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Album: Vol.1 by Angine de Poitrine (2024)
Format: Album

Music Scene: Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Experimental movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Album

Additional Context: Rating score: 10. Based on 1 votes


Album: Sanctuary by Evanescence (2026)
Genre: Rock | Mood: Troubled
Format: Album

Related Artists: Amy Lee, We Are the Fallen, Lacuna Coil, Halestorm

Music Scene: Part of the Arkansas, USA music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Rock, Troubled, 2020s, Album

Additional Context: Based on 6 votes


"The Art of Loving" envelops listeners in a lush soundscape, characterized by its warm, analog production that seamlessly blends contemporary R&B with vintage soul influences. The instrumentation is rich and varied, featuring smooth electric piano, subtle strings, and crisp percussion that create a dynamic yet intimate atmosphere. Each track oscillates between mid-tempo grooves and slower ballads, allowing for a fluid exploration of emotion. The textures are layered, with Dean's velvety vocals weaving through harmonies that evoke a sense of nostalgia. Distinctive for its organic feel, the album captures the essence of love in all its complexities, making each song resonate deeply while maintaining an inviting, polished finish.

Album: The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean (2025)
Format: Album

Artist Background: Olivia Lauryn Dean (born 14 March 1999) is an English singer. She began her career working in collaboration with Rudimental. She was named Amazon Music's 2021 breakthrough artist of the year and recorded an exclusive version of Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" for Amazon's 2021 Christmas Originals line-up, which charted at number 19 in the UK singles chart Part of the Greater London, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era.

Related Artists: Nectar Woode, Joy Crookes, Joesef, Eloïse

Music Scene: Part of the Greater London, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era.

Tags: 2020s, Album


By her own admission, Olivia Dean is an “extreme perfectionist”. But, one day while making her debut album, the London singer-songwriter found herself mumbling the word “messy” over and over again while playing her guitar—and unlocked something lighter within herself. “I just loved the idea of flipping ‘messy’ from being a negative word into this beautiful thing,” she tells Apple Music. “I applied that to finishing the album and it was like, ‘We’re going to keep me laughing in there’ or, ‘The piano doesn’t have to exactly be in time on that part.’ I think in an age where everybody is pretending that their life is amazing, it’s really refreshing to be like, ‘My life’s a mess. And your life’s probably a mess too.’ But that’s fine: That’s the spice of life.” 

The aptly titled Messy is a sublime debut—that “messy approach” lending it a warm, immediate feeling that often makes listening feel like you’re right inside it. The album houses the soulful, jazz-inflected, old-soul songwriting and made-for-summer-days pop that Dean has built her name on: “In the studio I’d say, ‘Can you do this one a bit more like you just had the best day of your life, but suddenly the sun is setting?’” she says. There are sculptural, string-laden ballads (“No Man”), loose instrumental moments (such as on “Ladies Room” and “Getting There”) and intimate confessionals on her mental health (“Everybody’s Crazy”) or watching an ex thrive without her (“Dangerously Easy”). It’s all anchored by Dean’s effortless vocals, and the album presents as an irresistible series of vignettes set everywhere from the girls’ bathroom at a pub to her imaginary flower shop in South London (“I Could Be a Florist”) and home, on the exquisite “Carmen”—a jubilant tribute to her grandmother who came to the UK as part of the Windrush generation. Here, Dean takes us inside Messy, one track at a time. 

“UFO”
“I thought it was the perfect opener because it’s like, ‘Hello, everyone. You’re about to go on a journey with this shy alien who is trying to find a place to land herself. Come along.’ This was one of the earliest songs we wrote for the record—it started out as a joke, as a lot of our songs tend to. [Producer] Matt [Hales] and I were having a cup of tea, and I said, ‘It’s a bit of a sexy problem.’ He thought it was hilarious. We went back to the studio, and I was talking about Nick Drake and how I liked the guitar style of his songs. The song was written really quickly and I listened to it 20 times that evening, like, ‘This is it.’”

“Dive”
“I love the drama, and my karaoke song is ‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor so I knew I wanted to have [an intro like that] on my record. I wrote this on a really sunny day in London and was talking about how I was ready to fall in love again and feeling open to it. We were thinking about Aretha Franklin and Carole King and all the chords that they use to make your heart feel like you’re flying on a cloud. This one took the longest to finish—because I knew it was good, that it could be an important song, that it was special. It might sound carefree but a lot of work went into it. I was working on it for a year.”

“Ladies Room”
“I was in my local pub in the girls’ bathroom and this lady said something like, ‘Girls, never go out with a man 20 years your senior.’ Then he called her and she was like, ‘I don’t want to go home but I’ve got to leave.’ I thought that was a brilliant start to a song because I’ve had that before. When I was a little younger and not as independent as I am now, [I] was in, to put it frankly, more toxic relationships. I would have gone home if my boyfriend was like, ‘Stay in with me,’ so I needed to write a song that was like, ‘Do whatever you want to do.’ The rest of it was inspired by Marvin Gaye’s ‘Got to Give It Up’ and how that party sound goes throughout it.”

“No Man”
“Originally this had loads of instrumentation. It was dense, with crazy drums, and I realised I wasn’t doing justice to what I was singing about, which was quite sad and vulnerable. I wanted it to feel quite [James] Bond-y, but I was also listening to a lot of Mac Miller’s Circles. I don’t want to talk about the subject matter too intensely—I feel people can get the vibe of what it’s about.” 

“Dangerously Easy”
“This one is about seeing somebody you loved doing really well without you and feeling like, ‘How are they making it look so easy? Why are you so fine without me?’ But it’s not an angry song—it’s very amicable. Some of my favourite lyrics on this record are in this song. It’s got this kind of ‘Redbone’-y bassline in the bridge and I love it. The one feels quite old school to me.”

