Best Music of 2021

How is the new Antlers? I loved Hospice, really loved Burst Apart, but just kinda fell off during Familiars. I think that one had some good stuff on it, but it never fully clicked with me.
I like it after one listen but I need to listen a couple more times. I really liked “Familiars”. It isn’t as sad as Hospice, obviously. But it has a nice chill vibe that hit the sweet spot when that album came out back in 2014. Easily my second favorite Antlers release.
 
Really cool shoegaze/emo album from Korea that I’m glad came across my radar


I like this album but his voice is a little grating at times. "Age of Fluctuation" is a little over the top, but otherwise it's enjoyable. I guess also, because I have no idea what he's singing about I'm listening to his voice almost as another instrument.
 
I like this album but his voice is a little grating at times. "Age of Fluctuation" is a little over the top, but otherwise it's enjoyable. I guess also, because I have no idea what he's singing about I'm listening to his voice almost as another instrument.
Thats exactly how I felt plus the reverb and distortion is at times a little much.
 
A silver lining to medical leave is that I feel I've done a far better job of staying on top of new releases this year than any of the past few. Reading the past couple of months worth of posts on this thread has led to a few more albums being added to the queue, so thank y'all.

In the meanwhile, here's how things sound over here for the year so far:

Quarterly Report :: Winter 2021

Arlo Parks - Collapsed In Sunbeams
Delvonn Lamarr Organ Trio - I Told You So
Dominique Fils-Aimé - Three Little Words
serpentwithfeet - Deacon
Work Money Death - The Space In Which The Uncontrollable Unknown Resides, Can Be The Place From Which Creation Arises

Floating Points & Pharoah Sanders - Promises
Madlib - Sound Ancestors
Emile Mosseri - Minari
Daniel Lanois - Heavy Sun
Mogwai - As The Love Continues
 
Genesis Owusu is up there with my favourites this year. All thanks to the New Music Friday thread!

It's wildly eclectic in sound, I'm hearing everything from Late of the Pier to Prince to Bruce Springsteen. A couple of tunes even have a little Flight Of The Concords about them.
 
Genesis Owusu is up there with my favourites this year. All thanks to the New Music Friday thread!

It's wildly eclectic in sound, I'm hearing everything from Late of the Pier to Prince to Bruce Springsteen. A couple of tunes even have a little Flight Of The Concords about them.
That album is pretty good and a grower. The more I listen to it, the more I like it.
 
Favorite Albums of Q1 - Winter 2021 (in alphabetical order)

The Antlers – Green to Gold

Arab Strap – As Days Get Dark

Arlo Parks – Collapsed in Sunbeams

Cassandra Jenkins – An Overview on Phenomenal Nature

Celeste – Not Your Muse

Danz CM – The Absurdity of Human Existence

For Those I Love – For Those I Love

Genesis Owusu – Smiling With No Teeth

Goat Girl – On All Fours

Julien Baker – Little Oblivions

Lana Del Rey – Chemtrails Over the Country Club

Lost Girls – Menneskekollektivet

Middle Kids – Today We’re The Greatest

Mogwai – As The Love Continues

Snowpoet – Wait For Me

Still Corners – The Last Exit

tUnE-yArDs – sketchy.

TYPHOON – Sympathetic Magic

William Doyle – Spans of Muddy Time

The Weather Station – Ignorance
 
Armand Hammer & The Alchemist - Haram

Genesis Owuzu - Smiling With No Teeth
Black Country, New Road - For The First Time

Nothing else really sticking with me so far at the moment. Still lots to check out and revisit though.

Edit: oh I forgot R.A.P. Ferreira - Bob's Son Cafe came out the 1st technically. Dig it too.
 
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Favorite Albums of Q1 - Winter 2021 (in alphabetical order)

The Antlers – Green to Gold

Arab Strap – As Days Get Dark

Arlo Parks – Collapsed in Sunbeams

Cassandra Jenkins – An Overview on Phenomenal Nature

Celeste – Not Your Muse

Danz CM – The Absurdity of Human Existence

For Those I Love – For Those I Love

Genesis Owusu – Smiling With No Teeth

Goat Girl – On All Fours

Julien Baker – Little Oblivions

Lana Del Rey – Chemtrails Over the Country Club

Lost Girls – Menneskekollektivet

Middle Kids – Today We’re The Greatest

Mogwai – As The Love Continues

Snowpoet – Wait For Me

Still Corners – The Last Exit

tUnE-yArDs – sketchy.

TYPHOON – Sympathetic Magic

William Doyle – Spans of Muddy Time

The Weather Station – Ignorance
SOLID list!
 
