2021 was a year filled with ups and downs. Society buoyed from bleakness to hopeful optimism, and back again. Amid all this, waves of new music were pushed out by artists and bands with the expectation of touring as things looked like returning to some semblance of normal. How did the music of 2021 hold up to the huge year in music that was 2020? Ultimately, not that well. Music’s biggest names dropped anticipated projects with mixed results, though lesser known names shone from their hiding spots. The Utility Spot looks back on a historic year’s music releases with the 25 Best Albums of 2021.
Honourable Mentions
Delta Kream
The Black Keys
Essentially a covers album, The Black Keys take us back a few decades to the era of hill country blues. While none of the tracks are originals, The Black Keys take a modern spin on the covers and add their signature garage rock and blues rock sound. It’s not what most rock fans would’ve wanted from The Black Keys, but Delta Kream seems like a passion project Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney are happy about.
star-crossed
Kacey Musgraves
Following 2018’s universally acclaimed Golden Hour was always going to be a high mountain to climb for country pop star Kacey Musgraves—especially when the tone ends up standing in stark contrast. While not Musgraves’ best work, the highly anticipated divorce album sees her explore her divorce and a new view on marriage in an interesting way. It’s no Golden Hour, but Musgraves’ star power and the varying musical styles make star-crossed worth a decent listen.
Red (Taylor’s Version)
Taylor Swift
Red (Taylor’s Version) will be considered ineligible for best album of the year as it’s only slightly more than a re-recording. It is, however, definitely worthy of an honourable mention. The subtle changes to the production of the original tracks give Red a fresh coat of paint to keep it updated for Taylor Swift’s contemporary sound. Some re-recordings hit, some miss, and some… well they sound the same. Packaged with Taylor’s Versions are a handful of previously unreleased tracks that are actually quite good! Red (Taylor’s Version) will ultimately sit in Swift’s discography as a reminder to pop music of Swifties’ collectively favourite Taylor Swift record. It also serves as an introduction for newer Taylor Swift fans to an important record in Swift’s career. Also… we got a 10-minute heart wrencher.
30
Adele
2021—year of the divorce album. 30 shows Adele hasn’t missed a step despite receding from the limelight the past four years. She is still a master vocalist, and she can still write songs that will twist your heart and throw it into a tear-fueled inferno. 30 isn’t Adele’s best project, but her diehard fans are certainly satisfied, and it has taken a place in the playlists of wine nights for many.
The List
25.
Planet Her
Doja Cat
Planet Her features one of the strongest opening trios of 2021. “Woman”, “Naked”, and “Payday” is some way to start an album. Right off the bat, this trio shows what Doja Cat brings to Planet Her—versatility, big tunes, and excellent vocal performances. The trio includes afrobeat, dance pop, and trap-pop production while Doja bounces between top notch singing and flying rapping. Doja is more versatile on Planet Her, but doesn’t reach too far—the perfect move to capitalize on her huge stardom.
24.
Chemtrails Over The Country Club
Lana Del Rey
A hard left turn after years of a dark pop sound, Lana Del Rey introspects over folk production on Chemtrails Over The Country Club. Del Rey reunites with super producer Jack Antonoff as she contemplates on her career up to this point and on who she is versus who she is seen as. Surprisingly, Chemtrails Over The Country Club isn’t as far off of the high heights of 2019’s Norman Fucking Rockwell! as most expected. Despite shaking things up stylistically, Lana Del Rey shows she can still drop a solid record full of well written tracks.
23.
Collapsed In Sunbeams
Arlo Parks
Arlo Parks’ debut studio album displays the British singer-songwriter’s talents to the world. Each song is carefully crafted. Each lyric is penned from the heart. Each vocal harmony is sweet. After showing glimmers of quality with a pair of EPs, Parks is shining brightly with Collapsed In Sunbeams and has a Mercury Prize to show for it.
22.
An Evening With Silk Sonic
Silk Sonic
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s highly anticipated debut Silk Sonic project is a technical masterpiece that blends funk, soul, and R&B together to drip in bravado and smoothness. What separates An Evening With Silk Sonic from the works of the ‘60s and ‘70s that inspire it is the modern production that gives it a clear and crisp finish. Instead of throwing on four different LPs, you can stream this album to get it all in one package.
