Masuk Free Press

Albums. Long or short, good or bad, old or new. There is an uncountable amount of albums out there. From heavy metal to mellow jazz, there is something out there for everyone. With such an abundance of music, it is easy for an album to get lost in the sauce as a whole. 

But, not every album is washed out. Some are undeniably classic. They have effectively cemented themselves in history. But what if the album is modern, and there is no history to look back at? The best thing to do is predict. 

However, not all albums are built the same, as some show different levels of quality. Though some are just good all around, it depends on personal taste as well. Some people may adore all kinds of rock music, while others are avid fans of pop. It does not make one genre better than the other; it is just a different take. Even with differences of opinion, some receive high praise almost all around, making them a classic.

While by no means am I an expert, I can pick some out from the rest that stand out as a great piece. For me, what makes an album a contender to be a classic is the cohesiveness or defining characteristic. Cohesiveness is what connects the tracks together, making it feel like one work of art, rather than a bunch of random picks. Artists can do this through things like genre and story telling. For instance, every track on an album might help to tell a love story over time. For a defining characteristic, it’s what makes the music stand out, like lyricism. The lyrics should leave a lasting impact, and feel like they have more backing than just words with a note. The music has to excel in one or more to be truly at the top. 

With that, here are a couple of albums that I believe will become classics, and why they are so beloved.

‘Charm’ by Clairo, 2024

Coming from a generational run of music in 2024, Grammy winning ‘Charm’ is a quintessential album that will be enjoyed by many to come. Taking inspiration from some of the jazz rhythms and psychedelic music of the 1970s, Clairo blends some older vibes with modern technical sounds. It has apparent jazz and bossa nova influences, giving it a unique sound and rhythm to each song. Stand out tracks like “Juna” and “Terrapin” tell love stories with beautiful backtracks. In them, Clairo talks of her lover and the simple life she strives for, creating peaceful lyrics that match the instrumentals. Some of her lyrics feel warm and fuzzy, while other times she hits a dull feeling. The delivery of her lyrics puts you into the song. In particular, the track, “Juna”, mimics dreamy feelings and comfort excellently delivered. This album blends genres exceptionally, standing out from her previous works. It also differs from works of other artists of similar genres. Overall, the album is warm, comforting and delivers an almost psychedelic sound.

‘Romance’ by Fontaines D.C.

Released by Irish rock band Fontaines D.C., “Romance” sounds like a high quality, upgraded garage band in the best way possible. The band, known for using their performances for activism and their previous albums, such as “Dorgrel”, created an album that is the pinnacle of their work. It encapsulates its main genre, post punk, while also taking strong influences from dream pop and punk. Starting off the album strong, the track, “Romance” sets an almost ominous tone for the rest of the album. The following track, “Starbuster” is my personal favorite with bolder beats and catchy lyrics. “Here’s the thing” features an almost nirvana-like sound. “Favorite” is also an amazing track, with a slightly different sound to the rest of the album. “Romance” hits the ground running, and ends just as strong. 

“Gemini Rights” by Steve Lacy

“Gemini Rights” is an album that is listenable to any point in the day and thoroughly enjoyable. Its laid back vibe still makes room for mood changes while simultaneously keeping the same demeanor. While tracks, “Helmet” and “Mercury” may have different sounds, they feel cohesive. Though the tracks remain chill, the emotion seeps through each line. Lacy talks of his lover and their problems with the utmost passion, bringing up his struggles with himself, his relationship and how he navigates them. Combining genres like RnB, bedroom pop and more, he creates a world that you dissolve into. Each track feels put together yet free forming at the same time. Songs like “Static”, “Bad Habit” and “Helmet” have well earned popularity. Their melodies easily become earworms, but not in a bad way. In an interview with Kevin L Clarck for the Grammy’s, Lacy said, “Gemini Rights is essentially me coming into myself after a breakup. It’s a story that is very fluid [and] very fun. To me, the subject matter could be sad if you look at it that way, but I feel like it is way more hopeful — and that’s the story: finding happiness,” and Lacy’s work and lyricism in the album truly reflects this.

“Get Up” EP by Newjeans 

In terms of kpop, newjeans has my heart. It may be a very short, twelve minute runtime, but it is a wonderful one at that. They have loads of catchy songs, bringing high spirits to brighten anyone’s day. With hits like, “ETA”, “Supershy” and “New Jeans”, Newjeans brings upbeat melodies that make you wanna get up and dance, as kpop is so often trying to do. However, they bring some chill vibes that take inspiration from RnB with songs like “Cool with You” and “Newjeans”. Newjeans will make even the grumpiest of people smile. Not only this, but the EP cover is amazing, bright and fun. It matches the record perfectly, with its bright, bubbly colors and vibe.

“Chromokopia” by Tyler, the Creator

In my humble opinion, the best has been saved for last. A smash hit from November 2024, this album hit the ground running, and deservingly so. Earning three nominations in the 2026 Grammy Awards for Album of the Year, Best Album Cover, and Best Rap Performance, many would argue that this deserves all three. Everything from this album is absolutely spectacular. To me, what stands out about this album is the absolutely majestic collaborations. Starting with the first track, “St. Chroma” Daniel Ceaser is featured, adding seamlessly blended vocals to Tyler’s opening track. The track enters you into Tyler’s world, even using marching steps to guide. Caesar’s vocals introduce the otherworldly aspect of the album. Tyler’s voice introduces the storytelling that prevails throughout the album. This creates a running theme of the collaborations on this album. Not a single collaboration here feels as if it were there just to collaborate, but rather they’re there to improve or create the track. Another great track that exemplifies this is “Like Him”, featuring Lola Young. Collab’s are not the only thing this album does right. Every song sounds unique with its own purpose and sound, as well as lyricism. The track, “Ballon” in particular stands out because of its videogame-like sound. Throughout the album, Tyler has deeply personal tracks and lyrics. In the song “Hey Jane” Tyler delves into a pregnancy scare, from both his perspective and the woman’s. On “Noid”, Tyler speaks of the parasocial relationship that fans have with him, and how it impacts his life in weird ways. The whole work leaves an intense emotional impact for days after the first listen.

That concludes my take on some albums that will be classics. These albums bring the best of music to the world’s ears; from the genre blending of “Charm”, to the RnB of “Gemini Rights”, these artists have encapsulated their moment in time. They hold a special place in the hearts of many, ensuring that they withstand the test of time in many people’s hearts. One might even be able to call it, “Romance”.