IEYL’s 2021 Music Roundup Part 2
A Look Back At Some Of The Year’s Best Albums, Live Albums, And Songs
Now that we know who I think performed, let’s see which song’s and albums made the top of the year-end lists! Explore the parade of songs, albums, and live albums below. These musicians put in a lot of great work that deserve significant support and attention.
Of course, these tracks and projects meant a lot for me, in a long year of change and growth, but more importantly I hope they reach someone new out there whose unfamiliar with them.
Upon reflection, the top billers reasserted their dominance in the lists below, but there are a few small, young, and indie artists who’ve made their way in the top 25. I’m especially proud of the live album winner and can’t say enough good things about them.
The more of these lists I make (I’ve been doing this since 2014) the more I realize they’re more of a reflection on my year and the development of it all. Hopefully some of songs and album will shape you in the coming days, weeks, months, and years as we enter another promising year in 2022.
Enjoy! :D
Songs of the Year
25. Moon Kaira — Toumani Diabaté and the London Symphony Orchestra
A match made in heaven. This orchestral piece sounds like a mountainous journey through the toughest terrain. As the strings sing defiantly on, the horns support it like the most loyal of friends.
24. State of Grace (Acoustic Version) (Taylor’s Version) — Taylor Swift
“State of Grace” takes things to the beginning — when it was just Taylor and her guitar. The gorgeous acoustic tune chimes with the melody of a lovely lullaby. When she first made the song, around 10 years ago, her life was quite stressful and filled with heart-sickness. Now, it seems, she may have finally found that state of grace.
23. Come to Life — Ye (Kanye West)
This piano based pop ballad is a powerful statement about West’s love for his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian. Relating his life to a prisoner, West feels locked down in this new life, and is fighting desperately to get his family back. This song features some of West’s best vocals in years and is a love-infused epic that is beautifully matched by the thematic music video.
22. Infinite Josh — The World Is A Beautiful Place & I’m No Longer Afraid to Die
This song is progressive rock at its summit. The climactic album highlight by The World Is A beautiful Place takes the listener through the years as one chases their dreams. The song is also about what we leave behind and the immobility that we can feel from living too much in the present. The World Is A Beautiful Place wonderfully craft this expansive rock tune that is just as timeless as its subject matter.
21. Gone — Jorja Smith
Jorja is going through the emotions connected with grief. This delicate and soulful piano tune is about reconciling with life after loosing someone you loved. In a year heavily characterized by loss, Smith captures the times with stunning self assessment.
20. Whispering Glades — Nicole Dollanganger
If someone’s death has ever brought you happiness or peace, then look no further. “Whispering Glades” carefully balances sadness with cheerfulness as Dollanganger describes the life of someone who has recently passed. Like laughter at a funeral, she holds her glee underneath mini melodies and soothing strings.
19. Waxahachie — Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, and Jon Randall
Any song from The Marfa Tapes could’ve fit on this list. I chose “Waxahachie” for its sharp sense of nostalgia and ache for something more. The little laughs and missed notes only add sincerity and authenticity to an otherwise perfect country song. “Waxahachie” represents the feeling of going back home after swearing you’d never look back. Sometimes, home isn’t where you want to go, but where you need to go.
18. Slayer Moon — Braids
Life can straight up beat you down sometimes. “Slayer Moon” captures the moment when you’re clueless and in the mud. Even the Sailor Moon characters can feel like they have more going for them than you. On top of echoing drums and ferocious chords Raphael’s yelps excellently capture the song’s strong sense of agitation. This reflection of doomed souls is closely married to the dark past couple of years in the world.
17. Brycie — Big Red Machine
“Brycie” sounds as sweet as brotherly love. As an ode to his sibling and band partner, Bryce, Aaron sings compassionately about their relationship. This song practically makes the heart melt. Against those skipping and warm Dressner chords Aaron unpacks some deeply personal exchanges between him and Bryce. Vernon also delivers some subtle soul, supporting Aaron’s main vocals, especially over the syrupy sweet hook.
16. Free Trade — Drake ft. Travis Scott
The life of celebrities can sometimes appear overly-magnificent and filled with unreachable riches. Nevertheless, there’s a trade associated with it. The two talented hip-hop artists give us a glimpse into their fast-paced and at times, crazed-filled lives. If their lifestyles didn’t seem real enough, hopefully this banger of a track adds some relatable truths.
