Photo by Edu Grande on Unsplash

So music has always been a massive part of my life. Most of my memories are paired with songs or albums which I was listening to at the time. When I think about my childhood in Oxford, I think about Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, The Killers and Jamiroquai. When I think of high school, I think of Black Veil Brides, Slipknot, Avenged Sevenfold and Marilyn Manson. When I think of college, I think of The Front Bottoms and French jazz music.

I've always loved playing music too. I used to play the flute and take singing lessons in high school. When I was a toddler, I used to stand on a chair and play my grandad's keyboard. When I started to get into Metallica, I begged my parents for a guitar because Kirk Hammett made playing it look so easy!

These are the 10 albums I have picked out which have stuck with me up until now. Some, I found pretty recently and some have been strong favourites for years! Each means a lot to me! Let me know what your favourite albums are. I'm always looking for new music to listen to!

Adore - The Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins are one of my all-time favourite bands. My parents listen to them and I followed suit back when I purchased this album in high school, my first album of theirs. This album is so calm and almost eerie. I adore Billy Corgan's voice. I can't describe it, it's just so beautiful and different. I like to listen to this calming album when I'm reading. It blurs into the background so nicely.

Favourite track: Perfect

Ten - Pearl Jam

Another one I found through my mum. She has always been a fan of this album and I shocked her one day when Jeremy came on the radio and I sang along. I had heard it on Kerrang a few days before but didn't catch the band name. She proceeded to tell me about Pearl Jam and although I love their other music, their debut album will always be my favourite. When I moved to Manchester for university, I would listen to Pearl Jam Unplugged on my iPod on my walk to work. It is still played non-stop and I will never tire of the album, both normal and unplugged.

Favourite track: Black

Tapestry - Carole King

Just before I started uni for the first time, I started to watch Gilmore Girls. It helped me through freshers when I felt super homesick and alone. I would curl up on my bed in my student accommodation and binge watch Gilmore Girls every evening. It was my little comfort. While in this space of time, I found out who sang the theme song and decided to find more of her music. I listened to Tapestry by Carole King non-stop on Spotify for a week before buying the vinyl. To this day, it is my most played record and it's like a musical comfort blanket for me. I can't be sad when listening to this album.

Favourite track: So Far Away

Atlas: Space - Sleeping At Last

A few summers ago, I spent a lot of time listening to character-themed playlists on 8tracks. My favourite character to search for at the time was Grantaire from Les Miserables. On quite a few Les Miserables themed playlists, Sleeping At Last songs were included. Every time I came across one, I would be struck by how beautiful this music really is. Their entire Atlas collection of music is beautiful, but I have always felt drawn to the Atlas: Space collection. Each song is named after a planet and each is incredibly beautiful and emotional.

Favourite track: Earth

Controversy - Prince

Ah, Prince. My ultimate fave. My favourite album by Prince changes all the time and I am sure that if I were to write this post in about a month, I would choose another album. Perhaps Purple Rain or Parade. At the moment, Controversy is the Prince album which I listen to most. Either that or I just put on the This Is: Prince playlist by Spotify. I just generally love his music and I wish that I could have seen him perform live.

Favourite track: Controversy

Talon of the Hawk - The Front Bottoms

In college, I discovered one of my favourite bands through my friends. The Front Bottoms. I was so lucky to see them on tour just before my 19th birthday with a really good friend. To this day, it is still my favourite gig I have ever gone to. Their music just has a way to get me all happy and excited. I love all of their albums, but these days I just tend to really gravitate towards Talon of the Hawk.

Favourite track: Peach

Black Panther (Soundtrack) - Kendrick Lamar

Recently, I haven't been able to get enough of listening to the Black Panther soundtrack. Black Panther is my favourite Marvel film and I was lucky enough to see it three times in the cinema. The soundtrack really pulls it together and I love it so much! It's perfect to listen to on my walk to uni in the morning to really get me hyped up for the day ahead!

Favourite track: Opps

The Pale Emperor - Marilyn Manson

Marilyn Manson is another artist who I cannot get enough of. I tend to listen to all of the albums on shuffle, but when choosing which to put on this list, I felt drawn to The Pale Emperor. It's easier listening which is what I have needed recently. Background music when I need to focus on my work.

Favourite track: Third Day of a Seven Day Binge

Ride the Lightning - Metallica

Metallica has been my favourite band on-and-off for years and I always seem to come back to them. They bring energy and power when I need to get up and go and are great to listen to when exercising or walking somewhere. In high school, I bought Guitar Hero Metallica and ended up actually getting an actual guitar because I wanted to play like Kirk Hammett. Unfortunately, I'm not even close to being that good at guitar, and I still envy Hammett to this day.

Favourite track: For Whom the Bell Tolls

Bookends - Simon and Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel bring back so many memories. In my primary school choir, we used to sing Bridge Over Troubled Water. I would listen to it time and time again. Bookends was the first full album I listened to by them and I have worshipped it since. My dad loves Simon and Garfunkel, and while I sometimes prefer Paul Simon's solo work, they do hold a very special place in my heart.

Favourite track: America

Do you like any of the albums on this list? What are your favourite albums? I would love to know! x