Best Albums of 2021
2021 was a tremendous year for music. A terrible year for just about everything else. But a great year for music. The year was led by massive releases from established superstars like Taylor Swift and Adele as well as breakthrough smash hits from new artists like mammothWVH. Many of these artist also hit the road among the ongoing global pandemic making for the one of the most bizarre year’s in music history.
For our purposes here, it’s mostly about indie music/indie rock with prominent young woman artists leading the way as they have been for the past few years. So, here it is, the HyperboleFree Best albums of 2021!
Taylor Swift Red (Taylor’s Version)
Taylor Swift has been re-recording her past works as a way to free herself from ownership issues that have plagued her the last few years. Re-recording her classic LPs is giving her freedom over her music and earning potential that she has not had since Scooter Braun acquired her catalogue. These re-releases have been phenomenal and packed with extras, but Red (Taylor’s Version) is special. My favorite TSwift album has new life and vibrancy here. These songs sound incredible, flow well together and sound new, fresh and important. A 10 minute version of her breakup hit All Too Well got the headlines (and rightfully so) but the entire album including the new songs are incredible. Red (Taylor’s version) is our album of the year.
Pom Pom Squad Death of a Cheerleader
Until Taylor Swift dropped the atom bomb that is Red (Taylor’s Version) this was an early candidate for my record of the year. Honestly, ordering my top 10 was near impossible. This record appeals to my 90’s sensibilities and it just flat out kicks ass. A kills cover of Crimson and Clover hooks you, but fun, singable songs like Crying and Be Good locks you in. And then there’s Drunk Voicemail. One of my favorite songs of the year.
At just 22, Lindsey Jordan has already released some really incredible music, but Valentine is her magnum opus. This album delivers on emotion and lush sonic landscapes. As with many albums on this list, there are 90’s throwbacks, but delivered sounding fresh contemporary. Lindsey’s voice is beautiful and complimented perfectly by her guitar playing.
Halsey If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power
When this was announced it sounded bananas. Halsey, one of the decades most vibrant and interesting artists teaming up with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross to deliver a real reflection on childbirth and motherhood. Like pop records do right? The results? Spectacular. For NIN fans, this is like a fresh, contemporary version of Nine Inch Nails with a distinctly feminine perspective. Trent and Atticus fingerprints are all over the sound of this record, but they compliment and highlight Halsey who is the star here. A gloomy, brooding, industrial record that is a reflection of modern times. I am not a woman I am a god is a rallying cry for women. Honey is the highlight here. Perfect pop for an imperfect time.
Capitalization doesn’t stand a chance against Olivia Rodrigo. And neither do the ears and hearts of fans steamrolled by this preposterously good album. Pop perfection, each song is seemingly more infectious than the previous. Hit after hit here. What appealed to me was the elastica influenced opener brutal, but good 4 u, driver’s license, and traitor are all just incredible examples of what makes pop so good in 2021.
This was a tough call. Released early in the year, Little Oblivions found its way into my my soul. Such a brilliant, emotive collection of beautiful songs. For quite a while this was my top album of the year. Every song is a highlight. Definitely worth checking out.
I’d missed this album for most of the year despite it getting rave reviews and being squarely in my wheelhouse. But once I listened I was smitten. From the opening beauty of Paprika to the absolutely epic Posing for Cars, this is an epic album. The guitar here is fantastic and the vocals are fantastic.
Brandi Carlile In These Silent Days
Geez. This album is a lot. Brandi’s voice is undeniable and she leaves it all on this record. This is an emotional record from beginning to end.
There’s a lot of sadness in the records I loved this year, but this one is fun. Melodic, poppy, heavy, rock and roll. This reminds me of the best of Paramore. AND a Robert Smith cameo on How Not to Drown.
