ALBUM

Six RAZZ writers share their ‘no-skips’ albums: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn

Hill

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill has been a staple in my music rotation since my youth, and with its blend of soul, reggae, hip-hop, and R&B, the album’s musicality is unmatched. To say the album explores all aspects of life is an understatement. Its powerful themes of identity, love and social justice are what keep me coming back.

Released in 2006, Back to Black was driven by Winehouse’s struggles with addiction and a series of turbulent romantic entanglements, yet the album doesn’t leave its listener in complete despair. Her melancholy lyricism is accompanied by an upbeat Motown tempo, most notably in ‘He Can Only Hold Her’and the album’s fourth single, ‘Tears Dry on Their Own’.

‘The highly acclaimed record has paved the way for a wave of female soul in the UK music industry’

From the hard-hitting lines of ‘Lost Ones’ to the heart-wrenching heartbreak ballad of ‘Ex-Factor’, her versatility is what makes her one of the greatest artists of all time in my eyes. Despite its age, it never fails to be relatable. Hill uses her album title as a metaphor for her own life and experiences, as she reflects on her upbringing and the short fallings of society. Her honesty and empowering lyrics continue to resonate with audiences, making this album a must-listen for any one who appreciates great music and meaningful messages. Beyond its musicality, it’s also remembered for its social and cultural impact, being the first hip hop album to win ‘Album of the Year’ at the Grammys. It’s because of this that it is a ‘no skips’ album that I’ll keep on repeating for years to come.

by Sylvia Hanlon

Back to Black by Amy Wine house

In the age of Spotify and Apple Music, it is not often that I will listen to an album in its chronological entirety. Yet, thinking back on the landmark records of my childhood, the one that sticks out most vehemently is Amy Wine house’s best-selling album Back to Black. Listening to the record again in my second year of university, the second (and final) album in Amy Winehouse’s discography still holds the coveted position of a ‘no skips’ album in my mind.

The 35-minute record navigates moments of infidelity, heartbreak, and guilt soundtracked to a bluesy instrumental.

The highly acclaimed record has paved the way for a wave of female soul in the UK music industry, inspiring artists like Adele and Florence and the Machine. I would urge you to listen to it from start to finish to fully experience what, in my opinion, is one of the few ‘no skips’ albums of the contemporary music scene. by

Maya Fernandes

Love Ire and Song by Frank Turner

If I had to choose a record which runs as a clear string between my childhood and student self, it would be 2008’s Love Ire and Song by Frank Turner. As the sophomore album of an ex-punk singer songwriter, largely concerned with the loss of adolescence, multiple failed relationships, and political fatigue, it was perhaps a strange stand-out for a quiet primary school girl. But at its heart, Love Ire and Song is about caring deeply about friends, feeling old before your time, rejecting monotony and cynicism, and embracing the messiness of life and love.

‘It still feels to me like a glimmering shot of hope and romanticism’

It still feels to me like a glimmering shot of hope and romanticism, which leaves me energised and a little more ready to go out and face the world with pride in my own creativity and sensitivity. A complex and powerful love letter to the ups and downs of young adulthood, I am grateful that this was part of the soundtrack to my childhood, but I’m even more glad that I have it to turn to as I enter my

Indigo Maynard Watts

Choose Your Weapon by Hiatus

An album that I have kept coming back to since my friend Dylan shared it with me in 2016 is Choose Your Weapon The second studio album by Australian neo-soul quartet Hiatus Kiyote, this album is an underrated musical masterpiece. I have listened to the liquifying tracks on numerous Sunday mornings, yet it never seems to lose its charm.

‘It never seems to lose its charm.’

I solve a new lyrical riddle with each hit of the play button and notice a new layer of tone with every listen too. Choose Your Weapon oscillates smoothly between various time signatures, musical genres, and tones- it’s gripping, relaxing, and exciting all at once. It’s a ‘no skips’ album for me and possibly the greatest music recommendation I’ve ever received. Thanks, Dylan.

by Manon Martini

Dear Annie by Rejjie Snow

Compared to the dark clouds of my assessments and essays, Rejjie Snow’s Dear Annie feels like a ray of sunshine. Whilst fusing pop, funk and disco elements, the Irish rapper colours every song with lyrics inspired by some of rap’s greatest acts, such as N.E.R.D and Tyler, The Creator. As a result, Dear Annie feels like the ultimate cure for midweek blues or hungover moods.

‘Dear Annie feels like a ray of sunshine.’

What’s endearing about this album is that Snow doesn’t take himself too seriously (as seen in the lyrics of ‘Charlie Brown’). He opens the album with ‘Hello’, a chorus of singing voices which melts into a pool of high-hits, saxophone and synthetic sounds. It sets the whole tone of the album: eclectic, a little messy but so much fun to listen to. Dear Annie reminds you to have a good time, to enjoy yourself and seek out the sunshine.

And it’s why I will always press ‘repeat’. by Amy Clarke

The Love Umbrella by Grady

“To all our beautiful listeners across the globe, we’d like to say welcome and thank you for joining us here on The Love Umbrella.”

The album starts and listeners are first introduced to ‘The Love Umbrella’ radio station; Grady’s character is told to be just arriving and the electric and eclectic show is about to begin…

The 2021 electric-pop album follows the story of fictional Grady on a journey through love with his romantic interest, Jade. The Love Umbrella takes the form of a radio interview, in which short discussions with Grady’s fictional character integrate the tracks. Each song tells a story that complements the overarching narrative of the experiences of love. Grady’s unique style as an artistic storyteller exudes through every aspect of the album.

‘Grady’s unique style as an artistic stroyteller exudes through every aspect of the album.’

Listeners will lose themselves in slowed mellow moments with songs like ‘Javelin’ or have their foot tapping with the more upbeat rhythm of songs like ‘Quality Time’. Whilst every song is nuanced with tonal differences, they seamlessly follow with the end of each song beginning the next track to make the entire album feel like one immersive song.

This is the perfect no-skip album that you are bound to lose yourself in.

by Jessie Fairclough

Images from bendonson.com