Listed below are the best albums of 2021 as calculated from their overall rankings in over 59,000 greatest album charts. (Chart last updated: 50 minutes ago).
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"(An awesome mix of post-rock and post-punk and post-otherstufftooprobably, with consistently awesome rhythmic explosions, wild horn solos and just a little something for the whole fam.) This album is really, really cool. It reminds me of Slint and King Crimson and a little of Talk Talk (the parts...""(An awesome mix of post-rock and post-punk and post-otherstufftooprobably, with consistently awesome rhythmic explosions, wild horn solos and just a little something for the whole fam.)
This album is really, really cool. It reminds me of Slint and King Crimson and a little of Talk Talk (the parts of Talk Talk when they really fucking explode). The musicianship is on point and while not next-level virtuosity, it more than suffices to create these big, huge multi-parted somewhat experimental rock songs. The horn parts steal the show throughout. The drummer is clearly a badass. The riffage and the build ups and breakdowns are all so cathartic. It's just a freakin rock solid album.
The vocalist is hit or miss for me. He has that Conor Oberst, perpertually-on-the-edge-of-a-nervous-breakdown style that can wear thin, but generally he nails the intense shouted and screamed vocla bits. The lyrics aren't great, but not bad either, they are kind of purposefully mundane. Mundane but expressed in such an intense way they almost trick you into thinking they are quite deep and ominous.
There is not a bad song here. Haven't heard the earlier single version of Sunglasses, so can't comment on whether the band made a mistake re-recording it (apparently the single is more intense and brilliant than this album version, per the loud fan outcry) but I have heard this version and its amazing and epic and just builds up so logically yet frantically. The propulsive, mind-blowing rhythmic explosion of the opening instrumental served to get me very VERY excited for the album, and that closer is an instant classic if ever such a term should be used. "Opus" is one of the most hypnotic, gorgeous and, idk another word for it, maybe "authoritative" or "assured" closing statements I've personally heard. That is how you close your much anticipated debut album."[+]Reply
"Ok, time for a real comment and not just reference to other existing bands. This album, for me, lived fully up to the hype I gave it, which was a lot. Mostly because of how good Narrator was as a single. The Squid boys are masters of combining groovy, melodic sections with experimental walls of s...""Ok, time for a real comment and not just reference to other existing bands.
This album, for me, lived fully up to the hype I gave it, which was a lot. Mostly because of how good Narrator was as a single. The Squid boys are masters of combining groovy, melodic sections with experimental walls of sound and ambient sections. The greatest example of this is "Boy Racers". The opening groove is tight and skillful, it builds with more and more layers, and has a final climax. Then, it turns into a massive, celestial ambient track.
There is also a general vibe I've been getting from these newer post-punk bands. It's this careless and melodic sound that I have noticed on "2010" by Squid, "Despair" by black midi, and the end of "Athens, France" by Black Country, New Road. They're all so pretty, which is kind of a divergence away from the typical post-punk sound. Squid capture this vibe a couple times on this album. I'm excited for what's to come from them in the future.
Pretty much every song is a banger so give this album a listen and have some fun."[+]Reply
"(Avant-Prog, Prog rock, Jazz rock, noise rock, ooooh babayyyy! Prog is back! - for a more cogent statement I’ll say that this is the best Prog rock album I’ve heard that’s been released in years. And it’s bloody brilliant almost the whole way through.) What a rock solid album. Feels like somethin...""(Avant-Prog, Prog rock, Jazz rock, noise rock, ooooh babayyyy! Prog is back! - for a more cogent statement I’ll say that this is the best Prog rock album I’ve heard that’s been released in years. And it’s bloody brilliant almost the whole way through.)
