Famous Actors and Actresses who have AMAZING Albums

There is no greater joy than discovering that your favourite actor/actress has a full length album.

By Eimear O SullivanMusicngear Editor

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A lot of actors and actresses also train as singers and musicians -  a fact that can be forgotten throughout the course of their careers on the silver screen. I found some of the best albums created by people who are famous for their acting skills; but aside from that have another layer of creativity that rivals even some the most prolific musicians and artists in the music industry today.


Rose McGowan - Planet 9

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Planet 9 is the debut album from actress, director and activist Rose McGowan (director of award winning thriller short movie Dawn,  also starred in Charmed, Scream and Death Proof ) Planet 9 is an incredible album; a sci-fi dreamscape that envelops you into a soothing, synthesized wonderland. 

The album opens with Canes Venatici -  an eerily beautiful soundscape, that truly transports the listener to a feeling of traveling through the cosmos. Rose also provides a listening guide to the album, so that you can get the maximum reward out of this listening experience; and come away feeling better. It also lists what purpose each track serves -  for example, the aforementioned  Canes Venatici is ‘ a song to leave the earthbound self’. Everything from the concept and sound design, right down to the artwork combines together to deliver an exceptionally unique body of work. 

Listen below


Nicole Richie ( Nikki Fre$h) - Unearthed

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Nikki Fre$h is the comedic, Hip-Hop alter ego of Nicole Richie (as seen in Quibi’s comedy show of the same name)

Nikki Fre$h’s debut album Unearthed, consists of the genre ‘Parent trap’( an offset of Trap created by Nikki herself); which is an 808 fuelled burrito of love for the planet, organic vegetables and encouraging everyone to make conscious decisions to protect the environment. Songs range from U.G.L.Y (Get Ugly for the Veggies) ; an ode for us not throw out vegetables simply because they are deformed as they still taste the same, Bee’s Tea which features a glam fuelled video of Nikki reminding us of how crucial bees are in almost every part of life as we know it “You kill these insects, that’s the worst flex”, or my personal favourite Parent Trap ‘ Cut yo TV down ‘cause Momma tryna read’.

Aside from the engaging lyrics and hooks, the production on every single one these tracks is impeccable ( and addictive); all of the music being overseen and produced by MDDN (her husband Joel Madden and his brother’s management, publishing and production company)

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Chelsea Peretti - Phosphorescent Panic

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Earlier this summer - comedian and actress Chelsea Peretti (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) dropped a full length album dedicated almost entirely to her undying love of coffee (other beverages also make a brief appearance)

Nick Kroll, Reggie Watts and Wale are features on some of the tracks; the album being produced by Kool Kojack ( Flo Ride, Juliette Lewis, Ke$ha) The tracks range from Madonna style bass driven floor fillers (Expresso) - to lush, harmonic pop/folk arrangements (Javadawgs)

This is a genuinely great album; with hooks that get stuck in your head and overall makes you feel safe and warm. 

Listen below


She and Him (Zooey Deschanel and M.Ward)- Classics

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She and Him consists of actress Zooey Deschanel (New Girl, 500 Days of Summer) and M.Ward; with Zooey on vocals, piano and ukulele, and M.Ward on guitar and vocals. Classics is the fifth studio album by She & Him - featuring covers of classic songs ( some such tracks being Stars Fell on Alabama, Unchained Melody) - all recorded live with a 20 piece orchestra accompanying. 

The results are cinematic and magical - would highly recommend.

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Leonard Nimoy - The Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy

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A true musical gem from the acclaimed actor from Star Trek -  this is the second studio album from Leonard Nimoy. Released in 1968 -it is every bit as magical as you would expect it to be -  one side exploring the more human elements of his character Spock;  the second side exploring Nimoy himself through pop, country and rock songs. Highlights include Highly Illogical, Follow Your Star, Cotton Candy and The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins.

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Sophia Loren - Antologia

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Not strictly an album - more of a collection of songs performed by the iconic Italian actress throughout her career. Most of us know her as a Hollywood style icon and actress; however, this was the first introduction I had to the fact that she was truly an incredible singer. Antologia opens on Almost in Your Arms; taken from the 1958 romantic comedy Houseboat. Soaring, old Hollywood style strings accompany Sophia’s silky, rather haunting voice (the level of control she possesses over her voice is amazing) 

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Peggy Lipton - Let Me Pass By

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Let Me Pass By was the debut album of actress Peggy Lipton ( The Mod Squad, Twin Peaks) and mother to Rashida Jones.  Released in 1970, Let Me Pass By is a wonderland of lush orchestral arrangements, combined with Lipton’s silky, yet mournful vocals. Although the arrangements are amazing, there is a deep, almost primal sadness present in Lipton’s voice and lyrics that immediately draws you in.

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Tituss Burgess - Saint Tituss

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It is no secret that Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schidt, 30 Rock, Central Park)  can sing - however I was delighted to discover that he also releases full length albums as an artist. Saint Tituss ranges from Broadway-esque extravaganzas - all the way up to dreamlike, seductive electronica.

Those Pretty Eyes is reminiscent of the lush textures present in Labyrinth's Let the Sunshine. The Sun is out Again is a joyous song that begins like a track set in a musical - which dissolves into an infectious pop chorus.  Saint Tituss is nothing short of a joy to listen to. 

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Dead Man’s Bones (Duo consisting of Ryan Gosling and Zack Shields)

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Did you know that Ryan Gosling has a full length Halloween album featuring a children’s choir? 

Dead Man's Bones is a rock duo consisting of Ryan Gosling and Zack Shields - the two met in 2005; and upon realizing that they both loved horror and all things haunted - Dead Man's Bones was born. The album is a ghost love story - featuring The Silverlake Conservatory of Music Children's Choir (which truly adds a whole new dimension of unease to this album) A very unique concept and sound enfolds - definitely worth a listen.

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Juliette Lewis - Future Deep

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It only came to my attention recently that actress Juliette Lewis (Natural Born Killers, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Cape Fear) has in fact been touring and releasing music consistently for quite some time. Immediately curious, the album Future Deep was my first introduction to her music. It opens with Any Way You Want - a rebellious powerhouse of a song, made for a road trip driving across the Texan desert. Although Juliette’s sound is primarily rock - Future Deep veers into Pop territory on Hello Hero (also the rhythm guitars definitely have some disco influences) A cathartic album definitely worth a listen.

Listen below

About Eimear O Sullivan

Eimear Ann O Sullivan is a multi-genre music producer, audio engineer and vocalist. After receiving a Masters in Music Technology from the CIT Cork School of Music, she went on to operate as a producer under the name Blakkheart. Her releases have received critical acclaim from Ireland's biggest music publications, such as District Magazine and Nialler9, alongside receiving heavy commercial radio airplay. She currently works in Cork recording studio Flashpoint CC. Previous clients of hers include the likes of Comedy Central’s Dragony Aunt star Candy Warhol, rapper Darce and Outsider YP. (Photo credit @Fabian Boros)

Contact Eimear O Sullivan at eimear.o.sullivan@musicngear.com

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