Nirvana to Lou Reed: 5 of the Most Unexpectedly Sad Albums Ever

In need of a good cry or a sad stare-at-a-wall-for-hours session? Nothing makes being sad quite as artistic as a solid sad album to be sad too. Did we mention these albums were sad? Let’s look at five of the most unexpectedly sad albums of all time!

1. ‘Blue’ by Joni Mitchell

This 1971 masterpiece by Joni Mitchell is quite literally Blue. Aesthetic choices aside, the meat of this album is so somber and heartbreaking. It’s crazy that Mitchell recorded it in beautiful sunny California while surrounded by friends. Emotionally, it seems like Mitchell is in a dark place on this record. It’s an honest exploration of the need to seem strong and pretend, but no longer being able to keep the facade up.

2. ‘Carrie & Lowell’ by Sufjan Stevens

It’s not exactly surprising when Sufjan Stevens releases a sad album. He’s made a career for himself with sad albums, more or less. However, the 2015 record Carrie & Lowell is particularly heartwrenching. Stevens wrote it after his mother passed away, and the record is a deep and longing exploration of grief and mental health. Few artists can master being vulnerable like Stevens, and we’d argue this is his most vulnerable release to date.

3. ‘Berlin’ by Lou Reed

The 1973 release Berlin was a notable departure from glam rock for Lou Reed, and the emotional integrity of the album surprised a lot of his fans. In fact, a lot of listeners hated it at the time. Luckily, it’s much more appreciated today. The record explores pretty dark themes that include abuse and addiction, and Reed explores these themes with equal parts reverence and depravity. It’s not an easy listen, forewarning. 

4. ‘In Utero’ by Nirvana

Nirvana’s final album is a beautifully produced piece of work, but it can be difficult to stomach at times. In a way, In Utero is the altar at which Kurt Cobain placed his pain, both emotionally and physically. That misery is both revered and examined through the lens of someone with chronic health issues, mental illness, and drug addiction. It’s painfully relatable for those who went through similar things, and uncomfortable at best for those who haven’t.

5. ‘Closer’ by Joy Division

Joy Division’s 1980 album Closer is one of the band’s most famous releases. Its fame is due in part to the quality of the record. However, it’s mainly famous because it was released only two months after lead singer Ian Curtis committed suicide. It’s a posthumous tragedy that transports the listener to the same dark place Curtis was in while recording it. Closer is one of the saddest albums of all time and not for the weak of heart.

Photo by Dawn Miller / Courtesy of Pitch Perfect PR

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