15. Girl From Rio — Anitta
If you ever wanted to go to Brazil, this song would be a great travel companion. The superstar rides the 808 heavy hook with incredible confidence and sultry appeal. Anitta isn’t always painting a beautiful picture of her home country, but the lyrics simply drip with surreal and raw honesty.
14. On The Ground — ROSÉ
Rose is wonderfully reflective and vulnerable on this impressive single. “On The Ground” captures the BLACKPINK superstar is the midst of more fame. As she grows, she wants to stay grounded. The Jon Bellion-assisted song has compelling drums and an energetic hook. If Rose continues down this path, she can have a strong solo career.
13. Whatever Tomorrow — Chet Faker
Faker used to let happiness pass him by, but no longer. “Whatever Tomorrow” captures the Australian singer-songwriter in a sad conundrum. The soulful album cut features heavenly harmonies and stunning strings. As Faker sings his issues away he reaches closer towards peaceful mindfulness.
12. New Shapes — Charli XCX, Christine and the Queens, and Caroline Polachek
This mighty team of pop stars united triumphantly on this glossy single. Each singer has their own unique vocals and those attributes are highlighted by the moody and euphoric production shifts in the verses. The song goes incredibly hard and bangs with self-confident fury.
11. A Lot Like You — Lambs & Wolves
This song shines through its sublime melody and minimalistic production. The song feels like paradise. The breathy vocals and repetitive chords serenade the listener into mindless bliss. Although the song is about being a disappointment, the let down is kindly made.
10. 2010 — Earl Sweatshirt
Earl returned this year and brought us back to his come up. From the beginning to the present, he’s been obsessed about his own success. Now, in this new position, he’s dedicated to bringing his friends up alongside him. This is by far the most aggressive beat we’ve heard the California-native spit over in quite some time. Earl has a special gift for rapping cerebral bars over spacey experimental hip-hop beats. With “2010” he pulls the most accessible elements from that sound and brings us closer to his current state of mind.
9. Red Antz — Palberta
This melodic punk song is pure bliss. As the whimsical trio enchants their love the chords hop with the excitement of red ants. This song demands repeated listens and is one of the most contagious short jams I’ve heard all year.
8. Red Room — Hiatus Kyote
“Red Room” burns with the smoky charm of a cigarette tips. Palm says so much with simply one recurring verse. The song builds with emotional anticipation until the final release. In this state of ecstasy we learn the true nature of the red room.
7. …At the Holiday Party — St. Vincent
Annie Clark’s heart oozes on this soulful acoustic cut. On “…At the Holiday Party” she shares some of the pain experienced by those in the celebrity lifestyle. Despite these hardships, Clark lets her friend know, with a warm embrace, that she can’t hide the damage from her.
6. Volando Remix — Mora ft Sech & Bad Bunny
These three are a match made in heaven. Each of these three singers are struggling with their lovers and working to close the gap. This is a beautiful and longing love song for distant lovers.
5. Glider- Japanese Breakfast
“Glider” soars like the stars in the sky. This song is a brilliant piece of Sable’s open world game. As the gamer lives more in that landscape, Japanese Breakfast’s echoing vocals and dreamy synths keep the adrenaline up.
4. Walking At Midnight — Kacy Hill
Kacy Hill unlocks new levels of vulnerability on this twangy pop record. As Hill is meandering through the midnight she is caught up in the saddening truth behind a breakup. Hill’s sharp vocals cut through the soothing chords with knife-like precision straight into the soul.
3. Key — Ratboys
The classic Ratboys tune gets a wonderful makeover in 2021. Not only do they turn the volume up but the vocals and chords punch much harder. At its core, the song reminds us about the little moments that meant the world to us during adolescence. The song chimes on in the sweet outro with lovely nostalgia.
2. Ready For You — Black Coffee ft. Celeste
“Ready For You” is an Afro-house masterpiece. The stunning British singer Celeste provides heavenly vocals about jumping into a relationship. There’s no better time like the present. Like all great house artists, Black Coffee brings incredible emotion to the dance floor on this foot stomping epic.
