Hidden gems from lost/less-popular albums

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

We all have songs from albums that we love that we believe should have been singles or simply are highlights of the album. Songs like Taylor’s “Cruel Summer,” Katy’s “Walking On Air,” Gaga’s “Dance In The Dark,” or whatever. But what about those lesser-known albums with pure marks of perfection on them that never get heard except by the few people who actually listen to that artist/album?

Sometimes I think about all the albums out there with non-singles/album tracks I would probably love if I ever heard them that I’d likely never hear because who has the time to just dig through them all? I’m talking about those albums that aren’t big, or known, or are the artists are one-hit-wonders who have released ten albums and somehow their best work came 15 years after their one hit, but maybe only 17 people will ever hear it.

What are your personal essentials and hidden gems from lesser known albums?

[M5AGTS]

Mika
Stardust
Overrated
Underwater
Touchin You
Rain
We Are Golden
Emily
Love Today
Erase
Happy Ending
My Interpretation
Popular Song (with Ariana Grande)

Jamie Miller
Over You
I Lost Myself In Loving You
Last Call
It Is What It Is

Benson Boone
In The Stars
Nights Like These
Ghost Town
Room For 2
Better Alone
Let Me Go

Tate McRae
Feel Like s**t
Chaotic
Go Away
Hate Myself

Calum Scott
Cross Your Mind
Heaven
Run With Me

Johnny Orlando
Blur
You're Just Drunk
Waste My Time
Sleep

[dremolus - solarpunk]

Considering Cruel Summer has 368M streams - the most streamed deepcut on Lover - I'd actually say it's not a hidden gem and is very beloved in and out of the Swiftie community.

That said, there is a hidden gem on Lover that deserves more love and attention

[trustypepper]

I like this topic. 

Two gems from Kesha's "High Road" album (although maybe not that unknown):





Absolute jam from the guys who gave us "Closing Time" in the 90's. I believe this was their first single in many years (released in 2020):




And for now, I'll end with a great ballad from the winner of Season 17 of The Voice, featuring his coach Kelly Clarkson:

[leoapp]

Mariah pre 2010 materials:
- All In Your Mind. her best "early era" whistle notes
- You're So Cold.probably her best/one of her best intro
- Do You Think Of Me. probably her earliest dark R&B tune, that's why it didn't make the Music Box, only a b-side)
- When I Saw You. one of her hardest songs, needs very great breathing technique, just try to sing the chorus, and make sure to know where to inhale/steal a breathing between each word/phrase he he.

**Skip Butterfly era**

- The twins How Much/X-Girlfriend (The only time you can feel TLC/Destiny's Child/Pink debut/any late 90s-2000 typical R&B melody on Mariah songs)
- Lead The Way/There For Me, in case you wanna know her longest belted studio notes, sadly buried alive, thanx for Glitter bombing fiasco
- You Had Your Chance, only Mariah can harmonize herself, even with more than 2 layering voices..and listen to the background during final part, what an amazing acrobatic whistle notes...
- Friendz, an unreleased song between CharmB and TEOM era. A total banger, a collab with N.O.R.E. that felt like a brand new lead single. The closest you can imagine 2004-Mariah.
- Secret Love/When I Feel It. the first one was a Japanese bonus track only, a total banger... and the other one....a crime, it didnt make the TEOM album, listen to the end, one of her most beautiful whistle notes everrr...
- Side Effects. Well, we knew Migrate was an infamous "should've been a single"...But this one is even catchier, a true smash banger with saaaad lyrics..only Mariah could do it...A wasted easy 19th no.1
- Imperfect/Skydiving. The unreleased couples.. from the Memoirs era, muuuuch catchier/more commercial than half of the album tracks which felt so monotonous/a bit boring...how come?

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

I totally meant to come back to this and i forgot lmao


Mainly I was referring to songs that most people (here) probably would never have come across either because the artist is a one-hit-wonder, or not particularly known outside of some circles. I’d imagine albums from Mariah and Taylor have pretty decent circulation and recognizability, even among the deep cuts from their albums.

But I won’t dictate or argue like those other threadmakers 😶

When I was thinking about this, I thought about KT Tunstall albums. Two-hit-wonder in North America in 2006, who has continued releasing albums and I love them all. Her 2016 album KIN might be my favourite from her. “Run On Home” is one of my favourites.

Lori McKenna, a songwriter who has written many country hits, but has also recorded a bunch of her own albums too. “That’s How You Know” is tear-jerking gem. Also songs from her 2016 album The Bird & The Rifle, like “We Were Cool”, are essentials for me.

Lissie, another songwriter who I don’t think has ever made the Hot 100 but has charted a few singles in the UK and Australia maybe around ten years ago, her song “Back To Forever” was my personal theme for years.

Jason Mraz is known for “I’m Yours” and has has a few other hits across his albums, but “On Love In Sadness” from his first is always my favourite.

[getouttamyway]

Too Far by Kylie Minogue, from the album Impossible Princess.

If we're talking about even less known albums, then I must implore everyone here to check out Emily Scott-Robinson's gorgeous 2021 album American Siren. If Trouble Comes A Lookin' is a standout that puts even Folklore-era Taylor Swift to shame.

