adult alternative

If I can be at least one person's procrastination, then I've done my job.

[adultalternative]

Since the end of 2024, people were talking about how hard 2025 was going to be, and for music releases, too. Everyone released in 2024, and even if the big name releases didn’t necessarily make it to my year end list, my general 2025 playlist is at the length of my other year end playlists by the time I get into the semifinals. I have also been making best ofs for long enough where clusters of musicians who made it one year all release on the same cycle, making the even end lists looking repetitive. This year, some people also released back to back, giving them an edge through familiarity (Fair or not) in a rebuilding year. Also, I am now aware that I like to look for albums based on winners from previous years.

It’s funny because a bad season for a reality show can be just entirely terrible, or a bad season of Saturday Night Live can be an interesting experiment of 90 different bad things going on at once (Chemistry! Tone! Sets! Social context!) for an entire television season. And while there can be entirely bad, unredeemable albums in a year end playlist, a weak year for music usually means you have to look harder for music, not skip entirely. Or like this year, the more you listen to music, the less of an impression it can leave on you.

Total Sellout -Jae Stephens- I’ll be honest. I was an OG Jae Stephens fan, but her EP roll out situation sort of confused me. However, the payoff (AKA not checking out the songs as to have more songs to listen to come album release time) was worth it. A great set of breezy ‘00’s R&B inspired songs. Him&Him&Him, SMH, 10/10, Kiss It, WET, Choosy.

Sister - Frost Children - I didn’t totally get them with their dual projects in 2023, but who knew that one could be ahead of the time with a throwback sound? Electro flash so cathartic you’ll feel like you are sweating in a polo at the dance of the 8th grade overnight field trip, before the come down that you and your friends are all growing up sinks in. For people who are still mouthing along to Forget Forever by Selena Gomez. What is Forever For, 2 LØVE, Radio, Ralph Lauren, Don't Make Me Cry.

West End Girl - Lily Allen - For favorite musicians, I have a couple firsts- First time I felt encouraged to ask to buy a CD- Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson. First band/ gateway for the rest of my music taste- No Doubt. First legacy fave (Symptoms include Weaponized Stan Identity, Call to Action, Impact can be found in more dignified settings like Academia or Legit lists like the 1001 Albums book, Random pop culture references)- Janet Jackson. But the first musician who I felt scene by? Lily Allen. Her wry observations about life (That were both deep but also written in very clear rhyme schemes) and equal tendency to punch up at targets like capitalism or politicians, or sideways at friends, family, and exes in her songs, and other celebrities in interviews was very relatable in middle school. Everyone wants to say that the musician that they see themselves in the most is someone innovative and talented, like Prince or the Beatles. However, Lily Allen’s signature move of talking trash about everyone around her (In her music and interviews) and losing any points she had was more true to my life than accidentally creating a new genre of music or being able to play every instrument on an album. Unfortunately, Lily became that elementary school friend who movies away, and you only keep up with through her vaguebooking statuses on Facebook. Last I heard of her, she was working on a country album. Instead, we got this album with no boundaries, emotionally or musically. Lily is able to go through the chaos of her separation and divorce with Ruminiating and Relapsing, and make me feel the dire dreariness in songs like Pussy Palace and Just Enough. Elsewhere, her trademark wit and storytelling come back for 4 chan stan, West End Girl, and Madeline.

Man’s Best Friend - Sabrina Carpenter - Everyone else (aka my corner of the Internet) wanted her to change up her sound already, but her soft rock inspired pop rock is still interesting enough for me. Sabrina is able to go from cheeky and humorous Manchild and Never Getting Laid to the vulnerable We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night and Don't Worry I'll Make you Worry. Also check out Nobody’s Son and Goodbye.

She Comes From Nowhere - Neggy Gemmy - Most improved is a little harsh, but Neggy Gemmy shot up massively with this set of Saint Etienne esque chillwave. Perfect for a Spring day, pretending your life is soundtracked by the Love Story: JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette soundtrack. I Don’t Feel Like Dancing, Mysterious Girl, Who Wanted, Doll, Blue Eye See Through.

The BPM- Sudan Archives- I didn’t give 2022’s Natural Brown Prom Queen enough of a shot, but I hope that I can make up for it with the BPM. On the BPM, Sudan Archives continues her quest of world domination, starting with the dance clubs. Anthemic and aspirational A Bug’s Life and My Type, celebratory Noire and futuristic David and Goliath.

Louder, Please! - Rose Gray - I wasn’t sure how much I would like the album, if only because my corners of the Internet are more enthusiastic about poptimist dance pop than I am (Think Georgia from 2020, Future Nostalgia, SG Lewis, even Jessie Ware’s last two albums). But Rose Gray is here to reclaim dance albums with beach covers from the Ibiza compilation industrial complex. The opener Damn shows that this album won’t just be a David Guetta compilation pack, with its cold beats and abstract lyrics, and First is similarly attention grabby and dark. Free is a song I would imagine from the cover, but it actually feels earned. I thought I had my doctor recommended serving of tropical house already, but the chorus makes me sigh and want to be celebrating on a beach in golden hour. Everything Changes (But I Won’t) is another highlight.

