Elevated Minds : Ten Albums for Your Next Burn Session

       We all have our favorite activities to do while we light up. Relax with a movie, enjoy some munchies, but when was the last time you listened to an album front to back? Music is an integral part of cannabis.  Countless musical artists have drawn on it for inspiration. Snoop Dogg, The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, and Sublime were all using the magic of marijuana to inspire their now famous songs. At Starbird, we deeply value the blissful effects of cannabis, and it’s impact on culture. Our staff has gone ahead and compiled a list of some necessary albums to put on your speaker when you spark your next joint. We’ve done our best to put together some familiar titles and some hidden gems to expand your taste and supply you with the best vibes. Spoiler alert, this list will be jam packed with synthesizers. So, smoke up, tune in and let the marvelous music envelope you.

 Why Does Music Sound Better When You’re High?

  Music is one of the most organic forms of healing that humans have. The beat of drums, unique instruments and captivating vocals of our favorite songs boost our dopamine and serotonin- our brain’s happy chemicals- through the roof.  Cannabis also naturally triggers the same chemical receptors. So, the two together make for an elating, joyous experience. Not only does music sound better when you’re high, it feels better too. 

    You may also notice more about particular songs when you’re buzzed. THC affects our perception of time, so the music might seem slower. This makes it much easier for us to pick up on certain details or intentional intricacies the artist created. The layered instruments, the unique samples and the meaningful lyrics will be much more amplified as your ears are eager to soak up more of the music. Whether you like to feel the weight of emotions in somber ballads, or you like to be energized by high vibrational sounds, music and cannabis will always be best buds.

Photo by Abby Gillardi via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Currents by Tame Impala

Let’s kick it off with something familiar.  It’s been 10 years since the Australian artist Tame Impala’s third album dropped, and it hits even harder now. Produced in Kevin Parker’s home studio, the album features no collaborators. All the instruments and mixes are done by Parker himself. It's a dazzling journey of synth and guitar, with each song melting perfectly into the next. Although there are stand out tracks like The Less I Know the Better and New Person, Same Old Mistakes, this hypnotic album is best enjoyed on full blast and in sequence. 

    Take a huge dab, throw on some sound proof headphones and feel yourself swirl into a neon wave of nostalgia and futuristic pleasure. A strain with a nice body high could really amplify the euphoric effects this album produces, whether you listened to it on repeat in college or it’s your first time tuning in.

Night Moves performing live in Columbus, Ohio. Photo by Hunter Desportes via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Pennied Days by Night Moves

  A fantastic showcase of Night Moves’ retro-tinged sound, their sophomore album Pennied Days feels like cold water on a sunbaked soul. This indie title is a perfect mix of soft rock, powerful, cinematic vocals and glowing synthesizers. The album has romantic and longing lyrics, and draws inspiration from those classic rock ballads of the 70s. 

    Put it on when you and some old friends are catching up, or you find yourself caught up in a late night mood swing. It has a beautiful emotional tone with some nostalgic songwriting that will make you feel like you’re in a movie. Stand out tracks like Carl Sagan and Only to Live In Your Memories are both dramatic and warm. This would be ideal to listen to while sparking a joint and taking a long walk by the beachside at sunset. Let loose, belt out the lyrics if you know them, and let the emotion of the album carry you through a heavenly high.

Beach House performing in San Diego. Photo by Justin Higuchi via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Bloom by Beach House

  Hazy, immersive and absolutely spectacular, Bloom is the fourth album by dream pop band Beach House. Released in 2012, this one leans more melancholic than their previous works. Every song feels like a hug from a reunited childhood friend, warm and recognizable. Bloom is unique as it combines keyboard, guitar, and even sprinkles in real world textures- like birds chirping and cars whizzing by. It makes you feel oddly close, like it’s playing right in front of you. 

 Tracks like Lazuli and Wishes bring a sense of calm wonder to any activity. This album is inspiring in any setting, but this piece is perfect for a rainy night inside with you, your bong and a creative storm ready to pour out.

Milton Nascimento playing guitar in 1969

Clube Da Esquina by Milton Nascimento and Lô Borges

       A collaborative masterpiece between two Brazilian legends, Clube Da Esquina is sultry, magnetic, and quietly revolutionary. Whether you’re deep in a sesh with friends or floating solo on a buzzed cleaning spree, this hour-long journey is pure gold—sun-soaked and soul-nourishing.

Released in 1972, it still feels surprisingly fresh. This isn’t just another “classic” album—it’s a genre-blending gem that mixes bossa nova, jazz, progressive rock, and psychedelia into something totally its own. At times tender and melodic, other times rhythmically wild, Clube Da Esquina has that rare magic that works just as well in the background as it does when you're really listening.

Critics often call it one of the greatest Brazilian albums of all time—and for good reason. It’s bold and full of passion, with harmonies and arrangements that sound as alive today as they did five decades ago. If you need a lift, some sonic sunshine, or a soundtrack to melt into, queue this up and let the beauty of Brazilian rock carry you.

Dave Matthews at Outside Lands in 2009. Photo by Moses Namkung via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Big Whiskey and the GrooGux King by Dave Matthews Band

If you’ve ever stepped into our Salem dispensary in the morning, you already know—we’ve got a soft spot for Dave. And Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King is a big, bold, soulful ride that captures the best of what the Dave Matthews Band does. It's funky, heartfelt, and weird in all the right ways—a perfect companion for those feel-good wake-and-bake mornings or mellow afternoon sessions.

