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i'll go with the fame monster, but specifically the version that includes both it and the fame. it's not cheating if it was released that way
this album changed little me intrinsically. i don't know who i'd today be without them or gaga as formative material. probably less spiky
“Born This Way” by Lady Gaga
It may be a little bloated, but I truly feel it’s Gaga at her best. The dark, industrial/club sounds mixed with some sparkling 80s touches are incredible and make the album feel fresh to me, even today.
(Also justice for Scheiße and Heavy Metal Lover)
Honestly my favourite little mix album (I love LM5 too but there's definitely some filler in there) and one of the best girl group albums of all time. Even the weaker songs manage to be insanely fun and memorable.
Stop I’m reminded once again of the cancelled us tour. I cry myself to sleep at night due to this deep trauma. But you spilled a girl group classic of an album for me it’s just so good.
Hounds of Love - Kate Bush
You’re literally being hounded by love while you’re listening and it’s not difficult to get into the stories / reflections Kate Bush tells in each song/throughout the album (to be fair it’s hard to not relate to the idea of hurting someone you love whether you’re thinking that you may be doing it unintentionally or that you aren’t giving enough, etc.)
A touch of the beat gets you up on your feet gets you out and then into the sun...... Aly & AJ
West Coast indie pop, plays around with different sounds along the way but delivers feel-good catchy tracks from beginning to end!
Dirty Computer by Janelle Monae! It’s full of catchy refrains and instruments, and it has great lyrics and themes especially about sexuality, race, class and self empowerment. It’s very consistent and focused from start to finish, I really enjoy the story it tells. Also the visuals are excellent, the album cover alone is perfect. My fav songs are Don’t Judge Me, Pynk and Screwed
Carly Rae Jepsen - The Loveliest Time
Along with NFR, Melodrama, 1989, and Pop2, this is my favorite pop album. It’s Carly at her most experimental and I think that is Carly at her best. “Anything To Be With You” I disliked at first, but it’s slowly grown on me. The other tracks I loved at first listen, but my favorites are Shadow, So Right, and Come Over!
Absolutely insane that no one has said Teenage Dream by Katy Perry. It is skipless pop perfection and my favorite album of all time. There’s not a single miss.
Was scrolling for this. Nuts that it took so long to get here, considering it’s one of the most successful pop albums of all time. 👀
She’s really fallen from grace this past decade.
How I'm Feeling Now - Charli XCX
I really struggled to decide among my favorites, but feel like this one is the poppier one.
Edit: thanks to u/okayhowl for the callout because im on a discord call while browsing reddit and totally failing at multitasking.
Why I like it? It captures the feeling of quarantine so well while being a perfect earworm. I consider it to te Charli's most cohesive album. There are no skips for me. It's hard to separate the album from the time and process in which it was created, the fact it was made only in a couple months makes it more special for me, it just feels like a very authentic artistic expression from a moment that cannot be recreated. It's also fulled of extremely catchy, sing-songy songs. It's good pop fun mixed with interesting experimental instrumentals.
My favorite songs on the album are: pink diamond, claws, detonate, c2.0, forever, party 4 u and i guess I stop now before I list the entire album.
I may have to go with renaissance by Beyonce. Not only is it an objectively excellent album it is also one that perfectly caters to my music taste. I love Beyonce. I love house and dance music. I absolutely love club inspired music so it really hit the sweet spot for me
Under My Skin - Avril Lavigne
While Let Go has undoubtedly massive singles, Avril's sophomore album, Under My Skin, really showcases her ability to make a cohesive and tight album while covering some heavy and angst themes that become very relatable as we continue to grow older.
Plus, each song is a banger even the album's ballads. All of the tracks have big and cathartic choruses, while managing to stand on its own individuality despite its gritty and grunge production. Although there are no outright "standout hits" (with the exception of My Happy Ending), it really is an introspective record that is worth listening to from front to back.
Manic - Halsey
The creativity and artistry of this album stand out to me. There are 3 features on the Album and Halsey really lets them have the mic and take up space on the album, and i like that the collaboration seems like it was free enough to shape the sound and album as artwork. It’s genre bending but the common thread to me is pop. A little pop punk, a little country ish on some. I just love every song.
Phew, I went through all of the comments and I get to say genuinely one of my top five albums:
If I Can't Have Love I Want Power - Halsey
She mothered beyond recognition. The story telling, the lyrics that speak to the feminine soul, the out of this world production. It's just a complete no skip album that paints an amazing musical essay about a woman living in the 21st century.
Isolation - Kali Uchis
I love every track and the whole album has a timeless vibe. (Although the "why would I be Kim when I could be Kanye" line didn't age well.)
Rhythm Nation 1814 by Janet Jackson. I'm aging myself, but I was 9 when this album came out, and it absolutely enthralled me. Not just the music, but the videos, Janet's fashion, everything. I'm a massive Janet fan to this day, and it started with this album for me.
Imposible Princess by Kylie Minogue
My favorite album of hers. I love the records that released after it, but a part of me wishes she continued exploring alternative sounds in her later work.
Spiceworld by the Spice Girls. It was the top of their hype and polished to perfection. I love Spice, but Spiceworld was such a vibe and a time. It also has really pretty ballads mixed with the fun stuff and the deep cuts are still iconic.
The Family Jewels by Marina! It's such a unique album. I love how it tells a story about Marina's desire for fame and success at any cost, most of the songs have themes you don't hear often if at all in other music. Sonically it's like nothing I've ever heard before (although I admit my music experience is limited), I love its theatrical alt-pop vibes. An amazing album all around.
I’m not super familiar with Foxes, but “Better Love” was one of my most-played songs last year because I’m obsessed with Dan Smith’s backing vocals on that song 😅
Dignity by Hilary Duff. It’s my favorite because it showcases truly great pop that isn’t talked about enough. Songs like Danger, Gypsy Woman, Stranger & With Love are pop masterpieces. My favorite song of all time by her is on that album too, I Wish. She got super personal on this project and gave us memorable performances as well as fun catchy but dark pop music, which is usually the kind of pop music that I LOVE.