It’s Not that Deep - Demi Lovato- I feel bad for liking this era as much as I do because of ‘She’s All That’ Syndrome. Before, I checked out of following Demi Lovato when Scooter Braun became their manager, because the headlines were outpacing the music more than I enjoyed. I checked out so much, in fact, that I only learned about this era from a Vevo Channel playing the lead single. (On a related note, Still Alive from the Scream soundtrack slaps) This album is (obviously) fun, short, and catchy. I know what I just said about mall pop-esque dance pop, but there is enough balance between the quirkier music like Fast, Kiss, and Frequency, and the more regular songs where songs like Sorry to Myself or Before I Knew You can stand out. I also like Here All Night and In My Head.

Liquorice - Hatchie . After the more baggy detour on Giving the World Away, Hatchie returns to her dream pop sound. Reminds me of Lush and the Cocteau Twins (More of their 80s stuff than Heaven or Las Vegas). Reminds me of the Fireside Vanilla Spice flavor from Celestial Seasonings. Carousel, Lose it Again, Part that Bleeds, Only One Laughing.

Total Freedom- Cowgirl Clue - Somewhat the afterparty to 2023’s Rodeo Star, this album continues the vibe of dark, idiosyncratic dance music. When High Tide has that one breakdown, it feels like my third eye opening or I am hitting a note streak in Guitar Hero (Disclaimer- I never played Guitar Hero). TNT, Cruise Control, Left Unsaid.

Hyperyouth by Valence and Brae- More hypemen music to get your amped up for your mornings, your nights, and every moment in between. A little less variety than their previous album, but still good. Bust Down and See You Dance are two different good looks at ‘00’s sound (Pharell and late 2000’s electropop, respectively) and Wassup and The Party Song will get you up like an energy drink. Is This Love is also a bop.

Never Enough- Turnstile - a lot of people have written about them more, but I just like it as rock music. Light Design, Never Enough, Magic Man, Slow Dive, Seeing Stars.

The Penthouse - Michael Medrano - Loud, tacky, brash, not at all subtle, even for the limited people who would understand what this album is going for, and all the better for it. Tom Hardy and Hollywood are highlights, and the entirely shady Sylvia.

Bleed - Bleed - Great numetal. Also, if I was giving out awards for cover of the year, this one feels like a contender, reminding me of the full page video game ads I see whenever I browse Spin Magazine on Google Books. Climbing Down, Shallow, Killing Time, and Marathon.

Rave Immortal - ALT BLK ERA - Edgy in your face alternative rock meets drum and bass. Crashing Parties and My Drummer’s Girlfriend are great introductions to their sound, and Hunt You Down has a more late 2000’s eletropop feel.

 Euro-Country - CMAT -  Fitting that my favorite country album from 2025 came from outside the United States. CMAT has a witty and relatable way of writing about more banal everyday topics, like begging yourself to stop irrationally disliking people in The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station, feeling the blahs of your life in Coronation St, and balancing them with weightier topics like national identity in Euro- Country, or grieving friends who have died in Lord, Let That Tesla Crash. Also has one of my favorite songs of the year in Janis Joplining, which has a great piano introduction and is a great song about the act of having crushes.

Bunky Becky Birthday Boy- Sleigh Bells - My first introduction to Sleigh Bells was a Tumblr friend saying he used to listen to them in the mornings on the way to school to wake up. Ironically, from the albums I know of them, I know their 2020’s projects the most instead of their landmark debut. I’ve seen people say they peaked with their first album or have been watered down, and while I am not the judge of that, I think about that when I enjoy their music. Do I understand it as noise pop? I don’t know. Is it catchy, energetic, attention grabby pop rock that is loud enough to stay with me? Yes. Alexis Krauss’s voice soars above the already loud guitars, and I like the energy and passion she sings with. She has a pleading style that gives the songs urgency. Life Was Real, Can I Scream, This Summer.

. Kesha- I have come to realize I underrate Kesha. Since I started making best of lists in 2014, Kesha caught my attention with three of her four albums (I thought I had Rainbow on my best of in 2017, but oops, I did not. Fortunately for Kesha, it made it to my 2017 best of list by popular memory. 2020’s High Road I am choosing to forget), even if I think her albums are a little more songs put together instead of a coherent piece, or that she would not necessarily have luck in a album rate. With this album, Kesha returned to lighter dance pop with no problem. Joyride. was a great lead single that will stick in your head whether you want it to or not. Elsewhere, Kesha was able to blend both ‘cheesier’ types of music you would call a guilty pleasure, like Yippee-Ki-Yay. (Check out the AG Cook remix) Or Love Forever., with cooler, more futuristic explorations in dance music, like Red Flag., Attention., or Boy Crazy.

Ghostholding - Venturing - This is probably the worst review I’ve written. In 2023, I wasn’t sure if I should have included Census Designated by Jane Remover (This band is a side project of Jane’s, in case you didn’t know) in my bests ofs. At first, I thought it was too long, samey, and depressing. But the longer I listened to my best of playlist, the more I appreciated it for being too long, samey, and depressing. The menacing nature was perfect for doomscrolling when I would try to read the newspaper while feeling nauseous or having a headache in the dark, too lazy to turn the lights on, and the house on the cover that reminds me of the house from Courage the Cowardly Dog felt like a home. Unfortunately, it was a very competitive year, and I ultimately chose other albums. Anyway, this year has more room, and this Jane Remover side project went for a slightly more conventional, less post-rock. What a difference a year makes! We Don’t Exist and Famous Girl.

