tyman's Top 20(21)
It's that time of year again. Every one puts in their best of the year lists and the front page is absolutely saturated with awful takes, absurdly long compilations, and superiority complexes. So let me add to the chaos! |
| 25 |  | A Day To Remember
You're Welcome
Worst of the Year
Yeah... go read the collaborative review on this awful thing
Escape the Fate - Chemical Warfare
Slaughter to Prevail - Kostolom
Architects - For Those That Wish To Exist
AJR - OK Orchestra
The worst artist known as ghostfuneral (for those that remember that whole fiasco) |
| 24 |  | LANDMVRKS
Lost In The Waves
Disappointment of the Year
This band used to be so fun. Their first two records had some bangers and a pretty unique sound for the genre. Then I don't know what happened, this album just flopped. Some really boring moments here, then just some moments that are flat out awful... don't check this out.
Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over The Country Club
Humanity's Last Breath - Valde
Soen - Imperial
Gojira - Fortitude |
| 23 |  | We Butter The Bread With Butter
Das Album
Surprise of the Year
This is a weird one, but this actually blew me away. I always saw this band as a cheesy deathcore band that was low tier quality. Now, they're a cheesy deathcore band that's top tier quality. This thing is full of fun riffs, breakdowns, quirky moments, and great vocal performance.
Chevelle - NITRAS
Trivium - In the Court of the Dragon
Poppy - Flux
Blanket - Modern Escapism
Phinehas - The Fire Itself |
| 22 |  | Lord Huron
Long Lost
Song of the Year - Lord Huron - Drops in the Lake
The World Is A Beautiful Place... - Infinite Josh
Don Broco - One True Prince
Leon III - Fly Migrator
Frost* - Day and Age
Olivia Rodrigo - hope ur ok
Isaac Dunbar - the world and all her pearls
Musk Ox - Inheritance, Pt. 2 (Hindsight)
Foxing - Where the Lightning Strikes Twice
Switchfoot - Wolves
Volumes - Happier? |
| 21 |  | Invent Animate
The Sun Sleeps, As If It Never Was
EP of the Year
If you know me, you should've seen this coming. This EP is just unbelievable and it has so much emotion and story contained within it. For a more detailed explanation, read my review, because there's a lot to unpack from this masterpiece.
Knocked Loose - A Tear In the Fabric of Life
Poppy - EAT
Isaac Dunbar - evil twin
Impending Doom - Hellbent
The Amity Affliction - Somewhere Beyond the Blue |
| 20 |  | Kaonashi
Dear Lemon House, You Ruined Me: Senior Year
Yeah, the vocals, they're hard to get into. But once you do, the entire record just falls into place. Kaonashi's first full length is full to the brim with catchy riffs, an all over the place story, and vocals that go from weird high screams to beautifully smooth cleans. Most will disregard this because of the vocals, but give it a chance! |
| 19 |  | Don Broco
Amazing Things
This record is FUN. These guys really know how to have a good time with their music. Mixing post-hardcore with alternative rock and synths, Amazing Things is just banger after banger. This also has one of the best songs of the year known as One True Prince (just saying). |
| 18 |  | Dvne
Etemen Ænka
This. Is. Massive. There's really no other way I can put it. Dvne's newest record is full of intense riffs and fantastic vocals that I just can't get enough of. Honestly, I really am having a hard time trying to describe this record as anything else but massive. |
| 17 |  | Brockhampton
Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine
Brockhampton quickly became one of my favorite groups last year, so I was absolutely ecstatic that they had yet another record up their sleeves. This entire thing is a vibe filled with great flow and fun beats that just don't let up. Even if you can't get behind the record, you have to admit "Take You On" and "Buzzcut" are absolute bangers. |
| 16 |  | Manchester Orchestra
The Million Masks of God
Although it doesn't reach the same highs A Black Mile, The Million Masks of God surprised me with just how well Manchester Orchestra managed to follow up an absolute masterpiece. The more atmospheric, indie style feels like the perfect natural progression for the band and it's such a captivating listen each time. |
| 15 |  | Switchfoot
interrobang
This is probably the biggest surprise on this list for me. I've always enjoyed Switchfoot, especially as a kid hearing Meant to Live at various youth group events I went to. But this, this is something else. With interrobang, they went down the route of an indie rock vibe with a good amount of experimentation for a band well over 20 years into the career. |
| 14 |  | Frost*
Day and Age
Honestly forgot this released this year, but it's an absolute banger. Frost*'s combination of progressive rock with electronic synths and orchestral composition is nothing but impressive, and this album really shows it off. With the opener alone, the album begins with a highlight and stays at that high level all the way through. |
| 13 |  | Black Country, New Road
For the first time
