Chode's Best of 2021

https://imgur.com/a/WNfLseA

๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰ I've been more excited to put out my top 50 albums of the year than I was for Christmas to be honest. I won't do some prolonged intro other than saying that 2021 sucked ass and that there was exactly 50 albums I thought were truly great, which means no honorable mentions this year. The format for this list is:

[Genre]
Release date: the day it was released
Critic Score: The critic score
User Score: The user score

๐ŸŽ‰ My top 3 tracks
๐ŸŽ‰ next to some emojis
๐ŸŽ‰ that I feel compliment the album or cover.

A quick blurb about the album.

Anyway, without further, let's get into the list

Black Swan - Repetition Hymns
80
#51.

[Ambient, Drone, Tape Music]
Release Date: January 8, 2022
Critic Score: NR
User Score: 67
The Body - I've Seen All I Need to See
80
#50.

[Power Electronics, Drone Metal]
Release Date: January 29, 2021
Critic Score: 81
User Score: 67

โญโญโญ Favorite of The Month: January
โœ–๏ธ A Lament
โœ–๏ธ Tied Up and Locked In
โœ–๏ธ The City Is Shelled

This shit coulda killed Prince Philip.
Soshi Takeda - Floating Mountains
80
#49.

[Aqua House]
Release Date: October 8, 2021
Critic Score: 74
User Score: 74

๐ŸŸ Ancient Fish
๐ŸŸ Hidden Wave
๐ŸŸ Deep Breath

Cracking in at the bottom of my list, it's the debut of house composer Soshi Takeda. A quality collection of deep/ambient house tracks that all sound incredibly aquatic. A meditative and incredibly calm experience- sounds like some soothing and breezy OST to a Sonic water level or something; would recommend if you need some nice studying music.
Fire-Toolz - Eternal Home
80
#48.

[Progressive Electronic, Post-Industrial, Utopia Virtual]
Release Date: October 15, 2021
Critic Score: 75
User Score: 73

๐Ÿ”ฅ ≈ In the Pinewaves ≈
๐Ÿ”ฅ Where On EARTH Is My Sacchidฤnanda?
๐Ÿ”ฅ Advaita §huffling

Idk how an album can be described as "Post-Industrial, Progressive Electronic, Avant-Garde Metal, Utopian Virtual, Blackgaze, Glitch, Electro-Industrial, Cybergrind, Sequencer & Tracker, Jazz Fusion, and New Age" yet still end up feeling like a complete, cohesive project. Eternal Home's ambition is its greatest strength though simultaneously sometimes also to the project's detriment.
BROCKHAMPTON - ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE
80
#47.

[Pop Rap, Contemporary R&B]
Release Date: April 9, 2021
Critic Score: 77
User Score: 78

๐Ÿ’ฟ BUZZCUT
๐Ÿ’ฟ CHAIN ON
๐Ÿ’ฟ THE LIGHT

ROADRUNNER is BROCKHAMPTON finally reaching the quality of their SATURATION days for the first time since the release of the legendary trilogy with a collection of quality hip-hop and pop bangers. CHAIN ON and THE LIGHT are two of the best BH tracks to date.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/325766-roadrunner/
Panopticon - ...And Again Into the Light
80
#46.

[Atmospheric Black Metal, Americana]
Release Date: May 15, 2021
Critic Score: 80
User Score: 77

๐ŸŒพ And again into the light
๐ŸŒพ Moth-Eaten Soul
๐ŸŒพ Know Hope

After a three-year hiatus and following up what is perhaps his worst record since the early 2010s, Austin Lunn returns with a creative, hard-hitting, and potent set of tracks that showcase the best of his fusion of bluegrass and metal.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/327548-and-again-into-the-light/
Dean Blunt - Black Metal 2
80
#45.

