Five Underrated Albums by Underrated Artists

Five Underrated Albums by Underrated Artists 

(And Their Accompanying Underrated Stories)

These artists deserve so much more love and recognition for their work, and I will never stop talking about them. 

These aren't meant to be listed in any particular order—though in hindsight, it seems as though they were ordered by how impactful they were to me. But really, feel free to read in whatever order you please :-)

Along with my little blurb about each album, I've included the cover art as well as my personal stats on them according to my stats.fm, which you can find here!

#1 - Beneath The Brine, The Family Crest

"Oh, young love, young dear, why have you taken me in your fall? All of my love, all of my life, given to you, sacrificed."

There's a lot going on in this album, and it's anything but simple—from orchestral, to folk, to jazz, even a bit of 1930s swing—there's a little bit for everyone here, all tied together with a beautiful story about the ups and downs of existence. It's ambitious, unafraid to take a risk, and the band executes this perfectly. The first track, titled the same as the album, absolutely captivates you with painful lyrics and the build-up of a violin. This album is absolutely worth listening to in order.

#2 - Split Yourself In Two, Io Perry

"I know you're feeling down again. Oh, will you, when I touch you? Don't, you know, I think about it all. I wish you'd let me in again."

Moral Orel fans will recognize this album, specifically the eleventh track, "Valentine". I discovered her through the show, as many of her fans have. I listened to the entirety of the album the day I found her and was immediately captivated by her vocals. The album, from what I've gathered, is about a growing disconnect between two people, about the pain of separation.

#3 - The Gaping Mouth, Lowertown

"Wish you would've told me what it's like to be alone. I would've built my flesh up stronger, but I'm too weak to, I'm too weak to, I'm too weak to handle the cold alone."

The strange sounds of this album are so jarring—it struck me the first time I listened to it in full, but a beautiful experience all the same. "Burn On My Own" had been the first track I heard. Its lyrics resonated with me deeply and immediately, as I had just been relearning how to be alone at that time. I can't quite remember where exactly I first heard it, but I could never be more thankful. It's an album full of shame, external and self-inflicted. It's an album of rebuilding yourself, of healing from years of co-dependent habits and relationships.

#4 - The Horror And The Wild, The Amazing Devil 

"And I know the kindest thing, I pray to god it's the kindest thing. I know the kindest thing is to never leave you alone."

It would be a crime against nature not to experience this album in order. I use experience because thats exactly what this album is—an experience, and I've no idea how it's even possible to experience this album for free. It's impossible to listen to just one song. Each time I listen, I find something new, feel something new. It fills my soul and mind, almost overwhelming in its absolute beauty. It invokes feeling—not one I can pinpoint, maybe every feeling at once. It's so easy to place yourself in each character's shoes (or might I say, their welly boots). I pray for a theatrical version one day, or at the very least some sort of novel/short story about these characters. I could go on and on about this album and its theatrical story, its characters, and its themes, but I implore you to experience it for yourself. (Besides, I plan to write another blog about my full interpretation of this album someday.)

#5 - This Is How We Get Better - The Narcissist Cookbook

"To be a human being is to be a total mess. And I looked into the mirror, and I almost smiled today. I am practically imperfect in every single way."

Unlike the last album, this one isn't a fictional story. It's a glimpse into the artist's story—and in a way, a glimpse into our own story. Everyone's hated themselves at some point, and this album is about just that. Absolute, guttural hate toward yourself. It's unfiltered, unadulterated hatred. It's about learning to love those things you hate about yourself, learning to love yourself and your flaws—not despite them. It deals with themes of queerness and accepting such aspects of yourself. It's a motivational speech, it's folk vocals, it's everything we love and everything we hate, and anything in between. This album single-handedly made me want to change the way I felt about myself, change the way I was living. It found me when I most needed it, and I always find myself turning to it when I feel at my lowest. This is another album I could rant on and on about, but another I urge you to experience for yourself. (I also plan to write about this album in full one day, if I ever feel motivated enough to do so.)

If anyone actually listens to any of these albums, PLEASE let me know!!! These artists deserve more recognition, and I would love to talk more about them!!