Top 20 Albums of 2021

In many ways, 2021 was a confusing year for albums in country music. Many high profile releases underwhelmed, including from the likes of Kacey Musgraves and Eric Church, both of whom I have lavished with praise in the past. Outside the mainstream, this was a quiet year for some of the heavier hitters in independent country, as well as many that I consider among my personal favourites. While not as top heavy, however, where 2021 showed strength was in its depth. There were a range of projects from artists I had never explored or heard from that touched and impressed me in different ways. My albums list this year features many brand new names, and in some ways, that's better than having the A-list occupy every slot. These are artists whose careers I will now follow with greater attention after impressive 2021 efforts. It's not the list I necessarily expected to write this year, but these are the twenty albums that highlighted my year. 

#20
Mercy
Cody Jinks

A pretty standard Cody Jinks album, and I say that mostly as a compliment. It's gritty, the hooks are sound, and Jinks sounds as good as ever. The songwriting is sturdy and the production feels both accessible and authentic. He's not reinventing the wheel, but when his formula works so well, he also doesn't need to. 
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#19
​Postcard
​Luke Burkhardt​

An album that feels both fresh and traditional, Postcard is a lovely introduction introduction for Burkhardt. The production is robust, whether in somber moments like the title track or the vibrant efforts like "The Ones I Have Left". Burkhardt is commanding behind the mic, with a distinct presence and technical talent. A rock solid debut. 
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#18
Outside Child
​Allison Russell

A remarkable display of raw talent and ability. The songwriting is engaging and deeply personal, and is backed by diverse arrangements that highlight Russell's versatility as a vocalist. The production takes risks while maintaining cohesion throughout the entirety of the project. A thoroughly compelling listen. 
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#17
Thrive
​Cassadee Pope

As a fan of pop-punk and its tendencies towards big hooks and choruses, I may think more highly of Thrive than many of my peers. In my estimation, though, it's one of the most engaging mainstream listens of the year, putting a more organic take on pop-punk sensibilities and putting the bigger arrangements on top of thoughtful writing. Pope sounds great all throughout, and more in her element than she did often throughout her post-The Voice introduction to the country scene. From her Hey Monday days, Pope demonstrated a tremendous capacity to handle big hooks and choruses, and she puts these talents to use all throughout Thrive. 
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#16
​The Ballad of Dood and Juanita
Sturgill Simpson

A concept album that finds Simpson relying more on his preexisting strengths than pushing boundaries. And I don't say that as a bad thing -- it's refreshing to hear Simpson operate within his niche, telling interesting stories behind sturdy, organic arrangements, and sounding great doing it. A fairly compelling story arc that doesn't veer into cliche or pandering. If this is indeed Simpson's last solo effort, it's a fine one to go out on. 
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#15
Pohorylle
Margo Cilker

A highly competent piece of work that puts an interesting twist on traditional country concepts. Cilker is a compelling vocalist, and the songwriting is solid all throughout. I appreciate the somber textures all throughout. The talent is evident and I'm excited to hear more. 
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#14
Things To Come
​Jeremy Parsons​

A wholly charming album that both thrives in its simplicity while also taking some more subtle sonic risks. It's an accessible take on modern country that's both roots and atmospheric, and while Parsons isn't a vocal powerhouse, he presents his material earnestly. A well-written, well-crafted album that establishes Parsons as a talent well worth watching. 
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#13
Heart
Eric Church

The best of his three-album concept, Heart finds Eric Church playing to his strengths. It has swagger, it has strength, and it spans a range of human emotions. Tracks like "Crazyland" and "Russian Roulette" stand out as career highlights. While he overthought it at other points on this Heart & Soul journey, the first effort by and large gets it right. 
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#12
29: Written in Stone
​Carly Pearce

A gorgeous and personal neo-traditional effort, showcasing Pearce as a force of talent. In a year of high profile divorce albums, Pearce's stands above on the delightful and fulsome arrangements, and by her strength as a technical and evocative performer. It's an honest, and thoroughly country, album that announces Peace as a force in the mainstream. 
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#11
​The Comeback
​Zac Brown Band

I had my doubts going in, but the title largely rings true. After the atrocity that was The Owl, their latest project does feel like a comeback of sorts. It finds the Zac Brown Band back in their groove in their songwriting, musicianship, and vocals, leaning back into the organic sound that made them so exceptional in their earlier days. This is most evident on the likes of "Love and Sunsets" and "Stubborn Pride", where Zac Brown sounds as good as he ever has. It's a project that is vibrant, intelligent, and effectively blends country with outside influences to make for a unique and wholly enjoyable album. A welcome return to form. 
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#10
Mercy
Cole Chaney

