The purpose of this key is to mark the albums with an indicator of how much I like each song. I diligently graded the tracks on each album, taking into account lyrics, production, instrumentals, but mostly just how much it stuck with me as a listener.

TOP SONG: ⭐️

FAVORITES

LOVE

LIKE

SKIP

DISLIKE

MUSICAL INTERLUDE 

An interlude typically serves as a transitional piece in an album. It is typically instrumental and very short, lacking the full body to make it a song. For this reason, I avoided giving these tracks a “grade.”

Note: The albums are listed in alphabetical order, they are not ranked. 

Source: kevinabstract.co

48 minutes 27 seconds

This album stands out to me for its multitude of collaborations. Kevin Abstract features other musicians on almost every track on this album, resulting in a diverse sonic experience. I specifically love the songs featuring Dominic Fike. Every time Abstract and Fike collaborate, they produce some of my favorite music. I am beyond excited that they have come together, creating a band titled “Geezer” that they started promoting with the release of this album.

• H-Town
• Copy
• Danny’s Track
• Yoko Ono
• NOLA
• Post Break Up Beauty
• 97 Jag
• Text Me
• Geezer ⭐
  • • • It’s hard to pick one favorite song from this album, but this song was on repeat for me from the second I heard this album. The guitar loop and obnoxious snare hit in this song combine to make a really unique and catchy song.

• Blush Interlude
• Maroon
• Pop Out
• Doggy
• Girlfriend
• Bloom
• Abandon Me
• Red Light

Source: LucyDacus.Store

43 minutes 32 seconds

I’ve been a fan of the band, “boygenuis” (featuring Lucy Dacus) since their sophomore album “The Record” released in 2023. It wasn’t until hearing “Forever Is A Feeling,” however, that I became immersed with Dacus’ solo projects. When this album came out, I would listen to it every single chance I got. The beautiful lyricism and minimalist production fully immersed me in the album. From driving to studying to going to sleep, this record dominated my music listening in March and April and for good reason. 

• Calliope Prelude
• Big Deal
• Ankles
• Limerence
• Modigliani
• Talk
• For Keeps
• Forever Is A Feeling
• Come Out
• Best Guess
• Bullseye (with Hozier)⭐️
  • • While I’m not an avid Hozier listener, I find myself listening to this song over and over again because of how well his voice pairs with Dacus’s. This song also showcases Dacus’s talent for writing extremely well with her simple but profound way of describing a break-up. If you like either of these artists, I’d recommend listening to the live cover of this song on YouTube.

• Most Wanted Man
• Lost Time

Source: heyrolemodel.com

55 minutes 10 seconds

While this album originally came out in 2024, the deluxe version came out in 2025 and I couldn’t help but include it. Much like the other albums on this list, I found myself just shuffling it over and over again. I’ve never been a fan of Role Model’s music in the past, but this album is a complete 180 in the right direction. I find myself really drawn to this album because of the country roots integrated into a piece that is overall modern pop.

• Writing’s On the Wall
• Look at That Woman
• Scumbag
• Oh, Gemini
• Frances
• Superglue⭐️
  • • I am a sucker for a song with sad lyrics placed over a happy beat. My favorite thing about this song are the interludes where the 70’s style guitar comes to a sudden halt and Role Model spews out a heart-felt rap verse. The instrumentation dies down throughout the song, alerting the listener to a cacophony of lyrics that feel like an insight into his own stream of consciousness.

• The Dinner
• Deeply Still in Love
• Slut Era Interlude
• So Far Gone (feat. Lizzy McAlpine)
• Slipfast
• Compromise
• Something, Somehow, Someday
• Old Recliners
• Sally, When the Wine Runs Out
• Some Protector
• The Longest Goodbye

Source: Dominick Fike Spotify

25 minutes 58 seconds

I have been an avid listener of Dominic Fike for a while now, so I was fairly stoked when this album released earlier this year. I appreciate the experimental route Fike takes with this album, it showcases completely new sounds and vulnerability in his lyrics. While it is not my favorite work of his, I still think it makes for a pretty decent body of music with some good stand outs.

• All Hands on Deck
• Aftermath
• Smile
• Sandman⭐️
  • • I am most drawn to this song because it emanates Fike’s unique sound that is established throughout his discography. To me this song sounds like it could be an extra off of his “Sunburn” album (my personal favorite), because of its familiar blend of hip-hop and indie music styles.

• Great Pretender
• $500 Fine
• One Glass
• Quite the Opposite
• Upset & Aggressive
• David Lyons
• Epilogue

Source: Shop.OliviaDeano.com

34 minutes 23 seconds

The writing in this album tells a whole story of life through love from finding good and goodbye to loving yourself to falling into a new relationship. I love Dean’s timeless but unique sound that is reminiscent of Amy Winehouse and Adele.

• The Art of Loving (Intro)
• Nice To Each Other
• Lady Lady
• Close Up
• So Easy (To Fall in Love)
• Let Alone The One You Love
• Man I Need
• Something Inbetween
• Loud
• Baby Steps
• A Couple Minutes⭐️
  • • This song is incredibly beautiful not just sonically but lyrically. While her voice over the strings arrangement is heavenly, what makes this song my favorite is the writing. Her song captures the diverse array of emotions one feels when trying to find closure in a relationship’s end, telling the story of revisiting a past partner, only to find she must let go.

• I’ve Seen It