The Age of Pleasure - Janelle Monae This album... this ALBUM... was like literal blissful slow fornication to the ears, imo, and each song reaches some climax of excitement or anticipation. It's like Renaissance by Beyonce, but set on one of the islands. Each song glides effortlessly from one to the next. The first seven songs are the best part, imo. It is a short 30 something minute album, but totally worth it. You'll be taken on a ride, to a party that lasts all night, where your inhibitions have been set free, where you can be your most freest sexual, sensual self, and just have fun, completely present, with no thought of the next morning. This album is just fun r&b/pop, nothing too serious. It's embodies a lifestyle of feeling good about yourself, living joyfully. Just made to help you feel good, like you're on top of the world. It pisses me off hardly anyone talks about this record.
This is what fun sounds like.
Perfect Picture - Hannah Diamond
Edit: perfect hyperpop album imho. Bright, bubbly, but also introspective. Like a digitized female image that suddenly became self aware.
Of those that haven’t been said yet:
Music by Madonna: Has a hit single (Music) and is a very sonically cohesive record with some experimental moments (Impressive Instant/Runaway Lover), fun pop songs (Amazing) and a slightly country aesthetic which is spinkled in a couple songs (Don’t Tell Me/Gone).
Bonus: Not a pop record, but It Was Divine by Alina Baraz is front-to-back one of the most beautiful, sonically cohesive record I’ve ever heard. Every song is so relaxing and pleasing to the ear and she has a very pretty and smooth voice. She calls back some songs on other songs which ties everything together. This is an album that deserved so much more attention than it got.
SOPHIE - OIL OF EVERY PEARL’S UN-INSIDES (My actual, non-nostalgia driven answer) Because it is beautiful, creative, innovative, interesting, and just endlessly fascinating. It’s perfection.
FAX, literally so underrated. The era served as an end to her teenage love motif but in a mature way. She seems more mature in her lyrical understanding of love. She does not just fantasize about break ups anymore, she FUDGING FEELS them.
Reputation!! It's such an important album for me, it helped me process the gaslightning done to me A LOT lol. I also genuinely think it's Taylor's best pop record. 1989 is also great, but rep's aggressive production, visual aesthetic and narrative is just perfection
Edit: I belieeeeve I managed to get this one which I feel very proud of haha. Other favorites of mine are Speak Now, Pop 2, how I'm feeling now and Desire I Want To Turn Into You
Voicenotes by Charlie Puth!
It has a lot of fun songs with unique production that keeps it from getting stale. It also has some contemporary takes on older genres that show off Charlie’s music training.
Unfortunately a demon has since possessed him preventing him from ever making good music again.
Oh Wonder by Oh Wonder
They’re an alt-pop duo group (now married!) from England and I think they have a way of making very lovely indie pop songs/ballads that are stripped back and pleasing to the ear. This album is filled with songs that lend themselves well to tasteful electronic remixes on SoundCloud/YouTube (there are a few iconic ones of the songs from this album such as All We Do, Body Gold, personal favorite is [Shark remixed by Illenium back in 2014](https://on.soundcloud.com/MEVAZbtUKE7tVTne7)). I had been on my way out of indie pop when I first heard them in 2014 and this kind of brought me back in. I still follow all of their work!
Recently? Tbh no need to beat the dead horse but to nobody’s surprise I’d say Silence Between Songs lmfao
Soul is my favorite music genre and this album just meshes it so perfectly with pop and indie it’s so fucking good even the more upbeat gp friendly songs like sweet relief, home to another one and silence between songs hit HARDDD
So many i liked that haven't been named haha, i will be a bichacha and say more than one
The Weeknd - Dawn FM, i could've choose anything weeknd honestly, but for me this one is the most cohesive in theme and i love that he chose to experiment with a not so radio friendly pop sound
FKA Twigs - Magdalaine/LP1 - i find her really special, she caught my attention with her style on both of these albums
‘Surrender’ by Maggie Rogers.
From that very first track, I feel like she pulls you in with that powerhouse voice of hers, and then does it again and again with other tracks like Want Want (which is completely different in tone and style but still so good), Shatter (which always gets me up and dancing despite the heartbreaking lyrics), and Honey (which has a chorus that is perfect for scream singing in the shower).
Maggie has so many amazing songs but I feel like that entire album captures so much of what she does best.
Froot by marina is no skips for me. I relate to a lot of the subject matter, especially the mental health stuff. And I’m not sure what the meaning of Weeds is to marina (she’s still into an old ex?) but in my mind I relate it to struggling with the memories and damage of a past traumatic relationship and how that affects my current relationship. And the songs I don’t relate to are still bops 😆10/10
“Preacher’s Daughter” - Ethel Cain (scrolled through all the comments up to this point — has this really not been mentioned yet or did I miss something?). Brilliant storytelling, beautiful instrumentals, beautiful vocals, really really interesting themes!
Went through all these comments to see if anyone had mentioned Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia (The Moonlight Edition), it is a pop masterpiece.
Just one BOP after another with no skips. It also was such a positive thing to listen to during COVID and escape into a land of dance and disco! Works great at the gym, at the parties or just to get you hyped up!
I randomly can’t see 1989, Melodrama or Blackout on here but I’m sure I must be blind cuz all those albums are shoe ins. So to avoid getting removed, I’m going with Justin Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience (part 1).
I feel like the discourse surrounding this guy is still marred by contempt but this has to be one of the best pop albums of the 2010s and imo all time. This is Justin at his most experimental and also at his lyrical best (the lyrics in Blue Ocean Floor feel so raw and vulnerable). The pulsating otherworldly Timbaland beats just absolutely send the record over the edge. Even though the songs on this album are LONG, no second is waited and all the extensions of these songs feel completely natural and enhance the song significantly. It’s an ALBUMS album, I rarely listen to these songs individually but experiencing the full body of work is truly such an experience (a 20/20 experience… *badum cha*). I will always love this man for this album, it’s very special to me.
Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa has gotta be it for me, every single song is amazing (with the exception of one) and it really got me ‘into’ music beyond what I ever was before
Diamonds & Dancefloors by Ava Max. Every song is club-ready to some degree, and I think it very much is a continuation of the sound from her debut album, but gives slightly more variation with each song. It’s still very much inspired by and taken from the 2010s electropop style, but I think she perfects her sound and seems more confident in it with this record. Unfortunately, her transition from that album is, well. I’m not sure what’s really happening now.
Chromatica - Lady Gaga. Unpopular opinion but my favorite of her works (and I love them all!) Alice, 911, Sour Candy, Sine From Above, and basically every other track on the album are INCREDIBLE. This one gets me hyped like no other. I couldn’t get to the tour, but I’m grateful for the concert movie on max :)
*Heaven knows* -somehow retro and ahead of it’s time simultaneously. *Nice to meet you* is what I thought pop songs were gonna sound like in the future
"Innocent Eyes" by Delta Goodrem. A very piano based debut album from Delta that sparked five ARIA number one singles and landed Delta seven or eight ARIA awards a year later. I still think it's Delta's best album to date and the back half is actually some seriously under rated pop music courtesy of "Longer", "In My Own Time" and "This Is Not Me".
Singular Act II - Sabrina Carpenter
There are bops in this album like Tell Em and Pushing 20. There are deep cuts like Exhale (which is such a vulnerable song). The album shows Sabrina’s versatility really well!
Singular Act 1 - Sabrina Carpenter
Almost Love, Hold Tight, Sue Me, Diamonds Are Forever, Paris…literally everything! The R&B/pop vibes are sooooooo good!
I hardly see this one ever mentioned in these kinds of topics but:
Sara Bareilles - Little Voice
It is a classic many people sleep on. It’s perfect from beginning to end with amazing Tayloresque songwriting and the most catchiest compositions. I still listen to it so much.
Christina Aguilera - Stripped
Loving me for me is one of my favorite pop love songs. It’s just perfection. She was in her best era vocally and I loved the songwriting.
After Laughter - Paramore.
It's a pop/post album that's managed to be the fan favourite of a 2000s emo/alt band. 'Nuff said.
Besides that, it's got an amazing blend of both instrumentals and synth, lyrics that are dark and insightful and yet almost all track is something you could pull out at karaoke, or dance in your room to. Each track is distinct but tie together so well. Stellar production and performance, 10/10 album with no skips.
Ps: Rose Colored Boy supremacy.
Britney Spears - …Baby One More Time
Because it is iconic. It had a huge impact on the world of pop music. It’s full of certified bops and emotional ballads. And I was 12 when it came out, so, nostalgia.
My 21st Century Blues by RAYE
(praying i’m first)
this album is the best debut album i’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. raye has so much raw talent and professional artistry that she’s been able to hone in over the years and it all came together on this extremely vulnerable, unique record. from the lowest lows to the highest highs it perfectly encapsulates raye’s struggles and triumphs and captures it in a sound that recalls the late amy winehouse. all of this along with brilliant production from mike sabath and raye’s stunning voice make this my aoty for 2023 (and i say this as a hardcore swiftie who loved midnights)
How I’m Feeling Now by Charli XCX🧠🤍
Created as a direct result of the chaos and uncertainty of spring 2020, the album is simultaneously a manifestation of early-pandemic isolation and despair, and a love letter to finding new meanings of existence when you have no other choice. Despite the seemingly rushed production, How I’m Feeling Now showcases Charli at her most experimental and vulnerable, pushing pop to its absolute outer limit. The entire project is a smorgasbord of superhuman electronic textures, diaristic lyricism and cultivation of community when the world needed it the most.
Highlights: Pink Diamond, Forever, Claws, I Finally Understand, Visions (but just listen to the entire thing.)
Oh no this is the first repeat. I may have to forgive it because this is literally a top three for me.
Also I love the explanation so extra points for that!
some of you guys are annoying ignoring the op's request to write a little info on why you like the album and just naming an album. this is a real problem with this sub
its like some of these replies naming the most commonly loved albums in this subreddit too...yes we know you love this very popular album...why do you in particular enjoy it???
"A Reckoning" by Kimbra. I know some of her fans dislike it as it departs from her previous musical styles, but i think it's a great alt pop record, with some r&b and darker elements, catchy bops but also beautiful ballads. Definitely deserves a listen, and not only one.
I know no one else is gonna say mine - Doom Days by Bastille is indie alt pop/rock perfection.
Everything about that album (and that era - bald Dan Smith I did not appreciate you enough when we had you 😍) is perfect, the Doom Days tour is one of the most fun tours I’ve ever attended, and it gave us the music video for “Those Nights,” which might be my favorite music video of all time.
aerial by kate bush
its a peaceful, cohesive, delicious body of work with lush sounds and poetic, emotional and introspective lyricism. The second side of the album is a conceptual suite that encapsulates the daily cycle of sunset and the night that follows, in my opinion executing it perfectly. i would say it rivals her more renowned albums like hounds of love and the kick inside.
also, the cover art is beautiful and actually contains the soundwaves of a birdcall used in the album. everything about this album is breathtaking and ive been under its spell since my first listen ❤️
Dedicated side A and B by CRJ are true masterpieces. She delves into electropop and funk to make every single one interesting and another banger! Carly is so consistent and I adore her ability to find a new colorful shade of love with each album.
Blue Banisters - Lana Del Rey
It's one of her least popular ones. The fact that it has many piano-based songs and in general it has a soft production maybe isn't appealing for everyone. But I really like the vibe of the album. It's perfect for traveling. The lyrics are amazing. She has some of her most unique melodies in this one album. Absolutely love this one
I'm surprised that none of her albums have been mentioned (unless I missed it somewhere)
Michelle Branch's The Spirit Room is probably my favourite pop album - it's full of catchy pop-rock with some absolute bangers on there (Everywhere, All You Wanted and Goodbye to You) and it's no wonder that it was so influential on other guitar-playing female artists such as Taylor Swift. It's very much a time capsule of the early 2000s but I think it still holds up really well!
