Top 25 Albums of 2021

In mid-December, I stumbled upon an album that blew me away. One of those mesmerizing albums to listen over and over. I won’t forget where I was listening to this, when, and it’s impact on me. The band is Turnstile. The album is their third, GLOW ON.

Turnstile isn’t a rock band, they’re not hardcore, they’re not 90s grunge, they’re not punk, they’re not screamo. They’re an amalgamation of the best of all of these genres being played at the perfect times during songs. It’s raw and unique, influenced by previous generations, yet no one has made music like this.

Each band member’s instrument stands out on so many tracks. And the sounds, lyrics, and emotion explain the rest.

This is an album for you to experience. It’s for the opener, “MYSTERY” to blast off your speaker doors. It’s for the cowbell to break down on “BLACKOUT” and the piano to explain on “DON’T PLAY.” It’s a relaxing state of calm on “ALIEN LOVE CALL” amidst the surrounding chaos, culminated in the massive mosh pit that is “T.L.C.”

And only after the album ends to you fully exhale…

As for the other 24 albums, Isaiah Rashad’s The House Is Burning, his third album, continues to astound me. His music is on his terms. There are songs that people unfamiliar with Rashad would scoff at because it doesn’t sound like it’s supposed to, but those are the true artists you have to pay attention to. The more time you spend with all of Isaiah Rashad’s three albums, the more you’ll fall in love.

Speaking of falling in love, Faye Webster is a gem. Her low-key, maximum chill albums are meant for sunsets with your feet up. Her music is epitome of “state of mind” music where it just relaxes me. She’s not catchy, no songs get stuck in my head, but I’m always coming back.

Vince Staples self-titled album comes in at #4. It’s my favorite album he’s released in a discography with great quality control. Like Rashad, Staples is underrated (though not nearly as ignored by critics as Rashad) because of his lack of “hits” and “star power,” yet that’s his exact strength. He is who he is. He makes the music to express himself, nothing more, nothing less.

Staples’ 2021 album is melancholy and trauma. On first rep, the album sounds chill, but digging deeper it’s haunting. Staples is lonely and in a dark place. He can’t escape (mentally or physically) his hometown of Longbeach, CA, where his traumatic past of murder, gangs, guns, and survival still ring inside his head today.

As always, the artist says it the best:

Fuck a friend, I don't want no friends with no open hands (Fuck 'em)
Count my bands, all alone at home, don't you call my phone (Fuck 'em)
Everyone that I've ever known asked me for a loan
- “Law of Averages”

When I see my fans, I'm too paranoid to shake they hands
Clutching on the blam, don't know if you foe or if you fam
I don't got a plan, I'm just out here thugging 'til the end…
I am tired, tired, over again.
- “Sundown Town”

Don’t get murdered, lil’ niggas out here with no purpose…
It's not what you think
I could be gone in a blink
I don't wanna leave
Yeah, it's not what you thought
We dying broke or live with broken hearts
- “The Shining”

Verse 1
I don't wanna die, but I will for the cause…
I don't wanna rebound, I just wanna sleep sound
Don't wanna dream 'bout the shit I done did
You know these trips come with baggage, been all 'cross this atlas
But keep coming back to this place 'cause they trapped us
I preach what I practice, these streets all I know
And there's no place like home

Verse 2 (The BEST verse on the whole album!)
Yeah, I'm on PCH, going south, blower on the seat
With the windows down, music loud, let 'em hear the beat
When it's quiet out, I hear the sound of those who rest in peace
Tryna drown the violence out, but let 'em say that they want beef
And we riding out, finding out where them niggas be
If they hanging out, lay 'em out, airing out the street
Then it's out the way, out-of-state, please don't tell on me
Don't need no more felonies, all these broken memories
I be solo dolo, never know who working with police
When I hit the set, it's loaded; I don't know who envy me
I'm the only one who made it out—you remember me?
Is you a frenemy? You plan on killing me? No?

Finally, my #5 Album of 2021 is a veteran, one that was my #16 (criminally underrate by me!) Album in 2017 and #2 Album in 2014, The War on Drugs. It’s a great album yet only their third best album. Check it out.

And some quick hits on the other 20:

• The Deafheaven album is a must-listen if you enjoyed “Great Mass of Color”

• The Floating Points album is the only instrumental album this year. Great study music.

• CHVRCHES continues to put good music out.

• Black Country, New Road is for a very specific crowd, but it was one of the most unique albums I heard this year.

• Arlo Parks has been hailed by every critic for this album, rightly so. It’s worth checking out.

• Lute is a rapper who tells it like it is and sounds like he means it. I loved this album, and there are so many great features (like JID, Little Brother, Saba, and Cozz) on it.

