Here Are My 50 Favorite Albums of 2021, Part 1: Numbers 50-41

Grammy noms, awesome debuts, and vets continuing their hot streaks are all here.

It’s December, so that means that now is your easiest time to catch up on the best records of the year!

As I worked on this list over the past month, there have been so many surprises - like albums I expected would be here that didn’t make the cut, or how most all these could all be my favorite record of the year, or my favorite, realizing you love something more now that it’s had time to breathe.

I hope you find something new here, and I’ll be updating the playlists on Spotify and Apple Music as the countdown continues.

50. The War on Drugs - I Don’t Live Here Anymore

The overwhelmingly positive reviews for I Don’t Live Here Anymore tend to all gravitate towards appreciating The War on Drugs cutting down on the hazy expansiveness that defined their earlier work, but the focused pop format has the opposite effect for me. Still one of my top acts of this past decade, and the run of “Harmonia’s Dream,” “Change,” “I Don’t Wanna Wait,” “Victim,” and the title track all keep this record on the list.

What I said in my review: “I Don’t Live Here Anymore is most immediate when completely embracing the band’s tendency to explore the soft pop sounds of the late ’80s, and the record reaches limitless heights on the mid-album run of ‘I Don’t Wanna Wait,’ ‘Victim,’ and ‘I Don’t Live Here Anymore.’ The vintage drum machine that opens “I Don’t Wanna Wait” is instantly recognizable, falling somewhere between Phil Collins” ‘In the Air Tonight’ and Hall & Oates” ‘I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do).’ The beauty of The War on Drugs is that while they are here to remind us of classic rock’s past, their sound is truly unique at this point.”

I Don’t Live Here Anymore is available on Atlantic Records.

49. Nation of Language - A Way Forward

Nation of Language has kicked off its career by releasing two of my favorite records of the last two years. Working at a quick clip shouldn’t sound this easy, but the sky is the limit for this Brooklyn band.

What I said in my review: “A Way Forward is not as immediately contagious as their debut but is highly rewarding when given the proper time and spins. Nation of Language deserves a round of applause for not making the same record again, as is the case with many synth-driven bands. All of their successful elements are here, but the vision is more themed this time, as they give an ace outing of the krautrock sound they set out to achieve.”

A Way Forward is available on Play It Again Sam.

48. Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee

I had a hearty chuckle when Michelle Zauner and Japanese Breakfast recently received a Grammy nom for “Best New Artist” while releasing their third record. It shows how out of touch the Recording Academy is with Glass Animals, who are now in their second decade, also on the list. I may have laughed even harder when I watched my first Sunday Night Football of the year this week (Broncos performed like butt, no surprises there) and “Be Sweet” played during a commercial bumper.

Welcome to the gorgeous sounds of Japanese Breakfast, world.

What I said in my review: “Another highlight is the woozy ‘Savage Good Boy,’ a song that struggles with the greed that can come with prioritizing personal joys. Zauner has a history of sci-fi-inspired songs, and with ‘Savage Good Boy,’ one can’t help but think of the space boy fantasies of Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk while they wreck the planet they inhabit… Michelle Zauner’s journey may be full of grief and heartbreak, but she finds herself in a special place to help others process life’s more brutal moments. With Jubilee, she’s taken a considerable step in maturing her sound while exploring other genres.”

Jubilee is available on Dead Oceans.

47. Aesop Rock & Blockhead - Garbology

Over two decades into his career and one of the most reliable performers on Rhymesayers, Aesop Rock turned to frequent collaborator, Blockhead, to release Garbology, his most inspired effort in a few years. While I enjoyed last year’s Spirit World Field Guide, I lately prefer Aesop Rock’s work with a credited collaborator like teaming up with Tobacco for 2019’s lively Malibu Ken. With Blockhead being one of my favorite beatmakers, Garbology is a dream team-level album.

Garbology is available on Rhymesayers.

46. Rose City Band - Earth Trip

After using Apple Music for the past few years, I revived my Spotify account to provide playlists to as many listeners as possible. While the Spotify Wrapped series is a fun snapshot of the year, it’s too bad that the service is missing so many albums, including Ripley Johnson’s gorgeous meditations, while making my list two years in a row.

