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Top Albums of 2021

We asked WRFLiens what their top three albums of 2021 were. Here’s what they said:

MIKE BRAY (DJ, ALL THINGS HEAVY)
1. Panopticon ‘… And Again Into The Light’
“Another masterpiece by a prolific artist.”
2. Monolord ‘Your Time to Shine’
“They keep evolving and getting better.”
3. Thou ‘Blessings of the Highest Order’
“Despite it being a cover album of Nirvana, it was a long time coming and is crushing.”

ROWAN BRAZEL (DJ, YUCK!)
1. Red Vox ‘Realign’
“This 2020 album is a different sound than most of their other works. Red Vox is my personal favorite band, and I listened to this album every day this summer. It has a big focus on darker, ethereal sounds and experiments with synths more than anything they’ve done before. I personally think that this album’s biggest strength though is the poetic lyrics.”
2. VIAL ‘ROADKILL’
“This album has so much energy and is such a fun listen! This queer punk/rock band had lots of strong riffs and screaming. It’s the perfect soundtrack to hate the patriarchy to!”
3. Royal Blood ‘Typhoons’
“This album is so funky and danceable compared to previous works. It obviously draws a lot of influence from Queens of the Stone Age’s more recent albums. I think it’s a really fun listen and I’ve enjoyed listening to it thoroughly!”

CHRIS BROWNING (VOLUNTEER DJ)
1. Cassandra Jenkins ‘An Overview on Phenomenal Nature’
2. Torres ‘Thirstier’
3. Naked Days ‘My Head Hz’

MARY CLARK (STATION ADVISOR)
1. Gojira ‘Fortitude’
“This is yet another powerful and poignant masterpiece form the socially-conscious French progressive metal group. Exploring themes of sociopolitical and environmental issues, this album highlights the best of Gojira (heavy riffs, technical playing) while also incorporating rallying grooves and sing-along choruses to inspire strength and – dare I say it? – fortitude. I was lucky enough to see them in Nashville on their tour for this release and am pleased to report that these guys are even better live. Favorite album of 2021 AND favorite band of 2021. Favorite tracks: ‘Another World’ & ‘Into the Storm'”
2. Converge, Chelsea Wolfe ‘Bloodmoon: I’
“If I’m being totally honest then I must admit that I was mostly excited for this album for Chelsea Wolfe. She has been one of my favorite artists since her fourth studio release ‘Abyss’ back in 2015. But I think it is safe to say I’m also a Converge fan now, and that this is absolutely a match made in heaven. This album is defined by quiet, atmospheric moments with ethereal vocals, contrasted with absolutely devastating, doomy heaviness. Favorite tracks: ‘Coil’ & ‘Crimson Stone'”
3. Leprous ‘Aphelion’
“Einar Solberg has the voice of an angel and that alone is good reason to listen to this album. If that’s not enough to convince you, let me also say that Leprous takes the best elements of classic progressive music and makes them truly modern. It’s dramatic – these songs build, they are expertly crafted to be light and heavy in strategic places so that they take you on a journey. Favorite tracks: ‘The Silent Revelation’ & ‘Nighttime Disguise'”

DAVID CUBINE (DJ, DAVE’S DEEP DIVES)
1. Tedeschi Trucks Band ‘Layla Revisited (Live at LOCKN’)’
“If there was ever the perfect artist to recreate the seminal Derek and the Dominos 1970 album ‘Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs,’ it would be Derek Trucks. Not only named after the band, Derek is the hands-down heir apparent to slide guitar great, Duane Allman, who guest starred on the original album, and Derek has toured extensively with the Domino’s creator, Eric Clapton, mastering much of this material. With his wife vocalist/guitarist Susan Tedeschi (who was born on the original album’s release date 11-9-70) and their outstanding 12-piece band, as well as guests Trey Anastasio and Doyle Bramhall II, the band remains honest and true to the original album in structure and in spirit, but add plenty of their own personality and inventiveness, rather than just being a copy, in this well-recorded live album.”
2. Liquid Tension Experiment ‘Liquid Tension Experiment 3’
“Mike Portnoy (Transatlantic, Sons of Apollo), John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), and Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) join forces again after 20+ year between recordings. Prog Rock meets Metal in a relentless, virtuosic musical assault. Tray tables up and seat belts fastened for this reunion.”
3. Charley Crockett ‘Music City USA’
“Throwback classic country with a twist. Texan Crockett’s voice, vocal delivery and a clever turn of phrase are always his strengths, but the overall sonic simplicity and earthiness belies some excellent songwriting and instrumentation on his tenth album. A ‘country and western,’ theme with elements of blues, Memphis Soul, and New Orleans jazz thrown in.”

