First, this is definitely NOT a “Best of” list. Who can possibly hope to listen to enough of the released
music each year to presume that they could compile a “Best of” list anyway? Not only that, music taste,
as we hopefully all realize, is such a subjective thing. How dare anyone think their music opinion is any
more valid or better than anyone else’s! Ideally, the goal of any music lover’s year-end list is to share
with fellow music fans the artists, albums, and songs that brought them joy and made life better over
the past 12 months.
This year, I listened to over 300 new LPs and EPs released in 2021. This list could have easily reached 100
in terms of albums that I genuinely enjoyed listening to. However, I decided to limit it to my favorite 60
records released this year.
- Gruff Rhys: Seeking New Gods—As someone who is continually exposed to literally hundreds of
interesting album releases each year, I am convinced the greatest accomplishment in present-
day recorded music is for an artist to write and record accessible, appealing pop songs that
sound simultaneously fresh and familiar, while preserving artistic authenticity by avoiding
sounding too polished or like it was manufactured by multiple Swedish EDM producers using
algorithms and computers. All the more impressive for an artist to accomplish that feat many
times during recording sessions for a single album.
I know I sound like a broken record, but I still feel compelled to sing the praises of brilliant pop
records from underappreciated (often British) indie artists that truly deserve more attention and
acclaim. It sometimes feels like casting pearls before swine (I’m joking…mostly!), but I will
persist in my self-appointed role of unapologetic evangelist for the unsung musical geniuses! I
am convinced that Gruff Rhys is one of the most talented pop songwriters making music and his
solo album Seeking New Gods is my favorite record of 2021.
Gruff Rhys has built an extraordinary, fascinating music career and yet he is completely
unknown to many fans of contemporary indie music. He began his career as a teenager in a
band called Ffa Coffi Pawb that achieved notoriety in his home country of Wales. His next band
Super Furry Animals signed to the famous indie label Creation Records right at the peak of
Britpop in 1995. Their fantastic 1996 Creation debut Fuzzy Logic is their creative peak from that
era. Right after the turn of the century, Super Furry Animals signed with mega-label Sony and
released arguably their two best albums, Rings Around The World in 2001 and Phantom Power
in 2003. Unfortunately, by their 2005 record Love Kraft, changing music tastes and an evolving
music business landscape led to their departure from Sony. Around this time Gruff started
dabbling in solo projects and in 2007 Rough Trade Records signed both Super Furry Animals and
Rhys for his solo work. Always keeping busy, Rhys also formed an electropop side project called
Neon Neon whose 2008 debut Stainless Style was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize
for best British album of that year. As a solo artist, Gruff has released a total of 7 albums and
five of them are excellent: Candylion (2007); Hotel Shampoo (2011); American Interior (2014);
Babelsberg (2018); and now Seeking New Gods this year.
This new record Seeking New Gods displays the full arsenal of Rhys’ skills as a songwriter. The
album’s first four tracks are all examples of textbook indie pop songcraft combining warm and
welcoming hooks with clever lyrics. The throwback power guitar sounds utilized in Hiking in
Lightning recall the greatest moments of Super Furry Animals Creation Records years in the 90s.
Stunning album closer Distant Snowy Peaks is the tender ballad that burrows its way right into
your soul. I don’t know how he manages to be so prolific, yet he has again put together an
inspiring collection of effortless-seeming, upbeat, beautiful pop songs. I also really like the
creative vinyl packaging!
I got to see Gruff and his band play at the End of The Road music festival in England in 2018 as
they were touring his fantastic solo record from that year, Babelsberg. I was also able to see the
Super Furry Animals play a fun show a comeback tour of sorts in Portland OR several years back.
While I didn’t have the chance to see too many concerts this year, my 2021 live music highlight
was seeing Gruff Rhys play an intimate solo show at Gold Diggers Lounge in LA in September.
Not only did he play an amazing show, he closed the bar down with his fans and displayed
precisely the humility, humanity, and generosity this longtime fan could have hoped for as an
admirer of his art.
Standout Tracks: Loan Your Loneliness; Distant Snowy Peaks; Hiking in Lightning; Mausoleum
of My Former Self; Can’t Carry On
- The War on Drugs: I Don’t Live Here Anymore— The new record from The War on Drugs
delivered precisely what their fans want–a potent collection of heartfelt peak-Dadrock gems
about growing older. For those familiar with The War on Drugs impressive output of the past
decade, there are not many new developments on this latest record I Don’t Live Here Anymore.
There is still a hefty amount of channeling of Springsteen, Petty, Dylan, etc. to transport you
back to the ‘80s. More than enough expertly deployed synthesizer to push just the right
nostalgia buttons. And those earnest Adam Granduciel vocals that seem to have been
engineered to speak directly to any middle-aged man’s soul. If you are already susceptible to
such charms, you are almost certain to love this album. Good luck making it through the second
half of the album (Old Skin and Rings Around My Father’s Eyes!) without experiencing both
goosebumps and tears. I am pretty much the perfect target demographic for this modern
classic. Be warned that it gets pretty emotional on side two!
Standout Tracks: I Don’t Live Here Anymore; Living Proof; Wasted; Rings Around My Father’s
Eyes; Occasional Rain - Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine: A Beginner’s Mind— People who know me well know
that my appreciation for Sufjan Stevens knows no limit. Sufjan is a brilliant songwriter and his
delicate, vulnerable voice affects me like few others. He continues his remarkably prolific
pandemic period by releasing a new record in partnership with singer-songwriter and label mate
Angelo De Augustine. Stevens and De Augustine reportedly recorded these songs in an upstate
New York cabin, taking inspiration for each song from movies they were watching each day. For
those who might be interested, the list of movies that inspired each song can be found on
Wikipedia or on the Asthmatic Kitty label Instagram page. Whatever the source of inspiration,
there is no denying that A Beginner’s Mind is another truly inspired collection of first-rate indie
chamber pop music that I will surely be spinning for years to come as part of my regular Sufjan
rotation.
Standout Tracks: Back To Oz; Reach Out; Lady MacBeth in Chains; Olympus; Its’ Your Own
Body and Mind
- Damon Albarn: The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flows— Albarn, the
mastermind behind Blur, Gorillaz, The Good, The Bad, and the Queen, and several other worthy
music projects is truly a songwriting genius and continues to release new music at an
impressively prolific clip. His latest is a solo album under his own name entitled The Nearer The
Fountain; More Pure The Stream Flows. Originally imagined as an instrumental record, the
pandemic provided Damon with ample time and opportunity to flesh out the concept into a full
solo album. Albarn has stated that the source of inspiration behind this project was his frequent
travels around the beautiful landscapes of Iceland. While the album’s soundscapes do
successfully conjure images of nature, the strengths of any Albarn composition remain his
uncanny ability to find an appealing melody and his unassuming, effective vocals that have a
way of penetrating the fragile parts of a listener’s psyche. Both this record and Damon’s first
solo record Everyday Robots from 2014 are absolutely required listening for any Blur and/or
Gorillaz fan with refined taste(!). Damon is a genius and one of my very favorite artists ever. His
voice soothes my stressed-out self. God bless Damon Albarn and may he continue to churn out
inspiring music for decades to come.