1. That’s On You (Japanese Remix)— Joyce Wrice ft. UMI
Sometimes, you can be so in love that you forget that it’s no longer worth it. Questions start to arise; Am I doing too much? Is this relationship still working? Wrice and UMI gorgeously tackle these complex questions together.
“That’s On You” asks the tough questions with love and sincerity. While UMI slickly raps her way to acceptance with lovely sounding Japanese, Wrice handles vocals. With her angelic high note, love prevails.
Honorable Mentions:
- Spinning — No Rome ft. Charli XCX & The 1975
- Motion and Thought — Typhoon
- They’ve Closed Down The Honky Tonks — Miranda Lambert
- The Light — Brockhampton
- Alouatta (hembra) — Lion’s Drums
Live Album of the Year
Windswept Adan Concert at Bunkamura Orchard hall, Tokyo — Ichiko Aoba
Ichiko Aoba took her ocean-based mythical project to a live audience with this stunning live album. The talented singer-songwriter usually prefers the shadows or dimly lit venues during her shows. She is also known to separate herself form the audience , anxiously putting her head down, or even placing herself high up on a rock. In this expansive live album her stunning presence is front and center. During the performance, Aoba is seen wearing an elegant green sea-based flower in her hair, accompanied by a kimono-like white gown.
The album takes these absorbent tunes and stretches them with the halls gorgeous echoes. The songs are transfixing and takes the listener on a splendid journey through Japan’s southern islands. One of my favorite aspects of the original album was its liberating use of instrumentation. Therefore, the live album’s video which showcases the large array of live instruments on stage is a sight to see. The show practically looks like a play with Aoba as the smiling protagonist. Unlike the album, which feels very close and personal, this live album sounds like it belongs in the sea, hovering through the cold air.
The Bunkamura Orchard Hall is an historic venue in Tokyo. Since 2019, the “cultural enclave” has welcomed musicians from around the world to perform their classical, modern, and opera songs for the masses. As a quarantine album, Windswept Aden is finally getting its proper live rollout this past year. Aoba has also performed this album across the UK and EU this past fall. While the song’s dreamy presence connects with more audience members around the world we can all enjoy the Bunkamara Orchad Hall version for our individual pleasures.
Honorable Mentions:
- Amidst the Chaos: Live at the Hollywood Bowl — Sara Bareilles
- ‘Till We Meet Again (Live) — Norah Jones
Albums of the Year
25. Vice Versa — Rauw Alejandro
Rauw Alejandro stays at the top of modern reggaeton with the brilliant sophomore project, Vice Versa. His songs sound luxurious and big enough to push his career forward. With the enormous success of his debut album, the Puerto Rican singer decided to continue his upward trajectory. Vice Versa is packed with progressive reggaeton and anthem after anthem. Its a wonderfully bright and exciting listen all the way through.
24. Overgrown — Joyce Wrice
From the sunny and wishful city of Los Angeles, Wrice has reignited the glory of early 2000’s R&B. This album is undeniably sweet and filled with longing. Her heart is on her sleeve throughout the album as she is in search of real love. The impressive number of collaborators also doesn’t overshadow the rookie singer. Her presence is fantastically potent and authentic in this refreshing age of R&B.
23. Driver — Adult Mom
Adult Mom does a great job at making awkward moments feel relatable and okay. The band is your twenty-something year old friends who are with you in the trenches. Driver takes you on a trip of scenarios and comments through them with excellent indie rock tunes. The hooks are amazingly catchy and Stevie Knipe’s melodies are naturally ear-grabbing and addictive. There are more than enough stories here to jam out with your roommates after a weekend gone wrong.
22. Fearless (Taylor’s Version)- Taylor Swift
Fearless, Taylor’s Version, is the best remake album Swift has done to date. The old songs are wonderfully reproduced. Songs like “Tell Me Why” and “Hey Stephen” are given new life and enhanced production.
The strings on these tracks come alive and even Swift’s vocals are crisper as her vocals mature. In the vault are some of the best Swift songs I’ve ever heard. “Mr. Perfectly Fine” features exquisite songwriting about a lover who moved on a little too fast. “You All Over Me” is a heavenly country tune that matches the quality of any top tier Swift country song during her prime. With passion to regain her masters, Swift improved upon arguably her best project.