What a rock solid album. Feels like something significant. But maybe that is just the hype and me getting swept up in it. I have been delaying and delaying on writing any sort of comment on this beast. I have listened to it a dozen or more times. And I notice my opinions change with almost every listen. Sometimes I feel like saying hyperbolic things like “This is this generation’s In The Court of the Crimson King”, and sometimes I feel like this is a bit of an uneven and yet vibrant and exciting avant-Prog album for a new generation. I switch between feeling effusive love - and merely feeling strong, healthy respect. Haven’t landed yet on what my final thoughts are. Maybe only time can tell, after we have seen the progression of black midi, that Windmill scene, and underground rock in general over the next 3-10 years time. I don’t know.
I do know that “John L” is my song of the year so far. Something special it is, indeed. I know that “Marlene Dietrich” is gorgeous and features a brilliant subdued groove that I adore. I know that the 1-2 punch of “Chondromalacia Patella” and of course the masterpiece that is “Slow” never fail to blow me away, and sweep me up and away somewhere fresh and new. I’m confident that “Diamond Stuff” is beautiful if a bit too slow in its development and a bit anti-climactic. I know that “Dethroned” is very solid but one that hasn’t yet clicked with me fully. I know that “Hogwash and Balderdash” is excellent and the closest to the sound of “John L” that this album ever comes back to and I know it’s too short. And, finally, I think “Ascending Forth” is… a bit lost on me and for some reason, despite most people considering it a stand out track or even THE standout, I think it’s my least favorite song here. Of course “Ascending Forth” is still like, idk, 70% incredible. That is an indicator of how much I like this album through and through.
I also love that these songs do flow. Like, this feels like a concise yet complete album statement, where each track logically rolls to the next despite at times featuring INSANELY massive changes in tone and style. Not sure how the guys in black midi pulled that off but they did.
I’m closing, I have a feeling this will be one of those memorable albums for years and decades to come. I hope it does become something of a classic as time goes on. For now, it’s too new for all that. But it is for sure amd without a doubt one of the few albums that managed to fully live up to my expectations (hopes more like) and, I think, the music fandom’s as well.
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"(Cool alt/indie rock album. Ellie on the vocals is the star, but the band is solid throughout.) I say this a lot but it’s particularly true here: I don’t have much to say about this. It’s a very solid and at times gorgeous indie rock album. It bounces so often from one sound to another, I can’t p...""(Cool alt/indie rock album. Ellie on the vocals is the star, but the band is solid throughout.)
I say this a lot but it’s particularly true here: I don’t have much to say about this. It’s a very solid and at times gorgeous indie rock album. It bounces so often from one sound to another, I can’t pin down what Wolf Alice’s sound or distinctive quality is based off this mostly very good batch of songs.
The heavy rocking tracks few but they sound cool as hell. The more somber and introspective tracks also work really well. This comes down I think to the vocalist, Ellie Rowsell. She totally kicks ass on most of these tracks (not a fan of the corny kinda sorta rapping on “Smile” but the heavy track saves that song) and I just really love her style.
The album is a solid one start to finish. I can’t say I am blown away by it, but I enjoy the hell out of it. Very memorable melodies and some really dope tracks litter this one. Glad I listened that is for sure. "[+]Reply
"85 to 95/100 (Continuing a trend of punk albums absolutely kicking my ass in 2021, this album goes ahead and kicks ((perhaps)) the very hardest. Post punk, dance punk, noisey rock, artsy heaviness, oh my! Oh and go listen to "Snow Day" if you wanna see what is so great about Shame.) This album fu...""85 to 95/100 (Continuing a trend of punk albums absolutely kicking my ass in 2021, this album goes ahead and kicks ((perhaps)) the very hardest. Post punk, dance punk, noisey rock, artsy heaviness, oh my! Oh and go listen to "Snow Day" if you wanna see what is so great about Shame.)
This album fucking rocks. It makes me wanna mosh and dance and stand still and sad whilst looking out at the city streets and go and tear shit up, all in relatively equal measure across its 42 minutes.
Its nearly relentless in its heaviness, and it IS relentless in its tension and mood. All the while Shame remain undeniably accessible and even catchy.
A few of these songs (namely, Snow Day, Harsh Degrees, Human For A Minute, Born In Luton) are next level statements and just sublime. The rest of the album and its other tracks are also excellent. The slowed down tracks are gorgeous, and manage to be manic and fragile and very tense all at once (The closer, Station Wagon and especially again Human For A Minute are excellent examples of this fine tight rope they so deftly walk.). On the great song 6/1, there is even a moment of emotional depth that rivals early Interpol (it does sound quite similar to some of those classic Turn On The Bright Lights songs).
I don't have much to say of any usefulness. I guess I will summarize in the following run-on sentence: if you love Punk rock, if you love those manic and catchy Talking Heads guitar riffs from their late 70s albums, if you love the spit and fury of John Lydon's vocals and the cooler than cool (ice cold) vocals of peak Strummer, if you love muscular and, frankly, badass Bass lines holding down the furious beast alongside some pummeling Post-Punk drum barrages, if you love albums that come fully formed and beautifully paced and come with the singular purpose of shaking you by the shoulders and giving you a swift kick in the ass, then I think you will LOVE this album and it will become a new favorite or, at the least, you will appreciate the heck out of it.
As I listen to this album more and more throughout the year (and I do think it will be one I am constantly reminded of and sticks with me) I am sure my opinion will blossom a bit. As of now I am mostly just loving that in 2021 I am listening to an album that makes me feel like a vibrant and pissed young rebel again. This album even makes Digital Marketing and IT troubleshooting seem like acts of tortured and righteous rebellion.
"I need a new solution.
I need a new resolution,
and its not even the end of the year.""[+]Reply
"Post Punk and Art Punk. Oh and REALLY GREAT Post Punk and Art Punk. Oh and this band and album is fucing awesome. And the lead speaker is already a first ballot hall of fame vocalist. Florence "Flo" Shaw, remember that name.) You ever hear one of those albums that, for some reason, makes you smil...""Post Punk and Art Punk. Oh and REALLY GREAT Post Punk and Art Punk. Oh and this band and album is fucing awesome. And the lead speaker is already a first ballot hall of fame vocalist. Florence "Flo" Shaw, remember that name.)
You ever hear one of those albums that, for some reason, makes you smile, instantly and then the whole way through? An album that just sounds so right, so in step with the way you feel and the way you want to express those feelings, you can't help but feel instantly like you are hearing an old favorite despite it being the first time you've ever heard the artist? Yeah, those are great times. And, guess what? That is EXCATLY how I felt about this here debut LP by English Post Punk wry jokesters Dry Cleaning! Isn't that a crazy twist I just concocted there? Bet you didn't realize those first sentences were about this album here!
Anyway, enough of that. More about New Long Leg. Its brilliant. It's the best Post Punk album I've heard in awhile. It is, musically, a tour-de-force of at times ice cold repetitive riffs and at times quite lively, buttery almost funky riffs. The bass playing and the way it is highlighted at times reminds me of the bass heroics of Wobble on Metal Box (don't get yourself in a twist, I'm not saying its exactly the same, just at times that heavy, funky, wobbly dub bass vibe comes through here and there), and other times the bassist is always holding that groove down with such sexy greatness. The drumming is that post punk simplicity with just enough wiggle to keep you guessing.
The songs are all cool and all built around these varying phases of lowkey post punk excellence. Sometimes the songs take weird left turns, such as on the hypnotic second half of album closer "Every day Carry" and the way that weird synth melody is just battered and slashed by these weird effects that get more and more random and unexpected and manic, is glorious.
Yet, really, I'm burying the lead. The star is the utterly unique Florence Shaw. Her wry humour, her at first glance monotone spoken word delivery, the way she takes no one and nothing seriously in the words she graces these tracks with (including herself), the wit and the absurdity of some of these seemingly throw-away lines, everything about her is brilliance. I think some may say she is boring and monotonous, well I don't, and those people are wrong. She is the heart and soul of this album with all due respect to the perfectly done post punk jams that she talks over.