Through the Wall - Rochelle Jordan - A slightly more dance version of 2021’s Play with the Changes. Ladida.

Private music- Deftones - A good alternative metal album that came out the year after I got reacquainted to White Pony. i think about you all the time and my mind is a mountain.

Girls- Princess Nokia- It feels mean to call her projects side quests, but I’m not sure when the last time she was trying to go for mainstream/critical success was. After 1992 Deluxe, it feels like her projects could be described as just for her or pastiches. Anyway, Girls feels like a return to form for Princess Nokia, with the weightiest three songs in a row from her with Blue Velvet, Medusa, and Period Blood (Just ignore a certain reference in Blue Velvet). Elsewhere, she goes back to her underrated ability of setting the scene with pop culture references in Drop Dead Gorgeous, Gossip Girl, and Phoebe Philo.

Don't Tap the Glass - Tyler the Creator- I don’t keep up with Tyler the Creator Like That™ to know what his fans thought of this album, but I enjoy the dance sounds. My only issue is that it is too short, and sort of ends before it begins. Sugar on My Tongue, Ring Ring Ring, Don’t You Worry Baby.

Flop Queen - Precious - A misleading album name, this album is anything but a flop, providing a more breathier, ASMRy version of 2000’s R&B. Tweaking, Don’t Hate the Girls, Whip It. 

From the Pyre - The Last Dinner Party - Grand. Theatrical. Dramatic. The Last Dinner Party picks up where they left off with their debut last year. Inferno, This is the Killer Speaking, The Scythe.

[adultalternative]

This Women's History Month, support Women's Rights. But also, Women's Wrongs. The Electric Barbarellas were a girl group with an MTV reality show a la Danity Kane that I somehow did not hear about until now. What was their claim to fame? Sumner Redstone was apparently in a relationship with one of the women and begged for MTV to make a show about a girl group she was in. MTV did not care for the show and tried to burn it off. The group also had a performance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson that Les Moonves really did not want to give them, but he arranged as a favor to Sumner Redstone. Queens of Wasting His Time™ (Either one). Here is a link to their Wikipedia stub because it's short enough but explains it a little clearer.

The music is good 'trashy' (We need to retire that word) Electropop in the Blackout/Bionic vicinity.

[adultalternative]

With Daylight Savings Time this past Sunday, I would like to bring to attention this house bop by La Toya Jackson. Very Rhythm of Love era Kylie.

[adultalternative]

Why are people into AI covers on Youtube when there is still so much interesting covers and concepts already out there? Here is a version of Dreams by Fleetwood Mac that is more yacht rock/smooth jazz than soft rock.

[adultalternative]

One of my lowkey favorite things to do online once I go through all my daily places is lurk on message boards to read the planning/meta threads. The RateYourMusic genre queue thread is a fun thread to read to think about what counts as a genre, as well as misc issues like 'Do genres need to be historically recognized? How small can a genre be?'. The constant resubmission of the Neon Pop Punk genre is a fun Sisyphean task that feels like an updated version of a Social Science class assignment to define a word you use all the time that feels easy until you are overanalyzing each part of the definition.

Over this last year, they updated the system to push all the regional genres, such as East Coast Hip Hop, or the Laurel Canyon Scene, as well as music 'cliques'/subcultures that had more to do with a culture than a sound, for lack of a better word, like Bloghouse and New Romantic, to a new part of a the website called Scenes & Movements (Confused? I am too, after I backtracked three times to write it out). While they are still ironing out what counts as a scene/movement and what counts as a genre, and some of it gets too confusing for me, I appreciate the short hands explaining scenes like the Windmill Scene or the Louisville Sound, and it's fun imagining a map with more pin points in more random areas, like the state of New Jersey.

One of the new scenes is for the Akron Sound, a post punk/new wave sound from Akron, Ohio. When I was reading the description for it, I had deja vu, and then I realized I actually read a book about the scene last year! Reading the book, I felt ambivalent for if I was starting to just read for the sake of completionism, and if I should focus on bigger fish instead of the most fish, but I am happy to say that now I can gloat about having found something 'first'.

[adultalternative]

(Editor's note: I wrote this on paper in January 2024 but did not get around to typing this until now. Whoops) 2023 was (sort of) a revival year for Nelly Furtado with Tiktok and collabs (And it did lead to a 2024 with music festival performances and a new album), as well as the 20th anniversary of Folklore. For me, 2023 was the year of getting into Whoa, Nelly! Although I tried listening to it before, it didn't really stick out to me. I saw it described as trip hop, although it wasn't like the Bristol big three. It wasn't similar enough to the dance pop or R&B at the time, so my only impression of the album was that it was .... alternative.

A new interest in borrowing rare CDs from my library before they are thrown out, however, helped me get into it. I came for the singles, but stayed for the album cuts. Legend reminds me of the Perfect Pair by beabadoobee. I Will Make U Cry has a very Sex and the City opening-esque Latin/Jazz beat. Hey Man has a very melancholic string sample courtesy of the Kronos Quartet, who also collaborated with Furtado on the Folklore standout opening One Trick Pony. Baby Girl is the single that never was.

