2021 Favorite Albums

Apologies for not having a more thorough year-end list with commentary on the albums; real work, unfortunately, got in the way. With that said, here at least is a list of my favorite albums:

1. Pinkpantheress - to hell with it

2. Half Waif - Mythopoetics

3. Halsey - If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power

4. Dawn Richard - Second Line
5. Chvrches - Screen Violence

6. Dry Cleaning - New Long Leg

7. Turnstile - GLOW ON
8. SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE - ENTERTAINMENT, DEATH

9. Yves Tumor - The Asymptomatical World
10. Failure - Wild Type Droid

11. The KVB - Unity

12. Art School Girlfriend - Is It Light Where You Are?
13. Quicksand - Distant Populations

14. Floating Points & Pharoah Sanders - Promises

15. TRACES - 6HRS
16. Leon Vynehall - Rare, Forever

17. LoneLady - Former Things
18. DJ Seinfeld - Mirrors

19. When Saints Go Machine - Emotional
20. Sleigh Bells - Texis

21. RUFUS DU SOL - Surrender

22. ULTRAPOP - The Armed

23. Ethel Cain - Inbred
24. Elie & Fur - Found In The Wild

25. CHINAH - Feels Like Forever

26. Sad Night Dynamite - Sad Night Dynamite

27. Rochelle Jordan - Play With The Changes
28. Erika de Casier - Sensational

29. Gojira - Fortitude
30. Low - HEY WHAT

31. Men I Trust - Untourable Album

32. London Grammar - Californian Soil

33. Wolf Alice - Blue Weekend
34. The Notwist - Vertigo Days

35. Fred again.. - Actual Life (April 14 - December 17, 2020)

36. Lauren Auder - 5 Songs For The Dysphoric
37. The Weather Station - Ignorance

38. SG Lewis - times
39. Black Coffee - Subconsciously

40. Julien Baker - Little Oblivions 

41. Aparde - Alliance
42. Lil Nas X - MONTERO

43. Liars - The Apple Drop
44. Odd Beholder - Sunny Bay

45. Suzanne Kraft - About You

46. Small Black - Cheap Dreams
47. Low Island - If You Could Have It All Again
48. ISLAND - Yesterday Park
49. Porches - All Day Gentle Hold!
50. Arca - KicK ii, KicK iii, KicK iiii, KicK iiiii

FKA twigs ft. The Weeknd - "Tears In The Club"

FKA twigs teams up with The Weeknd for this sleek mid-tempo banger.

EKKSTACY - "delusions"

"delusions" by EKKSTACY is a dramatic, grunge-influenced track that reminds me of the best work of Yves Tumor.  

Orchid Mantis - "field of reeds"

Orchid Mantis (aka Thomas Howard) released its latest record visitations, which is an elegantly haunted collection of dream-pop tracks. "field of reeds" recalls, for me, the pastoral, ambient pop of English cult band Hood's final two records, Cold House and Outside Closer. 

Future Islands - "Thrill (COMPUTER DATA Remix)"

COMPUTER DATA takes Future Islands' stately ballad "Thrill" and adds a sleek beat along with hazy/trancey synths while folding and manipulating Samuel T. Herring's vocals into another musical element.  

Visible Cloaks - "Arcoíris"

Portland, Oregon electronic duo Visible Cloaks, aka Spencer Doran and Ryan Carlile, has created a hauntingly beautiful ambient work called "Arcoíris." 

St. Vincent - "Pay Your Way In Pain (IDLES Remix)"

St. Vincent hands over the reins to UK post-punk band IDLES for a remix of her single "Pay Your Way In Pain." IDLES provides thumping martial drums and an undercurrent of industrial menace. It's killer.  

EERA - "Ladder"

UK-born, Berlin-based musician EERA, aka Anna Lena Bruland, returns with her sophomore album Speak. The first single from it is the propulsive track "Ladder." Over a steady beat and driving bass line, Brulands ethereal vocals weave in and out of waves of 90s alt-rock guitars and subtle synths.

rosi - "Off The Tracks"

UK electronic duo rosi's new single "Off The Tracks" is a mesmerizing track with ethereal vocals, floating tendrils of acoustic guitar, and subtle electronics. It feels like a fresh update of trip-hop. 

