10 Essential Albums to Get Through Isolation

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything” (Plato) – isn’t that the truth. And as we all continue to make sense of our current reality and try to put our best foot forward, the healing power of music has never been more essential.

So if you’re looking for another playlist to add to your growing musical library, here is a suggested list of some essential albums to help get you through any mood you’re currently in. As an aside, most of these suggestions could fit multiple categories.

1. For Having a Dance Party – 24K Magic by Bruno Mars. Thirty-three minutes of just pure unadulterated fun. An eclectic mix of Pop, Soul, R&B, and Funk, Mars channeled all his musical idols to deliver a sound that was both retro yet modern, classic yet experimental. Arguably one of the best male artists out today, Bruno Mars has a way of giving you what you didn’t even know you wanted or needed. Good luck staying seated during the singles 24K Magic, Finesse, That’s What I Like… I could go on.

 

2. For Staying Calm and Easing Anxiety – Come Away With Me by Norah Jones. Seriously, I dare you to suggest a more calming musical voice than Norah Jones’. Subtle, yet powerful; listening to Norah Jones is like being wrapped in a warm blanket on a cold morning. There’s just a calm and a softness that envelopes you when listening to her music. And Come Away With Me is truly her magnum opus. Falling and being in love never sounded so good.

 

3. For Nostalgia – Legend by Bob Marley. The title of this greatest hits compilation is pretty apt. Because there really is no other word to describe what Bob Marley meant to reggae and music in general and the legacy he left behind. And whether you were alive or not during his years of success (I wasn’t), this album is a perfect representation of his musical legacy.

 

4. For Singing Along (Loudly) – 21 by Adele. Admit it, you probably already have, numerous times. I mean come on, who wasn’t singing along to every song on 21, back in 2011-2012. And yes, for anyone who’d ever had their heart broken, was going through a breakup, you probably dramatically sang along with tears streaming down your face as you reminisced about the one that got away or the asshole you hoped to never see again. So go on and let it rip once more, and belt out Someone Like You to your heart’s content.

 

5. For Introspection – To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar. Against a backdrop of various musical styles that celebrates the black tradition, i.e. Funk, Jazz, Soul, R&B, and Spoken Word, Kendrick Lamar delivered a musical masterpiece that explores the themes of race, culture, discrimination, mental health, and self-identity. Jam along to I, pump your fists to Alright or contemplate your own socially conscious journey with The Blacker the Berry. From beginning to end, every song on To Pimp a Butterfly will make you feel something, make you question your own beliefs and values and those of the world around you. Not one song on this album is filler. It’s all part of a masterfully constructed dialogue between an artist and his audience.

 

6. For An Underrated Artist – Body Talk by Robyn. Chances are you’ve probably already heard and been singing along for years, to Dancing on My Own by Robyn. It was the unofficial theme song for Girls and in 2015, Calum Scott became a worldwide sensation for his beautiful cover, which he first performed on Britain’s Got Talent. But trust me when I say, Dancing on My Own is just a tease of how incredible Robyn’s music is. Body Talk is chock-full of her signature Pop/Dance infused ballads. A mix of electro-pop, reggae-funk, you never stop moving all the while you go through a roller coaster of emotions.

 

7. For Feeling Like a BOSS – Lemonade by Beyonce. Let’s face it, is there any other choice? From “middle fingers up” to “fucking up all his shit” to pushing and keeping on no matter what because “a winner don’t quit on themselves”, Queen Bey will have you booty popping while feeling like you have the strength and power to conquer the whole damn world.

 

8. For a Classic – Purple Rain by Prince. All hail his majesty. Still one of the greatest albums of all time. Just a solid collection of pop perfection from beginning to end. What could the man not do? Singer, songwriter, musician – Prince did it all and did it all brilliantly. And Purple Rain is without question the seminal album of his illustrious career. So go on and get crazy and have a Prince Party.

