CLICK ON THE ALBUM NAMES TO GO TO EACH ALBUM ON EITHER SPOTIFY OR BANDCAMP. OR, IF YOU WANT A LITTLE TASTE, CLICK ON THE NAMES OF MY FAVORITE SONGS FROM EACH PROJECT.
It's about time. Hello, and welcome to my top 20 favorite albums of 2021. During 2021, I listened to a lot of new music. I had never really kept up with the yearly album cycle before this year, but now, since I've listened to enough music, I wanted to make this list. All of the albums listed here are projects that I highly love and recommend. You will certainly have different opinions from me, which is awesome, because everybody has different tastes. So, if you agree or disagree, cool! Keep in mind that this is my list. Also, just a reminder, if you want to listen to any of these albums, then click on the album titles. It will take you to the respective album on either Spotify or Bandcamp. And if you want to hear my favorite song from each of these albums, then click on the song title I list with each album to go to that very song.
Now, before we begin, I have a few honorable mentions. These are albums that I like quite a bit, but not quite enough to reach the top 20. And yes, you can click the album and song titles to go check them out as well if you so choose.
Honorable Mentions:
LUMP: Animal
Release Date: July 30
Genre: Indie Pop / Art Pop / Indietronica / Neo-Psychedelia
Fav Track: Animal
Sloppy Jane: Madison
Release Date: November 5
Genre: Art Pop / Progressive Pop
Fav Track: Party Anthem
Tyler, the Creator: CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST
Release Date: June 25
Genre: West Coast Hip Hop / Jazz Rap
Fav Track: LUMBERJACK
The Weather Station: Ignorance
Release Date: February 5
Genre: Art Pop / Sophisti-Pop
Fav Track: Robber
Adele: 30
Release Date: November 19
Genre: Pop Soul / Adult Contemporary
Fav Track: To Be Loved
Darkside: Spiral
Release Date: July 23
Genre: Art Rock / Neo-Psychedelia / Krautrock / Downtempo
Fav Track: Liberty Bell
Bo Burnham: Inside
Release Date: June 10
Genre: Comedy / Synthpop
Fav Track: Welcome to the Internet
With all of that out of the way, here is my top twenty favorite albums of 2021!
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20. Lucy Dacus: Home Video
Release Date: June 25
Genre: Singer Songwriter / Indie Rock
Fav Track: Hot & Heavy
Home Video is about as autobiographical as you can get with an album. On this project, Lucy Dacus details many of her own personal stories, ranging from losing her virginity to her growing in the church to accompanying a close friend in seeing her abusive and distant father, leading Lucy to fantasize about killing him. Things get deeply real, and Lucy conveys these stories with so much passion and emotion with each track. She balances powerful indie rock and subtle singer songwriter balladry very well, and I find myself loving it more and more with each listen.
19. Nas: King's Disease II
Release Date: August 6
Genre: East Coast Hip Hop / Jazz Rap / Conscious Hip Hop
Fav Track: Nobody (feat. Lauryn Hill)
For rappers that have been in the game for so long, it is easy for them to fall off without any way to bounce back. I'm not super familiar with Nas's catalog aside from Illmatic, though I understand that over the years, he started to falter. Luckily, the King's Disease series seems to be a comeback for him, and for me, that is exemplified in King's Disease II. The beats feature a wonderful cross between 90s and modern production, and Nas's flows and lyricism are strong. You get a great collection of bangers, as well as some introspective moments that hit home. This is a quality rap album from a legend telling us that he's not quite past his prime.
18. Magdalena Bay: Mercurial World
Release Date: October 8
Genre: Synthpop / Dance Pop / Electropop
Fav Track: Secrets (Your Fire)
I don't think any album in 2021 produced as many bops as Mercurial World. On their debut album, Magdalena Bay crafted a collection of fun, danceable songs with fantastic performances and colorful production. So many of the tracks here have insatiable grooves, and I cannot stop myself from moving to the beats each time I listen. This is a fantastic start for a hopefully fruitful career for the duo. While this album is great, it shows so much promise and potential for an even better follow up. I hope they keep at it, and I hope more people pay attention to this project.
17. Orla Gartland: Woman on the Internet
Release Date: August 20
Genre: Indie Pop
Fav Track: Madison
This album caught me by surprise! Woman on the Internet is the debut album from Orla Gartland. Going into it, I was not expecting much. What I got, however, was a collection of indie pop jams full of great production and Orla's lovely singing and vulnerable songwriting. The way she discusses love, relationships and anxiety manages to be endearing throughout. I also love the mix of genres. You get a nice collection of rock, pop and even a couple of more acoustic ballads. It's a lovely album, and it's a promising start for Orla's career.