Quicksand - "Phase 90"

Alt-metal legends Quicksand returns with their second post-reunion record, the super solid Distant Populations. One of the many highlights on the album is the wondrous "Phase 90" which is probably the greatest song ever written about losing one's place in a novel. The guitars are swirling and skyscraping and the vocal melodies are aching and beautiful.

No Rome - "ITS *NOT* LOV33 (Winter In London)"

No Rome, a.k.a. Filipino-born Guendoline Rome Viray Gomez, just released his debut record It's All Smiles on The 1975's Matty Healey's label Dirty Hit. You can feel Healey's influence throughout the record, but some of the best songs are when No Rome asserts his individuality, like on "ITS *NOT* LOV33 (Winter In London)," a dark, swirling trip-hop inspired track; his beautiful tenor wrapping itself around twisting beats, thunderous bass, and waves of synths.

The KVB - "World On Fire"

The KVB's new album Unity finally takes all their strengths and puts them together for a killer record of darkwave, dream pop, and shoegaze anthems. "World On Fire" feels like a lost collaboration between Jesus and Mary Chain and Voice of the Beehive. It's poppy and fun, with shimmering guitars and brisk electronic percussion and could easily be in a John Hughes movie. 

Oliver Heldens ft. Anabel Englund - "Deja Vu"

Oliver Heldens teams up with up-and-coming star Anabel Englund on this fantastic and fun dance track called "Deja Vu." It's a great Friday track to get you pumped for the weekend. 

FKA twigs ft. Central Cee - "Measure of a Man"

"Measure of a Man," from the upcoming film The King's Man is a cinematic track from FKA twigs and Central Cee. It luxuriates in languid trip-hop beats, lush strings, and her exquisite voice.

W.H. Lung - "Gd Tym"

British synthpop band W.H. Lung's sophomore record Vanities is full of killer earworm tracks. "Gd Tym" is no exception, being an irresistible banger. The video is a lot of fun as well, with a drag queen bringing joy and life to a listless town. 

Donna Missal - "(to me) your face is love"

Donna Missal teams up with in-demand producer Sega Bodega on this track that marries Missal's haunting voice with skittering drum program and heavy bass. 

Makthaverskan - "This Time"

Swedish band Makthaverskan's new record För Allting is a brilliant mix of post-punk, dream pop, and shoegaze. "This Time" is an electrifying guitar rave-up with a killer chorus. 

Araya - "Lost"

Brooklyn-based Thai-Chilean artist Araya has released a song for Spotify called "Lost." His lush vocals float over a shuffling two-step beat with an array of haunting synth lines crashing around him in waves. 

Boy Harsher - "Tower"

Boy Harsher announced the release of their second album which come out in January. It is the soundtrack for a short horror movie they made called The Runner. The first single is the opening track, the creepy, John Carpenter-esque song "Tower" which gets more and more ominous as it progresses. According to the band, the song is about how love can turn you into a monster.

Tasha - "Sorry's Not Enough"

 

Chicago singer-songwriter Tasha recently released her powerful sophomore record Tell Me What You Missed The Most. The second single "Sorry's Not Enough" is a stark track that slowly builds to a cathartic ending. According to Tasha, the song is about confronting your mistakes and learning to love yourself through hurt and doubt.” It's a gorgeous song that packs an emotional wallop. 

Nilüfer Yanya - "stabilize"

"stabilize" is the first single from Nilüfer Yanya's upcoming sophomore record called PAINLESS. It's a hyper pop track with nervous guitars and a twitchy beat. It's a killer introduction to the album and hopefully a harbinger of greatness to follow.

Failure - "Headstand"

Beloved cult alternative rock band Failure folded in 1997 but came back together in 2014. They have just announced a new album called Wild Type Droid. First single is the swirling, sludgy "Headstand" that is the perfect marriage of grunge and spacy psychedelia. A welcome return.

