PopMatters' 50 Best Albums of 2021 So Far

The year has offered a mountainous feast of sublime music. The 50 best albums of 2021 so far are an eclectic, forward-looking, and increasingly

Source

# 1

Yol by Altin Gün

Album • Feb 26 / 2021 Synthpop

# 2

Never The Right Time by Andy Stott

Album • Apr 16 / 2021 UK Bass

# 3

As Days Get Dark by Arab Strap

Album • Mar 05 / 2021 Indietronica

# 4

Doomin' Sun by Bachelor + Jay Som + Palehound

Album • May 28 / 2021 Indie Rock Dream Pop

# 5

Sand by Balthazar

Album • Feb 26 / 2021 Sophisti-Pop Indie Pop

# 6

Electronic Labyrinth by Basic Rhythm

Album • May 14 / 2021 UK Bass

# 7

Isles by Bicep

Album • Jan 22 / 2021 Progressive Breaks Future Garage

# 8

Vital by Big Brave

Album • Apr 23 / 2021 Post-Metal Drone Metal

# 9

For the first time by Black Country, New Road

Album • Feb 05 / 2021 Post-Rock Experimental Rock Post-Punk

# 10

Cavalcade by black midi

Album • May 26 / 2021 Avant-Prog

# 11

Variations on a Melancholy Theme by Brad Mehldau + Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

Album • Jun 11 / 2021 Modern Classical Third Stream

# 12

WINK by CHAI

Album • May 21 / 2021 Electropop Indie Pop

# 13

10 for Slim: Charley Crockett Sings James Hand by Charley Crockett

Album • Feb 26 / 2021 Honky Tonk Nashville Sound Traditional Country

# 14

The Shadow I Remember by Cloud Nothings

Album • Feb 26 / 2021 Indie Rock Emo

# 15

Second Line by Dawn Richard

Album • Apr 30 / 2021 Alternative R&B

# 16

4:00 Am by Delgres

Album • Apr 09 / 2021

# 17

Glowing in the Dark by Django Django

Album • Feb 12 / 2021 Neo-Psychedelia Indie Pop

# 18

Euphoric Melodies by Elkka

EP • May 21 / 2021 Deep House

# 19

Jours de grève by Emmanuelle Parrenin + Detlef Weinrich

Album • Jan 10 / 2021 Avant-Folk Tribal Ambient

# 20

Promises by Floating Points + Pharoah Sanders

Album • Mar 26 / 2021 Post-Minimalism Third Stream

# 21

No Gods No Masters by Garbage

Album • Jun 11 / 2021 Alternative Rock

# 22

Čihkkojuvvon by Gájanas

Album • Feb 06 / 2021 Rock Joik

# 23

Dream Weapon by Genghis Tron

Album • Mar 26 / 2021 Math Rock Progressive Metal

# 24

VWETO III by Georgia Anne Muldrow

Album • May 21 / 2021 Instrumental Hip Hop

# 25

On All Fours by Goat Girl

Album • Jan 29 / 2021 Neo-Psychedelia Art Rock

# 26

G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END! by Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Album • Apr 02 / 2021 Post-Rock

# 27

Ozunu by Ground

Album • May 05 / 2021 Electronic

# 28

Seeking New Gods by Gruff Rhys

Album • May 21 / 2021 Psychedelic Pop Neo-Psychedelia

# 29

Mood Valiant by Hiatus Kaiyote

Album • Jun 25 / 2021 Neo-Soul

# 30

Flock by Jane Weaver

Album • Mar 05 / 2021 Psychedelic Pop Art Pop Indietronica

# 31

The Diving Sun by Joe Pug

Album • Mar 21 / 2021

# 32

Na Kozonga by Jupiter & Okwess

Album • Apr 23 / 2021

# 33

Obviously by Lake Street Dive

Album • Mar 12 / 2021 Pop Soul

# 34

Soberish by Liz Phair

Album • Jun 04 / 2021 Indie Pop Pop Rock

# 35

Reflection by Loraine James

Album • Jun 04 / 2021 UK Bass IDM

# 36

Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land by MARINA

Album • Jun 11 / 2021 Pop

# 37

Canta Amália by Mariza

Album • Nov 20 / 2020 Fado

# 38

The Golden Casket by Modest Mouse

Album • Jun 25 / 2021 Indie Rock

# 39

Fat Pop (Deluxe) by Paul Weller

Album • May 14 / 2021 Pop Rock

# 40

Cheater by Pom Poko

Album • Jan 15 / 2021 Noise Pop Indie Rock

# 41

Play With The Changes by Rochelle Jordan

Album • Apr 30 / 2021 Alternative R&B UK Bass

# 42

DEACON by serpentwithfeet

Album • Mar 26 / 2021 Alternative R&B Art Pop

# 43

Drunk Tank Pink by shame

Album • Jan 15 / 2021 Post-Punk Art Punk

# 44

Troubled Paradise by Slayyyter

Album • Jun 11 / 2021 Electropop

# 45

Spare Ribs by Sleaford Mods

Album • Jan 15 / 2021 UK Hip Hop Post-Punk

# 46

TYRON by slowthai

Album • Feb 12 / 2021 UK Hip Hop Trap

# 47

Daddy's Home by St. Vincent

Album • May 14 / 2021 Psychedelic Soul Art Rock

# 48

sketchy. by Tune-Yards

Album • Mar 26 / 2021 Art Pop Indie Pop

# 49

Uneasy by Vijay Iyer + Linda May Han Oh + Tyshawn Sorey

Album • Apr 09 / 2021 Avant-Garde Jazz

# 50

Noir Brésil by Yndi

Album • May 28 / 2021 Art Pop Neo-Soul Afoxé