tay's 21 favorite albums of 2021
here's what stayed on repeat! ~my year-end playlist pt. 2 + videos~
if you’ve been following along this journey, you may have already seen a lot of these favorites coming. admittedly, i have more to say about some of the following albums than others, so the videos i’ve selected for each release will explain a lot about why i’ve ranked these albums highly this year.
i know there will be a lot of things i missed — for instance, i’m just now getting around to The Marías’ full-length record Cinema. i loved a couple of the singles early on so i can’t really tell you how or why it took me this long to listen in depth. just know that i realize i have been missing out. ditto with Little Simz’s latest album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert; with this one, i was a little off-put by the length but after i gave it a play through last week, i now understand the critical acclaim.
there were also plenty of releases from longtime faves that didn’t make this list because they just didn’t inspire mass replays or new reflections, even if the overall project was a solid body of work. according to last.fm^, i listened to over 4,800 different albums this year — here are my 21 favorites released in 2021, from 21-1.
^read this as my unofficial petition for the automated year-end playlists on streaming apps to separate out releases from the given year alone for music nerds like me
* denotes standout tracks throughout the list
Juno by Remi Wolf
*“Quiet on Set,” “Sexy Villian,” “Photo ID feat. Dominic Fike,” “wyd”
what captivated me most about this debut by Remi Wolf was the visuals. there’s a colorful, psychedelic video for just about every song on this album and on first glance, the artist is a natural successor to the 1990s aesthetics of Deee-Lite and Nickelodeon combined. as far as the music goes, Wolf’s sound is an explosion of diverse inspirations: listening to Juno is like taking an unexpected funk-electronic ride into a majestic sonic universe.
The Turning Wheel by SPELLLING
*“Boys at School,” “The Turning Wheel,” “Magic Act,” “Revolution”
i’ve previously mused about stumbling upon SPELLLING’s music — and it was just in time to become a fan before this album’s release. The Turning Wheel is spiritual balm in album form: it’s fittingly mystical and medicinal and very on brand for the Oakland musician.
to hell with it by PinkPantheress
*“I must apologise,” “Pain,” “All my friends know”
originally shrouded in air of virtual mystery, PinkPantheress rose to viral prominence on TikTok with her all-too-brief tracks that effortlessly combine drum and bass, pop, garage, R&B, and a touch of that Y2K/ aughties techno sound. to hell with it was released following the singer’s identity reveal and at just around 18 minutes, the project still might be too short in length for heavy listeners. on a larger scale, i think this mixtape is ushering in an era of music that hits a certain sweet spot between length and listener demand.
MAN MADE by Greentea Peng
*“Nah It Ain’t the Same,” “Meditation,” “Party Hard Interlude,” “Be Careful,” “Dingaling”
Greentea Peng opens MAN MADE directly addressing “the collective” and how this record is not for the culture — making a distinction between the mainstream denizens and the nonconformists that would possibly engage with this sound. clocking in at just an hour (and one minute), the album plays out like a free-form jam session spurred by a hazy experience, but it’s ornately composed and heavily informed by the reality of the human condition. with repeated listens (and perhaps while engaging with plant medicine), MAN MADE has the potential to elevate the vibration and frequency of the collective as we navigate our daily routines.
Sound Ancestors by Madlib
*“Road of the Lonely Ones,” “Loose Goose,” “The Call”
this is essentially a Madlib album curated through the lens and ears of fellow mega-producer Four Tet (Kieran Hebden). with Hebden’s executive production, we get a 41-minute peek into the historic archive of a prolific hip-hop icon that spans various decades, genres, and sentiments about life.
BOY ANONYMOUS by Paris Texas
*“Situations,” “Area Code,” “Force of Habit”
there’s what people *think* emo rap-rock is and then there’s Paris Texas, whose angsty sound perfectly occupies this converging space of genres and influence. i discovered this Los Angeles duo while listening to an auto-generated station based on the rap collective AG Club and i’m just so grateful to consistently encounter Black musicians “defying the odds” of what’s expected based on skin color. the phrase is in quotes because most modern music has roots in Black creation, but we been knew this. with BOY ANONYMOUS, Paris Texas proves that they are rightful heirs to this musical lineage.
Tako Tsubo by L’Imperatrice
*“Anomalie Bleue,” “Submarine,” “Fou,” “Peur Des Filles,” “Off to the Side,” “Voodoo?”
the title of L’Imperatrice’s sophomore album refers to Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a.k.a broken heart syndrome. the bilingual disco record is deliberately comprised of the many mood swings that accompany heartbreak — characterized here on wax by sweltering harmonies, groovy synths & 808s, and unexpected lyrical revelations. there’s also something kinda vengeful and sinister in Tako Tsubo’s overall breakup narrative as shown by the following video. it may be time for me to brush back up on French so i can better understand what’s being said here, but just know that i deeply *feel* it. luckily, the video has English translations so you get the gist of the sentiment implied.
