Congratulations, you’ve survived year 2 of the apocalypse!
Before I get going, I wanted to quickly preface the first entry in this musical repository by giving a little background on why it exists.
Back in early 2020, before the shit hit the fan, Radar had just come off a string of really rad shows and things were rolling right along. Then the world began to shut down; professional sports teams canceled games, businesses closed their doors, the world locked down, and eventually live music became a distant memory. While I have tried to stay creative throughout the pandemic it has not always been easy without having a real-life outlet like live music to keep moving me forward.
This blog exists as a place for me to exercise that musical muscle while also sharing the things about music that I truly love (sonically and physically). My hope is that at least 1 person reading this will find a new band they like or a book they want to read or just feel connected in this crazy, digital world we live.
With that being said, I figured this was the perfect time to share the music that really resonated with me in 2021. Initially I planned to do a top 10 list but as I began to put this together, I found it to be cumbersome as my rankings kept changing (who needs that kind of stress at the end of another hard year?). I’ve decided instead to simply share my favorite 21 albums in no particular order.
For anyone interested in an easy spot to listen to all the music mentioned below, you can find the Spotify playlist HERE.
So, without further procrastination, here we go.
Mogwai – As The Love Continues
Release Date: February 19, 2021
Genre: Post-Rock, Instrumental Rock, Space Rock
A combination of some really cool synth/piano based melodies and dreamy guitar riffs make this a great album for those moments when you just need to focus on the task at hand.
Eldovar (Elder & Kadavar) – A Story of Darkness & Light
Release Date: December 3, 2021
Genre: Hard Rock, Psychedelic Progressive Rock, Stoner Rock
This album is cool for so many different reasons but I’ll start with the fact that it is a joint effort between two really talented bands. I’m not exactly sure how you would even begin a project like this but the end product is quite the trip. Would recommend for anyone who likes 2112 type progressive rock.
Blackwater Holylight – Silence/Motion
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Genre: Rock
Discovered these gals this year as they were on tour with Swedish stoners, Monolord. The opening track, ‘Delusional’, sets the stage perfectly for what to expect which is a whole lot of riffage. My favorite track is the haunting but oddly uplifting title track, ‘Silence/Motion’.
Kanaan – Earthbound
Release Date: November 12, 2021
Genre: Heavy Rock, Psychedelic Jazz
This one, at times, has late Pink Floyd vibes (think A Momentary Lapse in Time) paired with raucous riffs that transport you in and out of this psychedelic world. If I had to choose one word to describe, I would say: EPIC. The fact that the album is called Earthbound is perfect…once done listening, you’re definitely on a different planet.
Adele – 30
Release Date: November 19, 2021
Genre: Pop Soul
Who doesn’t love Adele? There are quite a few haunting melodies on this record and some absolute bangers as well. At times, I feel like I am listening to an Elton John record and I love that. It’s the perfect mix of sad, happy, party that you can toss on whenever you just want to vibe, regardless of your mood.
Can’t Swim – Change of Plans
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Genre: Post-Hardcore, Alternative Rock
Take me back to 2009 cause this album pulls straight from that era of Emo/Post-Hardcore. From start to finish, this one is a home run filled with infectious melodies, an incredibly tight rhythm section and some of the most heartfelt lyrics I’ve heard this year.
The Bronx – Bronx VI
Release Date: August 27, 2021
Genre: Punk Rock
The Bronx take names and leave no prisoners. 36 minutes of pure Punk-Rock with some of the best guitar work of 2021. For anyone looking to have a good time or throw back some beers or get in a fight, this is the album that needs to be playing.
Kings of Leon – When You See Yourself
Release Date: March 5, 2021
Genre: Alternative Rock, Southern Rock, Garage Rock
Sit back, relax and grab a glass of old NO. 2. Kings of Leon have always held a soft spot in my heart as I saw them open up for U2 in 2005 (a couple of years before they blew up). It seems that with every album they put out, they come more into their own and continue to build upon what they have accomplished so far in their career. When You See Yourself is no exception and an album that has been a mainstay in my rotation since March.
King Buffalo – Acheron
Release Date: December 3, 2021
Genre: Heavy Psychedelic Rock
This is what I imagine an out of body experience feeling like. Not much more needs to be said…this one rocks.