“Getting There (Interlude)”
“This was always just on the end of ‘Dangerously Easy’, but I thought, ‘She’s got legs. She can be her own song.’ When we were recording the last bits to the album, I said to the band [Dean made the record with her live band], ‘When we get to the end, just go for it.’ It was the first take of what we did.”

“Danger”
“At first I thought, ‘I can’t have two songs on the same album with “danger” in. That’s not allowed.’ And then I was like, ‘Anything’s allowed.’ I had been wanting to write something fun because I’d been writing a lot of sad music. I had this complex of, ‘If something’s fun and simple then it can’t be good.’ Actually, yes, it can. I think of some songs as Tangfastics—they’re just fun sweeties that you love. And other songs are like sad muesli. You’ve got to have it, it’s good for you, but it’s not the most exciting. I definitely wanted to play with lovers rock and bossa nova, because I grew up listening to a lot of that stuff. It’s also just a classic Olivia Dean song: I will fall in love with you, but not quite.”

“The Hardest Part”
“She’s an oldie but she had to be on the album because I think this song has been very defining for me. It was written at a time when I was very sad and was trying to process letting go of a relationship that I thought was it for me—as you do when you’re young and in love. I was so invested, but had this epiphany: ‘You are not a good person for me, and I’ve changed so much, and you are not able to love the person that I’ve changed into.’ Accepting that, that’s the hardest part. I’m so proud of the lyric: ‘I was only 18/You should’ve known that I was always gonna change.’ That concept of people telling you that you’ve changed like it’s a bad thing. It’s like, ‘Yes, I have and that’s fantastic.’” 

“I Could Be a Florist”
“I went to the studio and was supposed to be finishing ‘Dive’, but I was having a little bit of an existential moment—I felt I couldn’t turn off from music. I was fantasising about how wonderful it would be to be a florist. You could make lovely bouquets for people and bring people joy and look at flowers all day and then put the closed sign on the shop door. It came super quickly—I left the demo how it was. Now, obviously when I listen to it, [I realise] it’s a love song and it’s about wanting to bring flowers to people as a metaphor for love.” 

“Messy”
“The last track I wrote for the album. I had this guitar part that I kept playing over and I just kept saying the word ‘messy’. I thought, ‘What is this song about? What am I trying to say?’ Maybe it was about a relationship being messy, but I had one of those epiphany moments, like, ‘No. It’s a song to myself. I’m writing a song to tell myself I’m allowed to be messy. Your album doesn’t have to be perfect. It has to be you.’” 

“Everybody’s Crazy”
“I love this song, but it does also terrify me. It really puts me out there. As in, my heart on the line. But you have got to be brave. It’s all well and good for me to have songs like ‘Ladies Room’ where I’m like, ‘I’m an independent lady, you can’t tell me what to do,’ but obviously I go home and cry into my pillow sometimes. Let’s be real. For me, this song is a warm hug, a bowl of tomato soup, but then at the end it’s like you’re on mushrooms and suddenly the world’s opening up.”

“Carmen”
“Out of everything I’ve made, this felt like the thing I made most for me. It feels so specific to my life. I knew that I wanted to immortalise my grandmother forever, even when I’m gone and my great-grandkids are gone. That’s what music can do for someone. It was something that was very private at the beginning. It’s a song about her coming to the UK from Guyana as part of the Windrush generation. She got on a plane in 1963 and came over with her baby sister and completely changed her life. Then she had four kids, and they had kids and one of them is me.

“I wanted this to feel like a celebration because, at the time and now, there is a lot of negativity around Windrush. I thought, ‘They need a celebration.’ The way that people from that generation loved the Queen—they needed the love back and the lyric ‘Never got a jubilee’ was me giving her that. When I was writing this song, I pictured my granny sitting on a throne, steel pans are playing and everybody’s just having a great time and eating mac and cheese at her diamond jubilee. I cried when we had the steel pan player come in and record because I just think it’s the most beautiful sound in the world—for me, it’s nostalgic for a place I’ve actually never even been to, but to have that on the record was so important. I’m so proud of this song. My granny knows it exists, but she hasn’t heard it yet. I guess I’m just nervous.”

Album: The Wow! Signal by Muse (2026)
Genre: alternative rock | Style: animated cover art
Record Label: Warner Records
Format: Digital Media

Artist Background: Artist from GB, known for alternative dance, alternative metal, alternative rock, art rock, neo-progressive rock

Related Artists: Royal Blood, Nothing But Thieves, Placebo, Radiohead

Music Scene: Part of the Teignmouth, England music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Alternative Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: alternative rock, animated cover art, 2020s, Digital Media, Warner Records


Album: you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love by Olivia Rodrigo (2026)
Record Label: Olivia Rodrigo PS
Format: Digital Media

Artist Background: Artist from US, known for folk pop, musical, pop, pop punk, pop rock

Related Artists: Sabrina Carpenter, Gracie Abrams, Chappell Roan, Taylor Swift

Music Scene: Part of the Temecula, California, USA music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Manufactured Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Digital Media, Olivia Rodrigo PS


