Before 2021 runs out, it is only fair we look at the best albums to come out of the year.
20. Pain Paints Paintings - Dax
Nigerian-Canadian rapper Dax exceeded expecations with his debut studio album, "Pain Paints Paintings". Speaking on topics extending from religion to fame, Dax uses this album to create a solid foundation for his must happen big break.
19. Moon Boy - Yung Bleu
After releasing projects since 2013, Yung Bleu finally had his big break after Canadian rapper Drake remixed his single "You're Mines Still" in 2020. Riding on the success of the track, Yung Bleu released an impressive debut studio album in "Moon Boy". The album is heavily stacked with features but Yung Bleu uses his R&B style to prove himself.
18. Dan + Shay - Good Things
If you are new to country music, then this album is for you. Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney released a very impressive album full of good things. From the get go, the first song "Good Things" is a pop song which sticks to your head almost instatntly and the vibe does not end there. Dan + Shay managed to the pop vibe from start to finish.
17. Emanuel - Alt Therapy
Canadian R&B singer Emanuel's "Alt Therapy" combines love and music in a soulful bliss. With songs like "Need You" and "Pillows", Emanuel's vocals are enough to blow you into another realm. The album is generally calm and peaceful whilst full of passion and confidence.
16. Kenny Mason - Angelic Hoodrat: Supercut (Deluxe)
Kenny Mason is an interesting artist. His second studio release, "Angelic Hoodrat: Supercut (Deluxe)" says a lot about him. Fusing rap, pop, and rock, Kenny Mason is comfortable is his own lane.
15. JORDI - Maroon 5
A wonderful return by Marron 5. Maroon 5 released a very impressive pop album in "JORDI". The album is love oriented and the first song "Beautiful Mistakes" with Megan Thee Stallion shows this off excessively.
14. Rhye - Home
Home is a melodious rendition of a lover. Rhye released this project early in 2021 and it is so impressive, it managed to make it to the year end list. The album is an electronic album meaning that it is majorly sounds that is found in this album but the melodies here make it hard to resist the vibe.
13. Arlo Parks - Collapsed In Sunbeams
Arlo Parks released her full length album "Collapsed In Sunbeams" to critical acclaim. Her story telling skills are almost unparralleled and songs like "Hurt" and "Caroline" show this evidently. "Collapsed In Sunbeams" is a confident montonous offering to the music world.
12. James Vickery - Songs That Made Me Feel
James Vickery defines ability in disabilty. A partially deaf man managed to create an R&B masterpiece, again, James Vickery defines ability in disability. The incosistency in the pitch of his voice makes the entire project somewhat more preferable, sounds impossible? Take a listen and be amazed.
11. Tory Lanez - Alone At Prom
Tory Lanez released his most impressive studio album to date. This 80s pop influenced album will leave you shocked from the first song. With song likes "Lady Of Namek", Lavender Sunflower", and basically the entire album (lol) will leave you attached and bopping your head.
10. GIVEON - When It's All Said And Done... Take Time
Giveon's Heartbreak Anniversary is an R&B classic (until TikTok happened). Giveon's deep and harmonious vocals are unheard of therefore making him unique in a lane dominated by higher pitched artists. "When It's All Said And Done... Take Time" is a soulful love story capable of melting even the strongest of hearts.
9. Doja Cat - Planet Her
Doja Cat seemed to bring everything on this project. Rap = Options, Pop = Kiss Me More, R&B = You Right, Afro = Woman. Doja proved that she can be whoever she wants to be on "Planet Her". She confidently shows off her prowess in such a swagful way that shakes the music world.
8. Madlib - Sound Ancestors
With sounds melodious enough to take you from zero to a hundred really fast, madlib delivers confidently on this latest release. The sounds are ancestral in the sense that they remind you of old school music.
7. Halsey - If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power
Halsey went from heartbroken to goddess in a year. Her previous album, "Manic" shows her soft and loving side coming to terms with heartbreak. Fast forward to 2021 and Halsey does not want love, she wants something more. The alternative album speaks volumes of her evolution as she uses pop and rock influences to show off.
6. Tyler, The Creator - Call Me If You Get Lost
The brilliance of Tyler, The Creator shows off once again. Tyler passionately tells the story of a love triangle consisting of a lady and her love and Tyler, who is in love with the lady in question. Notable tracks from the album include "WUSYANAME", "CORSO", and "JUGGERNAUT". Tyler, The Creator seems to get better with every project release.
5. Lil Nas X - Montero
This man feeds off hate. Since publicly coming out as gay, Lil Nas X did the exact opposite of what the usual people would do when they are constatly criticized. Riding on the wave of hate from almost the entire world, Lil Nas X dropped "Montero" and it exceeded expectations by far. Fusing pop and rap, Lil Nas X gives the music world the middle finger with his personality and his music style.
4. Bllie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
Billie Eilish silenced her haters with this album. Most people believe she is a sad kid that uses dark music as some form of escape route; she changed that narrative with "Happier Than Ever". The album sounds like your average Billie Eilish album comprising of dark auto tuned vocals but the topic is very different. She speaks on literally being happier than ever with songs like "Happier Than Ever", "Therefore I am", and "Lost Cause", it is evident that she is happy and comfortable with the woman she is.
3. Silk Sonic - An Evening With Silk Sonic
Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars coming together to create a project is a combination that is long overdue. Both artists have an incredible control over their use of the pop genre and have vocals unrivaled to their peers. It was only natural they come together to create a project. "An Evening With Silk Sonic" did not disappoint at all.
2. Justin Bieber - Justice
Justin Bieber did justice with this album! Virtually every song is a hit. Justin made sure he served the world with one of his best projects in a long while. Fusing pop and R&B, stacking incredible features, Justin Bieber outdid himself. A deluxe version titled "Triple Chucks Deluxe" was released and was still hot, lacking little to any flaws.
1. Ed Sheeran - =
A glorious return to the throne. Ed Sheeran dropped a late gift in 2021 and yes it was worth the wait. "=" is flawless. Pop, R&B, Ballad, Ed Sheeran did it all and overdid it. "Tide" being the first song off the album will touch your soul directly leaving you wanting more and the best part is that there is variety in the album. "Tides" and "Bad Habits" are heavily pop influenced, "Sandman" and "The Joker and The Queen" will leave you in tears because of the vivid emotion he pours into the song. "=" is clearly unrivaled and is the top album of 2021.
