TOP 100 Albums of 2021 / TOP 100 Songs

The end of the year is approaching and it looks like everything will be hibernating for a few weeks so here's the final summary ! A much better 2021 than the previous one (although you have to take into account the pandemic that slowed things down too)!!

Love

Squid - Bright Green Field
1.
91
(Post Punk / Art Punk)

„To say that there are before and after Bright Green Field is perhaps a little too hasty, yet the Brighton natives have offered us an absolutely brilliant experience from start to finish that will be remembered for years to come. They knew how to revisit through the anguish of the world, with the help of a modern signature absolutely personal“
Full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/329449-bright-green-field/
Injury Reserve - By the Time I Get to Phoenix
2.
88
(Post-Rap / Experimental Hip Hop)

"Bursting with deep sorrow, Injury Reserve delivers absolutely transcendent and visionary Hip Hop that showcases a meaningless world that doesn't yet exist."
black midi - Cavalcade
3.
88
(Avant-Prog / Experimental Rock / Art Rock)

„If the previous and first album was already phenomenal, Cavalcade is monstrous. With this last one, Black Midi enters in the legend of the monument of the Prog music, by giving the impression of an even more promising future“
Lingua Ignota - SINNER GET READY
4.
87
(Neoclassical Darkwave / Avant-Folk)

„It is always very complex, sometimes impossible for an artist to leave her comfort zone, the one that made her known to explore new horizons, moreover with a concept as complex as the main task. Yet Kristin Hayter managed to climb her third step with genius, to offer us one of the most thrilling, terrifying and sensational musical experiences of the year“ Full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/350774-sinner-get-ready/
Black Country, New Road - For the first time
5.
87
(Experimental Rock / Post-Punk)

„Not only will For the First Time easily become a favorite for the 2021 rankings, but this treasure has the potential to become a benchmark for the future. In other words, this is not a day like any other. Black Country New Road is the symbol of these new groups of genius who point the finger at the misdeeds of today's society, while redrawing new musical contours, as if they were invested with a mission to care for the future“ Full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/295445-for-the-first-time/
SPELLLING - The Turning Wheel
6.
86
(Baroque Pop / Art Pop)

„In The Turning Wheel, Spelling could play a witchy heroine who struggles to be heard in a disruptive Disney. This album is clearly part of these magical works that we listen in loop“
Kanye West - Donda (Deluxe)
7.
86
(Spritual Hip Hop / Experimental Hip Hop)

„On Donda, Kanye West finds the right way through a giant mass where the whole Hip Hop scene is invited. Unlike his recent misguidance, Kanye reaches out, reflects and takes responsibility. Donda's adventure is an eclectic one where faith and worldview are confronted through deeply emotional soundscapes“ Full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/262792-donda/
Magdalena Bay - Mercurial World
8.
86
(Synthpop / Electropop)

„Mercurial World reacts like a real fairy tale, it is a colorful, mysterious, wonderful and incredibly seductive adventure. There's no doubt that this debut album can compete for a top spot this year“ Full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/385275-mercurial-world/
JPEGMAFIA - LP! (Offline Version)
9.
85
(Experimental Hip Hop / Hardcore Hip Hop)

„LP is the story of a turbulent and hyperactive bad boy who passes a casting by proposing a more efficient and sophisticated version of his formula in order to achieve a perfect synthesis of his musical palette. If we are less surprised than usual, the technique and the mastery of JPEGMAFIA remain absolutely striking“ Full review: https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/421557-lp/
10.
85
(Deconstructed Club / Experimental Hip Hop / Glitch Hop)

„KicK iii is one of the most exciting and promising parts, simply because Arca seems absolutely transcendent. We find dozens of undisciplined, disordered, unpredictable songs that come to burst in turn in an unprecedented festival of flavor“ Full review : https://spectrumculture.com/2021/12/05/arca-kick-ii-iii-iiii-iiiii-review/
Lil Ugly Mane - VOLCANIC BIRD ENEMY AND THE VOICED CONCERN
11.
85
(Neo-Psychedelia / Hypnagogic Pop)

"Lil Ugly Mane had already proven that his eclectic formula sometimes surpassed Hip Hop and that his talent was incalculable, but on Volcanic Bird Enemy begins a new Neo-Psychedelia chapter with brilliance as if it were a whole new artist."
12.
84
(Indie Folk / Chamber Folk)

„A Beginner's Mind is like a set of songs you could play in heaven. Thanks to a winning duo, this album reminds me why music is something that is beyond us all“ Full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/388011-a-beginners-mind/
Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
13.
84
(UK Hip Hop / Conscious Hip Hop)

„Sometimes I Might Be Introvert is the odyssey of Litte Simz, an accomplished artist who keeps proving her immense talent. Through 1 hour of 5 star travel, the London native delivers a moving experience without ever losing sight of her multiple struggles. A real treasure“ Full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/357961-sometimes-i-might-be-introvert/
Sweet Trip - A Tiny House, in Secret Speeches, Polar Equals
14.
84
(Dream Pop / Indietronica)

