Julia Holter Albums Ranked: Fan Favorites (2025)

Julia Holter's music often feels like discovering a hidden, intricate world.

Each album is a distinct chapter in her evolving artistic journey.

Sorting through such a rich discography is always a fascinating task. Today, we're exploring Julia Holter albums ranked, primarily by the voices of her dedicated listeners.

This helps us understand what many consider the best Julia Holter albums. We'll also touch on how these releases fare based on broader popularity data. Let's begin this exploration.

Ranking Julia Holter's albums: The fan favorites

Here's how the albums stack up based on fan sentiment, community discussions, and overall buzz.

We're starting with the most beloved.

1. Have You In My Wilderness (2015)

Have You In My Wilderness is Julia Holter's acclaimed fourth studio album, released in 2015.

Co-produced by Holter and Cole M.G.N., it marked a departure from the narrative-driven approach of its predecessor.

Instead, this album presents a collection of songs more akin to her earlier work, Ekstasis, focusing on individual stories.

The album received widespread critical praise upon its release. It significantly increased Holter's exposure and featured prominently on many year-end "best of" lists.

Producer Cole M.G.N. played a key role in foregrounding Holter's vocals on this record.

Key tracks:

• Feel You
• Sea Calls Me Home

Topping our fan-based ranking, Have You In My Wilderness clearly holds a special place for many listeners.

Its lush arrangements and poignant songwriting are frequently highlighted as reasons for its deep connection with fans.

Many consider this album a perfect blend of Holter's experimental tendencies and accessible, beautiful melodies.

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2. Aviary (2018)

Released in 2018, Aviary stands as a significant and ambitious project in Julia Holter's discography.

This expansive double album features fifteen tracks, offering listeners a dense and immersive experience.

Aviary continued Holter's exploration of art pop, characterized by its intricate textures and often challenging structures.

The album draws on themes of memory, societal cacophony, and the search for transcendence.

Key tracks:

• I Shall Love 2
• Turn the Light On

Aviary's high placement by fans suggests a deep appreciation for its challenging yet rewarding nature.

Listeners who connect with this album often praise its sheer ambition and the depth of its sonic world.

It's an album that rewards repeated, attentive listening, revealing new layers with each experience.

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3. Ekstasis (2012)

Ekstasis, Julia Holter's second studio album, was released in 2012.

The title, derived from Greek, means "outside of oneself," hinting at the album's transcendent themes.

It was noted for drawing comparisons to a diverse range of artists while establishing Holter's unique voice.

The album received widespread critical acclaim for its inventive soundscapes and Holter's distinctive vocal delivery.

Key tracks:

• In the Same Room
• Marienbad

Holding a strong position in fan esteem, Ekstasis is often celebrated for its dreamlike quality.

Fans frequently point to its ethereal beauty and the way it transports the listener to other realms.

It's an album that established many of the hallmarks of Holter's developing sound, earning it lasting affection.

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4. Loud City Song (2013)

Loud City Song, Julia Holter's third studio album, was released in 2013.

This marked her debut with Domino Recording Company and was co-produced with Cole M.G.N.

The album's concept was partly inspired by the 1958 musical film Gigi.

It explores themes of urban life, observation, and the media's fascination with celebrity.

Loud City Song was met with universal critical acclaim upon its release.

Key tracks:

• This Is a True Heart
• Hello Stranger

As a highly regarded work, Loud City Song captivates fans with its sophisticated narrative and rich instrumentation.

Its thematic depth and cinematic quality are often cited as reasons for its enduring appeal among Holter's listeners.

Many fans appreciate the album's intricate storytelling and the way it balances conceptual art with emotional resonance.

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5. Something in the Room She Moves (2024)

Something in the Room She Moves is Julia Holter's most recent studio album, released in 2024.

This ten-track album marks her latest evolution as an artist, continuing her journey through unique sonic landscapes.

It builds upon her established style, incorporating elements of art pop and ambient music.

The album was eagerly anticipated by fans following her critically acclaimed 2018 release, Aviary.

Key tracks:

• Something in the Room She Moves
• Spinning

As her newest work, Something in the Room She Moves is still finding its long-term place in fan discussions.

Initial reactions often highlight Holter's continued ability to surprise and engage with her intricate compositions.

Its placement reflects an evolving appreciation as listeners spend more time with its complex beauty.

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6. Tragedy (2011)

Tragedy, released in 2011, is considered Julia Holter's debut studio album.

The album draws inspiration from Euripides' ancient Greek play, Hippolytus.

It showcases Holter's early explorations in avant-garde electronic music, often compared to artists like Laurie Anderson and Meredith Monk.

Recorded primarily with electronic instrumentation due to budget constraints, it established her innovative approach.

Key tracks:

• Goddess Eyes
• Try To Make Yourself a Work of Art

Though it appears later in this fan ranking, Tragedy is a pivotal album for understanding Julia Holter's artistic foundations.

Fans who appreciate her more experimental side often hold this debut in high regard for its raw creativity.

It represents a bold first statement, laying the groundwork for the celebrated discography that followed.

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Julia Holter albums: A look at popularity data

While fan sentiment paints a rich picture, current popularity data can offer another interesting angle.

This looks at an artist's discography through a different lens.

Below is a ranking of Julia Holter's albums based on their popularity scores from available data. This reflects which releases are currently seeing significant engagement.

Popularity Rank	Album Title	Release Year
1	Have You In My Wilderness	2015
2	Something in the Room She Moves	2024
3	Loud City Song	2013
4	Aviary	2018
5	Ekstasis	2012
6	Tragedy	2011

Quick FAQs about Julia Holter's albums

Q: Is Have You In My Wilderness a concept album?

A: No, Have You In My Wilderness is not structured around a single, unified narrative. This marked a shift from her previous album, Loud City Song.

Q: What was notable about the vocal production on Have You In My Wilderness?

A: On this album, producer Cole M.G.N. encouraged Julia Holter to bring her vocals more to the forefront of the mix. This was a deliberate choice, as Holter sometimes preferred to blend her vocals more deeply within the music on earlier works.

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Ranking the works of an artist as singular as Julia Holter is always subjective.

Each album offers a unique sound world and emotional landscape.

Fan sentiment gives us one perspective on the "best Julia Holter albums," while popularity data offers another. What truly matters is the personal connection each listener forms with these intricate recordings.

We hope this journey through Julia Holter albums ranked has been insightful. Which album resonates most powerfully with you?