Sing-A-Longs and Lullabies from the film Curious George, Jack Johnson

Revisit your childhood with the easygoing sounds of Jack Johnson’s album created for the Curious George movie. These songs speak to the inner child but also hold deeper meanings about the world we live in. Simple messages like the ones contained in these tracks are oftentimes the ones we find most prevalent in our everyday lives. This album is especially nostalgic for me because it transports me back to a time when life had no worries, but instead only fond memories. – Garrett Buchanan

Twenty One Pilots (Self-Titled)

Twenty One Pilots' (TØP) self-titled album is their debut as a band, from all the way back in 2009. Although it is by far their least polished work, it is beautiful and real in ways that few other albums are; it is not an album to put on in the background. Lead singer Tyler Joseph explores issues of doubt, uncertainty, pain, loss, and longing for connection, all in the context of his own faith, through raw vocals and heartfelt lyrics. Unable to commit to a single genre, TØP blends together techno, indie pop-rock, gentle piano, rap, and even a few hints of ukulele into an intriguing soundscape across the span of the album. – Isaiah Underwood

Easy On My Eyes, Stephen Sanchez

Find beauty in the simplicity of acoustic guitar/piano and soft vocals. Enter into love lost and found; a gentle escape from reality into the realm of dreams and storytelling. Stephan Sanchez’s Melodies seem to float as they reflect an almost innocent peace, even in the midst of the more melancholy lyrics. This album not only serves as a canvas of beautiful stories, but also as a place to be still in a world enveloped in chaos. Many will recognize the song “Until I Found You”, as it became rather popular on social media platforms for a while. But the rest of this album, which was released later, I would argue to be even better, and even more breathtaking than the hit single. – Larkin Ten Elshof

Rites of Passage (Expanded Edition), Indigo Girls

My album recommendation is the Indigo Girls Rites of Passage (Expanded Edition). I chose this album to recommend for a couple of reasons. First, their lyrics are absolutely brilliant. Second, they layer different sets of beliefs as seamlessly as they do their harmonies. Third, their harmonies and background music are relatively simple. Yet, there is something profound in the beautifully simple- particularly when we are learning. We see this in the parables as well as the many nursery songs that taught us our first lessons.  – Berit Lunstad

The Joshua Tree, U2

This all time great album from U2 is an amazing exploration of Americana from an Irish rock band. They are able to capture the emotion of the central US so beautifully. It sounds distinctly American, while never losing U2's Irish roots. The themes of love, adventure, addiction, and moving on are powerful. – Matthew Wiese

Feel Something, Movements

Quintessentially emo, Movements represents the excessivdely dramatic core of post-punk music. The band's breakout album, Feel Something, picked up steam as hard emo metal dropped in popularity and emotional indie started topping the charts. Its release created waves within both musical communities, blurring the lines between the two genres. The album itself discusses topics ranging from teen angst to adult dissatisfaction to elderly decline. Their lead singer occasionally utilizes spoken word poetry to emphasize specific issues like complacency and even dementia. Perhaps Movements put a bit too much emotional salsa on their edgy taco, but the album will make you "Feel Something" nonetheless. -Mason Ticas

Nightmare, Avenged Sevenfold

Take a trip back into the world of metal core that was prolific in the 2000s with this album from A7X. The drummer of the band, who referred to himself as "The Rev" passed away suddenly due to overdose during the making of the album, though his vocals and drumming are present on several tracks. "So Far Away" is the band's tribute to him. I hope you will enjoy this album's diverse offering of slower, emotional songs as well as its more progressive elements seen in the 11 minute long closer song "Save Me". – Nathan Kirk

Taylor Swift (self-titled debut album)

I grew up listening to this album and it mirrored my feelings as a young adolescent. It encapsulates the teenage girl's heart and longings in 14 songs. – Miriam Melkonian

Fern Hill, John Corigliano (Cleveland Chamber Choir)

Maybe it’s a sign of my age – but this poem about youth, innocence and the passing of time gives me shivers of delight and sadness all at the same time. Take the time to read the poem first, and see what you think of Corigliano’s musical setting. In some places I think it interprets in ways I wouldn’t go, but in other places it amplifies Thomas’ poetry powerfully: childlike joy in the world of marvels we find given to us, yet tinged with sorrow and longing as Time steals it away. – Dr. Gee

Hidden Here, Tiffany Hudson

Hidden Here is a musical journey where the listener gets to sit and be convicted and comforted by the biblically centered and emotionally infused truths poured out by Tiffany Hudson. In this album, Biblical imagery runs wild as the artist takes stories and illusions that might be well-known to a Christian listener, and brings them into a new light that may just bring them to tears. A critical moment on the journey is Break The Bottle, where famed worship leader Steffany Gretzinger joins our composer to revisit the imagery of the woman with the Alabaster jar in a way that will challenge how the listener views worship. This is arguably not a worship album, but it does force the listener to engage with their relationship with God on an intimate level. – Jon Kratzberg

Automatic for the people, R.E.M.

