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!
Pure Heroine - Lorde Pink Friday - Nicki Minaj Rodeo - Travis Scott Teenage Dream - Katy Perry The 1975 - The 1975 Product - SOPHIE Disneymania 3 - Various Artists
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
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
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
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
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
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
American Life - Madonna Exile In Guyville - Liz Phair With Teeth - Nine Inch Nails Tasty - Kelis Aaliyah - Aaliyah Yeezus - Kanye West Blackout - Britney Spears
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
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
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
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
Metamorphosis - Hilary Duff Lungs - Florence + the Machine Fearless - Taylor Swift Revolution - Miranda Lambert Under My Skin - Avril Lavigne Body Talk - Robyn Melodrama - Lorde
