My Top 5 Albums - Bren.d.o
- Flex Admin
- Nov 6, 2025
- 2 min read
Bren.d.o’s Essential Five: The Albums That Shaped Neo-Soul’s New Storyteller…
Before Bren.d.o became known for blending neo-soul smoothness with alt-R&B pulse, he was a listener — obsessed with records that told stories, revealed emotions, and built entire worlds from sound. The Southern Illinois native, whose singles ‘Electric Love Affair’ and ‘Boom Boom’ brought him national attention in 2025, credits his wide-ranging influences for shaping both his songwriting and his worldview.
From the funk-laced freedom of Prince to the cinematic sweep of modern R&B icons, Bren.d.o’s playlist reads like a map of his own evolution. It’s not just about the music — it’s about what these albums taught him: about vulnerability, connection, and the courage to experiment.
As he readies his debut album The Corner for release in 2026, we asked Bren.d.o to look back on the five albums that shaped his sound and spirit — the ones that continue to echo through every bassline, lyric, and late-night studio session.
Mariah Carey – Mariah Carey
It’s Mariah Carey, come on, lol. Her vocals are out of this world. That debut album was literally a technical singing lesson for me every single time I tried to sing along. If it wasn’t for that record, and me giving myself voice lessons in my bedroom as a child, I wouldn’t be a singer today.
Prince – Purple Rain
One of the greatest albums of all time. The man was a genius. “I Would Die 4 U” and “When Doves Cry” played nonstop in my house growing up. My parents were both dancers, they had a complicated marriage, but somehow, they still found love for each other through dance. This album, for reasons I can’t even fully articulate, feels symbolic of their relationship. It’s pure nostalgia and memory.
Stevie Wonder – Hotter Than July
“Master Blaster” and “Lately” are two of my all-time favorites. I grew up with this album, and it really shaped my sound and writing style. That late-’70s and early-’80s era of music guided me as a kid trying to find my own artistic voice.
Lily Allen – Alright, Still
Here’s an unexpected one. There’s something so witty and cleverly written about this record, it made me want to start writing my own songs. “Alfie” reminded me of my little brother, and “LDN” showed me that pop could be smart, playful, and sophisticated at the same time.
Mika – Life in Cartoon Motion
Mika is an absolute powerhouse. I had this album on repeat. His vocals are insane, and I used to imitate them just to push my own range. Like Lily Allen, Mika taught me how to have fun with songwriting. “Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)” showed me that love comes in all shapes and sizes, and “Billy Brown” really hit home for me as a young gay guy growing up in the Upper South, it honestly gave me the courage to come out earlier than I probably would have.
