Albums you missed in 2021

Lil Ugly Mane - Volcanic Bird Enemy and the Voiced Concern

Genres: trip hop, alt rap, art pop

Having gained a sort of legend status in the world of underground hip-hop, Lil Ugly Mane’s first album in several years shows him taking a complete artistic redirection from the southern rap of his past. Instead, he opted for a leftfield take on trip hop and indie rock. Although this aesthetic diversion put the rapper at risk of alienating his core fanbase, the appeal of the album is undeniable–look no further than the synth lead on “Benadryl Submarine”.

Shame - Drunk Tank Pink

Genres: indie rock, post-punk

The Brixton band’s second full-length outing shows them reconciling their punk roots with a more melodic side; just listen to the harmonies on “Nigel Hitter” or the chorus of “Human For a Minute”. While Shame does wear its 70s and 80s influences on its sleeve, Drunk Tank Pink’s energy and directness remain refreshing in the often stuffy and self-important landscape of modern subversive rock.

Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee

Genres: indie pop, chamber pop

Japanese Breakfast’s third album evokes a hazy sort of melancholy. In a tasteful blend of vintage synths, inventive percussion, and folk-informed guitarwork, she creates a wistful yet infectious set of songs with an eclectic range of influences. Given her current output, it’s clear that the songwriter has more than a few tricks up her sleeve.

Helvetia - Essential Aliens

Genres: indie rock, psychedelic rock

One of several 2021 releases from the longtime indie rock collective, Essential Aliens has been heralded as Helvetia’s best album in years. The band proves they’re still paragons of atmosphere with the psychedelic tiptoe of “Rocks on the Ramp” and the noisy guitar stylings of “New Mess”. While frontman Jason Albertini more or less lives in the shadow of his older work (most notably with 90s slowcore band Duster), his recent output is imaginative and extremely competent.