[Neo-Psychedelia, Hypnagogic Pop, Art Pop]
Release Date: June 11, 2021
Critic Score: 81
User Score: 73

โฌ› NIL BY MOUTH
โฌ› WOOSAH
โฌ› the rot

Black Metal 2's shorter, more concise, and more immediate nature comparatively to its predecessor works well, even if it ultimately lacks some of what made the original Black Metal so phenomenal.
Blu - The Color Bluโ€‹(โ€‹e)
80
#44.

[Boom Bap, Jazz Rap, Conscious Hip-Hop]
Release Date: September 24, 2021
Critic Score: 80
User Score: 78

๐Ÿ’Ž Because The Sky Is Blu(e)
๐Ÿ’Ž Mr. Blu(e)
๐Ÿ’Ž Blu(e) World

Blue is said a total of 193 times across this album. Shit doesn't even sound like a real word anymore.
DJ Sabrina The Teenage DJ - The Makin' Magick II Album
80
#43.

[Outsider House, Future Funk]
Release Date: November 26, 2021
Critic Score: NR
User Score: 77

๐Ÿ‘ฉ Be Ready
๐Ÿ‘ฉ Lose Myself
๐Ÿ‘ฉ Back 2 Back

Not as ambitious or watertight as last year's DJ Sabrina album, though The Makin' Magic II Album is yet another 2 and a half hours of glamorous, enchanting house magic. DJ Sabrina is quickly becoming one of the most compelling names in modern-day house,
Nas - Magic
80
#42.

[Boom Bap, Conscious Hip-Hop]
Release Date: December 24, 2021
Critic Score: 79
User Score: 78

๐Ÿ’จ Ugly
๐Ÿ’จ Hollywood Gangsta
๐Ÿ’จ Wave Gods

Teaming up with Hit-Boy may have been the best decision of Nas' career- 2021 was really Nas' year. While King's Disease 2 was phenomenal in itself, I'd say Magic is not only the best of the two albums he released this year but also his best record since the '90s.
Natalia Lafourcade - Un Canto por México, Vol. II
80
#41.

[Ranchera, Bolero]
Release Date: May 28, 2021
Critic Score: 60
User Score: 75

๐Ÿƒ La Llorona
๐Ÿƒ Alma Mia / Tú Me Acostumbraste / Soledad y El Mar
๐Ÿƒ Para Qué Sufrir

Natalia Lafourcade just keeps dropping some of the year's best albums, Last year's Vol, 1 was in my top 5 of the year and while Vol, 2 may not be quite as exciting as Vol. 1 was, the second volume of this series shows Natalia once again adding a fresh coat of paint over some Spanish classics- alongside showing some great admiration/appreciation for her culture.
Lil Ugly Mane - VOLCANIC BIRD ENEMY AND THE VOICED CONCERN
80
#40.

[Neo-Psychedelia, Hypnagogic Pop, Trip Hop]
Release Date: October 12, 2021
Critic Score: 79
User Score: 79

๐Ÿฆ benadryl submarine
๐Ÿฆ headboard
๐Ÿฆ porcelain slightly

After a six-year hiatus, Travis Miller retains his eclectism by veering away from his hip-hop roots and coming through with a simply solid hypnagogic pop record that gives us a druggy look into the mind of someone on the verge of ending it all.
St. Vincent - Daddy's Home
80
#39.

[Psychedelic Soul, Art Rock, Funk Rock]
Release Date: May 14, 2021
Critic Score: 84
User Score: 80

๐Ÿ”— Pay Your Way In Pain
๐Ÿ”— Daddy's Home
๐Ÿ”— Down

Daddy's Home shows the everchanging St. Vincent toying with the sleek sounds of '70s funk-rock/psychedelic soul to better-than-expected results as she remains one of modern music's best storytellers.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/315503-daddys-home/
Mach-Hommy - Balens Cho (Hot Candles)
80
#38.

