Author Spotlight
Greyson Imm
2021 was a year of reopening and revival — empty concert venues became filled with millions of fans, thousands of tickets sold out in a matter of minutes to previously-postponed festivals and music production was in full swing. The hopeful, questioning and sometimes strange music released this year reflects the events of the year. While we were navigating mask mandates, vaccines and yet another year of future historical events, our favorite artists were busy in the studio.
Music greats returned this year — Adele, Lorde, Mitski and J. Cole — as well as new rising stars who made 2021 their breakout year — Olivia Rodrigo, PinkPantheress and Mach Hommy. And who could forget Taylor Swift blessing us with two complete album re-recordings.
Amid the chaos and change of a year in transition, many musical gems arose. These are my rankings of 2021’s top albums:
#10: “Donda” by Kanye West
Rapper Kanye West captured the attention of his fans and critics both with the much-anticipated release of his newest album, “Donda.” The album is a tribute to West’s late mother, the namesake of the album. Perhaps the most significant part of this album is West’s fusion of trap rhythms as well as modern hip-hop and traditional gospel styles on different tracks of this album. Also, the album’s success can partially be attributed to his inclusion of deeply personal topics — such as West’s divorce with Kim Kardashian and the passing of his mother. I was never bored while listening, which is a testament to the uniquely captivating combination of musical styles of this album — considering my short attention span and the album’s one-hour-and-48-minute length.
Top Tracks: “Hurricane,” “Off The Grid,” “No Child Left Behind”
#9: “A Beginner’s Mind” by Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine
One of the least-promoted but musically-greatest albums of 2021 is Sufjan Stevens’s and Angelo De Augustine’s collaborative LP titled “A Beginner’s Mind.” The soft, wispy vocals and stripped-back instrumentals are reminiscent of Stevens’s earlier album “Carrie and Lowell.” This album gives me another batch of melancholy tunes by Stevens to put on repeat — no matter how good it is, there’s only so many times you can blast “Fourth Of July” until it gets old. The most unique part about this album is that each song is inspired by a different film, ranging from “Return to Oz” to “Mad Max” — and even Silence of the Lambs. Crisp vocals and chillingly tragic lyrics contribute to the success of this legendary crossover.
My Top Tracks: “You Give Death a Bad Name,” “Fictional California,” “Cimmerian Shade”
#8: “Any Shape You Take” by Indigo De Souza
If you’re looking for an all-around versatile album, equal parts tragic and badass, I recommend checking out “Any Shape You Take” by Indigo De Souza. On this record, De Souza’s heavy guitar is balanced with mellow vocal tracks telling stories that anyone can relate to about love, loss and everything in between. I was shocked by her duality on “Any Shape You Take” — the jump from “Hold U,” a mellow song about an idyllic love interest, to “Way Out,” a track examining the dismal reality of the narrator’s life, shows De Souza’s ability to write both a sweet, soft love song and a grunge rock ballad on the same record.
My Top Tracks: “17,” “Darker Than Death,” “Bad Dream”
#7: “Daddy’s Home” by St. Vincent
St. Vincent returns for one of her best works, a ‘70s-inspired album called “Daddy’s Home.” Similar to previous albums like “Masseduction,” this album highlights her passion for psychedelic-lounge pop while bringing in a new, vintage-y feel. I didn’t hear much buzz for this album compared to others in 2021, however, the reason for the album’s success is its refreshing revival of a ‘70s sound paired with a new psychedelic-pop feel. Vincent’s signature vocals entrenched in the sometimes over-the-top but always harmonious blend of retro instrumentals bring the album home.
My Top Tracks: “Pay Your Way in Pain,” “Down and out in Downtown,” “…At the Holiday Party”
#6: “Dandelion” by The Greeting Committee
KC’s very own indie rock band takes a new spin on the classic heartbreak album with “Dandelion.” The band, comprised of Blue Valley alumni Addie Sartino, Pierce Turcotte and Brandon Yangmi, breaks out of their indie-pop roots and experiments with a new, more robust sound in this synth-soaked album. “Dandelion” is a very versatile album featuring songs about heartbreak, loss, mania and acceptance. This album had me questioning the existence of happiness to carelessly dancing then to sitting quietly, reflecting on life. “The Greeting Committee” does an exemplary job at storytelling through music, and this is an album you’ll want to listen to in order to get the full experience.
