With this more experimental outing, we get a Billy Woods bookend to the year. Armand Hammer was instrumental in my finally being able to visit with Mark Piss.

The owls have good memories of Kelela, riding along the Outer Matt Banks. This long awaited follow-up presents itself as a place that must be left to unfurl, while barnowls watch and listen.

Billy Woods hits 90 MPH on this serious rap album. Mark Pist once spoke with Kenny Segal. He ripped it.

Take a ride into Portland and listen to this new album. While it does not always give you exactly what you want, it will keep you afloat.

Utilizing many beats that are pleasing to an owl, this mixtape series entry counts as an album in my book. Listen as a companion to the Tee Grizzly albums from a few years back.

Rachika Nayar is an incredibly inspiring musician. Check out any of her YouTube videos. A well produced, cinematic early career masterpiece, HCR is an instrumental journey into Nayar's universe. Album uses guitar, sampler, and computer to create soundscapes and melodies that let you soar on owl wings. One of the year's best for sure.

Mercurial World Deluxe remains an engaging listen throughout. Whether you're actively listening or listening on a road trip down to the coast with your old cartoon buddy, this is a good one to throw on. It has that new sound and energy that many owls will likely be in accordance with.

It's good, and is like a soundtrack to a non-existent movie. Do young folx listen to this, though? While I hope so, I have a hard time feeling as though many people under the age of 30 are listening to this.

Try listening as a companion artist to Kelela. "Deep in the World" is an absolute hit showing so much potential for this new artist. Lovely album.

My rating is well-above the average user score - but don't let the relative mediocre scores fool you. This is a good album. It is just not for all occasions. It is a slow and sad fare - but such is life at times in the barn. "Dying in Heaven" is a masterpiece.

It’s a great EP, but an EP nonetheless, and one that may take some reckoning with. It will fly as high above the owls’ nests as it can go. Would be real good live. For some it may take several listens to start to feel Asymptotical World - as immediately charming as the first two tracks are. Certainly good to listen to with others.

Flawless new Boards beat, along with a deep dive into a haunt.

Disco! is a consistently original and engaging release, albeit one with its standout song upfront. Great to put on while working, socializing, or listening in phones, Disco! is a sure-fire bet for new hip hop.

Perhaps it took me a bit to come around, but especially the opening 2 songs of this album kept returning to me over and over again. I was forced to put the songs on while tending to the nest. This continued, and while the album does fall off substantially at times, the band and album are well worth supporting. "Beautiful World" is a good new shoegaze song, without a doubt. AOTY is a big fan of this one.

The Alchemist has returned to give some more momentum to 2021. Along with Armand Hammer, the sounds of Beverly Hills are fresh and fine to the ear. "Falling out the Sky" is my first choice for this quarter's Radio Hour.

With these long form, dark songs, Lost Girls have brought some momentum to the year in music. "Carried by Invisible Bodies" and "Love, Lovers" are wonderful for radio shows, mixtapes, and playlists on crossfade. As you allow yourself to immerse in this record, several owls may begin to coalesce within.

I had been looking forward to this album's release all year on the strength of the song "Scratchcard Lanyard" and this lead guitarist's riffs. As difficult as it is to say, that feeling was not sustainable for an entire album.

Even Benny the Butcher can't put an end to the slow year that is 2021. Survivor's Remorse is a great track - the highlight of the album to my ears. Something will happen.

To my owl ears, it has been a slow year for music so far. With Ignorance, we have a way to finally kick off the year. The album admittedly begins to slump about half way through, but the first three songs are especially killer. "Tried to Tell You" is a song to be listened to on repeat. Give the voice a chance.

This is an electronic EP getting some critic buzz but being passed over by the masses. Well-worth a listen; I am reminded of a subdued Mega Man X6. "Any Day" is a standout track and one of the best songs of this year. Like a lot of good albums, other songs start to grow on you after a few listens. Help Isola out with a listen to her new EP.