“I Hear a Pulse - Albums Aren’t Dead Yet”
Music is the soundtrack of our lives—it's certainly been a staple in mine. Growing up on genres like R&B, Reggae, and Soul, I’ve learned to appreciate a variety of sounds. If you’ve ever heard the right song at the right time, you know what I mean. The lyrics, melodies, even the little ad-libs—all come together in a way that feels like they were made just for you.
And then... there are albums.
Albums used to be more than just a collection of songs. They were journeys, full narratives from start to finish. Every track had a purpose: the opening notes set the stage, the middle carried you through, and the closing left a feeling that lingered long after the music stopped. But lately, something feels different. Albums often resemble playlists—great singles, sure, but missing that cohesive thread to tie them together.
“At six years old, I was singing Confessions Part I and II word for word, ad-lib for ad-lib, like I was going through it myself.”
One of my earliest memories of falling in love with an album was sitting in my room, listening to Usher’s Confessions. Don’t ask why, at six years old, I was singing Confessions Part I and II word for word, ad-lib for ad-lib, like I was going through it myself. Twenty years later, it’s still one of my favourite albums—I can play it start to finish on repeat. Not to mention Afrodisiac by Brandy and Turning Point by Mario.
Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have shaped this shift, with social media platforms like TikTok accelerating the change. Artists today lean heavily into creating songs for virality.
Of course, virality has its perks—it can catapult an artist to global fame. But it also means songs are often crafted with trends in mind rather than timelessness. Albums are often judged by how their singles chart, not by how the entire body of work makes you feel. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting a trending sound, you can usually tell when that’s the intent behind a song. When every song feels designed to be consumed quickly, it’s no surprise that full albums often lack the cohesion and depth we once enjoyed.
“Every track is a brushstroke on a canvas, coming together to create a masterpiece.”
Think about albums like Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly, Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, or J. Cole’s 4 Your Eyez Only. These are timeless projects, almost like novels—each song is a chapter that builds toward something greater. Every track is a brushstroke on a canvas, coming together to create a masterpiece.
As listeners, we’ve changed too. We’ve grown accustomed to microwavable art: quick, easy, and consumable. Some of the best songs took their time. Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall kicks off with Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough, six glorious minutes of greatness. And Will You Be There from Dangerous? Almost eight minutes of magic. Today, you’ll hear people complain that a 30-second intro is “too long.” But often, the magic is in the build-up.
That’s what made classic projects so unforgettable. They took us on a journey. Start to finish, you felt something. It wasn’t just music—it was an experience.
I started writing this after listening to FLO’s Access All Areas. It reminded me why I fell in love with albums in the first place. Everything about it—the transitions, sequencing, pacing, production, chemistry—felt like a masterclass in creating a cohesive work of art. If you haven’t heard it yet, stop what you’re doing. Seriously, give it a listen. Each track feels intentional and elevated, demanding your full attention. It was a breath of fresh air to hear such a well versed album.
FLO’s homage to legends like Brandy, Destiny’s Child, and SWV added a beautiful layer of nostalgia. Speaking of nostalgia, can we bring back the days of singing in the rain, ripping your shirt open, and making desperate pleas to the camera for the love of your life? Sorry—back on track. I haven’t followed FLO’s journey much until now, but after this project, I’m excited to see what they create next.
It got me thinking about other albums I’ve loved for the same reasons. There’s A Muse in Her Feelings by DVSN, Revenge by Muni Long, Candy Drip by Lucky Daye, Ctrl by SZA, Love’s Letter by Shae Universe, Nostalgia by Rod Wave, and Michael Jackson’s Thriller. And those are just a few.
Music is meant to be shared, so tell me—what’s an album you think I should listen to?
Album cover images used are the property of their respective copyright holders. Used here under fair use for commentary and review purposes. All rights reserved by the original creators.