One Step Forward, Three Steps Back
It’s that time of the year when my brother lovingly forces all of us to come up with a list of our top 10 favorite albums released in 2021 and rank them somehow. I’ll admit that work from home and my inability to concentrate had me listening to a lot of classical playlists but this pop girl came through still.
10. gg bb xx by LANY [ex i never had]
I’m such a ho for this group. Nothing has beat ILYSB just yet but album is bop after bop and me thinking I was in California driving with the top down feelings. Yes, this is what being stuck in your home makes me feel like.
9. A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun by Aly and AJ [Symptom of your Touch]
I didn’t realise how much I liked Aly Michalka on iZombie that I started listening to her music project (or was this her original project?) It’s giving me HAIM vibes and again, California dreaming, so really how can I complain?
8. You Signed Up For This by Maisie Peters [John Hughes Movie]
Thanks to my Release Radars, I discovered Maisie Peters and she’s adorable and delightful and British and kind of a manic pixie for this era. It also makes me wish I had bangs in my hair and could play the guitar. But one can wish.
7. 30 by Adele [I Drink Wine]
The always reliable Adele is back with her 30 album and I’m appreciative of how she makes music for the non-tiktok generation (i.e. me). And she’s still killing us with her heartbreak but also she’s got some bops that make me realise she’s ok.
6. star-crossed by Kacey Musgraves [camera roll]
This is no golden hour that’s for sure but it’s always incredibly difficult to follow up a fantastic album. I listened to her interview on A Sudden Change of Plans and hearing her tell the story of how she came up with the album made me enjoy it more.
5. = by Ed Sheeran [Leave Your Life]
He doesn’t get it wrong (For me) and I’m just always thinking now that he’s finished all the mathematical symbols, what is he going to name his next album? I know, this isn’t the biggest problem, but I think about it ok? Ed is reliable and I’m glad.
4. In the Meantime by Alessia Cara [I Miss You, Don’t Call Me]
I’ve loved and obsessed about this lady forever and I’m so glad that she’s back with a full-length album and it is everything. They all give me beach vibe bops, and I do miss the beach so it feels like the nearest thing I can get.
3. Fearless & Red (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift [All Too Well, 10 Minute Version]
Of course Miss Swift makes it to the list and yes she released two so I’m just lumping them into one because I can. That 10 minute version though blew everything out of the water and I’m still obsessing weeks later. I’ll never be over it.
2. Solar Power by Lorde [Secrets from a Girl (Who’s Seen It All)]
I’m just glad she’s back in my life and giving a totally different vibe (at least visually). Yes to growth and yes to change and yes to more Lorde music. I’m just happy it’s all sunny and yellow in her life and I’m looking forward to more music videos from this.
1. SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo [deja vu]
I love a petty teenage queen and honestly I’m really glad that I’m not a teenager as I listen to this because god knows I’d be slitting my wrists listening to it and we don’t need that drama. But as an adult, I LOVE listening to this. Feel those feels, girl.
