My Favorite 2021 Albums, Pt.2
My Favorite 2021 Albums, Pt.2
It's the final countdown
Here it is, the top 50. Be sure to check out the previous 50 from part one of this post. The playlist below has been updated to include my favorite song from each of my top 100 albums of the year.
50. An Evening With Silk Sonic - Silk Sonic
Released: November 12th, 2021
Genres: Soul, Funk, R&B, Retro
For Fans Of: Childish Gambino, Funkadelic, Bootsy Collins, Lucky Daye, Albums that sound like they were made 40 years ago
After nearly a year’s worth of teasing it, Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars deliver their first album as Silk Sonic. Together they tap into a retro funk R&B sound almost too easily.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
49. Puppies Forever - BLACKSTARKIDS
Released: October 15th, 2021
Genres: Indie, Hip-Hop/Rap, Rock, Electronic
For Fans Of: AG Club, Junior Varsity, Harry Teardrop, THE BLOSSOM, Going to QuikTrip
BLACKSTARKIDS know you can’t be a puppy forever, but you’ll want to while listening to this project packed with nostalgia and blueprints for growing up.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
48. gelato - boylife
Released: October 8th, 2021
Genres: Alternative, Electronic, R&B, Indie Pop
For Fans Of: Dijon, Deb Never, Jim-E Stack, Bearface, cehryl, Trying to fight your thoughts but your thoughts have hands
boylife’s debut album teeters between tender and abrasive in this beautiful introduction.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
47. Sensational - Erika de Casier
Released: May 21st, 2021
Genres: R&B, Soul, Garage, Techno
For Fans Of: Ojerime, Oklou, Janet Jackson, Tirzah, L’Rain, Late 90’s to early 2000s, Intimate R&B
The followup to 2019’s Essentials picks up right where Casier left off, dropping more smooth as silk R&B.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
46. Home Video - Lucy Dacus
Released: June 25th, 2021
Genres: Alternative, Indie Rock, Folk
For Fans Of: Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, Waxahatchee, Crying at the end of movies
On her first solo album since 2018, Dacus brings all the stories and musings to give you even more reason to cry this year.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
45. Weight Of The World - Maxo Kream
Released: October 18th, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
For Fans Of: A$AP Rocky, Boldy James, Vince Staples, Consistency, Those same horns Tyler used on Lemonhead
Maxo Kream continues to flex his narrative chops as a rapper on what might be his best project to date.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
44. Pink Noise - Laura Mvula
Released: July 2nd, 2021
Genres: Pop, Synth Pop, Retro
For Fans Of: Janelle Monáe, Jessie Ware, Prince, Michael Jackson, Driving around blasting music pretending you’re in an 80s movie
Laura Mvula switches up her sound to go for an explosive ‘80s throwback album, that she executes better than almost anyone.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
43. Smiling with No Teeth - Genesis Owusu
Released: March 5th, 2021
Genres: Alternative, Indie, Pop, Rock
For Fans Of: Bartees Strange, Kirin J Callinan, Tkay Maidza, Dentistry
It’s unclear what Owusu can’t do on this exciting debut album that shows all sides of the Australian artist.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
42. Troubled Paradise - Slayyyter
Released: June 11th, 2021
Genres: Electronic, Pop, Hyperpop, Dance Pop
For Fans Of: Dorian Electra, Britney Spears, Kim Petras, Charli XCX, Y2K Glitch Pop
Slayyyter’s second album continues to expand on her sound that sounds like Blackout era Britney Spears got dropped in a blender.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
41. USEE4YOURSELF - IDK
Released: July 9th, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
For Fans Of: Kanye West, Deante’ Hitchcock, Reason, Following different Instagram accounts to find clues about new music
IDK continues to grow and execute his elaborate concepts on bigger levels with his latest album.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
40. 333 - Tinashe
Released: August 6th, 2021
Genres: Pop, Dance
For Fans Of: Doja Cat, Normani, Cassie, Learning every viral dance on TikTok
On her second album since being freed from label manipulation, Tinashe continues to prove that she can do it better herself.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
39. TYRON - Slowthai
Released: February 12th, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
For Fans Of: Kevin Abstract, Skepta, Injury Reserve, Working the phrase ‘muddy dungarees’ into a hit song
Slowthai’s second album sheds light on some of his deepest issues and insecurities, but at the same time isn’t short on bangers either.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
38. Bo Jackson - Boldly James & The Alchemist
Released: August 13th, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Underground Rap
For Fans Of: Earl Sweatshirt, Freddie Gibbs, Curren$y, Roc Marciano, Calling people out for sample snitching
One of the hardest working rappers out combines with one of the hardest working producers out to give us their second collab album in as many years.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
37. Who Am I? - Pale Waves
Released: February 12th, 2021
Genres: Alternative, Indie Rock, 2000s Rock
For Fans Of: Now Now, Avril Lavigne, beabadoobee, Y2K fashion
Pale Waves pivots from synth rock to 2000s rock with their second album, which may have been divisive among fans, but sure hit the spot for me.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
36. Bad For Press - Van Buren Records
Released: April 16th, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
For Fans Of: J.I.D., Pivot Gang, Mozzy, Finding like 5 or 6 of your new favorite rappers all at once
Read my full writeup on the hard hitting Brockton rap group here!