16. Porter Robinson: Nurture
Release Date: April 23
Genre: Synthpop / Electropop / Glitch Pop
Fav Track: Something Comforting
Nurture was the uplifting comfort album we needed in 2021. Porter Robinson's writing and production presented us a collection of tracks that sound vibrant and colorful, yet warm and cozy, even with the ice cold, EDM style synths. Every track here sounds so bright, and they amplify Porter's songwriting. This album sounds exactly like laying face down in a field with the sun beaming down on your back. It's beautiful, and I can't help but smile and find a sense of calm with each listen.
15. Yola: Stand for Myself
Release Date: July 30
Genre: Country Soul / Pop Soul
Fav Track: Dancing Away in Tears
Speaking of uplifting albums, Stand for Myself screams empowerment. This project makes a beautiful statement, and it is backed with some fantastic songs. The mix of pop, soul, country and rock makes each track pop, and Yola's singing is out of this world good. She has this nice bit of rasp that adds a lot of character to her voice. This album is full of jams. The instrumentation is great, the production is pristine and the songwriting is wonderful. It's a hopeful little project, telling all of us to not give in to the dark. Instead, it tells us to, you guessed it, stand for ourselves. It's amazing.
14. Illuminati Hotties: Let Me Do One More
Release Date: October 1
Genre: Indie Rock / Indie Pop / Garage Punk
Fav Track: MMMOOOAAAAAYAYA
I've never been much of a punk fan. Between the repetitive riffs that lack melody and the snotty singing, it's not a style that I get much enjoyment out of. However, for some odd reason, I love Let Me Do One More. I listened to this album because of the band name, and after my first listen, I was hooked. This is an excellent rock album full of fiery performances, great production and some of the most entertaining songwriting all year. Sarah Tudzin's vocals, while snotty, are full of character, and her lyricism is equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. The topic of aging is prevalent throughout the album, and I found it to be relatable and endearing. This is overall a fantastic rock album, and I cannot wait to see what the band does next.
13. Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert & Jon Randall: The Marfa Tapes
Release Date: May 7
Genre: Americana / Country / Singer-Songwriter / Folk
Fav Track: Waxahachie
This album is interesting because it's technically a live album. On The Marfa Tapes, country singer-songwriters Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall come together to perform a collection of acoustic country tracks. All of these tracks include their three voices and one acoustic guitar. Plus, the whole project was recorded outdoors. The songs have a lovely natural sound, as the playing is very sweet and pretty. All three of them do great jobs vocally, but the biggest star is easily Miranda Lambert, who feels especially at home in this more relaxed setting. It's cool hearing the music play while you the ambiance of nature is playing in the background. I also love the interactions these three have in between each song. You can tell that they are having a lot of fun in the great outdoors, playing some good, old-fashioned country. This is my favorite form of country music right here. I love acoustic guitar music in general, and these three knocked it out of the park on this project.
12. Spellling: The Turning Wheel
Release Date: June 25
Genre: Art Pop / Baroque Pop / Darkwave / Progressive Pop
Fav Track: Turning Wheel
When I listened to albums this year, I did my best to not parrot Fantano's thoughts. With that being said, I have to admit, The Turning Wheel is incredible. Spelling created a world all her own on this project, and it mixes gorgeous, serene orchestration with dark, sinister synth passages. I love how the album gets progressively darker as it goes along, both in subject matter and in sound. It's insane how good the contrast is, and the instrumentation is incredible throughout. Spellling's vocals are expressive and captivating, and her writing is perfectly witchy. This entire album sounds like a gothic musical, and it is spellbinding. Oops, I meant to say SPELLLbinding! Get it? Because of her name? Nevermind. Moving on.
11. BROCKHAMPTON: ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE
Release Date: April 9
Genre: Hip Hop / Pop Rap / West Coast Hip Hop
Fav Track: THE LIGHT (TW: depression & suicide)
On ROADRUNNER, BROCKHAMPTON sound the most unified they have in years. Every member sounds electric on each track they're featured in, and the writing is some of their sharpest ever. The production is a lot cleaner and glossier this time around, resulting in some of their best bangers, as well as some of their prettiest ballads. This project deals with some of the same themes featured on their previous works, like depression, unity, racism, homophobia, etc. However, this time around, the themes sound more realized and grounded. The verses from Joba, in particular, where he discusses his father's suicide, are heavy. This is probably their most difficult album to listen to, but in my opinion, it just might be their best.
10. Hiatus Kaiyote: Mood Valiant
Release Date: June 25
Genre: Neo-Soul
Fav Track: Stone or Lavender
It's about time. Mood Valiant is Hiatus Kaiyote's comeback album, following 2015's Choose Your Weapon. Six years is a lot of time to wait between albums, but if this is what comes out of that wait, then it's well worth it. This project has some of the most bombastic and intricately performed tunes of the entire year. It manages to switch between powerful, soul bangers and moody vibe tracks so well, and all of the performances are excellent throughout. I love the organic instrumentation and how it wavers between busy and soothing. It's all excellently performed and produced, and Nai Palm's incredible vocals enhance each tune. She is one of the few vocalists whose heavy uses of runs do not get annoying. This is a fantastic neo-soul album. If you haven't listened to this album, this band or never even heard of them, I implore you to listen to them now.
