No Skips Album Club: January
Announcing No Skips Album Club's January Theme & Album Pick
Happy New Year!
I took a very short break from social media, and it felt like a lifetime had passed, but it was much needed. I had the opportunity to spend time with family and myself, and, most importantly, I set goals for the year ahead—something most of us do at the end of the year. One of my goals is to make No Skips Album Club even bigger and better, so be on the lookout for some exciting things coming soon. In the meantime, I’m incredibly excited to jump back into great music and conversation with y’all!
As always, I have to send a huge thank you to everyone who attended December’s discussion of Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life, and if you’re one of the folks who engages on TENTH, thank you too. But also, come to a meeting, we don’t bite 😊. The next meeting is on Wednesday, January 21st, at 7 PM. You can RSVP here.
This month, we’ll be diving into Marvin Gaye’s 1971 release, What’s Going On.
Released on May 21st, 1971, via Motown’s Tamla Records, What’s Going On is told from the perspective of a Vietnam veteran returning home to a country marked by hatred, suffering, and injustice. The album reflects the lived reality of many of the 300,000 Black Vietnam veterans who fought abroad only to return home to systemic racism, limited job opportunities, housing discrimination, and inadequate healthcare.
The theme for January is Fresh Starts— albums that weren’t debuts but marked a new chapter or creative rebirth for the artist.
While it’s now considered a cornerstone of 1970s soul, the album’s creation was shaped by grief, resistance, and isolation. In a Rolling Stone interview, Marvin Gaye reflected on the shift that led to this record:
I realized that I had to put my own fantasies behind me if I wanted to write songs that would reach the souls of people. I wanted them to take a look at what was happening in the world.
📅 Meeting Information:
Date: Wednesday, January 21st
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Google Meet (link shared upon RSVP)
We hope to see you there!
A Quick Pulse Check!
As I think about how to grow No Skips Album Club this year, I’d love your input. If you’ve attended a session (or even if you haven’t yet), I put together a short form to learn what’s been resonating and what you’d love to see more of.
It’s completely optional, takes about 3 minutes, and will directly shape what’s coming next.
Share your thoughts here: NSAC Pulse Check.