Standout Tracks: Title Track; Royal Morning Blue; Polaris; The Tower of Montevideo; Particles - The Antlers: Green To Gold—Originally started as a Peter Silberman solo project, The Antlers
are another one of my favorite below the radar indie bands of the last 10+ years. Silberman
joined with bandmates Michael Lerner and Darby Cicci to record their iconic 2009 debut
Hospice, considered one of the best indie albums of the ‘00s decade. They continued their solid
work into the 2010s, releasing fantastic LPs Burst Apart (2011) and Familiars (2014) and the top
quality Undersea EP. At their 2010s peak, The Antlers’ layered and challenging sound was
reminiscent of Radiohead circa The Bends or Hail To The Thief.
On Green to Gold, Silberman and Lerner (Darby Cicci did not appear on the record) employ a
more spacious, leisurely sound with some subtle, delicate jazz and classical elements. I doubt I
will ever tire of the brass instrumentation on album highlight It Is What It Is. This record sounds
absolutely amazing on vinyl—what a sublime pleasure it was to allow myself to be enveloped by
this gorgeous music (at high volume!) on my home hi-fi setup.
I’ve seen The Antlers play live a few times over the years and I desperately hope they are able to
tour this record and properly recreate these soothing sounds.
Standout Tracks: It Is What It Is; Green To Gold; Wheels Roll Home; Solstice; Stubborn Man - Cassandra Jenkins: An Overview On Phenomenal Nature— New York musician Cassandra
Jenkins has been releasing music and playing in indie rock bands in relative obscurity for over a
decade. With this absolutely exceptional 2021 record, Jenkins will almost certainly deservedly
raise her profile substantially.
An Overview on Phenomenal Nature is a beautiful collection of six delicate folk songs and one
instrumental. The unquestioned highlight is the single Hard Drive, a stunning track melding
spoken word, recorded dialogue from real-life interactions, and an instrumental buildup that
culminates with a goosebump-inducing final two minutes that doesn’t lose any of its impact
even after repeated listens. Album tracks Michelangelo, Hailey, and Crosshairs are all among the
most stunningly beautiful songs I heard this year.
This record features production and instrumental work by sought-after producer and musician
Josh Kaufman. Kaufman is quickly gaining notoriety as one of the most influential producers in
indie music.
Standout Tracks: Hard Drive; Michelangelo; Hailey; Crosshairs; Ambiguous Norway - Japanese Breakfast: Jubliee— Jubilee is the mainstream breakout record from Japanese
Breakfast, the music project of Korean-American rising multimedia star Michelle Zauner. 2021 is
a massive year for Zauner; in addition to the release of this fantastic record that has significantly
increased her profile in both indie and mainstream music circles (Grammy nomination!), she
also released her debut book Crying in H Mart: A Memoir (now a NYT Best-seller), and she
soundtracked the score for a video game called Sable that was released in September.
Jubilee is an impressive leap forward from her solid 2017 sophomore record Soft Sounds From
Another Planet. A massive increase in confidence is evident in the broader sonic palette, strong
vocal performances, and evocative storytelling on display in these assertive, positive, dynamic
songs. She collaborated with fellow indie music darling Jack Tatum of Wild Nothing on two of
the best tracks on the record, lead single Be Sweet and Posing In Bondage. Second half album
track Tactics is possibly the most gorgeous song I’ve heard this year. Opener Paprika and fellow
album track highlights Slide Tackle and Kokomo, IN sound like a perfect marriage of Japanese
pop and Camera Obscura. We are very likely to see and hear (and read) more from Michelle
Zauner in the coming years.
Standout Tracks: Be Sweet; Tactics; Slide Tackle; Kokomo, IN; Posing in Bondage - Elbow: Flying Dream 1— Guy Garvey and his fellows in the beloved Northern English band
Elbow released another collection of earnest, life-affirming songs in the form of their ninth LP
Flying Dream 1. The band decided to memorialize this album as their pandemic record by
recording live in the empty Royal Theater in Brighton. The resulting sound is more mellow and
soothing than anything in their catalog since their debut Asleep in the Back all the way back in
2001.
Now two decades into an objectively impressive career, Elbow are practically a national treasure
in England, but remain largely unknown and certainly underappreciated here in the US. Few
bands today can write such beautiful, heartfelt songs and even fewer lead singers are at the top
of their craft like Garvey.
Standout Tracks: The Seldom Seen Kid; Flying Dream 1; What Am I Without You; The Only
Road; Six Words
- Wild Pink: A Billion Little Lights— Sometimes I seek out music that is going to challenge me and
force me to wrap my mind around something unfamiliar and maybe a bit abstract. Other days I
am in the mood for accessible comfort music that I can connect with immediately and enjoy
without much expended mental effort. It might sound like I place greater value on the former,
but that’s not true. As I mentioned above, I think the ability to write a catchy, accessible, well-
crafted pop song with staying power is an extremely important and valuable skill, especially now
that Top 40 radio no longer really exists.
Wild Pink’s latest record A Billion Little Lights sounded a little too safe and vanilla on my first
listens, but I continued to find myself drawn to it, especially when I was in a state of mind where
I just needed to hear something light and easy and comforting. This record is the third of NYC-
based Wild Pink’s career and first on new label Rocky Mountain Records. Frontman John Ross
has written and arranged a strong collection of rewarding indie folk and americana songs. The
instrumentation and vocals are all top notch, especially the backing vocals of Julia Steiner of
Chicago band Ratboys, who complements Ross’ lead vocals well on several album highlights,
including opener The Wind Was Like A Train and You Can Have It Back.
Standout Tracks: The Wind Was Like A Train; You Can Have It Back; Amalfi; The Shining But
Tropical; Oversharer’s Anonymous - Genesis Owusu: Smiling With No Teeth— I research new and upcoming music through a variety
of resources—Spotify and Apple Music Playlists, Sirius XM, Bandcamp, music websites and
blogs, and great music magazines (MOJO, Uncut, Record Collector, Record Culture Magazine,
Rockin’ On, Under the Radar, etc.). I don’t remember exactly where I heard about it first, but I
am so glad I was exposed to positive buzz about this brilliant debut album Smiling With No Teeth
by Genesis Owusu. All it took was one listen to the tracks Don’t Need You and A Song About
Fishing and I was won over.
Genesis Owusu, born in Ghana but raised in Australia since he was a small boy, is an artist that is
difficult to categorize by genre; it feels mostly hip-hop, but saying that feels like a betrayal to the
diversity of the sound and scope of the record. Having now listened to the album several times
through, I am reminded of bands and artists as diverse as Bloc Party, Young Fathers, Twin
Shadow, Chance the Rapper, and Yves Tumor. Regardless, it is an irresistible collection of
accessible, catchy songs featuring first-rate production and an extremely promising debut
record from an intriguing new artist.
Standout Tracks: A Song About Fishing; Don’t Need You; The Other Black Dog; Waitin’ On Ya;
No Looking Back - Big Red Machine: How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last?— Big Red Machine is the side
project of Justin Vernon, more commonly known as Bon Iver, and Aaron Dessner, a key member
of the acclaimed indie rock veterans The National. In some music circles, Vernon and Dessner
are perhaps most famous for their involvement on Taylor Swift’s pandemic records, but more on
that later. Vernon and Dessner initially met and collaborated on a track way back in 2008, but
Big Red Machine really started in earnest around 2016 when they joined with Dessner’s twin
brother and fellow The National member Bryce to form a music collective and record label
called PEOPLE.
