My Favorite 21 Records of 2021

Full Albums

It’s been a fantastic year for music. Despite the pandemic – many artists have gifted us with some tremendous work. It’s never easy for me to decide on which ones will make the cut, though. Most of these lists stick to 10, but it’s my blog, so why should I be limited?

Little Simz – Sometimes I might be Introvert

Absolute brilliance from the London based artist, Little Simz, is at the top of my list. Listen to the whole record and allow yourself to be transformed by her amazing beats.

Amyl and the Sniffers – Comfort to Me

Strap in and get ready to have your mind blown. This phenomenal record from Australia, will do just that. The energy that lays within these tracks is very much what we needed this year. 

Dry Cleaning – New Long Leg

This record combines 80s’ vibes(think The Fall and Gang of Four) with what is more like poetry than actual singing, but it works beautifully! I was lucky enough to catch their show in Portland, and while the sound wasn’t perfect, it was still incredible! I always feel lucky to catch a UK band when they tour here, and this was no exception.

Dry Cleaning – Portland, Oregon 2021

Durand Jones and the Indications – Private Space

This is my favorite feel good record of the year. It’s so upbeat, even when they’re singing about affairs of the heart. Put this on and then get your groove on!

Hayes Carll – You Get it All

Tap your foot, and sing along to one of the best songwriters in the Americana/Country genre. I can’t get enough of this record, I think it’s his best one, yet.

Renee Reed – Self Titled

Many of the artists listed here, I have discovered through KEXP. Renee Reed is an exception. Thanks to my local station XRAY and the wonderful DJ, Theo Craig, I found this wondrous singer/songwriter. Her folkie/melodic brilliance deserves more attention, so check her out!

Arooj Aftab – Vulture Prince

Just a stunningly beautiful record. Apparently the Grammys agree as they’ve nominated the record too(I made this list before theirs was released). London based, but originally from Pakistan – this artist serenades us with her quiet and hypnotic voice. 

Bachelor / Jay Som / Palehound – Doomin’ Sun

I just adore this lovely little record. Put it on and feel some quiet grooves from all these fantastic artists.

Flock of Dimes – Head of Roses

This is a case where one track pulled me in so deeply to a record, that I was instantly smitten with all of it. I’m thinking you will be, too.

Blackwater Holylight – Silence/Motion

The previous two records from one of my favorite Portland bands were a lot more raucous and heavy. In this incredible release, the band slows down the dirge in the most beautiful of ways. 

Savila – Mayahuel

What a tremendous release from another favorite Portland band. The sounds of Savila just make me want to sway gently while watching the sunset. Get your groove on with them.

Faye Webster – I Know I’m Funny haha

I adore this open hearted, downtempo record. 

Corrina Repp – Island

Thanks to the algorithms of Tidal, I came across this record. A former Portland resident, I’ve seen Corrina play at PDX POP Now and was so psyched to see that she has a new one. Enjoy this gorgeously quiet record.

Julia Shapiro – Zorked

KEXP let me know that one of the members of Chastity Belt had a solo record out and wow, is it good. Don’t miss this one.

La Luz – Self Titled

When I started putting this list together, I realized how many of the artists were women. I am very happy that the music industry has finally begun to focus on how much creative talent women bring to the world. I mention this because La Luz is one of those bands – all women and just fantastic.

I’ll be Your Mirror: Tribute to the VU – Various Artists

Anyone who knows me is aware that I am a huge fan of The Velvet Underground and covers. What could be better than combining the two?! I absolutely LOVE this one by Sharon Van Etten (feat. Angel Olsen) but be sure to check out the record. Kurt Vile, Thurston Moore and Michael Stipe are just a few of the other artists. 

Silas Short – Drawing

Mmmm, wow, do I love this one. Talk about fresh R&B grooves. Silas Short is a young artist that I can see making so much more incredible music…

Children of Zeus – Balance

You’ll want to check out this R&B out of the UK. Love this latest from them.

Altin Gun – Yol

From Amsterdam comes funky, groovy with a hint of psychedelia.

Silk Sonic – An Evening with Silk Sonic

I love everything Anderson Paak puts out, this collab with Bruno Mars is no exception. Let’s  hop in the car and go for a ride with them!

Aaron Frazer – Introducing

What a soulful surprise this one was. Definitely filled with Motown vibes but also elegantly current. 

EP’s

Jorja Smith – Be Right Back

UK soul grooves from one of my absolute favorite artists.

Beach House –  Once Twice Melody

Dreamy! Amazing! Full length coming in February, 2022.

