Cancellations, and caution about COVID meant that 2021 was once again a year when my opinions on albums were shaped largely by home listening rather than live experiences. The exception to this being Wolf Alice: an amazing gig at a small venue undoubtedly influenced the second placed album on this list. There was little doubt in my mind though that The Weather Station would be my favourite of the year. It was selected for my enjoyment of its music, but its message about climate change is urgent and timely. As ever, these are personal, but heartfelt choices.
1) The Weather Station Ignorance
2) Wolf Alice Blue Weekend
3) Cassandra Jenkins An Overview on Phenomenal Nature
4) The War on Drugs I Don't Live Here Anymore
5) Still Corners The Last Exit
6) London Grammar Californian Soil
7) Sarah Jarosz Blue Heron Suite
8) Torres Thirstier
9) Lord Huron Long Lost
10) Lump Animal
11) Israel Nash Topaz
12) Allison Russell Outside Child
13) Brandi Carlisle In These Silent Days
14) Hiss Golden Messenger Quietly Blowing It
15) Valerie June The Moon and Stars
16) Lucy Dacus Home Video
17) St. Vincent Daddy's Home
18) Sons of Kemet Back To The Future
19) Efterklang Windflowers
20) The Staves Good Woman
Honourable Mentions
- Art School Girlfriend Is It Light Where You Are
- Black Country New Road For The First Time
- Celeste Not Your Muse
- Julien Baker Little Oblivians
- Laura Stevenson Self-titled
- Lorde Solar Power
- Low Hey What
- Nubyian Twist Freedom Fables
- Vijay Iyer Uneasy
- Watchhouse Self Titled (formerly Mandolin Orange)
