MGMT’s Congratulations is one of thebest April albums, thanks to creativity and a willingness to go in new directions.

There’s something special about April. Maybe it’s the optimism of a world in bloom or the allure of summer inching closer with every day — it’s difficult to say. Each of the following albums released in a previous April captures this essence of post-winter jubilance, both musically and symbolically.

The Clash (UK Version) — The Clash — 1977

The eponymous debut of the legendary British punk band is one of the most underrated albums in any rock-related genre. Just as deserving of popular acclaim as the band’s later London Calling, The Clash represented all that was glorious in London’s budding punk rock scene. Songs like “White Riot” and “I’m So Bored with the U.S.A.” are both wild and catchy — fresh takes on a tried and tired method of writing rock music. It was an interesting coincidence this album was released in harmony with the coming spring. After all, nothing shakes off that winter angst quite like a blast of punk.

New Sensations — Lou Reed — 1984

Including New Sensations risks turning this list into a burnout playlist. Truthfully, though, the album fits perfectly for a few different reasons. From 1970, when Lou Reed ditched the Velvet Underground, to 1984, when this album was released, his music was in a strange place. Not that it was bad — some of if was terrific (Transformer) — but it just felt a little too self-absorbed. This was a step back in the right direction for Reed, who’s always thrived on a simplistic, honest method of writing. New Sensations is a genius title for an April album, and it’s representative of a transition in Reed himself; evidently he had grown older and was now emerging from his youth without entirely ignoring it. Highlights include “I Love You, Suzanne” and title track “New Sensations.”

Check Your Head — Beastie Boys — 1992

This album is similar to New Sensations in that it reinvented the artists who released it. Almost three years removed from their sophomore effort, Paul’s Boutique, and nearly six years past the release of their debut album, Licensed to Ill, the Beastie Boys released arguably their most chaotic collection of music in Check Your Head. In a way, it was a return to their original thrash funk meets hip-hop sound, but with added musical maturity. The group goes from trading raps on irresistible tracks like “Finger Lickin’ Good” to seemingly stepping out of a funky 1975 time machine on songs like “Namaste” or “Pow.” Although it was not especially successful compared to their first album or the ones to follow, Check Your Head was artistically their most solid. A fair warning: listening through multiple times consecutively will leave your head spinning from the turbulent genre transitions — in a good way, of course.

Elephant — The White Stripes — 2003

As a fan of the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens, this album holds a special place in my heart for the inclusion of “Seven Nation Army.” Beyond that, it stands as one of the premier garage rock albums to ever be released. “There’s No Home For You Here” is a brilliant example of the angry blues Jack White typified, and tension exudes in anxiety-ridden tracks like “I Want To Be The Boy To Warm Your Mother’s Heart.” Additionally, Elephant is a landmark album for the White Stripes as it was their first release on a major label. As a result of its success, the band captured a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album and then sprang into the mainstream. Elephant symbolized the beginning of not only a commercially successful period, but also an artistically fertile one for the duo, lasting through 2007’s Icky Thump.

Congratulations — MGMT — 2010

2007’s Oracular Spectacular was great. “Electric Feel” still sounds as fresh as it did on the first listen. But Congratulations, MGMT’s second album, is just as good, if not a little better. It was without a doubt a departure from their sonic register on songs like “Kids” and “Time to Pretend,” but they progressed in a positive fashion unusual for second albums. There is something refreshing about a band that spurns meteoric success with a creative album, refusing to sell itself cheaply via one or two fantastic singles. That said, the title song and album-ending “Congratulations” is nothing short of a masterpiece that could probably be a smash hit in a parallel universe. With a new album slated for the summer and the recent announcement that MGMT will be headlining this year’s Art Attack on May 3, this spring might just be the perfect time to start listening to the — if you haven’t already.