One thing that bothers me about the album, though, is a lack of information. On the Radio is about Nelly getting shut out of Canada's trip hop scene for being too much of a poptimist (really), but there is little information about the other songs. Hey, Man! has Alanis Morissette or Fiona Apple level 'Only the writer and subject would know the meaning' lyrics, but I can't find any quotes from Nelly about the song ('And there's a shadow in the sky , and it looks like rain, and shit is gonna fly once again' is both perfectly mysterious and crystal clear about impending doom coming for the narrator). I Will Make U Cry has witty lyrics but no confirmation, either. Trynna Finda Way can be autobiographical... but whose autobiography it is remains to be revealed.

While you can't describe Whoa, Nelly! in terms of other pop albums, if you like the eclecticism of people like Imani Coppola or Beck, you can't go wrong with Whoa, Nelly!

[adultalternative]

This has been my latest posted Best of list. I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older and enjoying new music less (probably not), because I’m writing less posts in between best of posts so I have less ideas for how to write reviews, because I put too much weight into it (Seriously, I try to remind myself that I don’t even use scores and that I can’t name best ofs from previous years), or because I cast too wide of a net. Looking at past years, I saw some funny things that made me realize I shouldn’t take my best of seriously. Last year, I not only didn’t have Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess on my list, I removed it earlier on in my discovery period (Too Tumblr pop, or regular pop while trying to pass off as something more special, was my verdict. Then Chappell began to slowly dominate the charts, and I saw the errors of my ways. Two years ago, I wrote an extra review for SZA’s album SOS, and I was going to just decide if it would make it to my final list on the spot before publication. However, I never picked an album for it to take out (Also, now I see that I didn’t reorder my reviews to match the picture). Without further ado, here is the list.

Brat by Charli XCX- Duh. Charli usually loses me in the in between era interviews/social media activity, but just like always, she's able to come back on top. A+ Execution for the music videos, artwork, and mishmash of brash electronic music that takes inspiration from 2010 EDM and Radiohead alike. Von Dutch, Mean Girls, Girl So Confusing, Sympathy is a Knife, B2B

The Great Impersonator by Halsey- Dropped from the Capital contract, dealing with a lot of health issues, and transitioning to single parenthood, Halsey was undeterred from making this sweeping and personal project. The songs are a true ragtag team of misfits from pop culture in the last 40 years tying together all parts of Halsey's life and musical influences. If I had to think of albums from the top of my Best ofs that affect me as much as my high school musical discoveries, this album will be there for me. Originally, I was most drawn to the 90's singer-songwriter trio, but I have now also been drawn to the 70's icon inspired songs. Panic Attack, Life of a Spider, The Arsonist, Dog Years, Only Living Girl in LA.

Short 'n' Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter - It turns out putting in effort, hard work, and clocking in for years can sometimes pay off, with Sabrina Carpenter finally getting recognition (Both by the general public and me). Carefree vocals with cheeky lyrics, and a good range of genres. The album's combination of pop songs and acoustic/country/folk songs was probably what people wished starcrossed by Kacey Musgraves sounded like. Please, Please, Please, Taste, Coincidence, Good Graces, Espresso, Don't Smile

No Hands by Joey Valence & Brae- On Rateyourmusic, there was a genre debate about if rap was technically a secondary genre from electronic music. While the arguments were too complex for me to totally understand (or recap), No Hands by Joey Valance and Brae shows that some of my favorite rap music is to dance to. A+ pastiches and infusions of jazz rap, drum and bass, and hip house. What U Need, The Baddest, No Hands, Like a Punk

Saturn Dayz by BLACKSTARKIDS - A good chemistry among the trio and a good balance between urgent drum and bass beats and laidback psychedellic vibes. Killjoy, Boy Go 2 Jupiter, Emancipation of Stevie Wonder

For the Rest of Your Life by twikipedia- New electronic shoegaze. At first, the enunciation was an issue for me. Over more listens, though, the melodies became catchy enough where it felt like humming a song from a dream. Energetic and wistful at the same time. Boy, dry your eyes, garden

Feeling Not Found by Origami Angel- For not having had much connection to emo in its earlier waves, the 'crossover'/post referential era of recent years has been enjoyable for me. Is it the nostalgia talking? Being removed enough from any scenes where I can’t be a hater towards either the bands or fans who I would make fun of before, in more interconnected times? ‘Straightforward’ 90’s-esque alternative rock shrinking in the current music scene, forcing me to find emo/pop punk music like a polar bear venturing south of the Arctic for food? Whatever the reason is, Origami Angel’s lyrics resonate with me for being about growing up and self-improvement when it’s just. so . hard. (Side note: How long have I been writing best ofs? How many albums have growing up as the main theme?) My favorite songs are Dirty Mirror Selfie, Feeling Not Found, and HM07 Waterfall.

Miss Behaves by Cece Natalie - I am adding Cece Natalie to my Myspace Top 8 with this late 2000’s inspired album. Is this Blackout 2.0? Not quite. But if you are one of the brave people who stand by the song Paper Gangsta by Lady Gaga, then this album is for you. Crunchy electropop goodness. 754, Limit, Exitin.

Skin to Skin by Amira Elfeky- A heavy, but concise project inspired by the Deftones and Evanescence. Yes, it is an EP that is as long as an episode of a sitcom, with one song having two versions, but Elfeky knocks it out of the park with her performance. Everything I Do is for You and Tonight (Symphony).

