Crystal Aura Gaze

I was inspired by Apple Music releasing their Top 100 Albums Of All Time. The thing is that music is subjective — there is no such thing as a best album of all time. It’s all completely personal to the listener. So here is my personal list.

Disclaimer: Just because an artist isn’t on this list, doesn’t mean they’re not one of my favorites. I have a lot of favorite artists in which I do not have an album that I’d consider a favorite. For an album, I am talking about the entire experience of the album from track 1 to the finale, include the artwork and concept. Also, this list could totally change in a couple of years from now because sometimes it takes a while for an album to really grow on me. I left out some more recent albums that will probably be on this list eventually.

Some of these are missing descriptions and that’s because I honestly did get a little burnt out writing such a long piece, but I thought I need to still post this! Sometimes I ask myself, why do I write so much? Is there really a need? I also discovered that 100 albums is not as many as you’d think. I had to cut several of them out just to make it fit!

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100. The Dream Weaver — Peter Gundry

2015, instrumental

This is a magical album that takes you through the enchanted forest of witches and wizards. I generally prefer music with words and lyrics, but sometimes you need to take in the sound and melody. Wordless music gives you the open door to create your own story, making it feel more personal.

99. Crybaby — Tegan and Sara

2022, indie pop

Tegan and Sara have many great songs from many albums, I chose their most recent one to make the list.

97. Night Time, My Time — Sky Ferreira

2013, alternative

This is a great angsty album.

96. Wet Leg — Wet Leg

2022, indie rock

This British girl band is lighthearted and whimsical. The self-titled album is their first and only so far — itching to hear more from them!

95. Friends on Mushrooms — Infected Mushroom

2015, electronic

Infected Mushroom is one of the best EDM artists! Every song is like an orchestra masterpiece. The whole album is an entire experience.

94. The Loneliest Time — Carly Rae Jepson

2022, pop

Carly Rae Jepson started out as a generic pop star but somehow, ten years later, she produced this album that seems so much more evolved. This is still a successful album but I think it deserves much more credit than her early work. Each song has a lot of heart and soul in it, detailing a specific story — you can tell that there was so much thought and intention put into it.

93. Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz — Miley Cyrus

2015, experimental

This was such a cultural moment. Miley produced this entire album herself with the help of The Flaming Lips and then released it for FREE! (And this was right before the days of streaming.) This was made during a time when Miley suffered the loss of several pets in a short time span — one of the most devastating losses, as all animal lovers know.

Critics attacked this album, due to its obvious lack of production. But this album was never meant to be professional, it was meant to be a fun experiment, which is exactly why she released it for free. I saw her on tour for this album and it was absolutely magnificent!

92. COWBOY CARTER — Beyoncé

2024, country

Beyoncé is known for great hits, but not necessarily great albums in their entirety. However, I think that COWBOY CARTER is a masterpiece, and may perhaps be her first album of the year grammy award. I love concept albums. I love when artists switch their genre and do something completely different outside of their comfort zone. And I love Beyoncé.

91. The Tortured Poets Department — Taylor Swift

2024, folk pop

This album is too recent right now to be higher on the list so maybe that could change later on. I know, she’s overhyped, but I believe it genuinely is a really good album.

90. No Strings Attached — *NSYNC

2000, pop

I will forever have appreciation for this album. It’s not something I listen to regularly, but it’s still worth revisiting once in a blue moon. For me, it’s filled with a lot of nostalgia and memories. But even from a detached perspective, I think that there’s a lot of talent, and it will always be remembered.

89. Artemis — Lindsey Stirling

2019, classical dubstep

Lindsey is a unique artist who combines two seemingly conflicting genres: classical and electronic. She is a violinist who makes dubstep productions. Of all her albums, I chose Artemis for the Greek mythology themes. But she also has a really great Christmas album.

88. Breakout — Miley Cyrus

2008, pop

This is Miley’s first album — outside of her “Hanna Montana” soundtrack albums. I think it was really well done and mature for her being about fourteen-years old at the time. A lot of songs are both relatable for middle school kids as well as full grown adults.

87. Lines, Vines, and Trying Times — Jonas Brothers

2009, pop

This is the first album made by Jonas Brothers that took their band from boyish to mature, so it’s unfortunate that they broke up shortly afterwards.

