Battle Studies, John Mayer

I'll be the first to admit that I'm far from a fan of John Mayer as a person (have you heard "Would've, Could've, Should've" from Midnights?), but I remember loving the Battle Studies album back when I found out that Taylor Swift's background vocals were on "Half of My Heart."

Despite my feelings about John-Mayer-the-person, I'm so glad I came back to Battle Studies because John-Mayer-the-artist does so many things right on this album.

Stand out tracks: "Assassin," "Friends, Lovers, or Nothing"

My favorites: "Heartbreak Warfare," "Half of My Heart," "War of My Life"

I wish every album had as good of an opening track as "Heartbreak Warfare" is on this album-- it packs a punch in the gentlest way, illustrating the hopeless inevitability of a relationship falling apart. "Assassin" feels almost like a rock confession of all the wrongs John Mayer has committed in relationships past-- but in his eyes, "she's an assassin, too" so maybe all the intensity of the relationship wasn't all his fault. "Crossroads" is truly a track of just showing off the guitar skills that have landed John Mayer as one of the modern-day greats. For me, "Half of My Heart" paints a beautiful picture of navigating a relationship that should be a fairytale, but is just hit too hard with reality.

Overall, John Mayer has created one heck of a concept album: one that illustrates the story our relationships with ourselves, with life, with romantic interests, and the battles and joys that come with fighting for what we value most.

AM I OBSESSED?

RATING:

KINDA OBSESSED

Punisher, Phoebe Bridgers

Following the announcement today of Phoebe Bridgers as one of the many amazing opening acts on Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour, I felt it was only fitting to start my 500-album journey with her most recent studio album, Punisher. I’ve listened to this album in chunks in the background before, but I’ve honestly never taken the time to immerse myself in the melancholy, indie rock goodness that is this Phoebe Bridgers album. This felt long overdue, especially as a longtime lover of Taylor Swift’s Red album and generally emotionally charged lyrics.

Stand out track: “ICU”

My favorites: “Kyoto”, “Punisher”, “Chinese Satellite”

Listening to this album gave me the weird, introspective, vibey feeling of some kind of Olivia Rodrigo/Sting crossover-- in the absolute best way. Songs with pulled back production and heavy lyrics, like “Savior Complex” and “Garden Song,” really create the dark heart and soul of this album. Songs like “ICU” and “Kyoto” are the songs that will catch your attention among the indie mist of the rest of the album, but title track “Punisher” was my personal favorite, with deep-cutting lyrics depicting feeling of the deception of being on the outside looking in, while knowing every detail of what’s going on inside.

AM I OBSESSED?

RATING:

KINDA OBSESSED

introduction

It started as my parents’ CDs played through the kitchen stereo. Then it became my pink iPod Nano I got for Christmas in 5th grade. Now it’s shifted into a Spotify app and an Amazon Alexa. No matter how it’s found its way to me, music has been one of few unique constants in my life.

This summer, I finally went to my first concert since the COVID-19 pandemic all but obliterated live music. I road tripped to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. This fall, I took off work on album release days to celebrate (thanks for existing 5SOS5 and Midnights). I flew to New York from Chicago for 24 hours to go to free concert with my sister. The moments of my life this year that have revolved around music have quickly turned into my happiest memories of the year.

But while the Beatles and Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift (the list goes on) have been echoed through my ears for years, I’ve come to realize how much classic music, new music, iconic music I’ve never given the proper amount of appreciation.

*Edited: So, welcome to Abby's Albums: a music listening project. I began this project as goal to listen to 500 albums, in full, over 365 days. I started this project and suddenly found myself going back to school to advance my career, and the 500-album project became inconceivable. While my numerical goal may have changed, my motivation has not; I continue to want to strive to use this space to reflect on albums defined as my favorites, classics, era-defining albums, and the hits and hidden gems of the current music scene while also reflecting on live music, music videos, and the power of music as an art.

I’ll be documenting my growing taste and appreciation for music right here. Now, headphones on, world off. See you soon.

Abby