This Infinite by Vitesse X - Vitesse X’s robot facade starts to warm up with a more human sound. While her first album worked (very) well as a mood piece, in this project, the songs are a little less art project and slightly easier to show to friends or play at a store radio playlist. End of Forever, Bliss Beat, Realize.

Smile! :D by Porter Robinson- When I listen to new releases, my mind immediately searches for albums to compare it to from the previous year. Smile! :D reminded me of Ooh Rap I Ya by George Clanton when I first heard it, for the pensive dance party vibe with songs about reflecting on their careers. I don’t really hear it anymore, but this album is still unique to me. Like brat from this year, and the TV shows The Comeback and The Other Two, it wonders if the ‘sexy treadmill capitalist’ (To quote Alanis Morissette) of celebrity every pays off or slows down, and why are you always struggling to keep up with the runner on the treadmill next to you. Cheerleader and Is There Really No Happiness?

Quantum Baby by Tinashe - Over the last few years, Tinashe has been able to conquer space and time, but unfortunately, commercial success still seemed to be a frontier she couldn’t push through. With the runaway hit Nasty making it to a decent 61 on the Billboard Hot 100,.... Tinashe at least was successful enough to make RCA regret breadcrumbing her (Yes, weak definition of success). Though this album is very short, Tinashe still manages to balance fun ‘meme’ songs like Nasty and No Broke Boys with artsier, more nocturnal songs like Getting No Sleep and When I Get You Alone.

My Anti Aircraft Friend by julie - Whenever I wonder if it’s still worth making Best ofs, the random discoveries that stake a spot on my list from first listen will always make it worth it. This year’s entry was this slacker rock album that’s a perfect combination of the Swirlies and Sonic Youth. Clairborne Practice and Stuck in a Car with Angels.

Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii- So story time. I listened to my 2024 playlist from November until April, with breaks for seasonal playlists, but I thought Doechii wasn’t leaving an impression on me. I didn’t get why she didn’t stick with me, even if she was winning a Grammy or going viral for the music video for Denial is a River. Then I checked my playlist and I never added her. It was 3 weeks ago. Whoops. But when I did, the playlist immediately improved, so that is my endorsement of Doechii. Denial is a River and Hide and Seek.

Romance by Fontaines DC - After the gloomier Skinty Fia and the solo project Chaos for the Fly, Fontaines DC goes for a more straightforward, approachable rock sound… which doesn’t mean much for the band, as there music is still mysterious, brooding, and pensive. I like the standout Starburster (Which also introduced me to Jade’s perfect Angel of my Dreams) as well as the trippy Sundowner. 

Nobody Loves You More by Kim Deal - Kim Deal came back with an innovative sound mixing 90’s alternative rock and … tropical lounge music? That sounds more like a random Family Guy punchline than reality, but it worked. Nobody Loves You More, Coast, Big Ben Beat.

Hit Me Hard and Soft by Billie Eilish- Not including Happier Than Ever in my 2021 best of is one of my ‘Maxwell Sheffield rejects Cats and can’t live it down’ moments for best ofs. This album, I remembered to keep my ears focused on the melodies in spite of the ambientness, and ignore the noise around Billie (Is she the voice of a generation? Can she have a comeback after Happier than Ever? How much does she owe the public as a role model? Does she get Oscars thrown at her [Note: After seeing the Best Original Song nominees, I can safely say she won both Oscars fair and square]). This album is perfect for a cold, rainy day. Skinny, Chihiro, Birds of a Feather, The Greatest, and The Diner.

Mirror Starts Moving Without Me by Pom Pom Squad- The brasher attitude of previous songs like Popular and Lux has been replaced with more introspective and self-conscious lyrics and feelings, even if the songs themselves are packaged in a friendly and catchy pop rock style. Downhill, Messages, Spinning, Everybody’s Moving On, The Tower.

This is How Tomorrow Moves by Beabadoobee- Good mix of indie rock and more twee, quiet music. Take a Bite, California, Real Man, Post.

Songs of a Lost World by The Cure- Generally, I hate when people are describing/reviewing projects of long runner favorite musicians, because people usually do the projects no justice by ignoring the passage of time, and referring to artists’ old works only.. ‘So and so is Confessions 2.0!’ ‘This song sounds straight out of 1993!’ Obviously, they are endorsements exaggerated for affection, and they’re only supposed to be reference points, but even musicians who are always accused of making the same album multiple times in a row (I was trying to avoid specific examples, but the dam is breaking, so…. P!nk) still have subtle changes where you can tell that the song isn’t just an unreleased demo from 2004. But put a pin in all of that, because Songs of a Lost World by the Cure feels like Disintegration 2.0, or the Music to Disintegration’s Ray of Light- same sound, but dedicated to the people who really love the sound (Disclaimer: Obviously I know that there were several albums after Disintegration, even if I have only listened to Wish and Wild Mood Swings). Usually I run away from post-rock and long run times for songs, but Songs of a Lost World grabs your attention with the cinematic songs. I wouldn’t realize it has been 16 years since the last album by The Cure, let alone 35 since Disintegration. Alone, A Fragile Thing, All I Ever Am, and I Can Never Say Goodbye.

[adultalternative]

Probably the most obscure song I have seen on MTV Classic, besides a song called Binoculars by Fetchin' Bones and Trust by the Bears.

