26. Saturn’s Return by Secret Sisters.
Produced by Brandi Carlisle, who appears on the album as well. If you like this, try Bonny Light Horseman: A folk “supergroup” of Tony-winner Anais Mitchell, The National’s Josh Kaufman and Eric D. Johnson of Fruit Bats.
25. U Kin B The Sun by Frazey Ford.. A unique collection of pop/soul songs that keeps the listener guessing at every turn. I loved this album. And if you do, too, you might also like it’s cousin: Going to the Movies by Mark Fredson. Easy listening with edgy lyrics
24. Forever, Ya Girl-Keiyaa.
Hypnotic R&B with an edge. If this album grabs you, you might try Untitled (Black Is) by Sault. It’s got an overtly religious angle, but it’s also very soulful and moving in unexpected ways.
23. Set Fire to My Heart Immediately by Perfume Genius.
This year I was savagely ripped apart by Chron’s disease, making this art-pop masterpiece especially important to me.
22. Every Bad by Porridge Radio.. When people talk about “real” indie rock, this is what they mean.
21. Anime Trauma Divorce by Open Mike Eagle.
His best album in years, and his second-best ever, a terrific collection of personal, painful songs. If you like this, try Jay Electronica. He started the year with an interesting, albeit fairly mainstream, album with Jay-Z (“A Written Testimony”), and followed it up by releasing (seemingly under pressure) Act II to his 2007 debut. The second release was experimental alt-rap in the extreme. Paired together, it’s easy to see why Electronica is one of the more important hip hop rapper/producers of the day. I also recommend HiJinx by Googie and Henry Canyons.
20. Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers. Indie awesomeness. And if you like this, you might like the more upbeat, but just as well crafted, Jump Rope Gazers by The Beths. Pop!
19. The GOAT by Polo G. Full of swagger, Polo’s flow on his second official album has gotten smoother and leaner. But no, he’s not the greatest of all time. Yet.
18. Gigaton by Pearl Jam.
They’re back, with their best work in over a decade.
17. We Still Go to Rodeos by Whitney Rose.. I recognize that many of my top picks are either Americana or country-adjacent, but this was a good year for that kind of music, I guess. Whitney Rose’s album is pure excellence. It stands out in the very, very crowded field of female country/folk/rockers. See also: Ladylike by Ingrid Andress. An extraordinary cross between pop and country by the writer of Charli XCX’s megahit, “Boys.”
16. Coriky. I’m sure Ian MacKaye gets sick of having his more recent art compared to his groundbreaking work on the DC Punk scene but it’s inevitable, so here it goes: This is what it looks like when Fugazi grows up.
15. Folklore by Taylor Swift.
I don’t think this was the album anyone expected, but it was a terrific surprise.
14. Elisabeth by Zach Bryan.
Just a man, a guitar, and sadness. If you haven’t heard this yet, you need to. See also: Quiet, Heavy Dreams, a second Bryan release from this year. Truly, he offers an embarrassing amount of powerful songs.
13. Desire by Desire Marea. Genre-defying, mind-blowing music out of South Africa.
12. Detroit 2 by Big Sean.
When I make these lists, I like to check what other people think, too. I was surprised how polarizing this album is. Vulture called it Big Sean’s finest, but Pitchfork gave it a 5.2. Metacritic scores it at 71, while users push it to 83. The first “Detroit” was one of the best rap albums out of the D in a decade. This sequel follows the rules: It’s bigger, it’s louder, it has bigger named guest stars (including Eminem, Tee Grizzley, and Lil Wayne), and, despite what you might read, it’s just as good.
11. Descendants of Cain by Ka.
Fire fighter by day, rapper by night. Genius.
The top 10 starts after the break!