Le Youth - "Virgo"

LA-based producer Le Youth lets his progressive house flag fly on the driving track "Virgo." The track is highlighted by crisp drum programming, squiggly synths, and patches of vocal samples. 

Beach House - "Superstar"

Beach House returns with a new album called Once Twice Melody which will be released next year, however, leading up to the release they are releasing four songs at a time to build anticipation. Of the four that were released today, my favorite is the slow-burning track "Superstar." It builds slowly off a vaguely motorik beat and muted instrumentation, but over its six-minute runtime, it layers lots of different keyboards and textures. It is lovely. 

Arca - "Prada/Rakata"

Arca will return soon with the second volume of her Kick series, KICK ii. She has released the combo single "Prada/Rakata" which celebrates psychosexual versatility. The songs use Reggaeton percussion and rhythms as a base and filter it through Arca's experimental lens. Strangely, however, these songs are her most accessible. The video for the songs is a wild trip and NSFW. 

The Fixx - "Wake Up"

New Wave legends The Fixx returns with their first new music in over a decade. "Wake Up" is a call to arms in this day and age. The band sounds really fired up and the song is simultaneously moody and emboldening. It will feature on their upcoming album Every Five Seconds. 

Charli XCX ft. Christine and the Queens & Caroline Polachek - "New Shapes"

From Charli XCX's upcoming record Crash, "New Shapes" enlists Christine and the Queens and Caroline Polachek for this exploration of heartache. The song production is pure 80s nostalgia filtered through an avant-pop lens. It even seems to steal the drum track from Fine Young Cannibals'  "She Drive's Me Crazy."

Metronomy - "It's Good To Be Back"

Dance-rock collective Metronomy, led by Joe Mount, will return next year with a new album called Small World. The first single is the bouncy, synth-heavy track "It's Good To Be Bad." 

Beach Bunny - "Oxygen"

Chicago pop-punk band Beach Bunny is riding high on the wave of a string of killer singles. Current single "Oxygen" continues that trend. Produced with Fall Out Boy producer Sean O'Keefe, the single is a rush of guitars and an earworm chorus. It's a song about finally letting love in, and experiencing the highs. They are on a club tour at the moment, check them out if you can.

Eli & Fur - "Broken Parts"

London-based electronic duo Eli & Fur has an excellent debut album called Found In The Wild. One of the singles off the record, "Broken Parts," is a moody, deep house track that focuses on their haunting voices. 

Self Esteem - "I Do This All The Time"

Rebecca Taylor, a.k.a. Self Esteem, has released a wonderful new record called Prioritize Pleasure. "I Do This All The Time" is a track that goes back and forth between speak-singing and a killer chorus that shows Taylor's range. The song is about the conflicting emotions people go through after a breakup.

Kylie Minogue & Jessie Ware - "Kiss Of Life"

Kylie Minogue and Jessie Ware team up for this killer disco confection called "Kiss Of Life." It will appear on Kylie's upcoming Disco: Guest List Edition.  

Wet - "Only One"

New York City trio Wet returns with a new album called Letter Blue. "Only One" is a gorgeous track with a subtle drum and bass feel to it. The bass is rumbling and deep with soft pillows of synths laid over it and the skittering percussion. 

Leaving Laurel - "Winter In The Woods (Daniel Avery Remix)"

Leaving Laurel has released their self-titled debut album and has dedicated it to founding member Pierce Fulton, who passed away earlier this year after a long struggle with mental health issues. On the album, the closing track "Winter In The Woods" is a meditative, ambient piano piece that ends the record on a wistful note. Daniel Avery has taken that song as the basis for a moving techno update that gets more and more beautiful as it progresses. I have also included the original version for comparison.

Parquet Courts - "Marathon of Anger"

Parquet Courts return with their seventh album called Sympathy For Life. While the majority of the record is filled with garage rock rave-ups, the band uses several songs to stretch their experimental side. My favorite track is the slippery and slinky robo-funk of "Marathon of Anger." The band definitely heads into Talking Heads territory with deadpan vocals and haunting harmonies. 

