Favorite Music of 2021

[ken]

Hi All,
What are your top songs, albums, etc. from 2021?

I bought a lot of albums on vinyl this year, but I think the one I listened to the most is Obviously by Lake Street Dive. I just keep going back to this album. What about you?

Ken

[Sober]

ooooooooops

[Sober]

Mostly these two:







Colter Wall, Tyler Childers, and Billy Strings. Billy is the latest addition to the rotation, and I'm really enjoying the dive into deep bluegrass psychedelia. This is the future of good country music.

According to my Spotify Wrapped, Shovels and Rope is my #2, in case anyone thought I only listened to dudes

[MicahSommer]

I was recently introduced to "Thumbs" by Lucy Dacus - a song in which she recounts accompanying a friend to meet up with the friend's estranged father. It's a simple but heavy and even shocking song. I don't remember the last song I'd heard that made as strong an immediate impression on me.

[vowlvom]

As it happens, Lucy Dacus' album "Home Video" was easily my favourite of 2021, I listened to it several times a day for a little while there (why yes, I was having a pretty rough time, thanks for asking). It's heavy stuff (albeit not all as heavy as Thumbs) but incredible songwriting. And I've listened to her previous album "Historian" almost as much after exploring her discography in reverse.

My other favourite is "Let Me Do One More" by Illuminati Hotties, which is a lighter listening experience although still with a good emotional heft to it (especially on "The Sway" which is a truly gorgeous song). Sarah from IH is my favourite songwriter and producer at the moment, she's had a hand in a bunch of other great records recently including this year's Pom Pom Squad album which is excellent punk / riot grrrl kinda stuff.

The other one I've listened to nearly as much as those two is "Gami Gang" by Origami Angel, which is catchy pop-punk / emo with big choruses and power chords, but also a bit more messing with genre than most punk stuff - there's a song with bossa nova influences and the opening track has a trap beat!

[crumpart]

I was recently introduced to "Thumbs" by Lucy Dacus - a song in which she recounts accompanying a friend to meet up with the friend's estranged father. It's a simple but heavy and even shocking song. I don't remember the last song I'd heard that made as strong an immediate impression on me.

Have you heard the Song Exploder episode about this one?

If anyone hasn’t, it’s at https://songexploder.net/lucy-dacus

[neutronflow]

I really liked these albums:

Merlyn Belle by Tele Novella
Favorite track: "Paper Crown"


Aquatic Flowers by Tristen
Favorite track: "Athena"


Henki by Richard Dawson & Circle
Favorite track: "Lily"


Cool by Colleen Green
Favorite track: "Highway"

[fluffy]

Artificial Intelligence by Tom Cardy

[ken]

I also listened to Aaron Lee Tasjan's Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan! a lot last year.

[sleepysilverdoor]

To be honest I spent a lot of 2021 listening to older stuff...had to think a while to find examples that actually came out in 2021 and not like late 2020. Trying to keep the genres diverse too.

Lil Ugly Mane - Volcanic Bird Enemy and the Voiced Concern

Sevish - Formless Shadows

Abominable Putridity - Parasitic Metamorphosis Manifestation

[Paco Del Stinko]

April March - In Cinerama

Shannon and the Clams - Year of the Spider

Squid - Bright Green Fields (OK, listening this year, but came out last year. Fave record in a long time!)