Just Mason’s Favorite Albums of 2021: The Best Records Released This Year, According to a 40-Year-Old Millennial
This year saw some absolutely amazing releases…so many, in fact, that I had a hard time narrowing my list down to 50 albums. This is easily my most diverse and dynamic annual playlist yet. For those who do not have the time to sit down and listen to each album individually, I recommend putting it on shuffle until you find a record you want to dig into all the way. Kick back, relax your mind, breathe out all the stress and frustration of 2021, and groove your way into 2022. Cheers, y’all ☮
Just Mason’s Favorite Albums of 2021 on Spotify
Aesop Rock & Blockhead — Garbology
Anti-concept album from abstract hip-hop super-duo
Tony Allen — There Is No End
Posthumous, collaborative album from legendary Afrobeat drummer
Babe Rainbow — Changing Colours
Mellow surf-psych set from the blonde boys down under
Bachelor — Doomin’ Sun
Tasty debut joint venture by artists Jay Som & Palehound
Courtney Barnett — Things Take Time, Take Time
More brilliant songwriting on this introspective release
Matt Berry — The Blue Elephant
Concept album about Joseph Merrick by the comedian/musician
Cochemea — Vol. II: Baca Sewa
Stellar set of global grooves from Dap-King saxophonist
Death from Above 1979 — Is 4 Lovers
Canadian duo return with a heavy-hitting aural assault
Dinosaur Jr. — Sweep Into Space
This zoned-out, fuzz-filled effort is the best in years
Dumpstaphunk — Where Do We Go From Here
New Orleans’ funk-fusion outfit led by Neville bros.
Steve Earle — J.T.
A great country blues record dedicated to Earle’s late son
Emancipator & Asher Fulero — Dab Record, Vol. 1
At times loose, at others tight, this dreamy set is outta sight
The Felice Brothers — From Dreams to Dust
A varied and evocative record by NYC’s folk outfit
Robert Finley — Sharecropper’s Son
Heartfelt & soulful venture, produced by Dan Auerbach
Béla Fleck — My Bluegrass Heart
Hot bluegrass set featuring many of the genre’s greatest
Aaron Frazer — Introducing…Aaron Frazer
Silky smooth falsetto glides over soulful arrangements
The Heritage Orchestra, Jules Buckley & Ghost Note — The Breaks
A fire-roasted, groove-filled, funk-infused collaboration
Joan As Police Woman, Tony Allen & Dave Okumu — The Solution is Restless
Afro-lounge-jazz project was among Allen’s last (RIP)
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard — L.W.
A tasty set by experimental Aussie psych-punk septet
Femi Kuti — Stop the Hate
Son of legendary Fela Kuti drops social justice record
La Femme — Paradigmes
A tour de force of Americana from France’s psych-rockers
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio — I Told You So
Seattle-based trio conjures funky spirit of The Meters
The Limiñanas & Laurent Garnier — De Película
This is the “acid house” your folks warned you about
Madlib — Sound Ancestors
Produced by Four Tet, the beats flow on a spiritual set
The Exciting Sounds of Menahan Street Band
Another delicious set from the accomplished sextet
Mild High Club — Going Going Gone
Smooth synth & soulful beats suggest 1980s public television meets yacht rock
Mogwai — As the Love Continues
Scottish post-rockers put up a deep and varied sonic set
The Mountain Goats — Dark In Here
Darnielle & co. with a moody set of typically lyrical songs
Napoleon Da Legend & Amerigo Gazaway — The World Changed
Unique hip-hop collab hits with beats both fresh & fab
Nightmares on Wax — Shout Out! To Freedom…
An evocative, sometimes provocative set by the DJ
Otis McDonald — Beats, Volumes 1–4
Soulful & smooth, Shuggie Otis meets Michael McDonald by Joe Bagale
ØZWALD — young suburban minds
Beatlesesque melodies over dreamy retro pop by the duo
Painted Shrines — Heaven and Holy
Jeremy Earl (Woods) & Glenn Donaldson of the Jewelled Antler collective
Ryan Prewett — Funk Aesthetics
Funk, soul, rhythm & groove by the Nashville producer
Silk Sonic — An Evening with Silk Sonic
Bruno Mars + Anderson .Paak + Special Guest Host Bootsy Collins = ‘Nuff Said
Kira Skov — Spirit Tree
Danish singer-songwriter is joined by an array of guests on haunting album of duets
Sons of Kemet — Black to the Future
Pain & passion pour from set about racial injustice by British jazz supergroup
Stone Giants — West Coast Love Stories
Amon Tobin’s new project explores spatial ambience in a technological dystopia
Matt Sweeney & Bonnie Prince Billy — Superwolves
A beautifully crafted record from the dark, dynamic duo
True Loves — Sunday Afternoon
Seattle’s Jimmy James’ funk & soul octet evokes The JBs
Viagra Boys — Welfare Jazz
Psychobilly post-punk band satirizes the absurdities of the modern psyche
Witch Egg — Witch Egg
Osees’ John Dwyer & guests launch avant-garde, garage rock psychojazz project
Cory Wong — The Paisley Park Sessions
Best set the insanely prolific funkster dropped this year
Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad — João Donato JID007
Duo collaborates with João Donato on 7th “Jazz is Dead”