MATT DACEY (DJ, MATT’S METAL MORTUARY)
1. Lucifer ‘Lucifer IV’
“It’s said to be metal, but it colors way outside the lines. Their best record to date.”
2. Alice Cooper ‘Detroit Stories’
“Alice being Alice.”
3. Saxon ‘Inspirations’
“A fun covers album from one of the most underappreciated bands in metal.”

STEPHEN HICKS (DJ, SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT)
1. Origami Angel ‘GAMI GANG’
“The transition from ‘Mobius Chicken Strip’ to ‘Noah Fence’ is my favorite thing from this year.”
2. Turnstile ‘Glow On’
“Hypebeast album that deserved all the press and praise it received.”
3. Amenra ‘De Doorn’
“AEW wrestler Malakai Black uses a cut of ‘Ogentroost’ as his entrance music. First time ever hearing doomy post-metal prominently played on basic cable and I’m all for it!”

ALY NORTON (PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR I)
1. Turnstile ‘Glow On’
2. Crumb ‘Ice Melt’
3. Pink Pantheress ‘to hell with it’

LEXI O’DONNELL (PRODUCTION DIRECTOR / DJ, PULP)
1. Amyl and the Sniffers ‘Comfort to Me’
“Never has an entire album been able to just about completely read my mind song after song until this.”
2. spllit ‘spllit sides’
“Some of the best art/noise punk to date. Some would say it’s Next Level Music.”
3. G. Crudd ‘The Concern Department’
“As the project’s first release, this is a wild start to what I think will be an awesome addition to noise/experimental punk.”

ANGEL PASSARELLI (DJ, JUST LIKE HEAVEN)
1. Satomimagae ‘Hanazono’
“Gorgeous album that knocked me off my feet; somewhere in between ambient folk and minimal dream pop.”
2. Various Artists ‘Heisei No Oto: Japanese Left-field Pop from the CD Age, 1989-1996’
“Incredible comp from Music From Memory surveying a wide range of outré pop, new age, synth and more from a Japanese musical heyday.”
3. HTRK ‘Rhinestones’
“An instantly classic entry into HTRK’s undeniable discography.”

ALLISON PIN (ALUMNI DJ, WEAPONS OF CHOICE)
1. Tyler, The Creator ‘Call Me If You Get Lost’
“This album was hyped up so much on Tyler’s Instagram and with the few singles he released prior to the album drop. Once I listened to the album in its entirety, I had to listen to it again. And again. It’s incredibly cohesive and diverse in the sound track to track. Favorite track: SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE.”
2. Remi Wolf ‘Juno’
“Juno is Remi Wolf’s first full length LP and it continues to bring the bright, funk, and fun energy that all of her music always has. Favorite track: Anthony Kiedis.”
3. LION BABE ‘Rainbow Child’
“Rainbow Child is LION BABE’s 3rd full length LP and brings the ethereal funk and soul vibes. Perfect listen when you’re doing aesthetic things or being a baddie.”

LUKE STONE (DJ, LUKE’S LISTENING LOG)
1. black midi ‘Cavalcade’
2. Black Country, New Road ‘For the First Time’
3. birdshit ‘I stayed up all night and saw the sunrise’

RAE BANDY (LOCAL MUSIC DIRECTOR / DJ, LIPSTICK IS OPTIONAL)
1. Bikini Kill ‘The First Two Records’
“I love it when women go insane and yell about everything, and that’s this album.”
2. Infinite Pizza ‘Escape from Pizza Monster Island’
“Shoutout to Lexi for introducing me to these punks! Patriarchy is a Pyramid Scheme is a certified banger.”
3. Kitten Forever ‘Pressure’
“I can’t remember why I got so into this album, but apparently I love it. Let’s go.”

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