If Olivia Rodrigo has a superpower, it’s that, at 18, she already understands that adolescence spares no one. The heartbreak, the humiliation, the vertiginous weight of every lonesome thought and outsized feeling—none of that really leaves us, and exploring it honestly almost always makes for good pop songs. “I grew up listening to country music,” the California-born singer-songwriter (also an experienced actor and current star of Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) tells Apple Music. “And I think it’s so impactful and emotional because of how specific it is, how it really paints pictures of scenarios. I feel like a song is so much more special when you can visualise and picture it, even smell and taste all of the stuff that the songwriter's going through.” 
To listen to Rodrigo’s debut full-length is to know—on a very deep and almost uncomfortably familiar level—exactly what she was going through when she wrote it at 17. Anchored by the now-ubiquitous breakup ballad ‘drivers license’—an often harrowing, closely studied lead single that already felt like a lock for song-of-the-year honours the second it arrived in January 2021—SOUR combines the personal and universal to often devastating effect, folding diary-like candour and autobiographical detail into performances that recall the millennial pop of Taylor Swift (“favorite crime”) just as readily as the ’90s alt-rock of Elastica (“brutal”) and Alanis Morissette (“good 4 u”). It has the sound and feel of an instant classic, a Jagged Little Pill for Gen Z. 
“All the feelings that I was feeling were so intense,” Rodrigo says. “I called the record SOUR because it was this really sour period of my life—I remember being so sad, and so insecure, and so angry. I felt all those things, and they're still very real, but I'm definitely not going through that as acutely as I used to. It’s nice to go back and see what I was feeling, and be like, ‘It all turned out all right. You're okay now.’” A little older and a lot wiser, Rodrigo shares the wisdom she learned channelling all of that into one of the most memorable debut albums in ages. 
Let Your Mind Wander
“I took an AP psychology class in high school my junior year, and they said that you're the most creative when you're doing some type of menial task, because half of your brain is occupied with something and the other half is just left to roam. I find that I come up with really good ideas when I'm driving for that same reason. I actually wrote the first verse and some of the chorus of ‘enough for you’ going on a walk around my neighbourhood; I got the idea for ‘good 4 u’ in the shower. I think taking time to be out of the studio and to live your life is as productive—if not more—than just sitting in a room with your guitar trying to write songs. While making SOUR, there was maybe three weeks where I spent like six, seven days a week of 13 hours in the studio. I actually remember feeling so creatively dry, and the songs I was making weren't very good. I think that's a true testament to how productive rest can be. There's only so much you can write about when you're in the studio all day, just listening to your own stuff.” 
Trust Your Instincts
“Before I met my collaborator, producer—and co-writer in many instances—Dan Nigro, I would just write songs in my bedroom, completely by myself. So it was a little bit of a learning curve, figuring out how to collaborate with other people and stick up for your ideas and be open to other people's. Sometimes it takes you a little while to gain the confidence to really remember that your gut feelings are super valid and what makes you a special musician. I struggled for a while with writing upbeat songs just because I thought in my head that I should write about happiness or love if I wanted to write a song that people could dance to. And ‘brutal’ is actually one of my favourite songs on SOUR, but it almost didn't make it on the record. Everyone was like, ‘You make it the first [track], people might turn it off as soon as they hear it.’ I think it's a great introduction to the world of SOUR.” 
It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect
“I wrote this album when I was 17. There's sort of this feeling that goes along with putting out a record when you're that age, like, ‘Oh my god, this is not the best work that I'll ever be able to do. I could do better.’ So it was really important for me to learn that this album is a slice of my life and it doesn't have to be the best work that I'll ever do. Maybe my next record will be better, and maybe I'll grow. It's nice, I think, for listeners to go on that journey with songwriters and watch them refine their songwriting. It doesn't have to be perfect now—it’s the best that I can do when I'm 17 years old, and that's enough and that's cool in its own right.” 
Love What You Do
“I learned that I liked making songs a lot more than I like putting out songs, and that love of songwriting stayed the same for me throughout. I learned how to nurture it, instead of the, like, ‘Oh, I want to get a Top 40 hit!’-type thing. Honestly, when ‘drivers license’ came out, I was sort of worried that it was going to be the opposite and I was going to write all of my songs from the perspective of wanting it to chart. But I really just love writing songs, and I think that's a really cool position to be in.” 
Find Your People
“I feel like the purpose of ‘yes’ people in your life is to make you feel secure. But whenever I'm around people who think that everything I do is incredible, I feel so insecure for some reason; I think that everything is bad and they're just lying to me the whole time. So it's really awesome to have somebody who I really trust with me in the studio. That's Dan. He’ll tell me, ‘This is an amazing song. Let's do it.’ But I'll also play him a song that I really like and he’ll say, ‘You know what, I don't think this is your best song. I think you can write a better one.’ There's something so empowering and something so cool about that, about surrounding yourself with people who care enough about you to tell you when you can do better. Being a songwriter is sort of strange in that I feel like I've written songs and said things, told people secrets through my songs that I don't even tell some people that I hang out with all the time. It's a sort of really super mega vulnerable thing to do. But then again, it's the people around me who really love me and care for me who gave me the confidence to sort of do that and show who I really am.” 
You Really Never Know
“To me, ‘drivers license’ was never one of those songs that I would think: ‘It's a hit song.’ It's just a little slice of my heart, this really sad song. It was really cool for me to see evidence of how authenticity and vulnerability really connect with people. And everyone always says that, but you really never know. So many grown men will come up to me and be like, ‘Yo, I'm happily married with three kids, but that song brought me back to my high school breakup.’ Which is so cool, to be able to affect not only people who are going through the same thing as you, but to bring them back to a time where they were going through the same thing as you are. That's just surreal, a songwriter's dream.”