Well-told stories, well sung, over a rock solid and sparse acoustic backdrop, The simplicity works, and allows Chaney's rich vocals and writing to shine, like a stripped down Tyler Childers. Much has been said about the Appalachian movement in country music, by smarter people than me, and Chaney is yet another solid product of the environment. An incredible introduction. 
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#9
Cast Iron Pansexual
Adeem the Artist

Writing that is vulnerable, entertaining, and captivating that's given room to breathe by a light acoustic backdrop. Adeem is a capable vocalist and breathes authenticity into the songwriting, while the melodies and hooks hold your attention. Cast Iron Pansexual is a highly intelligent and memorable project. 
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#8
The Marfa Tapes
Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, and Jon Randall

Novelty projects are risky in that they can be a flash in the pan just easily as they can be memorable and pivotal moments in a career. The Marfa Tapes is a huge win, putting smart writing behind a stripped down production scheme. Are the interludes a little cheesy? Sure, but honestly that's part of the charm. It grips you emotionally and at the same time is a lot of fun and incredibly compelling. 
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#7
Music City USA
Charley Crockett

Crockett has established himself as one of the most unique sounds and talents in independent country music, and Music City USA finds him growing his talents further. The project is both breezy and wrought with emotion, and Crockett has the unique capability of blending both. The songwriting is strong and centred around memorable hooks, and the melodies hold up well on repeated listens. 
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#6
How the Mighty Fall
Charles Wesley Godwin

Rich in its sound and its storytelling, Godwin came into his own on How the Mighty Fall. He establishes himself as one of the most compelling interpreters and performers in independent country, and does so over a compelling group of songs. The production is unique and well-suited to the stories at hand. As someone who wasn't blown away by his debut, Seneca, Godwin has won me over with this effort. 
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#5
Reckless
Morgan Wade

Big hooks and catchy melodies against a more textured backdrop. Wade is a commanding vocal presence and the production is a remarkable take on pop-country. A remarkable effort that demands repeat listens. Incredible stuff. ​
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#4
In These Silent Days
​Brandi Carlile​

A return that showcases why Carlile is regarded as a premier voice and pen in the country-adjacent world. In These Silent Times is both gritty and low-key, with sparse arrangements that allow Carlile's raw vocal talent to shine and her detailed, poetic lyricism to be fully appreciated. It's an effort that highlights all of Carlile's best traits and was well worth the multi-year wait. 
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#3
​The Horses and the Hound
​James McMurtry​

Equal parts poetic and gruff, McMurtry present profound stories and messages with an everyman's perspective. "Canola Fields", in its wisdom and reflection, may be the year's single finest track. This album is an impressive and deeply human portrayal of humanity that emphasizes McMurtry's skill as both as a songwriter and a performer. It's accessible, it's raw, and it taps into a range of human emotions. Truly exceptional. 
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#2
Vivian Leva & Riley Calcagno
Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno​

Sometimes less is more, and Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno embody that in a big way on their self-titled project. A simple, yet stunningly elegant collection, Leva and Calcagno tap into raw human emotions around love in a way that is highly intelligent and accessible. The production is gorgeous, with simple acoustics backing stunning melodies. The whole package -- from the harmonies, to the hooks, to the instrumentation -- is intoxicating in a way that few releases of recent years have been. These two are now permanently on my radar, and I cannot recommend this project highly enough. 
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#1
American Siren
Emily Scott Robinson​

A stunning project from start to finish, showcasing Robinson's immense talent as a writer and a performer. It is poignant in its observational and personal qualities, telling rich stories that feels both parts universal and close to her own heart. While her previous album, Travelling Mercies, relied heavily on a sparse, acoustic backdrop, American Siren soars in its breadth, embracing broader textures and a more diverse sonic palette. The piano-driven "Let 'Em Burn" is a gorgeous portrayal of leaving behind a toxic relationship with faith, while the wistful "Lightning In a Bottle" is the best take on youthful romance in recent memory. The ground covered here is deeply intimate, and spends a lot of time reflecting on faith and the complexities therein. Robinson may the be the single most talented songwriter in the country music sphere, and American Siren is an absolutely extraordinary effort on all fronts.