In Utero (1993) — Nirvana

Ah, one of my high school comfort albums. Even years after my adolescent obsession, In Utero still holds up.

The lyrics here are sad, twisted, and, in classic Cobain fashion, full of sarcasm. The band really lets loose on this album, especially compared to Nevermind's more polished and palatable approach. The grunge sound that the band helped pioneer is present in full force.

This album is cathartic. It swallows you in its sound, engrossing you within its messy walls. It hits hard, but also breaks down, often in the same song. It's a masterclass in honest emotional expression in music, and is a lasting testament to the fact that music doesn't always need to sound pretty to be stellar. Sometimes the music calls for ugly, and this is a perfect response to that call.