86. Oh Aaron — Aaron Carter

2001, pop

For me, this is all about nostalgia. Aaron Carter was such a cultural moment for my generation. He made us kids so happy.

85. Glory — Britney Spears (Deluxe Version)

2020, pop

It’s a fun, pick-me-up, feel-good album. The deluxe version came out in 2020, a hard time for me, and I’m sure I hard time for most. It gave me a lot of comfort to listen to, like a warm hug, or a sugary dessert. It’s great when you want to escape the harsh realities of life and fall into your own dream world.

84. Miracle — Blackmill

2011, electronic

Chill, melodic dubstep that transports you to a magical forest… I could never get sick of any of these songs. Not to mention, the absolutely beautiful artwork!

83. Unbroken — Demi Lovato

2011, pop

Right before this record, it had come out that Demi struggled with substance abuse and addiction. I think that she was really brave for coming back with an extremely well-produced album. She took back her reputation and proved to the world that she is a dedicated, hard worker. Despite public backlash and judgment, she continued on being a successful singer. Her voice is strong and powerful and she sings with vigor and enthusiasm. It’s a really motivating album for when you’re feeling defeated.

82. Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land — Marina

2021, pop

It’s an underrated masterpiece. Of course I love the mythology references, and it’s also very much about feminine power.

81. Ashes — ILLENIUM

2016, electronic

This is simply a super fantastic EDM album that leans into dubstep, future bass, and progressive house.

80. Red // Blue — Adventure Club

2016, electronic

Yet another EDM album full of bangers.

79. Resist — Within Temptation

2019, metal

Something about this album is like a movie… apocalyptic, with villains and heroes. It’s so well done and each track really gives its full potential.

78. Blackout — Britney Spears

2007, pop

It’s one of those records that gets even better with age. Not until looking back, would we see that the sound was so ahead of its time.

77. The Gods We Can Touch — Aurora

2022, folk pop

The album is elegant, ethereal, and fairytale-like. I think that it will continue to grow on me and move higher on the list in time.

76. Blue Banisters — Lana Del Rey

2021, alternative

So far, this is Lana’s most stripped down and acoustic album. It’s not pop; it’s the polar opposite of sugary and easily-digestive. You really have to sit down, quiet your mind, and have patience to let it all sink in. It took me several listens to fully appreciate it, and I still have a lot more replaying to do.

75. All Yours — Widowspeak

2015, alternative

Widowspeak is an indie-alternative band who’s quite obscure. Their sound is like frolicking through a field of daisies with a flower crown on your head. All hippies will find deep appreciation and joy for this record.

74. Native — OneRepublic

2013, alternative

It’s an incredible album that’s all about love — with a somewhat discreet message about spirituality.

73. Ice On The Dune — Empire Of The Sun

2013, electronic

Empire Of The Sun is an EDM band also mixed with pop and alternative. They’ve got a vibe of mysticism. Their music is both calming and stimulating.

72. Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 — Calvin Harris

2017, electronic

This album is full of so many featured artists, you cannot listen to this and be bored!

71. Planet Her — Doja Cat

2021, pop/rap

Doja Cat brings empowerment, confidence, and divine feminine energy on this record. It’s an upper!

70. New World Pt. 1 — Krewella

2017, electronic

Krewella has a lot of great albums, along with so many great singles that were never put on albums, but if I had to choose one then it would be this. It’s short, more like an EP, but every track is a ten-out-of-ten.

69. The Young And The Hopeless — Good Charlotte

2002, punk pop

I love this band growing up and their old songs are just as fun to listen to today.

68. Time Machine — Daisy the Great

2022, alternative

This is a recently discovered album that I know is going to continue growing on me. The duo is hippie-esque with raw voices that blend perfectly together.

67. When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes — Yellowcard

2011, alternative

One of my favorite bands, of course Yellowcard is on my list multiple times. What stands out about the rock band is that they also have a violinist. Their lyrics are deep and touching.

66. The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan — Bob Dylan

1963, folk

Bob Dylan is a legend and this album is a political movement that contributed to the spark of the sixties hippie era.

