If there's one surprising thing I did this year, it's listening to music a lot less than the previous years. Spotify made it clear to me that I spent less than 20,000 minutes listening to music. Then it hit me, the only times I played a song or an album was during chores or while bathing. Once I’m done, I turn it off—wild!
Originally intended as a top 10, I did my research and found out I mostly listen to songs, not full albums. (I'm a "if the song hits, it hits; no need to check the other album songs" kind of person. 😭)
Nevertheless, I found myself repeatedly drawn to a few albums this year, both old and new. Here are my top 5 so far:
THE HUMAN CONDITION by Jon Bellion - Crazy but this is by far my best album of all time. It holds the title of my all-time favorite. There is a thing this album does to me that’s hard to explain. I’m going to try to describe it in a way that will confuse you; The Human Condition takes me on a road trip with friends to see the most beautiful sunset while chewing on some groundnut, we accidentally drive into a hill on our way back, get pursued by an antelope, outrun the antelope, and then find a place to sit, take out the now-cold amala, and eat, all while listening to Jon Bellion.
Did I confuse you? Exactly! That was my intention. Deduce whatever you can from that confusion.
The album means so much to me. It feels like different shades of sweetener having a dance-off in my ear. I’ve listened to the album so many times that I can now blindly write down the lyrics.
Top three tracks… A tough one lol but: Hand of God - Outro, Maybe IDK, and 80’s Film.
RENAISSANCE by Beyonce - Truth be told, when this came out, I wasn’t feeling it. It took quite a while for it to grow on me or rather, for my brain to process how beautiful of an album it is. And when it did? You guys… When it did!!!! I made sure everyone knew how obsessed I was with Renaissance. Securing a spot in my top two Queen Bey works.
I call it my favorite “shower album” because I’ve grown a habit of singing to “Heated” while showering. The fusion of Afrobeat and Beyonce's sound is a beauty.
Top three tracks: Heated, Church Girl, and I’m THAT girl.
INDIGO by RM of BTS - Having a top-five list and not including FATHER would be a crime. Have you ever wondered who created Kpop? Do you sit down and ask yourself how did Kpop come about? Who was the father? I bring to you Kim Namjoon, the FATHER OF KPOP! No long talk, the people that get it, get it!
The FATHER OF KPOP released Indigo last year and that album was and, is still a masterpiece. You know that kind of album you listen to, from top to bottom without skipping a song or shuffling? This is that album! Best to say, it is my favorite album of all the solo albums released by the members. Starting an album with “fuck the trendsetter, I’ma turn back the time” and ending with “No looking back” showcases RM's exceptional artistry.
Top three tracks: Wildflower ft Youjeen, Closer ft Paul Blanco & Mahalia, and No.2 ft Parkjiyoon.
MAP OF THE SOUL 7 by BTS - It would be rude of me to do a top-five list and not include this beauty. The album that lured me into the world of BTS. If you’ve ever wanted to listen to BTS but unsure where to start, I recommend listening to this album. The variety, beauty, and artistry are exquisite. Imagine an album having THE LOUDER THAN BOMBS, UGH! DIONYSIUS, INNER CHILD, and BLACK SWAN. Personally, this album deserved a Grammy but we got haters everywhere so…
I sincerely have no more words to describe this album except that it is a beautiful masterpiece made only for golden ears sjksjksj
Top three tracks… This is tough but: Louder than bombs, Inner Child, and UGH!
HEAL by The Rose - They are a Korean alt-pop band consisting of four talented guys. This band (I’m going to call them a band because that is literally what they are, they play instruments… sjksjs) was introduced to me earlier this year when one of the band members was said to be on a song with Yoongi in his then-upcoming album (The smol cat rapper in BTS for those who don’t know) and for me to enjoy the collaboration, I felt the need to dive into the band to know what kind of music they release and behold, I was shocked.
I have this thing where I drop a tear or two when I discover good music, it’s quite unexplainable.
Every song in the album kept hitting. I spent the whole of 2023 listening to them. The reason why they topped my 2023 Spotify Wrapped. If you’ve ever listened to One Direction and loved their music then you will love The Rose.
Top three tracks: Cure, Definition of Ugly is, and Yes ft James Reid.
Now this should have been a top ten list but walahi, my head went blank at this point. There’s going to be a part two someday so no fear.
While writing this, I realized Christmas is in 48 hours—thought it was next week. Good thing; I can't wait for this year to be over.
I had plans of making my hair for Christmas but kept procrastinating thinking we still have a week to baby Jesus’ one-year birthday and now, we are literally counting hours to the 25th and I have no plans for that day, no hair, no shoe, no Christmas gown. I also plan on sleeping all through that day because babes cannot be stressed.
I miss being a child. Sigh!
I’m not feeling this Christmas but when have I ever felt Christmas?
I will be here scrolling through Twitter, watching a kdrama, or chatting with my sis all while laying on my bed and munching on that fried chicken.
Wishing you all a beautiful Christmas with lots of goodies and love and whatever. I hope you all have a better Christmas than me.
P.S, SANTA IS NOT REAL!