The 25 Best Albums of 2021
Reflecting on my 2021, there is a feeling of living four different lives in one year. I’ve been a burnt out graduate student, a hopeful romantic turned to heartbroken cynic, to a hopeful romantic again, to a burnout mf living in a pandemic. This year was so long, somehow longer and more emotionally draining than I could have imagined. I’m sure it was a lot more draining than a lot of us could have imagined.
Music has been pretty inconsistent for me this year. I went through a phase where I couldn’t listen to anything without it all feeling like too much. During that time, I was given some insightful words - that music is always there for you, and it will find you when your headspace is better. Those words allowed me to take my break without guilt, and surely enough when I was ready, the music was still there.
As well, a lot of artists whose music I was looking forward to finally dropped this year. From Isaiah Rashad, to Charlotte Day Wilson, to damn Silk Sonic who dropped when the world officially gave up hope. Thank you to the artists that made it through another hellish year, and gave us something beautiful. Without further ado, here are my top 25 albums of 2021.
25.
Drawing | Silas Short
R&B/ Soul
This album is absolutely beautiful, and akin to a Sunday morning. Melodic and harmonious. Short’s voice is light and airy. I may have actually heard this album for the first time on a Sunday, and it made perfect sense then just as it does now. It’s very easy to listen to this album all the way through, as the songs just flow into each other.
Favorite Songs: “Queen of Paisley” and “TwO”
24.
Vince Staples | Vince Staples
Rap
A smooth, smooth self-titled album produced entirely by Kenny Beats. I became especially excited for this album after watching the interviews he did amidst the album rollout, particularly this interview with Hasan Minhaj. Aside from the great music, he’s a cool person. Funny, wise, talented, just can do it all.
Favorite Songs: “SUNDOWN TOWN” and “TAKE ME HOME” (feat. Foushee)
23.
Fleece| Juto
R&B/ Soul
As I’m writing this, Fleece has been out for about a week. I haven’t had much time to sit with this album, but I really enjoyed what I’ve heard. I’ve missed Juto’s presence in the music scene.
Favorite Songs: “Riduh” and “Honor”
22.
Honey For Wounds (Deluxe) | Ego Ella May
R&B/ Neo-Soul
I can’t remember if I was introduced to Ego Ella May’s music by a dear friend, or if it was her COLORS performance on Youtube. I loved the title and lyrics of the song she performed - “Girls Don’t Always Sing About Boys”. As well, I was captivated by her voice and sound. There’s something so poetic and jazzy about Ego Ella May’s music. Her sophomore album Honey For Wounds was actually released in 2020, but in July 2021 we were blessed with a deluxe version featuring three new songs.
Favorite Songs: “Girls Don’t Always Sing About Boys” and “Give A Little”
21.
Table For Two | Lucky Daye
R&B
Lucky Daye is great, but I really love this album for the girls. There’s so many great features - Mahalia, Ari Lennox, Joyce Wrice, Yebba, and more. If you’re going through any heartbreak at all, put this album on and feel less alone. Or, just put this on to appreciate the human condition - knowing those feelings are temporary and lows won’t last for too long.
Favorite Songs: “My Window” (feat. Mahalia) and “How Much Can A Heart Take” (feat. Yebba)
20.
sg8 | Duckwrth
Hip-hop/ Rap
Duckwrth is a consistent provider of great music (see: SuperGood, 2020). In sg8, Duckwrth navigates feelings of anxiety in a “post-pandemic” world. He asks the age-old question: “Have I always been this anxious, or is this life shit ten times more difficult since I’ve been trapped in my room?” After he pushes past those feelings of anxiety, the entire album is a party - full of infectious (no pun-intended) tunes that make you want to dance the night away.
Favorite Songs: “Mask Off (Feelings)”, Make U Go”, and “4K”
19.
Pray For Haiti | Mach-Hommy
Rap
Last year, Tems was my artist to look out for. This year, it’s Mach-Hommy. He’s been on the scene for quite a few years now, but this year he’s really picked up traction with no intentions to slow down. He’s released two new albums this year, this one: Pray for Haiti, as well as Balens Cho (Hot Candles), released this December 2021. He also has a feature on Kaytranada’s most recent EP Intimidated. There’s something very classic, but refreshing about Mach-Hommy. It could be his flow, the blend of creole into his music. He has a way of bringing you into his world even though you might not completely understand it all. I also find it cool that he keeps his identity hidden. No one knows his face.
Favorite Songs: “Marie” and The Stellar Ray Theory”
18.
Elephant in the Room | Mick Jenkins
Rap
It wouldn’t be a year in music for me without Mick Jenkins. Since 2014, his music has been a soundtrack for my life. Always melodic, meaningful, and thoughtful. I can’t do without.
