Welcome to the first installment of a new series I’m starting, My Favourites Collection. In each part, I will be sharing a list of my all-time favourites; from movies, to books, to TV shows. In this first post, I’ll be sharing my all-time favourite albums. Music is a huge part of my life. There are so many albums that have a special place in my heart and have been the soundtrack to specific moments and milestones in my life. So here is the collection of my favourite albums (disclaimer: this list isn’t in any particular order from favourite to least favourite nor is it a definite list, it is very likely to change at any given moment).
Feel free to leave a comment telling me how many albums on my list you also love, or tell me some of your own favourite albums. I’d love to get some recommendations!
Honourable Mentions:
don’t smile at me (Billie Eilish, 2017)
Superache (Conan Gray, 2022)
Did you know that there’s a tunnel under ocean blvd (Lana Del Rey, 2023)
Born to Die (Lana Del Rey, 2012)
five seconds flat (Lizzy McAlpine, 2022)
Faith in the Future (Louis Tomlinson, 2022)
Rae (Ashe, 2022)
eternal sunshine (Ariana Grande, 2024)
COWBOY CARTER (Beyonce, 2024)
How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last? (Big Red Machine, 2021)
Hamilton
The Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton, 2015
This whole musical really is so special to me. I first listened to the soundtrack in its entirety in 2019, and I became completely obsessed with it. It’s ridiculous how much I listened to this album; I truly played it non-stop (yes, that was a pun). In 2020, the long-awaited film came out a week before my birthday; a film I have now watched over 10 times. In 2022, I got the opportunity to see the show live in Melbourne and it was one of the most memorable days of my life. As an English major, it’s no wonder why I’ve always been so in love with these songs- the brilliant storytelling, intricate wordplay, and complex rhyme schemes could be endlessly discussed and analysed.
Standout Tracks: My Shot, Burn, Satisfied, Wait for it, Yorktown, Non-Stop, The Room Where it Happens, Alexander Hamilton, Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story, The World Was Wide Enough
Favourite Lyric: “Life doesn’t discriminate between the sinners and the saints; it takes, and it takes, and it takes.”
Reputation
Taylor Swift, 2017
This is, without a doubt, my favourite Taylor Swift album. Mere words cannot describe how much I love and adore this record. I still so vividly remember its release roll-out. I remember being 12 and listening to the album for the first time on my friend’s CD player, and then going out the next day and buying my own Reputation CD from Target. I remember being 13 and crushed that no one would take me to the Reputation Stadium Tour. I not only love the songs on this record, I love the story behind it. How she played into the narrative the media had been pushing on her for years of being a manipulative, calculated villain. How she embraced her labelling as a snake and made it part of her brand. How on the surface this appears to be an angry revenge album, but once you sit with it, you realise it’s actually about finding love in the middle of a storm. There are so many layers to this album, and that is why I love it as much as I do. I legitimately don’t think I will survive Reputation (Taylor’s Version).
Standout Tracks: Call it What You Want, I Did Something Bad, Delicate, Look What You Made Me Do, Dancing With Our Hands Tied, Don’t Blame Me, This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things, Gorgeous, Getaway Car, Ready for it…?
Favourite Lyric: “My reputation’s never been worse so you must like me for me.”
Lover
Taylor Swift, 2019
I am Lover’s #1 defender. It does not deserve all of the hate it gets. This album just makes me feel happy; I can’t even fully articulate why. The production is so airy and light, and many of my favourite Taylor Swift songs belong to this album. And yes, this album is also messy, both lyrically and in track-listing, but its messiness is part of what I love about it. I will forever be disappointed this album cycle got cut short because of the pandemic, but I’m glad it got its time to shine on the Eras Tour. There may be a lot of Swifties out there who don’t appreciate the beauty of Lover, but that’s okay, because I can appreciate it enough for everyone.
