Current Vibes

I love this album. It's solid indie rock with delightful storytelling. Perfect for mulching leaves on a chilly autumn evening.

A fantastic dreamy rock album with nostalgic lyrics and catchy riffs. It's been the go-to background for my skyway explorations.

I can't think of an album that better articulates how I feel about our geopolitical situation. It will now forever remind me of renting a Jeep Wrangler, taking the top off (despite the 50 degree October weather), and cruising through the Connecticut countryside with my gorgeous bride.

My buddy Paul is my primary source of electronic music, and this was my favorite pick of his from this year. It keeps me feeling calm, especially when my anxiety flares up.

The songs on this EKKSTACY album come from a place where the emotional pain isn't as acute as the initial effort. As a result, the songs reflect more deeply on traumatic moments in one's life, weaved in with more than a bit of dark humor.

Joshua Neds-Fox shared this one. I love the Fruit Bats, so when I heard the lead singer was involved and they recorded this in an old Irish pub, I was sold. It does feel timeless.

I'm extremely drawn to punk music these days, and I'm such a fan of The Linda Lindas. I love how wise their lyrics are, I feel a lot happier after most of the songs on this album. Especially the one about their cat lmao

More jangly dream pop! But for real, I sometimes pull out my phone to see what song is playing, and I'm always surprised when I see that it's Wishy. An album that stays congruent even when all the songs sound like they could be from different bands.

Another Paul recommendation from very recently. I listened to it while working today and felt it went by way too fast. I'm excited to keep bumping this to form an even stronger opinion.

I was blown away when I first heard Remi Wolf's song "Liz". Her authenticity in her lyrics, combined with this diverse set of musical influences, makes this album a front-to-back banger. If you like Amy Winehouse and Chappell Roan, you'll like Remi Wolf.

I saw Ryan recommend this in Garbage Day and it really does slap. Great dance-y, dreamy pop music. "Love Is Everywhere" is what I get stuck in my head.

Exceptional, bliss-filled ambient music. It will always remind me of picking up Dairy Queen in the summer and taking my time getting home.

This album speaks directly to 2008 Tim. Great female-led indie pop EP. Can't wait for a full-length from them!

I heard the "Big Talk" single a while ago and finally got around to listening to this entire album a few months back. If you like jangly pop rock, you'll dig this one.

I have a hard time adjusting when a band I really like releases a new album that feels different from their previous one. Fortunately, I eventually come around and end up loving it. What could be more punk than a Weird Al cameo?!

I wrote extensively about this album during WeblogPoMo 2024, so I'll only add I find it interesting that this is the only album on the list I tend to skip when it comes up on shuffle around others. It's not that I'm embarrassed... I just don't want everyone to think I'm clinically depressed anymore. 😅

Another Paul recommendation. I found this one the other day on one of his playlists and instantly bought it because it uncovered an 80s chill wave fantasy that I didn't realize lay dormant within me.

This is the kind of nostalgic, comforting rock that calms me and preoccupies the part of my brain that won't constantly stop distracting me.

Like Nirvana, I mostly consumed Green Day as a kid through their International Superhits greatest hits album. But man, Dookie rules, I don't care who you are. I've had "She" stuck in my head for months.

I almost exclusively know Nirvana through endless listens of their self-titled greatest hits album since getting it back in 2001. Getting Nevermind in the rotation is like discovering brand new songs from a lifelong favorite artist.