The music albums I love have mirrored something—a sound, a feeling, a mood, a story—that I had experienced at some point in my life. In descending chronological order of their release date, my favorite albums are:
2025: Lady Gaga — Mayhem
A victory lap for Gaga. A fun, confident, and mature record. Gaga’s powerhouse vocals were much needed after years of everyone else doing cursive singing and whisper pop.
2024: TDJ — SPF INFINI: GENESIS
A beautiful and bold mix of trance music that feels ecstatic, melancholic, playful, serious, accessible, and esoteric, all at the same time. It’s an ambitious project with a grand vision and it most definitely delivers on its promise.
2024: St. Vincent — All Born Screaming
Took me a bit to get into the album on first listen, mostly because there were so many genres and moods to parse through. But, as is the case with every St. Vincent album for me, at some point it all just clicked, and I fell in love with the record. I also saw her live shortly after the album’s release; the album is even more magnificent live.
2024: fabric presents Shygirl
An outstanding DJ mix. Every track is indispensable, there is a clear narrative woven throughout the set, and there is so much great club and pop music to discover in Shygirl’s curation. My anthem record of Spring 2024.
2023: Róisín Murphy – Hit Parade
Róisín Murphy’s most bizarre and most cohesive record. It’s catchy and frightening and hilarious all at once. The art direction is also top-notch, especially for the vinyl release of the album.
2022: Rosalía – Motomami
Absolutely genre-bending, Motomami proves that Rosalía is an artist who is defiantly bridging together the mainstream facets of reggaeton music and underground elements of electronic, experimental, and hip-hop music. The world tour for the album was an experience as well.
2021: Nicki Minaj – Beam Me Up Scotty
I never understood the point of reissues until this record. I became a Nicki fan in the early 2010s, so I missed her beginnings when she put out mixtapes, including Beam Me Up Scotty. Discovering her early stuff, more than a decade later, through a reissue felt like the best present a fan could ask for.
2020: Rina Sawayama – Sawayama
Took me some time to fully get into the wide spectrum of genres of this album, but once I gave it time, Sawayama truly stood out as one of the most brilliant debut pop albums.
2020: Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia
Dua Lipa’s debut album didn’t do much for me, but this masterpiece made me truly respect her as an artist and performer. Fantastic pop album.
2020: Lady Gaga – Chromatica
At first, I didn’t enjoy this album at all, but after it was accidentally stuck on repeat while I was working, something clicked, and I fell in love with it. Sonically, it’s Gaga’s most cohesive and consistent album, and her songwriting skills have notably improved on this record.
2019: Minimal Violence – In Dreams
High-energy, cyberpunk-inspired techno that’s incredibly melodic and catchy despite coming from a very underground, niche scene. It’s not often that I can listen to a high-bpm album in its entirety and not feel exhausted, but this record doesn’t get tiring at all. I saw them live at San Francisco’s RS94109 and they absolutely owned the (improvised) dance floor.
2019: Fatima Al Qadiri – Atlantics
What an incredible soundtrack to a beautiful movie. Sparse, haunting, and mystical fusion of electronic and ambient music. I love listening to this album before sleep.
2019: Ariana Grande – thank u, next
I was not a fan of Grande before this album, but this record completely changed my opinion of her as an artist. It’s a raw, witty, and catchy album that seamlessly blends R&B, pop, and trap in a way that makes Ariana Grande sound completely original.
2019: Little Simz – Grey Area
Such a powerful and impressive album. I love the production, the writing, her flow, and her effortless enunciation. And it’s fun; despite the heavy topics it covers, the record is not tiring at all.
2018: SOPHIE – Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides
A visionary album. It stretched my taste in a new direction and showed me that music can feel tactile, which was mind-blowing to me.
2018: Marie Davidson – Working Class Woman
Chillingly seductive, Working Class Woman explores the omnipresent issues of workaholism and loneliness through infectious yet thought-provoking dance music.
2018. Planningtorock – Powerhouse
An excellent dance record. This is Rostron at their finest, creating music that feels like both a soundtrack for fashion shows and a DJ set played at obscure after parties in the depths of the club.
2018. Robyn – Honey
Sparse and sensual, Honey is as despondent as it is hopeful, revealing an unseen and memorable side of the Swedish pop diva through hypnotic dance music.
2018. Nicki Minaj – Queen
This album would have been perfect if it had been cut to 13 or 14 tracks total (How did anyone think “Chun Swae” was worth including?!). That said, when Nicki delivers on this record, she delivers. I mean, who will ever top “Barbie Dreams”?
