My Favorite Albums of 2021

I've seen a lot of people say that many of the albums that came out in 2021 were made to be the next big thing on TikTok. There is also many people that feel that some artists just made up of songs which don't really go together with more of collection of singles rather than a cohesive album. While I understand this is what many people are saying, especially in the mainstream charts, I would argue that there were many albums that came out last year which proves that there are many artists who can still pump out an "all killer no filler album". As we see in the new year and say goodbye to 2021, I want to take a look back at some of the best releases from last year and try to show there is still hope for anyone who loves a good album.

While She Sleeps - Sleep Society

(Search and Destroy Records)

Stand out tracks: SLEEP SOCIETY, SYSTEMATIC, NERVOUS, YOU ARE ALL YOU NEED

For fans of: Architects, Bury Tomorrow, Parkway Drive

Starting us off we have an album which would not exist without the fans. While She Sleeps went into their 5th studio album with a very different approach. The band set up the Sleep Society (same name as the album), a Patreon page set up to support the band on the making of this album and future endeavors. Giving the fans a closer connection to the band and giving the band security in this ever changing climate for the music industry. With this in mind, you can tell the amount of care and effort that has gone into the making of this album.The riff sound slick and heavy as they get and the production which is partly done by guitarist Sean Long is incredible considering this is all done in a studio made by the band themselves. Nevermind being made in the middle of a pandemic.

The album has a massive focus on mental health and how “broken” our world really is. Opening track ‘ENLIGHTENMENT(?)’ covers this perfectly with lyrics such as “If you feel like giving up Then there's something I need you to know That I'm here for you” while 'NERVOUS' FT Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil acts as a rallying cry for anyone suffering from mental health issues such as anxiety and that we are the controllers of our own destinies rather than our thoughts and our fears. 'SLEEP SOCIETY' covers how the band created the Sleep Society and how the band are “broadcasting on a different wave” referring to the scale of what they are trying to achieve with this project and this record. The Sleep Society even get themselves a time to shine on 'CALL TO THE VOID' where they Provide backing vocals. This album shows that the connection between the fans and artist is not dead and proves to be While She Sleeps most innovative album yet.

Wolf Alice - Blue Weekend

(Dirty Hit)

Stand out tracks: Delicious Things, Smile, Play the Greatest Hits, How Can I Make It OK?

For fans of: Blossoms, Sports Team, The Big Moon

Wolf Alice came back with their third album last summer and it feels like the band are at their most confident and best in terms of the lyrics and musicality. Ellie Rowsell's beautiful vocals on songs such as 'Lipstick On The Glass' shows the growth of her confidence as a front women for one of the best bands in the UK. Hitting some of the highest notes you will hear on this album and doing so with ease. This album ebbs and flows from calm, chilled out indie rock songs best played on a hot summer's day such as 'Delicious Things', to more louder songs such as ‘Smile’ and 'Play The Greatest Hits'' which you’d expected to be accompanied with scenes of mosh pits at a festival. The band even go into other genres with the folk sounds ‘Safe from Heartbreak (if you never fall in love)’ which go diving into a relationship which Ellie feels she is being used as a “play thing” to make someone's life “exciting” and states they “fucked with” their feelings while drummer Joel Amery join her with acapella effect. They also tackle many themes such as the bands rise in popularity with lyrics on 'Delicious Things' covering the time Ellie went to LA and was “no longer pulling pints, no longer cashing tills'' living out the dreams of many while 'Smile' is a full out attack on anyone who make judgment of others and putting them in a box. With an addictive rift and a catchy chorus, it's one of the biggest standout tracks on the album. Blue Weekend is the band's best outing to date and once again opens the conversation of the band being a future headliner for major festivals.

