Nolan James
Arts and Culture Editor
5. Japanese Breakfast – Jubilee
Michelle Zauner, bandleader for indie pop group Japanese Breakfast, has been a strong force in the music industry for years now. It comes across as ironic that the group is just now being nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys, as if their debut studio album Psychopomp was not one of the more exciting releases of 2016. Nonetheless, their newest album Jubilee represents new heights for them, as well as one of the best indie pop albums in years. Each song is elevated to greatness by Zauner’s excellent songwriting and vocal performances, though it is opener Paprika in particular that will likely go down as one of the best songs this decade. Despite how great this album is, it would not be a surprise if Zauner topped it with a later release given her immense talent, and that is saying something, given how great this is.
- Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
U.K. rapper Little Simz first received significant attention with her 2019 record Grey Area. That album was short and concise, at only 35 minutes in length. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert is nearly double that length, and throws back to the days of lengthy conscious rap albums, Kanye West’s Late Registration in particular. A strong, political concept, lush and ambitious orchestration and periodical skits are not all-too-common in the hip hop industry, largely because they are hard to pull off well, but Little Simz handles them deftly. The result is one of the most ambitious and beautiful rap projects in years. The opening track Introvert is a thunderous and mind blowing start to the album. However, Point and Kill, one of the few moments with a guest feature on the album, is the real highlight, boasting an incredibly groovy beat and fantastic feature by artist Obongjayar. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert might not quite be the best album of the year, but it is the biggest, and the massive amount of critical attention it has received is more than well-deserved.
- Magdalena Bay – Mercurial World
Going over Mercurial World’s incredible tracklist, it is amazing how many standout moments there are. Each song is catchy and well put-together dance music that only grows in quality the more it is played. The debut album by synthpop group Magdalena Bay, Mercurial World is easily the most fun album of the year. The album’s amazing single selection should make that clear, especially the popular standout You Lose!, though the rest of the tracklist is just as strong. The album begins where it ends, resulting in an infinite loop of dance music, should the listener choose to let it play back again. That outcome is likely, not because the album requires multiple listens to understand, but because it is just so consistently enjoyable. The two albums ranking higher than Mercurial World on this list are more impressive in various ways, but this is the most fun on a purely physical level, and that deserves praise.
- Injury Reserve – By the Time I Get to Phoenix
This is 11 of the weirdest, most experimental, and most beautifully profound songs of the year. Rap group Injury Reserve really push the boundaries of experimental hip hop in new and exciting ways. This is one of those landmark releases that will stand as one of the foundations for the industry going forward. By the Time I Get to Phoenix may be disjointed and hard to decipher, but there is an atmosphere of oppressive sadness that punctuates the whole album. This is largely the result of group member Stepa J. Grogg’s unfortunate passing during the recording process, the effects of which are felt on every track. The experimental sound is complimented by similarly disjointed lyrics that feel more like a cry for help than an actual narrative. Almost all semblance of standard song structure is thrown out the window. Lead single Knees in particular is a strangely beautiful song, one that is hard not to tear up at, and is easily the best single of the year.
- Parannoul – To See the Next Part of the Dream
Not much is known about Korean shoegaze artist Parannoul other than that he is a student writing music by himself, and that he released the best album of 2021. This is truly the greatest rock album in years. At over an hour in length, with multiple tracks nearing the 10-minute mark, To See the Next Part of the Dream manages to make every second count with its chaotic and noisy sound. Much has been commented on the album being made using entirely VST instruments, and that is extremely impressive given how amazing the record sounds, though the album is great even without that knowledge. Lyrically To See the Next Part of the Dream deals with depression and the resulting difficulties of day-to-day life, and it is poignantly beautiful, though the vocals are drowned in a sea of heavy, oppressive guitar sounds. At times Parannoul gives up trying to explain his situation lyrically and simply screams to be heard over the instrumentation, and it is emotionally effective. The 10-minute epic White Ceiling serves as a centerpiece to the album, and despite its gargantuan length, is also one of the most beautiful and enjoyable songs the genre has to offer. This sort of noisy, lo-fi rock music will not be for everyone, but it is the most impressive, and ultimately the best, release of the year.
