This year was a tough year to choose a Top 10 Ranking for me. Not only because I think it was a kind of strong year, I also found some new gems in different genres and now I am not totally sure how I want to rank it. So, like Roman, I tend to do only a Top 10 without any kind of ranking. The albums which I had the most fun with. There was some good new re-releases too, but I want to show you the new stuff from 2021.
Meijar – Meijar
[Released via lala Schallplatten]
A recommendation from Roman to me and what can I say other than it was in my Top List of 2021 immediately after first listening. A band that needs more recognition for their work, even though they sing in German. Strong vocals, emotional lyrics, hard but soulful riffs and drums with a strong atmospheric sound. A highlight of the music year 2021.
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=1527221266 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5]Maybeshewill – No Feeling Is Final
[The Robot Needs Home Collective/Cargo]
I was happy as the message came over their social media channels: there will be a new album in 2021. And they don’t disappoint, No Feeling is Final is one of the best Post-Rock albums in 2021 with a strong message and excellent combinations of different sounds.
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=433641254 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 license_id=2309]Shy, Low – Snake Behind The Sun
[Pelagic Records]
This album is a good example for how you can play two different and opposite feelings at once and let them battle. You can feel the hope, the fear and the anger in here. These Americans are a must-listen for every Post-Metal and Post-Rock enthusiast.
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=1427219922 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5]LEVT – Lifande
[Brick Kiln Records]
Have I ever said that I like strange ideas in Post-Rock and music? LEVT is one of the bands who are doing the most artificial styles of the genre. As in my two reviews about them I hope they can surprise me a third time in the future.
[Review]
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=2934538102 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5]Der Weg einer Freiheit – Noktvrn
[Season of Mist]
I must confess, I avoided the band a long time. I am not sure why I did that, but after a strong recommendation from my Team here I gave it a chance. Instant one of the best 2021 albums and a new band to discover in 2022. Thanks!
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=2958489736 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5]Raedsel – Menetekel
[Fluttery Records]
How much more is to say: a debut album of a Post-Rock Band is in my Top 10 of this year. To be fair, they don’t introduce a completely new style to the genre, but they are setting a higher bar than most other bands. Menetekel is one of the albums that surprised me the most in 2021.
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=2093474697 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5]Slut – Talks of Paradise
[Cargo Records]
Slut is in my opinion a German band that is often mistakenly overlooked in Germany. An own musical style you can recognize and always releasing benchmark (English speaking) Indie-Rock albums. I would say only 2-3 other bands are able to achieve that high quality output. Don’t sleep on these!
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=354907664 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5]CHVRCHES – Screen Violence
[Vertigo/Universal]
2021 was the year I finally got in love with Synth-Pop and Synthwave. And in my opinion the best Synth-Pop Album of 2021 is Screen Violence. Nothing more to say.
Listen into his entire back catalogue, thank me later.
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=1402833098 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5]Mogwai – As The Love Continues
[Temporary Residence]
A late personal slip into my ranking. The album was released in early 2021, but my first real listen was in December. I curse myself for that, because I would have had so much fun this year with it. Don’t do the same mistake and listen to it!
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=3793168922 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5]Hemelbestormer – Collide & Merge
[Ván Records]
For me the best Post-Metal album of 2021. What a build-up of atmospheric and ambient sounds without getting too soft. Just discovered them with this album and after that fell in love with the two previous ones. I hope I can see them live in the future.
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=1877338793 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5]
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