Royal Blood - Typhoons

(Warner)

Stand out tracks: Trouble’s Coming, Oblivion, Typhoons, Boilermaker

For fans of: Queens of The Stone Age, Death From Above 1979, The Amazons

Talking about bands that should be headlining Festivals, Brighton duo Royal Blood could have easily stuck to a similar sound generated from their first two albums. Wanting to do something different with album three, the band find themselves diving head first into a rock/ disco sound which they seem at home with. Taking inspiration from Dance legends such as Daft Punk and mixing it in with the classic Royal Blood bass riff. 'Troubles Coming' will have you tapping your feet as soon as Ben Thatcher's drum beat kicks in as well as Mike Kerr's mesmerizing bass line. The album covers Mike’s rock and roll lifestyle and the regrets that come with it and eventually making the album with him sobering up and creating Typhoons.

He declares that he “Can’t live like this forever, running out of liftlines”on 'Oblivion', which gives you an idea how wild things got in the Royal Blood camp once they came off stage. This doesn't surprise me when your band is hanging out with Queens of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme who produces the fan-favorite 'Boilermaker'. After being road tested in 2019 on their last tour, fans will be delighted that the song features on this album and is a great mix between the blue riff we're used to and the new found dance feel which Typhoons brings. Also the Queens of The Stone Age inspiration is clear from the first rift on the song. The album is capped off with “All We Have Is Now” which is a very John Lennon inspired track with the duo ditching the heavy bass and drums for a piano and talks about how time is precious and how we need to spend it with our loved ones. Overall, this album is filled with banger after banger and has allowed Royal Blood to reinvent themselves, Developing their sound and adding something different to their already impressive back catalogue.

Sleep Token - This Place Will Become Your Tomb

(Spinfarm)

Stand out tracks: Atlantic, Hypnosis, Alkaline, The Love You Want, Fall From me

For fans of: Loathe, Deftones, Black Peaks

Sleep Token have become one of the biggest mysteries in the metal scene over the last few years. A collective led by the mastermind known as Vessel. The group came back in 2021 with an album which allows Vessel to steal the show with their incredible vocals and the group don’t pin themselves down to a single genre. The band mixes heavy metal riffs, piano lead songs, electronic influences and exceptional song writing to create an album in which every song feels like they have their own identity yet fit together so well. The brilliant first song 'Atlantic' starts off with a beautiful piano melody which slowly builds up till you're hit in the face by the heavy guitar work and drums of the band. Slowly fading out with the same melody.

The album's main focus is the highs and lows of committing yourself to a relationship and the fears that come with it. “My insecurities surround me like lions in the den”, is one of the great lines from 'Fall From Me' which displays this mix of lovers being separated for so long and wanting to be together but also the fears and anxieties which come with a relationship. This album really opened my eyes to bands who mix genres which come natural to Sleep Token. They love to change their sound from song to song and make it blend beautifully which is why I think it's one of the best albums I’ve listened to in 2021. As the band would say, Worship!

Beartooth - Below

(Red Bull Records)

Stand out tracks: The Past Is Dead, Devastation, Skin, Fed Up

For fans of: I Prevail, While She Sleeps, Of Mice and Men

Beartooth brought all their rage to their fourth outing in the studio. Caleb Shomo's scream will hit your eardrums like a train, especially on the second song 'Devastation' opening with classic Caleb scream and guitars turned up to the max playing heavy riff. The song also includes one of the things that Beartooth excel in is making a very catchy pop style chorus which will stick in your head for days. I'm pretty sure you will find yourself singing the ‘whoa-ohs’ from 'The Past Is Dead'. The big singalong chorus shows the band's ambitions to begin belting this out in major arenas while still staying true to their heavy roots. Listening to a lot of the guitar work reminds me of more of the classic bands from the past.'Domination' sounds as if it has been plucked out of Slayer's back catalog, the verses from 'Phantom Pain' reminds me of Foo Fighters 'White Limo' but a lot heavier than Dave Grohl and co can get away with. And who can deny that 'The Last Rift' has a lot of Metallica vibes.

