1. Bonito Generation
Kero Kero Bonito's 2016 drop was foundational, you know? It wasn't just cute pop; it was a whole aesthetic, a future where earnestness and glitch-core synths could lead the global sound. It pre-dated the full hyperpop explosion, showing how internet-fluent pop could cross language barriers and hit different. That blend of J-pop structure with British indie sensibilities? It mapped out a vibe artists from Seoul to Tokyo would eventually sample. Still feels fresh, still feels like the actual start of something.
2. Xen (????? Edition)
Arca’s 2014 "Xen" was a shockwave. Before the internet fully embraced deconstructed club, this album was already pulling apart sound, rebuilding it into something utterly alien but emotionally raw. It set a new standard for sonic architecture, influencing everyone from underground producers to artists pushing the boundaries of global pop's texture. The way it warps vocal samples and shifts rhythm? You can hear its DNA in experimental K-Pop B-sides and the most daring electronic sets today. Still hits different.
3. Ison
Jlin's "Ison" (2017) wasn't just footwork; it was a rhythmic manifesto. The way she constructs these intricate, almost spiritual drum patterns, it’s like a masterclass in sonic architecture. She proved you could be intensely percussive, abstract, and still deeply engaging. This record showed a path for producers to build entire worlds out of rhythm, influencing how global electronic artists approach dynamics and tension without relying on standard melodies. It's still a benchmark for raw, intelligent power.
4. Puberty 2
Mitski's "Puberty 2" (2016) wasn't just an indie rock album; it was a cultural flashpoint. She channeled that specific, raw anxiety and vulnerability with such precision, it felt like she was speaking directly to a whole generation. The way she navigates explosive emotional peaks and quiet introspection? It’s a blueprint for contemporary artists looking to inject genuine, unpolished feeling into their work, influencing performance and songwriting even in the most structured global pop. Still hits different.
5. Veteran
JPEGMafia's "Veteran" (2018) was a full-blown declaration of war on conventional hip-hop. He took internet culture, noise, and raw political angst, then fused it into this exhilarating, abrasive, but undeniably innovative sound. It’s like a digital punk rock album, showing how to weaponize samples and deconstructed beats. You hear its echoes in the most boundary-pushing rap today, even influencing how some global pop acts might inject calculated chaos into their production. Still feels dangerous.
6. A Quiet Farwell, 2016–2018 (Crater Speak)
Slauson Malone 1’s 2019 "A Quiet Farewell, 2016–2018" wasn’t just music; it was a deeply fragmented, existential collage. He took sample-based production and turned it into profound storytelling, weaving together memory, identity, and raw emotion. This record showed how abstract soundscapes could carry immense narrative weight, influencing a generation of producers using sampling as a philosophical tool. You hear its reverberations in experimental R&B and the most thoughtful corners of global hip-hop. It's still a heavy listen.
7. Only Diamonds Cut Diamonds
Shygirl’s 2019 "Only Diamonds Cut Diamonds" EP was a shot of pure, distilled club adrenaline. She crafted this intensely focused soundscape, blending industrial beats with her signature, ice-cold delivery. It was a masterclass in minimal but high-impact production, setting a new bar for post-club pop that felt both futuristic and deeply rooted in UK sounds. You can hear its influence in how global artists inject raw, stripped-down energy into their tracks, from experimental K-Pop to underground R&B. Still slaps hard.
8. Person Pitch
Panda Bear’s 2007 "Person Pitch" was a lo-fi, psychedelic blueprint. He crafted these sprawling, sample-drenched soundscapes that felt both deeply personal and universally resonant. It redefined what indie electronic music could be, inspiring a whole wave of artists to embrace texture, repetition, and a hazy, introspective vibe. You can still hear its DNA in everything from chillwave’s core aesthetic to the more ambient, experimental corners of global pop production. Still feels like a warm, immersive escape.
9. LONG SEASON
Fishmans’ 1996 "LONG SEASON" is basically a cult classic, a single, sprawling track that just *exists*. It weaves together dub, post-rock, and those signature melancholic vocals into this incredible, hypnotic journey. This album proved that a continuous, evolving soundscape could hold immense emotional weight, influencing how artists approached long-form storytelling in music. You can hear its spirit in contemporary J-pop’s atmospheric leanings and global indie acts exploring deep, immersive sonic worlds. Still a total trip.
