of Ellie for a very long time.
Save Rock and Roll - Fall Out Boy (2013)
I have to be honest. Before this album, I did not think I was a FOB fan. I knew some of their hits, but then they went on hiatus and I didn’t know enough to dig into their full discography. (I was also convinced they were too emo for me? Oops.) But this album is the pop/rock record of my dreams. It’s the reason I listen to FOB. It’s one of my all-time favorite albums, if only because it’s such an excellent collection of tracks. It’s not the most authentic FOB, but it’s the exact kind of music I was looking for in 2013. Also the music videos are kind of unhinged… and it has an Elton John feature, so what’s not to love!
For Emma, Forever Ago - Bon Iver (2008)
Apparently not everyone knows that I am a huge fan of Bon Iver. I’ve been listening to this band since their debut, and I made For Emma half of my personality when it came out. It’s such a beautiful little album, and even though it is no longer my favorite record of theirs, I do think it might be their best. It’s incredibly timeless, and it has some of the most beautiful writing I’ve ever heard. When it came out, I remember just learning how to play the guitar, desperately figuring open tuning so I could play “Skinny Love” up in my bedroom after school. Justin Vernon especially has shaped a lot of my taste in music over the years, and I’ll listen to anything he makes.
The Best Damn Thing - Avril Lavigne (2007)
Even though I had to convince my parents to let me buy “The Best Damn Thing” because it had the word “damn” in the title (I printed out the lyrics and studied them), it was absolutely worth it. While Let Go is probably Avril’s best record, I think TBDT is her most iconic. There wasn’t a teenager alive who wasn’t influenced by “Girlfriend” in 2008. So much of who I was at thirteen was because of how unhinged this record is. How can a song like “Hot” be on the same album as “Innocence,” I do not know.
Here We Go Again - Demi Lovato (2009)
Is this my favorite album from Demi? Absolutely not. But this album influenced me so much when I was in high school. I wanted to write songs like this, I wanted to make a record like this, I wanted to be this. The lead single especially made such a big impact on me and my music taste and my songwriting. Not to mention the visuals for this album booklet…it changed my life in 2009. And the vocals? Insane.
Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (2015)
Okay, I could put so many musical albums on here - Great Comet, Joseph, Wicked, Les Miserables - but I think this is the most influential. This was the album that convinced me to go to NYC like six years in a row. It made me fall in love with the culture of Broadway. It got me interested in rap. (I know, it’s sad, let’s move on…) And while this show has aged over the last nine years (sad but true), it made a huge impact on me back then and it is still important to me now. It is also the first OBC I’ve seen on Broadway.
Born This Way - Lady GaGa (2011)
Even though I could put every GaGa album on this list for some reason or another, BTW will always be my favorite GaGa record. I remember listening to this at baseball games as a teenager, sharing earbuds with my best friend. It was the best pop record I had ever heard, and it continues to be one of my all-time favorites. It changed the game for pop in the 2010s, and it has some of GaGa’s strongest songs. The visuals were incredible too. And where would we as gays be without the title track! This might have been one of my first real forays into gay culture as a teen, and without this or Glee (lol) I may not have taken the first steps to understanding my own sexuality.
Ellipse - Imogen Heap (2009)
Back when “Whatcha Say” was the top song on the radio, I developed an infatuation with Imogen Heap. Her unique voice and talent for music production drew me in, and this record became the soundtrack of my life for a season. It’s wonderfully made, and sounds even better live. Imogen really pushes the limits of electronic music and vocal layering, and she’s influenced my taste for years.
Trench - twenty one pilots (2018)
This is the album that convinced me I liked the Pilots. It completely altered the trajectory of my life when I heard “Jumpsuit” and even though it took a year or so to get into the rest of this album, I developed such a huge obsession with the production, the instrumentals, and the lyrics. Oh, and the lore. I think it’s such a tight, cohesive record, and to this day it remains in my top 10 albums of all time.
Accelerate - Jump5 (2003)
In case you were wondering, this is the first CD I bought with my own money. I got it at a Christian book store because I loved Jump5, and that was that. It started my lifelong obsession with pop music because my parents were into hair metal and Barry Manilow and did not introduce me to Britney Spears.
A Christmas Album - Amy Grant (1983)
I guess I needed one Christmas album on this list. We had this on cassette tape when I was a kid, and my mom used to play it in the car around Christmas over and over again. By the time I moved to Tennessee for college, and we got to see Amy Grant Christmas live a few years later, this album had left its mark. It’s a part of my soul, if only because it makes me think of my family and my childhood and my hometown.
Lungs - Florence + the Machine (2009)
If I had known back in 2009 when I found this record on iTunes in the new and noteworthy section how much it would change my life, I would have laughed at you. At the time I was just obsessed with the album art, but the more I listened to this record, the more I fell in love with Florence. While this is my least favorite record of hers, it was very important to shaping my taste in music and my taste in her music in particular. It’s such a unique sound, and it was the soundtrack to the early 2010s.
