Albums of 2021
The records from 2021 that made our lists.
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1VoyageABBA
Voyage
A warm, nostalgic reunion after four decades. Tuneful and beloved. A graceful return.
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230Adele
30
A raw, reflective divorce record of vocal power. Honest and acclaimed. A mature peak.
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3Collapsed in SunbeamsArlo Parks
Collapsed in Sunbeams
A gentle, literate bedroom-soul debut. Warm and Mercury-winning. A breakthrough.
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4IslesBicep
Isles
A lush, emotional follow-up of melodic dance music. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A high point.
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5Happier Than EverBillie Eilish
Happier Than Ever
A subtler, jazz-tinged follow-up of growth and control. Polished and acclaimed. A mature step.
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6We're All Alone in This TogetherDave
We're All Alone in This Together
An ambitious, chart-topping UK-rap follow-up. Sharp and acclaimed. A strong record.
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7Planet HerDoja Cat
Planet Her
A slick, genre-blurring pop-R&B peak of hits. Polished and huge. A commercial breakthrough.
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8PromisesFloating Points, Pharoah Sanders & the LSO
Promises
A hushed, gorgeous late collaboration of electronics, sax and orchestra. Meditative and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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9Actual Life (April 14 - December 17 2020)Fred again..
Actual Life (April 14 - December 17 2020)
A diaristic, sample-built dance debut of intimate euphoria. Warm and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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10FortitudeGojira
Fortitude
A powerful, melodic peak of environmental themes. Heavy and acclaimed. A late high.
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11The Off-SeasonJ. Cole
The Off-Season
A sharp, hungry return to lyrical fundamentals. Tight and acclaimed. A strong record.
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12JubileeJapanese Breakfast
Jubilee
A lush, joyful indie-pop peak of orchestral warmth. Bright and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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13Star-CrossedKacey Musgraves
Star-Crossed
A reflective, divorce-themed pop-country record. Polished and acclaimed. A mature follow-up to Golden Hour.
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14Sometimes I Might Be IntrovertLittle Simz
Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
An ambitious, orchestral UK rap landmark of identity and scope. Bold and acclaimed. Her masterpiece.
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15Home VideoLucy Dacus
Home Video
A literate, melodic indie record of memory and adolescence. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.
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16Dangerous: The Double AlbumMorgan Wallen
Dangerous: The Double Album
A sprawling, chart-dominating country-pop blockbuster. Tuneful and enormous. A commercial landmark.
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17SourOlivia Rodrigo
Sour
A sharp, cathartic debut blending pop and pop-punk teen angst, from 'drivers license' to 'good 4 u'. Raw and huge. A generational breakthrough.
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18NineSault
Nine
A sharp, soulful protest record released for a limited window. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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19Glow OnTurnstile
Glow On
A genre-blurring hardcore peak of melody and energy that crossed over. Fresh and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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20Call Me If You Get LostTyler, the Creator
Call Me If You Get Lost
A maximal, globe-trotting return to rap braggadocio with lush production. Confident and acclaimed. A late peak.