Uly’s Top 7 Albums of 2021
Belated, but better late than never…
7. James Blake = Friends That Break Your Heart
An emotional triumph and one of his best to date. Themes covered hit home in more ways than one, the features are stellar, and his production continues to innovate when he could so easily coast on the last sound, or the last major project. No one does melancholy like James Blake, as depressing as that might sound.
6. Tyler, The Creator = CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST
Tyler reaches into an old bag of tricks while retaining that emotional growth outlined on IGOR. Question is: is it better than Flower Boy??? I keep going back and forth on it. The Wes-like dazed aesthetics mixed with how effortless he makes it all seem say yes. From internet goblin to inspiring renaissance mogul, crazy to see how far he’s come.
5. Arca = KicK iii
A gem in Arca’s multiple-part Kick series (all are gems, in there own way). Why go for KicK ii over the others? It’s rip-roaring, experimental as fuck and unlike anything I’ve heard this year. Not nearly as accessible for first time listeners as the Kick before it, but it never needed to be. Will be keeping an eye out for what comes next.
4. Isaiah Rashad = The House Is Burning
Like picking up a colouring book and finishing every page no matter how many times you go outside of the lines; this album is part of my daily routine. The stories and tellings told are some of Rashad’s best to date. I knew on my first listen that this outing was just pure therapy; sounds I can come back to whenever and simply pick up where I left off.
3. Little Simz = Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
This album is something special, a true turning point for Simz, who up until this point, had still been wrestling her way into the hearts and minds of listeners. She pushed everyone off the fence with this one. Also, seeing her perform these songs live only confirmed that she’s probably the best MC in the country, period.
2. Injury Reserve = By the Time I Get to Phoenix
Can’t help but wonder where the three would have gone as a trio if this was the direction they were heading in sound-wise. That being said, I can’t put into words what this album sounds like given it feels like one session where everything was riffed on the spot. And yet, it still splits your head open in ways you never thought were possible. Listen to ‘Postpostpartum,’ you’ll get it…
- Mach-Hommy = Pray For Haiti
At the top spot I’ve got Pray For Haiti, a project from one Mach-Hommy. I discovered this one late into the year, finding it difficult to put down. Volume is the Griselda game, but on Pray For Haiti you should want to stop and smell the roses. Creole, English; Mach coasts between the two which adds such an interesting layer on top of everything else that’s going on. It’s rich in heritage, humour and quality, through and through.
