Best Albums to Listen to High

A woman in a music store, standing in front of a music album shelf, checking out the Kissin Cousins album by Elvis Presley

Looking for the best music to go with your smoking session? Or perhaps you want some inspiration so you can light some jays during the weekend. Well, we’ve gathered a list of some of the best records you can enjoy while getting high.

We tried to bring some of the classics around, like Pink Floyd and Bob Marley, but also keep things fresh with artists like Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, and Thundercat. With the following list, you’ll be able to delve into rock, pop, psychedelic, hip-hop, and everything in between to make the best out of your session.

Without further ado, let’s unpack some of the best albums to listen to high.

Want some goodies to go with your tunes? Check out what we’ve got:

 

Key Takeaways

  • Depending on what you want in your smoking session, there are tons of albums you can listen to in your sessions with different genres.
  • If you are more on the hard rock side, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and Led Zeppelin will suffice your craving for air riffs.
  • For something more on the hip-hop and rap side, Dr. Dre, Cypress Hill, Outkast, and Dr. Dog all have iconic albums that will have you humming with your favorite sativa.
  • Other newer artists like Tame Impala, MGMT, Childish Gambino, and Thundercat have a fresh take on experimental music that is perfect for some joint smoking.
  • Lastly, experimental and groovy sounds from bands like Talking Heads, Grateful Dead, and the Brazilian psychedelic band Os Mutantes are all new findings that will bring a little spice to your current playlist.

 

Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon

As one of the most iconic albums ever, “The Dark Side of The Moon” is a classic from Pink Floyd since legendary times for tokes. With impressive sounds, loops, and guitar riffs, this legendary record is a must in all weed-smoking playlists. 

Besides exploring several themes such as conflict, greed, time, and even loss, this album is just a piece of music history you have to listen to.

 

Bob Marley – Rastaman Vibration

 

As a classic stoner artist, Bob Marley has one of the best reggae careers ever. “Rastaman Vibration” is the classic record you’ll get recommended by any experienced stoner. With its delicious grooves and rock guitar line, this masterpiece of Jamaica’s political and cultural situation is another must-have for some jay-smoking sessions. Try “War” and “Positive Vibration” first, but the whole record is just one hit after the other.

If you liked this album, we’d also recommend “Soul Rebels” and “Survival”. The latter is a little more on the ska genre, but it is still very enjoyable with a few puffs.

 

Jimi Hendrix – Electric Ladyland

From the master Jimi Hendrix, this iconic album is one of the best funky, psychedelic, and progressive records of the late 60s. “Along the Watchtower” and “Crosstown Traffic” is a must if you like a rock with some puffs. This heavy guitar record has been a true rock classic to get high on, which gives him a special place on our list.

If you love electric guitar riffs, this iconic hard rock piece is perfect for you. With the master hands of Hendrix, you’ll understand why old stoners still recommend Hendrix as their go-to when having a good ol’ toke.

 

Grateful Dead – Live/Dead

The Grateful Dead is the late 60s and early 70s acid rock band that were pioneers of the genre. Besides being their fourth album, “Live/Dead” is the first-ever live rock album to use the 16-track recording. 

With long, experimental songs ranging anywhere between 12 and 25 minutes, this entire record is a whole vibe that you’ll want to try with a few tokes of your favorite sativa or hybrid strain.

 

Khruangbin – Mordechai

Now going closer to the funky side of the list, this recent album by the musical trio Khruangbin has all the good vibes needed to chill down. With organ sound and Thai influences from the 1960s, this unique blend of psychedelic rock and funk will give any smoking session a unique experience.

 

Radiohead – Kid A

Radiohead, the iconic rock band coming from the 90s, has plenty of superhits to love, like “Creep”, “Karma Police”, and “Nude”. However, the “Kid A” record is one of the greatest albums to try while high. 

We’d recommend this album because of its experimental sounds and loops with other genres, like electronic, ambient, jazz, and even classical music. As a newly found classic for music-loving stoners, give the whole album a go.

