Track 1

What makes a great opening album song? Is it a slow burn or is it a banger? I don’t think there’s any specific musical characteristic for an opening song which guarantees its success, rather, I think it’s one that perfectly sets the tone for the album, pulling you into the rest of the record—even if the rest of the songs suck.

Here’s some of my favorite track 1s (in no order) from the last ~10 years:

• Bon Iver - 22 (Over soon)
• D’Angelo and The Vanguard - “Ain’t That Easy”
• Wild Cub - “Shapeless”
• Ace Enders - “Reintroduction”
• Teen Daze - Cycle
• Tokyo Police Club - “Favourite Food” & “Argentina pt. I,II,III”
• Rhye - Open
• Khalid - “American Teen”

And possibly one of the best album openers of all time, Jimmy Eat World’s “Futures.”

In case you’re wondering what song Matt is referencing in the screenshot, it’s TV On The Radio’s “I Was A Lover.”