Mapping my favorite songs of 2021.
We saw the return of live shows this year. We saw fans reunite on the dance floor. We saw warehouses, small venues, music festivals and more reopen. We may have lost dancing in 2020, but we found it in 2021. Not only did events return this year, but artists across all genres dropped albums that stunned audiences around the world. Whether it was bass music, South African house, live-electronic, techno, experimental electronic, jazz-infused house and so much more, the sounds brought the dance music community together. Some artists released music that aligned with their typical club sounds while others experimented with at home music designed to be heard on headphones. Regardless of how it was meant to be heard, LPs and EPs captivated audiences as hope for the return of live shows proved successful. For me, I found myself listening to a wide variety of genres—expanding the breadth of my listening patterns, which was much needed after I sought comfort in the familiar during 2020. Many of the albums I gravitated towards prove to be texturally varied, offering an abundance of sonic flair to soundtrack me working from home, walking around New York City, going for runs, getting excited for a show that I would be attending later that evening and much more. Here, I share 15 of my favorite albums from 2021. Actual Life 2 (February 2 — October 15 2021) Fred again..’s second album beautifully chronicles snapshot moments of life while also examining the grief the artist faced following the death of a loved one. The first half marks the mournful portion of the album, while the second half, starting with the track “Hannah (The Sun),” transitions to happy stamped moments of life. The 16-track LP proves to be complex and diverse: it showcases sorrowful vocals, hopeful lyrics, piano, layered sonic textures, shimmering synths, unsettling soundscapes, blissful production and more. Actual Life 2 (February 2 — October 15 2021) includes numerous vocal samples such as the voice of a construction worker he met in Atlanta. Track highlights include “Kahan (Last Year),” “Hannah (The Sun),” “Carlos (Interlude)” and “Catrin (The City).” Nurture After seven years, iconic artist Porter Robinson releases his second studio album, Nurture. The 14-track body of work boasts sounds of nature, spellbinding synths, messages of hope, raw vocals, guitar and joyful melodies. The LP follows a bout of depression Robinson experienced after the release of his debut album, Worlds. In addition, Nurture proves to be like most Robinson tracks: undoubtedly by him due to his signature and genre-defying production. Highlights include “Something Comforting,” “Get Your Wish,” and “Musician.” Surrender At the intersection of instrumental discernment and dance music production is RÜFÜS DU SOL. The Australian trio releases its 11-track LP Surrender, reminding listeners why it reigns within the live-electronic space. The body of work is texturally diverse, offering raw emotions, captivating vocals, organic and cinematic soundscapes, haunting synths, celestial sounds and moments designed for pure dance floor euphoria. Surrender was created during lockdown, with several of the tracks made during a six week studio trip the band took to Joshua Tree—even staying adjacent to the location its Live From Joshua Tree album was filmed and recorded on. Subconsciously Legendary artist Black Coffee, who is considered the godfather of South African house music, drops his 12-track sophomore album, Subconsciously. The LP boasts euphonious beats, emotion-tinged soundscapes, warm piano chords, deep house music, sultry melodies, hypnotic beats, soulful vocals and more.
