36 minutes ago, supaspaz said:

We don't even have to get that niche! Ladies of Jazz was such a fun exploration of a genre I had never dipped into in any depth. I'm down for highlighting more legendary artists and classic albums, instead of (or at least in addition to) revisiting stuff we're done before. We batted around a bunch of interesting ideas a couple of months ago.

 

If only there was (still) a queue or list of some kind because my ass is getting forgetful in my old age

 

6 hours ago, honights said:

 

TW2025 with Oklou, Erika, maybe Twigs?, Addison... 

 

The way this concept is essentially this:

 

On 6/7/2025 at 4:25 PM, Eeveelution said:

 

The concept of this as a rate 

 

2 hours ago, supaspaz said:

We don't even have to get that niche! Ladies of Jazz was such a fun exploration of a genre I had never dipped into in any depth. I'm down for highlighting more legendary artists and classic albums, instead of (or at least in addition to) revisiting stuff we're done before. We batted around a bunch of interesting ideas a couple of months ago.

 

 I think there's room for both. Love to highlight more niche genres/time periods and put a spotlight on legends such as Nina and Julie London, but we're all fans of pop music here and it can be a good time revisiting pop classics we know and love. Especially when a lot of these albums were used in rates like a decade ago.

 

14 hours ago, supaspaz said:

Might have to cancel the franchise because this year has given us nothing!

Like, I don't even know what's critically acclaimed anymore!

9 hours ago, Ace Reject said:

Like, I don't even know what's critically acclaimed anymore!

The Uproxx Critics Poll is the new Pazz & Jop. 

+ acclaimed music still posts a year end spreadsheet every year. Acclaimed Music

On 9/8/2025 at 10:27 PM, Ace Reject said:

Also, no pressure, but have you thought about what TW2025 will look like? (Assuming we're all alive in six months.) Like, what's critically acclaimed?

 

Or, will you do the pop girls and Sombr and call it a day?

So far, Bad Bunny, Perfume Genius, FKA twigs, Turnstile, Billy Woods did well on mid-year lists and general acclaim. 

 

No idea what that'll look like at the end of the year. But please don't make me listen to Mayhem again.

2 minutes ago, Wicked said:

So far, Bad Bunny, Perfume Genius, FKA twigs, Turnstile, Billy Woods did well on mid-year lists and general acclaim. 

 

No idea what that'll look like at the end of the year. But please don't make me listen to Mayhem again.

Okay, you're starting to talk some sense. Don't know the last two, but maybe instead we throw in Taylor (who will surely break sales records) and one more album that becomes apparent in the next few months.

3 minutes ago, supaspaz said:

Okay, you're starting to talk some sense. Don't know the last two, but maybe instead we throw in Taylor (who will surely break sales records) and one more album that becomes apparent in the next few months.

I think Addison will make more of an impact on YELs than most think, could warrant inclusion.

I swapped out the pinned rates to give some new threads a chance for additional exposure. Please let me know if you object! Just trying to spread the love.

2 minutes ago, Wicked said:

I think Addison will make more of an impact on YELs than most think, could warrant inclusion.

I've used different methods for album selection over the years. A few times, it was the straight top five from Pazz & Jop. Other times I tried to capture the zeitgeist through a mix of critical acclaim and commercial domination. (And in 2018, I went with an all-female lineup because of that controversial Neil Portnow comment!) So hopefully what feels right for 2025 will eventually make itself clear.

16 minutes ago, supaspaz said:

Okay, you're starting to talk some sense. Don't know the last two, but maybe instead we throw in Taylor (who will surely break sales records) and one more album that becomes apparent in the next few months.

I'm not seeing it for TLOAS being acclaimed 

 

Including Taylor in a This Was rate seems a little pointless to me. It's not like Swifties are going to take part because that would mean listening to someone else.

 

@Achilles. is exempt from this btw

 

 

This is probably the most acclaimed album of the year so far get into it 

 

1 hour ago, supaspaz said:

I've used different methods for album selection over the years. A few times, it was the straight top five from Pazz & Jop. Other times I tried to capture the zeitgeist through a mix of critical acclaim and commercial domination. (And in 2018, I went with an all-female lineup because of that controversial Neil Portnow comment!) So hopefully what feels right for 2025 will eventually make itself clear.

Yeah, that makes sense.

 

Did y'all not do TW2024? 

On 9/9/2025 at 5:29 AM, Eeveelution said:

we're all fans of pop music here

Are we?

 

4 hours ago, conatus said:

Including Taylor in a This Was rate seems a little pointless to me.

When I have one of the lowest average scores for TSLOP. 

7 hours ago, Wicked said:

The Uproxx Critics Poll is the new Pazz & Jop. 

+ acclaimed music still posts a year end spreadsheet every year. Acclaimed Music

THIS WAS 2024 with Kendrick, Doechii, Tyler, The Cure, and Cindy Lee/mk.gee/MJ Lenderman sounds GREAT for whoever wants to take it!

8 hours ago, Eeveelution said:

I'm not seeing it for TLOAS being acclaimed 

 

That would be for zeitgeist

7 hours ago, Wicked said:

Yeah, that makes sense.

 

Did y'all not do TW2024? 

I pivoted to the Spring Smackdown rate with the main pop girlies

8 hours ago, conatus said:

Including Taylor in a This Was rate seems a little pointless to me. It's not like Swifties are going to take part because that would mean listening to someone else.

 

@Achilles. is exempt from this btw

 

We used Folklore in This Was 2020 and Midnights in 2022. But you ain't wrong about the Swifties...

8 hours ago, Wicked said:

Yeah, that makes sense.

 

Did y'all not do TW2024? 

 

5 hours ago, Achilles. said:

Are we?

 

When I have one of the lowest average scores for TSLOP. 

Would be CUTE if one of y'all hosted TW2024! 

3 hours ago, Ace Reject said:

THIS WAS 2024 with Kendrick, Doechii, Tyler, The Cure, and Cindy Lee/mk.gee/MJ Lenderman sounds GREAT for whoever wants to take it!

The Cindy Lee album kind of saves this lineup but it's a lot to ask of atrl to listen to a two hour album that isn't on streaming. 

33 minutes ago, Ace Reject said:

 

Would be CUTE if one of y'all hosted TW2024! 

That would never get done just like my last rate, but I will send a ballot 

 

I'm getting married soon asdfghj Bridezilla hours are not host friendly

6 hours ago, supaspaz said:

We used Folklore in This Was 2020 and Midnights in 2022. But you ain't wrong about the Swifties...

Don't include her then!

 

I'm sure Oklou, sombr and…. Billy Woods will be enough to draw a crowd 

35 minutes ago, greento said:

 

 

I'm sure Oklou…. will be enough to draw a crowd 

Not too much.

 

Okgod is the AOTY so I will be there