My Top Tracks: “Float Away,” “Bird Hall,” “Make Out”
#5: “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST” by Tyler, the Creator
Arguably the biggest hip-hop release of the year goes to Tyler, the Creator for “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST.” But don’t think that this is the only genre on the record — this album is a unique blend of hip-hop, pop, jazz, soul and reggae. The theme of the album depicted in the artwork and promotion follows “Tyler Baudelaire,” an alter ego that combines Tyler, the Creator’s often-promiscuous lyricism and French poet Charles Baudelaire’s similar reputation. Anticipation was high for this album, as it is the predecessor to the critically-acclaimed “IGOR,” and it undeniably lived up to the hype. The album features a masterful blend of smooth lyricism, varied backing tracks and Tyler’s usual unique flow — not to mention numerous collaborations with artists like NBA Youngboy, Ty Dolla Sign, Lil Wayne, Lil Uzi Vert, Pharrell Williams and more.
My Top Tracks: “RISE!,” “SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE,” “WUSYANAME”
#4: “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert” by Little Simz
While listening to the wise, effortlessly-flowing and creative lyricism employed by UK-based rapper Little Simz in her fourth album, “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert,” I almost felt like I was witnessing Simz’s childhood in vibrant color. With deeply reflective lyrics focusing on her upbringing in urban Europe as a Black woman with Nigerian ancestry such as, “We built the pyramids, can’t you see what we are blessed with? / From the hieroglyphics to the hood lyricist,” Simz embraces her connection to her culture — both present and past. Even though I can’t completely relate to the messages she incorporates in her music, I still appreciate how she made themes of personal development, intersectionality and cultural awareness accessible to all listeners. Having more than seven years of professional music production under her belt, Simz demonstrates mastery in every part of this album, which I believe is nearly perfect front-to-back. The only thing that didn’t impress me on “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert” is how disorganized and scattered the narrative was compared to her previous works.
My Top Tracks: “Standing Ovation,” “Fear No Man,” “Miss Understood”
#3: “Little Oblivions” by Julien Baker
A full transition from the first two mellow indie-folk albums, Julien Baker exposes her beautifully tragic narration and storytelling in “Little Oblivions.” She brings in a full and complete sound in this album, almost solely played by Baker herself. “Little Oblivions” was met with wide acclaim by both critics and the public after its release in February. Her poetic prose elevates this album to number three on my list. The completely gut-wrenching lyrics are best experienced while driving at night or curled up in the comfort of an overstuffed armchair. Her intricate lyricism is the most redeeming asset of this otherwise musically-unremarkable album — but overall, it is a clear indication of Baker’s progress and musical potential.
My Top Tracks: “Faith Healer,” “Ziptie,” “Highlight Reel”
#2: “Sling” by Clairo
Indie pop artist Clairo shocked music critics everywhere — as well as me — with her release of “Sling,” an Elliott-Smith-inspired indie folk album. Previously known for her classic lofi sound in songs like “Sofia” and “Bags” off of her 2019 album, “Immunity,” Clairo immediately made headlines in popular music magazines due to her complete stylistic switch in her newest 2021 album. Minimalist vocals, soft piano backing, stunning imagery and even a clarinet solo in “Joanie” made this album a worthy top pick for me — a stark contrast to the shallow, two-dimensional feel of her past albums. The soft, soothing vocal tone of this album is nice at first but becomes uninteresting after a while — which kept me from placing it at the top of my list.
My Top Tracks: “Harbor,” “Joanie,” “Amoeba”
#1: “An Evening With Silk Sonic” by Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars
The most unexpected — yet definitely welcome — was Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak’s collaboration on “An Evening With Silk Sonic.” This ‘70s-style R&B record is started off strong with the mass-acclaimed singles “Leave the Door Open,” “Skate” and “Smokin’ Out the Window.” The soothing and smooth vocals combined with the soft, yet colorful instrumentals can only be described as the duo’s name: “Silk Sonic.” This unexpected collaboration combines the best features from both artists — .Paak’s humorous and universal songwriting with Mars’s funk-R&B fusion vocals. As a result, arguably their best work was produced. This album instantly takes me somewhere else — a 1970s jazz lounge where Mars and .Paak describe their love life and misadventures as I kick my feet up. The new duo has permanently cemented their name in contemporary R&B history, as well as showcasing their rich sound and making it accessible to every listener.
My Top Tracks: “Smokin’ Out the Window,” “777,” “Put On a Smile”
Leave a Reply