[adultalternative]

Rodeo Star by Cowgirl Clue- One of the weirdest albums of the year. Electropop with country samples and lyrics that are a bunch of mantras together. Don’t take my lack of description as a lack of praise. My favorite songs are Rodeo Star, Picket Fence, and Gold Switchblade.

Ooh I Rap Ya by George Clanton- George Clanton was a name I sometimes saw but never gave a chance until last year. This album is a perfect homage to 90’s alternative dance. My favorite songs are the epic Justify Your Life, the Savage Garden-esque I Been Young, the nihilistic but anthemic FUML, and the dreamy For You I Will.

10,000 gecs by 100 gecs- Very loud, irreverent, and most importantly fun. People keep wondering how long hyperpop can last, but 100 gecs was able to shift seamlessly into an alternative rock sound. My favorite songs include Doritos and Fritos (which I was surprised to see on the Warner Bros rock channel on my Roku), The Most Wanted Person in the United States, Billy Knows Jamie, Frog on the Floor, and Dumbest Girl Alive.

Moments of Clarity by Narrowhead- I don’t know what it takes for me to give two looks to ‘regular’ alternative rock bands now that I have a more diverse taste, but Narrowhead stuck out to me immediately. Loud and cathartic, I’ve seen them compared a lot to Deftones. My favorite songs are Breakup Song and Sunday, as well as the alternative dance inspired Soft to Touch.

BB/Ang3l- After the very broad 333, Tinashe went for mega concise. I liked Talk to Me Nice, Treason, and Gravity. I am looking forward to the sequel project this year, which should be sooner rather than later given the delayed release this list has.

World Hassle by Alan Palomo- Alan Palomo’s music was no stranger to inspiring daydreams for me. After an 8 year hiatus, this still holds. Palomo’s solo album sounds more like sophistipop and jazz-funk than synthpop, but is still perfect for soundtracking dead mall videos, Sims Youtube speedbuilds, and city planning videos. My favorite songs are "Is There Nightlife After Death?”, Nobody’s Woman, as well as Stay at Home DJ.

guts by Olivia Rodrigo- I never know how to rate the pop girls of the next generation. Usually there are dozens of discussions about them for who is the most planty, who is the most naturally talented, who is the most wise beyond their years, and who is the most annoying (AKA a normal under 23 year old with a public social media platform), but I just opt out of them instead of having dozens of opinions (unfortunately, I can't always restrain my thoughts on pop stars this easily). This either means an album like Melodrama will have the highs affect me less than they do other people, or an album like Happier Than Ever I wrongly write off too early because I'm not that interested in the meta discussions of Billie’s sophomore slump. But guts had no problem reeling me in. Olivia shows how eclectic Pop rock can be with a rap rock song like Get Him Back, a One of the Boys esque song like Love is Embarrassing, as well as the bubblegrunge inspired Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl.

Gag Order by Kesha- Usually, when people want a dark and personal album by a pop star, we imagine it to be a little confessional and a little experimental, but this album took me by surprise, from the album art to the songs themselves. Maybe it was just watching the visualizers for the videos, but you definitely get the alienation and stress Kesha was facing over the last decade with Something to Believe In and Eat the Acid. For a little more balance, listen to The Drama and Only Love Can Save Us.

Bully by Bully- Bully’s most immediate album since their debut, in my opinion. I like the anthemic Days Move Slow, the surprisingly moody A Love Profound, and the political All This Noise.

Leaving The Light by Genesis Owusu- Genesis Owusu came with an album with a little bit of everything. Post punk, drum and bass, and funk. I like Leaving The Light, The Roach, The Old Man, and That’s Life (A Swamp).

heaven knows by PinkPantheress- More of PinkPantheress’s trademark easily digestible and recognizable UK Garage and helium vocals. My favorite songs are Capable of Love and Internet Baby, as well as The Boy’s a Liar.

Good Luck by Debby Friday- Debby Friday came out of nowhere with this brash homage to industrial music. If you want to get adjusted to the soundscape with a moody bop, start with So Hard to Tell. If you are ready for the loudness, go to Pluto Baby.

Gizmo by Tanukichan- Going on the shoegaze subreddit is good for finding out how to classify ‘The Greats’ of shoegaze music for people whose names I always see but never actually commit to (Or in the case of Curve, are not on streaming), but not my favorite for finding new people. Seeing everything described as ‘Bad impressions of Loveless or just reverbed guitar music’ makes me turned off from giving people more chances. Tanukichan, however, has the right amount of vocals and right amount of guitars. My favorite songs are Don’t Give Up, Take Care, Thin Air, and Mr. Rain.

Chaos for the Fly by Grian Chatten- I’ve kept up with alternative rock enough to know that solo acoustic projects are usually optional for me. But calling Chaos for the Fly an acoustic folk solo album is not doing it any justice. This album has enough atmosphere to keep people who normally don’t like folk music interested, without taking away focus from the lyrics. This is a perfect album for rainy Sunday mornings. My favorite songs are Last Time Every Time Forever, Bob’s Casino, and Fairlilies. 

