Top 20 Music Albums of 2021
by 
ForegroundNoise 
The second year in a row now where I've obsessively listened to every release that's interested me as it came out(ish). Overall prognosis from me (in line with most people on here) is that 2021 packed more of a punch than last year, even if I didn't have as much time on my hands to sit around and listen to music (unsurprisingly).
FN xx
Top 5 Short Releases of 2021
1. Asian glow - pt.2345678andstill (Longinus, 16:00) [KR]
emo • lo-fi / slacker rock • noise pop • folktronica - 8/10
2. Rắn Cạp Đuôi - Ngủ Ngày Ngay Ngày Tận Thế (Subtext, 27:09) [VN]
epic collage - 8/10
3. nouns - Lonely Place of Dyin (n/a, 24:13) [US]
post-hardcore • experimental rock • post-rock • emo - 7.5/10
4. Iglooghost - 「Amber Eon • ᴹᶦᶜʳᵒ」(n/a, 22:00) [GB]
UK bass • wonky - 7.5/10
5. Patrick Shiroishi - Hidemi (American Dreams, 25:44) [US]
avant-garde jazz - 7.5/10
2021 Miscellanea:
wild Up - Julius Eastman Vol. 1: Femenine (New Amsterdam, 67:29) [US]
minimalism • chamber music - 7/10
- Chart updated: 06/28/2026 14:15
- (Created: 02/19/2021 20:29).
- Chart size: 20 albums.
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Available from 
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deconstructed club
(Gloo, 42:10)
8.5/10
"Sneaking through the world like a tap when it drips
Tiny little grin in the fuzz of a rift
Shrieking out the ground 'til it bursts, make it chip
Substratе split like a blade in the pith"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 04/20/2021]
deconstructed club
(Gloo, 42:10)
8.5/10
"Sneaking through the world like a tap when it drips
Tiny little grin in the fuzz of a rift
Shrieking out the ground 'til it bursts, make it chip
Substratе split like a blade in the pith"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 04/20/2021]
Available from
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post-industrial • electronic
(WV Sorcerer, 36:50)
8/10
"Oh whoever there
Have you seen a sub human cry？
It hurts
It's ugly as it is"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 03/25/2021]
post-industrial • electronic
(WV Sorcerer, 36:50)
8/10
"Oh whoever there
Have you seen a sub human cry？
It hurts
It's ugly as it is"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 03/25/2021]
Available from
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neoclassical darkwave • avant-folk
(Sargent House, 55:50)
8/10
"The Lord spat and held me by my neck
'I would die for you, I would die for you' he wept"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 08/27/2021]
neoclassical darkwave • avant-folk
(Sargent House, 55:50)
8/10
"The Lord spat and held me by my neck
'I would die for you, I would die for you' he wept"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 08/27/2021]
Year of Release:
2021
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,173
Rank in 2021:
Rank in 2020s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
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post-rock • experimental rock • post-punk
(Ninja Tune, 40:44)
8/10
"In the downstairs second living room's TV area
I become her father
And complain of mediocre theatre in the daytime
And ice in single malt whiskey at night
Of rising skirt hems and lowering IQs
And things just aren't built like they used to be"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 02/24/2021]
post-rock • experimental rock • post-punk
(Ninja Tune, 40:44)
8/10
"In the downstairs second living room's TV area
I become her father
And complain of mediocre theatre in the daytime
And ice in single malt whiskey at night
Of rising skirt hems and lowering IQs
And things just aren't built like they used to be"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 02/24/2021]
Year of Release:
2021
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,834
Rank in 2021:
Rank in 2020s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
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third stream • post-minimalism
(Luaka Bop, 46:37)
8/10
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 03/30/2021]
third stream • post-minimalism
(Luaka Bop, 46:37)
8/10
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 03/30/2021]
Year of Release:
2021
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,017
Rank in 2021:
Rank in 2020s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
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polyphonic chant • Occitan folk music • polifonia occitana
(Pagans, 58:59)
7.5/10
"'Conduisetz-nos, la tant bela Liseta!' ['Lead us there, oh beautiful Liseta!']
'Seguetz-me donc, mos tres capitanis!' ['Then follow me, my three capatains!]
'Drubetz, mon paire, drubetz a la Liseta!' [Open up, father, open up for Liseta!']