• Big Red Machine is a super duo (Justin Vernon and The National’s Aaron Dessener) who got a ridiculous amount of performers (Taylor Swift, Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes, and Sharon Van Etten), and the album is very mellow. A great weekend play.

• Benny the Butcher is one of my favorite new rappers out there. He’s “drug rap” which isn’t everyone’s thing, but the man played the game to get to this point and tells the tales.

• Parquet Courts keeps making their unique blend of rock sound compelling.

• Little Simz should probably be higher, she’s a phenomenal MC, lyricist, and storyteller. This album was on all the big publications’ year end lists.

• Speaking of artists on big publications lists, Tyler, the Creator’s album this year was rated as the best album or in the top five by a number of the most noteworthy publications. I did not feel their love of the album nearly as much, but the album is great from front to back, and no one sounds like Tyler.

• Last one I’ll mention is Doja Cat. I seem to have one album on the pop spectrum every year (last year, it was Dua Lipa), and this album is ridiculous entertaining, upbeat, and enjoyable. She’s a great performer and rapper. I listened to this album all the way through and was wowed.

That’s it for the year of 2021! Thank goodness. But at least we had music. Here’s to 2022!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 198

The War on Drugs released a new album, one I have not been able to ingest enough, but i did include one track that caught my attention. More to come.

Mac Miller’s 2014 mixtape Faces just got released on vinyl and streaming services, and it’s the one mixtape of his I had never heard! There are many, many references to drugs. Many. And it is obviously taking place in the middle of the blurry road he was on to his tragic overdoes only four years later. “Should have died already…” is Miller’s first line on the mixtape.

Listening to Faces, an album he mostly produced himself, it’s wild he was only 22 years old. His rapping and lyrics were really crafty and clever, and his production showed so many signs of the brilliance he could create. You may notice the sample in this week’s track, “Diablo,” a straight lift from “In a Sentimental Mood” by Coltrane and Ellington.

Although he took the back seat to producing his next few albums (while still writing every song), his final and posthumous album, Circles, was produced by him and super producer, Jon Brion. Faces is worth a deep dive for any Miller fan, and I’ll be adding my favorite tracks over the next few weeks.

Spotify led me to Yeek or Verzache, and I’m digging their sound!

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 188

My apologies, it’s been over month since I’ve posted! Eons in the world of the blogosphere, so I am glad you’ve come back to take a peek into some new music to whet your whistle.

Before we start with the new, let’s prance in the past with a really fantastic ballad by Post Malone from his sophomore album. Despite his overall ridculousness from the face tattoos to the album names, Malone is a seriously talented pop star. “Stay” is a beautiful track, and that’s not something you’d expect to hear about a Post Malone track from an album called beerbongs and bentleys.

This topic of beautiful songs seems to be the theme on this week’s mixtape. Cautious Clay, a solo act with pipes and soul, showcases his depth, and new artist, Joy Oladukun, has to give some of you older folk Tracy Chapman vibes.

Billie Eiiish brings her brand of beauty, a slowly haunting, whisper of a track that builds and builds until it falls off a cliff, as we fall back to the start.

Faye Webster is a gem. She’s a mix between Natalie Prass and Kacey Musgraves with the rhythms of hip-hop.

And then there’s Sault. I’m not sure what to say of Sault other than they are very different and making some great music that the world is starting to wake up to. Keep your eyes on this band.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 178

Welcome to this week’s mixtape! I shouldn’t even be using an exclamation point because this mixtape is so chill and subdued.

Ichiko Aoba reminds me of Seu Jorge (who got famous by performing David Bowie tracks with his beautiful voice and classical guitar for Wes Anderson’s movie, The Life Aqautic). Her voice is so delicate, pure, and relaxing. The fact that she’s singing in another language makes it that much better to get lost in. The same can be said for the following track by the incomparable, Jose Gonzalez.

Hayley Williams of Paramore released a solo album a few weeks ago on the heels of her great 2020 solo album. This album, Flowers for Vases / descansos, sounds like a nod to Taylor Swift’s stripped-down phenomenal album, folklore. I love the album because Williams has a beautiful voice, and she’s a hell of songwriter. Mainly just her and her guitar, the album has so much room to breathe and relax in, and it sounds like Williams is in a place comfortable enough to air out all her troubles.

I accidentally came upon Juniper because I was looking for Junip, Jose Gonzalez’s band of yore, who have a instrumental featured on this mixtape. Fortunately, Juniper sound great and remind me a ton of a favorite newer band of mine and frequent contributor to this blog, Hippo Campus.