9. Sufjan Stevens & Angelo De Augustine: A Beginner's Mind
Release Date: September 24
Genre: Indie Folk / Singer Songwriter / Chamber Folk
Fav Track: Murder and Crime
There are a handful of albums I listen to for the purpose of relaxation. I listen to a wide variety of music, but there are only a few albums I put on when I need to destress or when I need to get myself into a state of rest. A Beginner's Mind fits into that category. Sufjan Stevens & Angelo De Augustine have come together to make a collection of indie folk ballads. All of them are pleasing to listen to, and they all have beautiful arrangements and production. The singing is quiet and intimate, perfectly enhancing the sheer serenity of the music. I also enjoy listening to this project to catch the numerous film references spun throughout the tracklist, as this album is inspired by various movies. It's a gorgeous album, and it's one I will be revisiting to give me peace. This is the equivalent of musical therapy, and that might be the highest compliment I give it.
8. St. Vincent: Daddy's Home
Release Date: May 14
Genre: Psychedelic Soul / Art Rock / Art Pop
Fav Track: ...At the Holiday Party
I'm ashamed to admit that this was my first St. Vincent album. After hearing this, I need to listen to everything else she's made, because this is incredible. Daddy's Home embraces 70s psychedelic pop and rock with full force, and she provides us with trippy production, guitars, sitars (yes, sitars), keyboards and vocals. It results in a fantastic modern recontextualization of the 70s psychedelic scene. The tunes are amazing, and Annie's songwriting is impeccable. She tells these tragic stories in such a glamorous and enchanting way. Some songs sound like she's voguing while tripping on acid, whereas some would sound at home in the Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack, at least stylistically. It's a great vibe, and it shows us how chameleonic St. Vincent can be. It's an impressive outing, and I love it from front to back.
7. Black Country, New Road: For the first time
Release Date: February 5
Genre: Experimental Rock / Post-Punk / Post-Rock / Art Rock
Fav Track: Science Fair
I feel like nobody saw this album coming. For the first time was one of the first albums of 2021 to really catch the attention of both critics and audiences, and for good reason. This is a tight six track, forty minute album, mixing art rock and post-punk. With that, you get an album that perfectly captures rampant anxiety. Almost all of the tracks are multiphased, and the various riffs and production choices hammer home this excellent display of tension. Lead singer Isaac Wood sounds like he's on the verge of a nervous breakdown the entire album, and it pairs perfectly with lyrics about abuse, paranoia and fear. It can be unsettling at times, but the music is so good. All of the performances are fire, and this has my favorite production of any rock album this year. Also, the use of trumpets makes each song feel special. It's a great display of music. It's tight, gratifying, tragic and powerful. I am so excited for their follow up, which is being released next month.
6. JPEGMAFIA: LP! (Offline Version)
Release Date: October 22
Genre: Experimental Hip Hop / Glitch Hop / Hardcore Hip Hop
Fav Track: REBOUND!
While the online version, which can be found on Spotify, is great, the offline version on his Bandcamp is truly something else. LP! shows us Peggy at his most experimental and his most creative. The beats that he uses are insane, and the use of samples on the offline exclusive tracks are mindblowing, making me sad that he couldn't get the samples cleared with his label. At every moment of this project, there is something attention grabbing and well executed. Peggy's production, rapping, singing and lyricism all culminate into a gripping and always entertaining project. The offline version, in particular, sounds like the complete vision that Peggy was going for, which is what the online version lacks. In the offline version, the exclusive tracks all hit hard, the use of sampling is much better and the tracklist has a better flow. If you want peak creativity and experimentation from a hip hop project, then here it is. It's full of bops and bangers, and it's mind-blowing how cohesive and gratifying it all sounds.
5. Silk Sonic: An Evening with Silk Sonic
Release Date: November 12
Genre: Smooth Soul / Contemporary R&B / Soul / Funk
Fav Track: Put On A Smile
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak are two highly talented and entertaining performers, and seeing them together in this new super group of sorts was a cool idea, but the quality of these songs absolutely blindsided me. The duo came together to make Silk Sonic, and on the aptly titled An Evening with Silk Sonic, they indulge in 1970s soul, R&B and funk. As a result, you get some of the most beautifully produced, excellently performed and joyously fun crop of songs the year has to offer. The instrumentation is pristine, with not a single note sounding out of place. Bruno and Anderson have incredible voices, and they play off of each other so well throughout the course of the album. The songwriting is a lot of fun, as well. Nothing is that deep, but the lyrics are full of humor and well used sensuality. They work wonders with the sound, and they are a blast to sing along to. I think this is the most fun I've had listening to an album in 2021. Is it highly derivative of the 70s soul sound? Yes. Is the album short? Absolutely. Is all of the music fantastic? Indeed it is.