 

‪Dr. Dre – The Chronic‬

The American hip-hop producer and rapper has one of the most iconic records of gangsta rap, G-funk, and West Coast hip-hop. The famous “Nuthin´ but a G´Thang” was the single for this album, while other experimental songs like “Dre Day” and “Let Me Ride” will have your head bopping for a while. 

 

MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

If you love glam, indie, and psychedelic pop, MGMT is a timeless electronic band you’ll love. “Oracular Spectacular” is one of the best albums of the late 2000s, with song hits like “Electric Feels”, “Kids”, and “Time to Pretend”. 

With psychedelic mellow sounds and synths, the 8-track album deserves a place in your next session thanks to its catchy yet groovy tunes.

 

The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

We could not have a list to get high without having “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” from The Beatles. This rock-pop classic from the late 60s has lots of mysticism and drugs, but also some of the best lyrics and melodies from Paul McCartney and John Lennon. 

Perhaps some of the most iconic psychedelic songs like “Lucy In The Sky with Diamonds”, “Strawberry Fields Forever”, and “When I’m Sixty-Four” are included in its tracklist. With a few influences of ragtime pop, Indian music, and even experimental sounds like Kazoos, this album is definitely one of the most iconic rock albums ever and it should have a place in your playlist.

 

Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

If you love anime or animation, you’ll love the concept behind “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots”. The colorful artwork with lots of acoustic guitars and rhythms was influenced by hip-hop and the best songs from the early 2000s. 

Other genres influencing the album, like space rock, dream pop, and even Neo-psychedelia really give this experimental album its own tone.

If you like this album, you can also look for the 2007 Broadway musical, which uses the lyrics and artwork as a base for telling a fantasy story full of secrets and changing worlds. And as a Grammy award-winning record, we’d give the whole album a listen.

 

Chemical Brothers – Dig Your Own Hole

“Dig Your Own Hole” was the first album to reach the number one place on the UK Albums Chart. As a primary rock album with lots of electronic, breakbeat, and psychedelic influence, some music critics place it as one of the best albums ever. Both “Setting Sun” and “Elektrobank” are just game changers, while “The Private Psychedelic Reef” is another incredible hit to enjoy some creative hybrids.

 

Talking Heads – Remain in Light

You might recognize the Talking Heads band by the iconic “Psycho Killer” song that’s been featured in several series and TikTok trends. Well, “Remain in Light” is an incredible record of getting high too, with new wave, post-punk, worldbeat, dance-rock, and even psychedelic funk. 

We’d try “Once in a Lifetime”, “Crosseyed and Painless”, and “Houses in Motion”, but keep in mind this is a short album that can be enjoyed in a single sesh.

 

Tame Impala – Lonerism

Tame Impala’s second album is one of our top choices when talking about psychedelic pop-rock. With catchy melodies, guitars, and lots of groovy synthesizers, this album is a whole experience you must try with some puffs. With a mellow yet very relaxing vibe, our favorites are “Apocalypse Dream” and “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards”.

So if you want something more recent on the list, Tame Impala is a new favorite for this generation of stoners. If you like “Lonerism”, other albums like “Currents” or “The Slow Rush” are excellent options to light your jay to.

 

Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique

This 1989 studio album by the hip-hop sensation Beastie Boys is one of our favorite tunes to listen to if you want a somewhat dense-yet-experimental record. Considered one of the greatest albums of all time, and a classic for the genre, the tracklist has mostly samples that turn into an experimental session.

 

Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti

“Physical Graffiti” by Led Zeppelin is a hard rock classic that we could leave out of the list. With other genres influencing the album like an orchestral rock in “Kashmir”, driving funk with “Trampled Under Foot”, and blues rock with the classic “In My Time of Dying”, this is one of the most diverse records of the iconic band.

If you enjoy rock during your blunt smoking with different sounds every now and then, this album is an incredible option. While some songs are very iconic, this LP has a full set with 3 different sides that you’ll love.