Theres “good” Weezer albums and there’s “not good” Weezer albums. Now, I love them all, but there are albums that are just packed with great songwriting and infectious grooves (Blue, Green, Black) or even flashes of brilliance (Pinkerton). This is among Weezer’s best work. Fun of catchy numbers worthy of their biggest non-Africa hits as well as well constructed Pinkerton level songs, OK Human is a good Weezer album and a good album. All my Favorite Songs and Here Comes the Rain are best examples of amazing songs fro this classic band.
Wow. The first 2 Garbage albums are absolute classics and this album stands proudly right alongside of them. Shirley Manson delivers deep lyrics full of emotion and empowerment and remains one of rock’s best front persons. There’s a bit of an industrial sound here which really elevates and modernizes the Garbage sound. Great fucking record.
What can I say, the kids has chops. This brand of rock is very reminiscent of 2000’s rock that wasn't really my jams, however Wolfgang’s pure talent elevates this songs to something really special. Wolf plays ever note of every instrument here and shows off his pipes. The video for Distance turned every middle aged Van Halen fan into a pool of jello, and the rest of these hard rock numbers brought us back. Rock is dead? Not if Wolfgang Van Halen has anything to say about it.
Matthew Sweet has spent an entire career putting out solid records. His soaring voice, infectious melodies, and interesting guitar and bass work helped define alternative music in the 90’s and still do today. I am a Stan and found this album to be among his best. Te songs here aren’t as catchy as those on Girlfriend or 100% Fun, but they are catchy and fun. This album is a little heavier than most of his work. Great album that any Sweet fan is going to enjoy.
The Mountain Goats Dark In Here
The Mountain Goats continue to put out perfect hipster music. I mean with song titles like The Destruction of the Kola Superdeep Borehole Tower and Arguing With the Ghost of Peter Laughner About His Coney Island Baby Review what do you expect. The band moves from bouncy jangly alt pop to more moody, slower acoustic ruminations that really shine.
Foo Fighters Medicine at Midnight
My first concert since the pandemic was Foo Fighters on this tour. It was post vaccine, outdoors and things were looking up. Well, its been downhill from there, but this record holds up. Waiting on a War, Shame Shame and the title track are all classic BIG sounding rock songs that fit in right alongside classic foos. Fun, loud rock and roll from the torch bearers for rock and roll.
Manchester Orchestra The Million Masks of God
Another hipster/bear rock band putting out consistently great material. My son turned me on to this band and I’ve been a stan ever since. Andy Hull’s voice is as unique as his songwriting. This is a band that puts together complex arrangements full of interesting instrumentation all layered upon Andy’s vocals. Angel of Death and Bed Head are among my favorite songs of the year. Fantastic.
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Angel Dream
Ok. She’s The One Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is my favorite Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers album. That soundtrack has been reimagined as its own new posthumous record detached from the movie and its still my favorite. Its a little different as some songs originally intended for Wildflowers are here and some songs including the incredible California are on the Wildflowers re-release. Despite those changes, this album is so good. Like a compliment to Wildflowers but brilliant on its on. Don’t sleep on this Petty record.
I’m still digging into this record but from the first listen I knew I loved this record. Tamara Lindeman’s voice is unbelievable. This is Canadian folk rock focused on the climate crisis and somehow it’s endlessly listenable. I look forward to spending more time with this record.
Lorde continues to put our interesting, complicated, unique music. Solar Power is no different. California and the title track are standouts, but the entire album is worth digging it to just to hear her voice.
St. Vincent is Beck and Prince wrapped into one. Daddy’s Home showcases St. Vincent’s voice around a lounge pop soundscape that sounds timeless, but thanks to that Jack Antonoff magic it also sounds modern and contemporary.
Kacey’s voice has an ethereal quality to it coupled with that unique twang. This is a gloomy pop record full of moody ballads and mid tempo pop songs. Justified is an ear worm and a great representation of this album’s sound. The general topic of heartbreak is clear throughout and Kacey does a great job moving into the pop scene. There’s a brilliant short film that accompanies this album and brings the themes to life visually. Paramount + only though.