Top 25 Albums of 2021: It Must Be Wearing Off

Last year was one of the best for music in the last decade. A lot of awful things happened in the world, and this is, I think, reflected in the sphere of music; so many artists turned inwards with dark thoughts and sentiments. This doesn't mean nothing inspiring came out...quite the opposite, in fact. I feel like darkness can lead to a depth of emotion and nuance in music that is, in and of itself, quite beautiful.

Below are my favorite albums from the year 2021. (Scroll to the bottom for a playlist with track picks from each album.) Enjoy!

25. The Joy Formidable - Into the Blue  ||  Indie Rock  ||  melodic, heavy  ||  Favorite track: Sevier  ||  8.5/10

24. Injury Reserve - By the Time I Get to Phoenix  ||  Experimental Hip Hop  ||  avant-garde, futuristic  ||  Favorite track: Superman That  ||  8.5/10

23. PJ Harvey - White Chalk - Demos  ||  Singer/Songwriter  ||  depressive, lonely  ||  Favorite track: Dear Darkness  ||  8.5/10

22. Julien Baker - Little Oblivions  ||  Indie Rock  ||  introspective, self-hating  ||  Favorite track: Hardline  ||  8.5/10

21. Tyler, the Creator - Call Me If You Get Lost  ||  West Coast Hip Hop  ||  hedonistic, humorous  
||  Favorite track: Massa  ||  8.5/10

20. Xiu Xiu - OH NO  ||  Experimental  ||  avant-garde, melodic  ||  Favorite track: One Hundred Years  ||  8.5/10

19. Tropical Fuck Storm - Deep States  ||  Punk Blues  ||  noisy, pessimistic  ||  Favorite track: Legal Ghost  ||  8.5/10

18. Sweet Trip - A Tiny House, in Secret Speeches, Polar Equals  ||  Indietronica  ||  lush, atmospheric  ||  Favorite track: Walkers Beware! We Drive Into the Sun  ||  8.5/10

17. The Armed - Ultrapop  ||  Post-Hardcore  ||  aggressive, energetic  ||  Favorite track: An Iteration  ||  8.5/10

16. IOSONOUNCANE - IRA  ||  Darkwave  ||  dark, cold  ||  Favorite track: Prison  ||  8.5/10

15. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END!  ||  Post-Rock  ||  uplifting, epic  ||  Favorite track: OUR SIDE HAS TO WIN (For D.H.)  ||  8.5/10

14. SPELLLING - The Turning Wheel  ||  Progressive Pop  ||  wintery, passionate  ||  Favorite track: Boys at School  ||  9/10

13. Converge & Chelsea Wolfe - Bloodmoon: I  ||  Gothic Metal  ||  heavy, ominous  ||  Favorite track: Coil  ||  9/10

12. Arca - kiCK iiiii  ||  Ambient  ||  atmospheric, avant-garde  ||  Favorite track: Fireprayer  ||  9/10

11. АИГЕЛ [Aigel] - OST Топи  ||  Trip Hop  ||  cold, cryptic  ||  Favorite track: Топи (High)  ||  9/10

10. Juçara Marçal - Delta Estácio blues  ||  Vanguarda paulista  ||  abstract, chaotic  ||  Favorite track: Delta Estácio blues  ||  9/10

9. Backxwash - I Lie Here Buried With My Rings and My Dresses  ||  Industrial Hip Hop  ||  manic, LGBT  ||  Favorite track: Burn to Ashes  ||  9/10

8. Black Country, New Road - For the First Time  ||  Experimental Rock  ||  passionate, cryptic  ||  Favorite track: Opus  ||  9/10

7. Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert  ||  UK Hip Hop  ||  lush, eclectic  ||  Favorite track: Little Q, Pt. 2  ||  9/10

6. Black Midi - Cavalcade  ||  Brutal-Prog  ||  energetic, complex  ||  Favorite track: John L  ||  9.5/10

5. Gazelle Twin & NYX - Deep England  ||  Dark Ambient  ||  occult, dark  ||  Favorite track: Better in My Day  ||  9.5/10

4. Black Dresses - Forever in Your Heart  ||  Electro-Industrial  ||  anxious, heavy  ||  Favorite track: PEACESIGN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  ||  9.5/10

3. Silk Sonic - An Evening With Silk Sonic  ||  Smooth Soul  ||  happy, sensual  ||  Favorite track: Leave the Door Open  ||  9.5/10

2. Low - HEY WHAT  ||  Post-Industrial  ||  noisy, melodic  ||  Favorite track: Hey  ||  10/10

1. Lingua Ignota - Sinner Get Ready  ||  Neoclassical Darkwave  ||  infernal, dark  ||  Favorite track: Many Hands  ||  10/10