 

Cream – Disraeli Gears

The British rock band Cream has plenty of strong hits, but the 11-track album “Disraeli Gears” has a special place due to its innovative psychedelic and blues rock. One of the best guitar intros from the list is for sure “Sunshine of your Love”, or try the blues-like “Strange Brew” for some deeply relaxing sessions. 

Unwind with strong bass and psychedelic tones with a few tokes.

 

Velvet Underground – White Light/White Heat

As one of the best experimental rock albums in the list, “White Light/White Heat” is an experimental, noise, and art rock album that is a must if you want some late 60s hard rock. 

With lyrics delving into drugs themselves, sexual references, drag queens, and other street themes, its clever lyric writing and experimental sounds can be a pretty energizing moment for your sesh. We’d mix this electric album with a strong sativa or social hybrids.

 

The Doors – Self Titled

The Doors is the debut album of Jim Morrison and the band with incredible hard rock and psychedelic sounds. This record has lots of other influences that make the music unique, such as jazz, classical, blues, pop, and even R&B. With slime songwriters like Bertolt Brecht participating in “Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)”, this historic record should be good to enjoy a few songs with some edibles or tinctures.

 

Outkast – ‘Aquemini’

If you want some funky yet iconic hip hop, “Aquemini” by Outkast is one of the best hip-hop albums of the late 90s. Although known for the classic “Hey Ya”, the duo brings a little of southern funk and gospel into the hip-hop era. While the album itself deserves a good listen, “Rosa Parks” and “Da Art of Storytellin’ (Part 1)” are just a delight to enjoy sober or not.

 

Dr. Dog – The Psychedelic Swamp

For all the psychedelic lovers, this album is perfect for a session with your best edibles. This album by the indie-blues rock band, Dr. Dog, has plenty of experimental sounds, including percussions, keyboards, saxophone, and lots of mixing. With its oddly warming Americana vibe, this album has pretty fun songs like “Fire on my Back”.

 

Brian Eno – Another Green World

Back to the 70s, “Another Green World” is an art rock album that’s worthy of adding to your special playlist. As a mostly instrumental album, this experimental rock record will add that melodic and rhythmic ambiance, perfect for enjoying some puffs while putting the music loud. 

Unlike other albums on the list, we recommend this album for indica-lovers or creative hybrids to really enjoy the experimental sounds.

 

Jim Morrison – An American Prayer

As the last album of Jim Morrison and, of course, The Doors, this classic jazz-rock album is another classic for cannaseurs. As a postmortem homage to Jim Morrison with music by the surviving members of the band, its lyrics and jazzy style will elevate your session for sure. 

Make sure to listen to “Stoned Inmaculate”, “American Night”, and “American Prayer” if you want to experience Morrison’s poetry first-hand.

 

Neil Young – On the Beach

This folk-rock classic by the Canadian-American musician Neil Young is one of the albums on the list you must listen to if you get high. Through mixing blues-like and melancholic undertones, this album is perfect for letting your mind wander off and relax while having deep conversations. 

This record is better with relaxing strains due to its slower pace.

 

Beck – Mellow Gold

“Mellow Gold”, besides being an iconic strain, became the name of this renowned album by the alternative and indie rock band Beck. With lots of hybrid styles in this record, like hip hop, folk, blues, and country, this album is great for ironic lyric lovers. 

We’d give “Loser” and “Beercan” a try, but the full tracklist is a joy to listen to, even sober.

 

Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavillion

A little on the electronic and psychedelic side, this album by Animal Collective is just the perfect brain-scratcher pop you need for your session. With multilayered synthesizers, guitars, and reverbs, you’ll want to show this space-like pop with your friends when smoking. 

Start with “My Girls” and follow through “Summertime Clothes” for some ASMR-like brain scratching while high.

 

Thundercat – Drunk

While fairly recent, Thundercat’s “Drunk” is a chill, funk, and jazz fusion that will make any of your trips a delight. You might recognize “Them Changes” from a few viral TikToks, but rest assured: the whole record is a whole vibe you’ll want to relax to. 

