1. Beth Ditto - Fake Sugar (2017)
This album is so fierce and original. I often listen to it during long car rides when I'm not getting my schoolwork done. It's very versatile. I love listening to it at night during the ride back too. It has a good blend of uptempo and downtempo songs, giving it an excellent atmosphere.
2. Death From Above 1979 - Outrage! Is Now (2017)
This album is also awesome and original and will seriously take over your life. I've found that out through experience. As I said in a recent tweet, I ain't even mad.
3. Charli XCX - SUCKER (2014)
This is one of my favorites because I knew about it when it was out and I used to listen to different songs on it one by one and I liked what I heard each time. It wasn't until 2016 that I finally gave it a full listen and fell in love with it. Definitely a go-to album and another great one for long car rides.
4. Alabama Shakes - Sound & Color (2015)
This album is fascinating because it's so minimal and atmospheric. It's marvelous, and it's one of the best working/study albums. This whole thing is such an experience.
5. DOROTHY - ROCKISDEAD (2016)
When I first heard about DOROTHY, it was through my friend Brittany, when DOROTHY only had an EP out. I recall my brother listening to it and telling me that it reminded him of songs from the first Guitar Hero. This album is full of attitude and dominates every time.
6. Maroon 5 - Hands All Over (2010)
I recall getting into this album and it taking over my life in 2010 when I was in 6th grade. It was one of the earliest albums I had gotten into before I had a really good MP3 player. This album has been a favorite of mine since it was released.
7. Neon Trees - Pop Psychology (2014)
Honestly, I had a love/hate relationship with this album, but I eventually came back to it and fell in love all over again. I had some time away from it and my thoughts changed. I was really busy at the time, so it took forever to finally get back to it.
8. Regina Spektor - What We Saw From The Cheap Seats (2012)
This was another album that took time to grow on me because I wasn't into "slow" music at the time. It was a weird phase. I learned to be more open-minded over time, and I got into more music that I'd never expected to get into, and I have my open-mindedness to thank for it.
9. Royal Blood - Royal Blood (2014)
This album leaves me speechless. Listen to it and you'll find out.
10. Sleeping With Sirens - Gossip (2017)
I was actually listening to this as I was writing this and I was initially drawn to it by the artwork. It's supposed to be a change in direction for them, but it's definitely cool. Gossip is already my jam, so I'm probably somewhere listening to it as you're reading this...