[Jazz Rap, Abstract Hip-Hop, Conscious Hip-Hop]
Release Date; December 4, 2021
Critic Score: 80
User Score: 76

๐Ÿ‹ Labou
๐Ÿ‹ Separation of the Sheep and the Goats
๐Ÿ‹ Wooden Nickels

Thoughtful, introspective, and jazzy collection of abstract hip-hop tracks. Mach is simultaneously one of the greatest rappers of the last ten years and one of hip-hop's best-kept secrets, and Balens Cho is one of Mach's most front-to-back consistent records yet.
Thy Catafalque - Vadak
80
#37.

[Progressive Metal, Avant-Garde Metal, Hungarian Folk Music]
Release Date: June 25, 2021
Critic Score: 90
User Score: 73

๐ŸŒฒ Köszöntsd a hajnalt
๐ŸŒฒ A kupolaváros titka
๐ŸŒฒ Vadak (Az átválrozás rítusai)

A labyrinth of progressive metal, electronic elements, and folk music- contrasting aggressive riffs and tormented screams with smooth electronics and beautiful female vocals- Vadak is easily one of the most intriguing and eclectic metal albums of 2021.
Your Old Droog - TIME
80
#36.

[Boom Bap, Abstract Hip-Hop]
Release Date: June 11, 2021
Critic Score: 80
User Score: 73

๐Ÿ•’ Dropout Boogie
๐Ÿ•’ You're So Sick
๐Ÿ•’ No Time

YOD's gripping storytelling and knack for odd yet intriguing concepts makes TIME not only one of the best hip-hop albums of the year but also perhaps YOD's best yet.
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - CARNAGE
80
#35.

[Art Rock, Chamber Pop, Art Pop]
Release Date: February 25, 2021
Critic Score: 88
User Score: 77

๐Ÿง›๐Ÿป Hand of God
๐Ÿง›๐Ÿป Old Time
๐Ÿง›๐Ÿป White Elephant

While not Nick Cave's next masterpiece, CARNAGE is a wonderful transitional project for Nick Cave following his most anguished set of albums yet.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/322754-carnage/
Iceage - Seek Shelter
80
#34.

[Alternative Rock, Punk Blues, Post-Punk]
Release Date: May 7, 2021
Critic Score: 80
User Score: 74

๐Ÿฆ“ High & Hurt
๐Ÿฆ“ Vendetta
๐Ÿฆ“ Drink Rain

Iceage takes 90's alt-rock and, once again, proves why they're one of the most consistent and daring voices in modern music. Their somewhat unrefined style of performance may make this album a bit divisive, though it's also what makes them such a unique voice in modern punk.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/332308-seek-shelter/
betcover!! - ๆ™‚้–“
80
#33.

[Art Rock, Alternative Rock]
Release Date: August 25, 2021
Critic Score: NR
User Score: 78

๐Ÿ‘จ ใ‚ใ„ใฉใ‚‹
๐Ÿ‘จ piano
๐Ÿ‘จ ๆฃ˜ใ‚’ๆŠœใ„ใฆๆญฉใ

Don't let the complete dogshit cover deter you from checking out Japanese rock band Betcover!!'s ferocious and daring breakout record. A very artsy and anxious set of tracks, can't wait to see what's next for Betcover!!.
Merope - Salos
80
#32.

[Chamber Folk, Lithuanian Folk Music, New Age]
Release Date: February 26, 2021
Critic Score: NR
User Score: 69

๐ŸŒฑ Ei Dvipa
๐ŸŒฑ Alma
๐ŸŒฑ Sakale

Salos feels like taking a stroll through a picturesque, magical forest.
Genesis Owusu - Smiling With No Teeth
80
#30.

[A Bunch Of Shit But Mostly Neo-Soul]
Release Date: March 5, 2021
Critic Score: 84
User Score: 81

๐Ÿค• Don't Need You
๐Ÿค• Gold Chains
๐Ÿค• Black Dogs

A balancing act of pop rap, funk, post-punk, R&B, experimental hip-hop, and (primarily) neo-soul, Genesis Owusu creates a debut for the books. Incredibly lively and chock-full of personality album that makes me ridiculously excited for what Genisis Owusu may be cooking up next.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/304735-smiling-with-no-teeth/
Mach-Hommy - Pray For Haiti
80
#29.

