68. Combo Chimbita, Ire
Carolina Olvieros and her Columbian, Brooklyn-based psychedelic cumbia band features sharper, more direct and more angular moments on this third album, though they bring themselves back to their spaced out roots in between. Highlights: “Babalawo,” “La Perla,” “Yo Me Lo Merezco”
69. Christine and the Queens presents Redcar, Redcar Les Adorables Etoile
Debuting the mysterious but more overtly masculine persona of Redcar, Chris’s 3rd album trades some of the pop sheen of his first two records, for a more rough-hewn aesthetic, rockier percussion and a gothic sense of drama. It’s still pop music, but feels like a step back from the international spotlight. Highlights: “Rien Dire,” “Looking For Love,” “Combien de Temps”
70. Saba, Few Good Things
While less thematically defined and intense than his devastatingly powerful 2018 masterpiece Care For Me, Chicago rapper Saba’s third one is more melodic and overall ups his game sonically; and he still packs punch when he goes deep. Highlights: “Fearmonger,” “Soldier,” “Few Good Things”
71. Florence + The Machine, Dance Fever
I’m a hard sell on Jack Antonoff production but in this case, it’s led to a fantastic fusion of Florence Welch’s indie rocker and pop star sensibilities. Most exciting of all, tough, is that Welch is writing lyrics that feel just as potent as her voice, on her most personal and direct record yet. Highlights: “Daffodil,” “Heaven Is Here,” “Choreomania”
72. alt-j, The Dream
The band’s return-to-form 4th album bring alt-j them back to beautiful, warm atmospheric alt-rock which an ominous lyrical undercurrent, with pristine vocals and hymnlike harmonies aplenty. Highlights: “U&ME,” “Happier When You’re Gone,” “Get Better”
73. Ibeyi, Spell 31
Witchy, feminist, multi-lingual Afro-Cuban art pop from Paris, the third album from twins Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz may be their most concentrated blast of talent yet, as they dig into themes of sisterhood — Ibeyi means “twins” in Yoruba — over the course of just 25 minutes of magic. Highlights: “Made Of Gold,” “Sangoma,” “Lavendar & Red Roses”
74. Denzel Curry, Melt My Eyez See Your Future
A supremely well-rounded rapper, the Florida-based emcee’s 6th album is a tasty blend of smart, introspective lyrics, magnificent beats, and charismatic flow, and stands a strong middle-ground between the arty indie rap Curry cut his teeth on and the finer fringes of mainstream rap. Highlights: “Melt Session #1,” “Zatoichi,” “Mental”
75. Kevin Morby, This Is A Photograph
The Texan singer/songwriter explores his roots, on an album centered around family, aging and time, and digs into his southern heritage as well, sprinkling in more Americana as usual. He retains his captivating Cohen-meets-Dylan mystique throughout. Highlights: “This Is A Photograph,” “Rock Bottom,” “A Random Act of Kindness”
76. Beach House, Once Twice Melody
Palatial in sound, intricate in design, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally’s 8th record is a vast, ethereal double album of ornate, atmospheric dream pop fashioned largely out of synths, spacey or gentle guitars, and strings. Highlights: “Over And Over,” “Sunset,” “The Bells”
77. Lyrics Born, Vision Board
Japanese-American rapper Tom Shimura’s 6th official studio album oscillates between (and sometimes combines) libidinous R&B grooves with a touch of psychedelic soul, and open-hearted self-empowerment party rap that could give Lizzo a run for her money. Fun, easy, feel good hip hop. Highlights: “Diamond Door,” “Choosy Choosy,” “Go Ape Shit”
78. Kikagaku Moyo, Kumoyo Island
The Japanese psych outfit’s 6th album is as elegant but also as wiry as ever, showcasing the sort of elaborate sonic pathways they excel at, but also their readiness to diverge, multi-directionally, without warning. This might be KM’s final summation of their craft, and if so it’s a strong finish. Highlights: “Monaka,” “Dancing Blue,” “Yayoi, Iyayoi”
79. Medicine Singers, Medicine Singers
With a group Algonquin musicians Israeli guitarist Yonatan Gat at its core, this debut is a fascinating and sometimes dizzying blend of free jazz, wailing guitars soaked with feedback, and elegant electronica, with indigenous chants always at the heart of their songs. Highlights: “Daybreak,” “Hawk Song,” “Sunrise (Rumble)”
