What is the best Yo La Tengo album?

Noise-pop marathons, hushed nocturnal beauty, bossa nova detours, and relentless experimentation — Yo La Tengo's catalogue is one of indie rock's deepest. Which album is your pick?

1. 1
   Painful

   The seminal 1993 album blending noise rock and delicate pop — a turning point in indie underground history.
2. 2
   Electr-O-Pura

   The 1995 album with sprawling guitar explorations and intimate pop songs side by side.
3. 3
   I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One

   The acclaimed 1997 double album spanning drone, bossa nova, and noise pop — widely considered their masterpiece.
4. 4
   And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out

   The 2000 album of hushed nocturnal beauty exploring love and domesticity through gentle ambient soundscapes.
5. 5
   Summer Sun

   The 2003 album with bossa nova, soul, and gentle experimental music bathed in warm light.
6. 6
   I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass

   The provocatively titled 2006 album bringing back the full range of noise, pop, and everything in between.
7. 7
   Popular Songs

   The 2009 album featuring some of their longest pieces alongside concise and charming pop songs.
8. 8
   Fade

   The graceful and introspective 2013 album produced by John McEntire, praised for its quiet maturity.
9. 9
   There's a Riot Going On

   The hazy 2018 ambient album — a minimalist meditation built from loops and soft vocals.
10. 10
    This Stupid World

    The 2023 self-produced album recorded live in the studio — raw, direct, and defiant.