Forever in Your Heart by Black Dresses

Got me into Black Dresses who are now one of my favorite bands. All their albums have been in constant rotation this year but technically this is the only one from 2021 so it gets the nod (Wasteisolation is my personal favorite but FIYH is very strong).

I Know I'm Funny haha by Faye Webster

This album puts me in such a peaceful state. I often get lost in soft folksy stuff and can't pick out any defining features but every track on this is stuck in my head. "In A Good Way" in particular I adore.

fishmonger by underscores

Hyperpop album of the year. Weird and catchy as hell, the drop on "Spoiled little brat" still gets me after dozens of listens.

For My Mamma And Anyone Who Look Like Her by McKinley Dixon

God the bass on this album. I like Dixon's last couple albums but this one is just ridiculous. The breakdown on "Bless the child" is up there for my favorite moments of the year.

Ordinary Life by We Are The Union

Not sure what more I can say about this album. It's what I've put on everytime I've felt down or uncertain or just wanted to fucking jam. Every track's a banger but "Short Circuit" speaks to me in a particular Ocean Avenue kinda way. The little piano on the second verse makes me giddy.

dirt by kendell :3

OK, maybe fishmonger is the 2nd best hyperpop album of the year. Not sure if I'd even call this hyperpop but I don't have a better genre to lump it into. Turns out strings + voice filters rule. Can't wait to see what else they do.

Jubilee by Japanese Breakfast

This one snuck up on me. I didn't click with it hardly at all the first listen but now it's one of my most played albums this year. I love how it goes from catchy funk riffs to slow synth ballads to wandering folk songs without ever losing the thread. Maybe her best album?

one hand on the steering wheel, the other sewing a garden by Ada Lee

There's been so many great alt-folk albums this year but jesus, the opener "Damn" put me on my ass and the rest of the album stomped on my neck. Wicked sharp lyrics, a distinct and wide ranging voice, and hooks for days (weird to say for this type of album). Definitely an under appreciated gem imo.

This Far by Teamonade

Last minute addition as I can't get over how inventive this one is. The single-singer harmonies are so impressive, I wouldn't have believed it was just one person dubbing themselves. Some of the best guitar riffs of the year reminding me of early Modest Mouse if they tried to write folk punk (would probably be dreadful in reality but this rules). (edited)