However, it would be a mistake to think that Beartooth are simply ripping off the legendary bands. The influence is definitely there but Beartooth make it their own and build their own legend through it. Caleb's songwriting takes you through his darkest thoughts that he had throughout the COVID pandemic stating in 'Skin' “I've been sleeping on the floor of my closet again wishing hopelessness is something I might beat in the end”, showing how depth of his lyrics. But the darker Caleb gets in this album, the better this album gets and highlights the troubles we've all had over the last two years and Caleb turns it into something positive. All of this creates an album which gives Beartooth their own sound and help them elevate further as a band.

Spiritbox - Eternal Blue

(Rise)

Stand out tracks: Hurt you, Yellowjacket , Holy Roller, We Live In A Strange World

For Fans Of: Bring Me The Horizon, Architects, Gorjira

Taking nearly four years to create, Eternal Blue is Canada's Spiritbox's first album and listening to it, it really doesn't feel like it. The album has the feel of a band who are very comfortable with what they are doing and they do it very well. The opening track 'Sun Killer' starts off slow and calm before exploding and hitting you in waves of screams from lead singer Courtney LaPante and wailing guitar from Mike Stringer. The first three songs perfectly fade into each other with each song starting as soon as the last one ends. As soon as you think you're done from the explosive 'Sun Killer', Stringer pulls you back in which an alarm bell like guitar sound to kick off the brutal "Hurt You" which then goes straight into 'Yellowjacket' featuring Sam Carter from the UK Metal Group Architects (more on them later).The song is the perfect example of the band mixing a modern heavy sound with digital synthesizers to create a unique sound which makes them stand out from the rest. Also hearing both Sam and Courtney trade vocals just before the final drop in this song is a joy to listen to. It seems that the band uses their time in the studio well and this isn’t the only time where some songs fade into each other effortlessly. The pairing of ‘Silk In The Strings’ and the juggernaut that is ‘Holy Roller ' is a perfect match of rageful heavy music while having the title track ‘Eternal Blue’ and 'We Live In A Strange World' together allows the listener to chill for a moment and allows Spiritbox to display their softer side while still displaying their incredible musicianship.

The album also contains moments where LaPante is able to demonstrate her vocal range such as in 'The Summit' where she displays more of a melodic side to her singing while mixing in some of more guttural screams, reminiscent of an early 2000 Evanescence, while ‘We Live In A Strange World’ is very reminiscent of Bring Me The Horizon 'That’s The Spirit' sound. Leaving a mix of arena rock and electronic elements. LaPante displays so much emotion on this album. Songs like 'Hurt You' displays how she can balance her heavy vocals and her clean vocals with ease. Also with lines such as “your medicine is the coldest war I'm happy when I hurt you”, you can’t deny that it's not just music which make Spirtibox so heavy. This album is a beautiful yet explosive debut from Spiritibox which has me hoping they come to the UK for a tour sooner rather than later.

Architects - For Those Who Wish To Exist

(Epitaph)

Stand out tracks: Dead butterflies, Animals, Goliath, Meteor

For fans of: Bring Me The Horizon, While She Sleeps, Bury Tomorrow

As we have covered Sam Carter’s vocals on "Yellowjacket", it would be rude to not talk about Architects' stellar ninth album. The Brighton metalcore band have been on one hell of a journey recently. From the passing of lead songwriter and guitarist Tom Searle to the major success which came with the 'Holy Hell"'album, the question was what's next for the band?. In came "For Those Who Wish To Exist", an album which acts as a warning to use about the damage we are doing to our environment and the doom that brings. "I want to sing you a different song, One that's easier to swallow" declares Sam on ‘Little Wonder’ Ft fellow Brighton musician Mike Kerr from Royal Blood, indicating this album isn't for someone looking for a happy-go-lucky album. This album is heavy in its delivery both musically and lyrically. Giving the grim reality of what our future can look like while the songwriter and drummer Dan Searle questions himself on how he can do better and taking accountability for his own actions. Sam’s vocal performance is exceptional on this record. Mixing his well known screams with cleaner vocals which kick home the message of the album and with his emotional delivery only just cements how good Architects are. I doubt lines such as “you're going to taste the ash, You're going to taste the dust, because this world is dying in our arms” on the single 'Black Lungs' would hit the same without Sam’s input. Another thing which took me by surprise on this album was how well the featured artists work with the band. Parkway Drive's Winston McCall is an easy fit in ‘Impermanence’ with his deep vocal screams suiting the song perfectly and helps the mid song become a highlight of the album. However, I was unsure how Mike Kerr and Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil would fit on this album. Kerr’s bluesy rock vocal delivery works well in the song 'Little Wonder' and makes you want more but Simon Neil on 'Goliath' is the pick of the bunch and lives up to its name.