Released in 2009, this album marked an emotional turning point for the band, as it pays tribute to their late saxophonist LeRoi Moore (a.k.a. “GrooGrux”). You can hear that mix of grief and celebration woven throughout, from the horn-infused bursts of energy in tracks like Shake Me Like a Monkey to the introspective calm of Lying in the Hands of God. It’s a record that balances jam-band looseness with tight production—playful but poignant.

Ceres & Calypso in the Deep Time by Candy Claws 

Playful, bizarre, and just the right amount of chaotic, the final studio album by Candy Claws is an absolute delight for the daydreamers and deep thinkers. Released in 2013, Ceres & Calypso in the Deep Time comes wrapped in a whimsical concept—a human and a seal companion journeying together through the Mesozoic era—and somehow, it sounds exactly like that.

This one is pure surrealism in sound form. Every track drifts like a cloud through candy-colored noise  and twinkling melodies that feel half-remembered from a vision. It's charming, it's confusing, and it's exactly the kind of weirdness you didn’t know you needed.

This experimental diamond pairs best with you, a generous bag of edibles, and a big sketchpad waiting to be filled. It gets your brain juices flowing without overwhelming your senses—like a creative spark wrapped in velvet. Inspiring, daring, and beautifully bizarre, Ceres & Calypso feels like falling down a rabbit hole into a pastel jungle. If you’re ready to get a little lost, press play and drift.

Pink Floyd in 1967, with Syd Barrett on the far right.

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd

  You thought we were gonna say the Dark Side of the Moon, didn’t you? Well, it certainly wouldn’t be a stoner's playlist without some Pink Floyd. Dropped in 1975, this short and stellar album has gripping songs like Wish You Were Here. However, the work is mostly taken up by a 9 part tribute to the co-founder Syd Barret, Shine on You Crazy Diamond. Barret had parted ways with the band due to his worsening mental health, and the album is packed with love, reverence and mesmerizing guitar rifts that will captivate you. 

    The solos melt your brain like candle wax and the synth strikes all the right spots in your ears, making chills run down your neck. It’s the kind of album that makes you feel like you were there when it was composed. After smoking some potent flower and letting it play, you’ll understand why it has sold over 13 million copies worldwide. And if you got this baby on vinyl? Throw it on and roll one up for Syd - he’d appreciate it.

Fake Moon by cleopatrick

Freshly released this year, Cleopatrick’s second full-length effort is more of a slow burn than their earlier work. This one from the beloved Canadian rock duo is packed with strained, somber vocals and a dusting of experimental noise. It’s ideal for those chill summer nights on the porch—just you, your thoughts, and the ember of your joint.

Angsty, raw, and real, FAKE MOON leans into lo-fi slowness that lets you fully sink into your emotions. There’s no hiding behind metaphors or cryptic lines here—it’s honest, direct, and sometimes brutally blunt.

So match this album with an indica blunt and a night void of plans. Throw on a hoodie, turn up your speakers, and for the love of weed, do not text your ex.

Easy Star All-Stars performing in Boulder, Colorado. Photo by Frank Schwichtenberg via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Ziggy Stardust by Easy Star All-Stars

Here’s a bit of fun and quirkiness. This album combines two iconic features of marijuana music – 1970s David Bowie and head-nodding reggae. You’ll find yourself recognizing the tunes like Starman, Moonage Daydream and Suffragette City, but they've been tweaked into some laid-back groove. These have a different jive to them – one that makes you want to dance rather than ponder. Redoing these rock classics with inspiration from ska, dub and classic reggae will show you the joy of the unexpected.

It’s lively, eccentric and just the right amount of silly. Sneak this in the queue at your next party, and watch all your friends get their jam on Reggae covers of Bowie.
It’s the kind of album that makes you smile without realizing it. Perfect for backyard smoke circles or rainy afternoons with a joint and a speaker. Even the Bowie purists won’t be mad once the groove hits.

Alcest in Prague in 2024. Photo by T. Bubalová via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Shelter by Alcest

For those seeking that lulling rhythm but prefer a heavier sound, Alcest always delivers. Although this French experimental black metal band is usually more on the hardcore side, their fifth studio album Shelter trades blast beats for seaside waves—bringing in beachy, ethereal, and complex vibes all rolled up.

And after you roll up, put this moody mingling of experimental bliss and guitar distortion on so you can feel like you're drifting in deep ocean waves. With soaring shoegaze textures, ambient swells, and vocals that feel more like a warm mist than lyrics, Shelter is a beautiful departure from Alcest’s heavier roots—and it still hits hard emotionally.

Critics embraced this album for its bold shift in sound: no screaming, no growling—just post-rock serenity layered over a foundation of emotional depth. If your session needs a soundtrack that’s both heavy and heavenly, this one’s a slow-burn masterpiece.

After ten solid suggestions, we hope you’ve added at least a few to your Spotify, Apple Music, or—better yet—tracked one down on vinyl, the format these albums were born for. In a world where we spend too much time on our phones and grinding through work, weaving music into your daily life isn’t just a luxury—it’s necessary.

With endless playlists and algorithm-fed recommendations, listening to an album front to back has become a lost art. But that’s how the artist meant it to be heard: as a full story, with you as the main character. So spark up your next bowl, press play on whatever spoke to you most, and give yourself the space to feel it all.

And of course—let us know which album hit the hardest.

Fly High!