21. Sour — Olivia Rodrigo
The golden child stepped up to the plate and delivered with this pain-filled debut album. The young pop singer dove deeply into the murky aftermath of a complicated relationship. Sonically, she grounds the album with flickering synth keys and oozing chords. Her ear for bridges and impactful two-liners reinforce the album’s replay value.
Love can hurt, but Rodrigo demonstrated just how sour things can get when you’re in a lot of pain.
20. Flu Game — AJ Tracey
The world is AJ Tracey’s oyster. The UK’s rapper’s confidence is infectious on this ambitious and chest pumping album. Whether he’s showing off his pop-rap appeal or lyrical skills, Tracey relentlessly demonstrates that he has a lot to offer. Featuring large drums, infectious choruses, and nonstop adrenaline, Flu Game represents the progress from the one of the British Isles brightest stars.
19. Blue Heron Suite — Sarah Jarosz
Sarah Jarosz relives her childhood in this soothing and calming Americana album. The album is a beautifully stripped down collection of Jarosz’s thoughts and senses in Wimberley, Texas. The project stretches out of the rustic bluegrass sound of World On The Ground and airs out with the steady movement of the morning tide. Jarosz weightless vocals also hit with the comfort of the sun’s rays on a bright summer beach day.
18. Changephoebia — Rostom
Changephoebia is a complex sphere of sounds. The music is coming at you from all angles as the Vampire Weekend band member shares his insecurities surrounding change. The album is delightfully warm and therapeutic. There are a parade of smooth tones and bubbling chords. With this album, Rostom continues to establish himself as an outstanding solo artist.
17. ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE — BROCKHAMPTON
The boys are back. Roadrunner is an intensely thoughtful listening experience. BROCKHAMPTON once again dives deep into their pasts and address painful experiences over experimental hip-hop beats to fan’s amazement. These are great, brow-clenching songs with tons of meaning. Hopefully these truths will help them reach whatever light they are running towards.
16. Kabul Fire Vol. 2 — Farhut
Western and eastern musical traditions met on Kabul Fire Vol. 2. The producer and business executive Farhut created a wonderfully eclectic hip-hop style instrumental album. Most of the songs are beat-heavy songs with eastern instruments. These fresh and reassuring tracks remind us about the universality of great accessible music.
15. Things Take Time, Take Time — Courtney Barnett
Just like the title suggests, Things Take Time drives the point home at its own pace. Barnett was always a wordsmith, but with this album she gains greater perspective as she enters the middle of her career. Friendships, fame, and relationships are all on the board for discussion. These heady yet chill indie rock tunes are close companions and food for thought as you enter a new year of growth.
14. I Don’t Live Here Anymore — The War on Drugs
The War on Drugs advanced their sound on their deeply personal fifth studio album. With the advent of new age instrumentation and progressive chord progressions the Philadelphia based band transcend the post-rock age we’re in.
While the group has a strongly familiar sound I Don’t Live Here fearlessly takes the listener to a less serene and more firm place. The direction they’re going to on this album does not always lead to a comfortable place, but the journey is gorgeous to listen to, and worth it.
13. Draw Down The Moon — Foxing
Foxing is a band that can appeal to a wide spectrum of listeners. Their melodies match the smoothest vocalist in the genre. Their sincere vulnerability is as beautifully honest as the most adoring singer-songwriter. Lastly, their more heavy metal leaning songs are scorching records that echo strong emotions.
Draw Down The Moon reflects the moments when emotions come at you hard, and there’s little for you to do but scream and let the world know.
12. How Long Do You Think Its Gonna Last — Big Red Machine
If the duo continues to make more music as pleasing and all-encompassing as this, then it’s going to last as long as possible. These are dynamic guitar based tunes with psychedelic overtones. The album is a magical listening experience with a hint of love mixed in. The chemistry between the alchemists, Vernon and Dressner, is only getting better with time.
11. Palberta5000 — Palberta
Palberta5000 is packed with earworm after earworm. There’s few albums with so many short, yet enticing, songs. Their intricate harmonies are mesmerizing and their witty lyrics bring a smirk to the face. This trio sounds like the type of group you would run into by accident at a bar and remember for the rest of your life. Palbertta5000’s tracks are that good.
