Hi Pal,
We’re three months into 2022, and I still can’t get over the music that we were blessed with in the past year. Late last year, I created a list of my top ten albums of 2021 (see here).
At the time of making that list, I had some albums that I was yet to listen to — because life happens and we all have busy schedules — and others that were simply not on my radar at the time.
Now that I’ve had the time to listen to them, I figured I should tell you about them.
Unlike my top ten albums, this list is not ranked.
Let’s get into it.
1 — New Page by Isaias Baquedano
This album was brought to my attention on a random day that I decided to pay attention to my Spotify recommendations. I sampled the first track — which doubles as the title track — and I liked what I heard. Still, it took a few months for me to give the album a proper listen and I am glad I did.
It’s a chill alternative/indie rock album with interesting twists and turns. I also have a soft spot for bilingual/multilingual artists and it warms my heart that he sings in both English and Spanish.
Recommended Songs: New Page; Man of War (Jehová); Holy (Lord God Almighty)
2 — Psalm Songs, Vol. 3 by The Corner Room
The fact that this album did not make my initial top ten list for the past year is a classic case of neglect. Anyone who has been following the group already knows what to expect from this album.
They began the Psalm Songs project in 2015 — a collection of songs taken directly from the book of Psalm. The first two volumes are brilliant and the third instalment does not disappoint. It’s one of the best folk/Americana worship releases of 2021 with gospel and southern influences very evident across the album.
Recommended Songs: Psalm 11; Psalm 43; Psalm 150
3 — Requited by Civilized Creature
What genre of music does Civilized Creature actually make? If you’re being simplistic, you could call it electronic music but that would be doing Ryan Lane’s project a little disservice.
Drawing elements from electronica, dance, hip-hop, lo-fi and indie; this is not an album that is easy to define. One thing I can assure you of is that you would enjoy the ride from start to finish.
Underneath this musical adventure, is an album that cuts right to the heart of the matter — a relationship with the Father and the Son. This is my favourite thing about the album.
Recommended Songs: When I Call; Moon Song; Father’s Arms
4 — Stranger by Muntjac
If there’s an album on this list that truly compelled me to write this, it was this one. Muntjac is truly something special and this debut album is worth every second put into making it.
Stranger is an album for storytellers and story lovers alike; an alternative album that paints vivid pictures with each track and draws you into the headspace of the singer. It’s easy to tell that it was made with a lot of heart and I adore everything about it.
Recommended Songs: Stumble; Dusk; Waving, Not Drowning
5 — Infinite Love by KEO
I have a lot of love for alternative RnB and I’m not sure I talk about that enough here. KEO did not just drop my favourite alternative RnB album of 2021 but one of the best albums of the year, period.
Blending funk, hip-hop, lo-fi beats and soul into his sound, this was one of the musical experiences that left me feeling complete from the past year.
Recommended Songs: Presence; Riverside; Take The Wheel
6 — Show Me What It Means by Land of Color
Land of Color is Gary Rea from South Africa and Thomas Ewing from the United States.
There’s usually something special about cultures coming together and that is where this album excels. This is very much a pop album, yet it shines in its diversity of expressions that clearly reflect the backgrounds of the people behind the project.
Recommended Songs: Show Me What It Means; Ceiling; Don’t Let The Enemy In
7 — Wind by Jonathan Allen Wright
Jonathan Allen Wright’s music deserves more attention than it has. His is an exercise in subtlety and it’s quite clear on this album. Far from being his first rodeo — he has four albums to his name so far — this album fits in perfectly with his discography as a natural progression in this growth of his sound.
With sounds within the atmospheric indie-folk space; there is something in it for everyone who is open to it.
Recommended Songs: You Forever; Sensed; Doxology
8 — Fully Alive by Future Divine
Austin Lyons’ solo project, Future Divine, dropped its debut album last year. It was one of the earliest releases of the year and I somehow neglected to listen to it until late 2021.
From energetic songs reminiscent of arena rock/alternative rock anthems that I grew up with, to sober and reflective tunes; this album is one that I would recommend over and over again.
Recommended Songs: Fully Alive; Show Me How To Live; Nightmare Into Day
9 — Heart In Remission by Caitelen
With almost a decade between her debut album and this one — with singles in between — there is no doubt that Caitelen has grown tremendously as an artist.
Heart In Remission is a testament to her growth both as an artist and a producer and it’s clear from the variety of sounds that can be found in these songs. In all of this, the message is not lost as there is a clear and intentional focus on the different facets of the life of a believer.
Recommended Songs: Heart In Remission; Comfortable Quiet; Torn Asunder
10 — Event Horizon by Glowing Moses
Everything about Glowing Moses packs a punch. From energetic indie rock and roll to classic and progressive rock elements, their music has everything for lovers of driving riffs, delicious runs and climatic endings.
The most beautiful thing about them is the testimony of Cole Harmon — the frontman — and the band’s obvious dedication to creating melodies to capture the victorious lives that Christians are called to live.
Recommended Songs: War is Over; Morning Star; The Fix
That’s all for today folks.
With this, I’m almost done with my 2021 musings. Almost…
Until next time.
Keep listening!
Social Preview Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash