Sophmore albums are notoriously difficult to get right. Avoiding the dreaded second album syndrome is one of the biggest challenges faced by musicians, with some of the world’s most promising talent falling at the hurdle.
Here, we’ll be focusing on those who managed do just the opposite. The following are seven incredible second albums that successfully surpassed the world’s expectations.
1. Back To Black, Amy Winehouse
Released in October 2006, this second, and sadly, final album from Amy Winehouse was an instant classic. Produced by Mark Ronson, it features a lot of her best-known work including ‘Tears Dry on Their Own,’ ‘Rehab,’ ‘Love Is A Losing Game,’ and of course the title track, ‘Black To Black.’
2. (What The Story) Morning Glory, Oasis
Slip inside the eye of Noel Gallagher’s mind. With their second album (released all the way back in 1995), the Gallagher brothers firmly established themselves as a rock and roll force to be reckoned with. ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger,’ ‘Wonderwall,’ ‘Champagne Supernova, ‘Roll With It’ and ‘She’s Electric’ all featured on this incredible album. Oasis went on to win ‘Best British Album’ at the BRITS in 1996.
3. Discovery, Daft Punk
This 2001 album cemented Daft Punk’s status as one of the most influential pop acts of the last . It’s the album that brought us some of our favourite floor-filler including ‘One More Time,’ ‘Harder Better Faster Stronger,’ ‘Digital Love.’
4. 21, Adele
Praised for its understated production and incredible vocal performance, Adele’s powerful second album set the world alight with mega hits like ‘Rolling in the Deep,’ ‘Someone Like You,’ ‘ Set Fire to the Rain.’ It’s the album that saw the British singer make her mark in the US and sweeping up nominations at the Grammys.
5. Late Registration, Kanye West
Released in 2005 by Roc-A-Fella Records, Kanye’s sophmore album hit all the right notes with critics and his fans. The album showed serious progression in his writing and production abilities, and took his music in a whole new direction. With hits including ‘Gold Digger,’ ‘Hear’Em Say,’ and ‘Touch the Sky’ all performing well in the US charts, Late Registration solidified Kanye’s prowess as a songwriter, singer, rapper and record producer.
6. Nevermind, Nirvana
One of the most influential and revered albums of the past twenty years, this 1991 release was Nirvana’s biggest selling album. The first single, ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit,’ knocked Michael Jackson off the top of charts and went one to define a generation and turn Kurt Cobain into an icon. Classic tracks ‘Lithium,’ ‘Polly,’ ‘Drain You’ and ‘Breed’ all appear on the album and they still sound as fresh as they did 24 years.
7. The Bends, Radiohead
It’s not hard to see why this second release by the English rock band is always included in a ‘best album of all time’ list by critics and music lovers alike. Released in 1995, this brilliant second album gave the world ‘High and Dry,’ ‘Fake Plastic Trees’ and ‘Just’ and the haunting ‘Street Spirit (Fade Out).’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BciOfJsqh7M
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