RÜFÜS DU SOL - "On My Knees"

Australian band RÜFÜS DU SOL returns with their fourth album, the stunningly assured Surrender. "On My Knees" is a throbbing, pulsating slow burn of a track full of thumping drums and bass lines and a soul-bearing vocal.

HEALTH ft. Poppy - "DEAD FLOWERS"

HEALTH team up with dark-pop princess Poppy on the industrial-tinged single "DEAD FLOWERS," lending her ethereal vocals that then ramp up to a tortured scream. It's deliciously ominous and sinister. 

Hayden Thorpe - "Parallel Kingdom"

Hayden Thorpe, former frontman of British art-pop chameleons Wild Beasts, has just released his second album Moondust For My Diamond, the follow-up to his wonderful debut solo album, the critically acclaimed Diviner.  Second single "Parallel Kingdom" is a sensual, pulsating track with muted drum programming, twinkling synths, atmospheric guitar, and, of course, Thorpe's angelic vocals.

Duran Duran ft. Tove Lo - "GIVE IT ALL UP"

From their 15th album FUTURE PAST which comes out Friday, "GIVE IT ALL UP" is a fantastic collaboration with Tove Lo. The electropop track slowly builds to a killer chorus and ends in a swirling storm of disco strings. Based on the singles already released, it looks like this is going to be one of Duran Duran's best records.

BAYNK ft. Cub Sport - "Mine"

New Zealand-based producer BAYNK teams up with Club Sport for this emotive piece of electronic pop. The vocals are gorgeous.

1tbsp - "In Europe, Kinda Sad"

Deep house track from 1tbsp (aka Maxwell Byrne aka Golden Vessel) that starts deceptively simple but slowly adds elements into a masterly mix of tones and textures. There is also a wistful, melancholy that is always lurking in the background.  

Smile ft. Robyn - "Call My Name"

Smile, the duo of Joakim Åhlund and Peter Bjorn and John’s Björn Yttling, has a new album Phantom Island coming out next month. They enlisted Robyn to sing on the bouncy track "Call My Name." It's delightful.

CXLOE - "Close"

 

Sydney, Australia singer/songwriter CXLOE just released her new single, the dark and brooding synthpop track "Close." Her vocals go from a whisper to a growl over a bed of pounding drums and throbbing synths.

Peter Talisman - "We Have To Leave This Town Because I Have Done Something Unforgiveable"

Peter Talisman, the duo of Samuel Organ and Slugabed, is a peek into the duo's upcoming debut album. This stark instrumental sounds like a western soundtrack done by Radiohead.  

Porches - "Back3School"

Porches returns with a great new record called All Day Gentle Hold!. "Back3School" is a propulsive synthpop track with driving drums and an impassioned vocal from Aaron Maine. 

James Blake - "Coming Back (ft. SZA)"

From James Blake's exquisite fifth album Friends That Break Your Heart is the lovely duet with SZA called "Coming Back." It's a delicate track about trying to restart a relationship that ended poorly. 

Metronomy ft. Biig Piig - "405"

 Metronomy has just surprise-released a new collaborative EP called Posse. I really like this sleek synthpop track with singer Biig Piig.

Wet Leg - "Wet Dream"

British duo Wet Leg get cheeky on their new single "Wet Dream" which is a breakup song about an ex that won't stop texting. It's a wiry, post Brit-pop confection that has a punchy Elastica vibe. This is a band to look out for.

COLLAR - "TRIPPING OVER MYSELF"

Brisbane, Australia duo electronic duo COLLAR return with a new EP titled HARD TIME TO TAKE IT. First single is the brooding, atmospheric track "TRIPPING OVER MYSELF."

Men I Trust - "Ante Meridiem"

Dreamy track from Men I Trust's record Untourable Album that floats over trip hop beats, acoustic guitars, pillowy synths, and Fairlight-esque synth stabs. It's gorgeous, as is the entire record; perfect for Sunday mornings or rainy days.