The self-titled debut record released in 2018 to critical acclaim featured contributions from over
40 collaborators including Arcade Fire member Richard Parry and a then fairly unknown Phoebe
Bridgers. 2020 was a monumental year for Dessner and Vernon—not only were they consumed
by work on this next Big Red Machine record, but they were collaborating on not one, but two
(!) Taylor Swift records (Folklore and Evermore). Dessner co-produced and co-wrote most of the
albums with Swift, while Vernon contributed both vocals and instrumentation on multiple
tracks, including the brilliant duet Exile.
Swift returns the favor by featuring on two strong tracks, Birch and Renegade, on the brand new
sophomore Big Red Machine album released on Friday. Elsewhere, gifted folk singer/songwriter
Anais Mitchell (also of Bonny Light Horsemen) contributes to three of the best tracks on the
record in album opener and single Latter Days, somber closer New Auburn, and album highlight
Phoenix, one of my very favorite singles so far in 2021. Phoenix benefits from not only the
delightful backing vocals of Mitchell, but also a comforting lead performance from Fleet Foxes’
Robin Pecknold and a standout turn by Vernon, of course. To this listener, How Long Do You
Think It’s Gonna Last? deserves to take an earned place in the top half of both The National and
Bon Iver discographies.
Standout Tracks: Phoenix; Mimi; Renegade; Latter Days; Reese
- Little Simz: Sometimes I Might Be An Introvert– The groundbreaking North London rapper
Little Simz released her fourth full album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert earlier this month. The
album title is an acronym of her nickname Simbi, short for her first given name Simbiatu. I first
became aware of Little Simz through her 2017 collaboration with Gorillaz on the track Garage
Palace. Shortly thereafter, she released her brilliant Mercury Prize-nominated breakout third LP
Grey Album, without question one of best records of 2019.
Little Simz’ combination of hypnotic rap vocal performance, first-rate production and sampling,
and irresistibly catchy songcraft continues on SIMBI. Both Grey Album and SIMBI were produced
by Inflo, the mastermind behind the prolific music collective Sault. That influence can be felt
throughout this record and Sault collaborator Cleo Sol features on lead single Woman. Little
Simz made an appearance on the Sault record NINE from earlier this year, featuring on the
standout track You From London.
SIMBI is a thrilling and satisfying next milestone in the career of an uber-talented young artist
who deserves an even bigger stage.
Standout Tracks: Woman; Introvert; Point and Kill; Fear No Men; Little Q Part 2 - Valerie June: The Moon and Stars; Prescriptions for Dreamers– Early this year, I stumbled onto
the advance singles for this album and was immediately won over by the incredible vocal talent
of Valerie June. June has been making music for almost two decades, starting in her home state
of Tennessee and eventually based in Brooklyn. Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys co-wrote and
co-produced her breakthrough 2013 record Pushin’ Against a Stone. Her 2017 follow-up record
The Order of Time gained her further critical acclaim, but her new record will likely propel her to
a new career pinnacle. I dare you to listen and not to be enchanted by the delightful, distinctive
voice of Valerie June.
Standout Tracks: Stay; Call Me A Fool (Featuring Carla Thomas); Why The Bright Stars Glow;
You and I; Colors - Madlib: Sound Ancestors– One of the most respected and prolific hip-hop artists ever, Madlib
continues to churn out brilliant records. Produced by fellow genius music producer Kieran
Hebden (Four Tet), this largely instrumental album Sound Ancestors had the music nerds
foaming at the month since it was announced late last year. Lead single Road Of The Lonely
Ones is surely one of the catchiest tracks released in 2021.
Madlib has arguably no match when it comes to his skill of turning an array of disparate music
samples from his record collection into a new musical creation. The resulting career has
provided some of the most groundbreaking hip-hop collaborations and projects of the last 30
years. In 2003, he released the record Shades of Blue, comprised almost entirely of remixed
samples from the Blue Note catalog. The following year, he and MFDoom released the
legendary album Madvillainy under the Madvillain name. More recently, he collaborated with
rapper Freddie Gibbs on two strong albums, Pinata and Bandana. Revisiting the entire Madlib
catalog is a worthwhile exercise for any music fan, not just hip-hop and rap aficionados.
Standout Tracks: Road Of The Lonely Ones; The Call; The New Normal; Hang Out (Phone Off);
Theme De Crabtree - Parquet Courts: Sympathy For Life– Prolific American indie rock band Parquet Courts marked
their 10 th anniversary with the release of their seventh LP Sympathy for Life. Originally from
Texas but now based in NY, Parquet Courts has impressively matured from a scruffy, manic,
underdog indie punk outfit into a polished, confident, relaxed indie punk outfit. Their 2021
record Sympathy for Life, likely the strongest top to bottom album in their catalog, showcases
this transformation with its perfect mix of standard operating procedure highlight singles
Walking at a Downtown Pace, Just Shadows, and Homo Sapien juxtaposed against tracks like
Plant Life and Marathon of Anger that demonstrate a greater comfort-level with broader sonic
experimentation and a groovier approach.
Standout Tracks: Walking At A Downtown Pace; Homo Sapien; Just Shadows; Marathon of
Anger; Plant Life - Ducks Ltd: Modern Fiction– An occurrence absolutely guaranteed to bring me great joy is the
discovery of a delightful jangle-pop indie rock record that I know I will love forever upon the first
listen. That happened a few months ago as I enjoyed the new debut record by Ducks Ltd. as I
drove around Austin, Texas on a business trip.
Ducks Ltd. are a duo based in Toronto, although Tom is from the UK and Evan is from Australia.
It is unclear if it is possible to pioneer any new territory in the jangle-pop indie rock genre at this
point; but it doesn’t matter when a band crafts so many delightful to consume fun and
irresistible nuggets of pop genius. Listening to this record reminded me of my first encounters
with indie rock band Real Estate, music that would bring me immense pleasure over next
decade. We will see if Ducks Ltd. are able to churn out more nearly perfect records in the future;
but for now, I will savor the discovery of Modern Fiction, an album I am sure to be enjoying for
years and years to come.
Standout Tracks: How Lonely Are You?; 18 Cigarettes; Old Times; Always There; Grand Final
Day
- Andy Shauf: Wilds– The brilliant Canadian singer-songwriter Andy Shauf released yet another
delightful indie folk record just a year after his excellent LP The Neon Skyline. Shauf is already
building an impressive body of work between his solo catalog, starting with his lauded 2016
debut The Party, to his output as part of the indie rock outfit Foxwarren. This new solo record
Wilds features more of the reliably solid chamber folk goodness we now come to expect as
standard operating procedure from Shauf.
Standout Tracks: Judy (Wilds); Jeremy’s Wedding (Wilds); Spanish On The Beach; Jaywalker;
Green Grass - St. Vincent: Daddy’s Home– Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent) is a bonafide rock star–surely among
the most interesting, talented, and ground-breaking artists in music. She is an amalgamation of
the brilliance of Madonna and Prince, but operating two decades too late to have the same
cultural impact.
Clark, originally from Oklahoma and Texas, began her professional music career as a band
member of Polyphonic Spree and then as part of Sufjan Stevens’ touring band. She released her
debut LP Marry Me in 2007. Following two more solid full albums (Actor in 2009 and Strange
Mercy in 2011), she embarked on a fruitful recording and touring collaboration with David
Byrne. Her two highest-profile records, 2015’s self-titled record and MASSEDUCTION in 2017,
transformed her into a prominent name in indie and mainstream music circles.