[Abstract Hip-Hop, Boom Bap, Jazz Rap]
Release Date: May 21, 2021
Critic Score: 80
User Score: 77

๐ŸŒน Folie À Deux
๐ŸŒน The Stellar Ray Theory
๐ŸŒน Murder Czn

Picking Gunn to oversee this album was the best move Mach could have made. His luxurious, antiquated, and classy style of production shines gloriously on a record fronted by a rapper as intelligent and chocked full of wisdom as Mach-Hommy. This record should be any hip-hop head's dream come true.
Skee Mask - Pool
80
#28.

[IDM, Breakbeat, Techno]
Release Date: May 7, 2021
Critic Score: 81
User Score: 76

๐Ÿˆ Stone Cold 369
๐Ÿˆ 60681z
๐Ÿˆ Harrison Ford

It's been the year of long-ass yet consistent electronic albums. These evocative and atmospheric near-two-hours of techno, IDM, breakbeat, ambient, and any other electronic subgenre under the sun are filled with just about as much sentimentality and craftmanship as one could ask for from an electronic album. From the tender and slow Ozone to the dizzying, breakneck rhythms of Crossection, Pool is sure to keep your attention across its nearly two-hour runtime with a wide array of electronic styles.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/363825-pool/
Kero Kero Bonito - Civilisation
80
#27.

[Synthpop, Indietronica, Electropop]
Release Date: September 10, 2021
Critic Score: 77
User Score: 79

๐Ÿ’ฎ Battle Lines
๐Ÿ’ฎ Princess and the Clock
๐Ÿ’ฎ Well Rested

Wrapping up the Civilisation series they started in 2018 with a grand compilation with 7 tracks of fun and cute KKB splendor; really feels like the 3rd kkb album, at least in spirit
Lingua Ignota - SINNER GET READY
80
#26.

[Neoclassical Darkwave, Chamber Music, Avant-Folk]
Release Date: August 6, 2021
Critic Score: 86
User Score: 83

๐Ÿฉธ THE ORDER OF SPIRITUAL VIRGINS
๐Ÿฉธ I WHO BEND THE TALL GRASSES
๐Ÿฉธ MANN IS LIKE A SPRING FLOWER

The tense and harrowing Sinner Get Ready is an emotional, powerful, and enormous journey that navigates through the horrifying topic of trauma. I especially admire the way Kristen incorporated Appalachian Folk Music into her formula this time around.
Boldy James & The Alchemist - Bo Jackson
80
#25.

[Gangsta Rap, Boom Bap, Jazz Rap]
Release Date: August 13, 2021
Critic Score: 79
User Score: 78

Cracking into the top 25, it's Boldy James and The Alchemist's second collaboration together which is a great showing of top-tier MC and producer chemistry, along with being a great case for Boldy James and The Alchemist being some of the best in their respective fields currently. Uncle Al's clean and soulful production matches exquisitely with Boldy James, who brings his A-Game with captivating storytelling and grimy bars.

๐Ÿ”ซ Turpentine
๐Ÿ”ซ E.P.M.D.
๐Ÿ”ซ Fake Flowers
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra - Promises
80
#24.

[Third Stream, Modern Classical, Spiritual Jazz]
Release Date: March 26, 2021
Critic Score: 88
User Score: 82

ใ€ฐ๏ธ Movement 1
ใ€ฐ๏ธ Movement 6
ใ€ฐ๏ธ Movement 8

Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders, and The London Symphony Orchestra are a dream team on Promises. Prepare yourself for an adventure that blasts you into the furthest edges of the stratosphere, yet also into the most subdued, quiet crevices of the deep sea- all done with using only 7 notes.
Low - HEY WHAT
80
#22.