[daneeis]

From Raven Symone's This is My Time album. I bought the album from Walmart, like 18 years ago and I still have it today.

[myhouse911]

Oct 20, 2022 10:20:14 GMT -5 Devil Marlena Nylund said:

I totally meant to come back to this and i forgot lmao


Mainly I was referring to songs that most people (here) probably would never have come across either because the artist is a one-hit-wonder, or not particularly known outside of some circles. I’d imagine albums from Mariah and Taylor have pretty decent circulation and recognizability, even among the deep cuts from their albums.

But I won’t dictate or argue like those other threadmakers 😶

When I was thinking about this, I thought about KT Tunstall albums. Two-hit-wonder in North America in 2006, who has continued releasing albums and I love them all. Her 2016 album KIN might be my favourite from her. “Run On Home” is one of my favourites.

Lori McKenna, a songwriter who has written many country hits, but has also recorded a bunch of her own albums too. “That’s How You Know” is tear-jerking gem. Also songs from her 2016 album The Bird & The Rifle, like “We Were Cool”, are essentials for me.

Lissie, another songwriter who I don’t think has ever made the Hot 100 but has charted a few singles in the UK and Australia maybe around ten years ago, her song “Back To Forever” was my personal theme for years.

Jason Mraz is known for “I’m Yours” and has has a few other hits across his albums, but “On Love In Sadness” from his first is always my favourite.

This. Lori has put out some really wonderful solo work, and thankfully received her big break when 'Fireflies' was released. Really like her early 2010's work.
I'm not overly familiar with Lissie's original work, but came across her a couple? years back - exceptionally covering some Fleetwood Mac hits.

[leonagwen]

youtu.be/9FrO9oL-w2Y Leona Lewis- Glassheart.

[Au$tin]

Oct 23, 2022 19:54:45 GMT -5 daneeis said:

From Raven Symone's This is My Time album. I bought the album from Walmart, like 18 years ago and I still have it today.

Mystify and Just Fly Away from this same album are also fantastic

[die Lotterie]

Granted she recorded a less glossy version for Goodbye Alice In Wonderland, this was still a "hidden gem" in some aspects.

[bat1990]

Indie Vanessa Carlton has a lot of great songs on her post-Heroes and Thieves albums.

Hot take: All of Donna Lewis' subsequent albums are stronger than the LP containing "I Love You Always Forever."

Here's an amazing pagan folk song telling the tale of Arachne and Athena that most on Pulse would never come across but I sing it to myself all the time.



And finally, who resurrected Amy Winehouse for this song??????

[SHOOTER]

I spy uncut Raven-Symoné gems.





(Someone should start an Albums club on here. I’ll listen to 100 albums before I read 1 book)

[bat1990]

Nov 5, 2022 0:43:55 GMT -5 SHOOTER said:

(Someone should start an Albums club on here. I’ll listen to 100 albums before I read 1 book)

I'm launching a podcast today where I react to albums and give commentary! I'll send along the link if you like.

[Au$tin]

I seem to recall actually having an albums club thing at one point or attempting it

[bat1990]

Here's the podcast, if people want to follow along as an album club. I have two more episodes going live sometime this week.

anchor.fm/divadeepcuts

[SabrinaFan]

Hopefully nobody minds if I pull a Jimijoop and bump this old thread, but I was reminded of this thread upon rediscovering a hidden gem.

I recently re-listened to Estelle's Shine and forgot how good the title track is. She was a one-hit wonder with "American Boy," but I feel like "Shine" would have made a great follow-up single! I think it could have done at least moderately well on the charts if it had been pushed as a single, as it's very radio-friendly and has a catchy hook.

[🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲]

These been on my mind...

[elementd5]

^Those Christina tracks had me in a chokehold back in the day, for sure. Especially that last one.

[Eloqueen™]

"Gonna Tell Everybody" and "Say I" had me in a chokehold!

[jenglisbe]

It's more known now because of the CMA performance, but it's still a niche album within country and this is an all-time recording to me:



I think this is a beautiful song, and she has such an ethereal voice:



Lastly this is so beautiful and life affirming:

[leonagwen]

From ABBA's 3rd album. youtu.be/ZcVsJDZPyek?si=v-1cJy_gshRlWm0M

[johnm1120]

"I Surrender" is certainly a fan favorite, but this gem from "A New Day Has Come" also deserves more recognition:

[Eloqueen™]

Oct 14, 2023 0:02:43 GMT -5 johnm1120 said:

"I Surrender" is certainly a fan favorite, but this gem from "A New Day Has Come" also deserves more recognition:

Loved this from that album. Imo ANDHC is Celine's 2nd best album behind Falling Into You.

[divasummer]

Sept 7, 2023 17:51:54 GMT -5 🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲 said:

These been on my mind...

Christina Milian deserves more love!
My favorites from her projects that weren’t the hits are:
“Whatever You Want” which was a single, but didn’t do well.
“L.O.V.E”
“Hands On Me” which was a bonus track.
“Get Loose” I’m a sucker for a Darkchild track.

From the “So Amazing” release I was obsessed with the title track which kind of flopped.
I also was into “Just A Little Bit”, “Who’s Gonna Ride”, “Twisted”, and “Gonna Tell Everybody”.