An early aural and lyrical manifestation of the now-common term “Black Girl Magic,” Arie’s dynamic debut formally introduced the world to a refreshing voice that empowers and endears.
Read morePete Yorn’s Debut Album ‘musicforthemorningafter’ Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective
A self-assured mélange of rock, folk, and pop, with electronic flourishes and catchy hooks throughout, Yorn’s 2001 debut LP still sounds as refreshing as ever.
Read moreBusta Rhymes’ Debut Solo Album ‘The Coming’ Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospective
Boastful and colorful with a palpably celebratory feel, Busta Rhymes’ inaugural solo album injected some much-needed fun and spirit in hip-hop of the mid ‘90s.
Read moreGorillaz’ Eponymous Debut Album ‘Gorillaz’ Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective
Side projects tend to go off the rails, but the Gorillaz universe created by Albarn and Hewlett succeeded because they developed an immersive experience to go along with the music.
Read moreJosh Ritter’s ‘The Animal Years’ Turns 15 | Anniversary Retrospective
With his ruminations on love and war, Ritter’s fourth studio affair asks us to remember the human, even when humanity feels corrupt.
Read morePrince’s ‘3121' Turns 15 | Anniversary Retrospective
A more cohesive and self-assured album than its precursor ‘Musicology’ (2004), ‘3121’ is Prince comfortable in his heels with nothing to prove, and well and truly in love with the groove.
Read moreLeonard Cohen’s ‘Songs of Love and Hate’ Turns 50 | Anniversary Retrospective
The music on Cohen’s third studio affair never overpowers the lyrics, and that's a large part of what makes it a great album.
Read moreAnita Baker’s ‘Rapture’ Turns 35 | Anniversary Retrospective
The elegantly crafted ‘Rapture’ remains Baker’s finest of many fine moments in her legendary career, largely due to one key element: the passion of her unforgettable voice.
Read moreMarvin Gaye’s ‘I Want You’ Turns 45 | Anniversary Retrospective
With all of the personal turmoil swirling around him at the time of the album’s creation, it’s a miracle that it even came to pass and a testament to Gaye’s genius.
Read moreKIϟϟ’s ‘Destroyer’ Turns 45 | Anniversary Retrospective
Part concept album, part swinging for the fences, ‘Destroyer’ is an album of epic proportions that blew the mind of our author when he first heard it.
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