Standout Tracks: Cornelia Street, The Archer, Cruel Summer, Death by a Thousand Cuts, Afterglow, Daylight, False God, Soon You’ll Get Better
Favourite Lyric: “I love you, ain’t that the worst thing you ever heard?”
folklore
Taylor Swift, 2020
I am not being dramatic when I say this album changed my life. I still remember the chaos when she announced it. I happened to be staying up late for One Direction’s 10 year anniversary, and it was around 1am where I live when I stumbled across the announcement. I sat in shock for about five minutes. This album perfectly captures the essence of the year that was 2020, yet at the same time, it is simply timeless. There are specific albums that I strongly associate with certain time periods of my life, and this is one of those albums. Every time I listen to it, suddenly I’m 15 again.
Standout Tracks: cardigan, peace, my tears ricochet, the 1, seven, this is me trying, the lakes, mad woman, illicit affairs
Favourite Lyric: “Take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die. I don’t belong, but my beloved, neither do you.”
Melodrama
Lorde, 2017
When I first listened to this album, I thought there was no way it was going to be as good as everyone makes it out to be. I had heard only the highest praise for this record, so I went into it with a raised bar, and it still exceeded my expectations. Listening to this album for the first time was such a surreal experience because it was unlike anything I had ever listened to before. It’s so experimental and cathartic. This is undoubtedly Lorde’s magnum opus. People don’t refer to it as one of the pop bibles for no reason.
Standout Tracks: Liability, Green Light, Hard Feelings/Loveless, Sober II (Melodrama), Sober, Perfect Places, Writer in the Dark
Favourite Lyric: “I’m at Jungle City, it’s late, and this song is for you.”
SOUR
Olivia Rodrigo, 2021
I am someone who can say I was aware of who Olivia Rodrigo was before drivers license. I watched her when she was on the Disney Channel show Bizaardvark and when she was on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. I remember drivers license taking the world by storm; I would go as far as to say it was the song of 2021. What impresses me the most about this album is the lyricism, especially considering Olivia was only 17 when she wrote most of the songs. Not to mention this album is filled with so much teenage angst and I love it.
Standout Tracks: jealousy, jealousy, brutal, drivers license, traitor, enough for you, deja vu, favourite crime, happier
Favourite Lyric: “I’m so sick of 17, where’s my fucking teenage dream?”
GUTS
Olivia Rodrigo, 2023
After how good SOUR was, I was admittedly a little worried that Olivia would fall into the trap of the sophomore slump, but I’ll be damned, she came back with something even better. This is just such a good album; Olivia is someone who knows how to blend pop and rock together perfectly. In a way, GUTS almost feels like a continuation of SOUR, and I mean that in the best way possible. I like that she didn’t feel the need to reinvent herself just for the sake of reinvention, and instead chose to focus on building her identity as an artist. I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Standout Tracks: all-american bitch, obsessed, get him back!, ballad of a homeschooled girl, vampire, making the bed, love is embarrassing, lacy, the grudge, so american, teenage dream, pretty isn’t pretty
Favourite Lyric: “I broke a glass, I tripped and fell, told secrets I shouldn’t tell. I stumbled over all my words. I made it weird, I made it worse.”
evermore
Taylor Swift, 2020
The last thing I was expecting Taylor to do after releasing folklore was release another album only five months later. evermore may be folklore’s sister album, but it doesn’t deserve to be overshadowed. It’s just as strong lyrically, sonically, and storytelling wise. I definitely think this is one of Taylor’s darker albums thematically; which fits in with the idea of her walking further into the metaphorical woods after folklore to create this album. Taylor may not appreciate this album as much as it deserves to be appreciated, but her fans definitely do.
Standout Tracks: right where you left me, cowboy like me, champagne problems, happiness, no body, no crime, evermore, tolerate it, gold rush
Favourite Lyric: “Forever is the sweetest con.”
THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT: THE ANTHOLOGY
Taylor Swift, 2024
This is a spectacular album, and I will die on that hill. It’s a lyrically dense, lore-heavy album, and maybe that’s why so many casual listeners and music critics are having such a hard time with it, but as a lyrics-obsessed long-time fan, I am absolutely loving this project. I think it’s easily her most vulnerable and honest album. It’s up there as one of her most layered albums too. And, unlike most people, I don’t think it’s too long either. I am being completely honest when I say I genuinely enjoy all 31 songs. Mark my words: this album will age like fine wine.
