Albums of 2021

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1. 1
   VoyageABBA

   Voyage

   ABBA · 2021 · Pop

   A warm, nostalgic reunion after four decades. Tuneful and beloved. A graceful return.

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2. 2
   30Adele

   30

   Adele · 2021 · Pop

   A raw, reflective divorce record of vocal power. Honest and acclaimed. A mature peak.

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3. 3
   Collapsed in SunbeamsArlo Parks

   Collapsed in Sunbeams

   Arlo Parks · 2021 · Soul & R&B

   A gentle, literate bedroom-soul debut. Warm and Mercury-winning. A breakthrough.

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4. 4
   IslesBicep

   Isles

   Bicep · 2021 · Electronic

   A lush, emotional follow-up of melodic dance music. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A high point.

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5. 5
   Happier Than EverBillie Eilish

   Happier Than Ever

   Billie Eilish · 2021 · Pop

   A subtler, jazz-tinged follow-up of growth and control. Polished and acclaimed. A mature step.

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6. 6
   10 for Slim: Charley Crockett Sings James HandCharley Crockett

   10 for Slim: Charley Crockett Sings James Hand

   Charley Crockett · 2021 · Country & Americana

   A loving, unshowy tribute to a Texas honky-tonk legend — traditional country craft from one of the genre's most dedicated custodians.

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7. 7
   We're All Alone in This TogetherDave

   We're All Alone in This Together

   Dave · 2021 · Hip-Hop

   An ambitious, chart-topping UK-rap follow-up. Sharp and acclaimed. A strong record.

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8. 8
   Planet HerDoja Cat

   Planet Her

   Doja Cat · 2021 · Pop

   A slick, genre-blurring pop-R&B peak of hits. Polished and huge. A commercial breakthrough.

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9. 9
   PromisesFloating Points, Pharoah Sanders & the LSO

   Promises

   Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & the LSO · 2021 · Jazz

   A hushed, gorgeous late collaboration of electronics, sax and orchestra. Meditative and acclaimed. A modern landmark.

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10. 10
    Actual Life (April 14 - December 17 2020)Fred again..

    Actual Life (April 14 - December 17 2020)

    Fred again.. · 2021 · Electronic

    A diaristic, sample-built dance debut of intimate euphoria. Warm and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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11. 11
    FortitudeGojira

    Fortitude

    Gojira · 2021 · Metal

    A powerful, melodic peak of environmental themes. Heavy and acclaimed. A late high.

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12. 12
    The Off-SeasonJ. Cole

    The Off-Season

    J. Cole · 2021 · Hip-Hop

    A sharp, hungry return to lyrical fundamentals. Tight and acclaimed. A strong record.

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13. 13
    JubileeJapanese Breakfast

    Jubilee

    Japanese Breakfast · 2021 · Alternative & Indie

    A lush, joyful indie-pop peak of orchestral warmth. Bright and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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14. 14
    Star-CrossedKacey Musgraves

    Star-Crossed

    Kacey Musgraves · 2021 · Country & Americana

    A reflective, divorce-themed pop-country record. Polished and acclaimed. A mature follow-up to Golden Hour.

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15. 15
    Sometimes I Might Be IntrovertLittle Simz

    Sometimes I Might Be Introvert

    Little Simz · 2021 · Hip-Hop

    An ambitious, orchestral UK rap landmark of identity and scope. Bold and acclaimed. Her masterpiece.

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16. 16
    Home VideoLucy Dacus

    Home Video

    Lucy Dacus · 2021 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A literate, melodic indie record of memory and adolescence. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.

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17. 17
    Dangerous: The Double AlbumMorgan Wallen

    Dangerous: The Double Album

    Morgan Wallen · 2021 · Country & Americana

    A sprawling, chart-dominating country-pop blockbuster. Tuneful and enormous. A commercial landmark.

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18. 18
    SourOlivia Rodrigo

    Sour

    Olivia Rodrigo · 2021 · Pop

    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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19. 19
    NineSault

    Nine

    Sault · 2021 · Soul & R&B

    A sharp, soulful protest record released for a limited window. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

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20. 20
    Eternal BlueSpiritbox

    Eternal Blue

    Spiritbox · 2021 · Metal

    A debut that bridged metalcore and pop with rare confidence — Courtney LaPlante's range carrying it across both registers.

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21. 21
    Glow OnTurnstile

    Glow On

    Turnstile · 2021 · Metal

    A genre-blurring hardcore peak of melody and energy that crossed over. Fresh and acclaimed. A modern landmark.

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22. 22
    Call Me If You Get LostTyler, the Creator

    Call Me If You Get Lost

    Tyler, the Creator · 2021 · Hip-Hop

    A maximal, globe-trotting return to rap braggadocio with lush production. Confident and acclaimed. A late peak.

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