10. Lily We Need to Talk Now — Lily Konigsberg
Right in front of Palberta is one of the their band mates in solo form. Apart from Palbertta, Konigsberg creates soft pop from a myriad of decades and subgenres. In the center is her delicate songwriting about heart-racing love and growing up.
As a solo artist, Konigsberg’s music is far less agitated and more welcoming. These songs shine with the love and embrace young romance. As her songwriting and production improve, it will be inspiring to hear where her influences take her next.
9. Moonlit and Devious — Allie Crow Buckley
Moonlit and Devious is the last cup of whiskey at the end of the night. Buckley’s solemn vocal tone and harrowing subject matter is steeped in echoing chords and atmospheric drums. After replaying this album countless times throughout the year it’s clear that Buckely is one of the stronger chamber pop artists of her class.
8. The Marfa Tapes — Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, and Jon Randall.
The Marfa Tapes is meant to be heard with friends around a campfire. These intimate country tunes are heartfelt tales of love lost, love gained, and friendships maintained. The trio also share strong chemistry as they work out songs in real time. Flaws and all, The Marfa Tapes is a charming and concise pack of rich live recordings.
7. Daddy’s Home — St. Vincent
Daddy’s Home is a soulful and retro extravaganza. St. Vincent continues to push herself and her art forward with this stunning project. In many ways, it’s a celebration of family reconnection. At the same time, she’s reconciling with the past and learning new ways to work through trauma. There are an abundant amount of choirs in here with plentiful and rich guitar solos mixed in. The album sounds dense in skilled instrumentation and unaltered fun.
6. Bring Backs — Alfa Mist
I can listen to this album for eternity. Bring Backs is a well of cerebral raps and mindful instrumentals. Out of all of the great jazz music that came out this year Bring Back felt the most reflective and prescient. Mist’s style is simultaneously laid back and captivating. Put your feet up to this album and let the dancing keys and soaring horns massage the mind.
5. Sinner Get Ready — Lingua Ignota
Deep in the rocky green pastures of western Pennsylvania lies Sinner Get Ready. The unrelenting gospel epic captures the spirit of the faithful. Through these hymnals, Lingua connects to our deepest level of understanding. Sonically, the album is a luscious surround sound of folksy chiming and passionate harmonies. If you don’t believe, this album will bring you close to putting your hands together in prayer.
4. Illusory Walls — The World is a beautiful place and I’m No Longer Afraid to Die
The World Is A Beautiful Place continues to make forward-thinking rock music for the modern age. Illusory Walls is a heavy wall of sounds and refreshing revelations. The wide breadth of chords and voices can feel overwhelming until you relinquish control and let them take charge. In the wake of this surrender you’ll hear a ton of stories about the world around us the band’s sometimes sad past.
3. No Place — Danielle Durack
At our lowest moments, we can find the most important life lessons. No Place exists in those ditches. After a relationship’s final chapter ends the Arizona singer-songwriter explores her closet for thoughts left untold and messages unresolved. The album is a breezy, liberating experience for anyone going through a tough period of broken love. Through her airy vocals and dreamy chords we are elevated to an eternal state of peace and happiness that transcends time and place.
2. Subconsciously — Black Coffee
With Subconsciously, be prepared to get lost in Black Coffee’s world. The international renowned house artist collected some of the best singers and producers to his night-life dance party. Once you get past the delightful rhythm of these infectious tunes be prepared to be wrapped into the love songs tucked within them. These are glossy songs that resemble the stars in the sky in the middle of a ecstasy-filled night of joy and bliss.
1. Donda —Ye (Kanye West)
In the same vain of his 2007 Grammy Performance of “Hey Mama” and 2014’s single “Only You”, the Chicago-rapper gives homage to his roots with Donda. The planter of those seeds was always his mother, Donda West. The hip-hop-gospel epic enlists the top stars from the genre and features extraordinary track after mind blowing track. We haven’t heard West this concentrated on music in years, and the results are startling. As always, his heart is on his sleeve as he reflects on his mother’s lessons and applies them to his life. For someone as impassioned and confident as Ye, Donda is a successful experiment in honest reflection and gratitude.
Honorable Mentions
- FLOWERS for VASES / descansos — Hayley Williams
- Slow Blink — In the Pines
- Happy Birthday, Ratboy — Ratboys
- Blue Banisters — Lana Del Rey
- Blood In The Water — Lapeche
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