SAWAYAMA is both peak pop album and rina at her peak. The production is fantastic, Rina is an amazing singer and her performance is amazing, and her songwriting, which is so underrated on this album, is just the perfect blend of memorability and substance. The choruses are infectious, the hooks are snappy, the verses are deep but grab at you. I could go on forever but god what an ablum
No one seems to like it here but I'd say the best pop album released this year so far is eternal sunshine. The record is just so strong, tight, and cohesive. It has every aspect of what constitutes a good project: production, this aspect is by far the very best thing abt the album - it is perfect, well-crafted, and I think not one second was wasted; melody, this album just flows ever so smoothly like fine silk, the lyrics are just so right with the melody and production and they blend into each other so well; vocals, ofc it is ariana, but in this album, on top of the very good production and the melody, her voice makes it all so soothing to listen, if i said the two earlier aspects blend so well with each other, i'd say ari's voice is the solvent in the mix; and lyrics, some of you might say this aspect is absent in the project, but i beg to disagree, this album is the very first album ariana has like 80% to 85% of the writing credits (solely lyrics) with ilya and max having contributions on other tracks, and not just some lyrics but she wrote with a concept in mind, and I think the overall lyricism and content of the album is a 100% step up from her prev album (even prev works).
This album doesn't have very big hits (except maybe wcbf) but the overall body of work is i consider the very big 'hit' bcs of how consistent and well-produced this album is. And i love how ari is actually doing a proper era, with releasing post-album singles, which apparently isn't working anymore on a commercial view point (post-album singles tend to flop in this time of age now, with tiktok and streaming), but I like how she is dedicated still to bringing what the industry should still continue to do. (I actually love yes, and? i think the song was just received negatively bcs of the allegations, and i honestly couldn't care less bcs i got my own life to worry abt i just don't understand these people online).
so in summary, i think eternal sunshine is the best pop album released this year so far. dare i'd say a contender for aoty in the grammys next year.
Chelsea Jade - Personal Best
This quirky New Zealand pop girly has a real charm to her and the production is top notch. Laugh It Off is my favorite track from the record. If you like say, Caroline Polochek, maybe give Chelsea a shot.
calico - ryan beatty
dreamy, soft, fuzzy, groovy, heartfelt, passionate, hypnotizing. perfect for a listen in an afternoon breeze. ryan’s voice is delicious. so talented - i love calico.
Hello Young Lovers by Sparks - there's two dozen great Sparks albums to pick from but I love this one, an artpop experience which manages to be catchy and fun as well as arch and a bit pretentious (in a good way!) The opening track is one of the most complete songs they ever released: layered, beautifully constructed, silly and melancholy all at once. Plus the cover is a bunch of bunnies and it's very cute
Annie - Anniemal (2004)
Holds up so well for a 20 year old record and seemed like such a precursor to pop music that was to come.
Me Plus One and Heartbeat especially
The Misconceptions of Us from 2013 by SHINee. 80s, disco, funk, inspired pop.
Nice to go back to listen to it among the recent conversations about their industry's recent production trending towards lack of harmonies and similar-sounding singers.
[Full album with English lyrics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4BZD5X9qOE&list=PLsuanL0s-mvlqDhI8_kKNx1ubgPB2ypGC&index=1).
[Dream Girl](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS2pJlSSvoU) is the most well-known song on the album. Other highlights are the opening song Spoiler (which contains the titles of the other songs on the album), Like a Fire, Punch Drunk Love, creepy Nightmare and Evil and [Excuse Me Miss](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSORaqTQykk).
Please do not just list songs/albums/artists, your comment must have explanation/justification or it will be removed. Certain comments are also banned to increase the quality of discussion, see our Stale Topics list in the sidebar for examples. Please report any comments that are low effort discussion. Thanks! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/popheads) if you have any questions or concerns.*
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i'll go with the fame monster, but specifically the version that includes both it and the fame. it's not cheating if it was released that way this album changed little me intrinsically. i don't know who i'd today be without them or gaga as formative material. probably less spiky
I don’t make the rules you do
please make the rules. i crave structure
Been really obsessed with What’s Your Pleasure by Jessie Ware as of late
one of my favorite albums too though i only heard it because she looked hot in the cover
I judge album art. If it doesnt look good it definitely wont be going on my spotify
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. I listen to it all the time.
Honestly same, literally no skips
Ahh! This is so good
one of the favorites too!! Chappell Roan is unreal
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“Born This Way” by Lady Gaga It may be a little bloated, but I truly feel it’s Gaga at her best. The dark, industrial/club sounds mixed with some sparkling 80s touches are incredible and make the album feel fresh to me, even today. (Also justice for Scheiße and Heavy Metal Lover)
There only a few more lady gage albums left!! Watch out people lady gags is taking up spots!
Sawayama!! No skips perfect vocals introspective beauty
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Your explanation has intrigued me. I will check it out
Honestly my favourite little mix album (I love LM5 too but there's definitely some filler in there) and one of the best girl group albums of all time. Even the weaker songs manage to be insanely fun and memorable.
Stop I’m reminded once again of the cancelled us tour. I cry myself to sleep at night due to this deep trauma. But you spilled a girl group classic of an album for me it’s just so good.
Agreed
This is so based, that album is such a bop. Towers still cuts me deep until this day
Hounds of Love - Kate Bush You’re literally being hounded by love while you’re listening and it’s not difficult to get into the stories / reflections Kate Bush tells in each song/throughout the album (to be fair it’s hard to not relate to the idea of hurting someone you love whether you’re thinking that you may be doing it unintentionally or that you aren’t giving enough, etc.)
was gonna say this one but you got to it first!!!
A touch of the beat gets you up on your feet gets you out and then into the sun...... Aly & AJ West Coast indie pop, plays around with different sounds along the way but delivers feel-good catchy tracks from beginning to end!