„The idea of finding Sweet Trip again was becoming endless, like a bottle in the sea. The album A Tiny House In Secret Speeches Polar Equals sounded like a mirage that we didn't want to believe, but it is real, a chance for us passionate. With some nuances, the new adventure is really fantastic, like a dream that only the Sweet Trip architects can offer us“ Full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/299960-a-tiny-house-in-secret-speeches-polar-equals/
Genesis Owusu - Smiling With No Teeth
15.
83
(Neo-Soul / Alternative R&B)
Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee
16.
83
(Indie Pop / Chamber Pop)

„Jubilee captures the essence of delightful Chamber Pop and heartfelt Indie Pop and makes it graceful. Zauner is a master at bringing emotions to life or making them speak when they seem deeply buried, volatile in contrast“ Full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/341271-jubilee/
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END!
17.
83
(Post-Rock / Chamber Music)

„Drawing on both the early foundations that built their cult following and the present inspiration, Godspeed You Black Emperor delivers a searing album full of open-hearted truth. "G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END! "is a dazzling piece of music, as much in the power of the orchestration as in the imagery. A colossal experience to be lived imperatively as a fall with eyes closed. You could say it's a return to grace“ Full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/341595-g-ds-pee-at-states-end/
Tyler, The Creator - CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST
18.
83
(Jazz Rap/ Hardcore Hip Hop)

„CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST is a lightning wink to nostalgia, a real instropection of its author. Tackling a very human concept album and a formidable musicality, Tyler delivers us a new lesson“ Full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/380071-call-me-if-you-get-lost/
Low - HEY WHAT
19.
83
(Ambient Pop / Post-Industrial)

„The discography of Low is irreproachable, Hey What is a stone carrying more of a monument almost finalized“
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra - Promises
20.
83
(Third Stream / Post-Minimalism)

„It is as difficult to understand Promises as it is to describe it. One could say that there is no limpid adventure in 2021, it must be tasted layer by layer, like a cake with several layers“
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - CARNAGE
21.
83
(Chamber Pop / Art Pop)

„Carnage is not just another page, it opens the door to a whole new story. It is a human and personal deliverance for the authors who allow us for 40 delicious minutes to close our eyes and escape“ Full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/322754-carnage/
Skee Mask - Pool
22.
83
(IDM / Breakbeat Techno)

„Tomorrow is today“
Porter Robinson - Nurture
23.
82
(Electropop / Synthpop)

„Nurture is not just an album, it is also a life lesson. Porter Robinson has come close to the basics in order to develop himself artistically, offering a lively and unabashed adventure, and for this reason Nurture is seductive both in its great qualities and in its flaws“ Full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/211264-nurture/
Juçara Marçal - Delta Estácio Blues
24.
82
(Vanguarda Paulista / Experimental Rock)

„It had been some time since a contemporary Brazilian album had seduced me so much. An adventure success from start to finish“
Jane Remover - Frailty
25.
87
(Indietronica / Glitch Pop / Noise Pop / Hyperpop)

"Frailty traces an introspective struggle with anxiety in a digicore/indietronica upsetting universe like a con-stant mist that one tries to remove. A wonderful album that shows the essence of the enormous potential of Dltzk, only 18 years old. "
Full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/418876-frailty/
Knocked Loose - A Tear in the Fabric of Life
26.
82
(Metalcore / Deathcore)

„Brutality and purification“
Turnstile - GLOW ON
27.
82
(Post-Hardcore / Alternative Rock)

„Glow On is a good mood antidote, a source of infinite energy“
Every Time I Die - Radical
28.
82
(Metalcore / Mathcore)

„Radical establishes itself as the best Metal album of the year 2021“
파란노을 [Parannoul] / Asian Glow / Sonhos Tomam Conta - Downfall of the Neon Youth
29.
83
(Shoegaze / Emo / Noise Pop)

„A formidable alliance Shoegaze/Emo/Lo-Fi which offers one of the most phenomenal compilation of the year“
McKinley Dixon - For My Mama and Anyone Who Look Like Her
30.
83
(Jazz Rap / Southern Hip Hop)

„An absolutely exquisite Jazz-Rap flavor, McKinley Dixon performs a demonstration from nowhere like The Koreatown Oddity did last year“
31.
85
(Ambient / Modern Classical / Post-Minimalism)

[individual rating : 82]
„As for kiCK iiiii, it seems that only Arca’s tears and dried heart are left, in a fantastic risk taken“ Full review : https://spectrumculture.com/2021/12/05/arca-kick-ii-iii-iiii-iiiii-review/
Circuit des Yeux - -io
32.
81
(Neoclassical Darkwave / Art Pop)

„Through soundscapes as majestic as they are chaotic, Haley Fohr is trapped in -io, a networked world she is trying to escape“ Full review : https://spectrumculture.com/2021/10/24/circuit-des-yeux-io/
RXKNephew - Slitherman Activated
33.
81
(Experimental Hip Hop / Trap / Gangsta Rap)