In recent years, Clark added film directing and music production to her resume. She produced
the Sleater-Kinney record The Center Won’t Hold in 2018 and collaborated with super producer
Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift on a track in 2019. Clark joined Antonoff on production duties for
this new St. Vincent record.
Given the artist/producer combination involved, Daddy’s Home features the impeccable
production and rich, layered sound you’d expect. What feels different about this St. Vincent
record is a casual, loose vibe that permeates every song and the deployment of warmer, softer
instrumentation creating a comforting, luxuriant experience.
Filthy and delightful album opener and lead single Pay Your Way in Pain kicks the record off with
carefree piano abruptly careening into sleazy synths. Elsewhere, including on highlight track The
Melting of the Sun, we are treated to sitar guitar, funk guitar, pedal steel, organ, and more. At
The Holiday Party winds the record down with gorgeous, soothing brass flourishes. Daddy’s
Home is a more than fitting addition the impressive catalog of a rock star operating at the top of
her game.
Standout Tracks: Pay Your Way in Pain; The Melting of The Sun; Down; Somebody Like Me;
…At The Holiday Party
- Lucy Dacus: Home Video– Acclaimed indie singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus released her long-
awaited third, and likely her best so far, album earlier this year. Originally from the Richmond,
Virginia area, Dacus is known for her personal narrative songwriting style. In addition to her
strong 2016 debut No Burden and the exceptional 2018 follow-up Historian, Dacus also released
an EP as of part of the indie supergroup Boygenius with Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker (who
also put out a great solo record earlier this year) in 2018.
Standout Tracks: Hot and Heavy; VBS; Brando; First Time; Going Going Gone - The Weather Station: Ignorance– The Weather Station is the ever-evolving project of Canadian
folk artist Tara Lindeman. She has been releasing music since 2006, but finally broke out with
her acclaimed 2018 self-titled record and now this highly-anticipated follow-up.
Ignorance is a lovely and complex album that perfectly marries intricate instrumental flourishes
with Lindeman’s mesmerizing voice to create a beautiful record that conjures a bit of a
Fleetwood Mac ‘70s vibe.
Standout Tracks: Tried to Tell You; Atlantic; Parking Lot; The Robber; Loss - Tirzah: Colourgrade– British electronic artist Tirzah released her sophomore album Colourgrade
on dependably great indie label Domino. Her debut record Devotion, with its sparse, yet
powerful production and luxuriant vibe, was one of the most interesting and promising records
of 2018. Colourgrade starts back up where Devotion left off, bathing the listener in bass and fuzz
and then playfully deploying delicate sonic flourishes and her unhurried vocals to create a casual
and rewarding collection of songs.
From the beginning, Tirzah’s discography has been the product of a musical partnership with her
close friend and collaborator, fellow British artist and film composer Mica Levi. The two
attended the Purcell School for Young Musicians in London at the same time and later co-wrote
and co-produced two EPs and one single together under Tirzah’s name–I’m Not Dancing in
2013, No Romance in 2014, and Make It Up the following year that caught the attention of the
indie musicsphere and led to their signing to Domino. Levi continued production duties on both
of the Domino-released Tirzah LPs, and continued work on their other longtime music project
Micachu and the Shapes (now called Good Sad Happy Bad). Levi is now also an acclaimed film
composer, having won deserved plaudits for the film scores to Under The Skin and Jackie.
Standout Tracks: Send Me; Recipe; Sink In; Tectonic; Hive Mind - Bachelor: Doomin’ Sun– Bachelor is the new collaborative project of Jay Som (Melina Duterte)
and Palehound (Ellen Kempner). I am not too familiar with Palehound, but Jay Som’s 2019
album Anak Ko was one of my favorite indie rock records from that year and featured the
supremely likable single Superbike.
Doomin’ Sun was probably my favorite 90s Alt/grunge scene-channeling indie rock album since
Soccer Mommy’s album from last year. Hole and Liz Phair are obvious touchpoints, but there is
plenty of welcome channeling of Elliott Smith and The Smashing Pumpkins going on as well.
Standout Tracks: Back of My Hand; Anything At All; Moon; Sick of Spiraling; Stay In The Car - Snail Mail: Valentine– Lindsay Jordan started Snail Mail back in 2015 at the age of 16!. Early EPs
and nonstop support touring led to a record deal with respected indie label Matador. Snail
Mail’s debut record Lush was released in 2018, highlighted by lead single Pristine which received
sizable attention in indie media and streaming circles.
Sophomore record Valentine sees Jordan and her band continue their trajectory as one of the
fastest-rising, promising indie rock acts recording today. The title track showcases the bands
appealing 90s-style alt-rock sound led by Jordan’s impressive lead vocal performance and brash
attitude. Still just 22 years old, she joins Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, et al. in the top tiers of
exciting, young female indie music stars.
Standout Tracks: Valentine; Ben Franklin; Glory; Headlock; Madonna - Wolf Alice: Blue Weekend– Acclaimed London alt/indie rock band Wolf Alice returned this
month with their highly-anticipated third record Blue Weekend. The band’s first two records,
Mercury Prize-nominated My Love Is Cool in 2015 and Mercury Prize-winner (!) Visions of a Life
in 2017, both mainly featured a 90s’ grunge guitar-centric alternative rock sound. This new
album Blue Weekend shifts a bit more into shoegazey indie rock (or even dream pop) territory,
though still obviously with designs on world domination. While no singles on this record are as
immediately compelling as the phenomenal Don’t Delete The Kisses from the last LP, this record
is almost certainly their most consistently strong record from top to bottom.
Wolf Alice set the tone for this album cycle when the announcement of the new record was
accompanied by the release of incredibly ambitious, piano-driven lead single ballad The Last
Man On Earth. Follow-up single Smile is the hardest rocker on the record and will calm any fan
fears that Wolf Alice has gone too mellow. Still, most the remaining album high points are the
more delicate, fragile, beautiful midtempo songs such as No Hard Feelings, How Can I Make It
OK?, and Safe from Heartbreak (if you never fall in love) that reinforce the album’s breakup
recovery narrative. Lead singer Ellie Rowsell is a bonifide rock star and it will not surprise if Blue
Weekend expands the reach of Wolf Alice’s popularity further across the globe, perhaps even to
America.
Standout Tracks: The Last Man On Earth; Lipstick On The Glass; No Hard Feelings; Safe From
Heartbreak; How Can I Make It OK?; - Hildegard: Hildegard– Hildegard is the exciting project of promising Montreal-based indie
artists Helena Deland and Ouri. Deland’s and Ouri’s respective skillsets and styles complement
each other very well and the resulting product has to have exceeded their expectations going
into the project. This self-titled debut record is a thrilling, satisfying electronic tour de force.
Just last year, Helena Deland released the brilliant record Someone New under her own name.
This record was apparently recorded over 8 days, with one track coming out of their sessions
each day. Standout album opener Jour 1 expertly builds up to a frenetic, cathartic climax and
then slowly cools back down to blend into the dreamy, midtempo lead single Jour 2. The rest of
the record is an engaging blend of Deland’s inviting vocals and Ouri’s elite production.
Standout Tracks: Jour 1; Jour 2; Jour 3; Jour 8; Jour 4
- Arlo Parks: Collapsed In Sunbeams– This talented London-based poet and songwriter has been
releasing solid singles for a few years now. She released her long-awaited debut Collapsed in
Sunbeams back in January. At just 20 years old, Parks displays an impressive ability to craft indie
pop songs featuring a personal vignette approach to storytelling that recalls The Streets or
Courtney Barnett. A nice listen for a smooth, low-key background vibe.