Last Minute Addition

Even during a pandemic, Portland musicians have been making excellent music. I wanted to add this release, by local trio, Violetera. They released it on 12.31.21 so it’s a last minute add. Dreamy post-rock vibes interspersed with deep beats make for a great listen.

My Favorite Records of 2019

Big Thief – Two Hands and U.F.O.F

“Two Hands” easily gets my top slot for record of the year. Big Thief feels like they are beyond music sometimes, touching a place in my heart that I can’t quite describe. See my previous Big Thief gush here .

Lizzo – ‘Cuz I Love You

I love the positive vibes and funky beats that Lizzo throws down. This is a fantastic record. See her below on Tiny Desk. I think it’s the best TD of 2019.

Black Belt Eagle Scout – At the Party With My Brown Friends

Living in a city with incredible musicians is something I love, and deeply. From bands that never make to it a label, to folks like KP, I feel grateful to experience them all. This record from Black Belt Eagle Scout is not to be missed. A down-tempo look at our hearts and the way we walk through this life, it’s a beautiful listen. Great set via KEXP here

Chelsea Wolfe – Birth of Violence

I saw Chelsea Wolfe a few years ago. I didn’t know her music well, but that changed after that show. “Birth of Violence” is a beautiful record, very mellow, much more low key than her previous albums. Listening to it makes me want to wear long black dresses and walk the English Moors.

Sudan Archives – Athena

This is a tremendously good first full album from artist, Sudan Archives . Landing somewhere between R&B and soul, with beautiful string work. She’s an artist to keep your eye on. 

The Replacements – Dead Man’s Pop

I realize I haven’t written much about The Mats here. They are without a doubt, one of my favorite bands of all time. I was stoked when I heard they were re-releasing Don’t Tell a Soul as an extended record. The day it arrived, I opened it with the greatest of affection. So many memories wrapped up with these songs, but now I got to experience them in a whole new way.

Thom Yorke – Anima

I’m a long time Radiohead fan, see my recent post. But I haven’t always loved Yorke’s solo records. They tended towards overly electronic, and felt a little too cold. This record is a beautiful shift, a lovely immersion into his dreamworld.

Better Oblivion Community Center – Self Titled

Conor Oberst is an artist that I’ve always respected, but have never been a super fan. He truly, truly shines here with Phoebe Bridgers. Their voices entwine beautifully.

Chastity Belt – Self Titled

Love these chill, indie goddesses from the PNW. This tranquil record is a journey you’ll want to go on.

Fontaines D.C. – Dogrel

If it wasn’t for KEXP, not sure I would have heard these chaps from the UK. This is the most bad-ass records on my list, and rightly so.

Julia Jacklin – Crushing

When this record came out, I wrote a piece on it, and how much I adore Jacklin’s music. The intimate slice of her world we get with each song, is not to be missed.

Mavis Staples – We Get By

I’m a little late to the world of Mavis Staples. I’d heard many of her songs, but never sat down with a whole record. Then I heard her interview with Marc Maron and knew that had to change immediately. “We Get By” is an absolute pleasure to listen to. We should all to go back and listen to the rest of the catalog from this iconic American artist.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band – A Tuba to Cuba

Close your eyes, imagine you’re in Havana, and this is playing in the cafe you walk into…

Purple Mountain – Purple Mountains

Heartbreaking to listen to this now, but it’s a beautiful collection of songs by David Berman. Rest in peace, brother.

FKA Twigs – MAGDALENE

While I don’t love every track on this album, it’s a thing of beauty nonetheless. Stark, breathy and tender – a lovely record.

Weyes Blood – Titanic Rising

When I first made the list, I completely forgot about this beauty. This record, like all her other work, gets right to work on stirring up emotions. Deep ones, tucked deep into the folds of your heart. She’s brilliant live, too.

Thom Yorke – Anima tour, 2019. Portland, Oregon.

“You find your way in to all of my songs, Every memory I manage to find…”

We all have different things that bring us joy in our everyday lives. For me, finding new music is almost as good as it gets. I listen to KEXP every day, so it’s not unusual for me to hear something that catches my attention.

This morning I put a record into the CD player that I had no background on. Someone had burned it for me and I’d not yet listened to it. When the country guitar sounds started, I thought, uh oh. But then it got gorgeous, soulful and blew me away. The record was “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music” by Sturgill Simpson.