Standout Tracks: I Hate it Here, So Long, London, How Did it End?, Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?, The Prophecy, The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, Fortnight, The Tortured Poets Department, Down Bad, Guilty as Sin?, I Can Do it With a Broken Heart, The Black Dog, Peter, Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus, Fresh Out the Slammer, I Look in People’s Windows (yes I know that’s over half the album, sue me)
Favourite Lyric: “I hate it here so I will go to secret gardens in my mind, people need a key to get to, the only one is mine.”
Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)
Taylor Swift, 2010/2023
This album is so, so, so very special to me. It’s by no means one of Taylor’s most well-known albums, nor does it contain any of her mega hits, but it’s a fan favourite, and for good reason. There’s just something so magical about this album. The songwriting is immaculate; it’s so impressive that she wrote every song by herself with no co-writers at 19 years old. I would for sure label this the hidden gem of Taylor Swift’s discography.
Standout Tracks: Dear John, Last Kiss, Haunted, Long Live, Castles Crumbling, Mean, Enchanted, Better Than Revenge, Never Grow Up, Sparks Fly
Favourite Lyric: “All the girls that you’ve run dry have tired, lifeless eyes, ‘cause you burned them out. But I took your matches before fire could catch me, so don’t look now. I’m shining like fireworks over your sad empty town.”
SIX: The Musical
The Original Cast of SIX, 2018
I listened to this soundtrack for the first time in 2020 and became absolutely obsessed with it. On paper, a musical about the six wives of King Henry VIII forming a pop band sounds like a terrible elevator pitch, but it works. There’s only one word I can use to describe this musical, and it’s camp. It’s camp and it’s fun, but there’s also serious moments. I love the underlying themes of feminism throughout the songs; Catherine Parr’s solo song gives me goosebumps every time. Even though this is a fun, quirky musical, those six women each had it rough, and this musical doesn’t try to downplay that at all.
Standout Tracks: I Don’t Need Your Love, Ex-Wives, Six, Get Down, No Way, Don’t Lose Ur Head, All You Wanna Do, MegaSix
Favourite Lyric: “That’s not my story. There’s so much more, remember that I was a writer. I wrote books and psalms and meditations. Fought for female education, so all my women could independently study scripture. I even got a woman to paint my picture.”
Harry Styles
Harry Styles, 2017
I’m gonna say what everyone’s afraid to say: this album proved to me that One Direction was holding Harry Styles back artistically. And, unpopular opinion: this album is better than Fine Line and Harry’s House. I know I am in the tiny minority that thinks that, but my mind cannot be changed. This album is such a vibe. I love how acoustic it is; the instrumentation is mostly just guitar, piano, and percussion. This was when Harry’s lyricism was at its strongest as well, in my opinion. This is such an underrated record.
Standout Tracks: Two Ghosts, Carolina, From the Dining Table, Ever Since New York, Only Angel, Kiwi
Favourite Lyric: “Comfortable silence is so overrated.”
In The Heights
Film Cast of In The Heights, 2021
Lin Manuel Miranda’s first musical. I was late to this; I only listened to most of the songs when the film adaptation came out in 2021. I actually like the soundtrack more than I like the actual movie. I’m just obsessed with the way Lin Manuel Miranda tells stories through music. While Hamilton merges both hip-hop and Broadway, this musical more so merges Broadway and Latin-pop, but still simultaneously with influences of hip-hop. I will never understand how that man gets away with mashing as many genres as he does. This musical deserves just as much love as Hamilton gets; there are multiple songs on the same level of greatness.
Standout Tracks: Paciencia Y Fe, In The Heights, Carnaval Del Barrio, 96,000, Finale, Blackout (Original Broadway Version)
Favourite Lyric: “Yeah, I’m a streetlight, choking on the heat. The world spins around while I’m frozen to my seat. The people that I know all keep on rolling down the street, but everyday is different so I’m switching up the beat.”
1989 (Taylor’s Version)
Taylor Swift, 2014/2023
Pop perfection. Can we talk about how much cultural impact this album had? This record will always hold a special place in my heart, as it was not only the first Taylor Swift album I listened to, but the first album I listened to ever. This is the album that made me a fan; I remember listening to my 1989 CD religiously in the car when I was younger. Taylor took a big risk in making the jump from country to pop, but honestly, in doing so she cemented herself as an artist that will go down in history.