[Ambient Pop, Post-Industrial, Noise]
Release Date: September 10, 2021
Critic Score: 82
User Score: 78

๐Ÿ’ฟ White Horses
๐Ÿ’ฟ I Can Wait
๐Ÿ’ฟ Disappearing

Ferocious, crushing, and enormous-in-scope, Low's experimental opus, HEY WHAT, is perhaps the most challenging record in their catalog. Harsh distortion contrasts delicate, sultry vocals as you are overwhelmed out by a devastating wall of noise. I also have to commend this album in how cohesive it feels as each of these songs flow so well into each other while simultaneously being everso distinct.
tricot - ไธŠๅ‡บๆฅ [Jodeki]
80
21.

[Indie Rock, J-Pop, Math Rock]
Release Date: December 15, 2021
Critic Score: 70
User Score: 77

โญโญโญ Favorite of the Month: December
๐Ÿถ ๆšด้œฒ
๐Ÿถ ใ„ใชใ„
๐Ÿถ ๅคœใฎ้ญ”็‰ฉ

What da dog doin???? Making the best indie/math rock album of the year apparently.
Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee
80
#20.

[Indie Pop, Chamber Pop]
Release Date: June 4, 2021
Critic Score: 86
User Score: 80


๐ŸŠ Paprika
๐ŸŠ Kokomo, IN
๐ŸŠ Slide Tackle

Michelle Zauner's third studio album outshines her previous outings with its sharp songwriting, unforgettable melodies, and a rich, incredibly polished instrumental pallet. Unlike many contemporaries, or most of Japanese Breakfast's own past offerings, Jubilee rarely falls into the trap of being another generic indie-pop affair.
DJ Sprinkles - Gayest Tits & Greyest Shits: 1998-2017 12-inches & One-offs
80
#19.

[Deep House]
Release Date: April 5, 2021
Critic Score: 80
User Score: 83

๐Ÿ† Useless Movement (Useless Dub)
๐Ÿ† Meditation on Wage Labor and the Death of the Album (Sprinkles' Unpaid Overtime)
๐Ÿ†Kissing Costs Extra

If DJ Sprinkle is one of those artists who appear once a decade, then they might just be worth the wait. Also wins the oddly highly contested award for best electronic album over an hour and a half.
Turnstile - GLOW ON
80
#18.

[Alternative Rock, Post-Hardcore, Dream Punk]
Release: August 27, 2021
Critic Score: 88
User Score: 80

โญโญโญFavorite of the Month: August
๐Ÿ’ฎ BLACKOUT
๐Ÿ’ฎ UNDERWATER BOI
๐Ÿ’ฎ HOLIDAY

Dream punk is a thing now I guess.
80
#17.

[Abstract Hip-Hop, Hardcore Hip-Hop, Conscious Hip-Hop]
Release Date: March 26, 2021
Critic Score: 82
User Score: 77

๐Ÿท Black Sunlight
๐Ÿท Falling out the Sky
๐Ÿท Chicharonnes

Hip-hop visionaries billy woods and E L U C I D team up with legendary producer The Alchemist for perhaps their best record together yet. The Alchemist's hazy and incredibly surreal production is the ideal blueprint for the duo to lay their lyrically dense and cryptic verses.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/339255-haram/
Yola - Stand for Myself
80
#16.

[Pop Soul, Country Soul, Countrypolitian]
Release Date: July 30, 2021
Critic Score: 78
User Score: 77

โญโญโญ Favorite of the Month: July
๐Ÿ”ฎ Diamond Studded Shoes
๐Ÿ”ฎ If I Had To Do It Again
๐Ÿ”ฎ Stand For Myself

A winning combination of soul and country, Yola's stunning songwriting, a host of passionate and uplifting performances, and Yola's powerful, one-of-a-kind voice make Stand for Myself one of the most effective '70s throwback records I've heard in a long while. You can just simply tell how much passion for her music Yola has as she cries out every note on this record.
Tyler, The Creator - CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST
80
#15.

