Album Challenge - NME's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

What happens when you try to listen to 500 of the greatest albums ever made… in just a few months?

In this special episode of This Album, William Hann kicks off an ambitious music challenge inspired by the NME 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list — aiming to listen to every single album, in full, before summer.

No skipping. No shortcuts. Just pure music discovery.

• The 500 albums challenge explained
• How to listen to 4–5 albums a day
• First impressions after starting the journey
• Discovering new genres outside indie & rock
• Early standout albums & surprises
• Can you really appreciate an album in one listen?

• Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city
• Outkast – Stankonia
• Bruce Springsteen – The River
• Billie Holiday
• MC5 – Back in the USA
• Foo Fighters
• The Beatles
• Frank Sinatra

…and many more from across decades and genres.

• 500 albums
• Full listens only
• Deadline: before Truck Festival

Can it be done?

And more importantly — what will it change about how we listen to music?

With so much music out there, it’s easy to stay in your comfort zone. This challenge is about:

• Expanding your music taste
• Revisiting classic albums
• Understanding what makes a “great” album

00:00 Intro – Not your usual episode
02:00 The 500 albums challenge explained
08:00 First albums & early reactions
15:00 Standout artists & surprises
25:00 Can you rate albums after one listen?
35:00 Should YOU try this challenge?

Have you listened to the NME Top 500 albums?
Drop your favourite albums in the comments.

Music podcast episodes, album deep dives, and unique music challenges every week.

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