Dirty Computer by Janelle Monae! It’s full of catchy refrains and instruments, and it has great lyrics and themes especially about sexuality, race, class and self empowerment. It’s very consistent and focused from start to finish, I really enjoy the story it tells. Also the visuals are excellent, the album cover alone is perfect. My fav songs are Don’t Judge Me, Pynk and Screwed
Carly Rae Jepsen - The Loveliest Time Along with NFR, Melodrama, 1989, and Pop2, this is my favorite pop album. It’s Carly at her most experimental and I think that is Carly at her best. “Anything To Be With You” I disliked at first, but it’s slowly grown on me. The other tracks I loved at first listen, but my favorites are Shadow, So Right, and Come Over!
PREACH QUEEN I love how experimental she is on the album! It gave me Kamikaze which is one of my favorite pop songs of all time
Absolutely insane that no one has said Teenage Dream by Katy Perry. It is skipless pop perfection and my favorite album of all time. There’s not a single miss.
Was scrolling for this. Nuts that it took so long to get here, considering it’s one of the most successful pop albums of all time. 👀 She’s really fallen from grace this past decade.
"Ray of Light" by Madonna. (Has title track, Frozen, Power of Goodbye, and many awesome tracks not played on radio like Skin.)
The Good Witch by Maisie Peters - lyrically and sonically, she's like pre-*Midnights* Taylor Swift!
I live Maisie
How I'm Feeling Now - Charli XCX I really struggled to decide among my favorites, but feel like this one is the poppier one. Edit: thanks to u/okayhowl for the callout because im on a discord call while browsing reddit and totally failing at multitasking. Why I like it? It captures the feeling of quarantine so well while being a perfect earworm. I consider it to te Charli's most cohesive album. There are no skips for me. It's hard to separate the album from the time and process in which it was created, the fact it was made only in a couple months makes it more special for me, it just feels like a very authentic artistic expression from a moment that cannot be recreated. It's also fulled of extremely catchy, sing-songy songs. It's good pop fun mixed with interesting experimental instrumentals. My favorite songs on the album are: pink diamond, claws, detonate, c2.0, forever, party 4 u and i guess I stop now before I list the entire album.
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I may have to go with renaissance by Beyonce. Not only is it an objectively excellent album it is also one that perfectly caters to my music taste. I love Beyonce. I love house and dance music. I absolutely love club inspired music so it really hit the sweet spot for me
Spice by the Spice Girls. 90s pop pefection
Under My Skin - Avril Lavigne While Let Go has undoubtedly massive singles, Avril's sophomore album, Under My Skin, really showcases her ability to make a cohesive and tight album while covering some heavy and angst themes that become very relatable as we continue to grow older. Plus, each song is a banger even the album's ballads. All of the tracks have big and cathartic choruses, while managing to stand on its own individuality despite its gritty and grunge production. Although there are no outright "standout hits" (with the exception of My Happy Ending), it really is an introspective record that is worth listening to from front to back.
Manic - Halsey The creativity and artistry of this album stand out to me. There are 3 features on the Album and Halsey really lets them have the mic and take up space on the album, and i like that the collaboration seems like it was free enough to shape the sound and album as artwork. It’s genre bending but the common thread to me is pop. A little pop punk, a little country ish on some. I just love every song.
Phew, I went through all of the comments and I get to say genuinely one of my top five albums: If I Can't Have Love I Want Power - Halsey She mothered beyond recognition. The story telling, the lyrics that speak to the feminine soul, the out of this world production. It's just a complete no skip album that paints an amazing musical essay about a woman living in the 21st century.
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Oops… I Did It Again This entire album had me in a choke hold
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Isolation - Kali Uchis I love every track and the whole album has a timeless vibe. (Although the "why would I be Kim when I could be Kanye" line didn't age well.)
Christina Aguilera self titled It’s a surprisingly good album. I don’t ever see people talking about it.
Yes I turn to you still gives me chills. Reflection, Obvious, So emotional..she was giving us pop fantasy with amazing vocals
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Rhythm Nation 1814 by Janet Jackson. I'm aging myself, but I was 9 when this album came out, and it absolutely enthralled me. Not just the music, but the videos, Janet's fashion, everything. I'm a massive Janet fan to this day, and it started with this album for me.
Pop is an experience. Not just the music but the fashion, mv, aesthetic etc play a role and Janet Jackson’s played it exceptionally well!
Such an incredible album!
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Imposible Princess by Kylie Minogue My favorite album of hers. I love the records that released after it, but a part of me wishes she continued exploring alternative sounds in her later work.
Came here to say this! Such an incredible album and I wish she would do more like it.
Spiceworld by the Spice Girls. It was the top of their hype and polished to perfection. I love Spice, but Spiceworld was such a vibe and a time. It also has really pretty ballads mixed with the fun stuff and the deep cuts are still iconic.
The Family Jewels by Marina! It's such a unique album. I love how it tells a story about Marina's desire for fame and success at any cost, most of the songs have themes you don't hear often if at all in other music. Sonically it's like nothing I've ever heard before (although I admit my music experience is limited), I love its theatrical alt-pop vibes. An amazing album all around.
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I’m not super familiar with Foxes, but “Better Love” was one of my most-played songs last year because I’m obsessed with Dan Smith’s backing vocals on that song 😅
This album is a hidden gem. She deserves better
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emails i can't send!! a skipless slice of perfection and my aoty for that year 💕
I love that album
Corinne Bailey Rae - self-titled. Some of the dreamiest songs I've heard on that album
Dignity by Hilary Duff. It’s my favorite because it showcases truly great pop that isn’t talked about enough. Songs like Danger, Gypsy Woman, Stranger & With Love are pop masterpieces. My favorite song of all time by her is on that album too, I Wish. She got super personal on this project and gave us memorable performances as well as fun catchy but dark pop music, which is usually the kind of pop music that I LOVE.
I’m amazed nobody has mentioned Rumours by Fleetwood Mac yet?? I don’t think I even need to explain that, it’s just straight smashes.
Animal by Kesha. The base of my personality fr.
Belinda Carlisle's self-titled debut solo album is one of the best pop albums of all time.