Architects go back to their more speedy style of play which is reminiscent of some of their older songs such as 'Alpha Omega' but the song slows down as Neil enters the fray which starts to feel more like a Biffy Clyro song but then Architects pick up the pace and Neil delivers full on chaotic scream which will send shivers down your spine. 'Dying is absolutely safe' brings the album to a perfect close after the headbanging single "Meteor" with the band being backed by a orchestra and going acoustic, A bittersweet ending of acceptance of the situation we find ourselves in, it shows that Architects are not a one trick pony and the album has allowed them to expand their sound once more.

Biffy Clyro - The Myth Of The Happily Ever After

(Warner)

Stand out Tracks: A Hunger In Your Haunt, Denier, Separate Missions, Slurpy Slurpy Sleep Sleep

For fans Of: Muse, Dream Theater, Feeder

With all these features Simon Neil has been doing, and releasing Biffy’s excellent album "A Celebration of Endings" in 2020, you'd be surprised as I was to see a new Biffy's album being released in 2021. When this album was announced, I was under the impression that this album was all the B sides for the last album but oh, how I was wrong. The new album acts more as a continuation from Endings. While the majority of the previous album was recorded pre- lockdown mostly in America, the band had to record at home in Ayrshire due to restrictions but this doesn’t stop the band releasing their lockdown rage. Despite the calm start to the album with opening track ‘DumDum’, the anger and the despair which has arisen from the pandemic is clear to be seen. ‘I will ignore the bodies piled up at my door’ and ‘this is how you fuck it from the start’ are lines that are referencing the pandemic and could be linked to the government's handling of the situation. As soon as 'DumDum' is over, the band is unleashed and the next few songs show Biffy's incredible musicianship and showing how good they have become as a band. The album suddenly explodes into life with ‘A Hunger In Your Haunt’ which displays the band's frustrations once more but this time mixed with more electric guitar and more of Simon's iconic delivery. This pace continues until 'Separate Missions' which brings in some synths at the start of the song which at the start is very catchy yet get very synth heavy by the time Neil starts to sing on the track. The song keeps a medium pace throughout but then the song explodes to life with Simon going into a guitar solo and drummer Ben Johnstone being unleashed on the drums. I could be here talking all day about how good all these tracks are. 'Witch's Cup' is a great mix of rock and orchestral music, ‘Errors In The History Of God’ allows James Johnstone's bass to take center stage while 'Holy Water' and 'Haru Urara' show Biffy can have more softer moments on this album too. However, I love the progessive feel of the tracks ‘Unknown Male 01’ and the bizarre ‘Slurpy Slurpy Sleep Sleep’. The latter being a clear follow up to the previous albums ‘Cop Syrup’. The change in tempo and speed once again gives each band member a chance to shine and show off their amazing skills. The song is also the most positive on the album with Simon ending the album begging the listeners to ‘love everyone’ which is a huge contrast to the final line to the last album. Biffy Clyro once again shows why they are one of the best bands in Britain in both making hits and creating the best instrumentals for their songs. Their Download Festival headline show can’t come soon enough!!