"The Essential Michael Jackson" showcases a masterful blend of pop, rock, and soul, characterized by its polished production and innovative arrangements. The album features a rich tapestry of instrumentation, from the punchy brass sections in "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" to the lush strings in "Human Nature." Each track is meticulously crafted, with layered harmonies and rhythmic grooves that create an infectious energy. The tempos vary, offering both upbeat dance anthems and slower, emotive ballads, all underpinned by tight, syncopated rhythms. The sonic textures are distinctively vibrant, with a dynamic range that highlights Jackson's vocal prowess and the intricate production techniques of the era, making this compilation a definitive showcase of his artistic brilliance.

Album: The Essential Michael Jackson by Michael Jackson (2005)
Genre: Pop
Record Label: Epic/Legacy
Format: album

Artist Background: Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actor. Called the King of Pop, his contributions to music and dance, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. The eighth child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene along with his elder brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon as a member of the Jackson 5 in 1964, and began hi... Part of the Indiana, USA music scene. Emerged in the 1960s era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: The Jacksons, The Jackson 5, 3T, Janet Jackson

Music Scene: Part of the Indiana, USA music scene. Emerged in the 1960s era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Pop, 2000s, album, Epic/Legacy


Album: Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. by Harry Styles (2026)
Genre: indie pop
Record Label: Columbia
Format: CD

Description: limited edition casebook

Artist Background: Harry Edward Style (born 1 February 1994) is an English singer and songwriter. He is known as a member of the pop boy band One Direction. He made his debut as a singer with his band White Eskimo, who performed locally in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire. In 2010, Styles auditioned as a solo artist for the British television series The X Factor. After being eliminated as a solo performer, Styles was brought back into the competition, along with four other contestants, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payn... Part of the Redditch, Worcestershire, England, UK music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Musical Influences: Anne Styles

Related Artists: Louis Tomlinson, One Direction, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne

Music Scene: Part of the Redditch, Worcestershire, England, UK music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: indie pop, 2020s, CD, Columbia


Album: Dear God by The Pretty Reckless (2026)
Record Label: Fearless Records
Format: Digital Media

Artist Background: Artist from US, known for alternative metal, alternative rock, hard rock, pop rock, post-grunge

Related Artists: Halestorm, DOROTHY, Evanescence, Dead Sara

Music Scene: Part of the New York, USA music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Hard Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Digital Media, Fearless Records


Album: Thriller by Michael Jackson (1982)
Genre: Pop | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Quirky
Record Label: Epic
Format: Album

Description: Thriller is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was released on November 30, 1982, by Epic Records as the follow-up to Jackson's critically and commercially successful 1979 album Off the Wall. Thriller explores similar genres to those of Off the Wall, including pop, R&B, rock, post-disco and adult contemporary music.
Recording sessions took place between April and November 1982 at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a production budget of $750,000, assisted by producer Quincy Jones. Of the nine tracks on the album, four of them were written by Jackson himself. Seven singles were released from the album, all of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Three of the singles had music videos released. "Baby Be Mine" and "The Lady in My Life" were the only tracks that were not released as singles. In just over a year, Thriller became-and currently remains-the best-selling album of all time, with sales estimated by various sources as being between 65 and 110 million copies worldwide, and is also tied with Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) by the Eagles as the best-selling album in the United States. The album won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards at the 1984 Grammys.
Thriller enabled Jackson to break down racial barriers via his appearances on MTV and meeting with President of the United States Ronald Reagan at the White House. The album was one of the first to use music videos as successful promotional tools-the videos for "Thriller", "Billie Jean" and "Beat It" all received regular rotation on MTV. In 2001, a special edition issue of the album was released, which contains additional audio interviews, a demo recording and the song "Someone In the Dark", which was a Grammy-winning track from the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial storybook. In 2008, the album was reissued again as Thriller 25, containing re-mixes that feature contemporary artists, a previously unreleased song and a DVD.
Thriller ranked number 20 on Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list in 2003, and was listed by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers at number three in its Definitive 200 Albums of All Time. The Thriller album was included in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry of culturally significant recordings, and the Thriller video was included in the National Film Preservation Board's National Film Registry of "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant films". In 2012, Slant Magazine listed the album at #1 on its list of "Best Albums of the 1980s".

Artist Background: Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actor. Called the King of Pop, his contributions to music and dance, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. The eighth child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene along with his elder brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon as a member of the Jackson 5 in 1964, and began hi... Part of the Indiana, USA music scene. Emerged in the 1960s era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: The Jacksons, The Jackson 5, 3T, Janet Jackson

Music Scene: Part of the Indiana, USA music scene. Emerged in the 1960s era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Pop, Rock/Pop, Quirky, 1980s, Album, Epic

Additional Context: Sales figures: 65000000. Rating score: 9. Based on 13 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


Thriller is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was released on November 30, 1982, by Epic Records as the follow-up to Jackson's critically and commercially successful 1979 album Off the Wall. Thriller explores similar genres to those of Off the Wall, including pop, R&B, rock, post-disco and adult contemporary music.
Recording sessions took place between April and November 1982 at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with a production budget of $750,000, assisted by producer Quincy Jones. Of the nine tracks on the album, four of them were written by Jackson himself. Seven singles were released from the album, all of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Three of the singles had music videos released. "Baby Be Mine" and "The Lady in My Life" were the only tracks that were not released as singles. In just over a year, Thriller became-and currently remains-the best-selling album of all time, with sales estimated by various sources as being between 65 and 110 million copies worldwide, and is also tied with Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) by the Eagles as the best-selling album in the United States. The album won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards at the 1984 Grammys.
Thriller enabled Jackson to break down racial barriers via his appearances on MTV and meeting with President of the United States Ronald Reagan at the White House. The album was one of the first to use music videos as successful promotional tools-the videos for "Thriller", "Billie Jean" and "Beat It" all received regular rotation on MTV. In 2001, a special edition issue of the album was released, which contains additional audio interviews, a demo recording and the song "Someone In the Dark", which was a Grammy-winning track from the E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial storybook. In 2008, the album was reissued again as Thriller 25, containing re-mixes that feature contemporary artists, a previously unreleased song and a DVD.
Thriller ranked number 20 on Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list in 2003, and was listed by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers at number three in its Definitive 200 Albums of All Time. The Thriller album was included in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry of culturally significant recordings, and the Thriller video was included in the National Film Preservation Board's National Film Registry of "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant films". In 2012, Slant Magazine listed the album at #1 on its list of "Best Albums of the 1980s".

