The best albums of 2021 so far
From Julien Baker to Rostam, Madlib to Mogwai, these are the records that most impressed us at this point in the year
Music Lists Albums
Whoever said artists should have to suffer for their art? Presumably, someone who never had to suffer much. Musicians, like writers, are still too often tagged with this bizarre assumption that creating their art should require an arduous grappling with their muse, borne of pain or sadness. Unfortunately, the past six months have brought with them a surfeit of suffering; it’s still hard to talk about almost anything without referring back at some point to the hardships many of us have dealt with this past year, courtesy of COVID-19. But thanks to a miracle of medical science and the vast majority of people sane enough to understand the need to get vaccinated, things are feeling a lot more hopeful than they have been in a long time.
So let’s officially agree to give coronavirus talk a break for a moment—and fill that new silence with some of the best music you’ll hear this year. Some of these albums were created pre-COVID; some were pulled from the day-to-day experience of the pandemic. But they all share one trait: An ability to transcend the situations that gave rise to them. A timelessness, in other words, of the sort that the best music always possesses, and that grabs the listener and transports them somewhere new. The following records can do just that; hopefully, you’ll find something on this list that speaks to you in such a way.
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24 Comments
I’ve been loving the hell out of Crowded House’s new album. It’s really good stuff.
Not a big Crowded House-head so take this with a grain of salt, but I think it’s their second best (after their self-titled)
look I’m always glad to see Crowdies talk in the wild, but this slander against Woodface simply will not stand
So far, the new Wolf Alice is my fave. But I’m looking forward to three August releases: Chvrches, Joy Formidable, and Bleachers.
Weather Station is my number one so far. Here’s my top 5 of albums that aren’t on the list that you should check out if you haven’t heard them; Dry Cleaning – New Long Leg, Rat Columns – Pacific Kiss, Cheekyface – Emphatically No, Lonelady – Former Things, Flock Of Dimes – Head of Roses. And maybe it’s just I’m so in the pocket for them, but I love the new Modest Mouse.
I’ll have to check out your other recs, because I loved the Weather Station album, and even though it’s only been out a week, I think the Lonelady album is my fave of the year thus far.
They’re about a million light years from the vibe this list is meant to project, but man for what they do, The Dirty Nil’s new album does it incredibly well. Was a little let down by the new DFA and Royal Blood stuff, couple really good tracks on each though.
I think they’re under most folk’s radar but Australian neo-soul/jazz funk/whatever group Hiatus Kaiyote released their long awaited (by me anyway) followup to 2013’s Choose Your Weapon and so far it’s my favorite album of the year (admittedly, that’s a small sample size – once you hit your 50s you’ll find you just don’t connect with modern music the way you used to)
Chivalry is Not Dead is the funkiest song of the year. so good
Amazing album hiatus kaiyote mood valiant Dope unique bests. Neo soul funk soul. So good. Favorite album the year. So far.
Amazing album dope fresh
The exclusion of Tyler’s new album automatically invalidates this punkass list.
In our defense, this list was voted on and compiled just before CMIYGL’s release.
Off the top of my head (and from the heavier end of the spectrum:Dvne – Etemen ÆnkaBody Void – Bury Me Beneath This Rotting EarthGrey Aura – Zwart VierkantSpectral Wound – A Diabolic ThirstZao – The Crimson CorridorAutarkh – Form in Motion
I mean, sure, a power pop age, but really so much of this age with Mitski, Rina Sawayama, PONY, are grunge on the 25 year cycle (wasn’t 80s like 8 years ago?). Courtney Love is having to make a stink to get credit from Olivia Rodrigo, I just wish that Veruca Salt got more credit.Bruno Pernadas – Private Reasons
Also shouldn’t leave Jeff Rosenstock SKA DREAM off this list
Olivia Rodrigo album is a goddam pop masterclass. Here are some of my other faves so far this year, if anyone cares:Crowded House – Dreamers are WaitingModest Mouse – The Golden CasketCold Cave – Fate in Seven LessonsTyler, the Creator – Call Me If You Get LostGojira – FortitudeThere are also some solid tracks on the new Royal Blood and Islands albums (although I am slightly meh on both of those albums overall).
The Gorjia is great, and totally agree about the Royal Blood.
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis, Carnage; Dark Sky Burial, Quod Me Nutrit Me Destruit; Fred Frith & Ikue Mori, A Mountain Doesn’t Know It’s Tall; Kurushimi, Chaos Remains; Paul Leary, Born Stupid; Melvins, Working With God; Los Siquicos Litoralenos, Los Siquicos cenan con Static Tics; F.W. Tittenbrow, Summons; Yee Loi, No One Eats for Free
Tyler, the Creator’s “Call Me If You Get Lost” is sublime and only gets better on repeat listens.
Well, I don’t see how Lucy Dacus is left of this list – might be the best album of the year for me. A few others – Faye Webster – I Know I’m Funny, haha and Lightning Bug – A Color of the Sky and Tristen – Aquatic Flowers – deserve spots.
I first listened to the new Evanescense album with low expectations, but damn it’s actually great! I still thought of them as a Linkin Park sound-alike.The new Tomahawk has some solid tracks, too.
Still sleeping on Band-Maid. Unseen World is the best hard rock album in years. Try the video for Warning!.
Wow, Pony sounds exactly like a Letters to Cleo / Julianna Hatfield mashup. Definitely jabbing me right in the 90’s nostalgia ribs.
It was released too late for inclusion on this list, but I feel like Vince Staples’ self-titled album is a strong frontrunner for best of 2021.