Weezer – OK Human
Release Date: January 29, 2021
Genre: Alternative Rock
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to confidently say, “I like the new Weezer album”, but I have arrived. OK Human is a departure from the experimental phase Weezer has gone through over the last several years (or decade depending who you ask) but this album sounds more like Weezer and I’m thankful for that. The use of the orchestral pieces as the foundations for most the early songs really lets this one breath and gives it quite a unique polish.
Manchester Orchestra – The Million Masks Of God
Release Date: April 30, 2021
Genre: Indie Rock
This album is exactly what you’d expect from Manchester Orchestra and that is why I love it. It has big moments and small moments but always hits the right spot emotionally, for me. Andy Hull is one of my favorite song writers due to his unique voice, delivery and writing. The lyrical content on The Million Masks Of God is no different, it is some of his absolute best and the band does the rest.
My Morning Jacket – Self-Titled
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Genre: Indie Rock, Psychedelic Rock
Another year, another My Morning Jacket album. The follow up to 2020’s, ‘The Waterfall II’, this self-titled effort is exactly what I’d expect it to feel like hearing a CCR album for the first time in 2021.
Thrice – Horizons/East
Release Date: September 17, 2021
Genre: Post-Hardcore, Alternative Rock
Thrice is one of those bands that evolves with every album they put out, although I felt like they stalled briefly in 2018 with their release, ‘Palms’. It wasn’t a bad album, it just didn’t push the envelope enough to do anything for me. Horizons/East is a return to that evolution for Thrice and I wholeheartedly embrace it. If you have not, I highly recommend giving this one a spin.
Ryan Adams – Big Colors
Release Date: June 11, 2021
Genre: Folk Rock, Indie Rock
I love this album. It is for those days I feel unsure of myself or my head is in the clouds. Some really great twangy & spacey guitar riffs that are sure to bounce around in your head for days. Ryan Adams has cemented himself as a master of heartache and rainy days and Big Colors conveys exactly that.
Failure – Wild Type Droid
Release Date: December 3, 2021
Genre: Alternative Rock, Post-Grunge
The album I needed that I didn’t know I needed. Honestly had never heard of Failure until I was sent a link to this album and pressed play. I had zero expectations going in and I think that is why I like it so much. It is a great mix of 90’s grunge and present day rock and I’d say every single song on this album could get radio play if that’s how things worked in 2021. This album was 100% my underdog album of the year.
Monolord – Your Time To Shine
Release Date: October 29, 2021
Genre: Doom Metal, Stoner Metal, Psychedelic Rock
Get your battle axe out, cause we’re going to war. Riff city is a kingdom and Monolord have just claimed the throne…Your Time To Shine is what every doom fan has been asking for since Black Sabbath’s Sabotage came out. Best if played at full volume at 33 1/2 RPM.
Royal Blood – Typhoons
Release Date: April 30, 2021
Genre: Alternative Rock, Hard Rock, Garage Rock
An absolute joy to listen to front to back. If you are ever looking for a rock album to dance to, this would be the one. What happens when a huge power trio gets introduced to a dance floor you ask? Typhoons!
Turnstile – Glow On
Release Date: August 27, 2021
Genre: Hardcore Punk, Post-Hardcore, Alternative Rock
Glow On is the most percussion-centric album that came out in 2021 (don’t even argue with me, you’d be wrong to) and I’m ecstatic about it. Turnstile was able to successfully take their post-hardcore/punk sound and throw it into a melting pot with several other genres and sounds which results in the quickest 34 minutes you’ll listen to this year.
Every Time I Die – Radical
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Genre: Metalcore
This one was well worth the wait as COVID had initially delayed the release. Radical is exactly that…Radical. This album is home to some of the grittiest vocals I’ve ever heard and the lyrical content is fueled by the incredibly difficult desperate times we are currently living in. If you ever feel like you want to bite someones head off, play this record first as it is sure to help releive anger/stress.
Foo Fighters – Medicine At Midnight
Release Date: February 5, 2021
Genre: Rock
David Bowie’s let’s dance meets 2021. Honestly did not know what to expect with the first single being ‘Shame, Shame’ but this has grown on me every single listen to the point that I would put it in my top 5 Foo albums.
Green Lung – Black Harvest
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Genre: Heavy Rock, Occult Rock, Psychedelic Rock
My favorite find of the year, Green Lung. If you like Sabbath and classic rock, this album is exactly what you have been searching for. The guitar playing on this album is something to behold and I honestly believe these guys sold their souls so that they can rock this hard. 10/10
The Restless Sound 
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