“Automatic is a collage of loss. Visions of fleeting childhood innocence, passing family, relationships we once had, and our own personal security form a fragmented picture of all we once had. While feelings depress, one can discover their own insecurities and find hope in redemption and growth. Listen to the strain in Stipe’s voice, the complements of Jones’ orchestral arrangements, and the rare moments of calm in an overwhelming world.” – David Peterson

Moments: 011 (Live), UPPERROOM

UPPERROOM is a church based in Dallas, Texas. They hope to be and are for me “ a resting place for his presence”. Go for a walk on campus, that’s what I do. Put your phone under your pillow before bed and rest in His presents. What you have a moment… listen to “Moments” by UPPERROOM. – Abigail Hundley

Give or Take, Giveon

Sometimes you just want to listen to a R&B album that's not cussing in your ear every other word! Enter Give or Take. GIVEON's deep and soulful voice makes Give or Take an easy listening experience full of anecdotes about his various heartbreaks. GIVEON calls the project "a conversation with my mom" about the "roller coaster" of "26 year-old man growing up today." Now let's sit back and relax as we eavesdrop on their conversation on love, complicated relationships, and healing! – Julia Lottes

2013 Forest Hills Drive, J. Cole

This album is very nostalgic for me. Growing up I listened to it on the radio on my way to school and genuinely enjoyed its flow and beats. As I got older I got to closely analyze the lyrics and storytelling in each song, and that made me love it even more. This album is personal, authentic, and raw and it deals with some heavier topics but it's so worth listening to.  – Kisa Mosley

Clair de Lune (Ultimate Edition), Isao Tomita

At once an attempt to bring Debussy to the masses and a virtuosic demonstration of the analog synthesizer, Japanese composer and arranger Isao Tomita’s album Clair De Lune (Ultimate Edition) rests firmly in its position as the time-tested king of the classical crossover genre.

Clair De Lune is essentially a repackaging (with new album art and two bonus tracks) of Tomita’s 1974 album Snowflakes Are Dancing, which was globally successful upon its release and introduced millions to the iconic tone poems of French composer Claude Debussy.

Tomita’s synthesized arrangements of these pieces demonstrate creativity and taste, enhancing the moods of the original piano versions. Notice the haunting effervescence of the recognizable “Clair de Lune” and the light-footed whimsy of “Passepied” and “Golliwog’s Cakewalk.” Tomita also uses the unique capabilities of the analog synthesizer, particularly noise generation, to introduce atmosphere and sonic depth to tracks like “Des pas sur la neige” and “La fille aux cheveux de lin.”

Because of the technological limitations of the day—synthesizers were entirely monophonic, so only one pitch could sound at a time—Tomita performed and recorded each voice onto separate tapes and mixed them together in stereo, a process which took fourteen months to complete.

Snowflakes Are Dancing was one of many albums released in the last four decades of the twentieth century with the aim of (re)popularizing famous classical themes with a younger audience. Such projects, like Wendy Carlos’ Switched-On Bach and the Hooked On Classics series, met with some success but were eventually viewed as novelty music (or a gross compromise of the composer’s artistic vision) and consigned to the bargain bins of record stores. Copies of Snowflakes Are Dancing, however, continue to attract attention from collectors, a testament to Tomita’s originality and impact.

22, A Million, Bon Iver

Take a break from the acoustic/folk/unplugged/authentic world and try this one on for size! Justin Vernon’s (Bon Iver) sonically exploratory but strikingly expressive album is nostalgic, haunting, beautiful and perplexing. IMHO don’t worry about following the rather opaque lyrics. Consider how Vernon can turn vocal and sonic manipulations into expressive devices (e.g. the sonic “blips” in 22 (OVER Soon) and the vocal processing of 715 (CREEKS)). - Dr. Gee

Zeal, Kings Kaleidoscope

A challenge to persistent (band leader Chad Gardner would probably say “child-like”) faith in a post-Christian deconstructing world. Besides chewing on the metaphors that Gardner uses to describe to describe a post-Christian context faith journey, consider also the role orchestra instruments play and what they might be coded for (vis a vis your typical alternative rock instruments). Finally, I’d be curious to know how you respond to how Gardner ends the album.

Incidentally, framing this album is Chad Gardner and others both participation in and eventual departure from Mark Driscoll’s Mars Hill church. You can listen to a podcast episode about their band here.

For more background, KK did a nice documentary on the making of the album as well.

-Dr. Gee

The Epic, Kamasi Washington

“A generous canvas” according to its Pitchfork review. Yeah, and a little bit more. Not for the faint of heart!

Take the plunge into this triple album of sonic glory, and drink until you’re satisfied. There’ll be plenty left for your next listen.

– Dr. Gee