January can be a pretty bleak month, whether it’s the post-Christmas blues of returning to work, cold weather, or remember we have a Conservative government – things can seem pretty dire. However, we have just the cure for that!
Below are 11 albums that will put a spring in your step, make you want to dance, or gently guide you through the difficult days ahead.
1. Carly Rae Jepsen – Emotion
One of the best pop albums of the past ten years certainly deserves a place on this list. Emotion is Carly Rae Jepsen’s best album, taking an influence from 80s pop to make classy songs that will run around your head for at least a month afterwards. Run Away With Me is one of the standout tracks - with its saxophone and synths, it makes for an addictive cocktail. Other highlights like the hit 'I Really Like You', 'Let’s Get Lost', 'Your Type' all luxuriate in 80s style production. Trust us on this one.
2. Prince – 1999
1999 may not be the most popular Prince album, but it still puts you in a good mood. The production is pristine, Prince's vocals are immaculate, and the mood is one of joy. Whether its 'Little Red Corvette', 'Let's Pretend We're Married', or the classic that is '1999' - this album is bound to put you in a good mood. So, tonight actually party like it’s 1999 and give this classic a spin.
3. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Near the end of the 2010s, when indie was becoming ever so slightly stale, Phoenix decided to embrace pop and released the joyous Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix in 2009. The biggest hits here are 'Lisztomania' & '1901' (which are on every indie playlist known to man) are big indie-pop tunes. Other highlights such as 'Lasso', 'Countdown' and 'Armistice' are classic Phoenix – big, heart-on-the-sleeve songs with more than a hint of humour and a dollop of sunny synths and guitars. This one is bound to get you out of any January blues.
4. Arlo Parks - Collapsed in Sunbeams
One of the best albums of recent years is also one to cure the January blues. Arlo Parks debut is full of soul-bearing, introspection and beautifully mellow production. Whether it be the breezy 'Too Good', the sunny 'Green Eyes', or even the powerful track 'Black Dog', where Parks tries to understand her best friend's depression, proves she can switch seamlessly between moods. Let this album become your comfort blanket during the bleakest month.
5. Lorde – Solar Power
Our Lorde and saviour made a big splash last year when returning with her mellowest and sunniest record yet. Solar Power is full of songs about escaping, growing up and being happy with yourself. The title track, which is indebted to Primal Scream’s Movin’ on Up – manages to blend blissful production and sunny optimism. Other cuts, such as 'Stoned at the Nail Salon', which is about wondering if you’ve chosen the right path, allow the record to breathe. Also, the very playful 'Mood Ring' will leave you with a spring in your step.
6. Charli XCX - CRASH
One of the best pop stars we have right now, Charli XCX’s album is her big 'sell -out' pop record after years of making boundary pushing pop music. CRASH does everything a pop album should, providing tunes that will get stuck in your head for an eternity. Highlights here include 'Good Ones', 'Constant Repeat', 'Yuck', 'New Shapes'. Okay, so the whole album.
7. Silk Sonic – An Evening With Silk Sonic
This record is just a pure blast from start to finish. Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak embrace funk, soul, R&B in such an unabashedly throwback record. Full of energy, the record has hit after hit, including the smooth as butter 'Leave the Door Open', the strutting 'Fly as Me', and 'Skate' with its earworm vocals “Oh, Skate to me baby (Skate), Slide your way on over.” This album will have you moving, grooving, and vibing your way through January.
8. Beck – Colors
If anything can get you through the January blues, it’s probably this record. Colors is Beck’s big pop record, and he’s definitely having fun with it. Whether it’s the Chromeo inspired guitar on ‘Dreams,’ the utterly joyful guitar pop of ‘Up All Night’ or the pure silliness of the song ‘Wow’ – on which Beck manages to rhyme Jiu Jitsu and Shih Tzu over 808 inspired beats and pan flutes. Colors is optimistic without sounding trite, and manages to tread the line between fun songwriting and the hints of sadness that permeate some of the cuts on the record. Pop this on, and you’ll be feeling good all day.
9. David Bowie – Let’s Dance
While being his most commercial album, Let's Dance still doesn't lose that Bowie flare. Working with the legend that is Nile Rogers, Bowie creates an album full of hits, whether it be the gleeful Modern Love, the strutting 'Cat People (Putting Out the Fire)', or the immortal classic 'Let’s Dance'. Even 'Shake It' is a bop. So, “put on your red shoes and dance the blues” out of your low mood.
10. The Linda Lindas – Growing Up
January is a time where it still gets dark early, and its colder than sin - so you probably need a bit of a kick up the arse to actually get started. This debut album from the crazily talented Linda Lindas will do just that. The Linda Lindas songs bounce between punk and power-pop with ease, and allows for a tight album full of catchy songs that are bound to get you through this month. Even Hayley Williams is a huge fan of this band, so you know they've got to be good.
11. Harry Styles – Harry’s House
I’ve never been the biggest Harry Styles fan, and even the first time I listened to Harry’s House, I didn’t get what all the fuss was. Now, I completely get it. Away from the hype, this is a perfectly sunny record for your January. Tracks like 'Music for a Sushi Restaurant' blow away the cobwebs instantly with energetic horns and “ba, ba, ba” hooks - it grabs you instantly. Not to mention the earworm of 'As It Was', the biggest song of 2022 by miles. You also have 'Daydreaming', 'Late Night Talking', and 'Cinema' keeping the sunny vibes coming. Perfect January Listening.
