Music in 2021 was like living in 2021, it was all over the place. There was no specific stand out and everything was sporadic and indecisive. But through all the chaos, I’ve picked my top 5 favorite albums of 2021.

1. Kings of Leon- When You See Yourself

Most popular in the early 2000s, the band Kings of Leon released a new album in March of 2021. Kings of Leon kept their old sound of guitar-based, soulful Southern Indie rock throughout their first 3 songs on this album,   “The Bandit”, “When You See Yourself, Are You Far Away”, and “100,000 People”. They toured this year but had to cut it short due to the death of the Followill brother’s mother. This album is definitely something you’ll listen to again. 

2. Girl in Red- If I Could Make It Go Quiet

Having never produced a studio album before, Norwegian singer Marie Ringheim continued her indie-pop sound, releasing her first studio album through AWAL, and her own World in Red label, “If I could Make it Go Quiet”. Her song, “Serotonin” earned Girl in Red its first entry on Billboard’s Hot Alternative songs and emerging artist charts.

3. Indigo de Souza-Any Shape You Take

 Released in mid-August by Saddle Creek Records, “Any Shape You Take” was Indigo de Souza’s second album.  Through her R&B, soul, and rock stylings, De Souza speaks her mind through her lyrics and doesn’t hold back on her personal thoughts. Stand-out tracks I would include are “Kill Me”, “The Sun is Bad”, and “How I Get Myself Killed”.

4. Planet Her- Doja Cat

Mostly known for her debut on TikTok, Doja Cat’s “Planet Her” spent 4 weeks at No.2 on the Billboard’s 200 charts. “Plant Her” also broke the record for the biggest opening day for an album for a female album on Spotify. Categorized as R&B, Hip-Hip, and rap, Doja Cat would be the most popular out of these five artists.

5. Tyler, the Creator- Call Me If You Get Lost

Awarded BET Hip hop album of the year, Tyler, the Creator’s “Call Me If You Get Lost” was released in June 2021, on Columbia Records. This album has also been nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Album. With a wide variety of sounds, if you’re not into rap, Tyler, the Creator seems to have something for everyone to get stuck in their heads.