Gone Now - Bleachers (2017)
The last day I saw my grandmother before she passed away in 2017, I went to my first ever Bleachers concert. I had never listened to this album, didn’t even know what it was about, but I heard it live that night and everything changed. This album got me through so much grief that fall, and it continues to be incredibly important to me (it’s in my top 5 albums of all time…). Its innovative production and incredible lyrics made me feel whole in a way that nothing else could. It made me the Bleachers fan I am today, and every time I listen to it I am transported back to my grandmother’s death, in a good way. I know I was lost but I miss those days, etc.
Animal - Ke$ha (2010)
On Tuesday January 5, 2010, at 6am I was frantically trying to download this album onto my iPod before school so I could listen to it on the bus and in study hall. And when I finally ran out the door and put my earbuds in, my life was changed. I had found “Tik Tok” on iTunes a few months before and watched it turn into a hit, and I had waited desperately for more music from this party girl. While this is a messy pop album with lots of vulgarity and raunch and it is nothing like my personal life experience, this record is the reason the 2010s sounded the way it did. My whole personality in high school was this record. And it still is! It’s still one of the best pop records ever! Like fuck Dr. Luke but…this is the good shit.
The Black Parade - My Chemical Romance (2006)
When I had just become friends with my now best friend of 14 years, we passed mix CDs back and forth like love letters, and one of her first gifts to me was “Disenchanted.” What followed was my emo awakening in some ways. I had never been brave enough to seek out MCR until then, and I didn’t realize that they were actually angels sent from heaven to create the most insanely fantastic music known to man. Arguably this is one of the best albums ever made, and it could probably be higher on this list, but what can ya do. If you haven’t listened to it, of all the albums on here, it’s the most important. It’s in my top albums of all time, and I feel so blessed to have seen “Famous Last Words” and “Welcome to the Black Parade” live.
Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack (2008)
I am not normal, as we have figured out, so naturally I fell in love with the Mamma Mia! movie before I ever really listened to actual ABBA. This soundtrack was my best friend when I was in eighth grade, and to this day it’s still one of my most important albums. Granted, now I can listen to the ABBA versions, but I still have a special place in my heart for Amanda and Meryl. This was one of the first musicals I found on my own and fell in love with before seeing the show, and it’s incredibly special to me.
Hannah Montana - Hannah Montana (2006)
I got this CD for Christmas in 2006 and it was the first thing I ever put on my first iPod. My 2GB Nano played this record over and over and over and over again and these songs were at the top of my top played list for years. I know this record better than I know myself, and without Hannah Montana, I don’t know who I’d be. It was the first real pop record I fell in love with, and it set the stage for my middle school listening.
Hannah Montana 2 - Hannah Montana (2007)
While HM1 was life-changing on its own, it cannot hold a candle to my favorite Hannah record. I waited patiently for this album to drop, and when it did, it became my entire personality. I still think it’s a perfect album, and while it does sound like 2007, it hasn’t aged a day in my brain. Pop perfection, an all-time favorite.
Meet Miley Cyrus - Miley Cyrus (2007)
Arguably HM2 and this album are partners since it was released as a double-album, but Miley’s debut record was so important to me when I was a pre-teen. I think it’s such a strong pop record, and to this day it remains one of my all-time favorites. I remember listening to this CD in the back of my best friend’s car, and this was one of the first concerts I ever travelled for.
Unfold - Marié Digby (2008)
In eight grade, I had a songwriter awakening. I spent my days after school scrolling through iTunes (not kidding) looking for new music to listen to. I would listen to the 30s samples over and over trying to decide how to spend my $4 that week. This album was one of those gems that I found. It sparked my songwriting in ways I cannot express, and to this day it’s a huge part of who I am.
Fallen - Evanescence (2003)
Just like any white girl, I was introduced to this album through my dad. He used to play this CD in his car when I was a kid and we’d drive around town singing “My Immortal” (the full band version, obviously superior) at the top of our lungs together. I remember immediately falling in love with Amy Lee’s voice, and this album was one of the first metal bands I really loved. It’s one of the best albums of all time, period.
Little Voice - Sara Bareilles (2007)
To this day I’ve lost track of how I discovered Sara, but I think it had to do with the iTunes free single of the week (rest in peace buddy, you did so much for us back in the day)… anyway, I stumbled on this album, and immediately bought her CD. I remember wandering around during gym class in seventh grade telling all my friends about “Love Song.” She changed my songwriting for the better, and I immediately tried to emulate her when I was making music. And now look at her!!
