The Best Second Albums That Beat the Sophomore-Slump Curse

Björk’s solo debut, winkingly entitled Debut, was a dancey, eclectic blend of all sorts of pop genres. Her second album, Post, ratcheted that diversity up even further. Written after she moved to London from her native Iceland, and while she was going out with the trip-hop pioneer Tricky. Post is an experimental but still approachable collection of songs both raucous (the orchestral “It’s Oh So Quiet”) and transfixing (“Hyper-Ballad”). It’s the definitive second-album statement, proving without a doubt that Debut was no fluke.

Beastie Boys, Paul’s Boutique (1989)

Licensed to Ill was a gnarly, metal-sampling, chart-topping party record that turned the Beastie Boys into the nemeses of every suburban parent managing a rebellious teenager. For the follow-up, the hip-hop group did something very different: big beats and frat-boy antics were replaced by a finely woven tapestry of more than a hundred samples, and more reflective lyrics than in previous music. Though it sold nowhere near as well as its predecessor, the world eventually caught up to its genius.

Sudan Archives, Natural Brown Prom Queen (2022)

Sudan Archives is the recording name of Brittney Parks, a self-taught violinist who happens to be one of the most interesting – and one of the best – pop musicians working today. A case in point is her second album, Natural Brown Prom Queen. Though it builds on the sound of her debut, Athena, it’s a major step up, incorporating endless shades of soul, funk and electronic into stunning arrangements. “Freakalizer”, a spooky R&B number with a bone-shaking beat, might be one of the best songs of 2022.

This story originally appeared in British GQ.