about changes of habit

There have been some moments lately where I find myself stopping and saying "wait, when did I become this girl?!".  This happens particularly when I wake up at 5am or earlier like it's no problem (used to be a sleep-in-until-someone-drags-me-from-bed-and-I-will-kill-whoever-talks-to-me-before-getting-coffee type of gal) or when I make my car payment a week before it's due (literally ALWAYS had to be reminded about getting my rent in on time in college) or when I find myself making check-lists to organize my days or mapping out every working hour on my Outlook calendar (Me? Type-A? since when?).  But one of the biggest 180 degree changes of habit for me has been the way I listen to music.

If you've ever driven in the car with me you know I have this annoying tendency to either a) listen to the same one song over and over again until you want to open the door and jump or b) get a little trigger-happy with the "next" button and skip through songs the second they bore me.

But I'm happy to say that my musical-listening skills (I think that's a skill set?) have matured! I now listen to ENTIRE albums....ALL THE WAY THROUGH.  Yes, world.  It's true.  So in celebration of my newly cultivated musical habits, I'd love to share the top three albums that I think will rock your face off.  They are just that good.

1) Imagine Dragons - Night Visions

 

Favorites: Radioactive (this song is SIIIIICK and I never use that adjective) and Bleeding Out (love the lyric when he says "I will be your scarecrow"...what a great thing to be for somebody) and On Top of the World (makes me want to hold hands with someone and run to the top of a mountain)

2) The Oh Hellos - Through the Deep, Dark Valley



Favorites: Like the Dawn (this takes my breath away; the lyrics are so beautiful) and In Memoriam (again, the lyrics rock -- in the sense that they stab your heart in the best possible way if you know what I mean by that) and I Have Made Mistakes (so powerful, so true and beautiful and lovely)

ps. lucky you! you can download this INCREDIBLE album for free from Noisetrade. Click HERE.

3) Alpha Rev - Bloom 

Favorites: Lexington (sounds a bit like U2 in this song) and Sing Loud (a sing-loudly-in-your-car type of track) and Black Sky (hopeful and encouraging)

ps. props to my friend Britt for recommending Alpha Rev to me...and heads up to everyone going to see Ben Rector on tour -- these guys are opening! So stoked!