Standout Tracks: Clean, Blank Space, Style, Out of the Woods, Is It Over Now?, I Know Places, Shake it Off, You Are in Love, New Romantics, “Slut!”
Favourite Lyric: “Got a long list of ex-lovers, they’ll tell you I’m insane.”
Midnights
Taylor Swift, 2022
For a long time, I thought Taylor had reached her peak in terms of commercial success with 1989. Midnights proved me wrong. Taylor momentarily left the pop world with the folkmore sisters, but this album was her reminding everyone that she still is and always will be the queen of pop. I still remember so vividly when it was announced at the VMAs and the chaos it caused, because everyone was expecting the next re-recording. This may not be Taylor’s deepest album lyrically, but my god, it’s a good example of how fun pop music can be.
Standout Tracks: Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve, You’re Losing Me, Karma, Anti-Hero, Maroon, You’re on Your Own, Kid, The Great War, Dear Reader
Favourite Lyric: “I wouldn’t marry me either, a pathological people pleaser, who only wanted you to see her.”
Red (Taylor’s Version)
Taylor Swift, 2012/2021
This is the quintessential Taylor Swift album. Out of all of Taylor’s albums, this is the album that is the most Taylor Swift; it showcases the best who she is as an artist. This record always gets criticised for being messy and not “sonically cohesive,” but I think the messiness works in its favour. This is Taylor’s only true and true breakup album, so that’s why the messy, chaotic sounds and track-listing fits thematically. This may not be one of my personal favourite Taylor Swift albums, but I can appreciate it for the great piece of art that it is.
Standout Tracks: All Too Well (10 Minute Version), Better Man, Treacherous, The Moment I Knew, Begin Again, I Knew You Were Trouble, Nothing New, I Bet You Think About Me, Red, Come Back… Be Here, Ronan
Favourite Lyric: “You call me up again just to break me like a promise, so casually cruel in the name of being honest.”
Walls
Louis Tomlinson, 2020
Out of all the solo projects the One Direction boys have made, this album is definitely the most reminiscent of One Direction’s music. And out of the five ex 1D members, Louis is definitely the most overlooked. Which is a shame, because I find something to be so comforting about his music, although I couldn’t explain why. This is a very nostalgic album for me, and it’s definitely underrated.
Standout Tracks: Fearless, Walls, Always You, We Made It, Defenceless, Kill My Mind
Favourite Lyric: “For every question why, you were my because.”
INSIDE
Bo Burnham, 2021
This film is a masterpiece. Bo’s prior comedy specials, What. and Make Happy, are both spectacular, but INSIDE is undoubtedly his magnum opus. When this film came out in 2021, my mental health was in a really bad state, but this soundtrack made me feel understood. I truly had it on repeat for months on end. Bo Burnham is a writer who has mastered the art of being serious and comedic at the same time; so many of his songs are hilarious, yet simultaneously, they have a deep, thought-provoking message underneath them. These songs may seem silly on the surface, but they explore themes of mental health, isolation, and the possibility of the end of the world. I can’t wait to see what Bo does next, whenever that may be.
Standout Tracks: That Funny Feeling, Comedy, Goodbye, All Eyes On Me, Welcome to the Internet, Shit, Look Who’s Inside Again, Problematic, The Future, 1985, The Chicken, Don’t Wanna Know
Favourite Lyric: “That unapparent summer air in early fall. The quiet comprehending of the ending of it all.”
Punisher
Phoebe Bridgers, 2020
If I could describe Phoebe’s music in one term, it would be: hauntingly beautiful. Because there’s no doubt the music is beautiful, but there’s something slightly eerie to it at the same time. This is such an immersive and sonically cohesive piece of work. When I listened to this album for the first time, I was taken aback by how much I adored the lyricism. Phoebe has such a unique way of writing; it’s casual to the point where you feel like you’re having a conversation with her.
Standout Tracks: I Know the End, Kyoto, Graceland Too, Saviour Complex, Halloween, Moon Song
Favourite Lyric: “I wanted to see the world through your eyes until it happened, then I changed my mind.”
