Best of 2021 | Ryan D.
Wow, once again it feels like it has been the longest year since last year! With all the turmoil in the world and the exhausting amount of nonsense (& oh yeah and we are STILL in a fucking pandemic!!!) I once again turn to music to help get me through it all. Music has always been my therapy, my escape, and being able to share my love of it with all of you is the best… my favorite thing in the universe honestly!
Speaking of the best, the albums and EPs mentioned below are the absolute BEST of the best, the healing sounds that help me push on through every day! The top 20 of 2021 were selected from an overwhelming abundance of standout releases from this year.
I very much want to thank each and every one of the musicians I have focused on here at the Music Savage blog, and on The Music Savage Show over on WMFO 91.5 FM, from the bottom of my heart for creating such brilliant music and sharing it with the world.
And now dear friends I present to you my favorites of the past year. I hope you enjoy these selections as much as I do, and I hope 2022 brings you tons of happiness and joy… and more incredible music of course!
Heartless Bastards – A Beautiful Life
Released September 10th via Sweet Unknown Records, Pick It Up Here!
Hiss Golden Messenger – Quietly Blowing It
Released June 25th via Merge, Pick It Up Here!
Tristen – Aquatic Flowers
Released June 4th via Mama Bird, Pick It Up Here!
Aaron Lee Tasjan – Tasjan Tasjan Tasjan
Released February 5th via New West, Pick It Up Here!
Arlo Parks – Collapsed Into Sunbeams
Released January 29th via Transgressive, Pick It Up Here!
Amyl and The Sniffers – Comfort To Me
Released September 10th via ATO, Pick It Up Here!
Yola – Stand For Myself
Released July 30th via Easy Eye Sound, Pick It Up Here!
Christopher Paul Stelling – Forgiving It All
Released September 24th independently, Pick It Up Here!
Kaiti Jones – Tossed
Released March 5th independently, Pick It Up Here!
Eliza Shaddad – Woman You Want
Released July 16th on Ferryhouse Productions, Pick It Up Here!
Coral Moons – Fieldcrest
Released August 6th, Pick It Up Here!
Zach Schmidt – Raise A Banner
Released April 16th Via Big Dawg, Pick It Up Here!
Chloe Foy – Where Shall We Begin
Released July 11th via Chloe Foy Music, Pick It Up Here!
Lucy Dacus – Home Video
Released June 25th via Matador, Pick It Up Here!
Courtney Barnett – Things Take Time, Take Time
Released November 12th via Milk!, Pick It Up Here!
Gentle Temper – Same Blood
Released July 21st, Pick It Up Here!
Holy Ship – Les Deux Regards
Released April 9th via Declared Goods, Pick It Up Here!
Teddi Gold – Vol. 2
Released October 2nd through Casual Records, Pick It Up Here!
Peach Baby – Sensations
Released August 27th via Lazy Octopus Records, Pick It Up Here!
Stephen Chopek – Dweller
Released August 6th on Declared Goods Records, Pick It Up Here!
Spotify Playlist!