What I said in my review: “On an album about returning to nature and finding the simplicity in life, ‘Lonely Places’ is a highlight. Barry Walker approaches the pedal steel on the track with an unexpected Keith Richards swagger, like ‘Tumbling Dice” reimagined as a barroom country ballad. Taking a break from the hustle, Johnson sings, ‘give me warm embraces, not a telephone.’ ““

Earth Trip is available on Thrill Jockey Records.

45. Marissa Nadler - The Path of the Clouds

Another recent release, Marissa Nadler’s The Path of the Clouds, is one of the lushest records of the year. By using old Unsolved Mysteries stories to explore the human condition, Nadler has concocted a unique formula that is must-hear.

What I said in my review: “The Nashville singer-songwriter has always been an expert storyteller, and on Nadler’s ninth album, she’s switched up the format, this time writing songs based on old Unsolved Mysteries tales. Inspired by the old tv show with a nightmare-inducing theme song, Nadler draws parallels in her own life to develop a set of eleven haunting songs, supported by a top cast including Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins and prolific harpist Mary Lattimore, and many more.”

The Path of the Clouds is available on Sacred Bones and Bella Union Records.

44. Motorists - Surrounded

For a truly unique experience in the modern exploration of post-punk and new wave, there’s no better way to follow up Nation of Language than listening to Motorists’ brilliant debut, Surrounded. Instead of the synth-driven scene, Motorists are more interested in the jangly college rock sound of the early 80s.

What I said in my review: “The first half of the year included so many post-punk releases that I found myself annoyed with the genre as a new buzz band released something each week that bled into everything else from the present scene. But with Surrounded, Motorists switch up the formula by working in catchy melodies straight from Peter Buck's Rickenbacker. Combined with the themes of isolation and overbearing tech, Surrounded works differently from those releases.”

Surrounded is available on Bobo Integral Records.

43. Twin Shadow - Twin Shadow

There are a few great comebacks on this list, but none better than the reinvention of George Lewis Jr., aka Twin Shadow. I was stoked about this release when I initially wrote my review, and this self-titled stunner has only improved with the months.

What I wrote in my review: “The record is the perfect balm to the dog days of summer. While just as sincere as any previous Twin Shadow release, this new album feels unchained, optimistic, and joyful, which is why it’s one of the best releases of July and a most welcome return from an artist who proves they have plenty left to say.”

Twin Shadow is available on Cheree Cheree.

42. Damien Jurado - The Monster Who Hated Pennsylvania

C’mon, Kiley, you can’t possibly be telling me about Damien Jurado again.

What I wrote in my review: “On his newest, The Monster Who Hated Pennsylvania, not only does Jurado write, produce, and play everything on the album, but now is releasing on his own label, Maraqopa Records. In addition to the character studies that have become his trademark, there’s a fresh sound led by the excellent bass riffs… Though tough to pick favorites on something that works as a whole, ‘Tom,’ the gorgeousness of ‘Song for Langston Birch,’ and the rawness of ‘Johnny Caravella’ are my current favs. In particular, ‘Johnny Caravella’ is new territory for an artist now on his 20th album.”

The Monster Who Hated Pennsylvania is available on Maraqopa Records.

41. St. Vincent - Daddy’s Home

I’m completely burnt out on Jack Antonoff-produced projects, but well done on Daddy’s Home, as Annie Clark’s latest is one of the best pop albums of the year.

What I wrote in my review: “With the sounds and character studies of Elton John, Lou Reed, and Joni Mitchell present throughout, the biggest surprise comes on the album’s centerpiece ‘Live in the Dream,’ a trip fit for Pink Floyd. Starting with spaciness comparable to ‘Us & Them,’ Clark gives her best David Gilmour impression singing, ‘welcome child, you’re free of the cage, trying to seem sane, makes you so strange,’ accompanied by soulful backing vocals. Its soaring guitar solo also demonstrates why Clark is one of the most exciting guitarists in music right now.”

Daddy’s Home is available on Loma Vista.

Hear anything you love? Leave a comment or let me know on Twitter & Instagram!