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10 Albums Of 2021 That You Have To Hear
By: Isaac Jones
As 2021 comes to a close I think we can all agree that it was a year whompst is bad. One thing that 2021 didn’t skimp on, however, was music. 2020 was a historic year for music that you’ve never even heard of. Fetch The Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple became a modern classic. Albums like Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers and Petals For Armor by Hayley Williams were added to the indie canon. While no critical darling was born 2021 did offer some incredible work. Today, in no particular order, let’s set the table, heat some water and spill the tea.
Sling by Clairo
Indie Pop/ Folk
If you want music for studying, tea time, and "ouch that hurt," then look no further than Sling. In her sophomore record, Claire Cottrill expands her horizons as both a songwriter and an artist in this beautiful homage to 70’s folk. Her writing is crisp and introspective reflecting on maturity, domesticity, and love-lost. She has grown not only as an artist and arranger but as a person as is evidenced across this entire record. The instrumentals are full and atmospheric sometimes bordering on jazz, losing time signature and giving into the chilling bliss. It is beautiful and absolutely worth the listen-- it’s been on repeat for weeks.
Sipped Tracks: Amoeba, Blouse, Reaper, Zinnias
Spilt Tracks: Harbor
Daddy’s Home by St. Vincent
Art Rock/Psychadelic Soul
Not only is this the best album of the year but one of my favorites of all time. The 70's funk and glam rock-inspired project takes the density and songwriting of Annie Clark, St. Vincent, to another level. The smell of liquor and cigars loom thick over this record but her songwriting is cleaner than ever. St. Vincent employs some of the smartest lyricism in the industry capturing legacy, womanhood, and the complexity of love and family. Each song is masterfully crafted with an evocative instrumental palette that'll send you to another time. The album is conceptual and a stone's throw from a masterpiece. St. Vincent is queen now and forever.
Sipped Tracks: Pay Your Way In Pain, The Melting Of The Sun, Live In The Dream, Down
Spilt Tracks: N/A
Jubilee by Japanese Breakfast
Indie rock/ Lofi
Lead singer, Michelle Zauner, and her band created an album that is simultaneously devastating and exuberant. It's a wave of danceable depression and 80's inspired rock. Themes range from sexuality to underwater billionaire real estate. Zauner really shows off her skill as a writer, the lyrics are tongue in cheek but the meanings are dark and deep (rhyming feels nice). The soaring synths and cool guitars work as the perfect background for Zauner’s voice. All in all, this album has tracks for any mood and are executed with the precision of a seasoned band.
Sipped Tracks: Paprika, Be Sweet, Slide Tackle, Posing For Cars
Spilt Track: Sit
Heaux Tales by Jazmine Sullivan
R&B/Hip Hop
Jazmine Sullivan is a name I’d honestly never heard before. Apparently, Sullivan had massive success and I just didn’t notice. With a soaring voice and pension for powerful delivery Sullivan slays on this album. Vocalizing female sexuality Sullivan boldly combats stereotypes and exudes confidence. At times the album reads conversational and tells the story of many women including herself and their ethos. She really gives a killer performance and transcends common archetypes of R&B.
Sipped Tracks: Pick Up Your Feelings, Put It Down, Price Tags, Girls Like Me
Spilt Tracks: Lost One
Super Monster by Claud
Indie/Bedroom Pop
By: Ashlee Wagner
Super Monster is the coming-of-age indie-pop love album we didn’t know we needed. In Claud’s debut album, they reveal romantic tones and pure authenticity in each track. Claud (they/them) writes with casual yet expressive lyrics and uses unique instrumentation throughout the album. With some tracks leaning towards indie-rock, the album delivers with variation while maintaining the same beautiful, airy energy. This easygoing and hopelessly romantic album makes me excited to see what the future holds for Claud.
Sipped Songs: Rocks At Your Window, Falling With The Rain, This Town
Spilt Songs: N/A
A Beginner’s Mind by Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine
Folk/Country/Lofi
Indie icon and musical depressant Sufjan Stevens collaborates with Angelo De Augustine to create an album inspired by a classic film binge. From “Silence of the Lambs” to “All About Eve” A Beginner’s Mind draws thematic influence from some of film's best. The music is light and breezy Stevens’ and Augustine’s voices fit together perfectly as if built to sing alongside each other. Expectedly, the artists' knack for melancholy and psychoanalytics underpin every second of the record, making for a lovely yet shadowy record.
Sipped Tracks: Lady Macbeth In Chains, Back To Oz, Murder And Crime, Cimmerian Shade
Spilt Tracks: Olympus
Nine by Sault
Hip Hop/R&B
To be honest, I fell headfirst into this release. I knew as soon as that bass hit that this was an album worth praise. Nine’s heavy and at times unsettling instrumentation is the perfect canvas for the group’s meticulous social commentary which permeates every track on this album. Focusing on issues of race: from police brutality to gang life to class warfare. The chanting vocals are at points a rallying cry. Every track on this record is incredible and is expertly done by an otherwise enigmatic band. Sadly, it is available for a limited time so go listen on YouTube or wherever else you can find it.
Sipped Tracks: London Gangs, Trap Life, Fear, 9
Spilt Tracks: Alcohol
Blue Weekend by Wolf Alice
Alternative Rock/Shoegaze
By: Ashlee Wagner
Alternative band Wolf Alice’s third studio album, Blue Weekend offers something for everyone. This dreamy album holds steady rock-inspired instrumentals throughout the album. However, the songs vary from true alternative rock to modern indie to strong folk influences. One song, Delicious Things, has a sound straight off of a Lorde album. Tracks like Lipstick on the Glass showcase a darker, witchy vibe. Along with true variation with a cohesive sound, this record has a beautiful build in almost every track.
Sipped tracks: Feeling Myself, Delicious Things, The Last Man On Earth
Spilled tracks: Smile, How Can I Make It Ok?, Play the Greatest Hits
Smiling With No Teeth by Genesis Owusu
Rap/Experimental Hip Hop
The black dog runs rampant across this album and Owusu is at its mercy. Ghanian rapper, Genesis Owusu, covers mental health, racism, and love on his first full-length album. Funky and ambitious, each track is a world unto itself; Owusu’s unique vocal stylings being the glue holding it together. The arrangements are confident and intricate, shockingly so for a debut. Flaunting styles of both experimental and contemporary rap Smiling With No Teeth is a must-hear for any fan of hip hop.
Sipped Tracks: The Other Black Dog, Gold Chains, Smiling With No Teeth, I Don’t See Colour
Spilt Tracks: On The Move!
Afrique Victime by Mdou Moctar
Rock
The sounds of Jimi Hendrix collide with Yoruba folk to create a Nigerien masterpiece. Mdou Moctar is native to Niger. As a result, this album is in french which for most is a barrier to entry. However, the guitar, the drumming, and Moctar’s beguiling sincerity proves that music is a universal language. The front half, prior to untitled, is loaded with songs to a former lover, the latter half, protest anthems about the French occupation of Niger. The lyrics are deeply moving: Moctar goes so far as to plead with God for intervention. With the guitar as his forge Moctar crafts a familiar and yet distinct piece of work that soars high above any human barrier.
Sipped Tracks: Taliat, Tala Tannam, Layla, Afrique Victime,
Spilt Tracks: N/A
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