Rabbit Rabbit by Speedy Ortiz- Speedy Ortiz returned with a better focus than their 2018 project, in my opinion. The production gives a lot of different textures time to shine. I like the songs Kim Catrall and Who’s Afraid of the Bath?

wallsocket by underscores - An album that might cast itself out based on how weird it is until the hooks sneak up on you. Other people have talked about how it’s a concept album better than I have, so I won’t talk about that, but Locals (Girls Like Us) is very ahead of the times party-rap revival, Shoot to Kill, Kill Your Darlings, is probably one of the cleverest political songs of the year, and Cops and Robbers is a pure adrenaline rush. Special mention goes to You Don’t Even Know Who I Am, which is haunting with a very unique sample.

☆ Cosas de brujas ☆ by Maria Escarmiento- An exciting and fun hyperpop album where the language barrier doesn't matter. It reminds me of Number 1 Angel era Charli. Mejores que ayer and Demasiado Callado are euphoric, Creo que hoy no me apetece quererme morir is a crunchy futuristic song

Past/present/future by Meet Me @ the Altar- over the past few years, I've had revisionism for the 2000s pop rock girlies. Not just ‘Breakaway is good’ or ‘One of the Boys has Really solid album tracks that get overlooked for obvious reasons’, but more deep-cut esoteric ones that can definitely merit their own post. Meet Me @ the Altar captures the era with their power pop influenced pop punk. Say It (to My Face) is purposely well, immature and energetic like most pop punk, and is the most famous song, per the Roku rock video channel I use, but they have other sounds, too. A Few Tomorrows is a catchy singalong midtempo which could have been the last stray American Idol alumni breakout single (I mean it in the best way possible) and Need Me reminds me of the power pop on One of the Boys.

The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We by Mitski- After too much meta narrative about Mitski’s career clouded her last two albums, Mitski came with a folk album that might be more sparse, but not at all too simple. There is the dreamy My Love All Mine All Mine, the wanderlust of Buffalo Replaced, and I Don't Like my Mind.

Flower of Life Taleen Kali- An interesting shoegaze album that reminds me of the Dum Dum Girls. My favorite songs are Only Lovers Left Alive and Flower of Life. I am curious for where her sound will develop from here.

[adultalternative]

Embarrassed to say that I've known of Tom's Diner for *car screeches by* years, and Nikki D's sample in Daddy's Little Girl for 5 years, but only learned of the song Jeannie's Diner and this remix of another Suzanne Vega this year.

[adultalternative]

Winter blues got you down? You might need more light in your life. Don't know where to begin shopping for a light therapy lamp? Neither do I. But may I offer you this song told through the perspective of (perhaps) a possessive night light with some validation complex?

[adultalternative]

2022 Best of is finally here. I had like three-quarters of the list figured out pretty early on, but just had a general playlist where I added people before I listened to them to try to get more artists in at once. Turned out that was a bad idea.

Renaissance- First new Beyonce era I could appreciate live due to it instantly being on streaming. It is hard to write a real review for this album, because this is a going out album and I am still quarantining, and I primarily listen to my year end albums in a Free for All shuffle mode, but Beyonce still finds a way to surprise people 9 years after her self-titled album. My favorite songs are Break My Soul, All Up In Your Mind, Virgo’s Groove, and Thique.

Las Ruinas- Rico Nasty swung big and it paid off. Rock, G-Funk, drum and bass (amongst other genres) all make appearances on this album. People seemed to constantly mention that it was a mixtape, and you can tell, but so what? I liked the different sounds and Rico was able to stand on her own in each song without getting lost. Gotsta Get Paid, Intrusive, Into the Dark, Black Punk and Easy are my favorite songs.

Giving the World Away- Hatchie was able to make an ethereal baggy album. Another casualty of still quarantining, as this album was meant to be listened to on your way back from nights out in quirky outdoor downtown cafes in the spring. Shoegaze guitars make an appearance throughout this album, too. My favorite songs are Giving the World Away, Till We Run Out of Air, Don't Leave Me in the Rain, and This Enchanted.

Unsoothing Interior- Vero went from a cute EP to directly commanding first chair at a reality show reunion with this album. While usually, 90’s inspired albums are power pop/sunnier alternative rock and sometimes grunge, Vero dip into shoegaze and noise rock. If you primarily like Kim Gordon’s songs on Sonic Youth, then this album is for you. I like the songs Cupid, Sex, Me & TV Shows, and Beluga the most.

Sometimes, Forever- Embarrassed to say this, but this is the first Soccer Mommy album that totally got me. Her usual guitar only sound is balanced with sonic experiments like the jazzy Unholy Affliction. Also, her lyrics got to me more with songs like Don’t Ask Me and Feel it All the Time.

Nova Twins- Fun, angry and brashy. I like Cleopatra and Antagonist.

Bronco- Austin Butler wasn’t the only Elvis impressionist this year. Orville Peck sanded down his edges to make a more general country album, with unfortunately, less commercial pay off than there could have been. Bronco and Outta Time are still highlights.

Skinty Fia- Fontaines DC continue to excel at dark and brooding alternative rock music. Jackie Down the Line, In ár gCroíthe go deo, and I Love You are my highlights.

Strawberry- Dreamy alternative dance music. Patience etc… and Happy Happy are the highlights, but with such a concise project, just listen to all of it.

Stumpwork- I never would have thought that post punk would be a genre that I would fast track to my best of list, but here we are. Dry Cleaning continues to soundtrack rainy day Sundays with their detached, spoken word vocals with their expressive guitars. I like Anna Calls from the Arctic, Liberty Logs, and Kwendy Kups.