21.
Haram
Armand Hammer, The Alchemist
This record is nasty. The production is nasty. The bars are nasty. Even the album art is nasty—so nasty, PETA wanted The Alchemist to change it. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a collab between Armand Hammer and The Alchemist. The production, especially the vocal samples, plays a pivotal role of bringing melody to surround the non-stop bars of Armand Hammer. Man, does The Alchemist know who to collab with, or what?
20.
I Know I’m Funny haha
Faye Webster
I Know I’m Funny haha is as awkward and shy as the name suggests. The record plays as the inner thoughts Faye Webster has, and like all indie music, they’re thoughts we all have. This indie release is mellow, but with enough snap in the production to keep it from being sleepy. It’s chill and relaxing, but still thoughtful. There are even a couple more upbeat tracks to switch things up. I Know I’m Funny haha is the indiehead’s indie record of 2021.
19.
Solar Power
Lorde
Though not the grand slam Summer record we thought it’d be, Solar Power is full of fun and bright tracks that could be the soundtrack to many sunny days out and about. The theme of returning home to New Zealand sees Lorde truly having fun and being herself on the record. Lorde stays true to herself on her third studio album, and that’s already a lot to ask for for a pop superstar like herself.
18.
ALPHA
Charlotte Day Wilson
Toronto singer-songwriter Charlotte Day Wilson was R&B’s big secret for years. Now, she’s ready to be a mainstay in the genre for years to come. ALPHA is the product of Wilson’s dedication to the crafts of songwriting, producing, and performing. Not only are the songs good to listen to, they’re technically astute too. Add in more than serviceable guest appearances from BADBADNOTGOOD, Daniel Caesar, and Syd, and ALPHA is not only a record CDW should be proud of, but one Toronto and Canada should be proud of as well.
17.
When Smoke Rises
Mustafa
When Smoke Rises is a sentimental and poetic tribute to Toronto’s Regent Park community. Even if you’re unfamiliar with Regent Park, you can visualize the community through Mustafa’s eyes. The Toronto poet and singer-songwriter shares his life story in a deeply painful manner like no other. Mustafa details all the sorrow, tragedy, and anger he’s felt, and it’s hard not to empathize with him.
16.
La Maquina
Conway the Machine
There’s no question which Griselda member has the most mainstream sound. On La Maquina, Conway the Machine embraces his role in Griselda of having a more contemporary hip-hop style and less of a “boom bap” sound. La Maquina is the most widely appealing Griselda record released these past few years. Nonetheless, the usual Conway bravado is in every bar he spits and there’s even a Griselda roster cut to close out the album to show Conway stays gritty.
15.
We’re All Alone In This Together
Dave
That’s 2 for 2 for Dave. The Streatham, England raised rapper followed up 2019’s PSYCHODRAMA with yet another screamer from outside the box. Dave continues to be one of the most complex and well-rounded rappers in the UK scene. Whether it’s tackling themes of mental health, social issues, or love, he means every bar he spits and he spits them incisively. It doesn’t matter the type of beat either, as the production is diverse. Drill, afrobeats, UK hip-hop, Dave brings it all on We’re All Alone In This Together. Simply put, Dave sits on top of the UK hip-hop game—still.
14.
Wildest Dreams
Majid Jordan
OVO Sound’s Majid Jordan dropped their strongest record with Wildest Dreams. Aside from a few hiccups, the Canadian duo’s third studio album is burning hot, synth-heavy R&B. While their first two records were made up of a few good songs surrounded by fodder, Wildest Dreams is mostly hits with a few weak moments here and there. Sure, there is a Drake feature here (not a great one at that), but Majid Jordan finally looks like they’re truly steering their own ship as opposed to simply being a cog in the OVO machine.
13.
