As 2021 comes to an end, here are the 10 albums of the year that features diverse genres from hard core , indie, hip-hop and alternative.
10.Jetty Bones - “Push Back”
Songwriter and instrumentalist Jetty Bones' Rise Records debut should have made a bigger splash in terms of mainstream play, as it is just as catchy as what makes it to the radio. “Push Back” shows a diverse palette of 1980s (“Nothing”) and 1990s pop (“That’s All), as well as some country-twang on “Dolly.”
9. Weezer- “OK Human”
While many bands strive to make records that sound like The Beatles, “OK Human” actually sounds like The Beatles. The surprising sounds of “OK Human” are comparable to the Beach Boys “Pet Sounds” with instrumentation that includes a 38-piece orchestra. The experimentation isn’t out of character though, as the hooks remain catchy (“Aloo Gobi”) and lyrics are still cleverly tongue-in-cheek (“Grapes Of Wrath”).
8.Olivia Rodrigo- “Sour”
Some artists wait their whole career to make an album like “Sour.” The 18-year old Olivia Rodrigo pulled it off on her first try. It is hard to deny the instant success and instant catchiness of “Sour,”- a radio hit machine. The singer-songwriter is helping re-define mainstream pop music by adding an emotional depth lacking in a lot of the homogenous nature of what producers have been churning out to the masses for years.
7. Tigers Jaw- “I Won’t Care How You Remember Me”
Tigers Jaw may write they won’t care how you remember them, but “ I Won’t Care How You Remember Me” is one of the most memorable albums of the year. Tigers Jaw makes music acceptable to today’s indie rock crowd, but would also fit perfectly during emo’s heyday in the early 2000s and the late 1990s alt-rock college radio.
6.Bleachers - “Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night”
The genius of Jack Antonoff goes beyond his production work on mega stars like Taylor Swift and Lorde- his indie-pop project Bleachers captures the spirit of Bruce Springsteen and Disclosure. “Chinatown” also features fellow Garden State superstar Springsteen. “Stop Making This Hurt” and “How Dare You Want More” are some of the catchiest songs of the year, and fit well on the expanded sounds of “Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night.”
5.Amy Shark- “Cry Forever”
Amy Shark returns more confident, but just as talented as the artist who debuted with 2018’s extremely impressive “Love Monster.” The songs on “Cry Forever” sound bigger- almost arena ready- and the Australian alternative rock/pop star shines on tracks like “C’MON,” “Baby Steps,” and “The Worst Day Of My Life.”
4.Angels & Airwaves - “Lifeforms”
Angels & Airwaves “Lifeforms” offers the most-diverse collection of songs yet from Tom DeLonge’s arena rock art project. It’s not just themes of love and hope, as DeLonge’s punk rock angst comes out as AVA takes aim at toxic masculinity (“Euphoria”), racism and the craziness of 2020-2021 (“Losing My Mind”) and gun violence (“No More Guns”). AVA’s signature sound and scope still lands on “Timebomb,” “Automatic” and “Rebel Girl” that are all energetic, 1980s inspired bops.
3.Lil Nas X- “Montero”
Injecting hip-hop with forward-thinking ideas, and songs that have elements of pop, and guitar-driven rock makes “Montero” special. Lil Nas X isn’t the first rapper to genre-blend, but he has a firm grasp on how to adapt hip-hop to reach even more audiences. “Industry Baby,” “That’s What I Want,” and “Lost In The Citadel” all represent the album’s variety.
2.Sincere Engineer - “Bless My Psyche “
Sincere Engineer’s sophomore effort shows tremendous growth, but also marks a coming out party to showcase that Sincere Engineer isn’t just a scrappy punk act, as evident on songs “Recluse In The Making,” and “Out Of Reach.” There’s still plenty of under dog/ broken heart on sleeves anthems like “Coming In Last” and “Dragged Across The Finish Line” to provide angst. “Bless My Psyche” is Midwestern punk/emo at its finest.
1.Turnstile - “Glow On”
Turnstile has turned a lot of heads in 2021, and rightfully so, as “Glow On” is the best record of the year. It’s not just hard core kids and punks taking notice, large festivals and outlets like GQ have caught on to Turnstile’s sound that is boldly elevating the genre into the future. There’s a sense of layering to the songs, and soundscapes that provide a fresh sound and outlook to a genre with cult-like ethos and traditional sounds. “Glow On” has potential to help write rock music history the way music industry executives have been clamoring for from the days of Nirvana.
Honorable mentions: “9th and Walnut” by the Descendents, “'Illusory Walls” by The World is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid to Die, “Georgia Blue” by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit , “Mid-Century Modern” by Talk Show Host.
Top EP: Driveways “Skeptic”
Song of the year: Novacub “She’s Just An Ex”
By MIKE DAMANTE
If you are a fan of music Mike Damante’s latest book “Hey Suburbia: A guide to the emo/pop-punk rise” is out now, and features interviews with blink-182. Descendents, New Found Glory and others.