Best Albums of 2021 So Far

Hope everyone is having a good summer! 2021 has been just as wild as 2020, and I sincerely wish that those reading this are doing alright. Since we are about halfway through the year, I figured I would share some of the best projects that I have listened to this year. While I expect many other excellent albums to be released throughout the next six months, the ones that I have written about here are for sure must listens. 

5. Conway the Machine - La Maquina

I honestly had my reservations about this album after the first three songs. However, the skepticism quickly evaporated as the album picked up with Clarity, barely missing a beat for the rest of the project. Conway drops banger after banger, with witty lyrics and impeccable rapping. The energy he brings on each song is complimented by excellent guest verses, with vintage performances from artists such as 2 Chainz on "200 Pies". Furthermore, the production across the entire album is so good it could stand on its own as a unique and entertaining listen. The last song with Benny and Westside Gunn features great verses from all three artists whose delivery is elevated by this grandiose guitar riff. Overall, this project reminds us of why Griselda exploded a few years ago and remains one of the most notable collectives in the game right now. 

Best Songs: Clarity, 200 Pies, S.E. Gang

4. Breeze Brewin - Hindsight

The production on this album is so unique it muddled my reception of the music; I could not discern whether or not I enjoyed what I was hearing. However, each time I revisited Hindsight, I grew more  fascinated with how the production contrasts with Breeze Brewin's rapping. I think "Bumpy Johnson" perfectly encapsulates this feeling where these weird, almost metallic and robotic riffs pop out and accentuate the rapping. The song "Translate It" also illustrates this relationship between production and lyrics, with these reverberating beats that create this really bumpy feeling within the music. The uniqueness of this album also shows up in the concepts behind some of the songs, such as "Road Rage", where the member of the Juggaknots cleverly uses the feelings of road rage as a metaphor. Ultimately, this is a fun listen and definitely one of the most unusual things I have listened to in the past few years. That said, do not mistake my calling of the album unusual for not good, because the album's interesting production and clever song writing leave it as one of the best projects of 2021.

Best Songs: Eye Poppa, Bumpy Johnson, Taking Notes

3. Genesis Owusu - Smiling with No Teeth

An insanely fun project, Genesis Owusu hits us with something that deftly updates retro sounds and riffs for 2021. For a debut album, the Ghanian-Australian singer brings the energy and lyricism of a veteran artist. Since listening to "Gold Chains" for the first time, I have absolutely fallen in love with the production on many songs off of Smiling with No Teeth. To hear Owusu's voice on "Centrefold" used as a central pillar of the proudction while he sings the chorus is truly an enjoyable experience. The songs are catchy without overstaying their welcome or becoming overbearing after listening to them ad nauseum. The single "Gold Chains" serves as a microcosm for the entire album; beautiful hooks delivered in a happy yet punchy tone pollinated by soulful chords that are accentuated with rocking guitar riffs.

Best Songs: Centrefold, Drown, Gold Chains 

2. Tyler the Creator - CALL ME IF YOU GET  LOST

Following up IGOR, one of the best albums of 2019, would be a challenge for any artist. Yet, Tyler, the Creator does a magnificent job telling a heartbreaking story of how despite his success, the one he loves still evades him. Being referenced on songs like "CORSO", "WUSYANAME", and others, creates cohesion when the whole story is illuminated on and tied together on "WILSHIRE". The album brings together a lot of elements of vintage Tyler that had disappeared by IGOR to produce a refreshing sound. Tyler's last verse on "SAFARI" really encapsulates this feeling for me. The way he raps and the confidence he exudes in his delivery remind me of the classic moment when he is trading bars with Lil Wayne on "SMUCKERS". Ultimately, I will probably have to write a more in depth review of this album, it is so dense and genuinely good for so many different reasons. I am almost certain that this project will remain as one of the best of the year despite it being only July.  

Best Songs: SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE, WILSHIRE, SAFARI

1. Armand Hammer and The Alchemist - Haram

Coming into mid-year, Haram for me is the best 2021 project that I have listened to. Once again, From front to back this album does not disappoint, and almost every song at one point or another has been a favorite for me. The Alchemist works his magic providing Billy Woods and ELUCID with lush and grimy production. Crazily, the only thing that could possibly outshine the stellar production is the rapping, and Armand Hammer do not shy away from this challenge. There are so many quotables and one-liners on this album I could go on for pages and pages reciting those. Billy Woods' verse on "Aubergine" immediately jumped out to me the first time I listened to this album as one of the best verses I had heard in the past few years across all artists. Guest performances from rappers like Earl Sweatshirt and Quelle Chris contribute to the high level of lyricism displayed on this project. Earl's final line on "Faling out the Sky" is unforgettable in how chilling it is in meaning and delivery. If there is one album that has come out this year to listen to, it is this one for sure. Pound for pound, this may very well be the best rap album of the 2020's, and I am not sure if there is anything that could possibly unseat it.    

Best Songs: Falling out the Sky, Aubergine, Wishing Bad

Do you agree or disagree with the placing of these projects? What are your favorite albums to come out so far in 2021? Are there any artists that you are hoping will drop a project in the next six months? Comment below.