Another stone rolls over, and I finally move into my quarter life crisis. Yay, I’m 25. I made it. I can’t begin to think of all the people who have helped me make it this far in life or decisions that I have made that didn’t turn out to be the best. Bad or good the one constant in my life has always music.

Tokyo Police Clubexploded onto the scene in 2006 with their debut album "A Lessons In Crime."

"A Lesson In Crime" found its way into my playlist during my daily commute to USF, while looking for something other than coffee to wake me up. Tokyo Police Club has always been one of my favorite rock & roll bands because instead of teeter-tottering on the line between rock & roll and pop, they merge the two.

A Lesson In Crime is a great example of that merge. The album starts with “Cheer It On,” an upbeat track with lyrics that state “let them take their kids to school and the zoo in peace.” It’s hard to disagree with such poetry and the energy. From the poppy phrases on the keys to the catchy riffs this album has constantly given me the boost of energy needed for braving the day ahead.

This album is heavily laced lots of low-end bass rhythms provided by bass player Dave Monk, but what I think helped move "Lesson In Crimes" from the shuffle limbo to my daily vice is Greg Aslop drum patterns. They are just as infectious as the riffs if not more. Tracks “Shoulders and Arms” and “La Ferrassie” show how Alsop easily transitions from a sharp and vibrant rapid rhythm to a more R&B groove.

An album that has helped me a lot with my pursuit of happiness is Kid Cudi’s "Man On The Moon."

"Man on the Moon’s" timeless relatability has made it a classic in my book and more commonly in my headphone. The emotional andmusicalcomposition covered on this one album is still untouched. From tracks like "Soundtrack To My Life" to "Solo Dolo" to "Hyyer."

"Pursuit of Happiness" is one of my favorite songs from this album, Not only because describes one man on a quest for happiness but it also describes our delusions about what we consider makes us happy. Cudi on repeat has always helped through those long, tiring shifts at work.

Between class and work, I live for funk. Another album that hasn’t been able to escape my playlist over the last year is "Anything In Return" from Toro Y Moi.

Released three years ago, I remember first listening to layers of sound after sound trailing into one ear and phasing out the other on “Rose Quartz.” Thinking nothing well ever sound as serene as this. “Say That” is always the last song I play from this album because it's actually impossible to hear this song and not move any body part.

The mixing of samples against the repetition of Chaz Budwick looming synths and quirky keyboard melody gives the tracks on "Anything In "Return their unforgettable tang.

Blood Orangehas been the one artists that I follow almost religiously ever since I was blessed enough to come across his "Dinner Official" video on YouTube Some odd years back. His second album, "Cupid Deluxe" helped me through difficult parts of my life, especial over the past year. Dev Hynes ability to courageously express the turmoil, pain and stress, and that goes into finding yourself doesn’t go unnoticed.

Once on a date, my date and I discussed this album in detail for themes of drug abuse and gender roles and conformity from in this album's two hours. “It is what it is” come up several times.

The track starts with an arrangement played on a xylophone which matches the uniqueness in how Hynes approaches a song. The xylophone soon finds a home within a bass and drum pattern. While “You’re never good enough” this is the most infectious track on the album, Chosen is probably the one that sticks with me the most.

I discovered The Virgins in just enough time for them to break up just after releasing their second album, "StrikeGently." The album embodies all the sounds of New York. It’s comfortable, a little dirty, a little rebellious. However, there is a sweet resolve that forces you to rewind every track.

The Virgins sound is very reminiscent of coolness of "Talking Heads:77" meets boyish flamboyancy and embellishments of "Mac Demarco 2." It's perfect for daytime debauchery as well as nighttime nesting.

Donald Cumming playful imagery and vocal schemes on “Impression of You” does impressions of coastal breezes while remaining city cruel. “Back east, where the boys sit on their hands. I do! Impressions of you,“ scats Cumming.

"Travel Express (From Me)" another track which features a perfect example of Cumming's smooth cooing over guitars whaling. Both tracks lead to impressive yet not overbearing jazz horn section. Overall, the album dealt a lot with the concept of grief, lost faith and disappointment in an optimistic light.

Theses five albums over the past year have provided me with my lust for life, even when I felt there wasn’t much to lust for they helped me continue my pursuit of happiness.