Allyson Johnson’s Top 5 Mid-Year Albums

1. Birdy – Beautiful Lies

The newest album by Birdy taps into her more soulful side with songs such as “Shadow” and “Lifted” demonstrating her wonderful voice and pop influences. It’s one of the few albums I’ve listened to so far this year that once I got to the end instantly pressed play to listen to again.

2. The Hotelier – Goodness

Emotionally charged with some wonderful acrobatic vocals, The Hotelier’s newest album Goodness is all that you hope to hear from their music. Poetic, enthusiastic and powerful, The Hotelier are storytellers.

3. ROMP – Departure From Venus

An accidental find, ROMP is a band that I didn’t know I needed until I listened. Fun, vibrant and addicting, make sure you don’t miss out on their album “Departure From Venus” this year.

4. Yuna – Chapters

Because I love pop and I love soul infused pop and Yuna’s album is both of those things. A fresh talent, Yuna’s songs are perfect for long summer days and nights.

5. James Blake – The Color in Anything

James Blake is the kind of artist that perfectly fits into the type of music I tend to fall head over heels for. Soulful with tinges of dream pop and some hazy vocals make for one of the best albums of the year.

Allyson’s Top 5 Songs of 2016 (So Far)

1. Panic! at the Disco – “L.A. Devotee”
2. HANA – “Clay”
3. Birdy – “Shadow”
4. Lapsley – “Hurt Me”
5. The Jezabels – “Flowers in the Attic”