2021 Top 10 Albums
TOP ALBUMS OF 2021
Honorable Mentions
Donda by Kanye West
Vince Staples by Vince Staples
Say What you Will by James Blake
Daddy’s Home by St Vincent
Ugly is Beautiful by Oliver Tree
10. Valentine by Snail Mail
I love Snail Mail. There is just something about the vibe and feelings she puts into her music. There is so many layers to her songs. Valentine might just be her best work yet. Everything comes together on this album, from the guitar rifts to the vocal melodies. I see big things coming from Snail Mail in the coming years.
Top 3 Songs: Valentine, Ben Franklin, + Glory
9. RoadRunner: New Light, New Machine by Brockhampton
Continuing to be on the most unique voices in hip hop, Brockhampton continues to break new ground with the same youthful energy and organized chaos I have come to love. With a wide variety of sounds, tempos, and emotions, this album has something for every hip hop fan.
Top3 Songs: Buzzcut, Bankroll, + What’s the Occasion?
8. Loving in Stereo by Jungle
You need vibes for your next party? Just put this album on. Jungle just injects a groove into their music that you can’t help but do a little boogie too. Not to mention the pure quality of their music from the synths all the way to the vocal harmonies, it is truly impressive the sounds this group can put together.
Top 3 Song: Dry Your Tears, All of the Time, + Romeo
7. The Million Masks of God by Manchester Orchestra
There is no band I have seen more than Manchester Orchestra. I think the total is near 10 times heading into this year with tickets to 2 shows already secured for 2022. I’ll be honest, I was not sold on this album at the very beginning BUT man, it grew on me. It is the cleanest and calmist Manchester has ever been and that is not a bag thing. I will forever wish I could sit down with Andy Hull (lead singer and writer) to discuss the meaning behind his lyrics because there is just something that makes me relate and feel what he is feeling in every song.
TOP 3 Songs: Inaudible, Let it Storm, + Dinosaur
6. SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo
This album should not have been as good as it is. Just wow. Olivia Rodrigo took me back to my high school breakup and I felt all that again. Plus the guitar riffs, albeit simple, are so good. This is the ultimate windows down, scream at the top of your lungs to every person that has ever hurt you album. Olivia Rodrigo also has a killer voice and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.
TOP 3 Songs: brutal, traitor, + good 4 u
5. Juno by Remi Wolf
I somehow missed Remi Wolf’s ep last year but from the first time I heard Disco Man I was HOOKED. This vibe of music is one of favorites right now. I don’t quite know how to describe it, from the hip hop roots to some funk and modern disco vibes, it is just something special. I think 2022 will be the year of Remi Wolf and I cannot wait to see it.
TOP 3 Songs: Liquor Store, Guerilla, Sexy Villain
4. Glow On by Turnstile
From the opening of this album I was absolute hooked. I don’t usually get into “hardcore” music but damn this album was something special. I listened to it all the way through in one sitting one I first turned it on. I don’t quite have the music knowledge to breakdown a hardcore album, my knowledge stops with. a double kick drum peddle but the speeds and technicality of the drums, guitar, and bass are mind blowing. You owe it to yourself to listen to this at the loudest volume possible.
TOP 3 Songs: Mystery, Fly Again, + T.L.C.
3.Kids by Noga Erez
In 2020, I said I would never download tiktok. In 2021, I downloaded tiktok and came across a group called Noga Erez. The first video I saw was for their songs views and featured 8 or so musicians playing this wild song with one woman sitting down rapping over everything. I was hooked. Noga Erez put out what might have been the most interesting and unique album of 2021. They followed it up by dropping a new version of Kids, recorded only using real/natural instruments, no synths or drum machines. If you listen to any of the albums on my list, let it be this one.
TOP 3 Songs: Views, End of the Road, + Bark Loud
2. Call Me If You Get Lost by Tyler, The Creator
Are you surprised this is on here? Cause you shouldn’t be. Tyler Hits another homerun on this album, making that 3 incredible and complex albums. There are more knowledgable people out there that have broken this album down so I won’t try. Tyler is at the top of his game, matching what Kanye did during his MBDTF run with taking over the fashion and music world, all at the same time.
TOP 3 Songs: Corso, Wusyaname, + Juggernaut
1. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz
The first time I heard the unique voice of Little Simz was on a Gorillaz song and I knew I needed more of her voice. Little did I know, Sometimes I might be Introvert would become my favorite album of the year. I might have listened to Call Me If You Get Lost more times but that was only because if I was going to listen to this album, I wanted to sit down and listen to you. Every time I had a friend come over, this album would be the first thing I’d put on the record player. If you haven’t listened to this album yet, you are doing yourself a disservice. Sit down, grab a glass of wine, and just listen.
TOP 3 Songs: Introvert, Woman, + Point and Kill