Twenty One Pilots - Scaled and Icy

(Fueled By Ramen)

Stand out tracks: Shy Away, The Outside, Never take It, Saturday

For fans of: grandson, Foster The People, Paramore

The last two albums from the American duo Twenty One Pilots have given them worldwide recognition and have seen them go from playing small venues to co-headlining Reading and Leeds Festival with Post Malone and playing three sold out nights at Wembley Arena. These amazing achievements have led them to win multiple awards including a Grammy and won over a large fanbases so, 'Scaled and Icy' had a lot to live up to. I would say that the band have been able to hit them highs once again with a mostly party-like atmosphere which is a big move away from the dark story told in 2018’s Trench. The band go back to their early sound on opening track 'Good Day' with Tyler Josephs’ piano driving the song forward and despite the dark theme behind the song. This album can be compared to TOP's previous albums with many of the songs taking inspiration from 2009 self titled album with 'No Chances' feeling like something off 2015’s 'Blurryface' and the groovy pop song 'Saturday' feeling like a follow up to 'My Blood' from 2018 Trench. It seems TOP have come full circle incorporating all their sounds from their past. With some of the songs, there is definitely a more rock presence on this album with guitars being use. You can hear this first on lead single ‘Shy Away’ and they rarely leave from here. Joseph even mentions this on ‘Never Take It’ saying how he learned to play via Youtube and “tearing it up” which he does brilliantly with a cool rock solo near the end emulating something you’d hear on a Black Keys album. The album has many different themes flowing throughout. From the dealing of being in lockdown and the separation of others on 'Choker' to 'Shy Away' which challenges the listener to get out of their comfort zone and do something different. TOP even becomes political on ‘Never Take It’ with Joseph stating “they’re trying hard to weaponise you and I” clearly sending out a warning about the misinformation being spread on the internet that we have seen of late. All this makes a fun and solid album which explores different genres and themes throughout and proves to be another hit album for both Tyler and Josh.

Becky Hill - Only Honest On The Weekend

(Polydor)

Stand out tracks:Last Time, Make It Hard To Love You, My Heart Goes (La Di Da), Waiting Not Looking, Could Be My Somebody

For Fans Of: Oliver Heldens, Ella Eyre, Mabel

It has been almost ten years since Becky Hill made her debut on The Voice UK. Since then she has been featuring on dance bangers with the likes of Wilkinson (Afterglow), Oliver Heldens (Gecko (overdrive)) and Rudimental (Powerless). Despite these amazing songs that she has been a part of, an album has never materialized until 2021 where 'Only Honest On The Weekend"'dropped after some sensational performances at festivals such as Reading and Leeds. This Album is just another demonstration of Hill's amazing ability to create pop and dance hits. Bangers such as 'Last time', 'Remember' and 'My Heart Goes (La Di Da)' are destined to be played on mainstream radio and in clubs which their catchy choruses and slick production as well as Hill's incredible vocals which shines throughout this album and proves why she got so far in the finals of The Voice all those years ago. There is also a range of eye-catching guests on this album as well. From international DJs such as David Guetta and Topic to fellow singer-Songwriter Ella Eyre make for great additions which help elevate the album even further. However, I feel like some of the best bits of the album are the moments where Hill is center stage. Opening track 'I Got You' shows off her confidence in herself, her songwriting and her singing. Lines such as “I'm like a lioness and you're in my pride/ I will never be quiet about you” just show her confidence in herself. "Perfect People" is also a demonstration that Hill is not just about dance beats and can go for the piano driven love song, showing that she does have some range too. Finally ‘Waiting Not Looking’ is one of my favorite deep cuts from this album. The hazy feel of the song gives me the feeling of the buzz of a night out or for me at least, loading up an old school racing game on the PlayStation. The retro mix with Hill's vocals is very cool and something different from her big hitters. This is a fun but strong debut album From Becky Hill and I'm very interested to see where this takes her going into 2022.

