Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zero’s by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zero’s
The self titled album is the bands 4th LP. If you have an appreciation for folk, indie, or you love something that is unbelievably relatable I recommend this. Every track talks about emotions that we’ve all been through and it manages to make you feel emotions that you’re told not to feel and it makes it feel alright. The anger, the sadness, the nostalgia, the bliss that you’ve been suppressing this album will bring it all out. If you’re feeling a little skeptical, I’d say give a listen to my personal favorite track “Life Is Hard” before you commit to the 9.99 iTunes album purchase.
Symphony Soldier by The Cab
This album is without a question one of my top 5 albums of the year. Every song on this album is a favorite. One of the things I appreciate so much about this album is that it is a solid body of work. Every track is faithful to it’s theme and it’s an album where you won’t feel the need to skip a single track. If you’re a fan of “jump-dancing” this album is definitely for you. If you are a fan of late 90’s/early 2000’s pop-rock it’s still for you. If not, don’t worry this list is genre-bias free. I hope you’ll give my personal favorite track “Bad” a try and if you like that give “Animal” a listen too.
Timing by Gabe Bondoc
Now this album was not released in 2013 but the summer of 2012, that doesn’t matter though. If I didn’t add this album to this list, it would break my heart to have not introduced you all to this amazing artist. This album is something that I genuinely feel anyone could appreciate and there will be at least one track you can relate to. This album has so much soul and honesty in it and I felt it on the first listen without having ever heard of the artist previously. If you listen from start to finish it gives off the vibe of a serenade. If I could think of one word for this album it would be “sincere”. Sincerity is a rarity in music today and so I found this album to be a pleasant surprise and a gift to my daily playlist. I’d love for you to give this whole album a listen but if you only have time for one track try ”If Only”. I must have played this song over a thousand times by this point.
Taking Dreams by Echosmith
If you hadn’t noticed a theme for this list is “solid bodies of work” something I really appreciate. This album is another one. When listening I guarantee you will have favorite after favorite. Every song has a way of exciting your soul and inspiring a feeling of everlasting youth. This album made me want to dance enough to actually dance. Then it made want to be in love so badly I just so happened to fall in love. This is the debut album from this lovely band and I highly recommend you give it a listen, like I do every album on this list. I want to recommend my favorite “Bright” which contrary to the rest of the album made my heart flutter like debut album T. Swift. Instead though I will recommend you “Nothing’s Wrong” because I love it almost as much as Bright and most people will probably love it more.
Frame by Frame by Casadee Pope
I think I should start off by saying that I am quite well aware that this album isn’t exactly underrated and in some rights it is well known. I am including it though because the album as a whole has not gotten nearly enough attention. I’m sure you’ve heard the lead single “Wasting All These Tears” which was a massive hit for the new artist on her first original album. The rest of this album deserves a listen too though. As a lover of music, I can’t deny that I love me some country music and so this album naturally resonated with me. For those who aren’t country fans, I think you could still like it. Above all else it’s an album that makes you get on your feet and swing your hips which fans of all genres want to do. The album sings of two main things, the pain of a break up and rejoicing in the excitement of life. At the end of the day it is a country girl anthem album. My favorite track on the album and one I played numerous times “Good Times” is the one I’m going to advise you to give a listen to.
The Walking In Between by Ben Rector
This man’s voice, how do I begin to describe my reaction every time I hear him? Geez! That’s my reaction every time, it’s all I can say. He leaves me captivated with every song and his lyrics are absolutely magnificent. His music has a way of making you believe in love and life and the beauty they hold. I really sincerely hope you will give this album a chance, you will not regret it. Give “Forever Like That” a try first, it deserves it.
Listen Up by Haley Reinhart
Now this album right here is absolutely mesmerizing and although it is a 2012 release it’d be a sin and a shame to not include. It is an album that I played over and over and made me wonder why I never heard of this artist before. Haley’s voice provides the soulful rasp of Amy Winehouse and the sultriness of Adele. Every song plays to her vocal strengths (as if she has a weak point) while lyrically delivering completely. If I haven’t convinced you to buy this album or give the entire work a listen then first give “Now That You’re Here” your undivided attention.
Magpipe and The Dandelions by The Avett Brothers
One word I would use to describe this album is lovely, and it remains that from start to finish. That word may not hold much importance to you but it is a word that I use to describe something that is to be loved and adored and that is what this album is. It’s lovely and something I suggest you turn on when you’re sipping tea at your favorite cafe admiring whatever is to be admired. If you sip your tea fast then just give “Souls Like The Wheels” a listen.
From Here To Now To You by Jack Johnson
This album is simply a Jack Johnson album. Depending on your preference that may be a compliment or an insult. My intent in that comment? For sure a compliment. This album is really nice, relaxing, refreshing and unbelievably cool. This is an album that I always listen to from the beginning to the end and just let the good vibes flow. For some reason listening to another song randomly in between just doesn’t make sense, considering all the tracks flow so well together. I also highly recommend you listen to the track by track commentary, it will help you appreciate the album even more. If you want to try just one song, listen to “I Got You”. That just so happens to be the first song on the album. Remember, beginning to end.
Legendary by The Summer Set
If you liked my earlier recommendation Symphony Soldier, you will love Legendary. This album delivers the same dance inducing instrumentals and fun vocals but without all the seduction and less of a carefree sound. This is the album you play on the way to the best party ever and Symphony Soldier is the one you play after on the way home or possibly to the after party. If you’re looking for some good music for a private dance party or something to blare in your headphones to make the road trip less boring, this is it. You may have heard the relatively popular song “Boomerang” off this album already but that’s not the only good track for sure. Try my favorite “Lightning In A Bottle”.
There are so many other albums and extended-plays I wanted to add to this list but I didn’t want to go on forever so this list of 10 will do. All of these albums are listed in no particular order and I love them all. Though I am partial to a few on this list. Let me know which albums you listened to (hopefully all) and your favorites.