SLUG TOP 💯

GIRLY POP ROCK FOR THE AGES!!! This has got to be one of the best albums of 1997. This is some got damn beautiful pop music! I will shout about this one from the rooftops for years to come, I'm sure.

Choice Trax: Never Say Never, Gagged & Tied, Long Island

This album sounds like if the Shins were gay and listened to Sergeant Pepper more often. I found this album long ago in the heyday of Bandcamp tape labels.. I cherished this "sad gay boy of Chicago" mope-about every winter since. My small town dream afterwards was to ride the L train, listening to this album, speeding above the snowy streets of Chicago.

A decade later, I got to listen to the whole thing front-to-back on the L shortly after a winter storm hit the city. It was one of the most cathartic musical experiences I've ever had. Thanks Richard!

Choice Trax: Strange Year, Wooly, Drift

One of the absolute best shoegaze albums to come out of the Zoomergaze era. Purity is a monumental accomplishment. I hope I get to see these guys live someday. They have such a massive fucking sound for only having three band members.

Choice Trax: Purity, Hunger, Weave

Crying in the crypt right now to Harper Rush's keller synth masterpiece..

Choice Trax: steadfast, what did i tell you, goose

best goddamn band to ever come outta southeast kansas

Choice Trax: Mantras, Protomyth, Tell Me When To Laugh

Sad girl looper rock for based, nerdy girls raised in East Coast suburbs... not me, but I still get it.

Choice Trax: Sin Triangle, Imposter Syndrome, Mouth Log

THE RETURN OF FRANKY BOY!

Choice Trax: The Way It Is, Cafe Triste, And Again

I can't believe these dudes invented pop punk by covering the Beach Boys at 180bpm.. damn, really makes you think about shit.

Choice Trax: Rockaway Beach, I Wanna Be Well, Cretin Hop

The Godfather of Soul's greatest hits. It doesn't get better than this; this is the compilation you need. Aside from classic bangers, there's also some incredible instrumentals on here, particularly Devil's Den.

This man is the greatest entertainer of all time with one of the most talented and soulful backing bands of all time.

Choice Trax: Good Good Lovin', Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine, Soul Power (Parts 1 & 2)

FUCK I LOVE THIS SHIT! I AM NOT ASHAMED OF IT!! This is the best pop album of the iTunes era don't FUCK with me.

Choice Trax: Rock That Body, Imma Be, Ring-A-Ling

Tom Waits could not be stopped post-9/11; this is by far his best record. This album has haunted me since I was 5 years old. It's one of the best concept albums of all time!!! A creepy, steampunk-vaudevillian carnie nightmare which perfectly accompanies, "Through the Looking Glass." Truly a terrifying experience.

Choice Trax: Alice, Watch Her Disappear, Reeperbahn

The best album outta Southwest Missouri, completely GOATED. Thanks for sharing your music with us, pops!

Choice Trax: Eggwhites, Lost Ways, Custers Last Stand

Choice Trax: Night Cactus, Zen Whatever, Monsoons

BRONCHO continues their streak of being God's favorite band with another hit record. Ryan Lindsey is officially in his dad rock era and we ought to feel lucky he's sharing it with all of us. Original Guilt has the best chord riff of 2025.

Choice Trax: Original Guilt, Way Into Magic, Think I Pass

The Weezer of Northwest Arkansas if Weezer wasn't so GODDAMN annoying.. Ben writes songs straight from his heart into all of our hearts. <3

Choice Trax: Museum, Cowboy Song, Fujimoto

A master at work.. nobody cowboy crooned quite like Marty. They did an excellent medley of many of these songs on the Midnight Special.

Choice Trax: El Paso, Cool Water, The Master's Call

The best skatepunk album of the 20th century, just saying.

Choice Trax: We're Only Gonna Die, Fuck Armageddon...This Is Hell, Bad Religion - Alternate Version

This is the only Christian pop I fuck with. Shoutout Sufjan.

Choice Trax: Come On! Feel the Illinoise! Part I: [...], Chicago, They Are Night Zombies!! [...]

I love every song on this record. One of the best of its era!

