Throughout the last couple of months, I have been surprised by the amount of new albums that have been dropped. It seems as though all of my favorite artists (and even artists I never thought I'd like) have all gotten in kahoots and decided to release great music all at once. So of course, as the Threefold's managing editor, I figured it was only right for me to share my favorite albums released this semester, paired with my favorite song of each work, to all of our dozen or so readers. Did anyone ask for this? Not really. Am I doing it anyway? Absolutely.
What follows are my favorite albums of the semester, which, as you will see, are as broad and contrasting as they can get (everything from pop to emo punk to folk). Enjoy!
The Crux Deluxe - Djo
Released on Sept. 12, this deluxe version of Djo's third studio album doubles the original's length with 12 brand new tracks. As a major fan of his sophomore album "Decide," I worried "The Crux" wouldn't match its artistry and production. But once again, Djo — the musical pseudonym of “Stranger Things” actor Joe Keery — proved his talents extend far beyond the Upside Down. His passion for music is evident, with the various layers of each of his songs transporting you into another world entirely.
"The Crux" blends acoustic ballads with psychedelic rock and synth-pop, creating layered soundscapes that feel transportive. The deluxe edition expands the album's ethereal "Crux hotel" world, with tracks like "T. Rex Is Loud" and "Love Can't Break the Spell" reinforcing the folk vibes established in songs like "Potion." My top picks: "Egg" and the deluxe's "Grime Of The World."
EVERYONE'S A STAR! - 5 Seconds of Summer
Your favorite 2014 Tumblr boyband is back with what might be their best album yet. Since forming in 2011, 5 Seconds of Summer has evolved dramatically from their teenage selves. While recent releases leaned toward mainstream pop, “EVERYONE'S A STAR!" feels like the band calling out a return to their roots, with everything from punk, new wave and pop-rock blended together into an album that practically pays homage to all the albums that came before it.
With a youthfulness that feels somewhat ironic — given that the band's members are reaching their thirties — 5SOS presents critiques of the music industry and boyband culture, touching on everything from obsession, to drug use and even depression. It feels like 5SOS is reflecting on their years being part of a boy band from their newfound maturity. But perhaps more importantly than the surprising profundity of the album, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't incredibly danceable. "istillfillthesame" and "The Rocks" have got to currently be the most repeated ones in my playlist.
Lux - Rosalía
This is, arguably, Rosalía's most experimental work yet, and I can't believe I get to experience it for free. I feel like I should have paid to witness it on Broadway or an opera house; it feels like a piece of renaissance art aimed to be preserved in a museum. Rosalía somehow manages to combine art pop with opera, orchestral sounds and even Spanish flamenco (though it feels almost blasphemous to refer to this as pop). While her previous works definitely draw from various Hispanic and Latino genres, such as bachata, reggaeton and Latin pop, "Lux" moves away from all traditional expectations, offering an innovative and almost theatrical musical experience. It's hard for me to recommend a single song from the album, as I feel like it needs to be listened to as one unified piece to be fully appreciated. However, for the sake of the article, "Magnolias" stands out as one of my favorites.
Vie - Doja Cat
In our age, it's pretty hard to go around without casually listening to Doja Cat. On the radio, at parties, on TikTok — you are more than likely to know all the lyrics to a Doja Cat song without even having her in your playlists. This was certainly my experience with Doja Cat before I'd encountered "Vie," with one or two of her hit songs lingering in my mind without really ever arising as particularly relevant. You can imagine my surprise when I absolutely fell in love with "Vie." Perhaps it is my love for '80s synth-pop (something that clearly also fueled my love for "EVERYONE'S A STAR!") and anything that sounds like it, or perhaps it is Doja's ability to hype me up even when I'm writing an opinion article that is definitely way too long. Whatever it may be, "Vie" certainly reshaped my expectations and view of Doja Cat's music, and playing "Jealous Type" and "AAAHH MEN!" is almost always enough to improve my mood.
Melt - Not for Radio
Watching The Marías finally receive the recognition they deserve has been one of this year's highlights. Their album "Submarine" became an all-time favorite of mine, and seeing others discover them has been satisfying. Even more surprising was María Zardoya's solo project under the name Not for Radio.
"Melt" is exactly what you'd expect from Zardoya: moody, surrealistic, with synths and instrumentals that make you feel suspended in sound. Drawing heavily from jazz and R&B, the album stands confidently on its own as what Zardoya calls her "alternate reality" from The Marías, and it is certainly a nice album to listen to while cozying up, reading a book, or falling asleep (might I particularly recommend "Puddles"!).
Chasing the Chimera - Del Water Gap
Holden Jaffe, otherwise known by his stage name Del Water Gap, has an incredible ability to make music that is as devastating as it is captivating. Jaffe's previous albums had certainly caught my attention when I first discovered him a couple of years ago, with the fun yet almost fatalistic themes in his songs seeming particularly interesting to me. "Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat" and "Beach House" have both made their way up my top tracks in last.fm, though none of his albums had ever fully captivated me or felt like a cohesive enough piece for me to listen through over and over. That was, of course, until "Chasing the Chimera" came along.
There is something about this album that feels terribly and heartbreakingly personal, like I'm eavesdropping on conversations I shouldn't be able to hear. It feels as nostalgic as it feels hopeful, all while incorporating Jaffe's signature wit and often self-deprecating humor. The speaker here feels more mature than in his previous albums, yet still figuring out "How To Live" — how to be an adult while loving and hurting simultaneously. If you won't give the whole album a listen (which you should), I suggest you at least check out "Please Follow" and "Ghost in the Uniform."
All is Love and All is Pain in the Mouse Parade - Of Monsters and Men
Of course, this way-too-long review wouldn't be complete without me talking about my all-time favorite band, Of Monsters and Men. The Icelandic band has captivated me since 2020 and ever since, I can't say they have released a single project that has disappointed. OMAM is a group known for their versatility, combining folk with rock and even synth-pop, always pairing their innovative sounds with deeply meaningful and complex lyrics that almost read like poetry. Their composition is always imbued with existential reflections on love, relationships and life overall, and their works are always filled to the brim with imagery and metaphors from the natural world.
"All is Love and All is Pain in the Mouse Parade" (a bit of a mouthful, admittedly) has been no different, with the band taking its audience through a melancholic "Mouse Parade" reflecting on happiness (or lack thereof), mutual dependence, nostalgia and conformity. Above all, though, "Mouse Parade" seems to concern itself with the relationships we surround our lives with and the potential impact they can have on us (and us on them). The "parade" in the album almost feels like a journey from nostalgic youthfulness, reflecting on the relationships you grew up with, to a mature kind of acceptance.
Out of all of OMAM's albums, "All is Love and All is Pain in the Mouse Parade" certainly feels like the most cozy, self-contained piece, not overwhelming you with sound and movement like "Fever Dream" did, but whispering painful truths you've perhaps tried to bury and ignore all your life. I can certainly say the 6-year wait for this album was worth it, and I encourage everyone to immediately immerse themselves in the absolutely musical experience that is Of Monsters and Men. (My song pick for this is "Fruit Bat.")
Want to listen? Check out my Spotify playlist with all these songs!
Photo Courtesy of Freepik