80. Osees, A Foul Form
Continuing in the best direction possible after 2020’s Protean Threat, the Bay Area band dives headlong into its leaner, tighter punk roots but brings a bevy of metalhead-friendly guitar work along for the ride. My only gripe with this album is that it’s way too short! Highlights: “Perm Act,” “Too Late For Suicide,” “A Foul Form”
81. Pillow Queens, Leave The Light On
Though subtler and more introspective than their anthem-laden debut, the all-woman Dublin band’s second album still has plenty to say, and dual vocalists Sarah Corcoran and Pamela Connolly‘s melodies’ll have their way with you all the same. Highlights: “Be By Your Side,” “No Good Woman,” “Historian”
82. Crows, Beware Believers
Mosh-friendly, full tilt gothic post-punk from East London (more punk than post to be sure), the band drives intently onward with noisy guitars and urgent songs on a record both more focused and more charismatic than their debut. Highlights: “Only Time,” “Slowly Separate,” “Healing”
83. Soccer Mommy, Sometimes, Forever
Nashville-raised indie rocker Sophie Allison’s third album invites its listener down a winding path of sonic intrigue. The usual angular guitars are met by deeper, darker tones and an array of textured soundscapes, and the music feels meatier than ever, rising to meet the depth and strength of the lyrics. Highlights: “Shotgun,” “Unholy Affliction,” “Fire in the Driveway”
84. Afrodelic, Dusunkun Hakili
The son of a celebrated Malian poet, Lithuania-based producer Victor Dawara’s debut sets lyrics based on his late father’s poetry to a wide variety of traditional and modern music from across Africa. Dawara is a masterful producer, his beautifully layered sounds ultimately finding unity from a diverse array of sources. Highlights: “An Ka Taa,” “Be Ka Wili,” “Weleli”
85. Future West, Who Will Forgive All My Sins
Hooky, indie rock from Dundalk, Ireland, this band’s sophomore set takes some cues from early ’00s retro-rock bands but is a fair bit more clever than those forebears, owing to frontman Francis Watters’ sharp lyrics as well as his vocal tenacity. Highlights: “Joggers,” “I Lost What’s Mine,” “Give You My Time”
86. The Weather Station, How Is It That I Should Look At The Stars
Canadian musician Tamara Lindeman returns to a more austere and intimate sound, on a patient and thoughtful album about love and loss. This piano-driven folk record, with jazz flourishes, Lindeman’s 6th album has brought me to tears a couple times. Be prepared to feel things. Highlights: “Ignorance,” “Sway,” “Loving You”
87. Sault, Today And Tomorrow
The increasingly eclectic British soul/dance outfit dropped 5 new albums on a single day (11/11/22). The freshest of these, Today And Tomorrow, features a chorus of children singing anthems of empowerment in unison over guitar-based tunes with blues and punk accents. Highlights: “Lion,” “The Plan,” “Money”
88. Beabadoobee, Beatopia
Her first record released in her 20s, Bea Kristi’s second full-length album displays musical as well as personal growth, as it delves into “Beatopia,” the imaginary world Kristi dove into as a child. What starts as solid but familiar guitar-driven indie rock album picks up steam, as it goes, revealing newfound nuance and elegance. Hightlights: “Ripples,” “Talk,” “Fairy Song”
89. Yonatan Gat, American Quartet
Israeli guitarist and bandleader Yonatan Gat enlists the help of Deerhoof drummer Greg Saunier and Mdou Moctar bassist Mikey Coltun, and reimagines Dvořák’s folk-derived classical suite as an energetic, highly improvisational post-rock adventure. Highlights: “Tremolos — I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo,” “Rondo — IV. Finale: Vivace Ma Non Troppo”
90. Black Thought and Danger Mouse, Cheat Codes
The former Roots frontman’s got tighter rhymes and better wordplay than maybe anyone, but tends to play within his own wheelhouse in terms of rhythm and flow. So it’s perfect that Danger Mouse, who grew up listening to the emcee, has blessed with all the most varied, flavorful beats he could ask for. Highlights: “Belize,” “Aquamarine,” “Strangers”
