My Top 10 Most-Played Albums

My freshman year of college, I met someone who turned me into an “album person”. When I became an “album person” it was like an entire new world was unlocked: a world where music meant more to me than it had before. A world where artists weren’t just singers, they were storytellers, narrators, and voyagers.

Not only did listening to entire albums change music for me, albums changed me. Something about having to be patient, instead of skipping a song or jumping right to my favorite, gave me more of an appreciation for each song and its place on the album that only it could fill.

Sometime in late summer that I graduated from college I was in a consignment store that had $6 vinyl records and I found a treasure: an original Abbey Road in great condition. For six. dollars. The moment I saw it, I knew I had to have it. Because even though I could stream it anytime I want, it didn’t seem to do it justice. I wanted to really own it; to be able hold it or put it on my wall. The only problem was, I didn’t have a turntable. But that didn’t stop me from buying it. That following Christmas, I asked for a record player and I’ve been collecting albums ever since.

My Top 10 Favorite Albums

In no particular order…

In some ways, a little basic. In others, a little unconventional. Nevertheless, here they are!

1. Abbey Road - The Beatles

In addition to being one of the most cohesive, iconic studio albums of all time, this album holds a special place in my heart. The first time I ever heard it I was probably around 11. I was on a mini road trip up the California Coast with my best friend, her sister and her dad. It was the only CD he had in the car and was the soundtrack of a day filled with ocean swims, visiting the Santa Barbara missions, ice cream by the pier, etc. All amidst one of the most beautiful drives in the country.

2. Golden Hour - Kacey Musgraves

I’ve probably listened to this entire album 20 times just this year and the first track 200 times since I discovered it. Something about her voice and her melodies just make my heart feel warm and at peace. I also appreciate that not all the songs are about romantic relationships (hard to find that these days).

3. Tapestry - Carole King

This album got me through the roughest breakup (hopefully) of my life. Carole gets it.

4. Stranger in the Alps - Phoebe Bridgers

This is the album I listen to as I drive around in my car on nights when I need an honest cry. Phoebe is hauntingly beautiful and sad and I’m always a little worried about her. Raw talent that speaks to the heart— you could literally put her in a room with a guitar and a vocal mic and get something incredible.

5. Heard it in a Past Life - Maggie Rogers

Vocals 10/10, production 10/10, dance-ability 10/10. Mags had ONE show with Kacey last year and I seriously considered flying to Nashville for 24 hours to go see it by myself until tickets sold out.

6. Rumors - Fleetwood Mac

It’s a classic for a reason, I never get tired of it! (ever)

7. Battle Studies - John Mayer

This album is nostalgic for me and reminds me of college. But not the hype nights or the big events, just the normal nights. It’s extremely listenable so it was often on in the background or playing in my headphones when I needed to tune out the world. Many research proposals and exegeses were written to these songs. Which is surprising, because John is a wordsmith so I don’t know how I managed to zone into anything else.

8. Rubber Soul - The Beatles

Heavy bias here because “Michelle” is my favorite Beatles song. I listen to the entire first side of the album (joyfully) in anticipation for track 6. When “Michelle” comes on, I stop what I’m doing and just listen. Only bummer is, I have the North American format of this record (makes sense, since I am in fact residing on the continent of North America) and “Drive My Car” is not on this version. I love that song and would love this album all the more if it were track 1.

9. On the Corner Where You Live - The Paper Kites

This album gives me the same feeling that I get watching the sunrise through glass windows from inside a quiet airport at 6am. Not always relevant, but *such* a vibe.

10. Reputation - Taylor Swift

This album slaps. Most people hate on it but its my favorite album of hers. Also reminds me of college (the hype nights).

Honorable Mentions:

-The Loved Ones - Flyte

-Crosby, Stills & Nash - Crosby, Stills & Nash

-Good Luck Kid - Joseph

-Fine Line - Harry Styles

Fun Fact: Every time I go visit someplace new, I look for a record store. Instead of buying a keychain or a mug as souvenir, I buy an album! That way, every time I listen to it I can be reminded of the trip and the memories I made.

That’s it! Thanks for reading, comment your top 10 albums below, I’d love to hear what your essentials are!