Hi I’m Leah! As someone who is never not listening to music or creating it myself, I want to combine my love of writing with my passion for music. I love discussing albums, sharing songs I enjoy, creating playlists, and discovering new music. LeahListens is a place where I record my thoughts, and explore the ever-changing world that is the music industry. If any of this interests you, stick around, read a little, and listen to some music.
“You got something good you ’bout to fumble/It’s like watching Babylon crumble”, Jessie Reyez declares on the opening track “CRUMBLE” of her lyrically complex fourth album. The Toronto born singer explores breakups, dysfunctional relationships, and revenge through tracks that fuse traditional R&B with a more alternative sound.
A LITTLE VENGEANCE is a fitting title, however Reyez does dive deeper than just vengeance, often exploring herself as well as her breakups. “F**K YOU JESSIE” is upbeat, pop leaning, yet Reyez discusses mental health, therapy, and self love. She notes that she should “save summa that love you got for yourself”. “SALT” is a slower, thoughtful piece, that puts into perspective the hardships that come with being an artist and interactions with people in Hollywood. Reyez is vulnerable on this song, discussing suicidal ideations and wanting to retire from music.
Throughout the album, Reyez goes from vengeful to melancholic, seemingly beginning to mourn a relationship she knows is ending soon. “WHEN YOU HOLD HER” and “UR HEARTBEAT” show a more reflexive side of the singer as she longs for a lost love. The conclusion track, “EGO ATROPHY” proves how Reyez has grown over the course of seventeen songs. She explores finding inner peace and spirituality, while losing her ego. The song brilliantly closes the album and includes a spoken word from Bob Marley.
A LITTLE VENGEANCE is arguably Reyez’s most vulnerable album, as well as her most lyrically and sonically complex. This powerful album keeps giving, leaving us to wonder: even though vengeance is sweet at first, is it really worth losing yourself?
My thoughts on you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love as someone who does not listen to Olivia Rodrigo.
Put simply: I love it. Throughout the album, Rodrigo makes a commentary on the feeling of love, and the sadness and heartbreak that many so often feel. It has the perfect blend of upbeat and melancholy songs, with lyrics that make you reflect on Rodrigo’s life as well as your own. As someone who knew limited songs from Rodrigo’s catalog, the tracks on this album sound lyrically and sonically more mature, in a way that reflects her growth as an artist and a woman.
“but it don’t matter how your love feels anymore, it’ll never be the cure”
My personal music preferences often push me to darker and slower songs; this is the same for the tracks on you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love. Tracks like “stupid song” and “cigarette smoke” are clear stand outs for me, both are ballads that take you on a journey throughout their runtime. “the cure” stands at the top of my list for this album. The gradual buildup coupled with a powerful climax makes me yearn for a love I’ve never had, and makes me feel heartbreak in a way I’ve never felt. If you’re someone who likes more upbeat tracks, I enjoyed “drop dead” and “my way”.
you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love is an album I will be returning to, Rodrigo’s lyricism feels unmatched and she successfully experiments with various sounds throughout the body of work. I can now say that I have listened to Olivia Rodrigo, and I will now journey into the rest of her albums.
Kendrick Lamar’s critically acclaimed album “To Pimp A Butterfly” turned 10 in 2025. How does it stand against the test of time? Are my favorite songs from 2015 still my favorites today?
When I think about my all time favorite albums, I think about To Pimp A Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar’s beautifully crafted 2015 album exploring his rise to fame, and how he grapples with a sense of survivors guilt. I was 13 years old when I first listened to this album, and I’ll be honest, I didn’t get it. I liked the songs “King Kunta” and “Alright”, but I spent more time dancing to the beats rather than listening to the lyrics, and I didn’t have an appreciation for some of the other tracks on the project.
The Test of Time
Now, as I am a 22 year old college graduate, I’ve begun to realize the lyrical excellence that is To Pimp A Butterfly. This is more than an album, its a reflection of self, highlighting the cost fame, and surviving systemic inequality. Songs like “How Much a Dollar Cost” tell a detailed story about judgement from God, and how wealth may cost you your humanity. “Momma” is a song with themes of returning back home and finding solace in those around you. Throughout the album, Lamar combines jazz-infused, funky beats with deep and thoughtful lyrics, ones that 13 year old me did not fully absorb. Every once in a while, an album forces me to sit and listen, to think about my place in the world, and feel. To Pimp A Butterfly does exactly that. 10 years later I’m still learning more and more every time I listen. A lot can change in a decade, and I’m a completely different individual. To Pimp A Butterfly means way more to me now.
Its clear that To Pimp A Butterfly has withstood the test of time. As we grow and experience life, albums begin to expand in their meaning. 13 year old me wanted to dance, 17 year old me listened but was still not grasping the deeper themes, 22 year old me understands the underlying messages Lamar is rapping about in this project. Perhaps 30 year old me will have a new perspective on this album seven years from now. I’ll let you know.
