Best Albums of 2021

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Explore the best albums of 2021, based on over 2 million album rankings across 61,000 charts. Last updated: 1 hour ago

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2021 year summaryThe best artists of 2021 were Little Simz, Black Country, New Road, Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra, Tyler, The Creator, Japanese Breakfast, Squid (2020s), Black Midi, Low, Weezer and Magdalena Bay.

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Sometimes I Might Be Introvert

Little Simz

"Might be the most ambitious and complete hip hop album that came out since TPAB. Hope she will get the success she deserves." Reply

- DavideBerna | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 21

Year of Release:

2021

Appears in:

504 charts

Rank Score:

4,009

Rank in 2021:

Rank in 2020s:

Overall Rank:

410

Average Rating:

83 (412 votes)

Comments:

For The First Time

Black Country, New Road

"What do we have here? Is this the new "Pavement"? A likeable group with humble and talented musicians making music, that is complex, demanding and interesting, Nice. But in my opinion its also a typical "reviewers band". A band everyone has to adore, because its so overhyped - one cannot escape t..." Reply

timtooky | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 6

Year of Release:

2021

Appears in:

483 charts

Rank Score:

3,837

Rank in 2021:

Rank in 2020s:

Overall Rank:

437

Average Rating:

81 (544 votes)

Comments:

Promises

Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra

"A beautifully minimal jazz album that took my spirit on a journey. Feels like slowly waking up from a pleasant dream." Reply

- shanelovesyou1111 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 2

Year of Release:

2021

Appears in:

400 charts

Rank Score:

3,015

Rank in 2021:

Rank in 2020s:

Overall Rank:

564

Average Rating:

79 (320 votes)

Comments:

Call Me If You Get Lost

Tyler, The Creator

"Let me just say that right when I heard the dilla sirens throughout the album, it automatically solidified this as my potential AOTY Tyler is a legend of this generation!!! Beautiful album" Reply

- lonerism | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 5

Year of Release:

2021

Appears in:

355 charts

Rank Score:

1,891

Rank in 2021:

Rank in 2020s:

Overall Rank:

920

Average Rating:

78 (368 votes)

Comments:

Jubilee

Japanese Breakfast

"for me best album of 2021, but it's still in august I'll wait and see if a better one comes out" Reply

- StreakyNuno | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 2

Year of Release:

2021

Appears in:

369 charts

Rank Score:

1,852

Rank in 2021:

Rank in 2020s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

"Squid- Black Country, New Road- and black midi next. This spring has some great releases. The future is bright for post-punk" Reply

AvalancheGrips | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 8

Year of Release:

2021

Appears in:

312 charts

Rank Score:

1,804

Rank in 2021:

Rank in 2020s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

"Instant classic. Gritty, but well produced. Not over-produced, but clean. Hard, complex, easily top 500 of all time. I will update in about a month" Reply

seb7 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 5

Year of Release:

2021

Appears in:

300 charts

Rank Score:

1,659

Rank in 2021:

Rank in 2020s:

Overall Rank:

1,059

Average Rating:

79 (335 votes)

Comments:

Hey What

Low

"A definite companion piece to Double negative which continues the sonic template of it's predecessor. It is really all about the sound rather than the songs and sometimes it does feel like the 'noise' on the record is there to hide the fact that the songs aren't that amazing on their own. Still, ..." Reply

- garycottier | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 1

Year of Release:

2021

Appears in:

288 charts

Rank Score:

1,626

Rank in 2021:

