2021 Album of the Year

 

2021 is ending and it's time to reflect on the albums that made the soundtrack of the year and ultimately crown one album the highly coveted "Album of the Year!" Before we move any further let's get the shameless self-promotion out of the way. In addition to writing this blog every year, I also produce music under the name Creative Culture and this year has been very prolific. You can stream all of it on Spotify, including this year's Christmas song, a new take on an old classic, "Silent Night." 

Now that we got that out of the way, on to the music that filled our ears in 2021. 

Parlour Magic - The Fluid Neon Origami Trick 

I picked up this album after seeing ads for it on Facebook. It's a great indie electronic album from start to finish. The soothing synth sounds paired with the auto-tuned electronic voice create a listening experience that you'll want to put on loop. I'd give this album an A.

dad sports - I AM JUST A BOY LEAVE ME ALONE !!! 

I can't stop listening to this. I don't normally put EPs on my album of the year list but I can't pass on this one. dad sports is a youthful indie band that makes me feel like I'm back on a college campus. When I say I can't stop listening to this, I literally mean that. I have played this album so much and I can't get enough. There is something about the sound of this band that has grabbed my ears and won't let go. This album gets an A+.

Keuning - A Mild Case of Everything 

Keuning is one-fourth of The Killers. This is a fun album but for some reason, it just didn't grab me like some others this year. It's not a bad album. It just happens sometimes. An album is good but for some reason, it doesn't connect emotionally. Give it a listen. You may enjoy it. I'd grade this album a B.

Bleachers - Take sadness out of Saturday night 

Do you remember the band named Fun.? Bleachers was part of that band. This album has a great 80s vibe. It's an album I was really into when it first came out and kinda forgot about. But later in the year, I rediscovered how great it truly is. Also features a former album of the year winner, The Boss, Bruce Springsteen. If you haven't heard this album, you are missing out on a delicious treat for your ears. This is another album I'd give an A too. 

The Killers - Pressure Machine

So...I'm a huge fan of The Killers. They are my favorite band. I was beyond excited when they announced another new album so close to their last one. Then...I listened to it. It's not a bad album but I think the timing is wrong. This album is a concept album of a small town and the people who live and die there. It's a very dark and depressing journey into a town battling opioids, suicide, and other downers. The songs are good but they are bookended by recordings of people in this small town as if they are being interviewed in a documentary. Which is interesting but makes it hard to listen to over and over. I just want to get to the music, not these people talking about getting killed by a local train. After the depressing year we had in 2020, I just feel like putting out an album more like Day & Age would have been a better move. Shelf this one for a later date. It pains me to say that because I do love The Killers so much and maybe I will grow to appreciate this album at a later date. In my opinion "Quiet Town" is the best track on the album. Sadly, I'd give this album a C,

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga - Love For Sale

This album is so great. I love that Lady Gaga is bringing this style of music to younger generations. Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga sound amazing together. I wish there were more artists creating music like this in the mainstream. I wonder what it would be like if Lady Gaga did an album with a more current crooner like Michael Bublé. This album gets an A+ as well.

And now...the moment you've all been waiting for. The real reason you came to this blog. You want to know what my Album of the Year is. Well...I'm gonna tell you. Here it is. 

The 2021 album of the year is... 

dad sports - I AM JUST A BOY LEAVE ME ALONE !!! 

dad sports just has a youthful energetic sound that I can't get enough of. I discovered this band on a Spotify playlist and quickly fell in love with their sound. When I heard they had an EP coming out, I was excited to hear it all. This is a rarity on this blog. I have said before that I would not consider an EP for album of the year because it's not a proper album. Well...it's my blog and I can change the rules anytime I want. This year, this album deserves the rules to be broken.

Here is a bit more about who dad sports is from grandjurymusic.com.

dad sports is a three-piece bedroom pop band formed in the early hours of the morning, exploring the Ottawa suburbs with only friendship and music to guide them. The band’s sound is notably lo-fi and soft, yet equally high energy and emotionally potent. The group sets themselves apart by their use of electronic drum machines and softly layered vocals to create a warm and nostalgic sound. dad sports is Miguel Plante on vocals and guitar, Keith McDonald on drums, and Alex Keyes on bass. 

I AM JUST A BOY LEAVE ME ALONE !!! follows a series of singles which caught the ear of Spotify, who named the band to their 2021 Radar Artist to Watch lists in both the US & Canada. At press, the band has already earned advance accolades from NPR, FADER, Stereogum & Paste, while getting early spins at Sirius XMU, charting at college radio, and landing on the radar of Annie Mac at BBC Radio 1 and Lauren Laverne at BBC 6 Music in the UK.  

I would also recommend downloading, streaming, or just listening to their other singles as well. Each one is just as good as this EP. Thank you dad sports for giving me some chill music to listen to and being the soundtrack to my 2021. 

You can hear dad sports, as well as the other past winners, in My Album Of The Year Spotify Playlist (below).

And don't forget to check out Creative Culture on Spotify and wherever you listen to music. 

Have a great year. See you in 2022!