 

9. For a Comeback – Fetch the Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple. For her first album in eight years, Apple delivers a collection of songs that continues down the whimsical and off the beaten path that’s been the cornerstone of her career. Listening to this album will leave you feeling confused (there are some very interesting sounds on there), amused, enchanted, and spellbound. Because no matter how weird it gets and it gets plenty weird, you can’t turn away from it.

 

10. For a Great Soundtrack – 8 Mile Soundtrack by Various Artists. I swear this is not because of Eminem’s surprise performance of Lose Yourself at this year’s Oscar ceremony – at least it’s not the sole reason. Because admittedly, that appearance reminded many, in case they’d forgotten, just how brilliant said song is. But here’s a little secret, the entire 8 Mile Soundtrack is brilliant. While Lose Yourself is understandably the standout, Eminem’s masterful wordplay and delivery in Rabbit Run and 8 Mile showcases him at his absolute best. Jay-Z’s appearance on 8 Miles and Runnin is Hov doing what Hov does best. Even the non-rap songs were amazing. So if you’re looking for a great movie soundtrack to jam to and not feeling Disney at the moment, get reacquainted with this classic.

And there you have it. Just a few musical suggestions for your next private listening party. What are some of your musical picks that you’ve been jamming to?

The Death of Music Royalty

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message ‘He is Dead’. (W.H. Auden Funeral Blues)

The entertainment world lost a legend and an icon this week when the enigmatic, seemingly other-worldly musical genius that was Prince Rogers Nelson, better known to the world as simply Prince, passed away suddenly. I don’t think there are enough words to truly surmise what a loss this is to music, entertainment and art in general and I feel almost inadequate to try. However, I have always been told that the best writers simply write what they know.

So here is what I know. When I first discovered Prince as a child, I was simultaneously mesmerized and freaked out by him. His bold and very overt displays of raw sexuality and sexual innuendos made my young pre-teen and even teenage self very uncomfortable and confused. At the same time, however, there was something so captivating and enthralling about this boldness and bravery. The fact is there was simply not a lot of guys who could wear ass-less pants, lace crop tops and goodness knows what else with such unabashed confidence, while still somehow exuding such a primal sex appeal to many women.

However, it was more than the raunchy lyrics, displays of sexuality and overt debauchery. Underneath all of the spandex, high heels and lyrics about sex were brilliant musicianship unmatched by any other artist of his generation, amazing songwriting craftsmanship, and just pure, unadulterated talent. That, at the end of the day, is truly what is being celebrated and what the world has lost – a brilliantly honest and gifted artist.

Prince was not a fad or a gimmick. He was a musical genius who by the age 19 could already play almost twenty instruments, could write and produce his entire albums on his own while also playing all of the instruments on all of the songs. He was a musician and artist in the truest form of the words and in my opinion, we don’t have many of those around today, which only makes his passing that much more profound. There will never be another like him and perhaps that’s a good thing because he was so special because he was one of a kind. It has been truly heart-warming to see the reactions to his death and just how much he was beloved the world over.

I would love to post videos of my favorite Prince songs (and in case you’re curious, while standards like Purple Rain and Kiss rank high among my favorites, one of my absolute favorites is 7 from his 1992 untitled album, which simply featured the love symbol on the cover) but as any fan knows, he actively despised most streaming services and essentially worked hard at having all his copyrighted works removed from video sharing sites like YouTube. However, I was very lucky to find one of my all-time favorite musical performances and in my opinion, the greatest Super Bowl Half-Time show. This video of Prince performing the halftime show at Super Bowl XLI in my opinion perfectly embodies everything that was amazing and special about him – superb showmanship, incredible musicianship, and excellent vocal abilities.

Because that is something I think many almost forgot or maybe took for granted, i.e. just how great a singer Prince was. There was something very soulful and guttural about his voice that captured and held you throughout a song. And it was that quality that made songs like Purple Rain and When Doves Cry soar to a sphere beyond. So as you watch this Super Bowl performance, take a moment to remember and embrace what the music world has truly lost and “celebrate this thing called life” in his honor. RIP Prince…