Standout Tracks: Black Dog, Eugene, Green Eyes, Hurt, Caroline - Deafheaven: Infinite Granite– I genuinely try to expose myself to a variety of music styles, but
one genre of music I have never connected to is metal or any of the various metal subgenres.
Over the past decade, Deafheaven records have without fail received shockingly effusive praise,
but I have barely been able to make it through a couple of tracks because the general metal
guitar and vocal sound is just not my thing.
On their newly released fifth album Infinite Granite, the San Francisco band surprises with a
cleaner shoegaze vibe that must be a bit polarizing to many of their fans who prefer a harder
sound. For me, the change in approach to more of polished rock sound is a fantastic
development. Lead single Great Mass of Color features anthemic guitar and Morrissey-esque
vocals that feel much more appropriate for the indie rock aisle than the metal section. Album
closer Mombasa starts off as another dreamy ballad before segueing into a more aggressive
second act with harsher guitar and vocals, almost as if to remind fans that they haven’t
completely abandoned their roots.
Standout Tracks: Great Mass of Color; In Blur; Shellstar; The Gnashing; Mombasa - The Besnard Lakes: …Are The Last Of The Great Thunderstorm Warnings—The Besnard Lakes
really surprised me with this satisfying throwback; an earnest, ambitious indie rock concept
opus full of six minute (or longer!) songs meant to be consumed together in one sitting. This
sixth album from this Montreal six-piece feels genuinely monumental. An example of a record
that both immediately draws one in on first listen as well as rewarding repeat listens, it is
reminiscent of similar-scale work from Spiritualized, The Verve, and Band of Horses.
I appreciated the following quote from their website describing this new album: “In these
scorched and pitted times, as the world smoulders, there might be nothing less trendy than an
hourlong pyschrock epic by a band of Canadian grandmasters. Then again, there might be
nothing we need more. …The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings is a bright-blazing
requiem: nine tunes that are one song and six musicians that are one band—unleashed and
unconstrained, piercing and technicolour. At the end of the golden day, The Besnard Lakes are
right where they should be.”
Standout Tracks: Raindrops; New Revolution; Our Heads, Our Hearts on Fire Again; Feuds
With Guns; The Last of The Great Thunderstorm Warnings
- Sleaford Mods: Spare Ribs– The music blog Brooklyn Vegan describes Sleaford Mods as
“creative swearing in thick English accents over minimal, punky beats” and I honestly don’t
know if there is a better description. Their latest record Spare Ribs continues that successful
approach with mostly positive results. A little bit of Sleaford Mods can go a long way, but I
always feel like I’ve been transported to some gritty neighborhood in London or Manchester
when I listen to these records. A little escapism is good every once in a while, right?
Standout Tracks: Mork n Mindy; Nudge It; Spare Ribs; Top Room; I Don’t Rate You - Bicep: Isles– Critically-acclaimed Northern Ireland electronic duo Bicep released their long-
awaited sophomore full album early this year. They released lead single Atlas early last year just
as COVID took over, delaying the release of Isles to this year.
This album was put out by Ninja Tune, the London-based label well-known for releasing much of
the best, most interesting electronic and dance music each year.
Standout Tracks: Atlas; Sundial; Rever; Saku; Apricots - Floating Points and Pharoah Sanders: Promises—A popular critic’s choice for 2021 Album of the
Year is this collaboration between British indie electronic producer Sam Shepherd (aka Floating
Points), jazz saxophone legend Pharoah Sanders, and the London Symphony Orchestra. The
story goes that Sanders appreciated Floating Points’ early work and reached out to express an
interest in working together. I can only imagine that Shepherd could not say ‘Yes’ fast enough.
The result is a subtle, gorgeous 46-minute, 9 movement composition that sounds like the
background music of a hazy dream. Sanders’ saxophone is delicate, deliberate, and always
welcome. When the London Symphony orchestra takes center stage in Movement 6, it is
genuinely overwhelming and moving. Beneath it all is the gentle, beautiful electronic framework
expertly crafted by Shepherd.
Definitely a record to best consume in one sitting, it is a career highlight for Floating Points and
a worthy addition to the Sanders catalog.
Standout Tracks: Movement 6, Movement 1, Movement 5, Movement 9, Movement 4 - Aaron Frazer: Introducing Aaron Frazier– A pleasant, unexpected discovery early this year was
this wonderful new solo record from Aaron Frazer, drummer (and back-up singer) of the soul
revival band Durand Jones and the Indications. Produced and co-written by Dan Auerbach of
Black Keys, this album is a super catchy contemporary soul classic. Frazer has an unforgettable
falsetto voice and the pure pop songwriting is truly top class.
Standout Tracks: If I Got It (Your Love Brought It); Girl On The Phone; Ride With Me; You Don’t
Wanna Be My Baby; Can’t Leave It Alone
- Hiss Golden Messenger: Quietly Blowing It– Prolific North Carolina Americana band Hiss
Golden Messenger released the strongest album of their career this weekend. Formed in 2007
by MC Taylor and Scott Hirsch, Hiss Golden Messenger has now released twelve records, with
the last seven on famed indie label Merge Records. On this year’s record Quietly Blowing It,
band leader and chief songwriter Taylor paired his strongest collection of songs with a standout,
warm vocal performance that feels comforting and inviting coming out of these challenging
times. Standout advance single Sanctuary is one of my favorite songs of the year.
MC Taylor runs in the same music circles as many of the busiest and best folk artists working
today. In demand producer and guitarist Josh Kaufman contributed instrumentals to this record,
and Taylor co-wrote another album highlight If It Comes In the Morning with Anais Mitchell,
who was part of last year’s brilliant Bonny Light Horsemen folk project with Kaufman and Fruit
Bats lead man Eric D. Johnson.
Standout Tracks: Sanctuary; Glory Strums (Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner); If It
Comes In The Morning; Hardlytown; Way Back In The Way Back - Black Country, New Road: For The First Time– Black Country, New Road are an exciting
collective of seven young British artists mixing it up in the London music scene with fellow buzzy
acts Black Midi and Jockstrap, the latter sharing band member Georgia Ellery. Their debut
experimental rock record For The First Time covers an impressive range of musical territory in
just 6 songs over 40 minutes, including post-punk, progrock, psychrock, spoken word, free-form,
noise, and countless other dissonant elements. It is a thrilling, fascinating, and compelling listen.
Standout Tracks: Instrumental; Athens, France; Track X; Science Fair; Sunglasses - Dry Cleaning: New Long Long– Dry Cleaning forced their way into the forefront of the British
indie music scene with their brilliant, brash album New Long Leg. The debut record from this
South London four-piece adds to an already strong year for British post-punk music with
attitude and style. Dry Cleaning sets themselves apart with the seductive spoken word vocal
style of lead singer Florence Shaw. American music critic Steven Hyden posted on twitter that
“The Dry Cleaning record replicates an experience I’ve had many times – seeing a very hip and
buzzy band live and having a very bored-sounding person behind me talking over them.” For me,
Ms. Shaw’s vocal shtick is a charming, fun part of the Dry Cleaning appeal.