2018: Aya Nakamura – Nakamura
I remember first hearing the hit-single “Djadja” and thinking it was probably a one-hit wonder from an unknown artist, but I quickly discovered that Aya Nakamura was one of the most refreshing additions to the European pop music scene. This is a highly cohesive album with a brilliant blend of afropop, dance, and R&B music.
2017: Bicep – Bicep
An incredible album to play on rainy days or when feeling introspective. I discovered it during the COVID-19 pandemic while staying with my parents in Europe during gloomy and cold December. Seeing the duo perform live after the pandemic was also a great experience.
2017: Fever Ray – Plunge
I don’t think I was emotionally mature enough to understand this album when it first came out, so I found it too brash initially. I’ve grown to love it a few years later and see it in a completely different light now.
2017: The Chats – Get This in Ya!!
Fifteen minutes of punk at its best. Hilarious and perfect for any time I need a pick-me-up.
2017: St. Vincent – Masseduction
Although somewhat inferior in overarching theme and content compared to her other records, this album grew on me with time, and certainly served as a foundation for an unforgettable concert.
2017: Lorde – Melodrama
As the title suggests, melodramatic party music that thrives on subtleties in production and songwriting, Lorde’s Melodrama is an album that proves the magnanimous talent of this young singer-songwriter.
2017: Nipplepeople – Singles
Croatian retro-futuristic electro-pop at its best. A lot can be said about this sublime collection of nostalgic dance tracks, but this article from PopMatters sums it up well.
2016: Junior Boys – Big Black Coat
I always enjoy listening to this one, especially as background music. None of the tracks stand out as superb on their own, but as a collection of songs, it’s a very cohesive record. Read more here.
2016: Christine and the Queens – Christine and the Queens
A brilliant pop album that truly shines in live format. Read more here.
2015: Grimes – Art Angels
By far her most accessible record that is as ridiculous as brilliant, Art Angels introduces a form of pop music that is hard to describe: cheeky yet aggressive, and somber yet ecstatic. It is an album that can easily go unappreciated if not given enough time.
2015: Róisín Murphy – Hairless Toys
Subdued theatricality, overt playfulness, and lovable weirdness, all packaged in one—that’s Hairless Toys. Aside from Overpowered, I think this is Murphy’s most cohesive album.
2015: Peaches – Rub
Peaches always produces albums filled with hardcore, grungy bangers, but I find Rub to be the most cohesive record in her discography. I also love that it incorporates more punk and rock elements than her previous, mostly electroclash albums. “Pickles” and “Sick in the Head” are my favorite two tracks on this.
2014: St. Vincent – St. Vincent
An energizing record, and one of my favorite listens for springtime. Fun, strange music that gets even better in live setting.
2014: tUnE yArDs – Nikki Nack
Experimental, groovy, and funky, with Garbus’ incredible songwriting, Nikki Nack is a mesmerizing listening experience, which might be burdensome at first but gratifying later on. “Real Thing” is an absolute gem.
2014: Hercules & Love Affair – The Feast of the Broken Heart
Guaranteed to bring the crowds to the dancefloors, The Feast of the Broken Heart is a superb collection of house and disco gems that do not stand out as singles but mesh well into an uplifting, modern dance record.
2014: Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint
I was always a Nicki Minaj fan, but I definitely slept on this album. It wasn’t until 2020 that I listened to it in its entirety and saw what a brilliant piece of hip-hop music this record was. I do think it would have been an even bigger commercial and critical success had a few songs toward the end of the album been cut off.
2013: Julia Holter – Loud City Song
Experimental, celestial, and extraordinarily beautiful, Loud City Song is a record full of subtleties that demand full attention and make for a rewarding listening experience. Read more here.
2013: Rhye – Woman
Slow and appeasing, Woman is a record imbued with subtlety, unspoken words, and striking melodies. The magic is further accentuated by Milosh’s androgynous vocals.
2013: Arca – &&&&&
When this mixtape came out, I was deep into my hipster art-rock-R&B phase, so it actually took me four years until I finally came around and started listening to Arca in 2017. I remember reading a review that described the music on &&&&& as being lost in a big city and I couldn’t think of a more perfect description. It’s dark, playful, and somehow comforting, all at the same time.
2013: iamamiwhoami – bounty
This album can only be appreciated if one sees all the music videos because they make the listening experience undoubtedly fun and bizarre. Read more here.
