You don't realize how much great music comes out in a year until you try to rank your favorites. Scroll through for the Sound Hammock picks of the best albums of the ever-so-strange 2021.
20. Glow On: Turnstile
Turnstile understands that hardcore music is not synonymous with entrenched artistry. Turnstile brings their music to the next level on this album with alt hooks and powerful breakdowns, making them sound more comparable to Rage Against the Machine on their fourth album. Glow On feels very in the moment- when you’re listening to this album, you’re really listening to this album.
19. Raise the Roof: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Why is this unlikely duo so perfect!? It’s been 14 years since Alison Krauss and Robert Plant’s first collaboration project, so this was an album I far from expected to get in 2021. The legendary Plant and brilliant Krauss carefully crafted this album of mostly folk and blues covers to sound exciting and original. This album dimly glistens in the warm sounds of the past.
18. Gold-Diggers Sound: Leon Bridges
Per usual, Leon Bridges gave us new music that’s smooth, sexy and timeless. His elongated vowels and careful delivery send us swooning in a familiar, typical-Leon kind of way. Bridges plays it safe on this album and doesn’t take many risks, but I have no issues with comfortable listening.
17. Be Right Back: Jorja Smith
Many are calling this one an EP, but Spotify calls it an album so we’re going with that and giving it a spot on this list (although now I’m impatiently awaiting another new project). Be Right Back is a mellow, classic R&B album that highlights Jorja’s vocals casually. The instrumentation is simple and stripped back, handing over the spotlight to Jorja’s melodies and lyrics.
16. If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power: Halsey
If not totally in love with, I was at the least entertained by this album from top to bottom. A totally different direction from Halsey’s usual pop style, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power drives Nine Inch Nails to meet Game of Thrones vibes. You won’t find me playing this album for party guests as an album everyone can appreciate, but when I’m in the mood for something heavier and female-empowering, this is what I’m going for.
15. Lindsey Buckingham: Lindsey Buckingham
On his first solo album in 10 years, Lindsey Buckingham begs you to pay attention to his melodies. I’m not saying this is a Fleetwood Mac album, but you can certainly recognize the classic group’s style and undertones. Buckingham has got you hooked from the beginning, making you forget that he’s a 72 year old rock god who can’t get along with any of his friends.
14. Jubilee: Japanese Breakfast
Michelle Zauner sits on top of her indie castle reading her New York Times best seller as we stand below and worship. Jubilee is euphoric with a hint of horns and a sprinkle of 80s pop for good measure.
13. Valentine: Snail Mail
Lindsey Jordan’s sharp writing on her second album took her to more mainstream heights without selling out. Jordan sings through many emotions on this album, closing out by coming to terms with all of them. If the lyrics on this album don’t do it for you, Jordan’s beautifully wailing guitar will.
12. Sour: Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo had a seemingly instantaneous rise to fame this year, although she was already a fairly common name in any Disney Channel household. Her original song “Drivers License” took off with a life of its own, launching Olivia into a whole new life on top of the music charts. At 17 years old, it’s beyond impressive that Rodrigo is able to write such mature tunes. She has been named Times Entertainer of the Year, Billboard’s Rookie of the Year, and has received seven Grammy nominations for the 2022 awards.
11. Star-Crossed: Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves takes the position of a desperate wife on this album, but sounds obvious to be playing a part, and still seems to come out the other end at least somewhat triumphant. There is no revenge on this album- just honesty. I kind of want to swing at her ex-hubby, but that just shows the Leo in her and the Aries in me.
10. Sob Rock: John Mayer
It’s pretty telling that even a less engaging John Mayer album (as far as John Mayer albums go) makes it into the top list of the year. This man is a prodigy and we’re blessed to hear the sounds he creates. That is all.
9. Heaux Tale: Jazmine Sullivan
Love, sex, loss and repeat. Jazmine Sullivan doesn’t tell any new stories, but she does tell all the known old tales in new, entertaining ways. For us R&B lovers, this was our 2021 fill.
8. Flowers for Vases: Hayley Williams
Flowers for Vases is the more raw younger sibling of Hayley’s first solo album Petals for Armor. Flowers for Vases is mournful and melodic, giving yet another voice to the inner-workings of the ever-emoting Paramore front woman. Here, she embodies the style of a folk singer-songwriter from decades ago, although the songs sound fresh and new each listen.
7. Medicine at Midnight: Foo Fighters
After 25 years and 10 albums the Foo Fighters continue making music because it’s what they do. Their fans are faithful, the music is solid, and Dave Grohl eats, sleeps and breathes creative musical creation. Medicine at Midnight is bright, optimistic, and sounds best when blasted.
6. Stand for Myself: Yola
The fierceness (and purple-ness) of this album cover is almost enough to give Stand for Myself a top spot on this list. Yola encompasses a wide array of styles in her sophomore album. Americana, soul, rock, and gospel all make an appearance between the singer-songwriter's poetic lyrics. As if the Yola force wasn’t strong enough on its own, Dan Auerbach of the Back Keys gives the album a little somethin extra special as its producer.
5. Juno: Remi Wolf
Remi Wolf has said she wants her music to be “upbeat and danceable,” which this album is at the very least. Wolf’s voice is perfectly raspy and her tunes are wonderfully colorful. The kooky lyrics are honest until they’re safely played off as jokes, but this year especially we could all use a good laugh-and-jam.
4. An Evening With Silk Sonic: Silk Sonic
This album is an ultra-repeatable spin. An Evening With Silk Sonic is an ode to the 70s with enough commercial appeal to be a top-charting radio smash. This was surely a more challenging project for .Paak and Mars who can produce timely hits at the drop of a 70s newsboys cap. The final product is easy listening, humorous, and the grooviest album of the year.
3. Montero: Lil Nas X
“Old Town Road” put him on the map, “Montero” brought him out of the possibility of being labeled a one-hit-wonder, and “Industry Baby” launched him into pop-rap icon status. This album shows how eclectic and artistic Lil Nas X really is. Montero presents a roller coaster of emotions to Lil Nas X fans and haters alike. An easy target of judgment and public attacks for being a Black queer man, Lil Nas X lays all of his emotions and hardships on the table in his debut album. It’s plain to see it’s certainly no walk in the park, but with tracks this great it’s at least a walk down the red carpet.
2. In These Silent Days: Brandi Carlile
Genres have never been so well-blended as they are on In These Silent Days. Although a short collection, clocking in at just under 40 minutes, In These Silent Days is an impressive, intimate and intense listen. I’ve taken this album on long train rides, runs, and rock-outs.
1. Planet Her: Doja Cat
Planet Her encompasses the musical style of 2021 best without being basic. Doja put thrilling storytelling into her lyrics, melody into her raps, and perfect weirdness into pop. Doja’s delivery is on point from the quick and freaky “Get Into It (Yuh)” to the honest ballad sounds of “Love to Dream.” Although this is Doja’s third album, the new excitement it brought made it feel more like a debut. The album ends with the grand finale “Kiss Me More,” ft. SZA, followed by an imaginary standing ovation from every listener- or at least from me.
Listen to the best of the best on the original playlist below.