Call Me If You Get Lost by Tyler, the Creator
*“SWEET/I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE,” “MASSA,” “CORSO,” “LUMBERJACK,” “WUSYANAME”
since emerging onto the music scene in late aughties, Tyler, the Creator has always managed to translate his music into visual feasts and elaborate user experiences. i didn’t expect anything less with Call Me If You Get Lost, especially following the rampant success of Igor. this album was really just a testament to the artist’s growth as a human first and musician second. but more than that, it was an opportunity for Tyler to flex the fruits of his labor and prove his detractors wrong.
Daddy’s Home by St. Vincent
*“Pay Your Way in Pain,” “The Melting of the Sun,” “Down”
Daddy’ Home is a solid retro-rock album from dear Annie Clark aka St. Vincent. this is a record that i definitely could have shown some more love this year but i bought it on vinyl in a deluxe set, which is its own intimate experience. one thing i love about Clark (among many) is that she is truly a performance artist; when she commits to a persona, aesthetic, genre, era, etc., she stays in character and consistently delivers throughout an album’s press run.
Gumbo'! by Pink Siifu
*“BACK'!,” “Scurrrrd,” “Gumbo'! 4 tha Folks, Hold On,” “SMILE (with yo Gold)”
one thing you can count on in recent years is that the virtuosic producer, singer, and rapper Pink Siifu will release multiple projects in a calendar year and make standout features across genres. 2021 was no different. after appearing on The Avalanches’ late 2020 album We Will Always Love You, then teaming up with Fly Anakin and releasing deluxe versions of prior releases early in 2021, the Alabama musician linked up with quite a few influential folks to make a soulful record that references jazz, R&B, neo-soul, hip-hop, and ambient so effortlessly.
Collapsed in Sunbeams by Arlo Parks
*“Portra 400,” “Bluish,” “Too Good,” “Green Eyes,” “Black Dog”
when i first heard Arlo Parks’ music in 2020, i knew that this was an artist who had all of the makings to release a stellar debut. my prediction proved true when Collapsed in Sunbeams came out back in January. Parks performs with a lilt that warms you up then melts you down as she sings of heartbreak, admiration, and mental health. her songwriting is so poetic and she’s a natural storyteller. the overall sound has an element of folk à la Tracy Chapman, yet it’s also glittery and soulful in the vein of contemporaries like Nao and Lianne La Havas.
An Evening with Silk Sonic by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak as Silk Sonic
*“Leave the Door Open,” “Smokin Out the Window,” “777”
i’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak are undeniably musical soulmates. though this album proves itself to be a welcome comeback for Mars, what i actually want to bring attention to is the ways that .Paak effortlessly shapeshifts through eras of influences in his own musical journey. it became much more evident to me with this collab.
remember NxWorries? how could one ever forget this marvel of production? a dream team if i’ve ever encountered one. well anyway, .Paak sonically veered a little 1980s on the 2016 album Yes Lawd! with the assist of ultra-producer Knxwledge. and on An Evening with Silk Sonic, Mars and .Paak went super ‘70s with their sound and aesthetic. is it safe to say that .Paak’s next collaborative project will have some major ‘60s influence? we already got a hint of that on his record Ventura, with Smokey Robinson appearing on the single “Make It Better,” so only time will tell. returning to the album at hand, i definitely played the “Smokin Out the Window” video all the way out and i likely account for a hefty amount of the video’s views. i just love the harmonies, the synchronized dancing, and .Paak’s comedic timing.
Play With The Changes by Rochelle Jordan
*“Love You Good,” “Next 2 You,” “All Along,” “Dancing Elephants,” “Got Em, “Already”
Rochelle Jordan’s first album in seven years opens with a banger titled “Love You Good” and proceeds to give you hit after hit to dance to throughout the 46 minute run. i hadn’t realized how much of a void there had been without new music from the Toronto singer until this album was gifted to us. what entices me is how smooth her vocals are and the way she can effortlessly switch up on the beat, such as rapping seductively on tracks like “Already.” it’s amazing when an artist can return to their craft and delight fans with such a consistent vibe that matches that of earlier years, as if they’d never stepped away.
The House is Burning by Isaiah Rashad
*“Lay Wit Ya,” “Wat U Sed,” “Headshots (4r Da Locals),” “All Herb,” “HB2U”
if “Smokin Out The Window” went double platinum in my living room, then the video for “Lay Wit Ya” definitely went triple platinum on my YouTube account. with that said, every video for this album correlates to the next and it’s a treat to engage with the trippy aesthetics of them all.
i haven’t seen The House is Burning get as much mainstream praise as i thought it would considering the anticipation that preceded it. truthfully, i think Rashad’s album was more authentic and telling of a certain regional Black experience than some casual hip-hop listeners were willing to engage with — which is probably what i liked most about it. it’s music strictly for the [redacted] (IYKYK). there was just something in the rhythms that felt native to me and the wealth of storytelling throughout generated a charming listening experience.
