3 Perfect Albums To Relax And Unwind This Labor Day Weekend

With Monday, September 1, being Labor Day, it’s the perfect time to get some physical and mental distance from your job. However, Labor Day weekend is when most of the holiday festivities take place, so whether you’re going to a backyard barbecue, a party, or just choosing to have some alone time, you’ll probably involve music.

Sure, you can blast some high-energy tunes to celebrate the long weekend, but if the goal is to get some rest and shrug off the previous work week, playing something more relaxing might be a better game plan. So we selected three albums that’ll do just that, starting with one that will sooth and enlighten.

Exodus – Bob Marley & The Wailers

Some might’ve noticed that radio stations play older music on Labor Day, and oftentimes newer releases get put on the back-burner until the holiday is over. Depending on what the station is, one might hear Bob Marley & The Wailers’ “One Love/People Get Ready” or perhaps “Three Little Birds,” two of Marley’s most commercial and well-known songs.

But stopping at those two cuts on the Exodus album is like taking just a couple of bites of a tasty dish when you’re famished, because the 1977 LP is full of marvelous moments. Like “Natural Mystic,” a song that begins as soft as gentle rain, before Marley’s lyrics about a physical and spiritual revolution pour down on you.

As with many of his albums, the reggae legend does a stellar job of melding political commentary with lighthearted material, while still keeping the LP cohesive.

The title track, for example, which is a serious cut about people escaping their suffering, precedes “Jamming,” a fun, danceable tune that can get any party going. So, Exodus is the perfect album for those seeking wisdom and fun at the same time.

Fiona Apple – Tidal

There’s no doubt that Fiona Apple has given listeners five splendid albums full of gut-wrenching verses, starting with her debut Tidal, released in 1996. It was clear at the time that Apple, who was just 18 years old when the album came out, had plenty on her mind and held very little back in her songwriting.

Listening to “Shadowboxer,” for instance, the album’s first single, is like listening to a singer twice Apple’s age, one who shows the musical maturity of someone already scarred by adulthood.

Meanwhile, “Sullen Girl,” with its solemn piano, has the potential to break your heart, while you wish joy and happiness for the native New Yorker. Then “The First Taste” gives off Sade vibes, and anyone who’s regretted treating a romantic partner poorly should be able to relate to “Criminal.”

So, if you want to bring some calmness to your Labor Day weekend while diving into intense, emotional lyrics, be sure to play this gorgeous work of art.

Common And Pete Rock – The Auditorium Vol. 1

Look, it’s always nice to absorb a new album from a new artist, as it can be fun to join that person at the start of their musical journey. But other times, it’s a treat to listen to an album from a veteran artist to see where that person is musically after already releasing so much outstanding material.

The only thing better than that is having two veteran artists combine forces for a beautiful-sounding project, which is the case with Common and producer Pete Rock’s LP, The Auditorium Vol 1.

Released in July 2024, the album has the ability to send people back to a time when melodic samples and high-level lyricism were the norm in rap music. Plus, despite Common’s acting career taking off, he’s proven that he’s still passionate about songwriting and hasn’t missed a step.

Pete Rock also reestablished his greatness by adding a wonderful modern-day twist to his signature sound, the same sound that made him one of New York’s best hip-hop producers. There truly aren’t any skips on The Auditorium Vol. 1, and listening to it feels like spending some quality time with two old friends.