It’s that time! 2021 was a scary yet hopeful, frustrating yet triumphant year for many of us. Through it all, we had some incredible music to accompany us for whatever mood, headspace, or situation we were in. I love looking back at the music I listened to in the past year to pick out favorites to share with everyone. Compiling this year’s list was a tough process, because so many artists and bands released amazing albums post-2020.
So here goes my humble attempt at picking out my 9 favorite albums of 2021, including my album of the year (revealed at the end). Read on to find out which records made the cut!
Collapsed In Sunbeams by Arlo Parks
Soulful. Mellow. Earnest. These words describe the talented Arlo Parks’ vibe and sound. The 21-year-old Brit is a rising star in the indie pop/R&B world and recently snagged some prestigious award nominations and wins for her debut album. Collapsed In Sunbeams has an old-school R&B vibe with modern sensibilities and solid songwriting. Perfect to enjoy while driving to the coast, journaling on a rainy day, or just relaxing next to a fire.
times by SG Lewis
I’m a huge Daft Punk fan, so when I heard the disco beats and familiar chords for SG Lewis’ track “Feed The Fire,” I was immediately hooked. Released at the start of the year, times was an upbeat and optimistic ride into 2021, following the misery of 2020. I enjoyed the album during snowboarding trips to Tahoe, watched his disco-infused DJ sets on YouTube, and finally saw him live at the Fox Theater. The show did not disappoint – it was a party!
Nurture by Porter Robinson
Porter Robinson’s music was a huge part of my 20s, so when his long-awaited album Nurture came out in 2021, I was impressed by his continual musical evolution and growth. Once a mainstay of the big-room EDM sound, Porter through the years has peeled off into a more emotive and melodic style of electronic music. I’ll never forget enjoying this album during an early-season backpacking trip, sitting on the grass post-hike surrounded by nature.
SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo
My first exposure to Olivia Rodrigo’s stardom was from a hilarious SNL sketch. A few episodes later, she actually performed live on the show, and I was blown away by her musicality and stage presence. Sure, the lyrical topics brought me back to high school days, but I appreciated the raw emotion as well as the diverse styles showcased in SOUR. Olivia takes her rightful place as one of pop’s new icons, and I’m excited to see where her music takes us.
CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST by Tyler, The Creator
I’ve always known about Tyler’s dedicated fanbase as well as the critical praise. But until this point I hadn’t really listened to his work as a whole. CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST is an incredible storytelling and lyrical achievement – just marvel at all the different music flavors, the intricately-composed bars, and the stylish music videos and live performances. This album really showcases Tyler’s artistic genius – he is absolutely in his prime.
Friends That Break Your Heart by James Blake
As a visionary producer with a silky-smooth voice that influenced many current and rising artists, James Blake in my humble opinion is a generational talent who hasn’t gotten the full recognition he truly deserves. Friends That Break Your Heart is a wonderful R&B record with a more stripped-back production and a musician who feels more at ease with his contributions to the industry and the less-traveled path he took to stay true to his artistry.
Deceiver by Khemmis
On the heavier end of the musical spectrum, Deceiver is one of my favorite metal records this year. The Denver trio continue to impress with their signature doom/sludge metal origins, but instead of getting boxed into the exact same sound, they’ve branched out into other sub-genres and styles, including a nice dichotomy of slow-fast segments and clean-harsh vocals. And don’t worry, the guitars are still Heavy (with a capital H).
GLOW ON by Turnstile
Turnstile’s GLOW ON was a very late addition to my favorites list, but after listening to it several times in under 48 hours (as well as continuously at the end of December), I can confidently say the Baltimore hardcore punk band’s latest album is one of my favorites of 2021. I love the frenetic energy, the showcase of different rock sub-genres, and the flow. Watching some of the band’s recent live performances has me excited to see them next year on tour.
And now, the moment is here! There was so much good music in 2021, but only one album is my album of the year. Without further ado…
Album of the Year: Jubilee by Japanese Breakfast
2021 was Japanese Breakfast’s, a.k.a. Michelle Zauner’s, year. Apart from releasing an incredible album and going on tour, Michelle made the New York Times best-seller list with her excellent memoir Crying in H Mart. And to top things off, she was selected to compose the soundtrack for the video game Sable.
When I first heard her singles from her album Jubilee, I was impressed by the range of her sound. Indie rock has a special place in my heart, but over the years the sound had become dated and somewhat stale. The tracks in Jubilee were catchy, fresh, and ultimately triumphant. It was the perfect soundtrack to our gradual return to a post-lockdown life, in a new world that was both scary but filled with exciting possibilities.
After reading Crying in H Mart and learning more about her challenging years experiencing her mother’s losing battle to cancer, I better understood the journey that led Japanese Breakfast to this triumphant juncture. We all experience our own losses – especially in 2020 – but it’s also with pleasure to be able to share happy moments with one another. Jubilee, in Michelle’s own words, is “a celebration of joy.”
With that, Japanese Breakfast’s Jubilee is my album of 2021!
2021 Honorable Mentions
With so much great music in 2021, it was tough to include everything I liked. So I’m listing some additional albums to check out. These albums just missed out during the final cut or came to my attention a bit too late to make a proper decision. I’m hoping to enjoy them with additional listens.
- Isles by Bicep
- Loving in Stereo by Jungle
- Vince Staples by Vince Staples
- Infinite Granite by Deafheaven
- Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz
- still slipping vol. 1 by Joy Orbison