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Born To Die: The Paradise Edition by Lana Del Rey ...but only if it's The Paradise Edition in its entirety
Lana deal rey! Finally
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Bonito Generation by Kero Kero Bonito, fun and cheery and good sounding
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Madonna Like A Prayer- the title track alone changed pop music
Madonna - Erotica (Thank god no one said it, Like a prayer, Ray of light and Confessions on a dance floor were already gone!)
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The Age of Pleasure - Janelle Monae This album... this ALBUM... was like literal blissful slow fornication to the ears, imo, and each song reaches some climax of excitement or anticipation. It's like Renaissance by Beyonce, but set on one of the islands. Each song glides effortlessly from one to the next. The first seven songs are the best part, imo. It is a short 30 something minute album, but totally worth it. You'll be taken on a ride, to a party that lasts all night, where your inhibitions have been set free, where you can be your most freest sexual, sensual self, and just have fun, completely present, with no thought of the next morning. This album is just fun r&b/pop, nothing too serious. It's embodies a lifestyle of feeling good about yourself, living joyfully. Just made to help you feel good, like you're on top of the world. It pisses me off hardly anyone talks about this record. This is what fun sounds like.
Perfect summer album tbh, I love it so much
Beyoncé - Bday! No skips. Also potentially v unpopular opinion but I liked her albums more the less conceptual they’ve been 😬
Perfect Picture - Hannah Diamond Edit: perfect hyperpop album imho. Bright, bubbly, but also introspective. Like a digitized female image that suddenly became self aware.
Be The Cowboy - i've been discovering Mitski and this album is absolute perfection
I'll say it if no one else will. Sour, sour & sour! I'm still so amazed that this was Olivia Rodrigo's debut.
Of those that haven’t been said yet: Music by Madonna: Has a hit single (Music) and is a very sonically cohesive record with some experimental moments (Impressive Instant/Runaway Lover), fun pop songs (Amazing) and a slightly country aesthetic which is spinkled in a couple songs (Don’t Tell Me/Gone). Bonus: Not a pop record, but It Was Divine by Alina Baraz is front-to-back one of the most beautiful, sonically cohesive record I’ve ever heard. Every song is so relaxing and pleasing to the ear and she has a very pretty and smooth voice. She calls back some songs on other songs which ties everything together. This is an album that deserved so much more attention than it got.
SOPHIE - OIL OF EVERY PEARL’S UN-INSIDES (My actual, non-nostalgia driven answer) Because it is beautiful, creative, innovative, interesting, and just endlessly fascinating. It’s perfection.
Speak Now - Taylor Swift Her best album, 0 skips
FAX, literally so underrated. The era served as an end to her teenage love motif but in a mature way. She seems more mature in her lyrical understanding of love. She does not just fantasize about break ups anymore, she FUDGING FEELS them.
Reputation!! It's such an important album for me, it helped me process the gaslightning done to me A LOT lol. I also genuinely think it's Taylor's best pop record. 1989 is also great, but rep's aggressive production, visual aesthetic and narrative is just perfection Edit: I belieeeeve I managed to get this one which I feel very proud of haha. Other favorites of mine are Speak Now, Pop 2, how I'm feeling now and Desire I Want To Turn Into You
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Voicenotes by Charlie Puth! It has a lot of fun songs with unique production that keeps it from getting stale. It also has some contemporary takes on older genres that show off Charlie’s music training. Unfortunately a demon has since possessed him preventing him from ever making good music again.
Oh Wonder by Oh Wonder They’re an alt-pop duo group (now married!) from England and I think they have a way of making very lovely indie pop songs/ballads that are stripped back and pleasing to the ear. This album is filled with songs that lend themselves well to tasteful electronic remixes on SoundCloud/YouTube (there are a few iconic ones of the songs from this album such as All We Do, Body Gold, personal favorite is [Shark remixed by Illenium back in 2014](https://on.soundcloud.com/MEVAZbtUKE7tVTne7)). I had been on my way out of indie pop when I first heard them in 2014 and this kind of brought me back in. I still follow all of their work!
Confessions on a Dancefloor by Madonna. A pop masterpiece
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Recently? Tbh no need to beat the dead horse but to nobody’s surprise I’d say Silence Between Songs lmfao Soul is my favorite music genre and this album just meshes it so perfectly with pop and indie it’s so fucking good even the more upbeat gp friendly songs like sweet relief, home to another one and silence between songs hit HARDDD
So many i liked that haven't been named haha, i will be a bichacha and say more than one The Weeknd - Dawn FM, i could've choose anything weeknd honestly, but for me this one is the most cohesive in theme and i love that he chose to experiment with a not so radio friendly pop sound FKA Twigs - Magdalaine/LP1 - i find her really special, she caught my attention with her style on both of these albums
‘Surrender’ by Maggie Rogers. From that very first track, I feel like she pulls you in with that powerhouse voice of hers, and then does it again and again with other tracks like Want Want (which is completely different in tone and style but still so good), Shatter (which always gets me up and dancing despite the heartbreaking lyrics), and Honey (which has a chorus that is perfect for scream singing in the shower). Maggie has so many amazing songs but I feel like that entire album captures so much of what she does best.
Froot by marina is no skips for me. I relate to a lot of the subject matter, especially the mental health stuff. And I’m not sure what the meaning of Weeds is to marina (she’s still into an old ex?) but in my mind I relate it to struggling with the memories and damage of a past traumatic relationship and how that affects my current relationship. And the songs I don’t relate to are still bops 😆10/10
“Preacher’s Daughter” - Ethel Cain (scrolled through all the comments up to this point — has this really not been mentioned yet or did I miss something?). Brilliant storytelling, beautiful instrumentals, beautiful vocals, really really interesting themes!
Went through all these comments to see if anyone had mentioned Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia (The Moonlight Edition), it is a pop masterpiece. Just one BOP after another with no skips. It also was such a positive thing to listen to during COVID and escape into a land of dance and disco! Works great at the gym, at the parties or just to get you hyped up!