King’s Disease II
Nas
Nas is REALLY back this time (Ms. Lauryn Hill too!). King’s Disease II is Nas’ most comprehensive full-length project in years. This album is a proper mix of old school and contemporary. Instead of leaning on the type of beats that made him, Nas and Hit-Boy take on a more contemporary sound that still feels a bit old school too. The production doesn’t feel old and bogged down, but it’s not over the top and bass heavy either. Everything is the perfect medium here, and that is what truly allows Nas to go to work. Though not every track is a fiery banger, you can tell Nas wanted each track on the record, and none of them are filler for quantity’s sake. It’s weird to say a rapper widely representative of and attached to ‘90s hip-hop dropped one of the best hip-hop records of 2021, but Nas did just that.
12.
Daddy’s Home
St. Vincent
You know that meme where the car suddenly veers towards the off-ramp on the highway? That’s Daddy’s Home. When it seemed like St. Vincent had mastered electropop with Masseduction, she goes full sound of the ‘70s. St. Vincent’s sixth studio album is fully psychedelic with hints of vintage pop. Any more reverbed sitars, and you’d think you were actually tripping. St. Vincent pulls off the bold stylistic step just as she’s pulled off every bold step in her career.
11.
Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Lil Simz
Lil Simz is one of the best MCs in the UK period. Simz spits from the heart on Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, but also with a flow so easy, you’d think she was in a trance. Inflo produces the entire album and brings variety in his production to keep things from being stale on the 19 track piece. No matter the production, Simz works it to her will and lays down heater after heater.
10.
Jubilee
Japanese Breakfast
Michelle Zauner is joyful and you can hear it. Jubilee celebrates all the good that has happened in Zauner’s life. The celebration, bliss, and elation is reflected on the new J Brekkie album. It’s simply infectious. Big horns, easy going acoustic guitars, and funky grooves will get you dancing, or at the very least add a pep in your step. Japanese Breakfast is back and Jubilee once again shows that Michelle Zauner is one of the most meticulous, yet deeply personal artists in indie music.
9.
Juno
Remi Wolf
Remi Wolf entered the pop scene with a youthful vibe and she’s been on a roll since. Wolf’s debut full-length project is an endlessly fun record. It’s colourfulness and energy is only rivaled by another pop sensation’s own debut full-length project. Wolf’s shouty vocals lend themselves to catchy hooks that are easy to sing along to. The level of Juno’s refinement is hard to believe considering it’s Wolf’s first big project and it was mostly self-made. Huge wow’s for Juno and tons of excitement for what should be a very illustrious road ahead for Remi Wolf.
8.
Gold-Diggers Sound
Leon Bridges
Leon Bridges has finally moved on from the soul sound that catapulted him onto the map in 2015. While his 2018 album, Good Thing, was a mix between a more progressive R&B sound and the nostalgic soul sound of Coming Home (2015), Gold-Diggers Sound is a fully progressive and alternative R&B record. Gold-Diggers Sound is smooth as silk, sweet as honey, and oozing with class. Few things beat Leon Bridges easily crooning over soft guitar melodies. Every track is passionate and groovy, and the second single off the record, “Motorbike”, is one of the best tracks of 2021 hands down. As great as his earlier soul releases were, it’s nice to see Bridges finally carve out a style of his own and tap into the huge potential he’s always had.
7.
Heaux Tales
Jazmine Sullivan
Ooooooo is this an album! Jazmine Sullivan dropped a killer this year. By the second week of January, Sullivan already had a contender for album of the year. This concept album is strong in tackling the theme of being a woman in today’s age. Whether it’s sexuality, feminism, or being your best person, Sullivan hits every nail on the head with top drawer vocals and purposeful interludes. Yes, that’s right—the interludes on this album actually serve a purpose, and aren’t just melodic transitions or weird skits. The interludes play the roles of narrations that precede fantastic musical stories. Heaux Tales is an album you have to listen to from start to finish, otherwise you’re missing so much—and you don’t want to miss a beat.
6.
Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Sincerely Adolf and Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Side B
Westside Gunn
“AYO!” Deemed two long for a single album, the eighth volume of Westside Gunn’s Hitler Wears Hermes series was split into two albums, or sides as the Buffalo rapper has called it. Despite being 33 tracks between the two albums, Westside is surprisingly super consistent on them. It helps to have features to reinforce almost every cut, but even Westside himself stays solid throughout. Whether it’s piano melodies, retro samples, or simple “boom bap” Griselda beats, Westside and co. body each track with coke brick hard bars. Does anyone have better ad-libs than Westside Gunn? The answer is a resounding “no”. BOOM BOOM BOOM!
