Intro: We’ve all been there. You listen to an album, and you love it so much that you tell all of your friends about it, convinced that they’re going to love it just as much as you do. But for some reason, they just don’t get it. They think the album is overrated or just not their thing. Sometimes albums can be unfairly overlooked simply because they don’t have the same commercial appeal as other albums out there. There are so many incredible music albums that don’t always get the recognition they deserve. Here is a list of seven excellent albums that you may not have heard of before but that you should check out. Whether you’re a fan of rock, pop, hip-hop, or any other genre, there’s sure to be something on this list for you! So without further ado, let’s get started.
1. Steve Miller Band – Recall the Beginning. A Journey from Eden:
This album is a must-hear for any American music fan, but it seems to be entirely forgotten about. It’s the band’s third studio album and features some of their best-known songs, such as “Space Cowboy,” “The Joker,” and “Take the Money and Run.” Highly influential in rock history, this album is a testament to Miller’s incredible songwriting abilities. It’s certainly worth a listen! You can download this album here.
2. Clifford T Ward – Home Thoughts:
Home Thoughts is a folk album released in the early ’70s by British singer-songwriter Clifford T. Ward. It’s a beautiful album with a relaxing sound and honest, emotional lyrics – just my kind of thing! The songs epitomize the genre, and it’s as good as anything ever recorded by classic folk artists such as Bob Dylan and Simon & Garfunkel.
3. John Stewart – California Bloodlines:
Stewart is a folk singer-songwriter from the United Kingdom, and California Bloodlines was his third album. It wasn’t a big hit when it came out in 1974; however, today, many music critics highly regard it as one of Stewart’s best albums. It was voted number 336 in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. California Bloodlines is a folk-rock album released in the ’70s by singer-songwriter and former member of The Kingston Trio, John Stewart. Drawing inspiration from his time living in Malibu and the Santa Ynez Valley, this album features some stunning songs such as “Maybe California,” “Civilization [Bongo Bongo Bongo],” and “Armadillo Willy.”
4. Ganser, Look at that Sky:
More than anything, Ganser’s songs are beautiful and complex works of art. Their music can be described as a psychedelic folk sound – the product of great songwriting and musicianship. Just Look at that Sky is the second album by Ganser, a band from Portland, Oregon. The songs of this album are relatively mellow and acoustic with a laidback rhythm, but they have a sort of energy about them that keeps you hooked.
5. KeiyaA, Forever, Ya Girl:
This album is so good, you don’t even know. The songs are passionate and story-driven; the lyrics give you a sense of KenyA’s emotions. And it has an incredible female singer with a super powerful voice: every song sounds like it belongs in a musical. A child of the Internet, only 22 years old and already three albums under her belt, it’s evident that Keiya is an artist who has dedicated herself to making music. Forever, Ya Girl (her third album) features songs in pop/electronica style with catchy beats and witty lyrics delivered by Keiya’s pleasant voice.
6. Jonathan Terrell, Westward: Forever, Ya Girl
A Red Bull Music Academy alum and longtime member of the renowned Soulection music collective (a tastemaking crew that focuses on spreading only the dopest in hip-hop, R&B, and dance music), Sam Gellaitry has been making waves for a few years now. The 20-year-old producer out of Stirling, Scotland, has already collaborated with Sampha and Jorja Smith. His debut album Escapism III is an experimental blend of hip-hop beats and synths that take listeners on a ride through different emotions.
7. A Deeper Understanding (2017) – The War on Drugs
An Alternative Rock band out of Philadelphia, The War on Drugs, came out with their third album in 2017. Adam Granduciel seamlessly combines psychedelic rock and folk music elements into his work to create an emotional listening experience that feels like you’re traversing through different cities within your mind. Tracks like “Holding On” and “Up All Night” blend perfectly into the rest of this beautiful work. A Deeper Understanding was well received by critics upon its release, boasting a rating of 8.1 on the music review aggregation site Metacritic. It invigorated hopes that the War on Drugs will finally break through to mainstream success.
Conclusion:
underrated albums are often slow hits that come to light late after release. These music albums are an excellent example of it. They beat the time and managed to inspire generations after they were released and are sure to stay for the future.
