Why Do Albums HaveThemes?

For some reason I never noticed Artists' albums and EPs have themes. I listen to music quite frequently and enjoy finding insight and messages from the lyrics. However, I had never thought about why an album had a titling name, or why musicians chose to group songs together rather than simply producing singles.

I was on a zoom call with my creative writing class a few months ago and my student teacher and I bonded over AJR's most recent album, "Neotheater". He mentioned that the album focuses on the fear of growing up and moving on. My mind was blown.

If you asked me what the message of each song was from "Neotheater" I could have told you. However, I never connected the dots that the songs had similar messages because of the album they were on. After the zoom call I looked at AJR's first two albums and realized they followed themes too!

I began to wonder more about the album titles and why songs are better when grouped in albums and EPs. As well as how musicians choose to name their albums.

There are lots of different ways to name an album. Many bands have their first album named after their band, I think it's so you'll remember their name better, like Journey's "Journey". Many individual artists will have a titling song, like Noah Kahan's debut album,"Busyhead", named after the song, "Busyhead". This song will capture the entire theme of the album in one song - hence why it's the titling song. Others will create a title that makes you think. It relays the album theme obviously to the artists but causes the listener to think critically, like Twenty One Pilots' "Vessel" or "Trench".

I believe the overall title of a song groupings is important because it encapsulates the overall message of an album in limited words. Everything is tied up into a nice bow. If there was no title, listeners may have a difficult time finding the common thread between each song. If there is no theme, it's pretty difficult to create a title for eight or more songs.

Why are themes important? Why spend so much time creating cohesion throughout an EP or album?

I've recently decided artists use themes for entire albums because producing songs together makes the artists' thesis stronger. There is probably a financial or marketing reason that is really why album and EP themes are better for musicians and listeners, but I prefer to think it is the artists' choice, not management or fans.

After learning "Neotheater" had a theme, the songs gained a new meaning for me. Especially when I listened to them in order. "Neotheater" starts with fear and uncertainty for the future of adulthood. The first song, "Next Up Forever" talks about the feeling when you never want that moment or event to come, always wanting to stay in the exposition of your life's plot.

However as the album continues there is a shift when the listener gets to "Wow, I'm Not Crazy". I feel like at this point the artists become more ready for the uncertain. While they can't know the future they can surround themselves with people that make them comfortable with the uncomfortable, and start to live for the people that will be in their futures that they haven't met yet. "Neotheater" concludes with "Finale" which in my opinion perfectly concludes the album. This song focuses on the pressure of people always wanting more from you, but how you can't always give it to them.

In summation, I think themes are very important to albums, even though I just discovered them this year. They allow artists to delve deep into one topic and connect with their audience. Rather than spreading too thin and missing a point they were trying to make.

I hope you enjoyed my tangent on themes.

Until next time,

Thanks for yielding!

Alexis