20. “Ghost Tapes #10” by God Is An Astronaut
This experimental band have been producing guitar-led instrumentals for twenty years, though this is the first I’ve heard of them. At times fierce and penetrating, there is some piano involved which helps soften the mood into something more contemplative. As a full length, this record is majestic.
Try “Burial”
19. “Chemtrails Over The Country Club” by Lana Del Rey
Hugely prolific and, to me, always brilliant, this her seventh album somehow managed to underwhelm many critics and fans alike. Without wishing to be deliberately contrary I think this is one of her very best. It’s her most folksy offering, but she continues to both inhabit and deconstruct the American Dream in the most mesmeric way.
Try “White Dress” which showcases an amazingly fragile vocal performance.
18. “Thirstier” by Torres
Quite a departure for Mackenzie Ruth Scott (aka Torres) on this, her fifth album. The sound is bigger, more pompous, more confident, more defiant. She is boldly admitting to being happy and she wants everyone to know about it, via wall-of-sound guitar pop rock, with some grunge and even country elements thrown in.
Try “Don’t Go Puttin’ Wishes In My Head”
17. “I’ve Been Trying To Tell You” by Saint Etienne
Rough Trade’s website writes “Saint Etienne have always understood that pop music is the nearest thing to time travel, the closest we can get to breathing the air of a different time. On this album they take that theory to its logical conclusion.” And how, with each track incorporating very subtle sounds and samples from 1997 to 2001. If, like it is for me, that period of time is rich in nostalgia (both upbeat and yet at times painful) then this is like putting Proust straight into your ears. It’s alchemy and it sounds divine. The sleeve notes and cover photography are artworks in their own right.
Try “Pond House”
16. “New Fragility” by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Alec Ounsworth has always been the creative force behind Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and his distinctive voice makes any record unmistakably theirs. So I hope I’m not doing the band’s alumni too much of a disservice when I say that it seems to not be a problem that he is the only surviving band member for this, their sixth album. I absolutely love the way this guy approaches melody and whilst I would happily recommend ANY of their previous albums, it’s great that 2021 included a new one.
Try “Thousand Oaks”
15. “Stand For Myself” by Yola
Soul, disco and pop, wandering basslines, motown-inspired brass backing and all wrapped up in THAT astonishing voice. These are the records that make my return to vinyl even more special, despite them being miles away, sonically speaking, from my default melancholic guitar indie. The fact that this was produced by Dan Aurbach from Black Keys says much about its eclectic nature.
14. “Bright Magic” by Public Service Broadcasting
I really don’t know where to begin describing this concept album about the city of Berlin, such is the density of ideas contained within its 46 minutes. It’s sort of in three parts (the physical construction of the spaces / the building of the myth of the city / a final sonic evocation of what the place means to J. Wilgoose, the composer). It is less linear than the previous four PSB records, less narrative, and it uses way less spoken english samples, though some of the soaring guitar and keyboard structures are familiar. But these are just words, and do nothing to convey the sense of wonderment the music radiates. And Bowie is there, haunting the seventh track, aptly titled “The Visitor”.
Try “My Blue Heaven”, though to be honest this, of all albums on my end of year list, really only works being listened to as a whole. In fact, this track is completely atypical of the rest of the album. I just really like it, so there!
13. “Ongoing Dispute” by Yung
Second album from the Danish quartet, parts of this remind me of the too-cool-for-school swagger of The Strokes at the height of their powers. Catchy yet brash, they never sacrifice melody however much the cascading guitars are doing. Immense.
Try “Friends On Ice”
12. “Juillet” by En Attendant Ana
Second album for the Parisian quartet, the hints of Stereolab are still there, though they’ve upped their songwriting with more complex arrangements and melodies that soar and wander. Absolutely dazzling.
Try “Enter My Body (Lilith)” and marvel as the guitars build and swoon and just when you thought you couldn’t get swept up any higher, there’s a brass section to tip you into ever more intense euphoria.
11. “Ignorance” by The Weather Station
Tamara Lindeman – The Weather Station – wanted to break herself of prior songwriting habits and access more emotional moods, via a stronger sense of rhythm. To achieve this, she did not allow herself to write with guitar, setting herself a challenge to only compose on keyboards. If this album’s beautiful, sensuous, lavish sound is anything to go by, she’s hit songwriting gold.
Mark Davison 