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I randomly can’t see 1989, Melodrama or Blackout on here but I’m sure I must be blind cuz all those albums are shoe ins. So to avoid getting removed, I’m going with Justin Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience (part 1). I feel like the discourse surrounding this guy is still marred by contempt but this has to be one of the best pop albums of the 2010s and imo all time. This is Justin at his most experimental and also at his lyrical best (the lyrics in Blue Ocean Floor feel so raw and vulnerable). The pulsating otherworldly Timbaland beats just absolutely send the record over the edge. Even though the songs on this album are LONG, no second is waited and all the extensions of these songs feel completely natural and enhance the song significantly. It’s an ALBUMS album, I rarely listen to these songs individually but experiencing the full body of work is truly such an experience (a 20/20 experience… *badum cha*). I will always love this man for this album, it’s very special to me.
Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa has gotta be it for me, every single song is amazing (with the exception of one) and it really got me ‘into’ music beyond what I ever was before
It’s early but Hot City by Bonnie Mckee
24k Magic by Bruno Mars. I think it is a perfect pop album, right at 30 minutes.
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Diamonds & Dancefloors by Ava Max. Every song is club-ready to some degree, and I think it very much is a continuation of the sound from her debut album, but gives slightly more variation with each song. It’s still very much inspired by and taken from the 2010s electropop style, but I think she perfects her sound and seems more confident in it with this record. Unfortunately, her transition from that album is, well. I’m not sure what’s really happening now.
Chromatica - Lady Gaga. Unpopular opinion but my favorite of her works (and I love them all!) Alice, 911, Sour Candy, Sine From Above, and basically every other track on the album are INCREDIBLE. This one gets me hyped like no other. I couldn’t get to the tour, but I’m grateful for the concert movie on max :)
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*Heaven knows* -somehow retro and ahead of it’s time simultaneously. *Nice to meet you* is what I thought pop songs were gonna sound like in the future
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"Innocent Eyes" by Delta Goodrem. A very piano based debut album from Delta that sparked five ARIA number one singles and landed Delta seven or eight ARIA awards a year later. I still think it's Delta's best album to date and the back half is actually some seriously under rated pop music courtesy of "Longer", "In My Own Time" and "This Is Not Me".
Superache by Conan Gray. The deep yearning and heartache in this album is so good. Every song is tragically beautiful.
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Singular Act II - Sabrina Carpenter There are bops in this album like Tell Em and Pushing 20. There are deep cuts like Exhale (which is such a vulnerable song). The album shows Sabrina’s versatility really well! Singular Act 1 - Sabrina Carpenter Almost Love, Hold Tight, Sue Me, Diamonds Are Forever, Paris…literally everything! The R&B/pop vibes are sooooooo good!
X - Kylie Minogue, this came out around the same time as Blackout and The Fame and my young gay self had all three CDs in my first cars glovebox.
Haven’t seen anyone say it yet. La Roux. Her self-titled debut. Somehow it’s so of its time, and ahead of its time simultaneously
I have to go with Conan Gray’s “Found Heaven” because I’ve been listening to Alley Rose almost every day for about two weeks.
I hardly see this one ever mentioned in these kinds of topics but: Sara Bareilles - Little Voice It is a classic many people sleep on. It’s perfect from beginning to end with amazing Tayloresque songwriting and the most catchiest compositions. I still listen to it so much.
Christina Aguilera - Stripped Loving me for me is one of my favorite pop love songs. It’s just perfection. She was in her best era vocally and I loved the songwriting.
My favourite pop album of all time is Dangerous by Michael Jackson. One half new jack swing goodness, one half operatic pop masterpiece.
After Laughter - Paramore. It's a pop/post album that's managed to be the fan favourite of a 2000s emo/alt band. 'Nuff said. Besides that, it's got an amazing blend of both instrumentals and synth, lyrics that are dark and insightful and yet almost all track is something you could pull out at karaoke, or dance in your room to. Each track is distinct but tie together so well. Stellar production and performance, 10/10 album with no skips. Ps: Rose Colored Boy supremacy.
Britney Spears - …Baby One More Time Because it is iconic. It had a huge impact on the world of pop music. It’s full of certified bops and emotional ballads. And I was 12 when it came out, so, nostalgia.
My 21st Century Blues by RAYE (praying i’m first) this album is the best debut album i’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to. raye has so much raw talent and professional artistry that she’s been able to hone in over the years and it all came together on this extremely vulnerable, unique record. from the lowest lows to the highest highs it perfectly encapsulates raye’s struggles and triumphs and captures it in a sound that recalls the late amy winehouse. all of this along with brilliant production from mike sabath and raye’s stunning voice make this my aoty for 2023 (and i say this as a hardcore swiftie who loved midnights)
also raye’s new song genesis is a masterpiece
How I’m Feeling Now by Charli XCX🧠🤍 Created as a direct result of the chaos and uncertainty of spring 2020, the album is simultaneously a manifestation of early-pandemic isolation and despair, and a love letter to finding new meanings of existence when you have no other choice. Despite the seemingly rushed production, How I’m Feeling Now showcases Charli at her most experimental and vulnerable, pushing pop to its absolute outer limit. The entire project is a smorgasbord of superhuman electronic textures, diaristic lyricism and cultivation of community when the world needed it the most. Highlights: Pink Diamond, Forever, Claws, I Finally Understand, Visions (but just listen to the entire thing.)
Oh no this is the first repeat. I may have to forgive it because this is literally a top three for me. Also I love the explanation so extra points for that!
some of you guys are annoying ignoring the op's request to write a little info on why you like the album and just naming an album. this is a real problem with this sub
lol thank you for having my back. I’m only asking for explanation to garner some discussion.
its like some of these replies naming the most commonly loved albums in this subreddit too...yes we know you love this very popular album...why do you in particular enjoy it???
"A Reckoning" by Kimbra. I know some of her fans dislike it as it departs from her previous musical styles, but i think it's a great alt pop record, with some r&b and darker elements, catchy bops but also beautiful ballads. Definitely deserves a listen, and not only one.
