If the last month is any is any indication of 2021 as a music year, we’re in for good times. My favorites this month were split between very new bands who’ve only made an album or two, and established artists I’ve loved for decades — not much in between. There’s a pretty good international spread here, with at least 8 countries represented.

I’ve also made a playlist of some of my favorite songs from January.

Shame, Drunk Tank Pink

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67. Kevin Morby, Sundowner

Pulling back on the rock and roll and mostly setting his piano aside, the LA-based singer/songwriter focuses on a heartfelt, acoustic guitar-driven set. Highlights: “Provisions,” “Jamie,” “Don’t Underestimate Midwest American Sun”

68. Kali Uchis, Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios)

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34. Homeboy Sandman, Don’t Feed The Monster

The Queens indie rapper’s latest is at once a profoundly forthright, confessional odyssey of self-discovery and a quirky, laid back rap album with a ton of character and humor. Highlights: “Waitin’ On My Girl,” “Alone Again,” “Monument”

35. Nadine Shah, Kitchen Sink

The most prominent theme of my favorite November albums is that whatever genre they’re in, they’re mostly on the indie / underground side of that genre. Ultra-prolific psych rockers King Gizzard dominate this month for me. But it was also an excellent month for rap.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, K.G.

Many of October’s best albums were politically driven, with the top 3 (and various others made) by artists who are also activists and organizers. We have a couple of great comeback albums here, and at least 6 albums by artists who’ve been making music for over 20 (and in some cases 40) years. October’s highlights also favor solo artists over bands.

Sa-Roc, The Sharecropper’s Daughter

This was a rock-oriented month for me, with a variety of styles are represented here, from punk to indie folk to West African desert-blues to psych rock, and even a little metal. September also mostly favored established bands over new ones, as 2020 so often has.

Idles, Ultra Mono

Unlike most of 2020, my August was dominated — with a few notable exceptions — by newer, lesser-known bands, with Another Sky’s debut album leading the charge. Most of my favorite selections here are either fronted or entirely created by women. There’s a fair bit more jazz here than usual too, which may mean I’m growing; otherwise we’ve got a pretty broad spread of genres here.

Another Sky, I Slept On The Floor

My favorites albums of July are diverse enough that I can’t actually find a theme that unites them. The first 5 here are all from different countries. South African jazz makers Keleketla! dominated most of my July, but then a couple of indie rockers came toward the end to hold court. Aside from my normal slight slant toward indie rock, it’s a pretty broad spread of genres represented here. Let’s get right to ’em:

Fontaines DC, A Hero’s Death