„Slitherman Activated is both the funniest and the most committed Hip Hop album of 2021, driven by one of the most charismatic and cutting edge rappers of the moment“
34.
81
(Post-Industrial / Darkwave)

„favorite thriller soundtrack“
St. Vincent - Daddy's Home
35.
81
(Psychedelic Soul / Art Rock)

„St Vincent has the art and the way to offer an absolutely touching and very personal work but she invites you to be fully part of it, as if you were in flesh and blood propelled in deeply buried memories“ full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/315503-daddys-home/
death's dynamic shroud.wmv - Faith in Persona
36.
81
(Vaporwave / Utopian Virtual / Glitch Pop)

„We sometimes spend our time to discover what the future will be made of, Faith in Persona is maybe one of the ways, an explosive and contagious mixture“
Mach-Hommy - Pray For Haiti
37.
81
(Abstract Hip Hop / Jazz Rap)

„Pray For Haiti establishes itself as the top tier of Mach-Hommy's discography“
Vanessa Rossetto / Lionel Marchetti - The Tower (The City)
38.
81
(Field Recordings / Musique Concrete)

„A very mysterious album that stands out as one of the best avant-garde albums of the year“
Bruno Pernadas - Private Reasons
39.
80
(Progressive Pop / Psychedelic Pop)

„Private Reasons is a singular journey of which only Bruno Pernadas and his collaborators have the secret, but however certain moments would deserve to be purged to advocate the effectiveness“
shame - Drunk Tank Pink
40.
80
(Post-Punk / Art Punk)

„Articulated around psychology and anxiety, Drunk Tank Pink is not only a successful second album, it's a consequent evolution for the London band. Shame's youngsters have grown up, now facing their demons through an intense and deep post punk“ Full review : https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/doublez/album/303732-drunk-tank-pink/
betcover!! - 時間
41.
80
(Art Rock / Alternative Rock)

„時間 shows all the promise of a young author who is ready to devour the world“
L'Rain - Fatigue
42.
83
(Psychedelic Soul / Neo-Soul)

„L’Rain’s reflective and exposing Fatigue is a transformative listen that leaves you wanting more“ Full review : https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/l-rain-fatigue-album-review
파란노을 [Parannoul] - To See the Next Part of the Dream
43.
90
(Shoegaze / Emo / Post-Rock)

„Parannoul is the leader of a new South Korean underground scene that has not stopped talking about it. If To See The Next Part Of The Dream sometimes lacks song, the textures, emotions and soundscapes are absolutely stunning“
Nala Sinephro - Space 1.8
44.
80
(Avant-Garde Jazz / Nu Jazz / Ambient)

„There is often a contemporary jazz album that slips in among the direct competitors, Space 1.8 is a minimalist adventure that plunges you into a dream“
Maxo Kream - WEIGHT OF THE WORLD
45.
80
(Southern Hip Hop / Trap)

„Maxo Kream did not invent fire, but he is still undeniably and criminally underestimated. Weight Of The World is one more example“
Wild Up & Christopher Rountree - Julius Eastman, Vol. 1: Femenine
46.
80
(Minimalism / Chamber Music)

„It's crazy the number of interesting minimalist works that we find in this millesime“
LUMP - Animal
47.
81
(Art Pop / Indie Pop / Indietronica)

„Lump is an alchemist who works very well“
Wolf Alice - Blue Weekend
48.
80
(Alternative Rock / Indie Rock)

„Despite the somewhat stereotypical Indie Rock look, Blue Weekend is formidable enough to be a charming experience“
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Way Down In The Rust Bucket
49.
80
(Hard Rock / Country Rock)

„Whatever the times, there are still some very great things to find in Young“
Darkside - Spiral
50.
79
(Neo-Psychedelia / Art Rock)

„Not as brilliant as the previous one, but still vital“
Comments
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2y
The turning wheel at 6 nice
2y
Fantastic list! Lotta of my favs here. heard 86 of these records as of right now and plan to check out more since what I do know here is great.
2y
Thank you very much!
It's a sure thing! @PelicanManners
I can tell you on the tone of humor that it is perhaps because there are very few media that pay, because many freelance contributors @Hoymiyoy
2y
Great list man, shouts for having McKinley Dixon on here too!
2y
Well done, friend! Great choices.
2y
Rolling Stones punching the air rn
2y
Thank's !! @Gohan1999vlMP @Stedman
2y
Thank you very much! Indeed we have a lot of similarities in our list, I return the compliment @Donlord
2y
Awesome list - we share many of the same picks!! I can tell how much effort you must have put into this list, which is why I think it's so passionate and accurate. Plus I'm always delighted to see Lingua and Black Country in anyone's top 5 😃😃
2y
A beautiful year indeed which explains that, and it's true hehe I like to discover new soundscapes, adventures that carry me towards the unknown
Can't wait to see your list my friend ! @Jamobo
2y
Damn! 49 albums that are at least an 8/10. Great list, you seem to be really appreciating the more experimental and Punk records, based on your top 5
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