Album: 50 Years – Don’t Stop by Fleetwood Mac
Genre: blues
Record Label: Warner Bros. Records
Format: CD

Artist Background: Fleetwood Mac are a British-American rock band formed in 1967 in London. The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood. Despite band founder Peter Green naming the group by combining the surnames of two of his former bandmates (Fleetwood, McVie) from John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, bassist John McVie played neither on their first single nor at their first concerts. The keyboardist, Christine McVie, who joined the band in 1970 while married to John McVie, a... Part of the London, England music scene. Emerged in the 1960s era. Associated with Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Musical Influences: Bob Brunning, Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, Mick Fleetwood

Related Artists: Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, Heart, Eagles

Music Scene: Part of the London, England music scene. Emerged in the 1960s era. Associated with Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: blues, CD, Warner Bros. Records


Album: The Great Divide by Noah Kahan (2026)
Format: Album

Related Artists: Hozier, The Lumineers, Caamp

Music Scene: Part of the Strafford, Vermont, U.S. music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Album


“I describe this album as like I’m in the shower and I’m half yelling at the shower head and pretending it’s whoever I want to talk to and taking responsibility or throwing blame, like those conversations that you wish you could have with people but have never been able to,” Noah Kahan tells Apple Music of his fourth album The Great Divide.

Underneath Kahan’s trademark folksy veneer lies an urgent, high-stakes reckoning. Following the breakthrough success of 2022’s Stick Season, the Vermont-native singer-songwriter was left to assess the impact—not just on himself, but on those closest to him. “My life hasn’t just gone away and the impact of the music I made and the person I’ve become doesn’t just escape from these people just because they haven’t been living out on the road with me,” he says.

With a few new collaborators in tow, including Aaron Dessner (“I felt very lost and I kind of just like trauma-dumped on him and he took it so well,” Kahan says) and pop whisperer Amy Allen (who’s written for the likes of Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo), Kahan weaves through the highs and lows of returning home again. 

Kahan also marks a big distinction between his last album and this one, mirroring his own growth. “Stick Season is like doing shrooms and thinking you understand the entire world, and The Great Divide is like three months later: ‘That was great and that was helpful, but there’s a lot more we gotta figure out still,’” he says. “He’ll do some shrooms with you, but he’s not going to pretend like it’s going to change his life. He’s not going to become a kayak guide somewhere. He has to go to work in the morning.” Below, Kahan takes us through four key tracks in his own words:

“End of August”
“I wanted to create a scene that just felt like late summer in Vermont or in a small town where there’s just that total quiet and you can almost hear music in the air. One thing that my family and I have in Vermont is, like, I walk through the woods and the woods are haunted, but not by mean spirits. We’ve all individually said, ‘Oh, I heard voices in the woods,’ and when I was writing that, I wanted it to feel like what those voices would sing if you were just like walking through the woods or driving past the woods in Vermont.”

“23”
“The song itself is not based on a story of my life, but based on a lot of friendships I have with people who have family members who are struggling with addiction or who have siblings who they can’t connect to. It’s that feeling of ‘I want you back, but I don’t want this version of you back’ and ‘I want that moment when we were sitting over the car hood and you were showing me how the engine worked and everything was normal’. And so seeing who you are now betrays this version of you that I really want you to be in this memory I have of you. It’s a little selfish, because it’s like you’re asking someone to change for you, but it’s that kind of childlike innocent hope that someday we’ll just be exactly where we were.”

“Porch Light”
“I always worried that my mom felt or my family felt like I wasn’t myself anymore and that I was just some ghoul that would come in to extrapolate further success or further emotion for my own gain. The truth is my mom never felt that way. She always felt she always showed me love and showed me patience and understood the gravity of what I was going through. I wanted that hope to be in there, like, ‘I’ll leave the porch light on for you.’”

“Dan”
“There’s a few lines in the album that I feel like speak to that present feeling of, like, you’re already there. Like, heaven is a drink in the backyard. Like, where do we go when we die? I wouldn’t mind if it was right here. I wouldn’t mind if I was sitting by the fire with my buddy, or even lost in the woods, or even in a moment of, like, there’s something scary happening but you’re with this person and you’re experiencing this together in the same exact way.”

Album: The Ones That Got the Plays by Katy Perry (2026)
Record Label: Capitol Records
Format: Digital Media

Artist Background: Artist from US, known for bubblegum pop, dance-pop, disco, electropop, pop

Related Artists: Rihanna, Bebe Rexha, Dua Lipa, Ava Max

Music Scene: Part of the Santa Barbara, California, USA music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Digital Media, Capitol Records


"The Highlights (Deluxe)" showcases a masterful blend of atmospheric synths and pulsating basslines, enveloping listeners in a rich sonic landscape. The production is polished and layered, with shimmering electronic textures that create a sense of depth and intimacy. Upbeat tracks feature driving tempos and infectious hooks, while slower ballads evoke a haunting vulnerability, marked by ethereal vocal harmonies. The interplay between lush instrumentation and minimalist beats adds a dynamic tension, allowing for moments of both euphoria and introspection. Distinctive for its seamless transitions and cohesive sound palette, the album captures a modern pop aesthetic while maintaining an emotional resonance that lingers long after the final note.