Sturgill Simpson merges the feeling of old time country with lyrics of the current times (drugs and anti depressants to name a few). I’m already pretty smitten with his smoky voice and it’s only been hours since my first listen. I think this Tiny Desk Concert is lovely. The last song, “Water In A Well,” is absolutely beautiful. We’ve all had heartbreak, but when someone captures those feelings so perfectly, it somehow surprises me just the same. So glad to have found Sturgill.

** Blog title courtesy of Sturgill Simpson “Water in a well.”

“And if it’s all we only come this way but once, ​What a perfect waste of time”

I’ve said it before, but I fully believe that music comes to us when we need it. An artist or band may be floating around in our periphery for awhile. We may hear them a dozen times, but then that moment arrives when really LISTEN. Perhaps it’s the lyrics, or the strum of a certain chord that settles a worried mind.

I’ve heard Elbow many times on KEXP over the years. I always found them a pleasure. Last week I finally had my moment with this gorgeous band from the UK. One of my favorite KEXP DJ’s, John Richards, came on and read an email aloud. It was from a father who had recently lost his three year old son. The little one, Charlie, had passed over in his parents arms. John was in tears as was I (and likely everyone else listening) as he shared this with the “morning faithful.” The father had asked John to play “This Blue World” for Charlie. I was so moved that I went to the record store that night and picked up the stunning new LP, ‘The Take Off and Landing of Everything’. I got home, and played the whole thing, end to end, loudly. I played it for Charlie, for his parents and for myself.

That is what music can do so well. Transcend, transform and bring together. Thousands of us from all over the world had a moment for that lost, little boy, for his heartbroken parents. Our collective hearts connected for Charlie.

Elbow

Blog post title from “My Sad Captains” by Elbow

Top Ten Records of 2013 – AKA “I’m no one’s tiny dancer”*

1. Ty Segall – Sleeper

There are usually a lot of contenders for record of the year, but for me the choice was easy this time. After I picked this piece of musical divination from the record store, it rarely returned to the shelf. “Sleeper” is an interesting change-up for Ty Segall, much of his music is glorious, raucous, noisy. Here we get slow, singularly beautiful chords and his voice wandering hazily between notes. “Sleeper” is a thing of wonder. Check out the Pickathon session.

 

2. Laura Marling – Like an Eagle

I had an experience recently with a friend being deceitful to me. This person initially seemed cool but turned out to be a liar. Just as I made my escape, I first heard the song, “Little Love Caster,” then the rest of this divinely, dreamy double record. And I knew, this utterly stunning, young UK singer/songwriter, had found her way into my life at just the right moment.

“I wish that I had. I wish that I had’ve told you then. Where my kindness ends”

And I wish I had…………………….

 

3. Unknown Mortal Orchestra – II

I wrote an entire blog post about UMO and how much I adore both them and this record. II was released in February, and I see it’s fallen off the radar for many top 10 lists. This is unfortunate as it really is one of the most amazing recordings released all year. Seeing them live was mind blowing. Imagine my joy when they released “Blue,” an EP of acoustic versions of 5 of the songs from II!

 

4. Savages – Silence Yourself

This record deserves a special place in the list. Not only is it their debut album, but the band members are all women. While an admitted music junkie, I do get burned out on how male dominated the industry can be. When this edgy record came blistering onto the scene, with it’s grind and edginess, it immediately grabbed my attention. It feels like perfection from start to raging finish.

 

5. Daft Punk – Random Access Memories

I’ve always loved Daft Punk. They hold an allure, a self executed mystery, in the form of gold helmets and robotic front men. “Random Access Memories” is everything wonderful about electronica. It brings happiness, the urge to stay up all night dancing and even some slight introspection through a keyboard. I spent some superbly fun hours spinning and bouncing to “Lose Yourself to Dance” at a friends house over the summer.

 

6. Fuzz – Self Titled

I’ve been really drawn to noisy, psychedelic, lo-fi, heavy sounds this year. You won’t find anything better in the psych-rock genre than Fuzz. Bad ass drum solos (by Ty Segall), bleeding chords and bass lines that ride up the back of your spine are all included in this face meltingly good record. Play it very loudly, preferably on vinyl.

 

7. Wooden Shjips – Back to Land

Back in 2008, someone brought me to a Wooden Shjips show at Holocene, small club in town. Mesmerized, I was instantly taken in by their zone inducing, growling sound. In their latest release, they continue to keep me intrigued with their blissed out, haze. This record is tight, with an upright sort of feel. And hey, it came in green vinyl. Ah, bliss.