Press to MECO - Transmute

(Marshall)

Stand Out Tracks: Another Day, Smoldering Sticks, A Test Of Our Resolve, Sabotage, Gold

For Fans Of: Biffy Clyro, Vukovi, Arcane Roots

Press to MECO's careers were on the line when they were making album three. With bassist Adam Roffey leaving the band after the release of 'Here’s to the Fatigue'. This left the band in limbo and they considered calling it a day. Both members Lewis Williams (Drums/Vocals) and Luke Caley (Guitar/ Vocals) gave MECO a second chance and signed up bassist and vocalist Jake Crawford. The band wanted to fly out to America to record the album but due to the pandemic this was not possible, instead the band settling with a 16th century castle in the Cotswolds and thinking this album would be “the last thing” they would do. The band give it their all with some amazing musicianship, a much heavier sound and great harmonies from the trio. The title track feels like you're in the middle of a factory before the fire alarm that is 'Another Day' which exploded this album into life. The frustrations of the bands situation can be felt on this song with the band claiming they are “punching the gas on an already steady decline.” ‘Smoldering Sticks’ has an addictive bass line thanks to Crawford which gives me a feel of Biffy Clyro especially when the song hits its drop. Same can be said for ‘A Test of Our Resolve’ which proves to be the band's big singalong song off the album thanks to the big chorus and epic riffs.

"Baby Steps" show the band is capable to slow down and be more reserved on the album yet also shows them at their heaviest on this album, with Crawford coming in for the vocal screams at the end which add another layer to MECOs sound. You can really get a feel for the castle atmosphere and step up at the start of the song with the guitar feeling as if it's being played in a live set up rather than being in a studio which will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. It makes for a rawer sound rather than a polished sound you hear from most rock bands. 'Sabotage' is another highlight from this album. With an intense opening with chaotic guitar riffs and a cowbell going off and the finishing up with an orchestra playing in the background which is similar to the Bring Me The Horizon track 'Wonderful Life'. 'Gold' starts with a slower tempo going into but then but then halfway through with some mesmerizing rifts for Caley which shows off the brilliance of this album. It seems that Press to MECO have taken their frustrations out on making this album and have been able to turn the negative thoughts onto it head and quite possibly their best record to date. With some gentle parts injected throughout and some amazing heavy riffs shows that the band from Crawley still have plenty to give.

As December Falls - Happier

(ADF Records)

Stand out track: Afterglow, You Say When, I Don’t Feel Like Feeling Great, Nothing on You,Tears

For Fans Of: Paramore, Meet Me @ The Altar, Hot Milk

In the last few years, there seems to be a massive pop punk revival in the American scene. Many new acts such as Olivia Rodrigo, WILLOW and Meet Me @ The Altar have experienced major success plus there is also more interest in 2000s acts such as Avril Lavigne and Paramore. The UK has also seen this happening and a good example of a great new pop punk act coming through is As December Falls. The band, who are from Nottingham, are coming off a very successful self titled debut album, with their song 'Ride' getting over a million streams on Spotify. Album two named 'Happier' has a focus on mental health, break ups and working on yourself to make you feel better. The songs off this album all give off a positive message and work to make the fans empowered and can be very relatable from everyone after some of the stuff we've all been through in the last few years. 'I Don’t Feel Like Feeling Great' is a great example of this with the lyrics talking about how it's okay with not being okay and taking on whatever challenge comes out of you. Lines such as “I grit my teeth, I'm suffering” and "I won't be one for giving in" shows lead singer Bethany Curtis can demonstrate both strength and vulnerability in her song writing. The message of this song and most of this album is that it is okay to not be okay and this song is a perfect example of this. Also the input of Ande Hunter's guitar solo gives it the icing on the cake of a solid track. The band also hit out at the music industry on 'Nothing On You' with Bethany singing about how the industry can ruin the experience of being in a band and how the fans are what matters. This demonstrates As December Falls attitude throughout the album. How you have to work on yourself to ultimately make yourself happier and in this instance Bethany is making clear that the business side of the industry is not her main focus and her main focus is on her fans and doing what she and the rest of the band love and playing music. There are many other highlights. ‘Tears'’ addictive chorus will have you singing along to the end, Lukas James drumming on ‘H.N.A’ (and for the whole album) is sublime and 'One Last Song' displays both Bethany, Ande and Timmy Francis vocals at their best. By a country mile, this is one of the best self released albums that came out in 2021 and acts as an amazing love letter to pop punk from the early 2000s.