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
35. I Died For This!? - Grip
Released: August 27th, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
For Fans Of: IDK, JID, Westside Boogie, Kenny Mason, Rappers with a sense of theatrics (in a good way, not a Hamilton way)
The Atlanta rapper’s Shady Records debut puts his dazzling lyrics and stories on center stage.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
34. Del Water Gap - Del Water Gap
Released: October 8th, 2021
Genres: Alternative, Indie, Rock
For Fans Of: Jelani Aryeh, Briston Maroney, The Greeting Committee, Romantic encounters and dimly lit rooms
The former Maggie Rogers’ college bandmate shows us all he has to offer on his debut album. Simple inspirations sparking beautiful records.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
33. Van Gogh’s Left Ear - ZelooperZ
Released: July 20th, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
For Fans Of: Danny Brown, RXNephew, Chris Crack, Bruiser Wolf, Avant-Garde Trap
ZelooperZ has been on an incredible run of projects for the past few years and shows no signs of slowing down at all.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
32. Haram - Armand Hammer & The Alchemist
Released: March 26, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Underground Rap
For Fans Of: Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE, Quelle Chris, Rap that’s grimy as a gutter
The Alchemist appears in my top 50 again, here teaming up with Elucid and Billy Woods for some incredible songs as they all bring out the best in each other.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
31. Juno - Remi Wolf
Released: October 15th, 2021
Genres: Pop, Dance Pop, Electronic, Funk
For Fans Of: Tierra Whack, Still Woozy, MICHELLE, Using the word Groovy
Together with producer Solomonophonic, Remi Wolf crafts an incredibly unique funky dance pop sound like no one else right now can.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
30. LP! - JPEGMAFIA
Released: October 22nd, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Experimental, Electronic
For Fans Of: Injury Reserve, Brockhampton, Slowthai, clipping., Not being passed the aux at a party
Whether you listened to the online or offline version, JPEGMAFIA’s latest LP (literally) delivers everything you could want out of a JPEG project.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
29. Planet Her - Doja Cat
Released: June 25th, 2021
Genres: Pop, Hip-Hop/Rap
For Fans Of: Ariana Grande, SZA, Kehlani, Tinashe, Horny Pop
What initially felt like a bit of a letdown worked its way into being an album I kept coming back to as the year went on.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
28. Nothing Gold Can Stay - Jimi Somewhere
Released: February 5th, 2021
Genres: Pop, Indie, Singer-Songwriter
For Fans Of: Roy Blair, Choker, Kevin Abstract, The cover of the book Hatchet, Pretending your life is a coming-of-age indie movie
Read my write up on Jimi Somewhere’s debut album that shimmers with nostalgia, here!
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
27. If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power - Halsey
Released: August 27, 2021
Genres: Pop, Rock, Industrial
For Fans Of: Nine Inch Nails, St. Vincent, Dramatic career turns
We often see that when major pop stars tease of new directions and major changes in sounds with their next record, it’s just to build hype and amounts to little variation in their music. That was not the case for Halsey as she built up a lot of hype around a new direction with this Nine Inch Nails produced project, and delivered.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
26. Pray For Haiti - Mach-Hommy
Released: May 21st, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Underground Rap, Griselda
For Fans Of: Westside Gunn, Armand Hammer, Navy Blue, BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
As Griselda pushes itself into almost becoming a sub-genre of rap, Mach-Hommy gives the label their best project of 2021 (and at the rate they release projects, picking any one as your favorite is saying a lot).