 

8. Chelsea Light Moving – Self Titled

When Sonic Youth was in their heyday, I never had the chance to see them. I was busy doing other things, but I’ve always carried a major torch for them. KEXP started playing Chelsea Light Moving a bunch, and in keeping with my love affair with the loud and noisy, they immediately caught my attention. The songs creep back and forth between the ear bleed to the slow rise. Open your head. Listen.

 

9. Parquet Courts – Light Up Gold

I’ve got a weakness for most thing labeled “post-punk.” When I first heard Parquet Courts, they reminded me of the late 80’s, the east coast and running around in New York. This record is blast to listen to, uber catchy and easily made my top ten. “Well, I was walking through Ridgewood, Queens, and I was flipping through magazines, and I was so stoned, so stoned and starving.”

 

10. Mikal Cronin – MCII

Maybe you are sensing a theme here? Ty Segall, Fuzz and now Mikal Cronin. All connected, all amazing. This record is my feel good, sweet, choice of the year. Turn it on when you start off on your next road trip, it’s near seamless with both melodic interludes and blazing riffs will keep you in fine company.

*Blog title lyrics courtesy Laura Marling

This Dream is in a Telescope Now

My great-grandfather, George.

My great-great-grandmother, Rebecca, came over from Wales via Philadelphia in the late 1800’s. She settled in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Other Welshmen joined and my family origins were formed. One great-grandfather died from the black lung after years of coal mining and great-uncles were sent to an orphanage because there was not enough food. Deep roots wound down into the Pennsylvania soil and what’s left of the Welshmen stirs gently in my blood.

None of that has much to do with my current fixatation on the Welsh band, The Joy Formidable, except I’d like to think that if none of my relatives had emigrated I would have been lurching along with everyone else at the Glastonbury festival in 2011, mesmerized by Ritzy, Rhydian and Matt as they confounded the audience with slides of pop into thrash into dream.

I’m totally smitten with their expansive heady notes and catchy, layered beats that pull me in and leave me utterly transfixed. That so much luscious noise can be created by just three people is astounding. I’ve not been fortunate enough to see them live but it’s clear given the reviews I’ve read and the videos I’ve watched that this is where they excel. Seeing Ritzy Bryan storm around on the stage I agree with New York Times writer, Nate Chinen, when he says she’s “…the picture of angularity, lurching fast across the stage, her strumming hand visible only as a blur: a dust devil in a platinum bob.”

Ritzy Bryan of The Joy Formidable @the Media Club
Photo courtesy The Snipe – Robyn Hanson photo

Alas, I didn’t make it out to the Gorge this year but this reviewer seemed to be pretty blown away “The Joy Formidable took on the Sasquatch stage of the 2012 Sasquatch! fest with a whirlwind of energy and a wall of sonic pop-aggression.”

Check out their stellar live set at SXSW in 2011 or this version of “The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade” on KEXP/SXSW and please, turn it up!

*Blog Title courtesy of The Joy Formidable – “The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade”

The Hunger for New Music

My bio says I’ve been musically obsessed since birth. I can’t speak to the first five years of my existence but after that it’s clear my life would be constantly shaped by music. My dad always had something on turntable, usually jazz and his stereo was enviable by standards of the day. My sister started seeing concerts when she was 13 and picked up the guitar just a few years later. They were both early versions of what I would later come to see as my gear-shifters, influencers, expanders.

Anyone who matched this decription had a profound affect on what I listened to. Later versions of this included high school teachers, classmates, college boyfriends, colleagues, the list goes on. Ever ravenous for new bands and new sounds I finally found my greatest influencer of all, KEXP. It was 2005 and I had recently taken a trip to what is my now my city of residence, Portland. I heard some new bands there, searched for them online, one thing led to another the daily ritual of hearing John Richards, Cheryl Waters and Kevin Cole began. It’s seven years later and I’ve discovered thousands of artists because of them. At long last I had found the cure for my hunger, a radio station.

In this vein I thought I’d share a few songs to satiate us all.

Dirty Projectors - Image courtesy of Domino Records

If you haven’t listened to the Dirty Projectors yet go back to 2009 and check out Bitte Orca and prepare to become smitten by super tight beats combined with vocals that will amaze. This is a brand new track called Gun Has No Trigger.

I clearly hear George Harrison, Elliott Smith and Jeff Buckley in this Daniel Rossen track, Silent Song. It sends me drifting gleefully into a field of flowers.

Everyone’s favorite dreamcore band, Beach House, has a new track, Myth. Put your headphones on, lay back and groove.