65. Blonde On Blonde — Bob Dylan

1966, folk

It was hard for me to decide between my two favorite Bob Dylan albums so I picked both!

64. Paranoid — Black Sabbath

1970, metal

This is a classic and rock music would’ve never evolved without their original influence!

63. The Wall — Pink Floyd

1979, rock

There was so much thought and vision put into this record that also served as a rock opera. Its title captures symbolism of “the wall” that we put up, beginning with childhood trauma and going into late adulthood, in order to protect ourselves from further hurt.

62. American Beauty — Grateful Dead

1970, folk rock

It’s impossible to listen to this album without feeling calm, relaxed, and at ease with the world. Grateful Dead makes you want to slow down from the hustle of life and simply appreciate the moment.

61. Lust For Life — Lana Del Rey

2017, alternative

Here, Lana leans into hiphop and trap, while also throwing in some indie folk-sounding tracks. It’s like a blend between dreamy nostalgia (the past) and progressive, open-minded thinking (the future.)

60. ARTPOP — Lady Gaga

2013, pop

A lot of critics disliked this album, but my unpopular opinion is that it’s my favorite. It’s extremely creative and also thought-provoking, all wrapped up in high-quality production. But she did make two VERY big mistakes — her first is collaborating her best song “Do What U Want” with a problematic rapper who won’t be named, years later being forced to remove it from her discography — again the best song on the album if she had chosen to collaborate with anyone else. The other issue was using “Applause” as the lead single which is the weakest track. Otherwise, it’s an underrated album.

59. Delirium — Ellie Goulding

2015, pop

Ellie Goulding has called this one of her worst albums, but I genuinely love it. Every single song is a banger and there’s really no skips.

58. Cardiology — Good Charlotte

2010, punk pop

The theme of this album is matters of the heart, exploring the mystical concept that science cannot explain the mystery of love. I think it has a beautiful message, that love really hurts sometimes, but it’s also what ultimately saves us.

57. Femme Fatale — Britney Spears

2011, pop

It’s sad to know what was going on behind the scenes at the time of Britney recording this, nevertheless she put together an outstanding album. She really leans into EDM and dubstep in this one.

56. Demi — Demi Lovato

2013, pop

I can play this entire album while belting my heart out to every word and dancing like no one’s watching. It’s fun, uplifting, and heartwarming.

55. Happiness Begins — Jonas Brothers

2019, pop

This came out exactly ten years after their prior album — during their temporary split. I was so excited to see them reunited. This is such a feel-good record. It makes life seem a little more light. I could have it on repeat all day.

54. Equals (=) — Ed Sheeran

2021, pop

What’s not to love about this album? It’s got some fun bangers, some heartfelt ballads, and everything in between. Becoming a father for the first time, there’s also a theme of parenthood and having a baby which is really sweet.

53. reputation — Taylor Swift

2017, pop

This album has the intensity and power-pop that reminds me of early 00s Britney, but it’s also got a dark edge that reminds me of a Disney villain.

52. Amala (Deluxe Version) — Doja Cat

2019, pop/rap

In her debut album, Doja Cat introduces herself to the world with creativity, confidence, and body positivity.

51. Bangerz — Miley Cyrus

2013, pop

What a cultural moment in which Miley officially burnt a bridge with her Disney days. This is a party album — but it’s also a breakup album. It’s a fun album while simultaneously being very heartfelt.

50. Dignity — Hilary Duff

2007, pop

I find this to be a mature album for someone who was nineteen years-old at the time of release. Hilary Duff is one of those rare celebrities who made it through child stardom without losing her mind. And this record demonstrates her graceful transition from childhood into adulthood.

49. Plus (+) — Ed Sheeran

2011, folk pop

Ed Sheeran’s first album is where it all began. It’s much more folksy and indie than what would be his future music to come. He established himself as an artist who writes about the deep stuff, who doesn’t shy away from shedding light on the darkness, who falls hard and feels things intensely.

48. Subtract (-) — Ed Sheeran

2023, folk pop

This is the album that wraps up and concludes Ed’s mathematical album titles. Interesting how he circles back to themes of his first. His in-between records are far more mainstream sounding, with dance songs and high energy. But Subtract, much like Plus, is deep and dark.