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
25. Heaux Tales - Jazmine Sullivan
Released: January 8th, 2021
Genres: R&B, Soul
For Fans Of: Brandy, Jill Scott, K. Michelle, Monica, Hitting the group chat immediately after a date
Sullivan proves that her first album in six years was worth the wait with this collection of tracks on sex, vulnerability, accountability, and unpacking patriarchal conventions.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
24. SOUR - Olivia Rodrigo
Released: May 21, 2021
Genres: Pop, Alternative
For Fans Of: Lorde, Madison Beer, Olivia O’Brien, Julia Michaels, Never forgiving your ex for anything
Every car ride with my younger sister this summer meant her grabbing aux and putting on this album, but I wasn’t mad about it. Also, be sure to check your stocking carefully, you may have been gifted a writing credit on this album without realizing it.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
23. Don’t Go Tellin’ Your Mama - Topaz Jones
Released: April 23rd, 2021
Genres: R&B, Funk, Soul
For Fans Of: Saba, Sir, Duckwrth, Leven Kali, bLAck pARty, The Criterion Collection
You can tell Topaz Jones took time and care with this new album (and accompanying visual playing on The Criterion Collection) that comes 5 years after his 2016 debut.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
22. Vince Staples - Vince Staples
Released: July 9th, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
For Fans Of: ScHoolboy Q, Isaiah Rashad, Joey Bada$$, Deadpan delivery
Vince Staples like you’ve never heard him before. I can’t remember where and it would be impossible to find now (probably somewhere between Twitter, Reddit, and rateyourmusic), but I saw someone describe this as post-gangster the same way you would call something post-punk. It’s a descriptor I found hilarious, dumb, but also somehow kind of accurate?
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
21. TWOPOINTFIVE - Aminé
Released: November 5th, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Electronic
For Fans Of: Tobi Lou, Childish Major, Goldlink, The Portland rap scene
Aminé pushes the boundaries of the sounds you’ve heard him rap over on the second in this series of between album mixtapes.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
20. Super Monster - Claud
Released: February 12th, 2021
Genres: Indie Rock, Alternative, Bedroom Pop
For Fans Of: Phoebe Bridgers, Samia, Wallice, Maude Latour, spill tab, Feeling soft and sad
The first ever release on Phoebe Bridgers’ label Saddest Factory lives up to the name on this project of queer love and hardship.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
19. It’s All Smiles - No Rome
Released: December 3rd, 2021
Genres: Electronic, Pop
For Fans Of: The 1975, Bearface, The Japanese House, Asterisks
With drum machines, vocal chops, and sweeping synths, No Rome delivers us his debut album holding his best music to date.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
18. Collapsed in Sunbeams - Arlo Parks
Released: January 29th, 2021
Genres: Indie, Alternative
For Fans Of: Orion Sun, Cleo Sol, Lianne La Havas, Listening to sad songs when you’re already sad
Parks’ keen knack for storytelling takes over this collection of songs that feel like Arlo’s reaching out to hold us during trying times.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
17. Any Shape You Take - Indigo De Souza
Released: August 27th, 2021
Genres: Indie Rock, Alternative
For Fans Of: Samia, Phoebe Bridgers, Wednesday, Listening to sad songs when you’re already sad
Read Zoë Hannah’s writeup on how Indigo De Souza dances through the pain in my outsourced edition of WIBLT!
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
16. To Hell With It - PinkPantheress
Released: October 15th, 2021
Genres: Electronic, Garage, Pop, House
For Fans Of: Mura Masa, Janet Jackson, Saying “wait the song is over already?”
Pinkpantheress emerges as the first mainstream artist to fully hop on the UK Garage revival wave, which will surely gain traction after this excellent album.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
15. Death Of A Cheerleader - Pom Pom Squad
Released: June 25th, 2021
Genres: Indie Rock, Alternative
For Fans Of: Mannequin Pussy, illuminati hotties, Remember Sports, Adult Mom, Wanting to marry the scariest girl on the cheerleading team
Wether you heard of Pom Pom Squad from their excellent debut EP Ow, or from when fans accused Olivia Rodigo’s team of taking a bit too much inspiration from their visuals, or if you’re hearing of them for the first time right now, just be happy you’ve been directed towards one of the best indie rock projects of the year.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
14. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert - Little Simz
Released: September 3rd, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Alternative
For Fans Of: Genesis Owusu, Tierra Whack, Mereba, Alice In Wonderland
Simz delivers big time on what is likely her biggest and most ambitious album to date.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
13. Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies - Snoh Aalegra
Released: July 9rd, 2021
Genres: R&B
For Fans Of: Joyce Wrice, Charlotte Day Wilson, Sinéad Harnett, Pharrell, Letting Tyler the Creator dictate your personality
The invigorated production (some of which comes courtesy of Tyler and The Neptunes) breathes new life into Aalegra’s already breathtaking vocals.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
12. Glow On - Turnstile
Released: August 27th, 2021
Genres: Hardcore, Punk, Rock
For Fans Of: Angel Du$t, Incendiary, Blood Orange?, Opening up the pit
An innovative hardcore album complete with anthemic hooks and Blood Orange features. What more could you ask for?
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
11. Overgrown - Joyce Wrice
Released: March 19th, 2021
Genres: R&B, Soul
For Fans Of: UMI, VanJess, Lucky Daye, Turning to music to deal with heartbreak
Working closely with D’Mile (producer for Lucky Daye & Silk Sonic), Wrice taps effortlessly into a warm R&B sound that will bounce around in your head for weeks after each listen.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
10. Whole Lotta Red - Playboi Carti
Released: December 25th, 2020
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
For Fans Of: Pi’erre Bourne, Yeat, Lil Uzi Vert, Young Nudy, Slat
I hated this album when it first came out, but as time went on I found myself coming around to the abrasive sounds and raspy vocals. Then I spent the better half of this year yelling “THATS MY BROTHAAAAA.”
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
9. The House Is Burning - Isaiah Rashad
Released: July 30th, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
For Fans Of: Mick Jenkins, Saba, Freddie Gibbs, Earthgang, Chattanooga
Good things come to those who wait.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
8. The Melodic Blue - Baby Keem
Released: September 10, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
For Fans Of: Jahmed, Saint Lyor, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Having two phones
My favorite take on Baby Keem to go along with my favorite project of his (it’s close between this and Die For My Bitch, but I think The Melodic Blue takes it).
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
7. Jubilee - Japanese Breakfast
Released: June 4th, 2021
Genres: Indie Rock, Alternative
For Fans Of: Jay Som, Hatchie, Half Waif, Okay Kaya, Soccer Mommy, Crying in H Mart
Shortly after flexing her skills as an author by releasing her first book this year, Japanese Breakfast returns with her first release since 2017 to remind us why she’s famous for being a musician.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
6. Show Me How You Disappear - Ian Sweet
Released: March 5th, 2021
Genres: Indie Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Alternative
For Fans Of: Lala Lala, Kississippi, Chasity Belt, Florist, Singing until you cry
An incredibly vulnerable album, crafted while undergoing therapy in an outpatient facility for acute anxiety, Ian Sweet crafts a raw project that feels like you can hear them hurting, learning, and recovering in real time.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
5. Xardinal Coffee - Exum
Released: June 5th, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Alternative
For Fans Of: JPEGMAFIA, Genesis Owusu, Blood Orange, Music from ex-NFL players
Read my full writeup on this eclectic project, by my favorite artist I discovered this year (the Dennis Rodman of football), here!
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP
4. lately I feel EVERYTHING - Willow
Released: July 16th, 2021
Genres: Rock, Alternative, Pop-Punk
For Fans Of: beabadoobee, Cherry Glazerr, Avril Lavigne, Revisiting your pop-punk phase
Willow’s long teased move towards alt-rock/pop-punk is everything you could want it to be and more.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
3. Call Me If You Get Lost - Tyler, The Creator
Released: June 25th, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
For Fans Of: Kanye West, Pharrell, Childish Gambino, Teezo Touchdown, Flipping through your passport
I think Tyler is shifting into Kanye’s place as the artist who makes magic out of features you wouldn’t expect on paper. It’s ridiculous how many good albums Tyler has under his belt, yet each new one seems to be better than the last.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
2. Angelic Hoodrat: Supercut - Kenny Mason
Released: April 16th, 2021
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap, Rock, Alternative
For Fans Of: Bankroll Fresh, Lil Wayne, Deftones, My Chemical Romance, Dogs
I spent a good chunk of this year working on a feature trying to crack the code of why there are so many references to dogs in Kenny Mason’s music. I think I got like 90% of the way there, but it always felt like it was missing something I couldn’t put my finger on, so I never published it. I already loved the album and the way Mason effortlessly blends all his influences together to create his own original sound, but it’s impossible to listen to this as much as I did working on that piece and not have it be one of your favorites. If anyone likes this album as much as me and is really interested in reading that feature, email/message me and I’ll send you the private link.
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
1. Absolutely - Dijon
Released: November 5th, 2021
Genres: Americana, Alternative, R&B, Indie
For Fans Of: Mk.Gee, Orion Sun, boylife, Bruce Springsteen, Spotify’s Pollen playlist, Defeating genre
I never thought an album I’d been waiting for since the days of Abhi//Dijon, through the string of Dijon singles, and the multiple EPs, all the way up until this November could still blow my expectations out of the water. To put it simply, this album is special. For more, read Daniel White’s writeup in my outsourced edition of WIBLT!
APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD
That’s all for 2021. Hit a lot of growth and achievements with the blog this year that I’m proud of. As I did last year, going to take January off to rest, retool, and refocus to make 2022 even better for Death By Algorithm. As always, thank you for reading. Can’t wait to share more music with y’all next year 💜