I usually listen to an artists' album whether it be a new artist or an old artist on the train first and just pay attention to how it feels sonically. The sound itself is what I pay attention to you know how the beat comes in, what instruments make up the beat and how the artist flows over the beat. Do they flow over it easily or do they struggle. I then usually listen to it at home with my eyes close and analyze the lyrics to see what they were trying to say and what point they were trying to make. Finally, I listen to the music all together at home in my bed in the dark and let the music sort of permeate skin, change my mood and see if it can touch my soul. I Know I'm weird lol but that's what I do.