Choice Trax: El Condor Pasa (If I Could), So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright, Baby Driver

Sleazy punkgaze filtered through a Fresnel lens of post-LSD Beach Boys harmonies. A Nathan Williams (of Wavves) side project.

Choice Trax: All the Time, Eye Dozer, Duster

I'm embarrassed to say I was a womanizing Hey Mamas lesbian to this album in college.. I guess it could've been worse. Either way, this album was THE summer record of 2017 for the brown girlies and white boys with rolled-cuff jeans.

Choice Trax: Where This Flower Blooms, 911 / Mr. Lonely, November, Glitter

The most 2014 sad indie boy surf rock of all time.. and what a record it was.

Choice Trax: Usher Surfing, Swells, Kelly Slater

Benito will never make a better album! This is his opus.

Choice Trax: NUEVAYoL, EoO, EL CLúB, CAFé CON RON

I'm not a scene kid anymore, but I still think about the Thank You For The Venom riff at least once a week.

Choice Trax: Thank You for the Venom, To the End, The Ghost of You

Choice Trax: Modern Slavery, Dubai Shit, Saint Laurent Mask

Choice Trax: Make Art Not Friends, Mercury in Retrograde, Best Clockmaker on Mars

This was the most fun record I'd heard in years when it released. Swae Lee's voice never gets old. Dude has such a penchant for hooks.

Choice Trax: Origami (Hotties), Flaunt It/Cheap, ADHD Anthem (2 Many Emotions)

I hate Drake's music overall, but this shit really changed the game. Some of the best features on a modern Top 40 rap record ever. Damn, Aubrey! I blared this shit on my iPod in high school to decompress after basketball games.

Choice Trax: Marvins Room, Lord Knows, Make Me Proud

Nerdy stoner alt rock for DIY geeks of all shapes and sizes.. straight outta Maryland..? Whatever you say.

Choice Trax: The House That Peterbilt, Texan Book of the Dead, Rock N Roll Outlaw

No skips EP, Franky gets it. He is the most underrated talent to come out of the mid 2010s DIY scene in and around The Smell. I heard Blue Eyes in a skate video back in 2015 and was never the same after that.. definitely my favorite Danger Collective release of all time.

Choice Trax: Mashed Potato Baby, Blue Eyes

I can't ever pick a fucking favorite; I love this whole thing. It's the best shit Beck ever did. It's a monstrous Frankenstein of Bob Dylan-esque folk, turn of the (19th) century Americana on LSD, and '90s DIY indie boy sleazebag recording. Listen to the whole thing.

Choice Trax: Burnt Orange Peel, Sleeping Bag, Hollow Log, Painted Eyelids

My favorite Rocky record of all time. Nothing will top blasting this record at full volume inside my shitty car in 2018. CALLDROPS is Kodak at his most genuine.

Choice Trax: Distorted Records, CALLDROPS, Buck Shots, Purity

Overshadowed by the mega-fame of Arctic Monkeys, The Vaccines are overlooked as THE best third wave Britrock band. The mid-2010s Tumblr era of "indie rock" would be nothing without this record.

Choice Trax: A Lack of Understanding, Norgaard, Family Friend

Russia's "teeny bopper" answer to the Gorillaz' virtual avatars. She only releases bangers. This record is a must-listen. Check out my Glukoza zine for more info.

Choice Trax: Вокзал (Railway Station), Aста Ла Виста (Hasta La Vista), Глюк’oza Nostra (Glukoza Nostra)

Remember that meme about Tame Impala being one guy? This EP was the flipside to that meme: did you know Steve Lacy recorded this on his iPhone? It's worth the hype.

Choice Trax: Dark Red, Ryd, Some

Some of the best R&B this side of the new millennium. You might've heard Shake on Ye's Ghost Town but this album is just completely incredible front-to-back.

Choice Trax: Microdosing, The Pines, Nice To Have

My favorite Strokes record above all others. I don't want to hear about any of that other shit, I'm too busy crying to 80's Comedown Machine.

Choice Trax: Tap Out, 80's Comedown Machine, 50/50

This album is already some of the most vibe-laden jazz hop the '90s had to offer, but it was elevated to GOAT status with its crazy sharp lyricism. These mfs ruled 1993. You know they were just the coolest mfs of their circles.