This record also has a pretty funky song with Pharrell Wiliams (“The Turn Down”) and a more hip hop-meets-pop feature with Wiz Khalifa (Drink Dat), both worth a good listen.

Thundercat is one of the youngest artists on the list, so if you wanted something out of the ordinary, we’d go with something different like this artist.

 

My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges

“Evil Urges” by My Morning Jacket is not for the weak-hearted. Pretty deep for a smoking session, this record lets your mind run wild with psychedelic-meets-indie-rock vibes that are a whole other level. Released in 2008, this album is easily one of the best indie rock albums on the list. 

Both “I’m Amazed” and “Evil Urges” are great to start the album with. However, we’d recommend giving the whole album a try, even if it might seem a little dense in the begging.

 

Tom Caruana – Enter the Magical Mystery Chambers

If you want something a little crazier, Tom Caruana’s 2010 mixtape might be right up your alley. This hip-hop, pop-rock, and psychedelic record fuses both Wu-Tang Clan’s vibe with The Beatles, resulting in exotic yet fun songs that surprisingly work really well together.

The whole record deserves a good listen, as it is a masterpiece of audio collage that will elevate your music session with pretty weird yet working mashups.

 

Cypress Hill – Black Sunday

Let’s have a quick 90s flashback with one of the most iconic albums of the decade, “Black Sunday” by Cypress Hill. As the second album of the hip hop group, this album has a delicious hip hop with lots of cannabis references all along the album. 

As a hip-hop classic, this record is perfect with some tokes. “Insane in the Brain” would be our top choice as one of the most memorable hip-hop songs.

 

Gorillaz – Demon Days

If you want the perfect mix between electronic music and experimental sounds, Gorillaz is the perfect band to go to. Besides being one of the first virtual bands with lots of lore, the “Demon Days” album has strong vibes that we’ll have your head bopping all day.

While “Feel Good Inc.” is a new classic that was heavily played on the radio in its time, “Dirt Harry”, “Dare”, and “Demon Dayz” are all perfect to enjoy with a few hybrid tokes. If you like the vibe of this album, we’d also recommend looking at Gorillaz’ “Plastic Beach” or “Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez”.

 

King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard – Nonagon Infinity

Besides the incredible name of this band, this album can be a pretty trip experience even sober. First, let’s talk about King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, which are known for their garage rock, infused with psychedelic and even a little bit of jazz fusion.

This album, in particular, leans heavily on the hard rock side, but the actual mindblowing thing is that it is designed to play as an “infinite loop”. This means that each song connects to the next one front-to-back, so the sound doesn’t break. 

Our favorite songs? Try “Gamma Knife” and “People Vulture” for some hard rock ear candy with a few puffs.

 

Television – Marquee Moon

“Marquee Moon” is one of the biggest post-punk and rock albums in the late 70s New York music scene. With delicious jazz-inspired interplay, counter-melodies, and complex instrumental parts, this album is a must for your rock-inspired smoking sessions. 

The two singles from the album are our top choices to add to your playlist: “Marquee Moon” and “Prove It”. Television’s innovative post-punk with complex instruments is a delight to listen to, and this album is the perfect example of how this band influenced new wave and indie rock.

 

Childish Gambino – Awaken, My Love!

Meet one of the new classics for smoking sessions with Daniel Glover, also known as Childish Gambino. “Awaken, My Love!” is one of the R&B jewels of this list. With this rap and psychedelic soul, this Billboard-winning album, you’ll love some delicious tokes with its mellow and funky vibe. We’d start the session with “Redbone”, “Me and Your Mama”, and then with “Have Some Love”.

 

Os Mutantes – Os Mutantes

If you’ve never heard about Os Mutantes, you are in for a ride. This Brazilian rock band made this self-titled album in the late 60s, heavily influenced by psychedelic pop. The album is a must if you like distortion and concrete music plays mixed in with experimental and tropicalia rock. 

So if you want a taste of the Brazilian psychedelic rock scene, try listening to “A Minha Menina” or “Panis Et Circenses” as our top picks for this album.