5.5 Albums that changed my life
This past Sunday, I wrote about how I was sick of my Spotify AI DJ. It gives me this feeling that I’m folding into myself by feeding me my own taste over and over again even after it’s long since expired.
Sometimes, writing feels like dropping little notes into the void. A friendly and fulfilling void, but a void nonetheless. Sunday felt a little like that. Then, I got this message.
^From sweet and kind Hot Literati reader, Naomi.
And then I got a voice memo from Hailo affirming how I felt, too. So we’re sticking with the music theme a little longer. We’re talking life-changing albums today.
I have something more profound to say about music discovery and how albums are like the books of music but I’m writing this in transit and semi on deadline so that will have to wait for another day.
For now, here are a few albums that left indelible marks on my psyche. I have carried them with me in college, on road trips and through heartbreak after heartbreak. They are very special to me.
CTRL by SZA
Whose life did CTRL not change? There has never been an album as impactful, as piercingly relevant as this one. SZA’s CTRL found me during sophomore year of high school and has followed me throughout my life. It covers themes of objectification, yearning and loss of control exceptionally well. What I loved most was that CTRL never promised to fix anything, it just sat and played in the feeling of being the other. I will love CTRL forever from the bottom of my heart.
Thank u, next by Ariana Grande
I don’t identify as an Ariana stan (Arianator?) but I’ve been compared to her (vocally) a couple times, so I’ve felt an arbitrary sense of kinship for a while. Or at least until she started acting up... you know what I’m talking about. We also have the same Venus sign.
Thank u, next came to me right at the tail end of a healing journey and I felt like each song was speaking directly to me. This album is candy for the girls justttt about ready to move on from a relationship.
Still Over It by Summer Walker
My Twitter bio reads “summer walker apologist” — a direct result of the musical and lyrical genius of this album. What can I say? Poignant crazy bitch anthems on repeat.
HOMECOMING: THE LIVE ALBUM by Beyonce
The Homecoming Live album represents a peak of performance if I’ve ever seen one. Hearing Beyoncés LIVE voice hit every.single.note was a life changing experience. I feel like this is where I got my drive and tenacity from, at least partially. The documentary that pairs with it is amazing too.
Benbow Crescent by Cochise
I found Cochise through TikTok and you probably did too - he’s behind this viral song. There is something about his music that just scratches my brain. I listen to it when I do mindless work like anything with spreadsheets
Cochise is kinda like Carti but funnier online and I think he’s a little more talented. Benbow Crescent got me through the most difficult class of my life by serving as the soundtrack for several all-nighters. And for that, it earns a spot on this list.
Honorable mention - Song of Sage: Post Panic! by Navy Blue
Last summer, I had a beautiful mutual ghosting experience that led me to this even beautiful-er album. It is haunting and soul-catching.
Thanks, Adin for this lovely album rec. I listened to it on the plane from California to Boston.
(re)Cognition Summer task
What are YOUR life changing albums? Write about them and mail it to us.
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