Standout Tracks: Scratchcard Lanyard; Strong Feelings; Unsmart Lady; New Long Leg; Leafy - Sault: Nine– Mysterious London music collective Sault gave the music world a pleasant surprise
when they announced yet another new album on just a couple of weeks notice. The new record
Nine did not disappoint until the band followed through with their initial announcement to
remove the album from all streaming services after being available for streaming and for sale for
only 99 days. They claim it will be gone forever, but it is available on YouTube.
Close on the heals of two great Sault records last year, Nine is another equal parts catchy and
thought-provoking collection of brilliant soul, R&B, and hip hop songs with themes related to
the black experience across the world. Here’s hoping they go ahead and return it to streaming
services soon.
Standout Tracks: London Gangs; Trap Life; Bitter Streets; Light’s In Your Hands, You From
London
- The Fruit Bats: The Pet Parade– Fruit Bats is the long-running indie folk rock project of Eric D.
Johnson. Fruit Bats, originally started way back in 1997, released a handful of records on Sub
Pop, dissolved for a couple years, and then reformed again around 2015. This year, Fruit Bats
released a new record on another great indie label Merge Records. Johnson was part of the
supergroup Bonny Light Horseman that released one the best folk rock records of last year.
Fellow Bonny Light Horseman member and producer Josh Kaufman also helped out with
production and instrumentals on The Pet Parade. The names Eric D. Johnson and Josh Kaufman
are now synonymous with awesome indie folk music across their various projects and
production duties.
Standout Tracks: The Pet Parade; The Balcony; Holy Rose; Cub Pilot; On The Avalon Stairs - Declan O Rourke: Arrivals– I was really pleased to discover this new album from the Irish folk
singer-songwriter Declan O’Rourke. Well-known in Ireland for almost two decades, O’Rourke’s
music is finally garnering more attention in the UK and the US. Music legends John Prine (RIP)
and Paul Weller are both long-time fans and collaborators with O’Rourke; in fact, Arrivals was
produced by Weller.
This charming record features O’Rourke’s standout voice (a bit reminiscent of Rufus Wainwright)
and gorgeous guitar and complementary string instrumentals. I am a sucker for a well-written,
sentimental folky love song and it doesn’t get much better than album highlight The Stars Over
Kinvara.
Standout Tracks: The Stars Over Kinvara; Andy Sells Coke; The Harbour; In Painter’s Light; This
Thing We Share; Arrivals - Small Black: Cheap Dreams– Brooklyn-based indie pop band Small Black returned earlier this
year with their first new album since 2015. Their latest record Cheap Dreams is their first on the
100% Electronica label after putting out their first three full-length LPs and two EPs on
prominent indie label Jagjaguwar. Their 2013 album Limits of Desire is their most well-known
album and features their most prominent track No Stranger, but Cheap Dreams could very well
be their strongest overall record.
Because Small Black toured with Washed Out back in 2010, they have often been included as
part of the chillwave genre. However, a likely more appropriate descriptor for the band is
synthwave, as they have cited 80s new wave synth pioneers OMD and Human League as some
of their primary influences. I feel like Small Black and this new record have really flown below
the radar this year, which is too bad because Cheap Dreams deserves to be heard and
appreciated alongside their earlier output.
Standout Tracks: Postcard; Duplex; Tampa; Driftwood Fire; The Bridge
- Hiatus Kaiyote: Mood Valiant– I always enjoy developing an appreciation for a new (at least to
me) band, especially from music genres I don’t normally listen to. On very first listen of their
new record Mood Valiant, I was won over by the Australian soul and funk outfit Haitus Kaiyote.
It’s been great to go back to explore their first two excellent records and I’ve kicked myself for
not finding them sooner. Lead singer Nai Palm has a great voice and the rest of the band
produce some of my favorite funky soul music in recent memory. I am hoping they join forces
with fellow Australian Genesis Owusu (and another recent discovery of mine) and come tour
America sometime!
Standout Tracks: Red Room; Get Sun; And We Go Gentle; Sparkle Tape Break-up; Chivalry Is
Not Dead - DARKSIDE: Spiral– The prolific Chilean-American DJ and electronic artist Nicolas Jaar and his
long-time collaborator Dave Harrington returned this year with the long-awaited second album
from their DARKSIDE project. Jaar is one of the busiest and most interesting electronic musicians
and producers operating today. He released THREE albums in 2020: Cenizas and Telas under his
own name; and then the fantastic 2017-2019 LP under his Against All Logic project.
Jaar and Harrington reportedly met as students at Brown University around 2011 when Jaar was
looking to put together a live band to tour his debut solo record Space Is Only Noise from the
same year. They put out their self-titled debut EP later that year. Their critically-acclaimed debut
full LP Psychic was released in 2013 before they decided to put the project on hiatus the
following year.
Jaar and Harrington started recording sessions for this new record Spiral back in 2018. The
resulting album was well worth the wait—the first lead singles Liberty Bell and The Limit are two
of the strongest, most accessible electronic tracks on any record released this year.
Standout Tracks: Liberty Bell; The Limit; I’m The Echo; Lawmaker; Only Young - Gorillaz: Meanwhile EP– The neverending genius of Damon Albarn continues with a surprise EP
released earlier this year following a massive live show performed in London where the Gorillaz
collective debuted this new music. As usual, Albarn is more than happy to share the spotlight
with amazing guest contributors on each track while effortlessly exploring different music styles.
Each of the three tracks on the Meanwhile EP are playful, upbeat tracks perfect for the final
weeks of summer fun. The new EP is a tribute the West London origins of the band and is part of
the 20 th anniversary celebrations of this iconic project and a further testament to the brilliance
of Albarn.
Standout Tracks: Meanwhile; Jimmy Jimmy; Deja Vu - Sofia Kourtesis: Fresia Magdalena EP– Another recent pleasant discovery of mine is the Berlin-
based Peruvian DJ and producer Sofia Kourtesis. Last month, she released Fresia Magdalena
through Ninja Tune sublabel Technicolour Records. Fresia Magdalena is Kourtesis’ third EP of
accomplished dance music released in three years. The opening two tracks La Perla and By Your
Side are some of the most delightful electronic music in recent memory. For fans of this type of
music, I strongly recommend not only this entire EP, but also her eponymous 2019 debut EP and
follow-up 2020 EP Sarita Colonia. Kourtesis’ Bandcamp page describes her sound as “astutely
collected samples and a joyous sense of personality and place to make something utterly
infectious.”
Standout Tracks: By Your Side; La Perla; Nicolas; Dakotas; Juntos
- Yves Tumor: The Asymptotical World EP– Eccentric, gifted electronic artist Yves Tumor
released a pop-forward EP earlier this year called The Asymptotical World. Considered one of
the most exciting newish artists in indie music, Yves Tumor’s 2020 record Heaven To A Tortured
Mind didn’t quite deliver to expectations following the massive success and influence of
acclaimed Warp-debut Safe In the Hands of Love in 2018.
This new EP feels more closely aligned with the accessible songcraft of Safe in the Hands of
Love. The first three tracks of the EP are great examples of the bold, inviting pop music Yves
Tumor is capable of when they allow themselves to be poppy and accessible. Now apparently
based in Italy, Tumor reportedly has another entire album worth of songs ready to go and will
hopefully embrace the more straightforward, crowd-pleasing approach.
Standout Tracks: Jackie; Crushed Velvet; Secrecy Is Incredibly Important To The B; Tuck;
Katrina - Billy Nomates: Emergency Telephone EP– Billy Nomates is the solo project of English artist
Victoria Ann Maries. Started in 2019, her early home recordings and live performances caught
the attention of UK punk band Sleaford Mods, who invited her to support them on tour. She
gives a standout guest performance on their brilliant track Mork N Mindy off recent album Spare
Ribs and more than holds her own.
