Complex UK's Best Albums of 2021

There hasn’t been a year in recent memory when compiling the best UK albums has been anything short of incredibly tough—and it’s only getting tougher.

Published: December 21, 2021 18:30 Source

# 1

We're All Alone In This Together by Dave

Album • Jul 23 / 2021 UK Hip Hop Conscious Hip Hop

# 2

30 by Adele

Album • Nov 19 / 2021 Pop Soul

# 3

Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz

Album • Sep 03 / 2021 UK Hip Hop Conscious Hip Hop

# 4

Conflict Of Interest by Ghetts

Album • Feb 19 / 2021 UK Hip Hop

# 5

to hell with it by PinkPantheress

Album • Oct 15 / 2021 Atmospheric Drum and Bass Contemporary R&B Alt-Pop Downtempo

# 6

Wild West by Central Cee

Album • Mar 12 / 2021 UK Drill UK Hip Hop

# 7

Made In The Pyrex by Digga D

Album • Feb 26 / 2021 UK Drill UK Hip Hop Gangsta Rap

# 8

Balance by Children of Zeus

Album • Jun 04 / 2021 Neo-Soul Alternative R&B

# 9

Mother by Cleo Sol

Album • Aug 20 / 2021 Neo-Soul Smooth Soul

# 10

TYRON by slowthai

Album • Feb 12 / 2021 UK Hip Hop Trap

# 11

Friends That Break Your Heart by James Blake

Album • Oct 08 / 2021 Alternative R&B

# 12

Thanks For Waiting by Potter Payper

Album • Oct 01 / 2021

# 13

Trapo by K-Trap

Album • Sep 10 / 2021 UK Drill

# 14

Provisional Licence by M1llionz

Album • Sep 17 / 2021

# 15

Home Alone 2 by D-Block Europe

Album • Nov 19 / 2021 UK Hip Hop

# 16

City Of God by Blanco

Album • Aug 20 / 2021 UK Hip Hop Trap UK Drill

# 17

Smoke Sessions 3 by Lord Apex

Album • Apr 20 / 2021 UK Hip Hop Abstract Hip Hop

# 18

Murk With A Mouth by V9

Album • Nov 19 / 2021 UK Drill

# 19

Fire by The Bug

Album • Aug 27 / 2021 Grime UK Bass Dubstep

# 20

Queen of the South by Shaybo

Album • Aug 20 / 2021 UK Hip Hop Afrobeats