Old Favorites vs New
In short, my favorites are still my favorites, but for different reasons. My all time favorites Kendrick Lamar song is “King Kunta”, but what was once a fun song to dance to hits much harder now. Kendrick raps about success, Black excellence, power struggles, all while blending humbleness and cockiness; these are themes I missed 10 years ago.
“Alright” remains at the top of the list 10 years on. A songs thats about overcoming struggles in the face of systemic racism and police brutality is still painfully relevant today; it still encourages us to choose joy in the face of hardship and to keep fighting on.
A new favorite is “The Blacker the Berry”. This powerful, protest song is aggressive, rightfully and purposefully so. “The Blacker the Berry” is soaked in Black pride, it is angry, and directly calls out oppression, brutality, and racism. This is a song that is just as relevant now as it was in 2015.
“take a deep look inside, are you really who they idolize?”
To Pimp A Butterfly solidified Kendrick Lamar as one of the most prominent voices of the 21st century, and it continues to prove why. This is an album that forces you to listen and reflect — and confronts the way in which we treat each other and ourselves in this world. 10 years from now I will still be listening to this album, and most likely will be experiencing it in a different way as I am today. And I hope you are too.
We’re three months in to 2026, and a whole lot of music has dropped. Here’s my list of my favorite albums of the year, plus some on the horizon you won’t want to miss.
Paracosm – Absolutely
As someone who is a fan of dark and moody pop, I am always looking for more. I first discovered Absolutely in November of 2025, and would not turn off her 2023 album CEREBRUM. Now I’m doing the same with Paracosm. Absolutely has a way of taking you into a new world with this album. At times you feel sad, whimsical, and lost in your own mind (in a good way). Paracosm builds on what Absolutely started in 2023 with CEREBRUM: the album feels more mature, technically advanced, and elevated. Songs like the jazz-infused “Heluim” explore the feeling of floating and escaping to higher places, while “No Audience” encourages the listener to let go and chase a personal freedom, one that can only come from no longer pretending. The title track “Paracosm” is my personal favorite. Somehow, Absolutely is able to create a song that feels whimsical, dark, and optimistic at the same time. It reminds me of childhood, a dream, and the feeling of unknown that comes with being in a new place. As of March, Absolutely’s Paracosm is my favorite album of the year. You should absolutely give her a listen.
Ca$ino – Baby Keem
The release of Baby Keem’s sophomore album certainly did not disappoint. Following his 2021 critically acclaimed album Melodic Blue, I wondered if Keem would ever be able to top it. He most definitely did. Ca$ino is a more personal album, one that sees Baby Keem reflect on his upbringing in both Long Beach, CA and Las Vegas, NV. He slows down his tempo on songs like “I am not a Lyricist” and “Highway 95 pt.2” giving us an inside look into his struggles as a young child. These two songs are ones that make you listen, instead of nodding your head to the heavy 808s Keem so often raps over. Notably, the second song and title track “Ca$ino”, includes a combination of these heavy 808s, detailed and personal lyrics, and an unexpected beat switch halfway through the track. My personal favorite off the album is “House Money” (likely because of a hidden feature from Baby Keem’s cousin, Kendrick Lamar), a track that sees a cockier Baby Keem persona, one that feels powerful and unstoppable.
OCTANE – Don Toliver
High energy. Fast paced. That’s what Don Toliver’s OCTANE is all about. Don’s got something for everyone on this album. Want a love song? “E85” has you covered. Heavy hitting bass with catchy lyrics? “OPPOSITE” is the one for you. Hopeful song about having fun all summer long? “Sweet Home”. OCTANE explores a wide variety of sounds throughout its 50 minute runtime, you never know what you’re going to hear next. With notable features and iconic samples, Don Toliver proves that he’s here to stay and one of the best rappers in the game right now. My favorite? “Excavator”. I’m a sucker for witty lyrics that make you smirk and beats that keep you moving. If you’re looking for a solid rap album that you won’t get tired of playing, OCTANE has everything you need.
Trying Times – James Blake
James Blake’s Trying Times is a emotional, vulnerable, masterpiece. Soft, electric synths sprinkled throughout the piece allow the listener to feel something, and forces them to reflect on their own life and choices they have made. Blake’s voice is unlike any other, and he shows it off beautifully in this album. Once again, the title track is a standout for me. Reflecting on love throughout hardship, the song “Trying Times” is a deeply emotional and thoughtful journey, one that gives an insight into the psyche of Blake and the pain he feels. In a bit of an upbeat turn, “Make Something Up”, the album’s fifth song lyrically explores themes of love, life, and death yet still makes your foot tap. I don’t think I’ve ever heard an album quite like this, there’s nothing more to say other than go listen and experience it for yourself.
What I’m Looking Forward To
So far, these four albums are my favorites of 2026, but there is so much more to come. Here’s a couple of albums I think we should all stay tuned for in the rest of this year. Release dates included if available.