Album: The Highlights (Deluxe) by The Weeknd (2024)
Genre: R&B/Soul
Record Label: Universal Republic Records
Format: album

Artist Background: Abel Tesfaye (born February 16, 1990), better known by his stage name The Weeknd, is a Canadian R&B recording artist and record producer from Toronto, Ontario. He began recording songs under the stage name The Weeknd and uploading them to YouTube in late 2010, though his identity was initially unknown. In March 2011, The Weeknd released a nine-song free album, House of Balloons, which was critically acclaimed. The title track is based on a sample of Siouxsie and the Banshees' hit single "Happ... Part of the Toronto, Canada music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with R&B movement. Known for Urban/R&B style.

Related Artists: Tory Lanez, Drake, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Don Toliver

Music Scene: Part of the Toronto, Canada music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with R&B movement. Known for Urban/R&B style.

Tags: R&B/Soul, 2020s, album, Universal Republic Records


Album: ICEMAN by Drake

Description: ICEMAN is the ninth studio album by Canadian rapper Drake. It was released by OVO Sound and Republic Records on May 15, 2026. The album serves as a follow-up to Drake's collaborative album, Some Sexy Songs 4 U; it also marks his first full-length solo release since his eighth album, For All the Dogs, and since his feud with Kendrick Lamar. The album was promoted by three singles: "What Did I Miss?", "Which One" featuring British rapper Central Cee, and "Dog House" featuring American rapper Yeat and singer Julia Wolf. Each single was preceded by a livestream on YouTube, "What <a href="https://www.last.fm/music/Drake/ICEMAN">Read more on Last.fm</a>.

Related Artists: PARTYNEXTDOOR, DJ Khaled, Bryson Tiller, Tory Lanez

Music Scene: Part of the Toronto, Canada music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Hip-Hop movement. Known for Urban/R&B style.

ICEMAN is the ninth studio album by Canadian rapper Drake. It was released by OVO Sound and Republic Records on May 15, 2026. The album serves as a follow-up to Drake's collaborative album, Some Sexy Songs 4 U; it also marks his first full-length solo release since his eighth album, For All the Dogs, and since his feud with Kendrick Lamar. The album was promoted by three singles: "What Did I Miss?", "Which One" featuring British rapper Central Cee, and "Dog House" featuring American rapper Yeat and singer Julia Wolf. Each single was preceded by a livestream on YouTube, "What <a href="https://www.last.fm/music/Drake/ICEMAN">Read more on Last.fm</a>.

"+-=÷× (Tour Collection: Live)" captures the raw energy of Ed Sheeran's live performances with a vibrant mix of acoustic and electronic elements. The production is polished yet retains an organic feel, emphasizing the warmth of guitar strumming and the crispness of layered vocal harmonies. Upbeat tempos drive tracks forward, creating an infectious energy that resonates with the audience. The instrumentation blends traditional folk sounds with subtle electronic beats, enhancing the rhythmic complexity without overshadowing the lyrical intimacy. Distinctive textures emerge through the use of looping techniques and ambient soundscapes, creating an immersive listening experience that bridges the gap between studio precision and live spontaneity.

Album: +-=÷× (Tour Collection: Live) by Ed Sheeran (2024)
Genre: Pop
Record Label: Atlantic Records UK
Format: album

Artist Background: Edward Christopher "Ed" Sheeran (born 17 February 1991) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was born in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk. He dropped out of school at 16, and moved to London the following year, in 2008, to pursue a career in music. In early 2011, Sheeran independently released the extended play, No. 5 Collaborations Project, which caught the attention of Elton John and Jamie Foxx. After signing with Asylum Records, his debut album, + (... Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Lewis Capaldi, James Arthur, Shawn Mendes, Calum Scott

Music Scene: Part of the Halifax, England music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Pop, 2020s, album, Atlantic Records UK


Album: Bad by Michael Jackson (1987)
Genre: Pop | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Quirky
Record Label: Epic
Format: Album

Description: Bad is the seventh studio album by American recording artist Michael Jackson. The album was released on August 31, 1987 by Epic/CBS Records, nearly five years after Jackson's previous studio album, Thriller, which went on to become the world's best-selling album. Bad itself has sold between 30 to 45 million copies worldwide, shipped 8 million units in the United States alone, and has been cited as one of the best selling albums of all time. The album produced five Hot 100 number ones, the first album to do so. Similar to Jackson's previous music material, the album's music features elements of R&B, pop and rock.

Bad was recorded during the first half of 1987. The lyrical themes on the record relate to paranoia, romance and self-improvement. Bad is widely regarded as having cemented Jackson's status as one of the most successful artists of the 1980s, as well as enhancing his solo career and being one of the best musical projects of his career. Nine of the eleven songs on Bad were released as singles; one was a promotional single and another was released outside of the United States and Canada. Five of the singles hit number one in the United States, while a sixth charted within the top-ten, and a seventh charted within the top-twenty on the Hot 100. The single that was released outside of the United States and Canada was commercially successful, charting within the top ten and top twenty in multiple territories. Bad peaked at number one in seven countries, as well as charting within the top twenty in other territories. The only song on the album which wasn't released as a single nor had a music video for was "Just Good Friends".

