In the era of streaming and playlists, this week Music Twitter still insisted upon asking what honestly feels like an old fashioned question: What are seven albums that define you?
A riff on the classic ranking your desert island discs formula, it induced a full-on office meltdown when posed to the editorial team. We love a meme, but no one wants to choose between Kanye records. Or Avril Lavigne ones, for that matter.
OK... What are 7 albums that define you?— anthony fantasy (@anthony fantasy) 1581476675.0
Still, we tried our best, and like to think the brutal honesty present here (Shrek soundtrack; The Essential Bob Dylan) is indicative of our music critic credibility, rather than lack thereof.
Below, in no particular order, the PAPER team's painstaking, Gwen Stefani-heavy lists. Don't judge too harshly!
Related | PAPER's Top 10 Albums of the '10s
Brendan Wetmore, Writer
Pure Heroine - Lorde
Pink Friday - Nicki Minaj
Rodeo - Travis Scott
Teenage Dream - Katy Perry
The 1975 - The 1975
Product - SOPHIE
Disneymania 3 - Various Artists
Justin Moran, Digital Director
Beauty Killer - Jeffree Star
Gay Dog Food - Mykki Blanco
Born This Way - Lady Gaga
L.A.M.B. - Gwen Stefani
Celebrity Skin - Hole
Arular - M.I.A.
You Love You - Semi Precious Weapons
@justintmoran
Jael Goldfine, Entertainment Reporter
Under My Skin - Avril Lavigne
The Essential Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan
Chuck - Sum 41
Music From the Motion Picture Juno - Various Artists
The Year of Hibernation - Youth Lagoon
Bury Me at Makeout Creek - Mitski
CTRL - SZA
Abby Schreiber, Executive Editor
Spice - Spice Girls
Graduation - Kanye West
Kala - M.I.A.
Back to Black - Amy Winehouse
Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do - Major Lazer
Santigold - Santigold
Under Construction - Missy Elliott
@AbbySchreiber28
Related | PAPER's Top 10 Songs of the '10s
Taylor Roberts, Social Media Editor
The Flying Club Cup - Beirut
Blond - Frank Ocean
Treats - Sleigh Bells
Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! - The Rolling Stones
Chronicle: the 20 Greatest Hits - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Dying Is Your Latest Fashion - Escape the Fate
The Velvet Underground & Nico -The Velvet Underground & Nico
Kat Gillespie, Features Editor
Let Go - Avril Lavigne
Carrie & Lowell - Sufjan Stevens
The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do - Fiona Apple
The Modern Lovers - The Modern Lovers
Blood on the Tracks - Bob Dylan
Yeezus - Kanye West
Related | PAPER's Top 20 Albums of 2019
Eliza Weinreb, Managing Editor
CTRL - SZA
Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morisette
Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
Saves the World - MUNA
L.A.M.B. - Gwen Stefani
Melodrama - Lorde
Autobiography - Ashlee Simpson
@miathermopolisofficial
Michael Love Michael, Culture Editor
American Life - Madonna
Exile In Guyville - Liz Phair
With Teeth - Nine Inch Nails
Tasty - Kelis
Aaliyah - Aaliyah
Yeezus - Kanye West
Blackout - Britney Spears
Related | PAPER's Top 50 Songs of 2019
Matt Moen, Writer
David Waxman Pres. Ultra Electro - Various Artists
Manners - Passion Pit
Worlds - Porter Robinson
Platform - Holly Herndon
PC Music Vol. 1 - Various Artists
The Suburbs - Arcade Fire
Yeezus - Kanye West
@skinnymctoothpick
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Jeena Sharma, Beauty Reporter
Is This It - The Strokes
Let go - Avril Lavigne
The Stylistics (Debut Album) - The Stylistics
Rumours - Fleetwood Mac
Blackout - Britney Spears
Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson
It's Not Me, It's You - Lily Allen
@jeena11
Charlotte Spritz, Editorial Producer
Shrek 1 Soundtrack - Various Artists
Chelsea Girl - Nico
Let Go - Avril Lavigne
Anniemal - Annie
Born To Die - Lana Del Rey
Back to Black - Amy Winehouse
Rubber Soul - The Beatles
Michelle Tennant, Editorial Assistant
Jagged Little Pill - Alanis Morissette
Cold World: The Sideline Story - J. Cole
1975 - 1975
blink-182 - blink-182
good kid, m.A.A.d city - Kendrick Lamar
Frank - Amy Winehouse
Light Me Up - The Pretty Reckless
Mario Abad, Fashion Reporter
Metamorphosis - Hilary Duff
Lungs - Florence + the Machine
Fearless - Taylor Swift
Revolution - Miranda Lambert
Under My Skin - Avril Lavigne
Body Talk - Robyn
Melodrama - Lorde