Don’t Look Away - Kate Voegele (2008)
While a lot of singer-songwriters changed my life in 2008, few of them hold a candle to Kate. She may have gotten her start on One Tree Hill, but I never watched that show, I just fell in love with her debut record. I listened to it on the bus and on my iPod constantly, and her songs feel like home. I wanted to be her so bad as a teenager, and when I was in college I got to talk to her after one of her shows. She has influenced me for more than half my life, and this record is a hall of fame album.
Here, Here and Here - Meg & Dia (2009)
This may shock you, especially when you see the last few albums on this list, but this album is my favorite album of all time. You have never heard of this record. That’s okay. Even though this is the sellout record for this band, it is my favorite album because it has some of my favorite songwriting ever. The lyricism, the production, the melodies…when I bought this album in 2009, I thought I had made a mistake because I didn’t think I liked the singers’ voices…but man, was I wrong. It consumed me as a teenager. I still think about this album all the time. The behind the scenes videos they have from the making of this album are burned in my memory.
The Fame - Lady GaGa (2008)
Other than Taylor Swift, this is my most influential record and artist. GaGa has come so far since this debut, but when I found “Just Dance” on iTunes and had to wait for the rest of her album to drop, I knew that my entire life had just changed. This record changed music. It altered the state of pop music as we know it, and we would not be here today without this album or without GaGa. When I was thirteen, this album was my whole world. It made me who I am today.
Red - Taylor Swift (2012)
Even though all of Taylor’s other albums were influential, this one holds a very special place in my heart because at the time I feel like it really impacted my style. I wanted to be the Red Era so bad, to the point that I even themed my senior portraits after this album. While I adore how experimental and emotional this album was, I think more than anything it described just how messy my senior year in high school was. The highs and lows of graduation really reminded me of this album, and even though I’d never gone through a true break-up, I felt such a strong connection to this album. Who knows why!
reputation - Taylor Swift (2017)
Obviously I could put almost all of Taylor’s records on this list. And I probably shouldn’t give her all of the top six slots…but it’s my newsletter, so I make the rules. reputation is the record I always wanted from Taylor, and even though I have critiques and I wish it had gone a little differently, it absolutely shaped my 2017-2018 experience. reputation is such a special album for me because it came to me when I was in a really dark place, and it brought me so much joy. It’s the album that brought me face to face with Taylor, and I’ll never stop being grateful for it.
1989 - Taylor Swift (2014)
There’s arguments to be made that this album influenced me more than any of Taylor’s other records. It’s the perfect sound, the most sonically cohesive (lol), and some of her strongest pop writing. While I know now that this is a breakup record, to me this album always felt like freedom, and it made me feel okay with being alone and being single. Without this album, I don’t think I would’ve learned how to accept my sexuality. It’s one of the best things that ever happened to me in my college years.
Speak Now - Taylor Swift (2010)
In many ways, this album is still shaping me today. When it released in 2010, it was the only thing I could think about for months. My high school experience was not actually as Fearless as one might think because this album came out when I was starting my sophomore year. My hopeless romantic tendencies came to the forefront, and I daydreamed about sparkly dresses and glitter and dancing around my room at night. As this is my favorite Taylor album and my favorite era, it holds a special place in my heart, and in many ways, I stayed there. I’m still stuck in 2010. Always will be.
Fearless - Taylor Swift (2008)
This album altered my brain chemistry in ways I don’t think I can ever fully express. It cemented Taylor as an artist for me, and made me feel seen in ways so few albums could. It was a record about daydreaming, hoping for love, trying to be seen when you feel invisible, and desperately wishing for your dreams to come true. It influenced my songwriting, my personality, my life as a fangirl, my place in high school…a lot of who I was and who I am can be traced back to this album. Never forget the essence of your spark!!
Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift (2006)
When I completed this album on iTunes for $1.09 after buying six of the tracks individually, I had no idea what would become of my life. I was just a thirteen year old girl, listening to another girl sing about being invisible, and I felt like I had just won the lottery. While a lot of albums have influenced me over the years and a lot have changed my life, none of them hold a candle to this record. I have carried this album in my heart since 2008, and it has taken me to the most insane places known to man. It made me pick up a guitar, it made me want to be a songwriter, it subconsciously made me move to Nashville. It introduced me to the girl who would become the foundation for lifelong friendships. This album made me, period. And I am terrified to know where I’d be if I hadn’t found it.
I came here because someone restacked this with a quote of your thoughts on HAIM? I adore them for everything you mentioned, as well as the way they rejuvenated the way music can make you feel like laying on fresh grass the first few days of summer. I’m looking forward to enjoying the rest of your list, including the gems I haven’t heard. Great stuff!
not Bon Iver being on here twice!!! I also was hesitant at first about 22 a million but it’s SO good, I’ve been thinking of getting a tattoo from the album cover art. anyways love the list!!!