Ichiko Aoba - 0 (2013)
Official | RYM

Extremely pleasant and creative contemporary folk singer-songwriter music from Japan.

Iron Maiden - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988)
Official | RYM

One of several flawless heavy/power metal albums from this legendary band. This one's a little poppier and shorter form than their others, but all the classic Iron Maiden staples are here. My favorite being the horse-galloping triplet rhythms from Nico McBrain's drums and Steve Harris's bass.

Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage - Bad Wiring (2019)
Official | RYM

Jeffrey Lewis's brand of anti-folk is significantly elevated with a full band behind him. And his lyrics and songwriting are razor-sharp as ever on this release, if not sharper.

Jesu - Conqueror (2007)
Official | RYM

Justin Broadrick is more known for his industrial metal band Godflesh, whose album Streetcleaner is maybe the heaviest metal album I've ever heard. This project is the lighter, prettier side of that same coin. The metal is replaced with warm shoegaze and post-rock but the robotic, mechanical elements driving Streetcleaner are driving this too.

Joan Shelley - Joan Shelley (2017)
Official | RYM

Quiet, intimate singer-songwriter folk music with a bit of country and Appalachian influence.

Joanna Newsom - The Milk-Eyed Mender (2004)
Official | RYM

Joanna Newsome's first album sounds so light and silly, with its jaunty harps, harpsichords, Wurlitzer organs and with her cartoonish voice that it's easy to miss the depth and darkness that's present throughout. She has no contemporaries, but this album is somehow even more unique than her others.

John Prine - The Tree of Forgiveness (2018)
Official | RYM

John Prine's illustrious folk/country career is bookended by a perfect debut and a perfect finale. I went with the finale because it has all the tenderness and humor of the debut but with 47 extra years of wisdom.

Jónsi & Alex - Riceboy Sleeps (2009)
Official | RYM

Ambient from the lead singer and guitarist of Sigur Rós and his film-scorer partner. Keeps the ethereal, child-like vibes of Sigur Rós and adds warm drones and modern classical strings.

Joyce Manor - Joyce Manor (2011)
Official | RYM

Beautifully written, messily-performed emo/pop-punk. Nothing sounds quite like this particular performance.

Judas Priest - Painkiller (1990)
Official | RYM

If you like metal and Judas Priest isn't in your top five all-time then you don't like metal. Sorry you had to find out from me.

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