Fearless (Taylor’s Version)
Taylor Swift, 2008/2021
The album that put Taylor Swift on the map. Deservedly so. This record is sweet, simple, and sonically and lyrically cohesive. Out of all of Taylor’s albums, this is the one that showcases the most that Taylor is through and through a hopeless romantic. I love the underlying theme of fairytales through both the lyrics and the music videos of this album. This record is very similar in a lot of ways to debut, but in my mind, Fearless is a step-up from debut in every way; it’s stronger lyrically, sonically, and thematically. It’s crazy to me that she wrote most of these songs at 17 years old.
Standout Tracks: Love Story, You Belong With Me, You All Over Me, Fearless, Mr Perfectly Fine, The Way I Loved You, Forever & Always, The Other Side of the Door
Favourite Lyric: “You could write a book on how to ruin someone’s perfect day.”
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift, 2006
This album feels exactly like reading a teenage girl’s diary. It’s got everything a teenage album needs- insecurity, not fitting in, crushes, young love, teenage angst. This is not only Taylor’s most teenage-esque record, but her most country too. In my mind, her debut is the only time she went full yee haw. This is definitely Taylor’s least popular and well-known record, but I love it. I mean it when I say that I genuinely love and adore every single one of Taylor Swift’s albums.
Standout Tracks: Tied Together With a Smile, Should’ve Said No, Our Song, Cold As You, Teardrops on my Guitar
Favourite Lyric: “You come away with a great little story of a mess of a dreamer with the nerve to adore you.”
Happier Than Ever
Billie Eilish, 2021
This is the kind of album where you just wanna sit down and listen to it from start to finish. It’s an immersive listening experience, and that’s aided by the well thought out track-listing and the way so many of the songs flow right into each other. Finneas really outdid himself with the production on this record (although he always does). Out of all of Billie’s projects, I’d say this one is my favourite.
Standout Tracks: Happier Than Ever, Overheated, NDA, Getting Older, Lost Cause, Therefore I Am, GOLDWING, I Didn’t Change My Number
Favourite Lyric: “Last week, I realised I crave pity. When I retell a story, I make everything sound worse. Can’t shake the feeling that I’m just bad at healing, and maybe that’s the reason every sentence sounds rehearsed.”
Solar Power
Lorde, 2021
Am I the only one who really enjoys this album? To me, this record feels exactly like summer. I think this album was as polarising with fans as it was because Lorde’s first two albums are quite heavy, both lyrically and sonically, whereas this record is light and airy. It’s a happy album. Lorde’s production is usually so bombastic and in-your-face, while the production on Solar Power is so stripped-back and minimal. I am of the opinion that this record doesn’t deserve the hate it gets. It was one of my most listened to albums of 2021.
Standout Tracks: Stoned at the Nail Salon, Fallen Fruit, The Path, Mood Ring, Oceanic Feeling, The Man With the Axe, Solar Power
Favourite Lyric: “Cause all the music you loved at 16, you’ll grow out of.”
When Facing The Things We Turn Away From
Luke Hemmings, 2021
I’m by no means a 5 Seconds of Summer fan, I only know their big hits, but I decided to listen to this album one day on a whim. I didn’t really know what to expect, but it was love at first listen. The production is incredible, and the lyrics are so reflective and personal. I didn’t expect it to be an album about mental health, but that’s a huge theme throughout most of the songs. I think that’s a big part of what makes it so important and special to me.
Standout Tracks: Mum, Repeat, Starting Line, Motion, Place in Me, Baby Blue, A Beautiful Dream
Favourite Lyric: “I wake up every morning with the years ticking by. I’m missing all these memories, maybe they were never mine.”
Ashlyn
Ashe, 2021
I was obsessed with basically every song on this album in 2021. I had it on repeat for months. Ashe is mostly known only for that one song that was featured in To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, but she deserves more recognition than that. Both her debut and sophomore albums are so good. I love the production, and I think both Ashe’s writing style and her voice are really unique.
Standout Tracks: Me Without You, Save Myself, Till Forever Falls Apart, Not Mad Anymore, Love is Not Enough, Moral of the Story, I’m Fine, Serial Monogamist, Kansas
Favourite Lyric: “You cut the breaks just to keep me from leaving, your hands on the wheel, drove us into a wall.”
