2021: Noisescape’s Top Releases of the Year
Everyone’s soundtrack of 2021 varies, which is why we wanted to highlight some of our personally significant releases from the year as well as our readers’ favorites. Since we are a publication dedicated to showcasing a wide array of genres, the selections were naturally eclectic. Before getting into our poll results, a few of our staff members shared their favorite albums that were released this year.
Staff’s Top Picks
BLUE WEEKEND - WOLF ALICE
Blue Weekend is an amalgamation of grunge/shoe-gaze/alternative rock that happens to be so indicative of the Wolf Alice sound, yet still manages to sound fresher than ever. With the ferocious upbeat track “Play The Greatest Hits”, to their leading single & piano ballad, “The Last Man On Earth,” there’s a song for everyone to appreciate whether it’s their “cup of tea” or not. My personal favorite track being the finale, “Beach II,” as it artfully taps into their dreamy shoe-gaze persona.
- Deirdre Kelly (@fakesappy)
LISTEN: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon
CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST - TYLER THE CREATOR
Call Me If You Get Lost brings back a throwback genre of rap/hip-hop from the early 00's mixtape era, with some notable narration from Gangsta Grillz legend, DJ Drama. The production on here was sick, with half of the project having more gritty bass driven beats and the other half is more romantic and keyboard heavy, with production reminiscent of a 60's-70's yacht cruise. While this isn't my personal favorite project from Tyler, this album still shows that Tyler is in his own lane sonically and thematically. His way of story-telling is just mad dope and him blending the old 2000's mixtape style with his vintage style, it just sets this album apart from any other album that has come out this year.
-William Smith (@illwill17)
LISTEN: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon
STAINS - DE’WAYNE
Stains is DE’WAYNE’s debut album, but you would never guess it’s a freshman effort by listening to it. It’s an energetic, high-intensity alternative album about being yourself even when the world doesn’t want you to. It’s full of honesty and attitude- and it’s a must listen for anyone interested in the future of rock.
-Chris Riddle (@chrisonairwaves)
LISTEN: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon
FACES - MAC MILLER
Faces by Mac Miller, while it was not originally released in 2021, it’s re-release this year shows how influential Miller is even after his death in 2018. It’s eerie and emotional, taking us through his journey with drug addiction and his rise in fame. At some points it seems to foreshadow his death, which hurts even more when you think about how even he thought he wouldn’t be here for long. My favorite on the album is "Funeral." It's slow, the words are clear and focused and the beat puts you in a trance; almost allowing you to connect with the serenity he felt towards death. Whether you heard the album for the first time in 2014, or this October when it was added to most streaming platforms, its release hit fans just as hard as it did the first time.
-Michaela May (@mr_photog)
LISTEN: Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon
Our Readers’ Favorite Releases of 2021
Here at Noisescape Magazine, we conducted a survey for our readers to submit their favorite releases from this year. We created several categories including some genre-focused ones including: rock, pop, r&b, metal, country, and rap. We also included categories for fan-favorite EP’s and singles. Opening entries on November 21st and closing on December 19th, we’ve finally accumulated & determined our end results. So, if your favorite made it to our list, it was someone else’s favorite too! Everything listed was submitted more than once, thus creating a more concise Top 5 result.
Thank you so much to everyone who participated.
TOP 5 ROCK ALBUMS OF THE YEAR
Draw Down The Moon - Foxing
Buds - Ovlov
GLOW ON - Turnstile
Blue Weekend - Wolf Alice
The Battle At Garden’s Gate - Greta Van Fleet
TOP 5 POP ALBUMS OF THE YEAR
SOUR - Olivia Rodrigo
Star-Crossed - Kacey Musgraves
This Is What It Feels Like - Gracie Abrams
Happier Than Ever - Billie Eilish
Juno - Remi Wolf
TOP 5 R&B ALBUMS OF THE YEAR
Planet Her - Doja Cat
Heaux Tales - Jazmine Sullivan
And Then Life Was Beautiful - NAO
Collapsed In Sunbeams - Arlo Parks
What We Call Life - Jordan Rakei
TOP 5 METAL ALBUMS OF THE YEAR
Eternal Blue - Spiritbox
Kin - Whitechapel
Radical - Every Time I Die
Wallflowers - Jinjer
Fortitude - Gojira
TOP 5 COUNTRY ALBUMS OF THE YEAR
Pelago - Ryan Hurd
Good Time - Niko Moon
Good Things - Dan + Shay
Country Again (Side A) - Thomas Rhett
What A Song Can Do - Lady A
TOP 5 RAP ALBUMS OF THE YEAR
Call Me If You Get Lost - Tyler The Creator
Faces - Mac Miller
The Off Season - J. Cole
MONTERO - Lil Nas X
The Locket - Mr. Jukes & Barney Artist
TOP 5 EPs OF THE YEAR
Model Citizen - Meet Me @ The Altar
Paranoia Party - Frances Forever
…And I Return To Nothingness - Lorna Shore
Tear In The Fabric of Life - Knocked Loose
New Low - nightlife
TOP 5 SINGLES OF THE YEAR
“Silk Chiffon (ft. Phoebe Bridgers)” - MUNA
“All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)” - Taylor Swift
“The Death of Peace of Mind” - Bad Omens
“Industry Baby” - Lil Nas X
“To The Hellfire” - Lorna Shore
TOP 5 BREAKTHROUGH ARTISTS
OF THE YEAR
Gracie Abrams
BLACKSTARKIDS
Meet Me @ The Altar
Pinkshift
Plush
Your Top 10 Albums of the Year
Draw Down The Moon - Foxing
Nurture - Porter Robinson
GLOW ON - Turnstile
This Is What It Feels Like - Gracie Abrams
Blue Weekend - Wolf Alice
SOUR - Olivia Rodrigo
Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land - MARINA
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO FAKING YOUR DEATH - Jhariah
Bullseye - Charli Adams
STAINS - De’Wayne
Lucky for you, we’ve curated a Noisescape playlist comprised of all the tracks & artists listed above as well as some other submitted tracks that didn’t make the cut. So, if you feel like you missed out on some releases this year, our playlist is a great way to catch up before the new year! Or just revel in all of the fantastic music.