47. Wild World — Bastille

2016, alternative

A little bit of rock and a little bit of EDM, Bastille dives into politics and the climate of our deteriorating world. The message is that we are modern people living in a very wild world. It displays how depressing and fearful the news is, how paralyzing it feels when you want to change the world but you don’t know how.

46. Norman F***ing Rockwell!

2019, alternative

There is something timeless and classic about this one.

45. Living Mirage — The Head And The Heart

2019, alternative

A lovely soundtrack that can be classified as indie folk, or indie pop, or indie rock.

44. Superstition — The Birthday Massacre

2014, electronic rock

This gothic band has a very consistent sound; I chose this album because their song “Superstition” is my favorite.

43. Queen Of The Clouds — Tove Lo

2014, pop

It’s edgy, it’s honest, and it’s empowering.

42. HOLY FVCK — Demi Lovato

2022, rock

Once again, I love when artists switch genres. Demi moved from pop (with some R&B influence) into heavy rock. And I don’t think that this was a genre that she was trying on for fun, I think that she finally grew into her own sound. This album comes after her devastating relapse and she’s extremely honest in that she is not going to pretend that everything is okay.

41. Awake — Alison Wonderland

2018, electronic

Alison Wonderland is a talented DJ and these tracks are tremendously creative. A lot of the songs deal with battling anxiety, which I can find super relatable.

40. Alive — Gryffin

2022, electronic

I went to a Gryffin concert last year and it was so much fun. His music is extremely positive and uplifting. This record makes you excited about life.

39. Motordrome — MØ

2022, pop

On this album, MØ is strong and powerful. And more importantly, she presents her strength through the power of kindness and sensitivity.

38. Honeymoon — Lana Dey Rey

2015, alternative

It’s theatrical and broadway-esque.

37. Hot Pink — Doja Cat

2019, pop/rap

This album is just as good as her debut, but even better because you can tell that she’s grown more comfortable and outgoing with her sound.

36. Southern Air — Yellowcard

2012, rock

This album makes me feel like a summer day at the beach.

35. WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? — Billie Eilish

2019, alternative

Billie has an angelic and graceful voice. And then there’s something totally demonic about her lyrics. It’s quite an experience!

34. Junk — M83

2016, electronic

This album takes childlike themes and puts them into adult songs; I find it to be so imaginative and wondrous. It’s like looking at the world with child’s eyes.

33. Bad Blood — Bastille

2013, alternative

Bastille is such a talented band that’s easy on the ears. This is their debut album and I’m thankful that it was successful enough for me to discover them.

32. Halcyon Days — Ellie Goulding

2013, indie electronic

Ellie came from EDM roots but I love how she really takes on that indie sound in this album. She puts together two genres that you’d think couldn’t mix.

31. Melanie Safka — Melanie

1970, folk pop

Melanie Safka was such an incredible talent: the ultimate hippie.

30. Circus — Britney Spears

2008, pop

This is actually quite a dark album. It reveals how life in the entertainment industry is a real circus. And at the same time, still fun to dance to!

29. Metamorphosis — Hilary Duff

2003, pop

I still remember my mom gifting me this CD for my birthday when I was in middle school. This album is basically about going through puberty and becoming a teenager, like a caterpillar into a butterfly. In a moment in history, this was holy for all pre-teens like myself.

28. Noise From The Basement — Skye Sweetnam

2004, punk pop

This is another staple from my middle school years. Skye is creative, rebellious, and passionate.

27. PRISM — Katy Perry

2013, pop

I love how it ties in a theme of spirituality, mentions astrology, and has some references to Ancient Egypt. This album has no skips! Every song is a banger!

26. Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd — Lana Del Rey

2023, alternative

It’s incredibly ethereal.

25. Smoke + Mirrors — Imagine Dragons

2015, alternative

24. Speak Now — Taylor Swift

2010, country

23. Red — Taylor Swift

2012, country

22. Fearless — Taylor Swift

2008, country

21. Oops! I Did It Again — Britney Spears

2000, pop

20. Autumn Variations — Ed Sheeran

2023, folk pop

19. Multiply — Ed Sheeran

2014, pop

18. Peace Is The Mission — Major Lazer

2015, electronic

17. Pure Heroine — Lorde

2013, alternative

16. PORTALS — Melanie Martinez

2023, alternative

The extremely imaginative Melanie Martinez came out with this concept album in which she plays an otherworldly creature (with two sets of eyes and cat-like cheeks) who is journeying through the afterlife. She’s a creative genius.

