Living Under a Rock: Killer Albums from the Pandemic I Completely Missed

The death of monoculture, the rise of the internet, and the COVID-19 pandemic have all contributed to a shift in how people consume media. In the past, there was a sense of a shared cultural experience with everyone listening to the same music and watching the same TV shows- not anymore!

With the internet people have access to an endless amount of content, leading to a fragmentation of cultural experiences. The pandemic has accelerated this trend, with people spending more time at home and consuming media on their own terms so it's becoming increasingly rare for everyone to listen to the same music or have a shared cultural touchstone.

With so many options available, people are discovering music that they may not have otherwise come across, and then there’s me…

I straight up missed some of the most solid albums I’ve ever heard! Since (and because of) 2020, artists pushed unexpected boundaries and experimented with different sounds and styles.

As a metalhead, this delights me.

Here are two albums I only recently discovered that are entirely solid, surprising, and make my oversized stereo extremely happy. DON’T JUDGE ME:

​Plastic Hearts - Miley Cyrus

Alright, I said I’m a metalhead so what am I doing popping on an older Miley Cyrus album while Endless Summer Vacation is sitting right there. Look, Cyrus returned to her rock roots with her seventh studio album in 2020, Plastic Hearts.

The album features collaborations with notable artists such as Billy Idol and Joan Jett with impressive sound production (I can hear REAL instruments!). Cyrus samples songs from the 80s, adding a nostalgic touch to the album. What I should have expected, being a Black Mirror fan, were all the unexpected Nine Inch Nails influencers sprinkled in here and there.

Standout tracks include "Prisoner," a collaboration with Dua Lipa, and "Midnight Sky," which was inspired by Stevie Nicks. But I’m sure you knew that already. This album was already well-received before I popped it on.

​If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power - Halsey

Speaking of NIN, Halsey's fourth studio album, If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power came out in 2021 and was produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The collaboration between Halsey and NIN adds an industrial edge to the album, with haunting instrumentals and intense vocals.

These albums showcase the musical diversity our favorite pop stars are experimenting with, and they’ve given me the confidence to dive in and give even Justin Bieber’s music a chance.

I shudder, but I’m not worried- Demi Lovato’s Heart Attack re-recording shows there’s a small hope that rock is coming back in a big way. Now if only Demi could find the same quality production as the others…