91. Dead Cross, II
The thrash metal / hardcore punk supergroup’s visceral second album is all the stronger for Mike Patton’s open mental health struggles making their way into the lyrics. Some will find Slayer an even bigger draw, but for me this might be the coolest Patton project since Faith No More. Highlights: “Love Without Love,” “Animal Espionage,” “Strong And Wrong”
92. Orville Peck, Bronco
The masked, queer country crooner’s music is more polished on his major label debut but it only amplifies his theatricality. Peck’s remarkable voice, of course — a love child of Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash — is the star of the show. Highlights: “The Curse of the Blackened Eye,” “Kalahari Down,” “Any Turn”
93. Jack White, Entering Heaven Alive
Having released a solo career highlight just 3 months earlier, the guitar hero returns to a much simpler mode of blues rock. While it’s not as dynamic or daring, White’s 5th solo studio album is a solid one, with a few essential standouts. Highlights: “Help Me Along,” “The Queen of the Bees,” “A Tree on Fire from Within”
94. Death Cab For Cutie, Asphalt Meadows
As of their 10th album it seems the Seattle band have remembered that Ben Gibbard’s always wise and evocative lyrics have greater impact when they’re accompanied by engaging, vibrant indie rock. After some overly calm records of late, this is a strong comeback. Highlights: “Roman Candles,” “Asphalt Meadows,” “I Miss Strangers”
95. The Beths, Expert In A Dying Field
The New Zealand indie rockers continue their trajectory toward clean, clear vocals and direct, approachable songwriting on their third album. The only actual “Beth” in the band, vocalist Elizabeth Stokes, steps into the spotlight more prominently here, both sonically and lyrically. Highlights: “Silence Is Golden,” “I Want To Listen,” “Best Left”
96. La Femme, Teatro Lúcido
This out-of-the-blue Spanish language album from the always unpredictable French psych-punk outfit draws from a pastiche of Latin influences (flamenco, pasodoble, tropicalia, reggaeton and more) and delights the Phrygian musical scale, inspired by the band’s travels in Spain and Mexico. Highlights: “Sacatela,” “Y Tu Te Vas,” “El Conde-Duque”
97. Sault, 11
Presumably to be counted as their 11th album (one of 5 released on the same day), Sault incorporates Caribbean influences on the first four songs and then moves into smooth, atmospheric soul on the album’s second half. Empowerment is the core theme, usually framed within a spiritual context. Highlights: “Glory,” “Morning Sun,” “The River”
98. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Cool It Down
An especially groove-laden, synth-soaked 5th album finds Karen O and her indie band returning after 9 years with plenty of poise and confidence to carry off the new approach. As with any Yeah Yeah Yeahs record, wagger and vulnerability abound in equal measure. Highlights: “Fleez,” “Burning,” “Wolf”
99. Kiwi Jr., Chopper
The fast and loose jangle pop of these Toronto indie rockers gets a boost from the addition of hooky synths, and from production values that vivify not only the band’s sound but also the cleverness and storytelling acumen of Jeremy Gaudet’s lyrics. Highlights: “Parasite II,” “The Extra Sees the Film,” “The Sound of Music”
100. Oumou Sangaré, Timbuktu
Like many Malian musicians, this veteran master of wassoulou music (from which American blues largely sprang) is fundamentally an activist, wrapping her feminism and political critiques in the form of beautiful, uplifiting songs. Highlights: “Wassulu Don,” “Sira,” “Samara”
Gaaah, that was a hudnred, but there are still so many great albums I’ve had to leave off this list! I can’t believe I didn’t get to Stella Donnelly, Pixies, Aldous Harding, Damiem Jurado, Moor Mother, Felix Riebl, Kojey Radical, Arcade Fire, Paolo Nutini, Jenny Hval, and so many more, but at least here I’m left you all with a manageable listening load.
You can listen to all 100 of these new albums without getting overwhelmed, right?
I believe in you.
And now, here’s the master list of my top 100 favorites!