Choice Trax: Where I'm From, It's Good To Be Here, Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)

An album written by one of my best friends that I absolutely cherish. A tale of love, loss, and cigarettes in the end times. Don't let the production scare you away; these are some of the catchiest songs you'll ever hear in your life.

Choice Trax: Halloween Creep, Wendy, Lovely Haircut

Some of the best songs I've ever heard, both in recorded and live formats. Deerhunter are an excellent art pop band with a very commendable catalog, but this one takes the cake for me. "Helicopter" is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard, but I insist you listen to this record in its entirety. I can't even really pick a favorite song because I love them all.

Choice Trax: Helicopter, Memory Boy, Basement Scene

I remember the day this album released. I was 21 and crying in my parents' driveway at its sheer scale and beauty. I've always loved Tyler, but this album is really his finest work. The production is frenetic but perfect, and it's just brimming with just different enough concepts and ideas to never get boring. The sampling is excellent.

Choice Trax: RUNNING OUT OF TIME, ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?, WHAT'S GOOD

The greatest nu-metal album of all time, no fucking contest. No fucking skips, no fucking bullshit, no filler shit. I can't believe they allowed this shit on the radio; we were truly not worthy.

Choice Trax: Prison Song, Science, ATWA

This record is filled with delectable neo-gaze. I've been following Brendan Dyer's projects for over a decade now, starting with Furnsss, but this is some of his best work. Check out this excellent live performance of a few of these tracks here.

Choice Trax: Talking Secret, People Are Forever, Milly

This album feels like a warm blanket. Heavily laden with tales of heartbreak and self-discovery, it's as good as any good folk-tinged DIY rock album should be. There's some interesting production here, too. "Hello Goodbye" sounds like an Oasis song, but if Oasis was actually a good band..

Choice Trax: Blue Disaster, Hello Goodbye, Shooting Star

I really love what Pinegrove did in the mid-2010s. They really did combine the best traits of Midwest emo, early-Band of Horses-esque folk rock, and Appalachian DIY in a relatable and accessible way.

Need 2 is definitely my favorite track; you've probably heard a clip of it on TikTok, if you're into that sort of thing. Their live stuff is great, although the track in this video isn't on this record, it's of the same era.

Choice Trax: Need 2, New Friends, The Metronome

This record is the epitome of the "post-Girlpool sad girl indie rock" movement in the late 2010s. I love the production on this album, and the instrumentation and lyrics are so perfect for what they were going for. Belong on the Bed is one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs I've ever heard.

Bonus points for being a Danger Collective release.

Choice Trax: Belong on the Bed, Caterpillar, Work

This was a formative record for my teenage brain. It's high production value, early Brian Wilson revival rock'n'roll that hits all the right notes, and then some! Dude kinda sounds like the frontman for Green Day, which is a little weird. My favorite track is the obvious and iconic, "There Is No God."

Choice Trax: There Is No God, I'm Gonna Hangout With The Lesbians Next Door & Drop Acid, Prescription Vision

Mr. Segall really ate with this record. This is some hard-as-nails, dirty, scuzzy lofi rock'n'roll that puts all the other similar records of its era to shame. I love the bookends of this album the best, "Finger" and "Alone."

Choice Trax: Finger, Sad Fuzz, Alone

One of the best jangle pop albums ever! I absolutely love this record from front to back. It just feels good to listen to.

Choice Trax: The Concept, Metal Baby, What You Do To Me

Holy shit, if you've never heard Betty, what the fuck are you doing? This is some of the hardest shit I've ever heard in my life.

Whole thing was produced by the same dudes who did the bangin' Cypress Hill records, which is why the drums on this record sound so goddamn BEEFY. There's 808s layered under the live kick drum for god's sake! I Know and Speechless are my favorite drum track recordings of all time.

Choice Trax: I Know, Speechless, Milquetoast

Who doesn't love Frank? This is the saddest queer soul/R&B you'll ever hear in your life. I love all of the songs on this album. The best moment on the album is that synth breakdown in "Pyramids" tho.