[Jazz Rap, Hardcore Hip-Hop, Neo-Soul]
Release Date: June 25, 2021
Critic Score: 86
User Score: 83

โœจ CORSO
โœจ HOT WIND BLOWS
โœจ SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE

Despite not reaching the highs of Flower Boy and IGOR, Tyler, the Creator's return to rap is filled with classy, braggadocious, and bar-heavy bangers. If those aren't your style, then the reggae-infused SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE or the lush WUSYANAME should be more like it. Tyler is, once again, showing why he's not only one of the most innovative and boundary-pushing superstars of our time, but also one of the most consistent too.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/380071-call-me-if-you-get-lost/
Feu! Chatterton - Palais d'argile
80
#14.

[Nouvelle chanson française, Art Rock, Indietronica]
Release Date: March 12, 2021
Critic Score: 80
User Score: 76

โญโญโญ Favorite of the Month: March
๐Ÿ’Ž Ecran Total
๐Ÿ’Ž Libre
๐Ÿ’Ž Lesson filer

If you can get past a language barrier, you'll come to find that Palais d'argile is one of the most mature, beautiful, and anthemic art rock albums to release in recent years. If you do know French, however, then Arthur Teboul's poetic themes of love and a more technologically reliant society will only be something else to enjoy on top of the nonstop grooves this album throws at you.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/333645-palais-dargile/
JPEGMAFIA - LP! (Offline Version)
90
#13.

[Experimental Hip-Hop, Cloud Rap]
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Critic Score: 90 (Offline) / 82 (Online)
User Score: 88 (Offline) / 82 (Online)

๐Ÿ–ฑ๏ธ DIRTY!
๐Ÿ–ฑ๏ธ HAZARD DUTY PAY!
๐Ÿ–ฑ๏ธ WHAT KIND OF RAPPIN' IS THIS?

HARD!
Ad Nauseam - Imperative Imperceptible Impulse
80
#12.

[Technical Death Metal, Avant-Garde Metal]
Release Date: February 12, 2021
Critic Score: 88
User Score: 76

๐Ÿ•ณ๏ธ Inexorably Ousted Sente
๐Ÿ•ณ๏ธ Coincidentia Opositorum
๐Ÿ•ณ๏ธ Imperative Imperceptible Impulse

Ad Nauseam's sophomore is a masterclass in dissonant and technical metal. So many dizzying yet odd time signatures and heavy, forceful passages accompany throaty vocals that sound like ghouls trying to drag you down into your own grave.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/331856-imperative-imperceptible-impulse/
Silk Sonic - An Evening with Silk Sonic
80
#11.

[Smooth Soul]
Release Date: November 12, 2021
Critic Score: 80
User Score: 82

๐Ÿคต Leave The Door Open
๐Ÿคต Smokin Out The Window
๐Ÿคต Skate

What a glossy, eccentric, well-performed, and consistently stunning throwback to '70s soul. "Silk" is truly the best descriptor for this album. A gigantic assemblage of lush and mellow drums and pianos, funky basslines, and hypnotizing background vocals help propel Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars' luxurious, smooth-as-butter voices and playful songwriting to greatness. This shit got me feeling sexy as fuck, 'nuff said.
Westside Gunn - Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Side B
90
#10.

[Boom Bap, Gangsta Rap]
Release Date: September 24, 2021
Critic Score: 77
User Score: 79

๐Ÿ‘จ‍โœˆ๏ธ Hell on Earth, Pt. 2
๐Ÿ‘จ‍โœˆ๏ธ Free Kutter
๐Ÿ‘จ‍โœˆ๏ธ Celine Dion

Buffalo's very own adlib king, Westside Gunn, is what happens when a lavish, extravagant diamond gets to rise out of the rough. His beat selection, which ranges from opulent soul-sampling and jazz loops to dirty, grimy pianos and percussion that sound like they're scrapped straight off the filthiest streets of New York, is an exceptional backdrop for Gunn to paint stories with his words. In other words, DOOTODOOTOODOTOOODOTODOTODOOTODOTODOT
SPELLLING - The Turning Wheel
90
#09.

