This softly spoken word singer-songwriter gem brings me to a special place every time I listen to it, usually late at night. Relatable, melancholic, cathartic.

One of my favorite albums of all time. Turnover really hit a sound here that resonates with me deeply, and I often find myself coming back to this record and falling in love with it all over again. The drums and bass are greatly underrated on this album, creating their own unique melodies that fit within the song and create something new rather than just follow the guitars. Nothing beats the somehow joyful and somber sound of this record.

A slight departure from their earlier EP’s, First Contact emerges as a sign of progression in songwriting just four years after their first release. I love the versatility in this album, from the acoustic goodness in To Kelly Lee, the great energy in Soulmate 2.1 and Anyanka, to literally everything going on in The Macabray, Opassa’s Grotto, and Kid Ghost II. Even if you aren’t too familiar with math rock, this is an excellent choice and always is my go-to when I’m happy. One of my favorites!