As Everything Unfolds - Within Each Lies The Other

(Long Branch)

Stand out tracks: On The Inside, Wallow, Stranger In The Mirror, Grayscale, Hiding from Myself

For Fans of: Dream State, Architects, Holding Absence

There were many debut albums which also caught my eye, 'Within Each Other Lies The Other"is just one of them. It's been a long time coming for As Everything Unfolds, who have been together since 2013. However this album does not disappoint with the band bringing their all to the project and showing the promise which the band have to become a major player in the rock and metal scene. The opening song 'On The Inside' perfectly demonstrates what As Everything Unfolds are all about. Mixing in heavy guitar riffs of Adam Kerr and Owen Hill with the synths of Jon Cassidy which accompany each other well. Meanwhile, lead singer Charlie Rolfe shows off her vocal range throughout this album with songs featuring clean melodic singing and dark guttural screams similar to fellow lead singer CJ Gilpin (Dream State), Sam Carter (Architects) and Becca Macintrye (Marmozets). What makes Rolfe's vocals stand out is her emotional delivery on both sides of her range. You really get a feel of some of her darkest thoughts just through her vocal delivery, never mind her lyrics. This is where I think the band excels on this album in getting their message out to the audience in a way in which hits you hard and sticks with you. The messages and the lyrics are not the only thing that hit hard as well. The opening of 'Wallow' has the feel of a Slipknot song with its programmed start which then descends into the rest the band hitting the listener with insane guitar and drum work and Rolfe delivering some her best vocals on the album for both screams and clean vocals. The ending of this album gives you a triple header which does not relent. ‘Hiding From Myself’ breakdown is just insane to listen to with the amazing work from all members of the band. ‘One Last Time’ is full of emotion which is amplified but both lead guitarist Kerr and Rolfe and ‘Wither’ is the perfect climax to an album which shows a lot of promise of a band destined to be something special.

Sam Fender - Seventeen Going Under

(Polydor)

Stand out tracks: Seventeen Going Under, Getting Started, Aye, Get You Down, Spit Of You

For fans of: Brunce Springsteen, The Killers, Sundara Karma

It would be a crime not to talk about these last two albums when speaking about great albums from 2021. The first one would be Sam Fender's second album ‘Seventeen Going Under’. This album tells a story of Fender’s youth and he eventually becomes a man dealing with all sorts of situations such as his own mental health, his family's struggles and even takes shots at our government in an album which acts as the soundtrack to many peoples summers that are still yet to come. This is all summed up perfectly but the first track on the album is also the title track. Sam is able to set the scene with this album by talking about the “fist fights on the beach” and also how the DWP just see Sam's mother as a “Number”. Accompanied by a big chorus which act as a big indie sing along shows off sam's skills at songwriting and also creating a massive rock song which will rock festivals and arenas.