Bad saw Jackson exercise even more artistic freedom than he did with his two previous Epic releases (Off the Wall and Thriller). On Bad, Jackson composed nine of the album's eleven tracks and received co-producer credit for the entire album. The album continued Jackson's commercial success in the late 1980s and garnered six Grammy Award nominations, winning two. Aside from commercial success the album also received critical acclaim from contemporary critics. Bad was ranked number 43 in the 100 Greatest Albums of All Time of the MTV Generation in 2009 by VH1 and number 202 in Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The album marked the final collaboration between Jackson and producer Quincy Jones. In addition, Jackson scored five number ones from Bad, making him the first of only two artists in the chart's history to amass five number-one singles from one album. This feat would not be equaled for 23 years when Katy Perry did the same with her album Teenage Dream.

Artist Background: Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actor. Called the King of Pop, his contributions to music and dance, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. The eighth child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene along with his elder brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon as a member of the Jackson 5 in 1964, and began hi... Part of the Indiana, USA music scene. Emerged in the 1960s era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: The Jacksons, The Jackson 5, 3T, Janet Jackson

Music Scene: Part of the Indiana, USA music scene. Emerged in the 1960s era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Pop, Rock/Pop, Quirky, 1980s, Album, Epic

Additional Context: Sales figures: 45000000. Rating score: 7. Based on 10 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


Bad is the seventh studio album by American recording artist Michael Jackson. The album was released on August 31, 1987 by Epic/CBS Records, nearly five years after Jackson's previous studio album, Thriller, which went on to become the world's best-selling album. Bad itself has sold between 30 to 45 million copies worldwide, shipped 8 million units in the United States alone, and has been cited as one of the best selling albums of all time. The album produced five Hot 100 number ones, the first album to do so. Similar to Jackson's previous music material, the album's music features elements of R&B, pop and rock.

Bad was recorded during the first half of 1987. The lyrical themes on the record relate to paranoia, romance and self-improvement. Bad is widely regarded as having cemented Jackson's status as one of the most successful artists of the 1980s, as well as enhancing his solo career and being one of the best musical projects of his career. Nine of the eleven songs on Bad were released as singles; one was a promotional single and another was released outside of the United States and Canada. Five of the singles hit number one in the United States, while a sixth charted within the top-ten, and a seventh charted within the top-twenty on the Hot 100. The single that was released outside of the United States and Canada was commercially successful, charting within the top ten and top twenty in multiple territories. Bad peaked at number one in seven countries, as well as charting within the top twenty in other territories. The only song on the album which wasn't released as a single nor had a music video for was "Just Good Friends".

Bad saw Jackson exercise even more artistic freedom than he did with his two previous Epic releases (Off the Wall and Thriller). On Bad, Jackson composed nine of the album's eleven tracks and received co-producer credit for the entire album. The album continued Jackson's commercial success in the late 1980s and garnered six Grammy Award nominations, winning two. Aside from commercial success the album also received critical acclaim from contemporary critics. Bad was ranked number 43 in the 100 Greatest Albums of All Time of the MTV Generation in 2009 by VH1 and number 202 in Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The album marked the final collaboration between Jackson and producer Quincy Jones. In addition, Jackson scored five number ones from Bad, making him the first of only two artists in the chart's history to amass five number-one singles from one album. This feat would not be equaled for 23 years when Katy Perry did the same with her album Teenage Dream.

Album: My Mess, My Heart, My Life. by Myles Smith (2026)
Record Label: RCA
Format: Digital Media

Artist Background: Artist from GB, known for folk pop, stomp and holler

Related Artists: Alex Warren, Mark Ambor

Music Scene: Part of the Luton, England music scene. Emerged in the classic era. Associated with Singer Songwriter movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Digital Media, RCA


"Papercuts" by Linkin Park (2024) revisits the band's signature fusion of nu-metal and alternative rock, blending aggressive guitar riffs with electronic textures. The production is polished yet retains a raw edge, emphasizing dynamic contrasts between heavy, distorted sections and melodic, introspective moments. Tracks like "Faint" and "Bleed It Out" drive with relentless energy and fast tempos, while "Numb" and "In the End" balance intensity with emotive vocal lines and atmospheric synth layers. The album's soundscape is rich, with a mix of digital and organic elements creating a layered, immersive experience. Distinctive for its seamless integration of rap and rock elements, "Papercuts" captures the band's enduring ability to evoke both urgency and vulnerability.

Album: Papercuts by Linkin Park (2024)
Format: Compilation

Artist Background: Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries. Its following studio album, Meteora, continued the band's success, topping the Billboard 200 album chart in 2003, and was followed by extensive touring and charity work around the world. In 2003, MTV2 named Linkin Park the sixth-greatest band ... Part of the California, USA music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Alternative Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Mike Shinoda, Dead By Sunrise, Grey Daze, Dead Sara

Music Scene: Part of the California, USA music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Alternative Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Compilation


"You'll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1)" envelops listeners in a rich tapestry of sound, blending polished pop production with intimate acoustic elements. The album features a dynamic range of instrumentation, from shimmering synths to warm guitar strums, creating a lush backdrop that feels both expansive and personal. The tempos vary, oscillating between upbeat anthems and reflective ballads, maintaining a vibrant energy throughout. Textures are layered meticulously, with airy vocal harmonies weaving through dense bass lines and crisp percussion, giving each track a unique sonic identity. This distinctive approach to production not only enhances emotional resonance but also invites listeners to explore the intricate details within each song.

Album: You'll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1) by Alex Warren (2024)
Format: Album

Artist Background: Alexander Warren Hughes (born September 18, 2000) is an American singer, songwriter, YouTuber, and influencer. He was a founding member of the collaborative TikTok group the Hype House from 2019 to 2022. He began independently releasing music in 2021 before getting signed to Atlantic Records the following year. His 2024 single "Burning Down" from his debut EP, You'll Be Alright, Kid (2024), was his first song to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His 2025 single "Ordinary" peaked at the t... Associated with Indie Pop movement.

