At the very beginning of the semester, while students were rushing around to get everything
ready for the new school year, three artists published top albums at the sunset of the summer. International pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet, synth-pop duo Magdalena Bay’s Imaginal Disk, and the Irish post-punk band Fontaines D.C.’s Romance received above 81 on Metacritic, or “universal acclaim,” based on their collection of critic reviews.
Having three high-scoring albums released in one day is quite unusual, and it is a particular aid to students who use music to manage school stress. Because the artists are all from different genres, the albums cover a wide range of taste and style, ensuring even the pickiest student will find an album to decompress to.
Romance
Fontaines D.C.’s Romance, which scored the highest with a score of 89, is an experimental departure from their previous album, Skinty Fia, inspired by Japanese manga and Italian cinema. The album plays with several styles but keeps its signature grimy, melancholy sound and pensive lyrics at the band’s core. Singles, such as “Starburster” with its Korn-inspired rap lyrics, show off the band’s expansive new scope of post-punk rock fused with other influences, including trip-hop, metal, or shoegaze, which can be found in the album’s final song, “Favourite.” After spending 2023 touring the Americas with fellow Irish band Arctic Monkeys, frontman Grian Chatten said they wanted to make Romance something “deep within and far throughout.”
Imaginal Disk
Imaginal Disk, scoring an 85, showcases Magdalena Bay’s mastery of full, saturated sound combined with contemplative lyrics about the many different reflections of the self. Each song is an earworm with morish, catchy melodies, accompanied by singer Mica Tenenbaum’s pure, almost hypnotic voice. Together, all the elements create a truly irresistible sonic experience, one that New Musical Express’s Otis Robinson finds to be “kaleidoscopic and overproduced in all the right ways.” Many critics say their sound is so unusual and multi-dimensional that it’s difficult to put into words. Imaginal Disk’s strange yet beautiful aesthetic reflects its creators’ dorky, dramatic style. With this rock-solid second studio album, fans are crossing their fingers for more to come.
Short n’ Sweet
With a score of 82, Sabrina Carpenter’s album Short n’ Sweet held its own compared to her
five other studio albums, topping charts in 18 countries, including France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The album’s singles “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” and “Taste” all topped charts at an international level, with “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” exposing Carpenter to wider commercial success. Critics have observed rock, R&B, and country elements with subtle tones of disco and funk. Additionally, they have praised her lyrics’ confidence and the album’s overall enjoyability, but some critics believe it was serviceable and low-risk. Short n’ Sweet spends much of its time discussing elements of Carpenter’s love life, drawing inspiration from artists such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Kacey Musgraves. From start to finish, the album maintains an upbeat, playful sound that fans love.