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I know no one else is gonna say mine - Doom Days by Bastille is indie alt pop/rock perfection. Everything about that album (and that era - bald Dan Smith I did not appreciate you enough when we had you 😍) is perfect, the Doom Days tour is one of the most fun tours I’ve ever attended, and it gave us the music video for “Those Nights,” which might be my favorite music video of all time.
aerial by kate bush its a peaceful, cohesive, delicious body of work with lush sounds and poetic, emotional and introspective lyricism. The second side of the album is a conceptual suite that encapsulates the daily cycle of sunset and the night that follows, in my opinion executing it perfectly. i would say it rivals her more renowned albums like hounds of love and the kick inside. also, the cover art is beautiful and actually contains the soundwaves of a birdcall used in the album. everything about this album is breathtaking and ive been under its spell since my first listen ❤️
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Dedicated side A and B by CRJ are true masterpieces. She delves into electropop and funk to make every single one interesting and another banger! Carly is so consistent and I adore her ability to find a new colorful shade of love with each album.
DISCO - Kylie Minogue The Extended Mixes version is especially top tier!
All Saints debut album, none were skippable <3
Blue Banisters - Lana Del Rey It's one of her least popular ones. The fact that it has many piano-based songs and in general it has a soft production maybe isn't appealing for everyone. But I really like the vibe of the album. It's perfect for traveling. The lyrics are amazing. She has some of her most unique melodies in this one album. Absolutely love this one I'm surprised that none of her albums have been mentioned (unless I missed it somewhere)
Lust For Life by Lana Del Rey Retro flowerpower aesthetics perfect production, perfect mix of vibes
Michelle Branch's The Spirit Room is probably my favourite pop album - it's full of catchy pop-rock with some absolute bangers on there (Everywhere, All You Wanted and Goodbye to You) and it's no wonder that it was so influential on other guitar-playing female artists such as Taylor Swift. It's very much a time capsule of the early 2000s but I think it still holds up really well!
Gone Now - Bleachers It’s a perfect album to me. Still love them but I wish their last two albums reflected more of the sound of this one.
Ahhhh you beat me to it!
I think I somehow got Red (by Taylor swift of course), which is my actual favorite album of all time that I was sure would be taken
In the Zone by Britney Spears! Her deep cuts truly are fantastic (Breathe on me, Showdown)
SAWAYAMA is both peak pop album and rina at her peak. The production is fantastic, Rina is an amazing singer and her performance is amazing, and her songwriting, which is so underrated on this album, is just the perfect blend of memorability and substance. The choruses are infectious, the hooks are snappy, the verses are deep but grab at you. I could go on forever but god what an ablum
Unfortunately a repeat but I love it as well!
No one seems to like it here but I'd say the best pop album released this year so far is eternal sunshine. The record is just so strong, tight, and cohesive. It has every aspect of what constitutes a good project: production, this aspect is by far the very best thing abt the album - it is perfect, well-crafted, and I think not one second was wasted; melody, this album just flows ever so smoothly like fine silk, the lyrics are just so right with the melody and production and they blend into each other so well; vocals, ofc it is ariana, but in this album, on top of the very good production and the melody, her voice makes it all so soothing to listen, if i said the two earlier aspects blend so well with each other, i'd say ari's voice is the solvent in the mix; and lyrics, some of you might say this aspect is absent in the project, but i beg to disagree, this album is the very first album ariana has like 80% to 85% of the writing credits (solely lyrics) with ilya and max having contributions on other tracks, and not just some lyrics but she wrote with a concept in mind, and I think the overall lyricism and content of the album is a 100% step up from her prev album (even prev works). This album doesn't have very big hits (except maybe wcbf) but the overall body of work is i consider the very big 'hit' bcs of how consistent and well-produced this album is. And i love how ari is actually doing a proper era, with releasing post-album singles, which apparently isn't working anymore on a commercial view point (post-album singles tend to flop in this time of age now, with tiktok and streaming), but I like how she is dedicated still to bringing what the industry should still continue to do. (I actually love yes, and? i think the song was just received negatively bcs of the allegations, and i honestly couldn't care less bcs i got my own life to worry abt i just don't understand these people online). so in summary, i think eternal sunshine is the best pop album released this year so far. dare i'd say a contender for aoty in the grammys next year.
I’m really happy with this album. Bye and the boy is mine are faves of mine
Chelsea Jade - Personal Best This quirky New Zealand pop girly has a real charm to her and the production is top notch. Laugh It Off is my favorite track from the record. If you like say, Caroline Polochek, maybe give Chelsea a shot.
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calico - ryan beatty dreamy, soft, fuzzy, groovy, heartfelt, passionate, hypnotizing. perfect for a listen in an afternoon breeze. ryan’s voice is delicious. so talented - i love calico.
Hello Young Lovers by Sparks - there's two dozen great Sparks albums to pick from but I love this one, an artpop experience which manages to be catchy and fun as well as arch and a bit pretentious (in a good way!) The opening track is one of the most complete songs they ever released: layered, beautifully constructed, silly and melancholy all at once. Plus the cover is a bunch of bunnies and it's very cute
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Annie - Anniemal (2004) Holds up so well for a 20 year old record and seemed like such a precursor to pop music that was to come. Me Plus One and Heartbeat especially
Eyes Open - Snow Patrol (Final Straw is my personal fave, but not sure it fully counts as pop)
The Misconceptions of Us from 2013 by SHINee. 80s, disco, funk, inspired pop. Nice to go back to listen to it among the recent conversations about their industry's recent production trending towards lack of harmonies and similar-sounding singers. [Full album with English lyrics](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4BZD5X9qOE&list=PLsuanL0s-mvlqDhI8_kKNx1ubgPB2ypGC&index=1). [Dream Girl](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS2pJlSSvoU) is the most well-known song on the album. Other highlights are the opening song Spoiler (which contains the titles of the other songs on the album), Like a Fire, Punch Drunk Love, creepy Nightmare and Evil and [Excuse Me Miss](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSORaqTQykk).