American Songwriter's Best Albums of 2021

While we are still battling back from the most unprecedented years in modern history, 2021 was another jam-packed, wild time… especially music.

Published: December 17, 2021 15:04 Source

# 1

Melchor Lullaby Hotline Vol. 1 by Adam Melchor

Album • Mar 19 / 2021 Singer-Songwriter

# 2

30 by Adele

Album • Nov 19 / 2021 Pop Soul

# 3

Prospect by AHI

Album • Nov 05 / 2021

# 4

There Used to Be Horses Here by Amy Speace + The Orphan Brigade

Album • Apr 30 / 2021 Americana Singer-Songwriter

# 5

Wary + Strange by Amythyst Kiah

Album • Jun 18 / 2021 Country Soul Blues Rock

# 6

American Static, Vol. 1 by Andrew Leahey & The Homestead

Album • Oct 22 / 2021 Power Pop Americana

# 7

Child Of The State by Ayron Jones

Album • May 21 / 2021 Hard Rock

# 8

Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night by Bleachers

Album • Jul 30 / 2021 Pop Rock Indie Pop

# 9

Music City USA by Charley Crockett

Album • Sep 17 / 2021 Progressive Country Nashville Sound

# 10

I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself by Colin Hay

Album • Oct 01 / 2021

# 11

Big Mess by Danny Elfman

Album • Jun 11 / 2021 Art Rock Industrial Rock Symphonic Rock Experimental Rock

# 12

I'll Meet You Here by Dar Williams

Album • Oct 01 / 2021 Folk Pop Singer-Songwriter

# 13

Smiling with No Teeth by Genesis Owusu

Album • Mar 15 / 2021 Neo-Soul

# 14

The Battle at Garden’s Gate by Greta Van Fleet

Album • Apr 16 / 2021 Hard Rock Blues Rock

# 15

What It Means to Be Human by Hayden Calnin

Album • Sep 10 / 2021

# 16

CRAWLER by IDLES

Album • Nov 12 / 2021 Post-Punk Art Punk

# 17

Topaz by Israel Nash

Album • Mar 12 / 2021 Singer-Songwriter Country Rock Americana

# 18

The Horses and the Hounds by James McMurtry

Album • Aug 20 / 2021 Singer-Songwriter Americana Roots Rock

# 19

Brighten by Jerry Cantrell

Album • Oct 29 / 2021 Alternative Rock

# 20

Sad and Beautiful World by Jesse Malin

Album • Sep 24 / 2021 Americana

# 21

trying not to think about it by JoJo

Album • Oct 01 / 2021 Contemporary R&B

# 22

WE ARE by Jon Batiste

Album • Mar 19 / 2021 Soul

# 23

Local Valley by José González

Album • Sep 17 / 2021 Indie Folk Singer-Songwriter

# 24

in defense of my own happiness by Joy Oladokun

Album • Jun 04 / 2021 Singer-Songwriter Contemporary Folk

# 25

star-crossed by Kacey Musgraves

Album • Sep 10 / 2021 Folk Pop Singer-Songwriter

# 26

Sayin What Im Thinkin by Lainey Wilson

Album • Feb 19 / 2021

# 27

Typical of Me by Laufey

EP • Apr 30 / 2021 Jazz Pop Bedroom Pop

# 28

Gold-Diggers Sound by Leon Bridges

Album • Jul 23 / 2021 Contemporary R&B Pop Soul Neo-Soul

# 29

Have a Seat by Maggie Rose

Album • Aug 20 / 2021 Blue-Eyed Soul

# 30

Little Men by Marc E. Bassy

Album • Oct 08 / 2021 Pop Contemporary R&B

# 31

My Morning Jacket by My Morning Jacket

Album • Oct 22 / 2021 Indie Rock Neo-Psychedelia

# 32

SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo

Album • May 21 / 2021 Pop Singer-Songwriter

# 33

Blessings and Miracles by Santana

Album • Oct 15 / 2021 Latin Rock Pop Rock

# 34

An Evening With Silk Sonic by Bruno Mars + Anderson .Paak + Silk Sonic

Album • Nov 12 / 2021 Smooth Soul

# 35

Fuck Art by The Dirty Nil

Album • Jan 01 / 2021 Pop Punk

# 36

Into the Blue by The Joy Formidable

Album • Aug 20 / 2021 Indie Rock

# 37

Death By Rock And Roll by The Pretty Reckless

Album • Feb 12 / 2021 Hard Rock

# 38

Harmonizer by Ty Segall

Album • Aug 03 / 2021 Psychedelic Rock Garage Rock

# 39

CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST by Tyler, The Creator

Album • Jun 25 / 2021 West Coast Hip Hop

# 40

Get Well Soon by Warren Dunes

Album • Mar 19 / 2021 Indie Pop

# 41

Stand For Myself by Yola

Album • Jul 30 / 2021 Country Soul Pop Soul