Sonic Suggestions For The Soul Vol. 1

Enthusiastic album recommendations from a longtime music lover and current university music student. Not striving to be overly niche (well-known artists are well-known for a reason), simply highlighting great music of all different genres. Encouraging a more humanistic avenue for the discovery of new music, because sometimes the recommendations from algorithmic streaming services can fall short. Perfect for folks stuck in a repetitive listening rut or just looking for some new tunes!

Morrison Hotel (1970) - The Doors

I’ve recently started listening to The Doors at the urging of my friend Noah, a California native. The band originated in Los Angeles but they’re unique, genre-blending sound couldn’t be defined by any one place or style. Composed of a blend of psychedelic rock, blues, and jazz with a singular sonic ambiance contributed to by the band’s use of organ, soft 60’s synths, and Jim Morrison’s haunting vocals. While a lot of the band’s hits belong to other records, Morrison Hotel is, in my opinion, the most well-rounded album that perfectly showcases the band’s sound for new listeners.

Favorite tracks: Peace Frog, Waiting for the Sun, The Spy

A Few Small Repairs (1996) - Shawn Colvin

One of my favorite contemporary folk/rock albums that also skyrocketed Shawn Colvin to the top of the music industry in 1997 with the album’s opening track “Sunny Came Home”. The hit single was massively popular and went on to win both Song Of The Year and Record Of The Year at the 40th Grammy Awards. Colvin’s incredible songwriting and lyricism are on full display here, and the full-bodied, rock-like instrumentation pumps so much energy into these tracks. Emblematic of Sarah McLachlan or the Indigo Girls with a little more country twang and chutzpah.

Favorite tracks: Sunny Came Home, Get Out Of This House, Trouble

Stereo Type A (1999) - Cibo Matto

Cibo Matto is an alternative rock band formed by Japanese-American duo Yuka Honda and Miho Hatori. Stereo Type A is the band’s second studio album, which sees their departure from indie rock to more of a hip hop sound, a sound quite unique and experimental so it doesn’t benefit from unsuccessful and fruitless attempts of categorization. Practically every track on this record has a completely different tone from the next, from boom bap hip hop, neo-soul, funk, Latin influences, and funk/rock, it all comes together to make a sonically enthralling album. The quirky voices of Honda and Hatori shine through, making the experimental album an incomparable treasure that is a blast to listen to.

Favorite tracks: Spoon, Speechless, Flowers

News of the Universe (2024) - La Luz

I had the pleasure of seeing this awesome Seattle-based indie rock band play in Brooklyn, a few months ago, while they were on tour promoting this record. Lead vocalist and guitar player Shana Cleveland founded the band in 2012 and their latest album, News of the Universe, is already a standout in their discography. It marked a clear step forward in confidence and boldness for the band’s musicality, fully embracing the haunting psychedelic surf rock genre that La Luz has come to be best known for. The album is irresistibly groovy, with wide reverb on the guitars and synth, coupled with vocal harmonies reminiscent of 50’s girl groups like The Shirelles that create their modern surf rock sound.

Favorite tracks: Poppies, Strange World, Always in Love

Do You Want More?!!!??! (1995) - The Roots

The second studio album from the Philadelphia hip hop band, The Roots, burst onto the scene in 1995, completely changing the atmosphere of hip hop and rap at a time where boom bap and g-funk were dominating the genre’s charts. The Roots’ unique blend of jazz and soul along with classic hip hop put them on the map. Their virtuosity in the craft is on full display with Do You Want More?!!!??!, my favorite album from the band’s wide discography. The masterful rapping abilities of the group’s MC, Black Thought (Tariq Trotter), shine through this record, especially on tracks “Lazy Afternoon” and “Silent Treatment”, where he opens up, painting vivid pictures of his personal life with his lyrics and rhyming. An all around quintessential, and timeless hip hop album.

Favorite tracks: Mellow My Man, Datskat, Swept Away

Listen to all the album favorites on Spotify!

Playlist created by Jane Watkins