4. Julien Baker: Little Oblivions
Release Date: February 26
Genre: Singer-Songwriter / Indie Rock / Indie Folk / Indie Pop
Fav Track: Relative Fiction
Little Oblivions was the first album I listened to in 2021 that I fell in love with. It's one of the most vulnerable and honest projects of the entire year. Julien discusses her struggles with depression and drug abuse in such a frank manner, and her lyrics and vocal performances manage to be dynamic and gripping throughout. She also has some structurally amazing tracks here. A lot of these tracks have lovely builds and de-escalations. It's not the typical song structure that one is used to, but I find myself loving the journey each time. And let's not forget how gorgeous the music sounds. The shimmering guitars gives me a euphoric feeling that no album in 2021 has matched. Julien switches between more intimate singer-songwriter ballads and indie rock head bobbers so well, and it all culminates in a phenomenal album experience. It's open, vulnerable and downright beautiful. Check it out.
3. Genesis Owusu: Smiling with No Teeth
Release Date: March 5
Genre: Neo-Soul / Alternative R&B / Experimental Hip Hop
Fav Track: Centrefold
Smiling with No Teeth might be the album I listened to the most in 2021. I can't help it. This thing is so endlessly relistenable, and it manages to be captivating and entertaining each time. This is Genesis Owusu's debut album, and not only is it the best debut album of the year, but it makes him the new artist whose career I'm looking forward to the most. I have had so much fun listening to this project, mainly due to how versatile Kofi is as an artist. In fifteen tracks, he switches between neo-soul, R&B, hip hop, rock, new wave, gospel and more, and he handles all of these genres so well. His performances are electrifying, and the concept he uses throughout the tracklist is great. The lyrics on depression and racism, especially how they're symbolized through black dogs, is really clever. On top of that, the music is so good. The production is fantastic, making each song sound like a bop. On his debut album, Genesis Owusu gave us a project so good, if you told me that this guy was making music for decades, I would totally believe you. Do not miss out on this one. It's so good.
2. black midi: Cavalcade
Release Date: May 26
Genre: Avant-Prog / Experimental Rock / Jazz Rock
Fav Track: Slow
Disclaimer: this album is not for everyone. In fact, if there's any album on this list that is really hard to recommend, it's this one. Cavalcade is easily the most disorienting piece of music I've heard all year. The guitar tones and riffs are weird, the vocals are borderline cartoonish and the song structures are winding and chaotic. However, I adore this album. It is so endlessly creative and wild, and it blows my mind with each listen. I love the journey each song takes me on, and none of them ever manage to get boring or stale. It's also impressive how the band switches tones throughout the album. You get tracks that absolutely pummel you with heavy sounds, as if the music is beating you up, but then you get these genuinely gorgeous ballads. Sometimes, even in the more intense tracks, you get nice moody sections that break up the tension, which adds variety and makes the songs more engaging than they already would be. This is an album that is difficult to describe. It's even harder to recommend due to how abstract, avant-garde and disorienting it is. However, for those that have an open mind as to how far the music scope goes, then I think this is absolutely worth a listen. It's certainly not for everyone, and it might take a couple extra listens to really get it, but it is an excellent album front to back, and I cannot get enough of it.
1. Little Simz: Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Release Date: September 3
Genre: UK Hip Hop / Conscious Hip Hop / Neo-Soul
Fav Track: Introvert
There was no competition. No album hit me like Sometimes I Might Be Introvert did. I fell in love with this album on first listen, and it has only gotten better as I keep going back to it. This has some of the best production I've heard on any album ever. The orchestration is insane, and it all sounds so lush, vibrant and beautiful. Simbi has some of the best flows of any modern rapper, and her pen game is so good. She raps about family, mental health, politics, music and her upbringing so candidly and so vulnerably. Her word play is immaculate and she fits perfectly on every tune here. Plus, the interludes tie everything together. They have a dramatic musical theatre quality to them that I love. It's crazy how good every single song on here is. This album is nineteen tracks at an hour and five minutes, yet there is no filler. Even the songs that are stylistic outliers are straight bangers. I have nothing more to say about this. Simbi has made a modern masterpiece with this album, and I think it should be viewed in the same light as albums like Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly or Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in terms of modern hip hop classics. It's that good. If there's any album you listen to on this list, make it this one. It is easily my number one favorite album of 2021.
Thank you for reading my blogs! Discussing music this past year has been a lot of fun, and I definitely plan to do more this coming here. With that being said, stay tuned for more! See you next time.
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