2013: Janelle Monáe – The Electric Lady
Not as innovative and extraordinary as its 2010 predecessor, but still a superb album. Read more here.
2013: Jessy Lanza – Pull My Hair Back
Such a wonderful blend of R&B and electronic music, and exactly the type of uplifting music needed for slow and lazy weekends.
2013: Nils Frahm – Spaces
A contemplative record with a charming sense of dejection, Spaces is the go-to album for hazy, rainy days.
2012: Grimes – Visions
Although the production on this album is admittedly inferior to that of Grimes’ later work, I find Visions to be her most enigmatic and otherworldly record. “Vowels = space and time” is perhaps the best example of this.
2012: Soap&Skin – Narrow
The sophomore follow-up, inspired by the death of Plaschg’s father, is not as accessible as the dark chanteuse’s debut album, but gives rise to tracks that explore new levels of emotional maturity. The German-sung opener “Vater” is one of the most beautiful poems about loss and grief.
2011: Florence + the Machine – Ceremonials
The coupling of dark lyrics with poppy ecclesiastical music ultimately makes Ceremonials a romantic record about loneliness and nostalgia. Incredibly atmospheric and captivating.
2011: Zola Jesus – Conatus
A haunting dance record, Conatus thrives at the junction of Danilova’s heart-stopping vocals, lingering romanticism, and macabre yet alluring undertones. And her live performance is even more incredible.
2011: Lady Gaga – Born This Way
Even after a full decade, this album stands as one of the most forward-thinking pop albums. Switching from rock and pop to electronic and operatic, Born This Way is such a wonderfully theatrical record. Scheiße remains my favorite track, and I still think that whoever designed the album cover did major disservice to Gaga.
2011: Planningtorock – W
More bizarre and introspective than its predecessor, W challenges the listener on every level by delivering the unexpected: unsettling and borderline irksome vocals, saxophone-driven basslines, and majestic orchestral melodies. And, yet, despite these discordant features, the end product is inexplicably unified into a captivating record about love and self-exploration. I met Jam Rostron in 2014, and it was such a great experience.
2011: GusGus – Arabian Horse
Hypnotic and melancholic, Arabian Horse is my favorite album from GusGus. It is at its best when it’s listened to in its entirety (or heard in a live setting).
2011: PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
Graphic, satirical, and overtly political, Let England Shake is a record that manages to seamlessly blend music across different genres and topics without sounding pretentious or immature. “The Words That Maketh Murder” warrants a listen from everyone.
2010: Janelle Monáe – The ArchAndroid
A genre-defying cinematic experience that often feels like an extraterrestrial James Bond soundtrack, The ArchAndroid is, without any doubt, a must-have album.
2010: Kelis – Flesh Tone
It’s a shame most people are unaware of this brilliant album that brings together elements of EDM, disco, house, electroclash, and pop music. I think the sound was too progressive for US charts, which is why it remains a widely underappreciated record.
2010: Jazmine Sullivan – Love Me Back
Sleek R&B record that bridges all eras of this genre into a powerful and heartfelt musical memoir.
2009: Fever Ray – Fever Ray
Far from being an uplifting album, Fever Ray somehow still manages to create a soothing and tranquilizing atmosphere. A very dark and yet very comforting record.
2009: Soap&Skin – Lovetune for Vacuum
Dark, tragic, and yet equally romantic, Lovetune for Vacuum is an engrossing album about love and loneliness. Highly introspective music that’s not suited for all occasions, but a rewarding listen for those who give it a try.
2009: Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz!
Fusing Bowiesque glam-rock with the band’s traditional dance-punk style, It’s Blitz! succeeds at sounding retro and contemporary at the same time. A fun and catchy record.
2009: The xx – xx
I distinctly remember discovering this album in the summer of 2009. I would sit in my room, listening to the songs on this record and refusing to go outside, and continuously fall in love with the production’s softness and minimalism. I didn’t go on to become a huge fan of the band, but this album has a special place in my heart.
2009: Lady Gaga – The Fame Monster
When this EP dropped, that’s when I realized Gaga was something different. Kooky, grotesque, and sexy, this record—in my opinion at least—made it cool in mainstream culture to be weird. And what a monumental moment that was for many of us.
2009: Vuk – The Plains
This has to be one of the most underappreciated albums of all time. Ecstatic, romantic, terrifying, and idyllic, The Plains is an example of a harmonic masterpiece. It’s unfortunate that the album is mostly not available for purchase anywhere.
