While Elton John has released many iconic albums over his long career, Tumbleweed Connection stands out as his most cohesive and conceptually ambitious work. It is a deep, immersive experience that prioritises storytelling and atmosphere over commercial success.

Featured songs:

Ballad of a Well-Known Gun
My Father’s Gun
Country Comfort
Where to Now St. Peter?
Amoreena
Burn Down the Mission

Blue Valentine is one of Tom Waits’s most celebrated albums because it captures a pivotal moment in his artistic journey, where he expanded beyond his early jazz-influenced style into a grittier, more blues-inspired realm. This album was a departure from his earlier, more nostalgic records, marking a shift in tone, themes and musicality that would come to define his career.

Featured songs:

Somewhere
Red Shoes By The Drugstore
Christmas Card from A Hooker in Minneapolis
Romeo Is Bleeding
Whistlin’ Past the Graveyard
Blue Valentines

Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea is often hailed as PJ Harvey's greatest album, and for good reason. Released in 2000, this seminal work marks a pivotal point in her career, showcasing a remarkable evolution in her artistry. The album seamlessly blends lyrical storytelling, atmospheric instrumentation, and emotive vocal performances, creating a rich tapestry that explores themes of love, loss, urban life, and the passage of time.

Featured songs:

Big Exit
Good Fortune
This Mess We’re In
This Is Love
We Float
The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore