The Rotation: Quarantine Edition

I’ve been listening to the same thing Since quarantine has started. I usually switch my vibe up after one or two months but seeing as the worlds kind of been on the same wave since March, I too, have been on the same wave. Here are the top five albums and artist in my rotation from the past 4-5 months.

Tora

I honestly don’t understand how I found this Australian band, but boy, am I glad I did. I really needed this, because I was getting sucked up by trap music. Yes, I love G Herbo, Sada Baby, and Young Thug, but I needed Tora to really chill me out. Their deep melodic vibes pretty much take me away. I’ve been shuffling all of their albums with Can’t Buy the Mood and Take a Rest being two of my favorites. If you want to get into them, check out songs like “Eat the Sun,” “Dope,” and “Paramount (Crayon Remix).” If you’re looking to diversify your taste in music, this is a solid band to do it. Also, check out their performances on YouTube. Watching bands do live performances often presents a different sound. Like “Amsterdam” live is much better than the album version.

Don Tolliver – Heaven or Hell

The moment I heard “Can’t Say” on Astroworld I knew I would fall in love with Don Toliver. This very short and sweet album has kept me at an all-time high during Quarantine. Honestly, when it first came out, I kind of hated it. I think I was in a bad headspace because when I tried again two months later, I was hooked. Now, I could listen to “No Idea” five times in a row with zero complaints. I think what I love most about the album is the different vibes on it. “Wasted” and “Can’t feel my Legs” get me going while “Company” and “Cardigan” make me love a person who doesn’t exist. However, I can’t listen to “After Party” without thinking of that Tik Tok of Mason Dissick.

Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon Deluxe - Pop Smoke Album Cover.jpg

All things Pop Smoke

Man, R.I.P Pop Smoke. I knew 2020 was getting unreal when they took my mans. I will admit, the first time I heard “Welcome to the Party” in September 2019 I was definitely afraid. But somewhere between “gun on my hip,” and “cause you could get hit,” I was jumping around with one foot in the air. At the beginning of Quarantine, all I had was Meet the Woo 2. Since then, I have been blessed with Shoot for the Star Aim for the Moon (Deluxe). My favorite side of Pop Smoke has been these super sweet 90s samples. I could listen to “Something Special” all day. Also, Rowdy Rebels jail feature in “Make it Rain,” took me back to the “Computers,” days… free Bobby out that You-Know.

Graves Into Gardens - Elevation Worship Album Cover.jpg

Elevation Worship – Graves into Gardens

Now this album is special to me. Not because it’s worship, but because it’s different for me. I often listen to the same gospel songs over and over and still get the same ministering. Honestly, I think I’ve been listening to the same 10-15 gospel artist for the past three years, and I’m totally okay with that. Elevation Worship is so out of my comfort zone because they’re *whispers* white worship. Something I often find harder to connect to, this album took me by surprise. It’s a solid worship album. Something to make you dance and move your body, something that’ll break you down, and something to listen to every day. I prefer it in the morning because worship in the morning just hits different *chefs kiss.* My favorite song is “Never Lost.”

Hayley Williams – Petals for Armor

I am a huge Paramore fan. Like, past the “Misery Business” days, Brand New Eyes is their best album, I went to two of their concerts Paramore fan. I couldn’t help but to stan Hayley dropping her solo album. This album was all the feels I needed. Heartbreak. Redemption. Newfound joy. Like the name of one of my favorite songs, “Pure Love.” I think what I love the most about this is how much you can truly tell about an artist through their music. With Hayley’s album, I can tell she’s been through a lot, and is emerging from a dark space. This album makes me proud of her growth, and I can resonate with it so much.