I tend to be all over the place musically, writing in different genres, so I never really established a list that was a go to. It tends to change on a song to song basis.
Usually, I figure out in which ballpark I'm working as I'm working on a given song.
For a certain category of projects, I tend to gravitate towards The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails, as well as its counterpart, Things Falling Apart. And the work of former NIN, Charlie Clouser. Depeche Mode is also a reference.
For rock music, I'm really not into hifi or sophisticated productions. I like old Beatles albums - all of them - Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti, the first Black Sabbath album, and stuff like Felt Mountain, by Goldfrapp. Even some of the early Lenny Kravitz stuff, like Circus.
I like mids, and music that sounds relatively flat, I guess.
For heavier music, Tool would be on top of the list.
On the other hand, I might write a song tomorrow which calls for something entirely different, from an album which I wouldn't ordinarily think of as a reference.