14 Comments
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Neural Foundry's avatar

This is such a thoughtful curation. The idea of skipping algo slop for full albums is something I've been thinking about lately too. Started doing this last year and dunno if its just me but entire albums feel different when theyre not just background noise to whatever Spotify decides. Really aprreciate the mix of obscure picks and classics here.

Jared Smith's avatar

Nothing better than actively listening to a new album, thanks for reading :)

Free Jazz on the CTA's avatar

Man, I haven’t heard someone talk about Technicolor Health in such a long time, and I’m so glad to see it on your list. I can’t wait to dig into some of these other albums.

Jared Smith's avatar

Some people know where they were on 9/11, and JFK's assassination, I know where I was when I heard the Shakes broke up :(

Jacqui Devaney's avatar

that Mia Wilson album has been on repeat, thanks for surfacing!!

Chris Garrod's avatar

++ finally... someone else who loves jj!!!! One of my favorite bands of all time!!! Thanks!!!!!! :-)

Jared Smith's avatar

You get it Chris! I never tire of their music, hundreds of listens later… Have you heard Delorean?

Chris Garrod's avatar

No, I haven’t, until I read your piece... but will check out!!! Thanks! I’ll do a Substack post on jj soon...

Have you heard of ceo? They are similar - see https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14407-white-magic/ for a review at that time.

Jared Smith's avatar

Sounds right up my alley, will listen ASAP

JB Minton 📺's avatar

Brilliant as usual, mate! No one gives as great homework as you!🙏

Jared Smith's avatar

Thanks my man.. lemme know if you go down any rabbithole here.

Howard Salmon's avatar

This is exactly the kind of list that makes album listening feel purposeful again — not just consumption, but commitment. I love how this moves between canon, cult classics, and genuinely new work without treating any of them as museum pieces. The Harlem Shakes callout alone feels like a minor cultural correction, and there are at least a dozen records here I’m adding to active rotation. Appreciate the mix of vinyl literacy, scene memory, and forward momentum — this reads like curation from someone who actually listens, not just compiles.

Jared Smith's avatar

Coming from you, that means a lot! Thank you!

Man, the Harlem Shakes, I would have bet so much on them being the next big thing I'd still be broke.

Greg H's avatar

Check out Love Rarely. Album coming soon but 4 songs out. “Will” is fantastic.