5.
SOUR
Olivia Rodrigo
Has there been any other artist that blew up in 2021 as much as Olivia Rodrigo? The teen pop sensation lived up to the insane hype surrounding her. SOUR is everything you’d want and expect from a teenage pop album. It’s endlessly angsty, hopelessly romantic, pitifully sad, and at times even youthfully rageful. There’s so much talent in Olivia Rodrigo, and so much more potential beyond SOUR. There are truthful parallels between Rodrigo and her idol Taylor Swift. Who Taylor Swift was and still is to an entire generation of Millennials, Olivia Rodrigo will be to an entire generation of Gen Z’s.
4.
Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night
Bleachers
Anthemic and a bit on the nose, Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night is an homage to the big rock and pop hits of the ‘80s. So much so that the lead single, “Chinatown”, features ‘80s rock icon Bruce Springsteen. Sure, it’s clear as day what inspired the sonic direction Jack Antonoff chose for Bleachers’ third album, but it still works. The truth is, Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night is an uber fun record with quality songs for various occasions. Drive under the setting sun with your boo to “Chinatown”. Throw a dance party with “How Dare You Want More”. Be mad mellow with “Strange Behavior”. There’s a pop cut for every occasion.
3.
CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST
Tyler, The Creator
Only Tyler, The Creator could make DJ Drama ad-libs not annoying. Somehow, someway, DJ Drama’s signature mixtape era shouting adds to CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST. It’s a perfect fitting glove too. Tyler makes a return to his rapping ways of the Goblin era, but this time is much less inflammatory, and no longer looking to create shock value. This album is the pinnacle of Tyler, The Creator so far. It’s a combination of his hard rapping roots, his much developed artistic sense, and his taste for finer things. From the off-kilter rap of Goblin to the art pop of IGOR, CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST is a culmination of all that, and also the launchpad for the next era of one of the most talented artists on the planet.
2.
Donda
Kanye West
Marred with controversy, Donda turned out to be yet another fantastic album from hip-hop’s most contentious figure. After all the dust had settled from the arduous production process, the long-winded promotion campaign, the release, and the re-releases, the reality of Donda was that it was a grower of an album. All the complications and the swirling buzz around it acted like sand that buffed the product to its truest form. There are still flaws on the album, but what Kanye West project doesn’t have its flaws? The good heavily outweighs the bad here, and pulls the album—and Kanye himself—towards greatness. You simply can’t ignore the perfection of the gospel inspired hip-hop production that flows through the record. Donda isn’t the best Kanye West album, but that speaks more to his talent as an artist more than anything.
1.
Blue Weekend
Wolf Alice
Wolf Alice ignored all the noise about their sporadic sound and went with their gut on Blue Weekend. They could’ve stuck with the alt rock sound they were slowly starting to settle into on Visions of a Life (2017), but instead they branched out further and embraced a shoegaze and dream pop direction on Blue Weekend. Guess what critics—it worked. Blue Weekend is the London band’s best work to date. The sonic direction Wolf Alice took for their third record is well suited for the intricate and unique stylings of guitarist Joff Oddie, and the majestic and angelic vocals of lead vocalist Ellie Rowsell. The band is loud and in full force throughout the record. Even on the mellow cut “Safe From Heartbreak (if you never fall in love)”, the vocal harmonies are effective and on point. There are moments on the album more aligned with their previous work too. The tracks “Smile” and “Play the Greatest Hits” are brash and absolute head bangers. Even if you’re not as inclined to the sound of Blue Weekend as you are to Wolf Alice’s previous work, you get a taste of the old stuff with those two tracks. From “The Beach” to “The Beach II”, Wolf Alice didn’t miss a step when they dropped The Utility’s Spot’s Best Album of 2021.
Check out selected cuts from the best albums on our Spotify playlist.
The Utility Spot 