15. Crybaby — Melanie Martinez

2015, alternative

14. The Dark Side of the Moon — Pink Floyd

1973, rock

13. folklore — Taylor Swift

2020, alternative

12. evermore — Taylor Swift

2020, alternative

11. Ultraviolence — Lana Del Rey

2014, alternative

10. We Are All We Need — Above & Beyond

2015, electronic

9. In a Tidal Wave Of Mystery — Capital Cities

2013, indie pop

8. Sirens of the Sea — OceanLab

2008, electronic

It came out in 2008, sadly I didn’t discover it until several years later. It is so futuristic sounding that you wouldn’t expect it. This trance album is so beautiful and it sends you to another world. It sends me to my happy place — the ocean.

7. …Baby One More Time — Britney Spears

1999, pop

I was only four or five years old when this came out and it is the core of my childhood. I love this record so much and I still do. I used to sing and dance to it all the time and it brought me so much joy.

6. Ocean Avenue — Yellowcard

2003, rock

I got this CD when I was in middle school so it will always be very comforting to me. I think that Yellowcard is a really great band that makes awesome music. This is their most well-known and commercially successful album, but their newer stuff is just as good! It very much reminds me of a summer day at the beach.

5. K-12 — Melanie Martinez

2019, alternative

The concept of this album is going through the school years from kindergarten to twelfth grade. There’s also a film that comes with this because it literally tells a story track by track. It starts out with childhood and by the end gets into the teenage years. It’s still so relatable to everyday adulthood because it represents the school of life.

4. Night Visions — Imagine Dragons

2012, pop rock

Imagine Dragons’s very first album will always blow me away. They continue to make amazing music, so let’s give credit to the source. Night Visions is dark and electric. This record is a journey into the abyss. It was the perfect way for this band to introduce themselves into the world with several commercial-ready bops along with plenty of hidden gems too deep for the radio.

3. Born To Die — Lana Del Rey

2012, alternative

I’m in love with Lana’s entire discography — but none of that could exist without the foundation that she built upon. There is something so toxic about this record that makes it so appealing. This is the place where dark thoughts come to the surface in a cool and glamorized way. This is an album that makes depression and grief seem dreamy and edgy, like a woman smoking a cigarette in the 1960s.

We see the story of an American girl who has been raised to value money above everything else, but ultimately she is after love. She lives a turbulent and chaotic life of instability, using drinking and partying to fill the void. Her insatiable hunger for love is battled by her thirst for fame and power. You see her move between “love can solve everything” verses “I need to be rich and famous.” In this record, she never truly learns how to find any balance between the two.

2. Divide — Ed Sheeran

2017, pop

It’s extremely difficult for me to pick a best Ed Sheeran album, because I truly love them all, but if I really have to, then it would be this one. This record shows the singer from all different viewpoints and it really takes you on a roller coaster. What’s beautiful about this album is that it was written and recorded right around the time he found his now-wife, who he now has children with. It truly resembles the journey of swimming through the mud before you rise to the surface like a lotus, or kissing many frogs before you find the one.

In the end, this is a record that celebrates love (including friends and family, not just romance) despite the heartbreak that comes along with it. This is for every hopeless and sensitive optimist out there.

1. Forever Neverland — MØ

2018, pop

My all-time favorite album is one that sadly most have probably never heard of. MØ is one of my favorite artists, and this record is a masterpiece. I love when an album has an “intro” as the first track and then concludes with a track that ties it all together.

The album is full of pop bangers with a sprinkle of a few ballads, as every album needs. The concept is about being in the in-between stage of your life when you feel like you need to grow up and mature, but you’re not sure if you truly want to. The story begins with chasing after a relationship with a person who is immature and holds you back, someone who values partying over hard work and commitment. After some back and forth, it concludes with making the decision to move on. But there is no bitterness, vengeance, or regret — just peace, acceptance, and gratefulness for what you had.