From the album:
I just want to smoke my weed
I just wanna love my girl
I just wanna praise my God
I just wanna sell my loose cigarettes
I just wanna do my job
Might wanna go for a jog
Might wanna sleep in my car
Might wanna sleep in my bed
Here’s a list of seemingly trivial activities on a melodic beat. You bob your head along and want to know the song title, and there it goes: “Things You Could Die For If Doing While Black”.
Best Songs: “Gucci Tried to Tell Me”, “Is, This Cigarettes”, and “Scottie Pippen” (feat. serpentwithfeet)
17.
An Evening With Silk Sonic | Silk Sonic
Soul/ Funk
This album reminds me of how I felt about the Free Nationals’ album. A lot of my favorite songs were the singles and I didn’t feel as excited when the album finally dropped, but alas it is here. Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars are a high energy, talented duo. With one song, I am transported to the 70s. I’m dancing in the kitchen, smoking cigarettes, and thinking about my hot and cold lover. They’re stressing me out, but in all honesty, I’m probably the cause of most of the stress.
Favorite Songs: “Smoking Out The Window” and “After Last Night” (feat. Thundercat and Bootsy Collins)
16.
Planet Her | Doja Cat
Pop
Everyone knows that 2021 was Doja Cat’s year. She’s a household name and a superstar - making hit after hit, singing, dancing, headlining countless festivals, and more. From Moo (a great song) to eight times grammy nominee. She deserves all the recognition she’s gotten this year. This album was full of fun, airy hits that showcase her diversity and talent.
Favorite Songs: “You Right” (feat. The Weeknd) and “Woman”
15.
Rare Pleasure| Mndsgn
R&B, soundtrack music, psychedelia and jazz
In this album, Mndsgn reflects on the simple, but rare pleasures of life such as slow dancing with a loved one, self-care, and more over beats that vaguely remind me of a 90s infomercial mixed with jazz. I don’t know how to explain it. Maybe it’s the synthesizers, drums, and piano. It’s also a great album for some reflection of your own. In his song “Masque”, Mndsgn prompts us to “Lift the veils we love to be adorned with/ Set them aside and show me what's inside”.
Favorite Songs: “Rare Pleasure II”, “Hope You’re Doin’ Better”, and “Slow Dance”
14.
Alpha | Charlotte Day Wilson
Soul
Alpha was another long-awaited album. A lot of my favorite songs I already heard of throughout the years- such as “Mountains” and “I’ll Take Care of You”. Nonetheless, this album was an enjoyable listen.
Favorite songs: “Take Care of You” (feat. Syd) and “If I Can Only Whisper” (feat. BADBADNOTGOOD)
13.
Don't Go Tellin' Your Momma | Topaz Jones
R&B/ Soul
What makes this album one of my favorites this year isn’t just the music, but the amazing visuals that come along with it. Alongside this album is a beautiful 30-minute film (so stunning that it’s won a Sundance Film Festival award). If you have the time, I really recommend watching the film first. Using the Black ABCs to structure the film, we are taken through Jone’s upbringing. We get to see the aspects of his community that molded him — between interviews of activists, his family members, and absolutely stunning surreal-looking shots. The album itself is a funky, soulful reflection of life.
Favorite Songs: “Black Tame” and “Rich”
12.
Untourable Album | Men I Trust
Alternative / Bedroom Pop
It’s called the Untourable Album, but the tour sold out worldwide?? How does that work? I guess that happens when the album absolutely slaps. Men I Trust have melodic, bedroom pop on LOCK. Put this on, lay in bed, stare at the ceiling, and proceed to drift away.
Favorite Songs: “Always Lone”, “Sugar”, and “Before Dawn”
11.
to hell with it | PinkPantheress
Electronic/ Dance Pop
With most of her songs being just over a minute long, you could blink and miss all of to hell with it. But the eclectic sound on display here is only aided by those brief runtimes. Her music might actually be the internet personified. With quick songs to capture our shortened attention spans and beats that sound like windows 98, PinkPantheress tells us that she completely gets it.
Favorite Songs: “Passion” and “Pain”
10.
Collapsed in Sunbeams | Arlo Parks
R&B/ Soul
This album was absolutely beautiful. Parks expertly navigates through difficult topics of mental illness, love, loss, sexuality, and more. Arlo Parks uses her songs as a sound board for the troubles many people face as they go through life trying to navigate it the best they know how.
Favorite Songs: “Bluish”, “Eugene”, “Green Eyes” and “Hurt”
9.
Under the Weather | Homeshake
R&B/ Soul
Written in 2019, but released in 2021, Under the Weather explores the feelings of depression and isolation Homeshake has been struggling with for a large portion of his life. With every sad feeling, there is a lot of beauty that can be felt in it. And that’s what I get from this album. It’s truly lovely and very easy to fall into.
Favorite Songs: “I Know I Know I Know” and “Mindless”
8.
