Best Music of 2021

Thanks for doing all this work...I haven't had much time to listen to anything new this year and having this resource is really saving me time...
Plus, I think one of your suggestions may have gotten me to impress someone...who may or may not have agreed to a date;)


I owe you something...message me!

Well, I'm flattered 😊 Hope something in my list strikes your fancy.
I will DM you later tonight.
 
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So first quarter of the year is done. These are my Turbo-Approved albums so far. There are 10 albums, in no specific order.
Also, this is far from exhaustive as I'll become aware of more music as the year continues.

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Happy to see 4 of my top 6 on your list!
(Arlo Parks, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Dominique Fils-Aimé and Celeste)
 
Not gonna Lie, Q1 2021 was, for me, Meh.

There were some good releases but very little that really blew my doors off.
I dont expect most of these to stay on this list throughout the rest of the year as the cutoff was March 31.
Especially since we got GYBE in April and we've got Black Midi, Gojira and Dino Jr. on the horizon.

Here's the Top 10 LPs and individual standouts in my book.

Best EP (Tie): Beach Bunny- "Blame Game"; Snacking - "Painted Gold"

Best Single: Bass Drum of Death/Eve 6 Collab - "you were right"

Best Live Release: Neil Young - "Young Shakespeare"

Best Reissue: The Black Crowes - "Shake Your Money Maker 30th Anniversary"

Top 10 LPs:
1. Ryan Adams - Wednesdays
2. Gatecreeper - An Unexpected Reality
3. Julien Baker - Little Oblivions
4. Chevelle - NIRATIAS
5. Shame - Drunk Tank Pink
6. Middle Kids - Today We're the Greatest
7. BAEST - Necro Sapiens
8. Steve Earle - J.T.
9. Viagra Boys - Welfare Jazz
10. Hold Steady - Open Door Policy
 
This year has been really lacking so far with new releases IMO. There hasn't been anything that I've liked a lot so far enough to make a top list. By this time last year I had at least 5 or 6 extremely solid releases that ended up being on my year end favorites. Those albums from this time last year were planned and released pre-pandemic. I wonder if the pandemic is causing delays with some bands/artists not wanting to do anything until much later in the year or next year.

I am also super excited about hearing new music from these artists sometime this year

  • Japanese Breakfast
  • Thyla
  • Cold Cave
  • Teenage Fanclub
  • Weyes Blood
  • Sufjan Stevens
  • Dinosaur Jr.
  • St. Vincent
  • Lucy Dacus
 
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So first quarter of the year is done. These are my Turbo-Approved albums so far. There are 10 albums, in no specific order.
Also, this is far from exhaustive as I'll become aware of more music as the year continues.

View attachment 94476
I really need to check out Dominique's new album. I'm glad to see that it's a good one.

The Weather Station's album is one of my favorites for this year thus far. I can't wait for the new Jungle album.
 
I really need to check out Dominique's new album. I'm glad to see that it's a good one.

The Weather Station's album is one of my favorites for this year thus far. I can't wait for the new Jungle album.

It's really good. A bit more soul oriented compared to the last one, but the overlayered voices are still sublime.
 
It's really good. A bit more soul oriented compared to the last one, but the overlayered voices are still sublime.

She's absolutely amazing. I still don't have the new one on wax because my friend bought the only 2 copies our local got in upon release (one for his girlfriend, who put us all on to Dominque after having seen her at our local Jazzfest in 2019), but it's almost certainly my most-streamed album released so far this year.

There's a version of her new album listed for the second drop of RSD Canada this year, but I haven't seen any details for it yet.
 
She's absolutely amazing. I still don't have the new one on wax because my friend bought the only 2 copies our local got in upon release (one for his girlfriend, who put us all on to Dominque after having seen her at our local Jazzfest in 2019), but it's almost certainly my most-streamed album released so far this year.

There's a version of her new album listed for the second drop of RSD Canada this year, but I haven't seen any details for it yet.

The pressing isn't quite as nice as the previous record, but it's still pretty great. But you know, with GZ presses, you get what you get (specifically: the mastering is excellent, but my copy has pops here and there - nothing too egregious or repetitive, but noticeable in some quiet parts). The previous one was GZ too and my copy of that is quiet and just beautiful all the way through.
 
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