Spencer’s Top Ten Albums of 2021
Forget Spotify Wrapped, this is the end-of-year music list you need.
As we scour pharmacies for rapid tests and await a new year that will hopefully(?) be an improvement, what better way to pass the time than to go back and listen to all the phenomenal music that came out this year? And oh man, did this year’s albums exceed expectations. This list was immensely difficult to curate, with several excellent albums barely not making the cut. But enough faffing about! Let’s go ahead and see what did make my list this year.
Album #10: Screen Violence by CHVRCHES
CHVRCHES put out two perfect albums, produced almost entirely on their own. Then, they put out their third album, Love is Dead. It was an overproduced mess, with simplistic lyrics and choruses that, at its worst, came dangerously close to Imagine Dragons territory. I was worried they had lost their magic touch. I need not have worried so much. Screen Violence, produced almost entirely in isolation solely by the band’s three members with little outside interference, is a welcome return to form. While the album’s horror theme never really coheres, and as a whole it never quite reaches the same highs as The Bones of What You Believe or Every Open Eye, preventing it from being higher on this list, it’s still a damn good album that reminds us what drew us to them in the first place. Also, it must be said that “Good Girls” is an absolute banger.
Album #9: Romantic Images by Molly Burch
This album is a cross between Beach House and Tennis. Filled with soft vocals over keyboards and synths, Romantic Images manages to merge a variety of influences together to form songs that are greater than the sum of their parts. The overall tone of the album is calming, with beats that feel straight out of Depression Cherry and a voice that could have been directly lifted from Ritual in Repeat. This is best exemplified in the opening song “Control,” the title song “Romantic Images,” and “Took a Minute,” but Burch breaks the mold in the standout single “Emotion” which features Wild Nothing, instead opting for a strong bass melody. Such range makes for a compelling album, and kept me interested throughout each complete listen.
Album #8: Coyote Cry by Ian Munsick
If you know me well, then you know that the one music genre I don’t listen to is country. But I do make a few exceptions, and Ian Munsick is one of them. The thing I love about Coyote Cry is that it’s not straight classic country — rather, it incorporates other beats and patterns from disparate genres that give the album a unique sound without losing its Western roots. Combined with its clever lyrics, along with a nice Fleetwood Mac cover, this album certainly proves itself to be best in class, and I immensely look forward to Ian’s next album.
Album #7: Home Video by Lucy Dacus
This album poses a timeless question: what does it mean to be vulnerable? Lucy Dacus is best known for her introspective and incisive lyrics, and Home Video is no exception. Whether it’s dissing a former lover for being overly pretentious and dismissive on “Brando” or expressing a hatred of the estranged father of a close friend on “Thumbs,” Dacus pours out her heart, essentially asking her audience to reflect on the heartbreak they have caused for the people in their life. Combine such commentary with some skilled piano and acoustic guitar sections, and you have the makings of a truly excellent album. With Dacus, you will take a trip back to your own childhood, and perhaps realize things about yourself that only become clear with hindsight.
Album #6: Sling by Clairo
On Sling, Clairo’s voice approaches mournfulness. Such a tone encapsulates the general vibe of this wonderful, soft-spoken album, a natural extension of 2019’s Immunity. The lyrics are thoroughly introspective — for example, on “Blouse” Clairo can be heard lamenting about how she can’t open up to male friends without them seeing her as a sexual object, while on “Reaper” she confronts her own feelings on motherhood, brought on by the adoption of her dog. If you’re looking for a more mellow, contemplative album that isn’t afraid of making you take an unflinching look in the mirror, look no further than Sling.
Album #5: Sympathy for Life by Parquet Courts
I’ve said it before, and you’re damn right that I’m gonna say it again: Andrew Savage is one of the great modern lyricists. One need not look further than Parquet Courts’ latest album, Sympathy for Life, to see the proof. A description of New York City life, a mainstay subject for the band, this album both contains the classic stoner-rock guitar riffs and feedback that the band is known for, along with newer explorations into more bizarre, city-like sounds. All the while, Savage tells stories of the NYC residents he sees walking around, asking the listener to imagine people more complexly and think of the intricate lives they likely lead. Sprinkle in a couple bangers like “Homo Sapien” and “Walking at a Downtown Pace” and you have yourself a fine album indeed.
Album #4: Local Valley by José González
José González is a singular guitarist. Each of his previous three albums is a masterclass in technique, without sounding like showing off. His latest, Local Valley, is no different. At its best, Local Valley sounds like González has invited you over to his house, and is sitting on the couch picking away at his guitar with you as his sole audience. The intimacy of songs like “Visions” and “Horizons” lure you in, and you stay for jams like “Head On” and “Swing”. And if that weren’t enough, González ups his game even further by including songs in both Spanish (“El Invento”) and Swedish (“Tjomme,” “En Stund På Jorden”), in addition to his usual English. This album further cements González as one of the most talented artists out there today.
Album #3: Texis by Sleigh Bells
Sleigh Bells is back, baby, and they’re gonna let you know it whether you like it or not. Back in 2010, the duo released their debut album, Treats, to widespread acclaim, and followed it up in 2012 with Reign of Terror, another classic. But after that, their signature spark seemed to be lost. The lyrics got more of a focus, which was a plus, but their sound didn’t grab you like it used to. On Texis, Sleigh Bells takes the best of both worlds, returning to a banging sound that makes you feel like you can kick all the ass, while keeping the more interesting lyrics of their later albums. Texis is a triumph, and an ideal album to listen to if you want to get pumped up. I should know — this album got me through the final days of thesis writing for my Master’s!
Album #2: Jubilee by Japanese Breakfast
Jubilee is like a mix of San Fermin (cool use of brass), Braids (similar vocal quality), Mitski (lyrics you gotta pay attention to), and Chairlift (general good vibes). This album is one of the year’s danciest, and uses classical instruments in unique, modern ways that will have you thinking about them for days on end, especially if you’re a musician. When blended with synths, Jubilee becomes a joy to listen to, a sure thing to brighten your day. The highlight of this album is the loaded front half, opening with two bangers, “Paprika” and “Be Sweet,” followed by the hook-laden “Slide Tackle” as well as the mid-album knot “Posing in Bondage”, tying the mellower (but still excellent!) second half to the train. Overall, this album flows very smoothly, and begs you to listen to the whole thing at once. Frankly, I find it impossible not to.
Album #1: Valentine by Snail Mail
Valentine is a perfect album. From the opening banger of the same name, you know this album is going to rip your heart out while making you dance all night. The sophomore effort from 22 year old Lindsey Jordan illustrates tumultuous experience after experience, with intimate confessions that feel like you’re reading her diary. Jordan’s crooning voice further draws you in, spilling her secrets in a way that makes you want to return the favor. The lead single, also entitled “Valentine,” contains a line sung to a former lover right as the chorus hits: “So why’d you wanna erase me/Darling Valentine?” and it is frankly impossible to not empathize and want to scream-sing it along with Jordan, a feeling that is a constant throughout the album. I have been listening to Valentine non-stop since it came out in early November (hence it failing to appear on my Spotify Wrapped — apparently they stop collecting data after October 31st), and I can guarantee that I will continue to do so for years to come. If there was ever an album perfectly suited to helping people overcome lost love, exes moving on, or unrequited feelings, Valentine is it. I continue to find it astonishing that such art can be made by someone who is younger than even I am.
Honorable Mentions: Inside (The Songs) by Bo Burnham; Since I Left You (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) by The Avalanches
Like everyone else, I fell in love with Bo Burnham’s new comedy special Inside when it came out back in May. A brilliant work that captured the effect of isolation on the psyche while critiquing an increasingly late-stage capitalist world where the end may have already come, the insightfulness was only complemented by the excellent music Burnham composed for the special. From short, silly riffs like “Bezos I” and “Unpaid Intern” to introspective pop like “30” and “All Eyes On Me,” this soundtrack conveys all of the key notes of the special. But really, to get the full experience, you have to watch it. Inside (The Songs) earns its place in the Honorable Mentions category due to its being a soundtrack, and not a true, independent album. Nonetheless, it manages to be immensely powerful and command both attention and respect.
The Avalanches have been, and continue to be, the kings of sampling. When Since I Left You came out 20 years ago, it changed the game, containing tracks composed entirely of sampled backing music and vocals, remixed to create something entirely new and unique. Today, this album remains one of the all-time greats, and the anniversary edition only serves as a reminder of that fact. With over a dozen new remixes, including a truly excellent track featuring MF DOOM, this deluxe edition re-release is a celebration of the joys of samples; cheers to what has yet to come from this incredible band.
And with that, this year’s list comes to a close! It was particularly difficult to pick the cutoff, as there was so much fantastic music to choose from. From BROCKHAMPTON to Courtney Barnett to Lorde, there certainly was no shortage of good tunes. Please do let me know if you agreed with my list, and who you think I unfairly snubbed — I’m sure there’s a few albums I missed over the course of the year, and I’ve love to hear which ones I’ve gotta catch up on!
And here’s hoping next year is even better! There’s a lot I’m excited for — with new Mitski coming in February, and both Mr. Little Jeans and Warpaint albums being all but confirmed for next year, I can’t wait to dive in! As always, below is a playlist containing my top ten albums of the year, plus the honorable mentions. I’ll see you all next year, same time, same place!
