5 Albums, on repeat to get through 2026! - founder thoughts

We all know January will hit us with a brut force. Whether that be the hang over from the self-sacrificial night before or the ache from your own mind turning into a constructed mess of who to be and how to feel this now, 2026. Smack! in the face, with the realisation that another year has ran away from you.

Every year there will be challenges, some heavier than others. And every year there will be positives as well as awakenings. Many of my awakening, turning points have come accompanied by the legends of rock n’ roll. Days filled with tears, with the blow softened whilst yet tightened by the melodic sound of Elvis’ voice. The raging car journey in pouring rain turning into a haven ride with the acknowledgment of ‘Cryin’’ by Aerosmith. The whiplash of my journal entries proceeding me as I play ‘Since you’ve been gone’ by Rainbow. Music ignites us to that moment with romanticism and intention. If the bad times are to happen anyway I may as well pretend I’m character-building in the movie ‘this is my life.’ The soundtrack to the sad moments prevailed. The soundtrack of a lifetime.

I’m hoping for a more prosperous year than my last. Yet, with many challenges and turbulence I still remain and all we need is another day, another week, another year to: grow, develop, change and thrive. My plan to thrive this year is set on my soundtrack. Forging its way into my day to day activities, strengthening them and creating them. Regardless, of whether things go my way or as planned this year I still intent that the music will channel all that I aspire and bring my mind forward into the person I know I can become.

Album 1: Motivation

The year can start, dull. Grey clouds shadow the skies and the sunlight shrivels and hides with nothing but an occasional glint to my face. Tiresome yet short days ruminate across a month that feels like an eternity. Motivation, is what we need to ensure our goals are met or at least our intentions are actioned.

Nothing motivates me more than Boston’s Debut Album. It has been stated to be the best debut Rock Album of all time with the songs ‘More than a Feeling’ and ‘Peace of Mind’ being the first two songs on Side A. A whirlwind of punchy and timeless riffs, meaningful lyrics and one of the most impressive vocal performances of all time! ‘More than a feeling’ to me, is vocally impossible to flaw shown by the intensity it has ignited for decades. Bringing together all music lovers a song that simply put Boston on the map and kept them there. ‘Peace of mind’ competes prefusively for me as a top song on the album. The guitar riff is simple yet a stand out but the lyrics tell meaningful truths too. The classic reason of why rock music resonates with me so dearly. Later on in the Album we have ‘Rock & Roll band’ another song that brings excitement and energy. The whole album is a masterpiece and a whole lot of fun. The only way to motivate me to do anything in January would be the blaring sound of that Gibson, Les Paul and Brad Delp’s vocals range.

Album 2: Peace

Now motivation is key to inspiration, productivity and creativity but what about the softer side to life. The play over work. We all know work is important but the for the mind to be fruitful in all its endeavours, requires a mind that turns to the speed, set. My mind in 2025 played a few too many tricks on me, some I know now could’ve been managed better with a splash more of mental clarity. Mentailty is a horse with no reigns to control but sometimes when we let the horse run a little wild we see more than we thought we ever could.

Lana del ray’s ‘Born to die Album - The paradise edition’ is pure perfection. Vocals that are distinct and incomparable. The way the songs feel like nothing else with a voice that is majestic and limitless. ‘Born to die’ and ‘Summertime Sadness’ are obvious classics yet, other songs on the album, race to the top for me. Favourites for myself are ‘Million Dollar Man’, ‘Without you’ and ‘Lucky Ones’. This Album is an homage to calm and clarity with this edition giving you more songs to love. I will be listening to this album to lower my cortisol in car journeys, whilst taking a piping hot bath and whilst cooking and romanticising my favourite meals.

Album 3: Deep in thought

Every year there is a level of reflection required. Whether that’s for the time gone, new situations that have arisen or for the future we’re trying to create. Getting deep in our thoughts can be a bad idea at times. I know, in certain points of 2025, I’ve found it harder to journal. My thoughts are heavy, deep and well depressing, to write down on a page. I tend to write more when I’m low however I think it can be challenging to have deep thoughts when it’s easier to push them away. This year we’re being upfront, we’re taking the risks and chances and we’re throwing ourselves into every possibility.

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s DebutAlbum enchants us into being raw. With songs like ‘Freebird’ and ‘Tuesday’s Gone’. These songs still resonate so widely today along with ‘Simple Man’, a legendary record that spills out vulnerability and truth. It’s no secret that Lynyrd Skynyrd is a talent like no other, with the band having 7 members, the power you get from these individuals and their instruments together is a journey not a singular ride. ‘Freebird’ has arguably one of the best guitar solos of all time and I must say I’m a sucker for a long song! Listening to this album a red wine in hand, deep in thought, journaling or listening and reflecting on the week, is where this Album lies. A simple moment, doing simple things listening to simply one of the best bands of all time.

Album 4: Through the Challenges

Every year there is always a challenge, a test or a hurdle. Whether that be a personal pursuit, the loss of a loved one, an ‘everything is falling apart’ moment, most of them can be eased with the right kind of music. There’s nothing that will set the tears off more than a sad song. So, we’re going to avoid them!

Here I have two albums because there are definitely stages to a challenge. The initial hit of the challenge and the end stages. Initially we want Fleetwood Mac. Specifically their self-titled, 1975 Record. This is one of my favourite vinyls to listen to, starting with ‘ Monday Morning’ with songs like ‘Rhiannon’, ‘World Turning’, ‘Warm ways’, ‘Say you love me’ and of course ‘Landslide’, my personal favourite from the Album. ‘Landslide’ was written when Stevie Nicks was just dropped from her record label. Through the uncertain time in her career at 27 she wrote the song whilst on a trip in Aspen. When she came back she joined Fleetwood Mac. I think we put the concept on linearity in our heads, that our careers and relationships continue to grow with a positive corelation but that’s never been true. There are always changes and redirections.

I do believe a good cry can make you feel a whole lot better but I also think that there’s a point where enough is definitely enough. Sometimes you’ve just got to ‘Get a Grip’ by listening to Aerosmith’s Album - ‘Get a grip,’ ironically featuring ‘Cryin’ and ‘Crazy’ all revenant to how my emotional downpours seem to go. This Album is for maybe getting a little Angry, getting a backbone and for the final stage to move on! ‘Cryin’ and ‘Crazy’ are the stand outs to this Album, songs I believe you should run to in time of need but the rest of the Album will punch through you when you need a little more than a push to stagger ahead.

Album 5: The Happy Occasions

Whether we fully believe it ourselves, with what we’ve plastered on to our vision boards or not, this year is gonna be a good one. There’s no point in believing otherwise, even if 2025 wasn’t ‘your year.’ With all these happy occasions we need an Album that commemorates those times, that we listen to for that buzz, the songs that christens the experience. Queen’s ‘The Game’ Album is an album to get us there. Featuring, ‘Crazy little thing called love’, ‘Need your loving tonight’ and ‘Another one bites the dust.’ Songs that are lively, fun and ensuring a good time.

Delving into what we are to be, what we are to face, what we’re trying to achieve is scary. Life is scary, life is at times throwing us curveball and new ideas into the mix that we never account for, anticipated nor wanted. It will happen anyway the only thing we can control is how we perceive it and what we do to change it.

These are my choices for the Rock Albums that’ll get me through whatever the year throws ahead. What are yours?