2009: Quadron – Quadron
Soulful Danish electronic record, and an essential component of downtempo dance music for quieter and calmer days.
2009: Bat for Lashes – Two Suns
Mysteriously and subtly carrying the medieval sounds from Fur and Gold, Two Suns is a fable-like auditory experience that sounds best during rainy days and quiet summer nights.
2009: Dino Dvornik – The Ultimate Collection
Although unknown to the global public, this collection by the Croatian king of funk is one of the finest dance records out there.
2009: Lily Allen – It’s Not Me, It’s You
This record is probably one of the best time capsules of the 2000s. Lily Allen at her best.
2008: Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part One (4th World War)
Quirky and, at times, a challenging listen, New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) is by all means a thought-provoking and ominously entertaining work.
2008: Sia – Some People Have Real Problems
Such an underappreciated album from the fantastic Sia, long before she found worldwide fame. There isn’t a single song on this album that would reach the success of her chart-topping singles today, but the tracks are unequivocally more emotional, personal, and absorbing. “Beautiful Calm Driving” remains my favorite.
2007: Róisín Murphy – Overpowered
Just like the brilliantly designed covers of the album and its singles showcase lavishly dressed Murphy in mundane situations, this record gives rise to eccentric, chic dance tracks in a world of repetitive pop music. Plus, banjo-powered lead track in live setting is simply unbeatable.
2007: M.I.A. – Kala
The oddball of dance music, Kala is not an easily defined album, which makes it all the more entertaining. Less cohesive then Arular, but nonetheless a fantastic piece of music. I do wish though “Big Branch” made the cut on this album and did not end up a B-side track, because it is an absolute masterpiece.
2007: Amy Winehouse – I Told You I Was Trouble: Live in London
My favorite live performance of hers that brings together her original work from both Frank and Back to Black, together with some wonderful covers, from “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and “Valerie” to “Hey Little Rich Girl” and “Monkey Man.” An hour-long video album that shows Amy Winehouse at her best. Read more here.
2007: Jinx – Retro Plus
Another fine work of modern Croatian music. From bossa nova and soul to pop and rock, this album always reminds me of childhood days spent on the Adriatic coast.
2006: The Knife – Silent Shout
Like all The Knife records, this one requires willingness to enjoy the bizarre and unpleasant, but the tracks on this album are infectiously catchy, which makes the listening experience unexpectedly enjoyable.
2006: Planningtorock – Have It All
A catchy baroque and chamber pop record that injects beauty into unpleasant and oftentimes absurd production, Have It All is an album that takes a while to get into, but once it is explored in its entirety, it does not cease to entice. Read more here.
2005: Robyn – Robyn
Although Body Talk might have been the record that catapulted her into the skies, this eponymous album will always remain the emblem of her exceptional ability to deliver smooth and everlasting pop music.
2005: M.I.A. – Arular
Hearing this album as a teenager was such a transformative experience for me, realizing that dance music can be so weird, goofy, and political. Not a single track on this album is mediocre.
2005: Fiona Apple – Extraordinary Machine
Bolstered by raw and witty lyrics with incredibly polished instrumentation and vocals, this record is the anti-hero of pop music.
2004: Yammat – Plan B
Another favorite of mine from the Croatian music scene. Fantastic production, polished songwriting, and a wonderful electronic record.
2003: Moloko – Statues
Beautifully executed, both organically and electronically, Statues delivers excellent offbeat dance music. “Forever More” and “I Want You” sound avantgarde even after a decade.
2003: Britney Spears – In the Zone
One of the best, and probably most important, pop albums. Some of the tracks on this record, like “Breathe on Me”, were so ahead of their time and I really believe they were the foundation for much of the soft, whisper-pop music we saw roar in the 2010s.
2001: Björk – Vespertine
Layered with so many sonic subtleties, Vespertine is undoubtedly one of my favorite winter albums; perfect for introspective nights.
1998: Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
This iconic album does not need much description. Eclectic, raw, and, above all, inspiring.
1997: Björk – Homogenic
Even today, this album sounds ahead of its time. I love how boldly mysterious it sounds, almost alien-like.
1994: ET – Second to None
Croatian eurodance at its finest. I doubt that anything can beat their cover of ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You.’
1985: Grace Jones – Island Life
A defiant record that shows loud beats need not be an essential component of dance music. Subdued and iconic, Island Life is the perfect summer album.