- Big Thief — Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
- Ezra Furman — All Of Us Flames
- Dehd — Blue Skies
- Jesca Hoop — The Order of Romance
- Benjamin Clementine — And I Have Been
- Kendrick Lamar — Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers
- Black Country, New Road — Ants From Up There
- Sampa The Great — As Above, So Below
- Fontaines DC — Skinty Fia
- Ibibio Sound Machine — Electricity
- Black Midi — Hellfire
- Björk — Fossora
- Anais Mitchell — Anais Mitchell
- Bodega — Broken Equipment
- Mattiel — Georgia Gothic
- Backxwash — His Happiness Shall Come First Even Though We Are Suffering
- Meridian Brothers — Meridian Brothers y El Grupo Renacimientos
- Crack Cloud — Tough Baby
- Richard Dawson — The Ruby Cord
- Jack White — Fear of the Dawn
- King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard — Changes
- Regina Spektor — Home, Before And After
- Imarhan — Aboogie
- Melt Yourself Down — Pray For Me I Don’t Fit In
- Peter Mulvey & SistaStrings — Love Is The Only Thing
- Melts — Maelstrom
- Open Mike Eagle — Component System With The Auto Reverse
- Midnight Oil — Resist
- Archers of Loaf — Reason In Decline
- King Stingray — King Stingray
- Ty Segall — “Hello, Hi!”
- Sinead O Brien — Time Bend And Break The Bower
- King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard — Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms and Lava
- The Interrupters — In The Wild
- Michael Franti & Spearhead — Follow Your Heart
- Warpaint — Radiate Like This
- King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard — Omnium Gatherum
- Gilla Band — Most Normal
- The Smile
- Rosalía — Motomami
- Etran de L’air — Agadez
- Frank Turner — FTHC
- Spoon — Lucifer on the Sofa
- Daniel Romano’s Outfit — La Luna
- Horse Lords — Comradely Objects
- Goat — Oh Death
- Elvis Costello & The Imposters — The Boy Named If
- Fantastic Negrito — White Jesus, Black Problems
- The Hu — Rumble of Thunder
- Little Simz — No Thank You
- Bartees Strange — Farm To Table
- Congotronics International — Where’s The One?
- Sudan Archives — Natural Brown Prom Queen
- Built To Spill — When The Wind Forgets Your Name
- Dry Cleaning — Stumpwork
- Wet Leg — Wet Leg
- S.G. Goodman — Teeth Marks
- Just Mustard — Heart Under
- Amanda Shires — Take It Like A Man
- Panda Bear and Sonic Boom — Reset
- Yard Act — The Overload
- Bill Callahan — YITLAER
- Ondara — Spanish Villager №3
- Weyes Blood — And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow
- Silvana Estrada — Marchita
- Belle and Sebastian — A Bit of Previous
- Phoenix — Alpha Zulu
- Combo Chimbita — Ire
- Christine and the Queens presents Redcar — Redcar Les Adorables Etoile
- Saba — Few Good Things
- Florence + The Machine — Dance Fever
- alt-j — The Dream
- Ibeyi — Spell 31
- Denzel Curry — Melt My Eyez See The Future
- Kevin Morby — This Is A Photograph
- Beach House — Once Twice Melody
- Lyrics Born — Vision Board
- Kikagaku Moyo — Kumoyo Island
- Medicine Singers — Medicine Singers
- Osees — A Foul Form
- Pillow Queens — Leave The Light On
- Crows — Beware Believers
- Soccer Mommy — Sometimes, Forever
- Afrodelic — Dusunkun Hakili
- Future West — Who Will Forgive All My Sins
- Sault — Today and Tomorrow
- Beabadoobee — Beatopia
- Yonatan Gat — American Quartet
- Black Thought and Danger Mouse — Cheat Codes
- The Weather Station — How Is It That I Should Look At The Stars
- Dead Cross — II
- Orville Peck — Bronco
- Jack White — Entering Heaven Alive
- Death Cab For Cutie — Asphalt Meadows
- The Beths — Expert In A Dying Field
- La Femme — Teatro Lúcido
- Sault — 11
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs — Cool It Down
- Kiwi Jr. — Chopper
- Oumou Sangaré — Timbuktu
Thanks for reading, y’all. Once again, here’s my Highlights of 2021 playlist!
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