Somehow we made it through 2020 and hopefully this year gets better. One way of improving your year early on is by starting it off with great music. That’s where I come in. I came with this post to recommend a few albums, EP’s and playlists that I loved. I feel music can always make things better and finding new music is always a great thing, in my opinion.
EP Recommendations
Avenue G – EP by Summer Salt
This is one of my favorite bands. All of the songs have a calm, chill sound to them. This is an awesome four song EP. They have a sorta of nostalgic sound to them. Something that sounds familiar but you haven’t actually heard before. They make you think of summer and the sun. Make you look forward to warm weather and more sun out.
Favorite Track: Morning Tea
Remote – EP by Wallows
This is a great EP by a great band. This is a 6 song long alternative EP. It sounds fun and fresh. Also gives a more spring/summer sun vibe. (Idk if you understand lol) Very chill and easy listening when you’re on your way to work (if you work at the moment) or going out on a walk for a breath of fresh air.
Favorite Track: Talk that Talk
Album Recommendations
IN LIFE by STRAY KIDS
I just got into K-POP back in October and I honestly can’t believe I wasn’t listening to this before. It’s so good! I got into their music quick because they have good music lol. Stray Kids is a 8 member boy band. There music has various influences stemming from hip-hop to R&B. Not to mention the great performances they put on if you watch. While for the most part the songs are in Korean, they do have a few English singles and some Japanese ones as well. I think this is great because they will get a broader audience and make them grow.
Favorite Tracks: My Universe & Back Door
YHLQMDLG by Bad Bunny
This is the first of three (3) albums that Bad Bunny dropped this year. This man really blessed us during a pandemic with all the music he released. This album is my favorite from all three to be honest. Every song is so good. The other albums “LAS QUE NO IBAN A SALIR” and “EL ÚLTIMO TOUR DEL MUNDO” also have their own hits, but this album is just superior to the others. The songs on this album had potential to be anthems for the summer but because of lockdowns they didn’t get the summer they deserved and hopefully next summer they get to shine.
Favorite Tracks: Safaera & A Tu Merced
The Rarities by Mariah Carey
This album has two parts two it. The first half is a compilation album of songs recorded that span from her debut back in 1990 to most recent new single in 2020. Album rejects from her past projects are on here and even the infamous ORIGINAL Loverboy track WITH the Firecracker sample JLO stole. Just because they are rejects doesn’t mean they’re not good, I mean, it’s Mariah, c’mon; her rejects are better than some artists main singles. The second half is a recording of her famous 1996 Tokyo Dome Concert while she was on her Daydream Tour. The album comes out to a total of whopping 32 tracks. Mariah also blessed us this year with this (not to mention the MC30 EP’s and her book [check it out!])
Favorite Track: All I Live For (1993) & SLIPPING AWAY (1996) [PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS ONE ITS SOOOO GOOD !!!!]
Eyes wide open by TWICE
This is the second album by the K-POP girl group TWICE. The sound for this album gives a throwback feel to it. It has an 80’s and 90’s influences on the tracks that can specifically be heard on their tracks like “I CAN’T STOP ME” and “DO WHAT WE LIKE”. But it also has tracks that have a sound that’s more modern and popular at the moment like “Behind The Mask.” This is a great album and I recommend listening to their whole discography I love them now. (Lol)
Favorite Tracks: I CAN’T STOP ME & UP NO MORE
BONUS LISTEN:
BETTER – EP by TWICE
The track BETTER by TWICE is SOOOO GOOD! That’s a banger! Like nobody understands… This is different from the album because it is a J-Pop song, while the album that was released was K-Pop. I also didn’t place it in the EP section because I only like the track “BETTER” and the other song is ok.
Playlist Recommendations
ON APPLE MUSIC
(Playlists are updated often.)
- PURE TUNES – Great upbeat dance songs, nonstop party.
- SKINNY – Mariah Carey Playlist
- K-POP BANGERS – Upbeat Kpop music.
- late night tunes – very calming and subdued playlists for late nights when you can’t sleep and want to just chill.
- Best of 2010’s – Best songs from the last decade
- January 2021 – Music mood board for the new year and month.
On Spotify
- Pure Tunes – Great upbeat dance songs, nonstop party.
- SKINNY – Mariah Carey playlist
- K-POP BANGERS – Upbeat Kpop music
- late night tunes – very calming and subdued playlists for late nights when you can’t sleep and want to just chill.
- Best of the 2010’s– Best songs from the last decade.
- JANUARY 2021 – Music mood board for the new year and month.
Hopefully you guys find a new favorite song(s) among these and maybe discover new artist that you may fall in love with. There’s nothing better than listening to new music and discovering a new favorite artist.
Let me know if you’ve listened to any of these and if so what are your favorites?
J’s Journal 