Seven albums perfect for long-run listening

Every now and then, your go-to running playlists can get a little old. Fortunately, there are thousands of new songs and musicians out there, all just waiting for you to discover them. While there are many new playlists you could create specifically for your next run, there are also plenty of albums that are pretty much perfect for working out. Canadian Running spoke to runners to find out what their go-to albums are for their long runs, and while each collection is sure to have a few slower-paced songs, most are fast and energizing. There are many albums to choose from, but here are seven to get you started. 

1.- Absolution by Muse (2003)

What better way to get into a run than some fast-paced rock music? Absolution will immediately fire you into the zone and your run will fly by, thanks to the album’s fun and enjoyable lineup of songs. There are 15 songs in total, adding up to 57 minutes, making this album perfect for a Sunday long run. 

2.- Beyoncé by Beyoncé (2013)

Thanks to this album, Beyoncé earned herself five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. Anyone familiar with Beyoncé and her music will know that she never fails to create entertaining albums, and her album Beyoncé is no exception. At 14 songs spanning an hour and seven minutes, this album is another great way to not only get you pumped up for your run, but to keep you excited and energized right through to the end. 

3.- Recovery by Eminem (2010)

Like Beyoncé, Eminem‘s 2010 album Recovery was nominated at the Grammys for Album of the Year, and it won Best Rap Album. Eminem is well known for being one of the fastest rappers on the planet, which is great for anyone looking to keep a quick cadence on a run. The album is 78 minutes long with 17 songs, but it will fly by, and before you know it, your run will be done. 

4.- Currents by Tame Impala (2015)

Switching genres, Tame Impala’s 2015 album Currents is another great one to add to your running music library. Currents was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the Grammys, and its 13 songs are clocked at a total of just over 50 minutes, making it a great option for anyone eyeing sub-one-hour workouts. 

5.- YSIV by Logic (2018)

Like Eminem, pretty much anything Logic publishes is sure to be fast-paced. YSIV came out in 2018, and it’s another great option for any runners who like rap and are looking for a quick cadence. The album is 76 minutes long at 14 tracks, but once again, it won’t feel like that long by the time you’re through. 

6.- Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder (1976)

Throwing it back to the 70s, Stevie Wonder gives us our longest album on the list with Songs in the Key of Life. If you’ve never heard of Wonder or his music, you’re missing out, and this album is a great way to introduce you to him. The album is a great option for anyone doing half-marathon or marathon training, as its 21 songs add up to a whopping one hour and 45 minutes. Wonder’s music will never fail to get you jazzed up and rearing to run. 

7.- Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa (2020)

Finally, we have yet another Grammy-nominated album with Dua Lipa‘s 2020 hit collection Future Nostalgia. This was nominated for Album of the Year, and it won Best Pop Vocal Album. At 43 minutes, Dua Lipa’s 13 songs add up to the perfect length for anyone looking to run longer than a 5K but still under an hour, and her constantly high energy is contagious. 

posted Wednesday February 1st
by Ben Snider-McGrath