Welcome to the record store. Take your time and flip through the records in stock. If you pick out one you like, be sure to tell the clerk!
Mood: Badass & Sadass
PHOEBE BRIDGERS - PUNISHER (2020)
Not a genre I tend to listen to a lot, but I keep going back to this album. It's a sad one - bleak but hopeful too, in a way. 'I know the end' is a really cathartic final song that I'd love to scream along to live one day.
SLEEP TOKEN - TAKE ME BACK TO EDEN (2023)
Sleep Token are really talented at mixing genres - you can hear metal, djent, pop, folk, hip hop, and even gospel elements. It's sad, sexy and unpredictable, with evocative, poetic lyrics that can be relatable.
SPIRITBOX - ETERNAL BLUE (2021)
I love listening to this when I'm working out. Courtney Laplante is a vocalist with impressive range. After an album of heavy, visceral songs, the album ends on 'Constance', a sweet sad song about loss and dementia.
PORCUPINE TREE - FEAR OF A BLANK PLANET (2007)
Even now, this album really taps into something in my brain. It explores how technology is affecting society and our mental health - ahead of its time! 'Anesthetize' is a banger, while 'Sentimental' is soft/sad.
STEVEN WILSON - HAND CANNOT ERASE (2015)
A concept album inspired by the real life story of Joyce Carol Vincent, who lay dead in her London flat with no-one noticing for over two years, despite having family and friends. Sad pop / prog rock fusion.
NieR GESTALT & NieR REPLICANT OST (2010)
Singer Emi Evans created a whole new language (called Chaos) for these songs, a blend of English, French, Gaelic and Japanese. 'Snow in Summer,' 'Grandma,' and 'Kaine' are beautiful.
Mood: Chill UK vibes
BARRY CAN'T SWIM - WHEN WILL WE LAND? (2023)
Very chill house, with interesting textures and samples. The songs are upbeat, mostly slower but with some dancier tunes. 'Deadbeat Gospel' is fun.
MASSIVE ATTACK - COLLECTED (2006)
A beautiful collection of hits from Massive Attack. 'Teardrop' used to be my Myspace autoplayed track! I also love 'Danny the Dog' and 'Live with Me'. There is a lot of music in this - 2 CDs!
RADIOHEAD - IN RAINBOWS (2007)
The first 'pay what you want' digitally downloadable album! I got it for free at the time, but later got the pretty vinyl. Beautiful ambient later-day Radiohead. 'Jigsaw falling into Place' is the highlight!
KAE TEMPEST - THE LINE IS A CURVE (2022)
This UK rap / spoken word album is pretty evocative. I've seen Tempest perform live and they were joyful, vulnerable and honest. 'No prizes' is a lesson in succinct, short form storytelling.
Future 'Mood' sections will be added to the store, once the clerk gets around to placing those orders!