Fuck Your Expectations Pt. 1 and 2 by AG Club
*“NOHO,” “A Bitch Curious,” “Truth,” “Queso,” “Columbia,” “Memphis Pt. 2 feat. NLE Choppa & A$AP Ferg”
finding out about AG Club on a random musical whim was probably one of my favorite things about 2021. every video of theirs is highly cinematic as evidenced by their name, a play on the requisite extracurricular activity for film and video production buffs known as AV Club. the collective released two EPs this year and the music is quite rambunctious and invigorating. it’s this type of sound that makes me want to experience live music again with urgency.
LP! (offline) by JPEGMAFIA (see also EP2!)
*“Bald!,” “Trust!,” “Thot’s Prayer,” “What Kinda Rappin Is This?,” “Hazard Duty Pay,” “God Don’t Like Ugly,” “Rebound”
simply put, this album has it all — across LP!’s run, there’s undeniable influences and samples of metal, electronic, gospel, R&B, pop, and hip-hop. due to sample clearing, there’s two separate versions of this record and about 6 minutes of music different between them. admittedly the offline cut of LP! (found on YouTube, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp) is much more dynamic in terms of general listening pleasure.
i’ve been told the offline version is more akin to Peggy’s live shows, which makes a lot of sense considering the pacing and DIY quality. still, the online version has its own charm and bombastic sound that welcomes many repeats. i also recommend you check out this sweet interview that Nardwuar recently did with the iconoclastic musician which explains some of the frameworks present on LP!
Skin by Joy Crookes
*“Wild Jasmine,” “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now,” “When You Were Mine”
Skin is a formidable debut album by the London singer Joy Crookes. her voice has that kinda honey-glazed rasp that heightens the experience of listening to modern soul music. of course, i got stuck on one track on first listen (“Wild Jasmine”) and proceeded to have it on repeat for the next couple of months, but the rest of the album is solid. it’s a great coming-of-age record with tales of love, identity, and reclaiming personal power.
Gold-Diggers Sound by Leon Bridges
*“Magnolias,” “Steam,” “Motorbike,” “Sweeter”
throughout Gold-Diggers Sound, Leon Bridges stays pretty true to form with his requisite retro-soul sound and sensual narratives. however, the Texas singer also brings an element of magic on this third studio album that only appears once someone has truly hit their stride. between his first three albums and the success of his ongoing collaboration with psych-rock trio Khruangbin, Bridges consistently provides listeners what they’ve come to expect from him. but with every new release, he also elevates the idea of what returning fans truly deserve.
3Rr0r by Rowena Fysx
*really all since it’s an EP, but in order of plays: “Onion,” “Idfk,” “Zion,” “3Rr0r,” “Rollin”
this was one of those astounding late night discoveries that makes you remember what it’s like to fall in love with music for the first time. personally, there’s just not enough global plays for this hauntingly beautiful EP. the phrasing and posturing in Fysx’s musical delivery is reminiscent of an old school jazz sound that was expertly achieved through modern production.
Coco by Coco
*“Knots,” “Empty Beach,” “One Time Villian,” “Come Along,” “Anybody’s Guess”
the self-titled debut by supergroup Coco has a lush, orchestral sound that’s been simultaneously grounded with the essence of bedroom pop. it’s an album that makes you want to lazily retreat to the mountainside, playfully run along the beach, and fall both in and out of love — all while traversing the waves of emotion present in the band’s overall sound. when i first heard the single “Empty Beach,” it was everything i’ve ever desired about songs that should play in the end credits of dramatic films. the following track “Knots” is similarly stirring and heartbreaking with each new listen.
Absolutely by Dijon
*“Talk Down,” “Many Times,” “Rodeo Clown,” “The Dress”
a few months back, i wrote about my anticipation for new music by Dijon in my first “watch this space” post. when the experimental artist’s debut album Absolutely arrived this past November, i was not disappointed at all by the release. it’s evident of a musician who has taken his diverse influences of folk, rap, R&B, and beyond to blend a unique vibrant sound authentic to his own experience.
honestly, i was most surprised by how this album that came out in the last quarter topped all of my plays from the rest of the whole year — i’d already had the single “Many Times” on repeat prior to the album’s release, then i racked up quite a few plays of the Baltimore club-inspired track “Talk Down” pretty quickly. Dijon recently shared a live video of the album, which met and exceeded my expectations for the project’s overall rollout. i’m also delighted that the singer found a kindred collaborator in musician Michael Gordon, professionally known as Mk. gee. the artistic chemistry between the pair is evident in both the live version and across the entirety of Absolutely.
a handwritten copy of the list, from 1-21 tl;dr — check out the 2021 playlist here :)