'Non, druebe pas sens saber qui tu menas!' ['No, I shan’t open without knowing who you bring!']
Lai i son rentrats, [They went inside]
An tuat sos paire e maire, [They killed her father and mother]
An tuat sos paire e maire, [They killed her father and mother]
Mes trois beaux capitanis" [My three handsome captains]
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polyphonic chant • Occitan folk music • polifonia occitana
(Pagans, 58:59)
7.5/10
"'Conduisetz-nos, la tant bela Liseta!' ['Lead us there, oh beautiful Liseta!']
'Seguetz-me donc, mos tres capitanis!' ['Then follow me, my three capatains!]
'Drubetz, mon paire, drubetz a la Liseta!' [Open up, father, open up for Liseta!']
'Non, druebe pas sens saber qui tu menas!' ['No, I shan’t open without knowing who you bring!']
Lai i son rentrats, [They went inside]
An tuat sos paire e maire, [They killed her father and mother]
An tuat sos paire e maire, [They killed her father and mother]
Mes trois beaux capitanis" [My three handsome captains]
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Available from
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experimental hip hop • glitch hop • experimental
(n/a, 41:09)
7.5/10
"I scan the room, I see bits and pieces of you scattered
It's those same patterns that gon' get us through the next chapter
Your blood runs through this home and your habits through much after"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 10/12/2021]
experimental hip hop • glitch hop • experimental
(n/a, 41:09)
7.5/10
"I scan the room, I see bits and pieces of you scattered
It's those same patterns that gon' get us through the next chapter
Your blood runs through this home and your habits through much after"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 10/12/2021]
Year of Release:
2021
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,327
Rank in 2021:
Rank in 2020s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
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art punk • post-punk • experimental rock
(Warp, 54:41)
7.5/10
"Pamphlets through my door and pamphlets on my floor
Open wide, we've got everything, everything that you like"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 05/14/2021]
art punk • post-punk • experimental rock
(Warp, 54:41)
7.5/10
"Pamphlets through my door and pamphlets on my floor
Open wide, we've got everything, everything that you like"
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 05/14/2021]
Year of Release:
2021
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,806
Rank in 2021:
Rank in 2020s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
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ambient • drone • tape music
(Past Inside the Present, 80:11)
7.5/10
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 03/12/2021]
ambient • drone • tape music
(Past Inside the Present, 80:11)
7.5/10
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 03/12/2021]
Available from
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ambient pop • avant-folk
(Unheard of Hope, 55:23)
7.5/10
"En el aire [In the air]
Se que vas a aparecer [I know you're going to appear]
Siento el suelo [I feel the ground]
Aunque no alcancen los pies" [Even if my feet don't reach]
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 01/12/2023]
ambient pop • avant-folk
(Unheard of Hope, 55:23)
7.5/10
"En el aire [In the air]
Se que vas a aparecer [I know you're going to appear]
Siento el suelo [I feel the ground]
Aunque no alcancen los pies" [Even if my feet don't reach]
____________________________________________________________________________ [First added to this chart: 01/12/2023]
Total albums: 20. Page 1 of 2
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Top 20 Music Albums of 2021 composition
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Ad Nauseam | 1 | 5% | |
| Seamus Malliagh | 1 | 5% | |
| Material Girl | 1 | 5% | |
| Otay:onii | 1 | 5% | |
| Black Midi | 1 | 5% | |
| Kristin Hayter | 1 | 5% | |
| Ill Considered | 1 | 5% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| |
7 | 35% | |
| |
5 | 25% | |
 |
2 | 10% | |
 |
1 | 5% | |
 |
1 | 5% | |
 |
1 | 5% | |
 |
1 | 5% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 20 Music Albums of 2021 chart changes
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
Down 1 from 6th to 7th |
Down 1 from 7th to 8th |
Down 1 from 8th to 9th |
| New entries |
|---|
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Other year charts by ForegroundNoise
ForegroundNoise has shared 74 more year charts with the community. Browse them all here.| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
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| Top 18 Music Albums of 2026 | ForegroundNoise | 2026 year chart | 2026 | |
| Top 20 Music Albums of 2025 | ForegroundNoise | 2025 year chart | 2026 | |
| Top 20 Music Albums of 2024 | ForegroundNoise | 2024 year chart | 2026 | |
Top 20 Music Albums of 2021 ratings
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