Welcome. I’ve been lazy and I’ve been backed up with stuff but I am finally writing this post about some of my favorite music from 2021. This is just the tip of the iceberg and I guess more than that a snapshot of what I remember liking best from the year. Tell me I’m right, or tell me I’m wrong, or hit me up for any other reason if you just want to talk.
Frankie Traandruppel – Asbestos Eye Candy
Typically leaning more into the fuzzed-out lo-fi indie ripper category, this EP has Frankie Traandruppel cleaning up his act a bit and embracing some country, some pop, some Libertines. It sounds like songs I’ve heard in a past life, in a way that wormed into my brain after listening to them the first time and they were immediately intimately familiar. Four hits.
Ducks Ltd. – Modern Fiction
Do you like The Mice and The Feelies and that jingly jangly indie rock stuff? Me too! This perfectly channels those sounds and I don’t know what else to say… just pump it into my veins.
Dazy – MAXIMUMBLASTSUPERLOUD: The First 24 Songs
Do you remember driving around listening to cool alternative FM radio in the 90’s? If you do, or especially if you don’t, you need to listen to Dazy and that is exactly the feeling you will have. A thrilling blast of fuzzy alt-rock power pop riffs and hooks. Familiar sounds with refreshing takes. I don’t think I can really add anything that David Anthony didn’t cover in his article on Dazy’s James Goodison. I was a huge Teen Death fan and remember being bummed out that they stopped making music. Then Dazy happens and it’s even cooler and better.
Fake Fruit – S/T
Oakland’s own Fake Fruit, ladies and gentlemen. Loose, nervy post-punk with some really fantastic performances by singer Hannah D’Amato. Almost guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Fiddlehead – Between The Richness
It’s no secret how much I connected with Fiddlehead’s previous record, Springtime and Blind, and I was a little worried they would struggle to hit the highs of that record. I’m happy to report that I was extremely wrong and this record is just as good, if not better.
Bob Dylan – The Bootleg Series Vol. 16: Springtime in New York 1980–1985
Finally! A bootleg series from one of the most inscrutable periods of Bob Dylan’s career, which makes it one of my favorites. As good as Infidels is it boggles the mind that songs like Too Late and Blind Willie McTell were left off. This collects all those tracks, loses most of those 80’s production choices that can be distracting at times, and offers a wealth of tracks that could have been the best song on the records Bob Dylan put out during this period.
Shitty Neighbors – People I Know
There is an extremely good punk band from Toledo, Ohio. Seems ridiculous, I know, but here we are with People I Know by Shitty Neighbors. Track after track of infectious punk rock tunes and swear words. I played this record to death in 2021 and I still can’t get enough.
End You – Aimless Dread
This record absolutely knocked me out. Incredibly, this is a solo project. The songs are complex, crushing, and incredibly dynamic. I can’t wait for more.
Bummer – Dead Horse
Nasty music for nasty people. This is the best record Bummer has put out. They honed their riffs to perfection on this one.
Honorable Bonus Mentions
More great music, if you want to dig a little deeper:
- The Armed – ULTRAPOP
- Big|Brave – Vital
- The Body & Big|Brave – Leaving None But Small Birds
- The Cowboy – Riddles From The Universe
- The Exbats – Now Where Were We
- Good Morning – Barnyard
- Headcheese – S/T
- Hovvdy – True Love
- Militarie Gun – All Roads Lead to the Gun
- Militarie Gun – All Roads Lead to the Gun II
- Ovlov – Buds
- Tunic – Exhaling
- Tunic – Quitter
- Turnstile – Glow On
- Yautja – The Lurch