Lady for Sale- In a year with both crossover and alternative country releases, this release with a throwback sound drew my attention the most. While I was initially just drawn to Lola Kirke, the actress from underrated Mistress America, making a countrypolitan album as a Brit, I was soon surprised by how good (and accurate) it was. I like Pink Sky and Falling in Love Again.

Hypnos- Ravyn Lenae continues to be ahead of her peers at such a young age. A good take on psychedelic R&B. My favorite songs are Venom and Inside Out.

SQUEEZE- Very unique mishmash of heavier, noisy, alternative music, and more mellow singer-songwriter music. Now that I’m thinking about it, it sort of reminds me of To Bring You My Love. I enjoy the epicness of The Greatest and the sadness in Tried to Understand. 

SOS- Too late of a release (and not relevant enough in a quarantine lifestyle) for me to appreciate, but it did a good job at putting its foot in the door. I like Blind, Kill Bill, and Gone Girl.

Crash- Though Sucker and Charli could have been interpreted as pop compromise albums by some of the fans, this album definitely steals the title from either with no contest, but not in a bad way. I don’t really know how to describe this album, but it’s more Superlove and Doin’ It than Blame it On Your Love. Good Ones, Yuck, Lightning, and What You Think of Me are my favorite songs, although New Shapes is also good.

Coping Mechanism- Willow came back with an even rockier album. My favorite songs are Split, ur a stranger, and Maybe it’s my Fault.

Blue Rev- Alvvays went from a punchline for random indie bands with corny names to making a late in the year highlight for me out of nowhere. Great shoegaze in catchy pop formats for walks outside. I like Pharmacist, Easy On Your Own, and the Saint Etienne-esque Very Online Guy.

Traumazine- Megan thee Stallion had a rogue’s gallery that would be perfect for a 90’s kids action cartoon this year (Or the anime inspired visualizers for the songs on Youtube). Unfortunately, for her antagonists, you can’t keep Megan down. My favorite songs are Her, Anxiety, Red Wine, and Flip Flop.

American Gurl- Kilo Kish came back with a poppier version of her EPs. Good combination of poppy sheen and melodies but still experimental. My favorite songs are Death Fantasy, Choice Cowboy, and American Gurl. 

Froge.mp3- A drum and bass album that came out of nowhere but very catchy and fun. I like the songs Words and on and on.

Black Girl Magic- Honey Dijon provides us with more house bops after working with Beyonce for Renaissance. My favorite songs are Everybody and Downtown.

Finally, New- While They Hate Change's Finally, New is called experimental hip hop, for me the drum and bass made it more accessible and memorable. Some Days I Hate My Voice is my favorite song.

Us Ephemeral- Very coherent electronic album. A little Toonami and a little Telepopmusik. The title track is my favorite song.

Kaitlin Butts- Short sweet to the point country music with the right amount of sadness. What else can she do and bored if I don’t do a great job at capturing the melancholy of being bored in a rural area without being prepared for the bigger pond yet.

SRSQ-  Theatrical dream pop that makes me feel like I’m flying in the night. Used to Love, Saved for Summer, and Elan Vital are my favorites. It reminds me of Tamaryn but also Sky Ferreira.

Janky Star- I found Grace Ives too late in 2019 to include her in my best of (Or have her compete fairly), but Janky Star had a better chance this year. Grace makes cool music to dance to, good for either an imaginary pop up silent rave or by yourself in a kitchen while doing chores. Burn Bridges and Loose are my favorites.

[adultalternative]

Some people walk on water Some people walk on broken glass Some just walk round and round in their dreams Some just keep falling down

So when you see a man who's broken Pick him up and carry him And when you see a woman who's broken Put her all into your arms 'Cause we don't know where we come from We don't know what we are

Laurie Anderson's Strange Angels should be added to the art pop canon. I heard it's poppier, but that probably helps its case.

[adultalternative]

I don't believe in angry playlists anymore, but if I did, Don't Mess with Me would definitely be a staple. The Heartbreaker (Pat Benatar's, not Mariah Carey's) sample was used very well. If you liked Son of a Gun and Trust a Try from All for You and wished the rest of the album was similarly angry, this song is a great companion piece from the same time.

[adultalternative]

Did you want a lo-fi/shoegaze song that also has bits that sound like Prince? Well, here it is! This entire album was very surprisingly good.

[adultalternative]

Solar Power was a summer album, the same way your mom taking you to the mall in August for clothes shopping while you'd hope you could eat there but you get ice cream at most and make it in time for Slime Time Live would count as a summer day.

[adultalternative]

I sort of had a Eurythmics/Annie Lennox phase in 2013. When I say that, I wanted to find more women-lead alternative rock bands, and thinking that the 2000's didn't have any as big as No Doubt/Garbage/Hole, decided to go back to the 80's (Not really the goofiest music inclination I decided to follow, but still). I forgot how many of the Eurythmics' albums I listened to, and while I like a lot of their singles and enough of their deep cuts, their music mostly reminds me of a time I was trying to find my niche in the world, in either music related identity or real life identity. I only knew Annie's singles through SongPop (Where she was recognized as a 90's Diva before, say, Madonna), but assumed her career would be too adult contemporary for me (I still like her cover of Downtown Lights, though) to listen to. This song is a full carjacking of Sade's Love Deluxe, though Annie forgot to check the backseat, and drove off with Feel No Pain.