PopMatters' 75 Best Albums of 2021

Despite a global pandemic, musicians were far more active in 2021 and had time to create their finest work. It resulted in some of the best albums in years.

Source

# 1

Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz

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

# 2

Promises by Floating Points + Pharoah Sanders

Album • Mar 26 / 2021 Post-Minimalism Third Stream

# 3

Seventeen Going Under by Sam Fender

Album • Oct 08 / 2021 Heartland Rock

# 4

Collapsed In Sunbeams by Arlo Parks

Album • Jan 29 / 2021 Bedroom Pop Neo-Soul

# 5

Second Line by Dawn Richard

Album • Apr 30 / 2021 Alternative R&B

# 6

Spare Ribs by Sleaford Mods

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

# 7

star-crossed by Kacey Musgraves

Album • Sep 10 / 2021 Folk Pop Singer-Songwriter

# 8

We're All Alone In This Together by Dave

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

# 9

MONTERO by Lil Nas X

Album • Sep 17 / 2021 Pop Rap Pop Trap

# 10

Play With The Changes by Rochelle Jordan

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

# 11

By the Time I Get to Phoenix by Injury Reserve

Album • Sep 15 / 2021 Experimental Hip Hop Glitch Hop Experimental

# 12

Infinite Granite by Deafheaven

Album • Aug 20 / 2021 Shoegaze

# 13

Afrique Victime by Mdou Moctar

Album • May 21 / 2021 Tishoumaren Psychedelic Rock

# 14

For the first time by Black Country, New Road

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

# 15

SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo

Album • May 21 / 2021 Pop Singer-Songwriter

# 16

Daddy's Home by St. Vincent

Album • May 14 / 2021 Psychedelic Soul Art Rock

# 17

Phantom Cabinet Vol. 1 by Pepe Deluxé

Album • Oct 22 / 2021 Neo-Psychedelia Progressive Pop Art Pop

# 18

In These Silent Days by Brandi Carlile

Album • Oct 01 / 2021 Singer-Songwriter Americana

# 19

Fire by The Bug

Album • Aug 27 / 2021 Grime UK Bass Dubstep

# 20

Mercurial World by Magdalena Bay

Album • Oct 08 / 2021 Synthpop Dance-Pop Alt-Pop

# 21

Reflection by Loraine James

Album • Jun 04 / 2021 UK Bass IDM

# 22

Blue Weekend by Wolf Alice

Album • Jun 04 / 2021 Alternative Rock

# 23

SINNER GET READY by Lingua Ignota

Album • Aug 06 / 2021 Neoclassical Darkwave Avant-Folk

# 24

The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flows by Damon Albarn

Album • Nov 12 / 2021 Ambient Pop Art Pop

# 25

Bright Magic by Public Service Broadcasting

Album • Sep 24 / 2021 Indietronica Progressive Electronic

# 26

Valentine by Snail Mail

Album • Nov 05 / 2021 Indie Rock Indie Pop

# 27

The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers by Valerie June

Album • Mar 12 / 2021 Country Soul Americana

# 28

Ignorance by The Weather Station

Album • Feb 05 / 2021 Sophisti-Pop Art Pop

# 29

Smiling with No Teeth by Genesis Owusu

Album • Mar 15 / 2021 Neo-Soul

# 30

Jubilee by Japanese Breakfast

Album • Jun 04 / 2021 Indie Pop Chamber Pop

# 31

Flying Dream 1 by Elbow

Album • Nov 19 / 2021 Art Pop Chamber Pop

# 32

Black Encyclopedia of the Air by Moor Mother

Album • Sep 17 / 2021 Abstract Hip Hop Experimental Hip Hop Conscious Hip Hop

# 33

Too Loyal for My Own Good by Headie One

Album • Oct 01 / 2021 UK Hip Hop Trap

# 34

Chemtrails Over The Country Club by Lana Del Rey

Album • Mar 19 / 2021 Singer-Songwriter

# 35

Urban Driftwood by Yasmin Williams

Album • Jan 29 / 2021 Contemporary Folk

# 36

They're Calling Me Home by Rhiannon Giddens

Album • Apr 09 / 2021 Contemporary Folk American Folk Music

# 37

Wary + Strange by Amythyst Kiah

Album • Jun 18 / 2021 Country Soul Blues Rock

# 38

Little Oblivions by Julien Baker

Album • Feb 26 / 2021 Singer-Songwriter Indie Rock

# 39

Far In by Helado Negro

Album • Oct 22 / 2021 Neo-Psychedelia Indietronica Art Pop

# 40

Long Time Coming by Sierra Ferrell

Album • Aug 20 / 2021 Americana Traditional Country

# 41

I LIE HERE BURIED WITH MY RINGS AND MY DRESSES by Backxwash

Album • Jun 20 / 2021 Industrial Hip Hop Horrorcore

# 42

Home Video by Lucy Dacus

Album • Jun 25 / 2021 Singer-Songwriter

# 43

Prioritise Pleasure by Self Esteem

Album • Oct 22 / 2021 Electropop Alt-Pop

# 44

Stand For Myself by Yola

Album • Jul 30 / 2021 Country Soul Pop Soul

# 45

Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish

Album • Jul 30 / 2021 Alt-Pop Contemporary R&B

# 46

I Don’t Live Here Anymore by The War on Drugs

Album • Oct 29 / 2021 Heartland Rock

# 47

You Signed Up For This by Maisie Peters

Album • Aug 27 / 2021 Pop

# 48

An Overview on Phenomenal Nature by Cassandra Jenkins

Album • Feb 19 / 2021 Singer-Songwriter

# 49

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

Album • Apr 02 / 2021 Post-Rock

# 50

Screen Violence by CHVRCHES

Album • Aug 27 / 2021 Synthpop