I guess I kind of got lucky because I hadn't heard any of the stuff from these guys before this album, so I can't really complain about "ruining Sunglasses" or any of the new versions because I didn't have that attachment. With that in mind, I love this record. The experimental post-rock/punk style like that of black midi hit me deep, and it continues to hit hard with every listen. |
| 12 |  | Converge
Bloodmoon: I
Who would've thought Chelsea Wolfe would be a good fit for Converge? I definitely didn't think much of it, yet here we are now. Bloodmoon is an insane record full of the intensity of Converge, the beautiful, dark gothic style of Chelsea Wolfe, and a combination of the two that feels like an explosion of styles. This record blew me away from the first lesson, and it continues to do so with each replay. |
| 11 |  | Leon III
Antlers in Velvet
Thank you Sowing for reviewing this, otherwise I never would've found it. In a style that Sowing described as "psychedelic country-rock," Antlers in Velvet is an absolute experience. With some influence from Pink Floyd combined with a country structure and composition, Leon III have crafted a record that feels both modern and classic. |
| 10 |  | Devil Sold His Soul
Loss
Post-metal tinged post-hardcore with full-driving guitars, fantastic dual vocals, and plenty of atmosphere? Count me in. I had never heard these guys before, but this stuck with me almost immediately. I always find myself coming back to this record and being wowed by the same moments that got me the first time (like that bridge in Ardour < 3) |
| 9 |  | Trophy Scars
Astral Pariah
This was my first experience with Trophy Scars, and wow was it an experience. The mix of massive instrumentation and composition with the blues style and vocals was mesmerizing the first time I heard it. It's a short record, but it packs a punch that breaks it into the top 10 for me. |
| 8 |  | So Hideous
None But a Pure Heart can Sing
This album quickly climbed the ranks of my favorites of the year. There's just something about the mix of brass instrumentation with the blackened composition that really resonates with me. The complex songwriting and intensity honestly just hits a spot with me that I can't quite describe. |
| 7 |  | The Killers
Pressure Machine
Every time I look at my list, I have to double take and think "did The Killers actually release a top 10 record in 2021?" This release absolutely shocked me. The indie style throughout this record with the addition of symphonic elements and folky moments really elevate Pressure Machine to a level I couldn't have thought imaginable for a band that made Mr. Brightside. |
| 6 |  | Every Time I Die
Radical
Every Time I Die has already had an unreal career. They've been at the top of their game for years now... and somehow this seems to be them in their prime. I really wasn't expecting much from them after how good Low Teens was, but Radical really blew that one out of the water. Intense riffs, amazing vocals, and great additions of melodic moments throughout the record craft easily the best metal album of the year. |
| 5 |  | Adjy
The Idyll Opus (I-VI)
These newcomers are going to have a great career ahead of them. With a style similar to The Dear Hunter, Adjy has a fantastic sense of story progression and cinematic-esque composition with their music. Their indie/folk touch to rock is a great composition, and this massive album never falters from track to track. |
| 4 |  | Iosonouncane
IRA
Iosonouncane took a WHILE for me to get into. I mean, it's hard to find the time to actually sit through a nearly two hour record and fully take it in. But once I finally did, I understood the appeal. The intense ambiance, unsettling atmosphere, masterful composition, it all cohesively creates a masterpiece of a record. Honestly, words can't really describe this record, you'll just have to check it yourself. |
| 3 |  | The World Is a Beautiful Place...
Illusory Walls
I think this was one of the only insta-5s of the year for me, and it's well deserved. I immediately felt drawn to this record, and every riff, every progression, every phrase made me fall more and more in love with it. The biggest draw for me with the record is the absolutely massive 25 minute/2 track conclusion that is just breathtaking the first time you hear it. |
| 2 |  | Musk Ox
Inheritance
This was a massive surprise for me. I didn't check this out until much later in the year, because quite honestly, the idea of instrumental folk and strings didn't sound super appealing. Man was I wrong. This thing is massive and mesmerizing. I found myself consistently coming back to this record when studying or doing work and it just became engrained within me. |
| 1 | | Lord Huron
Long Lost
I honestly couldn't figure out my number 1 until a couple days ago, yet here we are. Every time I listen to Long Lost, it feels like a wholly new and beautiful experience, with other subtleties and intricacies showing up each time. It has a vintage feel while remaining modern and it has a drowned out, ambient feel while remaining fully present. There's not much else I can say about this record, you just have to experience it yourself. |
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