The year 2021 was again a year marked by the corona pandemic. After asking around within our team, as far as we’re concerned it was also a meager musical year. Many artists keep their recorded music on the shelf for a while, eagerly looking forward to ‘the grand opening’ that will hopefully follow after the canceled ‘summer of love‘ of 2021. We had a lot of trouble putting together a list of the best albums of 2021, so we ended up leaving it at 5 pieces. Are we overlooking an important album that we absolutely must listen to? Let us know!
These are the best albums of 2021 according to team Thunder Agency:
These are the five best albums of 2021 according to Thunder Agency
Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak., Silk Sonic – An Evening With Silk Sonic
Few good things have surfaced in this corona crisis, but if we had to choose one, it’s this one. The miracle bond between superstars Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak. arose during the first lockdown. The gentlemen already knew each other from Bruno Mars’ tour, where Paak. played in the program. The album Silk Sonic is an ode to the smooth love songs of the 70s and even funkmeister Bootsy Collins makes an appearance. ‘Leave The Door Open’ and ‘Skate’ were already regularly heard on the radio. Our prediction is that ‘Fly As Me’ will also receive single status. The album is full of funny one-liners, ambiguities and winks (“you smell better than a barbecue”), but above all: silk sonic smooooooth.
Purple Disco Machine – Exotica
Purple Disco Machine’s previous album dates from 2007 and with the hit ‘Body Funk’, it was the kick-off of a new phase in his already well-deserved career. The German has since carved out his own place in the house scene with an unparalleled sound that can best be described as a mix between disco, italo disco, house and radio pop. ‘Hypnotized’ is the biggest hit of this album, but it dates back to 2020. Fireworks, in collaboration with New Yorkers ‘The Knocks’, hit the radio this year. Here and there the album sounds a bit forced (like the cover Don’t Stop), but songs like Dopamine, Money Money and Loneliness more than make up for that. And for the real fans, a mixed club version of the album has now also been released: Club Exotica.
SG Lewis – Times
British producer SG Lewis launched his debut album ‘times’ in February this year and was immediately able to write one of the best albums of 2021. This 10-track debut borrows influences from disco, dance and pop and builds on the songs that his fans already know from him. As one of the hottest names of the moment, he signed up CHIC frontman Nile Rodgers, Swedish singer Robyn and R&B superstar Lucky Daye for collaborations. The album ‘times’ is not only suitable for the dance floor, but also a pleasant listening experience for lovers of dance, pop and disco.
Little Simz – Sometimes I might be introvert
The English Little Simz has long been regarded as one of the head turners among music critics and with the album ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ she can finally shake off the ‘one to watch’ brand and proudly herself an established artist. to mention. As one of hipho’s most interesting names of the moment, they once again deliver one hell of an album, with many orchestral influences and forays into neo soul and R&B. ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ is a listening experience from start to finish and can rightly be called one of the best albums of 2021 in our opinion.
Adele – 30
Few releases have been so eagerly anticipated as Adele’s new album. As one of the biggest artists in the world, she doesn’t care about the prevailing laws of the streaming landscape and prefers making an album over releasing regular singles, as is common today. Normally the recipe for oblivion, but not if you have Adele’s voice. The majority of her album was written with her regular producer Greg Kurstin, but there are also a few outings, including a poppy song with Swedish super producers Max Martin and Shellback – known from Katy Perry to The Jonas Brothers. That song ‘Can I Get It’ also feels like the most poppy song on an album that has influences from jazz, soul and classical. Fun fact: She got Spotify to remove the shuffle button from the albums so listeners get the experience as the album was intended to be. Then you are a big one.
What do you think is one of the best albums of 2021? Send us an email, because we are curious about your feedback! Throwing a home party on New Years Eve? Follow our Spotify playlist of our disco event Disco Tropicana, full of wonderfully danceable disco, house & pop classics!