The 21 Best Albums of 2021

The 21 soundtracks to the events (or lack of) during the 2nd pandemic year. Bodies of work that kept me sane emotionally, provided me with confidence to get up every day. Certain aspects of my lifestyle have drastically changed this year as well as hobbies, which had a definite effect to what I had on rotation. I welcome any genre for different moods and activities but do keep in mind my personal favourites are in the pop/hardcore/rap genre. Welcome to another entry of what is now a 10-year tradition for myself, my 21 favourite albums of 2021!

To speed things up, I’ve mentioned the first 11 but will only go into detail my top 10’s.

21- 11

11) Thrice – Horizons /East

12) JPEGMAFIA – LP!

13) DVSN & Ty Dolla $ign – Cheers to the best memories

14) Leprous - Aphelion

15) Mastadon – Hushed and Grim

16) The Dirty Nil – Fuck Art

17) Chunk no! Captain Chunk – Gone are the Good Days

18) Angels and Airwaves – Lifeforms

19) Born of Osiris – Angel or Alien

20) Tyler the Creator – Call Me When You Get Lost

21) Hail the Sun – New Age Filth

10) Genesis Owusu- Smiling with no Teeth

When thinking albums this year that made you bop and got your hips shaking for weeks, a lot of you would say the Anderson Paak/Bruno Mars “Silk Sonic” no? While I do agree that record achieved all that if for me as well, Genesis' had more of the same qualities to sink my teeth into. This lesser familiar artist is packed with musical inspirations from the Gorillaz, Childish Gambino, Thundercat and even Paak himself! Owusu experiments with a lot of smooth singing styles to melodic rapping while the band brings the GROOVES all day.

9) Ice Nine Kills- Welcome to Horrorwood

BRUTALITY. This is what happens when you let an experienced Metalcore band be their horror geek selves. Crammed with references from classic horror movies (American Psycho, Child’s Play, Pet cemetery etc.), while it can get gimmicky to some, I was rather impressed how they make it work so well without sounding forced. Their identity as musicians is at full display and you can tell they are having fun with this concept. Carried with an old school no BS sounding 2011- 2014 Metalcore album back when the genre was at its prime!

8) Band Maid- Unseen World

With how much I listen to JRock, it would be a sin to not add one on this list, and “Unseen World” is one of the best. Not quite to the popularity of BABYMETAL, this band is another femme-rock group that’s gaining more and more Western audience. Known for their gimmick of cute Japanese Maids playing instruments, these ladies can REALLY shred. Fast, upbeat, soaring vocals with plenty prog-rock patterns, it’s every bit the best anime OP

playlist in one album.

7) Erra – Self Titled

I always thought naming an album “Self-titled” later your career is questionable. I get that bands want to do it to further express making an album that is their definitive sound compared to previous work. Well, it works here as it is by far the best LP the band has put out showcasing their experience. Extremely tight song writing, technicality and catchiness for a Metal album. I’ve been getting into Australian-Core the last few years and Erra has been among the strongest of them. The melodies created in the guitars is something to behold, accompanied by the dynamics of the scream/sing vocals while never sounding forced.

6) Brockhampton - Roadrunner: New light, New Machine

The self-proclaimed “Greatest boyband on earth” are back and better than ever. They’ve proven over and over that they can make some of the pop-rap record with wholesome lyrics that can spread from friendship, sexuality, and loss. Each song brimming with the chemistry these boys have with each other. Unconventional production that takes the listers from Kanye’s chopped soul era to new school. Abstract and creative throughout, and do we really need to say more about Joba’s skillset? Just take a listen for yourself and enjoy the best parts of hip hop old and present.

5) Origami Angel- GAMI GANG

Mainly, the album that I listened to during many hours of long boarding trips while the gyms were closed throughout the summer. And for good, fitting reasons. The music resembles today’s more modern “PUP-punk” which are aimed for millennials like me. With sincere topics of getting old, nostalgia like staying at your friend's house for days to watch Pokemon and eating taco bell are portrayed so charmingly here. GAMI GANG speaks to people like me in today's crappy, overcomplicated world. Tired, but happy and hopeful. You relate if you relate.

4) Sleigh Bells- Texis

Hyper pop has been my most listened to genre of this year as Spotify wrapped informed me. Hell, I might go into producing hyper pop myself but who knows. This duo has been one of the most dominant acts in that genre. Their signature sound of pop elements, catchy vocals, harsh guitars and even blast beats is a pleasure to listen to in most my daily activites whether it be at the gym or gaming.

3) Nas – King’s Disease 2

Literally as I draft this list I find out Nas dropped another surprise album on Christmas eve! The legendary MC has been on a roll since dropping part one of “King’s Disease” last year, and this one is even better. For an artist who’s got nothing left to prove in the industry, he still shines and puts in the work. He boasts experience in the rap game while even telling stories of his relationship with Tupac. Collaboration with his former group recently re kindled “The Firm” is a highlight, as well as the track with Laurin hill. Hit boy kills the production adds the perfect element complimenting Nas’ flow and cadence.

2) Spiritbox- Eternal Blue

This debut effort by Spiritbox is to me, the most important metal album of 2021. From Courtney Laplante’s (singer) recent impact on women in metal, and the band’s marketing strategy garnering independent hype the last 3-4 years being only till their recent major signing. The expectations and pressure were through the roof, and they delivered. This album is hits after hits like the singles suggested with the cuts being just as solid. Think Evanescence’s more artistic, Djent-ier younger cousin.

And now.. my personal favourite album of 2021.

1) Everytime I Die - Radical

Throughout nine studio albums the the band has put out, the band has always struck gold sticking using their core identity rather than pursuing any wild reinvention. With Radical, they’ve taken their signature hardcore sound, clever lyricism with the upbeat southern-metal party touch and turned it into something colossal that would make any long-time fan like myself praise worship to their brand. The passion in the musicianship bleeds through the audio with each note the band plays. Keith Buckley’s vocals is manic with every lyric a quotable (extremely rare in hardcore music) almost as if he’s the Jay-Z of his genre. 50+ mins of pure anger and rage, displayed in the most fun way.

There you have it, my 21 best albums of 2021! Do you agree with any of these, and what were some of yours?

-Lamar Ramos