Rank in 2020s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

"(Consistent and cohesive debut LP from Magdalena Bay. Some top-tier synthpop - creative, catchy and quite beautiful.) I am a fan of this album. The things I love about great synthpop are here in droves. Those being a charming childlike wonderousness that is infectious when you listen, lots of cat...""(Consistent and cohesive debut LP from Magdalena Bay. Some top-tier synthpop - creative, catchy and quite beautiful.) I am a fan of this album. The things I love about great synthpop are here in droves. Those being a charming childlike wonderousness that is infectious when you listen, lots of catchy melodies, vocals that float along over the tracks like some sort of fairy spirit, and of course lots of tracks that can be danced around to like a wild person or can be enjoyed while sitting and dreaming about whatever it is you dream about. Synthpop isn't one of my go-to genres by any means, but this is being an exceptional version of the genre, I can say that I am enough of a fan of what this duo is doing with this style to consider this one of the better albums of the year. The album is indeed pretty consistent. That said the opening run of tracks from the opener "The End" through track 7 "Chaeri" is a good deal more excellent and catchy to me than the last half. Note: This may be due to the simple fact that I listened to the first half of this 3 times and got interrupted each time, so I only have heard the album in its entirety twice, but that opening half 5 times. Idk, that is probably contributing to my current take that the first half is superior. Still, even now, I can say that the 1-2 punch that ends the album is just as good as anything at the start (except maybe "Secrets (Your Fire)" which is song of the year material to my ears). The music here is dreamy and somewhat osychedelic, its got moments to inspire dancing and moments to inspire quasi-philosophical contemplation. And each track is stitched to the others in a smooth and seamless way. The album works really well as an album and not just a series of seperate tracks with occasional total standouts. I don't have much of great intelligence to say about this one (go figure) but I think its really quite beautiful and its recommended to everyone but ESPECIALLY to those of you craving a great pop album. This is perhaps the best and most bubbly and gorgeous pop album of any variety I have heard this year. Stellar debut album as well. This is a super impressive way to start your LP career." Reply

Mercury | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 5

Year of Release:

2021

Appears in:

177 charts

Rank Score:

1,569

Rank in 2021:

Rank in 2020s:

Overall Rank:

1,115

Average Rating:

77 (162 votes)

Comments:

10.

OK Human

Weezer

"You know, I never liked Weezer. I think Blue Album and Pinkerton are overrated, and their stuff since has been pretty bad. However, even I must say this album is pretty great. It is very Beatles-esque. The orchestra really adds a much needed beauty to the album that pairs perfectly with Cuomo's v..." Reply

- BLO | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 9

Year of Release:

2021

Appears in:

261 charts

Rank Score:

1,501

Rank in 2021:

Rank in 2020s:

Overall Rank:

1,170

Average Rating:

75 (373 votes)

Comments:

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Total albums: 1,000. Page 1 of 100

Best Albums of 2021 composition

Artist	Albums	%

Various Artists	6	1%
Neil Young	4	0%
Arca	4	0%
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard	3	0%
Jane Remover	3	0%
Pat Metheny	2	0%
DJ Sabrina The Teenage DJ	2	0%
Show all

Country	Albums	%

	443	44%
	195	20%
	52	5%
	46	5%
	33	3%
	24	2%
	21	2%
Show all

Compilation?	Albums	%
No	987	99%
Yes	13	1%

Live?	Albums	%
No	977	98%
Yes	23	2%

Soundtrack?	Albums	%
No	987	99%
Yes	13	1%

Best Albums of 2021 chart changes

Biggest climbers Biggest climbers in top 100 since last month
Up 32 from 119th to 87th Kick III by Arca
Up 3 from 101st to 98th Fortitude by Gojira
Up 3 from 15th to 12th Glow On by Turnstile

Biggest fallers Biggest fallers in top 100 since last month
Down 4 from 88th to 92nd Stand For Myself by Yola
Down 2 from 13th to 15th An Evening With Silk Sonic by Silk Sonic
Down 2 from 27th to 29th LP! by JPEGMAFIA

New entries New entries in top 100 since last month
Up 32 from 119th to 87th Kick III by Arca
Up 3 from 101st to 98th Fortitude by Gojira

Leavers Leavers from top 100 since last month
Down 2 from 99th to 101st Space 1.8 by Nala Sinephro
Down 2 from 100th to 102nd For Those I Love (2021) by For Those I Love

« View best albums of 2020View best albums of 2022 »

Best Ever Artists

1. The Beatles

2. Radiohead

3. Pink Floyd

4. David Bowie

5. Bob Dylan

6. Led Zeppelin

7. The Rolling Stones

8. Arcade Fire

9. Neil Young

10. Nirvana