Related Artists: Myles Smith, Mark Ambor, Dean Lewis

Music Scene: Associated with Indie Pop movement.

Tags: 2020s, Album


Album: Live from Mexico by Dua Lipa (2026)
Record Label: Warner Records
Format: 12" Vinyl

Artist Background: Artist from GB, known for alternative pop, boogie, contemporary r&b, dance-pop, dream pop

Musical Influences: Dukagjin Lipa

Related Artists: Ava Max, Katy Perry, Silk City, Tove Lo

Music Scene: Part of the London, UK music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Indie Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, 12" Vinyl, Warner Records


Album: Greatest Hits by Pitbull (2017)
Genre: Hip-Hop | Mood: Energetic
Format: Compilation

Description: Greatest Hits album released December 1, 2017  on  Mr. 305 Inc.

Artist Background: Armando Cristian Pérez (born January 15, 1981), better known by his stage name Pitbull, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor and record producer. His first recorded performance was from the Lil Jon album Kings of Crunk in 2002. In 2004, he released his debut album titled M.I.A.M.I. (short for Money Is A Major Issue) under TVT Records. Since then, he has released three other albums under the label: El Mariel in 2006, The Boatlift in 2007, and Planet Pit in 2011. He released Rebelution in ... Part of the Miami, Florida, USA music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Hip-Hop movement. Known for Urban/R&B style.

Related Artists: Flo Rida, will.i.am, LMFAO, Far East Movement

Music Scene: Part of the Miami, Florida, USA music scene. Emerged in the 2000s era. Associated with Hip-Hop movement. Known for Urban/R&B style.

Tags: Hip-Hop, Energetic, 2010s, Compilation


Greatest Hits album released December 1, 2017  on  Mr. 305 Inc.

"Stick Season" envelops listeners in a rich tapestry of folk-pop soundscapes, characterized by its warm, organic instrumentation. The album features a blend of acoustic guitars, gentle piano melodies, and subtle strings, creating a lush backdrop that feels both intimate and expansive. The production is crisp yet earthy, allowing the natural resonance of each instrument to shine through. Kahan's vocals float effortlessly over the arrangements, imbued with a raw emotionality that enhances the lyrical depth. The tempos vary from reflective ballads to more upbeat tracks, maintaining a consistent energy that feels both grounded and uplifting. The distinctive layering of harmonies and ambient textures invites repeated listens, revealing new nuances with each spin.

Album: Stick Season by Noah Kahan (2022)
Record Label: Republic Records
Format: Album

Artist Background: Noah Kahan (born January 1, 1997) is an American singer-songwriter of folk-infused pop who signed to Republic Records in 2017. Kahan released his first single, "Young Blood" on January 27, 2017, and released four other singles over the course of 2017. His fans are known as "busyheads". Kahan made his television debut in 2018 on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert performing the single "Hurt Somebody". Kahan released his debut Extended Play (EP) carrying the same name in January 2018, including... Part of the Strafford, Vermont, U.S. music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Hozier, The Lumineers, Caamp

Music Scene: Part of the Strafford, Vermont, U.S. music scene. Emerged in the contemporary era. Associated with Pop movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2020s, Album, Republic Records


Noah Kahan’s third album, October 2022’s Stick Season, was never meant to be a full-length project. Kahan was looking to take a break from the more polished, pop-leaning writing sessions he’d been doing and found himself gravitating towards the music of his childhood. Bon Iver and James Blake were the soundtrack of his long, snowy winters in Vermont, and the term “stick season” refers to the time between autumnal splendour and the season’s first snowfall. For some, this period, with its changing leaves and trick-or-treating in New England, is idyllic. According to Kahan, it’s “super depressing”—but it was also super inspiring.

“It wasn't until I wrote the song ‘Stick Season’ after a session that I realised I was making an album,” Kahan shared with Apple Music’s Hanuman Welch. “I looked back at the rest of the tunes, and they all fit this theme about home and about isolation. Once I had three or four songs that I thought could make up an album, telling the rest of the story became very natural, and a really focused experience. I was really happy to have that narrative through line figured out early on. Those things were present before I finished, which was really nice and helpful to guide the whole process.”

Winters in New England are famously brutal. The sun vanishes, the temperatures plummet and the world slows to a crawl. Kahan is deeply familiar with this cycle of transition and rebirth, but it wasn’t until much later that he realised how deeply he was impacted by the changing of the seasons. “Every year growing up, my entire family would really, really dread winter coming,” Kahan explains. “I had the worst times in my childhood, in my life, in the wintertime. It was always something that was foreboding, and stick season, in that time between the stunning autumn in Vermont and New Hampshire, became this cold, grey, empty place.” Those experiences are the narrative thread of Stick Season, which unfolds as equal parts eulogy and exhumation—a layer-by-layer cataloguing of childhood memories, heartbreak and resentments toward the claustrophobia of small-town living.

“When I was living at home in Vermont after high school, I was super, super lonely, obviously, but also just kind of socially not developed,” he says. “And then I thought, ‘Man, I'm alone, and that's why I'm feeling all these terrible things.’ I moved to New York City and I felt just as alone there as I had in Vermont. I realised that what was going on was a lot of internal things that I needed to work out, a lot of problems that I had to work on in therapy, and also discover through writing some of the songs about this stuff. Finally, when I started singing about being alone and being out in Vermont, I felt like I could come to terms with some of those things.”

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