This whole album just feels right. It feels cool, equal parts warm and cold, funny and thought provoking and the perfect antidote to so much of this other (also quite great in most cases) post punk/art punk coming out of England the last few years. Whereas they are oh so earnest and angry and angsty and dour, here comes this gem of an album and band that maintains those similar musical aims and influences but flips the package on its head with a wise crack, a pointless monologue, and a sly smile. Oh and the music is better executed, more unique and more inspired to boot.
In case you can't tell, I just love this album."[+]Reply
"75 to 80/100 (Beautiful, assured and uplifting debut from this British singer and songwriter. Full of subtle and honest and understanding and warm soulful pop songs. She's now one of the most exciting young artists that I look forward to hearing all her releases going forward for years to come.) ...""75 to 80/100 (Beautiful, assured and uplifting debut from this British singer and songwriter. Full of subtle and honest and understanding and warm soulful pop songs. She's now one of the most exciting young artists that I look forward to hearing all her releases going forward for years to come.)
This is a very good debut. Its a really delicate and beautifully composed bedroom pop/singer-songwriter album full of songs that quite directly address the realities of depression and anxiety. Arlo Parks never feels the need to be over-the-top in the slightest in her songwriting or vocal performances, but instead keeps an even keel and quite calmly and directly tackles these subjects and songs with a definite sense of dignity and honesty which I really appreciate.
Her voice is good, again, never over the top, but so assured and so real. The instrumentals are also never lavish nor ever austere, they are right there in the middle, with lots of keyboard touches and simple and effective drums and guitars. - Oh and some really REALLY catchy melodies. The lyrics are generally simple and straight-forward but at times really strike a nerve. For me, they may not hit home as hard as I imagine they will for many, many other listeners. I imagine this album will be a hugely positive piece of art for tens of thousands of people, young and old, across the world. Though very young, Arlo Parks does provide a reassuring, understanding, voice that is great to hear.
There are standouts here, namely the run of songs that happen in the middle, "Hope", "Caroline", "Black Dog", and "Green Eyes" are excellent! Also I liked "Eugene" "Hurt" and several others. The album as a whole isn't, for me, a total game changer or a new favorite. But perhaps its just that I haven't yet given it enough time to really sink in. However, I will say, at this time there are very few musicians that I am as excited to watch develop through their careers and very few musicians that seem to have the subtle talents and the songwriting chops of Arlo Parks."[+]Reply
"This was a thoroughly enjoyable album and there seems to be a few more risks taken on this album than their previous work. While there still is the odd generic song that could and should have been cut, there is also a lot of great songs. Such as Good Girls and How Not To Drown where the Robert Sm...""This was a thoroughly enjoyable album and there seems to be a few more risks taken on this album than their previous work. While there still is the odd generic song that could and should have been cut, there is also a lot of great songs. Such as Good Girls and How Not To Drown where the Robert Smith feature works brilliantly. Then there is the vocal performance from Mayberry, which I absolutely adore and is the strongest part of the record. Even if your not a fan of their synth pop style you can still get joy out of the record by solely focusing on the vocal alone. Overall, it isn't their greatest album but there is still a lot to love and so well worth a listen. "[+]Reply
"It's not bad but there are too many songs that just go on for about ten minutes where nothing really happens. Maiden struggle to write memorable melodies these days and there are certainly a lack of those here. Once a song has finished it's hard to remember anything about it. It sounds good and t...""It's not bad but there are too many songs that just go on for about ten minutes where nothing really happens. Maiden struggle to write memorable melodies these days and there are certainly a lack of those here. Once a song has finished it's hard to remember anything about it. It sounds good and there is plenty of energy, especially for a group in their mid-sixties, but there are no standout tracks here, no songs that particularly jump out at you. It's enjoyable enough I guess but it's no Seventh son of a seventh son. "[+]Reply
Mercury | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +6 votes (7 helpful | 1 unhelpful)
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AvalancheGrips | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +10 votes (10 helpful | 0 unhelpful)
A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.