Billy Nomates released her self-titled debut last August to not much fanfare. In March, she
released this new EP that will surely solidify her place as an indie rock artist to watch. She melds
the wit, attitude, and narrative chops of Sleaford Mods or Mike Skinner (of The Streets fame)
with great pop sensibility and a distinctive voice. Heels and the title track are the buzziest
singles, but tasty synthpop gem Petrol Fumes is my favorite track.
Standout Tracks: Heels, Petrol Fumes, Emergency Telephone, Right Behind You - Kishi Bashi: Emigrant EP– Kishi Bashi recently released this inspiring folk EP about Japanese
emigrants to America in the early to mid twentieth century and their experience in the American
West. Kaoru Ishibashi, AKA Kishi Bashi, is an accomplished violinist, and Emigrant EP features
some brilliant violin and fiddle work. The entire EP is great, but Wait for Springtime is the
beautiful, emotional highlight.
I’d been somewhat familiar with Kishi Bashi previously, but this wonderful EP inspired me to dig
further into his back catalog. The Emigrant EP is a companion piece to his 2019 record called
Omoiyari, also about the Japanese emigrant experience. Ishibashi is apparently working on a
documentary film on the same subject.
Standout Tracks: Wait for Springtime; Cascades; Town of Pray; Early Morning Breeze
- Wavves: Hideaway– Southern California indie punkpop band Wavves returned last month with
their 7 th record entitled Hideaway. Nathan Williams’ band started off in the late 00s as a buzzy
slacker band with a catchy, lo-fi scuzzy sound. Remnants of that past remain on album opener
Thru Hell and title track Hideaway. Elsewhere, it feels like Wavves and veteran indie rock
producer Dave Sitek made a genuine effort to explore greater genre diversity. Lead singles and
album highlights Sinking Feeling and Help Is On The Way are polished and melodic
straightforward indie rock, while The Blame enjoys an old-school outlaw country structure and
sound. Hideaway is a fun, likable record and one can easily imagine Williams and band having a
great time touring this new material along with their ragged, rambunctious earlier material. I
saw Wavves in those wild early days and I hope to see a display of their progression a decade or
so later into their career.
Standout Tracks: Sinking Feeling; Help Is On The Way; Hideaway; The Blame; Thru Hell - Leon Bridges: Gold Diggers Sound– Texas soul singer/songwriter Leon Bridges remains an
exciting artist who impresses with greater skill and versatility with every project. Bridges
absolutely exploded onto the music scene in 2015 with the popularity of his amazing debut retro
soul masterpiece Coming Home. One of the biggest crowds at Lollapalooza in 2015 was Bridges
afternoon set that had clearly been scheduled before he had become an overnight sensation.
There was a palpable buzz that we were about to witness something special and Bridges
delivered a stunning performance.
Successful sophomore album Good Thing arrived in 2018 to solid acclaim and popularity even
though it was always going to struggle to reach the heights of the classic previous record.
Bridges demonstrated his willingness to broaden his sound, and showed that his talent was
going to be durable, by next entering the studio with fellow Texans Khruangbin to record the
Texas Sun EP and its beautiful title track.
Leon approached his new record Gold-Diggers Sound with a new concept in mind. Bridges
enlisted a handful of big name collaborators such as Robert Glasper and Terrace Martin to work
on the record at Gold-Diggers Sound, an East Los Angeles studio and hotel where Bridges and
crew could record at all hours and channel that nighttime energy into more of a modern soul
and R&B sound (with some jazz elements thrown in for good measure). The resulting album
showcases an entirely new, different sound for Bridges and it suits him well. Another Leon
Bridges and Khruangbin EP is on the horizon and very welcome, but one would not be surprised
to see future solo Leon records feature more of this contemporary sound rather than a return to
the retro approach.
Standout Tracks: Motorbike; Steam; Sho Nuff; Born Again (Featuring Robert Glasper); Sweeter
(Featuring Terrace Martin) - Durand Jones and the Indications: Private Space– I finally surrendered to the guilty pleasures of
the new record by lovable R & B and soul revivalists Durand Jones and Indications. Upon hearing
that this was the band’s “disco” record, I snobbishly put off giving the record a proper listen.
Shame on me for not immediately accepting that I was going to eventually give in to the record’s
charms sooner or later. I dare anyone who has ever enjoyed a Motown Monday at the Five Spot
in East Nashville to listen to lead single Witchoo and not come away itching for some fun.
Private Space is the third record by the band on hot indie label Dead Oceans. As advertised, the
album does feature a funkier and more “disco” sound; however, there are more than ample
servings of the delicious trademark Jones soulful vocals and classic r&b and soul sound one
expects to savor from a Durand Jones and the Indications offering. Aaron Frazer, the Indications
member who released his own brilliant solo record in January, provides more great falsetto
vocals throughout. Undoubtedly, Private Space will soundtrack many a lively gathering in the
coming months.
Standout Tracks: Witchoo; Love Will Work It Out; The Way That I Do; Private Space; Ride or
Die;
- Jorja Smith: Be Right Back– One of the most promising British artists of the last few years, Jorja
Smith has shown impressive versatility through colloborations with rappers Drake and Stormzy,
as well as contributing vocals to recent Blue Note contemporary jazz single Rose Rouge. Her
2018 debut record Lost and Found, led by standout single Blue Lights, won several British music
awards.
A couple weeks ago, Smith released her follow-up record entitled Be Right Back. Just eight tracks
and not much more than 25 minutes long, she packs plenty of quality into that relatively short
amount of time. Lead single and album opener Addicted is a fantastic showcase for her addictive
voice (obvious, bad pun intended). She’s a star and deserves comparisons to one of her
inspirations, Amy Winehouse.
Standout Tracks: Addicted, Bussdown (featuring Shaybo); Burn; Weekend; Gone; - Sam Fender: Seventeen Going Under—I somewhat enjoyed the new record from The Killers this
year; however, my favorite Killers record from this year is this excellent sophomore album by
English singer-songwriter Sam Fender. Fender stakes his acclaim as the heir to the Brandon
Flowers legacy with some power pop perfection. Title track and lead single Seventeen Going
Under is one of those classic singles that sets up shop in your brain and refuses to leave.
Standout Tracks: Seventeen Going Under; Get You Down; Spit of You; Aye; Getting Started - Bell Orchestre: House Music– This Bell Orchestre instrumental record was my background
music of choice for a whole month earlier this year. I love the idea of accomplished indie rock
artists applying the improvisational jazz approach to experimental rock music. Bell Orchestre is a
Montreal-based music collective featuring two full members of Arcade Fire, Richard Reed Parry
and Sarah Neufield, who are both accomplished solo musicians and composers.
The bands described the record as follows: “House Music is that elusive dream made real – a
large piece of music recorded almost entirely at the same moment it was written. We isolated
ourselves in house in rural Vermont for weeks and just improvised all day every day, recording
everything. This album is what came out of that time. Music that leaps before it looks.” They
also describe the results of their sessions as “nuanced music that had emerged organically,
completely formed, without any plan or discussion or rational thought.”
