The best albums of 2021 picked by All the Young Punks

Well, we just went through another devastating year that again leaves us longing for a return to normal.

Live music returned in 2021, which was welcome. And we have to appreciate the many artists who gave us music shaped by these awful circumstances.

The art we enjoy is a reflection of ourselves. For me, the best music this year ran the gamut from escapist joy to somber realization.

Here are the best albums of 2021, beginning with the top 10 in order.

Eleventh Dream Day – Since Grazed

Birds of Maya – Valdez

Ty Segall – Harmonizer

Matt Sweeney & Bonnie “Prince” Billy – Superwolves

Lou Barlow – Reason to Live

Grouper – Shade

Low – Hey What

Circuit des Yeux – -io

Dry Cleaning – New Long Leg

Natural Information Society with Evan Parker – Descension (Out of Our Constrictions)

Here are 20 more recommended albums listed alphabetically by artist.

Amyl and the Sniffers – Comfort to Me

Azita – Glen Echo

Bachelor – Doomin’ Sun

Michael Beach – Dream Violence

Theon Cross – Intra-I

Lucy Dacus – Home Video

Dinosaur Jr. – Sweep It Into Space

FACS – Present Tense

Iceage – Seek Shelter

Liars – The Apple Drop

Damon Locks Black Monument Ensemble – Now

MIKE – Disco!

Mountain Movers – World What World

Painted Shrines – Heaven and Holy

Pip Blom – Welcome Break

Sons of Kemet – Black to the Future

Squirrel Flower – Planet (i)

Tijuana Hercules – Mudslod and the Singles

Tyler the Creator – Call Me If You Get Lost

Writhing Squares – Chart for the Solution