[Art Pop, Baroque Pop, Progressive Pop]
Release Date: June 25, 2021
Critic Score: 81
User Score: 82

โญโญโญ Favorite of the Month: June
๐Ÿ•ท Little Deer
๐Ÿ•ท Turning Wheel
๐Ÿ•ท Boys at School

Spellling's beautiful, cerebral, dark, and spellbinding third record is a gem, filled with art-pop grandeur of the highest degree. Violins, pianos, guitars, saxophones, and electronics, among others, all aid Spellling's elegant voice in creating this opus of her catalog. It took an ensemble of 31 to make shit this good.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/212066-the-turning-wheel/
Ill Considered - Liminal Space
80
#08.

[Avant-Garde Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Spiritual Jazz]
Release Date: November 12, 2021
Critic Score: 80
User Score: 79

โญโญโญ Favorite of the Month: November
๐ŸŽ First Light
๐ŸŽ Sandstorm
๐ŸŽ The Lurch

Well this album being so good was unexpected. I'd never heard of Ill Considered before this, though they have quickly become one of the most interesting jazz outfits out right now, at least in my eyes. Their fusion of jazz and rock is truly enthralling and the energy of their songs is unrivaled. It's difficult to explain this album in words, so I'll just say anyone who seems vaguely interested in it should check this one out.
Squid - Bright Green Field
80
#07.

[Art Punk, Post-Punk, Experimental Rock]
Release Date: May 7, 2021
Critic Score: 85
User Score: 79

๐Ÿฆ‘ G.S.K.
๐Ÿฆ‘ Narrator
๐Ÿฆ‘ Paddling

Squid drop one of the most experimental, audacious, adventurous, eclectic, catchy, and all-around great art punk albums in a year filled with experimental, audacious, adventurous, eclectic, catchy and all-around great art punk albums. Also, plus points for having the best song of the year.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/329449-bright-green-field/
Injury Reserve - By the Time I Get to Phoenix
90
#06.

[Experimental Hip-Hop, Experimental, Glitch Hop]
Release Date: September 15, 2021
Critic Score: 81
User Score: 84

๐Ÿงง Superman That
๐Ÿงง Postpostpartum
๐Ÿงง Knees

Very rarely do I find a record this challenging. Only a year following the unfortunate death of key member Stephen J. Groggs, Richie with a T and Parker Corey come through with an album that sounds like the successor to their self-titled record was beaten to a pulp and then Franksteined back together. Very surreal and avant-garde compositions that are on the verge of collapsing onto each other- it instills an almost existential feeling in the listener. It's hard to even classify this album into any pre-existing genre due to just how eclectic and wild it ends up being- it more so feels like a deconstruction of hip-hop music than anything else.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/399564-by-the-time-i-get-to-phoenix/
Bruno Pernadas - Private Reasons
90
#05.

[Psychedelic Pop, Progressive Pop, Space Age Pop]
Release Date: April 23, 2021
Critic Score: 80
User Score: 75

โญโญโญ Favorite of The Month: April
๐ŸŒˆ Theme Vision
๐ŸŒˆ Little Season I
๐ŸŒˆ Step Out Of The Light

By going through a slightly psychedelic makeover, Bruno Pernadas, the spiritual successors to Stereolab, makes another absolute banger of a record. The exotic, mesmerizing, and warm sound of the album is what hooks you in initially, though the stunning and progressive song structures are what keep you interested. It's pretty much as weird as you are going to get with lounge pop. If I suggest you listen to any song here, it's the gorgeous, progressive, and awe-inspiring Step Out Of The Light- truly a masterpiece of music. This was also my album of the Summer, so that's that. Either way, absolutely beautiful record from one of the best in modern pop.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/307657-private-reasons/
black midi - Cavalcade
80
#04.