Choice Trax: Forrest Gump, Super Rich Kids, Sweet Life

I love Jeff Rosenstock. He's one of like 5 musicians that seem like decent people. I love all his work (aside from Ska Dream, just can't get w/ that) but this one hits the hardest. The 9/10 video is awesome.

Choice Trax: 9/10, USA, TV Stars

My introduction to Carti way back when. The front half of this album is just mindblowing, innovative stuff. "Yah Mean" is one of my favorite songs of all time. No one was doing it like Carti in 2016.

Choice Trax: Location, New Choppa, Yah Mean, Let It Go

My most-played album of 2017 by far, and definitely my favorite era of Kendrick Lamar. I love all his shit, but this is the perfect meeting of his cutting lyricism and bombast.

Choice Trax: PRIDE, LUST, ELEMENT

This is THE greatest Marley record. The production is top-notch, and it's just full of love and spirit. Stand Alone is one of my favorite songs of all time.

Choice Trax: Brain Washing, Stand Alone, Kaya

STL hyper-rap. This shit blew my mind. Dude is extremely prolific and has dozens of banger albums spanning many genres, but this one takes the cake for me.

Choice Trax: GETITRIGHTBACK, IPHONE, SHINE

Minneapolis emo at its absolute finest. Some of my favorite riffs, drum parts, and angsty lyricism of all time. These Midwest kids really did it to 'em. Every song is my favorite. Gun to my head favorites below...

Choice Trax: Strawberita, Trying 2 Fool U, Art School

I'm a big Don Toliver fan, and his newest album did not disappoint. Pretty damn solid all the way through. Five discs, four songs each, perfect way to section off all the different tracks. (FREE KODAK)

Choice Trax: TORE UP, BROTHER STONE, KRYPTONITE

WOOZE really rip. They take all the best parts of '80s punk-adjacent nuwave and post-punk (even though there aren't many, in my opinion) and funnel it down into some of the most interesting rock'n'roll I've heard in the last 10 years. I recommend their music videos as well.

Choice Trax: I'll Have What She's Having, Cousin Paul From Paddington

A must-listen classic. I hate that Trout Mask Replica gets all the attention when it comes to Captain Beefheart. This is peak 1960s blues psychedelia. My dad and I used to put this record on and play Halo on the OG Xbox back in the day.

Choice Trax: Autumn's Child, Yellow Brick Road, Grown So Ugly

The finest modern Americana album that exists this side of the 21st century. Heartbreaking, riveting, and touching all the way through.

Choice Trax: Elvis Presley Blues, My First Lover, Revelator

One of my favorite "Summer of Love" kinda records. This one reminds me of my grandma; she loved these songs.

Choice Trax: I Call Your Name, Straight Shooter, Monday Monday

I was 16 when this record came out. You can imagine how many times I cried to it. It still hits today. Good shit.

Choice Trax: 400 Lux, Ribs, White Teeth Teens

This album makes me feel like I might be descending into mania every time I listen to it. It's excellent proof that not every rock band needs a guitarist, nor does any song need to make a lick of sense for it to bang.

Choice Trax: The Apple, Eight-Foot Tall Man, The Rocket

My favorite Sabbath album since I can remember the first time I listened to Sabbath (over two decades now). Thanks dad for force feeding me all the good ones at age 4!

Choice Trax: Wheels of Confusion, Supernaut, Laguna Sunrise

As the child of a DIY musician in the '90s, I am obligated to love stoner rock. I was raised to love Kyuss but, much to my father's dismay, I loved Queens of the Stone Age far more. This album is fucking awesome. "You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar..." is the best album opener to a rock album ever.

Choice Trax: You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar, First It Giveth, Song For The Deaf

of Montreal has a huge discography, a lot of which I don't dig, but this album is just sweet-as-honey. It's definitely the kind of album you'd bootleg onto a cassette and give to your sweetheart in 2001.

Choice Trax: When You're Loved Like You Are, Tim I Wish You Were Born a Girl, You've Got a Gift

Some good 'ol Swedish lo-fi bubblegum pop that absolutely melts in your ears.

Choice Trax: Booored, Yummi 1, Gemz

The best breakup album of all time. This shit could not be more perfect. This album is a perfect snapshot of late-20s angst. Listen to the whole thing; I can't even pick a favorite without lying.