Norman Fucking Rockwell!
Lana Del Rey, 2019
For the longest time, I did not understand this album and why it was so universally loved. I listened to it again and again, and just did not get it. But then one day, it clicked. It clicked and I fell just as much in love with it as everyone else is. This is a gorgeous album, both lyrically and sonically, and it’s an experience to listen to from start to finish. This is the album I listen to when I want to be sad and wallow in my emotions. Lana will continue to make good music, but I think this record will remain her magnum opus.
Standout Tracks: Norman Fucking Rockwell, Mariners Apartment Complex, hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have - but I have it, Happiness is a Butterfly, Fuck it I Love You, Doin’ Time, Cinnamon Girl, Venice Bitch
Favourite Lyric: “Don’t ask if I’m happy, you know that I’m not, but at best I can say I’m not sad. ‘Cause hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have.”
Pure Heroine
Lorde, 2013
The fact that Lorde wrote these songs when she was 16 years old is baffling to me. This is a fantastic debut album. For me, I’ve always viewed this album as a story where society has collapsed and all that’s left in the world is the teenagers, no adults. Because of that, there’s a mad scramble for power, and somehow, Lorde finds herself at the top of the food chain. But she hates it. At least, that’s the scenario I imagine when I listen to this album. This is one of the most teenage-esque albums ever made, in my opinion. Joel Little did such a great job with the production.
Standout Tracks: Ribs, Buzzcut Season, Bravado, Royals, Tennis Court, Glory and Gore, White Teeth Teens, The Love Club, Million Dollar Bills
Favourite Lyric: “I’ve never felt more alone, it feels so scary getting old.”
Rare
Selena Gomez, 2020
This album is so nostalgic to me; it takes me right back to 2020 when I hear any song from it. Apparently a lot of people didn’t really like this album, which I don’t get. I love it. I think it’s an example of how catchy pop music can be when it’s simple and not overcomplicated. I just love the vibe of this record.
Standout Tracks: Feel Me, Ring, Dance Again, Let Me Get Me, A Sweeter Place, Souvenir, Vulnerable, People You Know, Fun, Boyfriend
Favourite Lyric: “Do you stay up late just so you don’t dream?”
Optimist
FINNEAS, 2021
I was aware Finneas made his own music aside from producing Billie’s, but I didn’t check it out until early 2022. When I got around to it, I was so glad I did. I had this album on repeat for months. I love the uniqueness of the production and the honesty of the lyrics. The track-list goes from heavy-in-your-face production to sad piano ballads with the most heartbreaking lyrics (I’m looking at you, Love is Pain). But seriously, this music is up to the same quality as Billie’s, so I wish it received the same amount of attention and acclaim.
Standout Tracks: Happy Now?, A Concert Six Months From Now, The 90s, How it Ends, Hurt Locker, The Kids Are All Dying
Favourite Lyric: “We go through life, we play pretend, act like it doesn’t have to end.”
emails i can’t send
Sabrina Carpenter, 2022
If there’s one good Sabrina’s good at, it’s making damn good catchy pop music. Some may deem it silly immature, but I don’t care, her music is so fun. Yet this record also has plenty of sad songs that really highlight her songwriting ability. She’s not a one-trick pony. I recently had a renaissance of sorts with this album when I was preparing to have Sabrina as my opener at the Eras Tour (she was brilliant btw), and I was reminded of how good it is. And, as with Olivia Rodrigo, I can say I was aware of Sabrina long before Espresso, as I still remember her Disney Channel days on Girl Meets World. I’m so excited for her next album coming later this year.
Standout Tracks: Vicious, Feather, Lonesome, Nonsense, things i wish you said, Read Your Mind, emails i can’t send, because i liked a boy, opposite, bet u wanna, Fast Times
Favourite Lyric: “I’ll drive you home, you drive me crazy. But that’s not gonna stop me. I’ll call you out, you call me baby.”
So there you have it, the list of my all-time favourite albums. The music that has been the soundtrack to my life. As I said at the start, I’d love it if you commented how many albums on this list you’ve also listened to, or feel free to share your own favourite albums!
I’ll see you for the next installment, whenever that may be :)