[Avant-Prog, Jazz-Rock Brutal Prog]
Release Date: May 26, 2021
Critic Score: 80
User Score: 83

โญโญโญ Favorite of the Month: May
๐ŸŽธ John L
๐ŸŽธ Slow
๐ŸŽธ Ascending Forth

By straying away from the math-rock sound that helped them garner an audience and more towards the absolutely beserk sounds of avant-prog, black midi crafts a sophomore album that is both excitingly daring and wildly eclectic. The way this album can switch so well from soft-spoken ballad to chaotic and brutal rock rager is what makes it so fascinating. You are always intrigued about what awaits you next when listening to Cavalcade.

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/347417-cavalcade/
Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
90
#03.

[UK Hip-Hop, Conscious Hip-Hop, Orchestral]
Release Date: September 3, 2021
Critic Score: 90
User Score: 88

โญโญโญFavorite of the Month: September
๐Ÿ“– Introvert
๐Ÿ“– I Love You, I Hate You
๐Ÿ“– Standing Ovation

Whew boy, what can I say about SIMBI that hasn't been said already? It's an album that will floor you at every corner. From the grandiose and orchestral production on tracks like Introvert and I Love You, I Hate You to the smooth, slick instrumentals of Woman and I See You to the uplifting instrumentals of Standing Ovation and How Did You Get Here, the production never falls flat. Simz's lyricism proves her to be one of the most inspired and passionate lyricists of all time as she comes through with consistently complex rhyme schemes and a bag full of brilliant stories. The album unfolds in a storybook-like way which really adds personality to it, alongside making it feel distinctly Simz. I mean, this is an album where even the interludes are amazing. Truly a masterpiece for modern times.
Magdalena Bay - Mercurial World
100
#02.

[Synthpop, Dance-Pop]
Release Date: October 8, 2021
Critic Score: 75
User Score: 81

โญโญโญ Favorite of the Month: October
๐ŸŒธ Mercurial World
๐ŸŒธ Secrets (Your Fire)
๐ŸŒธ You Lose!

The best elements of Grimes and Kero Kero Bonito combine into a kaleidoscope of color. To put it simply, this is like musical crack- and boy have I never been happier to be addicted to crack. Hypnotic rhythms and melodies that will get stuck in your head for days permeate every inch of this album. Seriously some of the most magical and enchanting pop music I've heard in a good while, check it out if you consider yourself a fan of any kind of pop music.
Black Country, New Road - For the first time
100
#01.

[Post-Punk, Experimental Rock, Klezmer]
Release Date: February 5, 2021
Critic Score: 82
User Score: 83

โญโญโญ Favorite of The Month: February
๐ŸŽท Science Fair
๐ŸŽท Sunglasses
๐ŸŽท Opus

good

Review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/chode/album/295445-for-the-first-time/
1
Comments
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1mo
Iโ€™m seeing this years after, but no โ€˜Nurtureโ€™ is still an upsetting thought for me; however, big W on โ€˜Mercurial Worldโ€™ at #2
1y
simbi clears all
2y
no nurture; W (3)
2y
no nurture; W (2)
2y
good
2y
No nurture L
And SIMBI >>>> so L
2y
where's simbi?
2y
can you have a list of your "must hear albums from this year"?
2y
@MattsReviews go back to break
2y
You're music tastes sucks dick
2y
I read the title of this list on the dunkey voice saying โ€œgoldeneye fucking sucksโ€
2y
Your ears having a constant party jheez, i must've listened properly to about 20 0f these and i think that's a lot. Cool list man
2y
Dude I'm so impressed! I definitely have the bandwidth for this with my college job but I get comfortable with the stuff I know. This gives me a list of stuff to try out. Big thanks ๐Ÿ˜Š
2y
Did you listen to It all this year?? Wow. Just WOW
2y
@hiphopcritiques I am music
2y
Why have you heard so many albums It scares me.
2y
wow my ep is in the top 50 thank you so much!! <3
2y
damn you've been busy listening to music
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