Standout Tracks: II: House; IV: What You’re Thinking; V: Movement; VII: Colour Fields; IX:
Nature That’s It That’s All
- Jose Gonzalez: Local Valley– Winsome and unassuming Swedish indie singer-songwriter Jose
Gonzalez released another welcome album of soothing, affirming modern folk music with his
fourth LP titled Local Valley. Gonzalez, whose family immigrated to Sweden from Argentina a
couple years before he was born, is perhaps best known for his soundtrack contributions to the
Ben Stiller remake of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, as well as his cover of the classic indie
track Heartbeats by fellow Swedish band The Knife.
He rose to sudden notoriety in indie music circles with his acclaimed debut Veneer released way
back in 2006, the record that featured the ubiquitous Heartbeats cover and his excellent debut
single Crosses. Local Valley is his first full studio album since his Vestiges & Claws released in - On this latest LP, Gonzalez doesn’t deviate much from his charming, successful formula of
calming vocals over his skillfully-strummed acoustic guitar. Inspiring singles Visions and Head On
fit the profile perfectly and are two of the strongest songs of his career so far. Sweet album
closer Honey Honey is a standout track written with DJ Koze. A more uptempo beat is deployed
on fun advance single Swing, but otherwise Gonzalez delivers well exactly what he does best.
Standout Tracks: Visions; Head On; El Invento; Swing; Honey Honey - William Doyle: Great Spans of Muddy Time– William Doyle is an English musician who used to
record under the name East India Youth. His debut record for that project, Total Strife Forever,
won the Mercury Prize in 2014, setting crazy expectations for his career that have been difficult
to meet. He now records under his own name and his 2021 record Great Spans of Muddy Time
has received his best reviews since that famous debut. Doyle’s Spotify bio describes his sound as
an “exploration of pop, art-rock, and ambient, married with a voice that deftly glides from
tender restraint to soaring peaks” and this record as “a beautiful ode to the power of accident,
instinct, and intuition.”
Standout Tracks: Semi-bionic; I Need To Keep You In My Life; Shadowtackling; And Everything
Changed (But I Feel Alright); Nothing At All - Loraine James: Reflections–Loraine James is an exciting, young electronic artist from London.
She began experimenting with music production while in high school and uploaded loads of
music on her bandcamp page leading to the release of her debut record in 2017. Two years
later, prominent electronic label Hyperdub released her sophomore album For You and I to
significant critical acclaim from across the music critical landscape.
James released her sophomore album entitled Reflection. Recorded last summer, Reflection
features more of the complex, glitchy, rewarding IDM goodness that gained James deserved
notoriety from her earlier output. Like she did on For You and I, James deploys guest
collaborators with great results throughout Reflection.
Standout Tracks: Simple Stuff; Built To Last; Self Doubt (Leaving the Club Early); Let’s Go; Black
Ting
- Clinic: Fantasy Land– The English band Clinic was one of the buzziest indie bands operating in
the early ‘00s. What greater proof of their cool factor do you need than that they were asked by
Radiohead to support them on tour? Their first two albums Internal Wrangler (2000) and
Walking With Thee (2002) were both excellent, acclaimed albums and then they sadly started to
drift off slowly into less relevance with each successive album until they decided to take a break
in 2012. That break lasted seven years until the release of a new record in 2019 called
Wheeltappers and Shunters that failed to make too big of an impression. Impressively, the
revered indie label Domino has stayed with Clinic for their entire career.
They released their latest LP Fantasy Island this fall and it felt like a solid return to form. The title
track revives the retro organ and synth-driven indie sound of their early output. The whole
album has a fun, casual vibe fitting with the island theme. Hopefully this record leads to a return
to greater relevance for a storied indie band.
Standout Tracks: Fantasy Island; The Lamplighter; Refractions (In the Rain); Dreams Can Come
True; Fine Dining - Emma Jean Thackray: Yellow– Yet another interesting record coming out of the UK jazz scene,
English artist Emma-Jean Thackray released her buzzed about debut full-length earlier this
summer. Thackray grew up playing the cornet and jazz trumpet before studying jazz
composition. She’d previously released four EPs over the past 5 years before the completion and
release of Yellow. Lead single and album highlight Say Something is funky as hell and recalls the
brilliance of fellow Londoners Sault, a touchstone for many of the album’s more upbeat, soulful
moments. Elsewhere, Thackray’s jazz bonafides are on full display on opener Mercury and About
That. It’s a thrilling record that promises to reveal more joys with repeated listens.
Standout Tracks: Say Something; Spectre; Golden Green; Sun; Mercury - Buck Meek: Two Saviors—Some of my favorite new music from the start of 2021 was the new
solo record from Buck Meek, the lead guitarist of critically-acclaimed indie rock band Big Thief. I
happened to see Buck and his band preview these songs at a show in Brooklyn way back in
November 2019. It was a packed show with a noticeable buzz from the crowd who wanted to
hear from Buck in the wake of Big Thief’s monster year when they released two strong records
just months apart.
Meek and his band recorded Two Saviors live to tape in New Orleans last year. The recorded
versions enjoy a warmth and ragged nature that feel comforting and accepting. Buck’s
vulnerable vocals and pleasant, fragile melodies are a welcome sound to this listener’s ears
during these January blues.
Standout Tracks: Halo Light; Cannonball! Pt. 2; Pareidolia; Second Sight - Kiwi Jr: Cooler Returns– Sometimes it’s just nice to put on some music in the background that is
fun and peppy and doesn’t require much mental commitment to provide enjoyment and
satisfaction. My record of choice in such situations earlier this year was Cooler Returns by
Toronto-based indie band Kiwi Jr. The entire record is catchy and clever, lo-fi and low stakes
indie punk pop listening pleasure.
I appreciate the Kiwi Jr origin story– four teenage friends move from Prince Edward Island to
join the Toronto indie music scene in 2015. On the strength of an early demo, they spend the
next few years playing tons of shows and honing their craft, finally releasing their debut record
Football Money in 2019. After the modest success of that record, they sign with legendary indie
label Sub Pop to put out this tasty follow-up record. Another fun tidbit is that their second
guitarist Brian Murphy has played bass for fellow Canadian indie darlings Alvvays. Let’s hope for
a Alvvays and Kiwi Jr. co-headline tour later on this year.
Standout Tracks: Tyler; Cooler Returns; Undecided Voters; Maid Marian’s Toast; Waiting in
Line
- Mogwai: As The Love Continues– Depending on how and what you count, the Scottish
experimental rock band Mogwai released their 16 th (?) album this year. The prolific band has
released so many extended play releases, remix albums, and movie soundtrack scores in
addition to their official full-length albums that it is genuinely difficult to keep track of it all.
Like most of their discography, nearly all of the tracks on As The Love Continues are
instrumentals with no vocals. The exception is one of the standout tracks on the record, entitled
Ritchie Sacramento. Over the course of their career, Mogwai has gone from a heavy, distorted
guitar-focused sound to more of an electronic approach and now back full circle to an alt-rock,
almost grunge rock, vibe on many of these tracks.
My personal favorite Mogwai project was when they accepted a commission to provide the
score to a movie documentary on the great French soccer player Zinedine Zidane in 2006. The
documentary, Zidane—A 21 st Century Portrait, is literally just multiple cameras following Zidane
around the field during a match as Mogwai plays instrumental music. The subject, the
soundtrack, and resulting images are pure genius all the way around.
Standout Tracks: Dry Fantasy; Ritchie Sacramento; Ceiling Granny; To The Bin My Friend,
Tonight We Vacate Earth; Drive The Nail
