These are 10 of my favorite albums from 2021. This list is also posted on the CHIRP Radio blog.
Despite all the continuing problems in the world, 2021 was a fantastic year for music. As usual, I was able to enjoy just a sliver of what was out there, but even that resulted in a stack of sounds of amazing quality.
There was so much great stuff, in fact, for the first time I’ve been creating my lists I couldn’t figure out a ranking order. So here are 10 records from 2021 that stood out to me, listed alphabetically…
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Abantu / Before Humans by BLK JKS (We Are Busy Bodies)A big, dramatic explosion of drums, guitars, and horns from South Africa exploring an impressive range of rhythms, moods, and styles. The musical equivalent of an international thriller novel, with a strong social message. Put it on and let your mind wander. |
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--io by Circuit Des Yeux (Matador)It’s great to hear Chicago-based Haley Fohr’s continuing musical evolution. This time around she’s steering toward more of a pop format, definitely calling to mind ‘80s synth-wave giants like Annie Lennox and Siouxsie Sioux. |
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City of Mirrors by Dos Santos (International Anthem)The irresistible pulse of the music from this Chicago group comes from its expertly crafted, polished, and passionate playing. It’s Latinx soul for modern times. |
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New Long Leg by Dry Cleaning (4AD)Too-cool-for-school post-punk from the UK. Florence Shaw’s intricately impassive spoken-word vocals are just right. Listening to this band feels like moving in and out of chic, underground bars in some unnamed European city in the 1950s (or maybe the 1970s), soaking up the New Wave atmosphere. |
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HokuPsychosister by Karate School Dropout (self-released)Optimistic, upbeat synth and power pop from a Chicago musician whose generation has officially moved into Adulthood® (the track “Middle Aged” should be an anthem to someone, somewhere). I’m looking forward to hearing what he comes up with next. |
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For(e)ward by Made Kuti (Partisan)From Nigeria, the Kuti family’s next music star emerges with a fiery rebuke of the modern world that’s also full of love. Another great entry for an era that’s given us an amazing collection of socially-conscious albums addressing rights and freedom. |
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Afrique Victime by Mdou Moctar (Matador)From Nigeria, Desert Blues at its best. |
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To See the Next Part of the Dream by 파란노을 (Parannoul) (Self-Released)If I had to establish an order to my list, this album would most likely be #1. Created by a student and self-described “active loser” living in Seoul, South Korea, it’s centered around an epic shoegaze sound, a tribute to being young and alone in a world where being young seems more and more of a bummer than ever before. Something about this album feels like it could only have been made in this time and place. It’s the musical equivalent of screaming into the void, or a restless spirit trying to reach escape velocity. |
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NINE by SAULT (Forever Living Originals)The enigmatic UK group that claimed the top spot on CHIRP’s year-end list in 2020 is not quite as mysterious a year later, but still puts together some amazing R&B-saturated pop music. As of now, they still can do no wrong. |
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Private LIFE by Virginia Wing (Fire)If the band Dry Cleaning were hippies instead of post-punks, they might sound something like Virginia Wing, who are also from the UK and also have lots of cool stream-of-consciousness ideas, in their case wrapped up in flowers and puffy clouds. It’s funky, it’s spacey, it’s a welcome trip that blocks out the BS of the world. |
Honorable MentionsHere are 10 more albums that deserve repeated spins now and in the future: |
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