‘Getting Started’ and ‘Get You Down’ are once again great examples of this as well but what I love about this album is that despite the indie rock feel, Sam is not scared to make his voice heard and get dark. ‘Aye’ acts as a major politically charged song as Sam is not scared to question people from different class systems from the “woke kids” and the government who have “watched atom bombs reduce two cities to dust”. This shows Sam at his most angry and most brutal. What I love about Sam's writing is that he can realize his own faults and not portray himself as perfect and at times is very critical of himself. He is very frank with his mental health as well describing himself as “spiraling” on ‘Seventeen Going Under’ while on ‘Mantra’ he shows his willingness to correct his faults even though he fails “at every hurdle”. The stand out song for me has to be ‘Spit Of You’. A heavily emotionally driven song in which Sam talks about his fractious relationship with his dad and how they can’t talk to one another, once Sam talked openly about his flaws and also his fathers too. Talking about how they both are “smashing cups” and “kicking walls”. Also Sam's vocals show his frustration with the situation and shows him at his most emotional. There is a clear inspiration from Bruce Springsteen as from most of Sam's songs but there are many other more modern rock inspirations which can be found on this album with hints of The Killers and indie rock such as Sundara Karma. Mixing this all together gives Sam his own sound and something which has an ode to the past and a feel of the present. This album is a big step up from his previous album ‘Hypersonic Missiles’ and sets up Sam to become one of the country's biggest rock star in years.

Arlo Parks - Collapsed In Sunbeams

(Transgressive)

Stand Out Tracks: Hurt, Too Good, Hope, Black Dog, Eugene

For Fans Of: Easy Life, Joy Crookes, Phoebe Bridgers

The final album on the review of 2021 comes from the quite brilliant Arlo Parks with Collapsed In Sunbeams. This album came out right at the start of the year when many of us were locked down in our house once more. For me, this album acted as the escape from all of the negativity which came with having to shielding because of COVID and act as a reassurance that things will get better and we are not alone in this mess we find ourselves in. This message is repeated throughout the album. Most notably on ‘Hurt’ and ‘Hope’ with Parks claiming that things “won’t hurt forever” and that “we all have scars” so her understanding that everyone has their own story to tell but ultimately we are not alone when it comes to mental health issues and that everything does get better. This sort of messaging gives you a feeling of warmth and reassurance and with everything going on currently in the world- I feel that's something we need right now. It's not just Parks encouraging lyrics which makes this album great. The instrumental arrangement of the album is one of the major factors which gives this album its chill vibes with a mix of jazz and indie pop. It allows the songs to flow nice and calmly and suit Parks' vocals perfectly. Being a poet also plays into parks strengths on this album as well as she breaks into spoken word throughout the album which adds something different and one of the many things which make this album very unique from the rest on this list. Parks' also gets very personal on this record notably on ‘Black Dog’ where she talks about a person's “terrifying” fight with depression and also on ‘For Violet’ where Parks speaks about the disapproval and struggles of being bixsexual. Parks tackles these subjects and does so in a way where Parks can voice her frustration or try to promote a positive message in her music. Listening to this album makes it clear why Park's is a Brit award winner and a former BBC Introducing Artist of The Year. Her amazing songwriting and unique style makes this album one of the best debut albums I've heard in a long time.

I could talk about so many other great albums but by that point I'd still be writing this into 2023 so I have put together an honorable mentions list with some albums from 2021 which I also enjoyed, as well as some EPs and compilation albums which I loved and I really wanted to talk about but did not quite qualify for this list.

• Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes - Sticky

• Don Broco - Amazing Things

• Hacktivist - Hyperdialetic

• Bullet For My Valentine - Bullet For My Valentine

• Foo Fighters - Medicine At Midnight

• KSI - All Over The Place

• IDLES - Crawler

• Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever

• Employed To Serve - Conquering

• Everyone You Know - Just for the Time

• Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert

• AJ Tracey - Flu Game

• Holding Absence - The Greatest Mistake of My Life

• S-X - A Repeat Wouldn't Go A Miss

• Yonaka- Seize the Power

• Creeper - American Noir*

• Enter Shikari - Moratorium (Broadcasts From The Interruption)**

*= EP

**= Compilation

I would like to say a massive thank you to Paul Staples and Leia Shorney for their help with making this blog. Please check out some of their work below.

Paul - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyAlwXMzhDq6uNpFMEjNESQ

Leia - https://leiashorney.wixsite.com/mysite