Favorite Albums of Q1 - Winter 2021 (in alphabetical order)

The Antlers – Green to Gold

Arab Strap – As Days Get Dark

Arlo Parks – Collapsed in Sunbeams

Cassandra Jenkins – An Overview on Phenomenal Nature

Celeste – Not Your Muse

Danz CM – The Absurdity of Human Existence

For Those I Love – For Those I Love

Genesis Owusu – Smiling With No Teeth

Goat Girl – On All Fours

Julien Baker – Little Oblivions

Lana Del Rey – Chemtrails Over the Country Club

Lost Girls – Menneskekollektivet

Middle Kids – Today We’re The Greatest

Mogwai – As The Love Continues

Snowpoet – Wait For Me

Still Corners – The Last Exit

tUnE-yArDs – sketchy.

TYPHOON – Sympathetic Magic

William Doyle – Spans of Muddy Time

The Weather Station – Ignorance
Great list - I've highlighted a few more to listen to today.

Antlers and Muckers stuck so much yesterday I've placed orders for them. I didn't get on with Genesis Owusu, but I did like serpentwithfeet, and the Jimmy Edgar album has some crazy beats on it which were good to work to.
 
Q1 Update

Total 2021 releases (albums/EPs/mixtapes) listened to as of March 31st: 149

I have been consuming music at a much higher volume than in years past, now that I have headphones to listen to Spotify while at work. Arguably the best purchase related to music I have made this year so far. I am hoping to continue at a similar pace for the entire year. I can't rank anything quite yet but should have the makings of a tiered Topsters chart by the end of Q2.

Here's my (long) list of favorite albums for the year so far from the first quarter, ordering in alphabetical band name/artist last name:

Armand Hammer - Haram [abstract hip hop]
Black Country, New Road - For the First Time [post rock, post punk, art rock]
Black Dresses - Forever in Your Heart [electro-industrial, industrial rock]
Celeste - Not Your Muse [neo-soul]
Demiser - Through the Gate Eternal [thrash metal, black metal]
Dialect - Under~Between [avant garde, ambient]
Danielle Durack - No Place [singer/songwriter, indie pop]
Jimmy Edgar - CHEETAH BEND [bubblegum bass, electro trap]
Elephant9 - Arrival of the New Elders [nu-jazz, jazz-rock]
Floating Points, Pharaoh Sanders & London Symphony Orchestra - Promises [minimalism, spiritual jazz, modern classical]
Genesis Owusu - Smiling with No Teeth [neo-soul]
Cameron Graves - Seven [jazz fusion, jazz-rock]
Cassandra Jenkins - An Overview on Phenomenal Nature [singer/songwriter, ambient pop]
Chuck Johnson - The Cinder Grove [ambient]
Kiwi Jr. - Cooler Returns [indie rock]
Maassai - With The Shifts [jazz rap, abstract hip hop]
Observe Since '99 - Le Dernier Royaume [hardcore hip hop]
파란노을 (Parannoul) - To See the Next Part of the Dream [shoegaze]
Payroll Giovanni & Cardo - Another Day Another Dollar [gangsta rap, G-funk revivalism]
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets - Shyga! The Sunlight Mound [heavy psych]
Robohands - Shapes [jazz fusion]
Roosevelt - Polydans [synthpop]
The Ruins of Beverast - The Thule Grimoires [doom metal, atmospheric black metal]
Rural Internet - BREAKING UP [experimental hip hop]
Snowpoet - Wait For Me [art pop, ambient pop]
Space Heater - Music Planet [nu-jazz, avant garde jazz]
Still Corners - The Last Exit [dream pop, indie pop]
Pauline Anna Strom - Angel Tears in Sunlight [new age, ambient]
Suffering Hour - The Cyclic Reckoning [blackened death metal]
Sun June - Somewhere [indie pop, dream pop]
Tar Hag - Bestial [doom metal]
Tha God Fahim and Your Old Droog - Tha Wolf On Wall St. [hip hop]
TiKA - Anywhere but Here [R&B, soul]
Jane Weaver - Flock [psychedelic pop, art pop]
Hayley Williams - Flowers For Vases / Descansos [singer/songwriter, indie folk]
YUNGMORPHEUS and ewonee thee beatnik - Thumbing Thru Foliage [abstract hip hop]

2021Q1Albums.png

Some EPs I've enjoyed:

Beach Bunny - Blame Game [power pop, indie rock]
Benny the Butcher and Harry Fraud - The Plugs I Met 2 [hardcore hip hop]
Blessed - iii [math rock]
Cult of Luna - The Raging River [atmospheric sludge metal]
Blu DeTiger - How Did We Get Here? [synthpop, nu-disco]
Lingua Ignota - AGNUS DEI [noise, dark classical]
Emma Ruth Rundle and Thou - The Helm of Sorrow [atmospheric sludge metal]
Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales [neo-soul, contemporary R&B]

2021Q1EPs.png
 
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First quarter 2021 list:

Tier 1:
-Celeste - Not Your Muse
-Aaron Frazer - Introducing…
-Pink Sweat$ - PINK PLANET
-Jeremiah Fraites - Piano Piano
-Lake Street Dive - Obviously
-Justin Bieber - Justice

Tier 2:
-Lushlife - Redamancy
-Jane Weaver - Flock
-Yasmin Williams - Urban Driftwood
-Madlib - Sound Ancestors
-Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio - Told You So
-Pino Palladino & Blake Mills - Notes with Attachments
-Arlo Parks - Collapsed in Sunbeams
-Langhorne Slim - Strawberry Mansion
 
Well, we are through the first quarter (Q1) of 2021 already! What an amazing start to the year it has been with so many quality new music releases! I have whittled down my huge list of great albums I've checked out to give you this list of my 12 favorite albums of 2021 Q1 (listed in alphabetical order by the artist). I highly recommend you giving these albums a listen!

*just realized Topsters grabbed the album art for Cassandra Jenkins' single Michaelangelo instead of for the album An Overview On Phenomenal Nature 🤦

2021 Q1 Albums.jpg
 
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Q1 Update

Total 2021 releases (albums/EPs/mixtapes) listened to as of March 31st: 149

I have been consuming music at a much higher volume than in years past, now that I have headphones to listen to Spotify while at work. Arguably the best purchase related to music I have made this year so far. I am hoping to continue at a similar pace for the entire year. I can't rank anything quite yet but should have the makings of a tiered Topsters chart by the end of Q2.

Here's my (long) list of favorite albums for the year so far from the first quarter, ordering in alphabetical band name/artist last name:

Armand Hammer - Haram [abstract hip hop]
Black Country, New Road - For the First Time [post rock, post punk, art rock]
Black Dresses - Forever in Your Heart [electro-industrial, industrial rock]
Celeste - Not Your Muse [neo-soul]
Demiser - Through the Gate Eternal [thrash metal, black metal]
Dialect - Under~Between [avant garde, ambient]
Danielle Durack - No Place [singer/songwriter, indie pop]
Jimmy Edgar - CHEETAH BEND [bubblegum bass, electro trap]
Elephant9 - Arrival of the New Elders [nu-jazz, jazz-rock]
Floating Points, Pharaoh Sanders & London Symphony Orchestra - Promises [minimalism, spiritual jazz, modern classical]
Genesis Owusu - Smiling with No Teeth [neo-soul]
Cameron Graves - Seven [jazz fusion, jazz-rock]
Cassandra Jenkins - An Overview on Phenomenal Nature [singer/songwriter, ambient pop]
Chuck Johnson - The Cinder Grove [ambient]
Kiwi Jr. - Cooler Returns [indie rock]
Maassai - With The Shifts [jazz rap, abstract hip hop]
Observe Since '99 - Le Dernier Royaume [hardcore hip hop]
파란노을 (Parannoul) - To See the Next Part of the Dream [shoegaze]
Payroll Giovanni & Cardo - Another Day Another Dollar [gangsta rap, G-funk revivalism]
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets - Shyga! The Sunlight Mound [heavy psych]
Robohands - Shapes [jazz fusion]
Roosevelt - Polydans [synthpop]
The Ruins of Beverast - The Thule Grimoires [doom metal, atmospheric black metal]
Rural Internet - BREAKING UP [experimental hip hop]
Snowpoet - Wait For Me [art pop, ambient pop]
Space Heater - Music Planet [nu-jazz, avant garde jazz]
Still Corners - The Last Exit [dream pop, indie pop]
Pauline Anna Strom - Angel Tears in Sunlight [new age, ambient]
Suffering Hour - The Cyclic Reckoning [blackened death metal]
Sun June - Somewhere [indie pop, dream pop]
Tar Hag - Bestial [doom metal]
Tha God Fahim and Your Old Droog - Tha Wolf On Wall St. [hip hop]
TiKA - Anywhere but Here [R&B, soul]
Jane Weaver - Flock [psychedelic pop, art pop]
Hayley Williams - Flowers For Vases / Descansos [singer/songwriter, indie folk]
YUNGMORPHEUS and ewonee thee beatnik - Thumbing Thru Foliage [abstract hip hop]


Some EPs I've enjoyed:

Beach Bunny - Blame Game [power pop, indie rock]
Benny the Butcher and Harry Fraud - The Plugs I Met 2 [hardcore hip hop]
Blessed - iii [math rock]
Cult of Luna - The Raging River [atmospheric sludge metal]
Blu DeTiger - How Did We Get Here? [synthpop, nu-disco]
Lingua Ignota - AGNUS DEI [noise, dark classical]
Emma Ruth Rundle and Thou - The Helm of Sorrow [atmospheric sludge metal]
Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales [neo-soul, contemporary R&B]

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!
 
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