Life of a DON | Don Toliver
Rap
Don Toliver is the king of making moody music you can drive around too. This album took a minute to grow on me, but reflecting on it, every song is pretty damn good. Maybe it was less exciting at the time because it felt quite predictable, but it’s a great album nonetheless.
Favorite Songs: “2 AM”, “Double Standards”, and “Swangin’ on Westheimer”
7.
Bittersweet | Amaria
R&B / Neo-Soul
The first song I heard by Amaria was “Twilight”. I was immediately drawn in by the smoothness of the track, the velvety tone of her voice. Bittersweet is her impressive debut album that delivers more of the same.
Apparently Amaria is used to being behind the scenes. She’s known for recording music videos for other artists, but most recently she was pushed to stand in front of the camera and put out music of her own. I’m so glad she was given this push. She’s incredibly talented and I can’t wait to hear more from her.
Favorite Songs: “Lose Control”, “Think About It”, and “Work”
6.
AZEB | Mereba
R&B/ Folk
Ahh, you got me. It’s an EP, but I had to include it. Mereba has mastered the art of story telling - of her own experiences, black experiences, love, determination. Crazily enough, the night of AZEB’s release, Mereba’s first child was born.
Favorite Songs: “Rider”, “Go(l)d”, and “Beretta”.
5.
Far In| Helado Negro
Electronic/ Pop
This album feels like laying out in the sun, watching the clouds as they pass you by. It’s melodic and breezy, filled with nostalgia. Calming and refreshing, maybe a tad bittersweet. Roberto Carlos Lange has a way of taking you into his world, and before you know it, you’ve reached the album’s end.
Favorite songs: “There Must Be a Song Like You” and “Gemini and Leo”
4.
Mood Valiant | Hiatus Kiayote
Neo-Soul/ Jazz
With the last Hiatus Kiayote album being released in 2015, this was another long-awaited and highly anticipated album for me. Just last year, I became a huge Hiatus Kiayote fan. I fell in love with Nai Palm’s voice and the soulful and jazzy content of their music. After I ran Hiatus Kiayote’s entire discography into the ground, I was elated to find Nai Palm’s personal album. I spent a lot of 2020 in my room, being transported away by their sounds. Then, Mood Valiant was released and it did not disappoint. The songs range from slow and sultry to entire melodies that transport you away and remind you of what it's like to be alive. It's expertly crafted, with an orchestra of instruments guiding your hand through each beat.
Favorite Songs: “Sip Into Something Soft”, “And We Go Gentle”, and “Red Room”
3.
The Melodic Blue | Baby Keem
Rap/ Hip-Hop
Nah, the first time I heard this album I did not get it. I did not understand. I specifically remember listening to this album all the way through, painfully, and then texting my friend confused as hell. To my surprise, they assured me that my ears were wrong - that I wasn’t hearing this album right, that maybe I wasn’t in the right headspace for it. So I gave it a break.
It wasn’t until a few weeks later, I came back to the album while on a roadtrip to Houston. And in that moment, I finally understood. From there, I played this album every time I got in the car, at the gym, buying groceries, sitting in my room laying in bed. It just clicked. This album is so damn good. I can not emphasis this enough. I’m probably one of the only few people who this album didn’t immediatly resonate with, but I’m glad I saw the light.
Favorite Songs: “vent”, “range brothers” (feat. Kendrick Lamar), and“lost souls (feat. Brent Faiyaz)
2.
Mother | Cleo Sol
R&B
Oh boy, this album is absolutely beautiful. Written for her newborn child, Cleo Sol elegantly discusses concepts of love through the lens of motherhood- how she was loved as a child, and how she intends to love her future child. The very first song, “Don’t Let Me Fall” is breathtaking and prepares you for the rest of the album. It’s intimate, thoughtful, and filling. I really recommend listening to this entire album. It’s really easy to. Every time I listen to this album, I discover a new favorite song.
Favorite Songs: “Promises” and “Build Me Up”
1.
The House Is Burning | Isaiah Rashad
Hip-hop/ Rap
No surprises on this one. Another highly, HIGHLY anticipated album for me. Before THIB, Isaiah Rashad’s last album was The Sun’s Tirade back in 2016. Rashad has previously mentioned his struggles with depression, anxiety and addiction. These struggles have made it difficult for him to appreciate the fruits of his success, and even put out more music. I was ecstatic when he started releasing singles for this album—it almost felt unreal. 2021 really feels like Rashad’s year, and I’m happy he’s been able to find his way. He has such a distinct musical sound. There’s mixes of smooth R&B, 90’s southern hiphop, and even Bounce music in songs such as “What U Sed”. It’s smooth music for any kind of setting.
Favorite Songs: “RIP Young”, “Headshots (4r Da Locals)”, “What U Sed” (feat. Iamdoechii and Kal Banx), and “HB2U”