Ending the mixtape with my favorite type of instrumental, one layered in sustain from a piano. Keep calm and carry on.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 167

Don’t have a lot to say on this Monday, but this is a great playlist to smoothly transition into the start of the week. Let’s work on stopping the fear mongering that the media and politics and WHAT FEELS LIKE EVERYTHING AROUND US is spewing. People can’t take away your positivity or hopefulness.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 157

It’s Monday, and it’s music time.

Beach Bunny’s debut album gets better and better. There’s something raw but refreshing with this rock band.

Speaking of raw rock, Car Seat Headrest just released their new album, and it’s a hard left their standard fare, a bit less rock, a bit more electronic-y.

Perfume Genius has gotten a lot of press for quite some time, and I’ve usually enjoyed a few tracks from each of his albums. His latest album, the subtle titled, “Set My Heart on Fire Immediately,” is getting good reviews, but I haven’t sunk my teeth in yet.

One of the more underrated rappers of our day, Isaiah Rashad, a man who has been on the mixtape many times, finally released a new single! Hopefully, this means he’s got a record coming out, but who knows with him. The throwback sound of “Why Worry" juxtaposes with his flow and creates a song that very few in the rap world could make.

If you haven’t heard Beyonce rap on Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” remix, do yourself a solid and give it a close listen. What a track.

I loved Faye Webster’s debut album from last year, the mellow but terribly and nonsensically titled, “Atlanta Millionaires Club.” The track on this week’s mixtape is more the same mellowness.

You probably didn’t know, but The Strokes released another album. Their first one in six years though it really doesn’t feel that long. I guess they still need dem checks. The album is decent and there’s some tracks I enjoy, but the songwriting feels tired, like “Ugh, I gotta write ANOTHER Strokes song, fine…” and out comes a number of songs that make this album. That sounds terrible, but let‘s remember, The Strokes can write amazing songs, but now it’s more or less recycled great songs. Take it or leave it.

Happy Monday all. Stay safe.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 137

Starting the mixtape with a new troubadour by the name of Alfie Templeton. He’s giving me some vibes of a more pop oriented Mac Demarco. His track “Stop Thinking (About Me)” show his pop chops while “Tragic Love” has that total Mac Demarco chilled out vibe.

ALPINE. These guys & gals are VERY underrated. A Is For Alpine is a really great debut album (from 2013) and no one sounds like them. They just released a new track that is as catchy as their best stuff and a hint of what’s to come on their new album. Check them out, go deep!

Speaking of underrated, Spoon is one of those somewhat unsung heroes of rock n’ roll. They’ve kept the torch alive for all the new bands to take rock forward, and they’re one of the most consistent bands in all of music.

Whitney’s debut album was really good. I can see how they’re divisive since the lead singer’s voice, is, um, a bit high, a bit weird, a bit whiny, and maybe VERY annoying to some, but it works for me, and they’ve developed a pretty big following. I compare them a bit - at least via the relaxed vibe - to Real Estate, though I’ll take Real Estate over them any day of the week.

Omar Apollo sounds like a mix between Gary Clark Jr. and Leon Bridges. Need I say more?

Faye Webster. If you didn’t read my earlier stuff, her album this year is easily one of my favorites, it might still be sitting at #1 today. SO LISTEN.

AND HAVE A GOOD WEEK.

Monday Mixtape, Vol. 133

We’re stating the mixtape with a track from a rapper, Denzel Curry, whose new album, ZUU, is a contender for rap album of the year, and one of my favorite albums I’ve listened to all year. The production is unique, raw, and Denzel Curry brings a heavyweight punch to certain tracks while displaying his verbal dexterity on others. If you dig the songs on here, check the album out.

Speaking of favorite albums of the year, I have another album, a COMPLETE 180 from Denzel Curry, the mellow and delicate Faye Webster. She instantly reminded me of Natalie Prass with a touch of country (thanks to that slide-guitar featured throughout), and my wife thought she sounded like a chill Gwen Stefani, which I thought was an apt comparison.

Webster’s Atlanta Millionaires Club (Yeah, I’m not sure about the album name OR THE ALBUM COVER…) is a true album, it flows completely from the front to the back, recounting a romance with “Jonny” that didn’t work out. Love it.

Palace continue to release great singles,  and I’m hoping a new album is in the mix. Clairo is a new pop artist, whenyoung reminds me of the music woman-child of Best Coast and Florence & The Machine, and finally, Bon Iver released a new track, which sounds like a combination of all three of his albums. It’s got electronics (22, A Million), a catchy chorus (For Emma, Forever Ago), and a subdued rhythm (Bon Iver). I’m digging it.

Have a great week!