Classic Western albums: must-listen recommendations you should hear at least once

StreamsideThe Album Leaf

The Album Leaf – Streamside (Live on KEXP)

A solo project by Jimmy LaValle, who was also a member of the post-rock band Tristeza.

Tristeza itself had a dreamy feel, and this carries that directly into an acoustic form—an airy, floating acoustic sound.

Alwaysblink-182

blink-182 – Always (Official Video)

Pop punk became a worldwide craze around the year 2000, launching countless famous bands, and Blink-182 stood among the most iconic.

Catchy melodies, breakneck beats, and goofy antics—everything sat squarely at the heart of pop-punk culture.

But the band grew up with their fifth album, “Blink-182.” As heard in the featured track “Always,” they adopted a slightly darker, more laid-back sound influenced by new wave, setting themselves apart from the rest of the pop-punk scene.

Diane YoungVampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend – Diane Young

In the late 2000s, the New York indie rock scene—centered in Brooklyn—drew significant attention.

A band that epitomized Brooklyn was Vampire Weekend, and their third album was Modern Vampires of the City.

Their music, simple and even endearing as if returning to the era of the Velvet Underground, became a major hit, especially among young people.

They are a band that seems to embody the breadth and openness of New York’s art world, and the album is a classic.

Never MeantAmerican Football

American Football – Never Meant [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Indie rock that feels perfect for a slow afternoon.

The sound is so dazzling that it left me impressed, realizing rock can be this stylish.

It’s emotional without being loud—gentle tones that seep into the heart, with a touch of beauty.

Back HereBBMak

BB MAK, BACK HERE

A signature song by a hidden gem of a group that debuted in 1999, released two albums, and then unfortunately disbanded.

Neither album has so-called “filler” tracks; every song is easy to listen to and paints a gentle, pop world.

The beautifully clean harmonies are especially memorable.

Near DarkBurial

Burial – Near Dark

EDM became a major movement in the 2010s.

It’s often said to be influenced by dubstep, and one of dubstep’s early masterpieces is Burial’s “Untrue.” Its austere, dark aesthetic is worlds apart from EDM and may surprise many listeners, yet elements like the heavily distorted bass hint at its later impact on EDM.

While it’s a niche, somewhat esoteric album that EDM fans might not immediately take to, it’s an essential listen for any dance music devotee.

Send It OnD’Angelo

D’Angelo Send It On

Who is the current king of Black music? Many people would probably answer, “D’Angelo.” He’s a rare artist who crafts that distinctly Black-music groove, with melodies that glide effortlessly across octaves and rhythms that lock in with the drums and bass.

His signature album is likely Voodoo.

Its sticky, almost ritualistic groove and the overdubbed vocals that build into a one-man gospel can be impossible to escape once you’re hooked.