Choice Trax: Asking 4 A Friend, In Your Dreams, With You Every Day

I'm counting the deluxe edition here with The Fame and The Fame Monster here..

I heard the debut of "Just Dance" on the radio when I was 11 or 12 and my life was never the same. I still have my CD of this record, and you bet your ass I still listen to it. This was the best pop music of the 2000s, hands down. And that's saying something because I absolutely hate most synth pop.

Also it's so gay which I also love, as a gay. My favorite track is "Alejandro" which also has an excellent music video.

Choice Trax: Alejandro, Starstruck, Teeth

Greatest record of the 20th century? Probably. Listen to the mono mix like Brian Wilson intended, not those gimmicky "ultra stereo remastered twice over" renditions.

Choice Trax: I'm Waiting For The Day, I Just Wasn't Made For These Times, Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)

Green Day at their peak. The perfect bridge between their earlier records and the 2000s poppier stuff. I absolutely worshipped this record for a solid portion of my adolescence, and rightly so.

Choice Trax: Redundant, Scattered, Haushinka

My favorite Arctic Monkeys record. I love every track. Say what you will about the Tumblr-era Britpop and its simplicity, but I think this shit rips. I also love "Suck It and See" but it's just not as cohesive as this album.

Choice Trax: The Fire and the Thud, Crying Lightning, Cornerstone

A childhood favorite. I used to play this CD every night when I went to bed. It's a truly far-out record that brings me immense joy, but it also kinda scares me. Play Do You Realize?? at my funeral.

Choice Trax: Are You A Hypnotist?, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1, In the Morning of the Magicians

The best album to come out of that grunge-era bullshit. I prefer this record far more than any of the other notables of the time like Nevermind (Nirvana), Ten (Pearl Jam), or whatever.

Choice Trax: Would?, Dam That River, Dirt

The Chicks are one of my favorite bands of all time, and this is my favorite record from them. They're all pretty good, but this bluegrass shit is just unmatched. This is their best album, by far.

Choice Trax: Long Time Gone, White Trash Wedding, More Love

I remember thinking this shit was so weird when it released, but in a good way. The perfect homage to all the bros who grew up on old Kanye, but not in a straight rip-off way. It's interesting, sounds good as hell, and is bangin' all the way through.

Choice Trax: coordinate, guidance, sweet sweet

My favorite modern rap record. Perfect ethereal-ass beats, the best choice in features, and just an all-around raging ass time. Travis can't top this one. CAN'T SAY is one of my most-played tracks of all time.

Choice Trax: CAN'T SAY, R.I.P. SCREW, NC-17

If you found yourself saying, "I miss the old Kanye" in 2016: shut up, grow up, and listen to this record over and over until it's permanently etched into your brain.

Choice Trax: Freestyle 4, Waves, Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1/2

Biggest heater of a mixtape I've heard from its particular era. I love this record. "AMG" is the perfect song to whip around a shitbox with subs.

Choice Trax: AMG, Backend, 2 Lil Shorty

A follow-up to my favorite record of all time that is just as good, if not better? The stars truly aligned for my interests on this record. "Big City Boys" is one of the best songs I've ever heard in my life.

Choice Trax: Boys Got to Go, Big City Boys, All Choked Up

My favorite album of all time, hands down. It makes me more emotional than any other piece of art. Ryan is a goddamn genius. "Highly Unintentional" is one of the greatest songs of all time.

Choice Trax: All Time, Fantasy Boys, New Karma

Nirvana goes pop punk? I think that I could arrange this entire album from memory with how many times I've listened to it. The catchiest, snottiest shit I ever heard.

Choice Trax: That's On Me, Demon to Lean On, Lunge Forward

I had this shit on repeat my freshman year of college. This is lofi power pop at its finest and is a perfect front-to-back record. Great band to see live, too. Melted my face off.

Choice Trax: On Your Mind, Friday the 13th, Don't You Think I Know?

I was two months old when this album released, but I know I loved it then, too. My first full spoken sentence was actually, "change my pitch up, smack my bitch up." Best track is ALL OF EM. BIG BEAT LIVES FOREVER.

Choice Trax: Smack My Bitch Up, Diesel Power, Funky Shit