The Best Music of 2021
So, 2021 wasn’t quite the “post-pandemic” return to normal we’d all hoped for. But once again, music carried us through, and not even ever-mutating variants could stop incredible artists from releasing great new records. Below, in our 2021 wrap-up package, Pitchfork looks back on the year that was, with lists of the best songs and albums in a variety of genres, plus the best books, best music movies and TV shows, and more. Happy new year, and, as always, thanks for reading.
The Year in Latin Music
From the rise of Tokischa and Bizarrap to the leveling-up of Helado Negro and Xenia Rubinos, these were the artists and stories from the Latin music universe that demanded our attention in 2021.
The Best Jazz and Experimental Music of 2021
From Anthony Joseph’s forceful poetry to Tomu DJ’s deconstructed club; from Fire-Toolz’s calculated sprawl to Rosie Lowe and Duval Timothy’s expansive exploration of harmony—these are the jazz and experimental releases that made our year.
How Independent Music Venues Are Surviving the Pandemic’s Long Tail
After a year of COVID closures, live music made a halting but hard-won return in 2021. Big questions remain, but according to venue operators, there are reasons to be hopeful about the future.
The Best Underrated Albums of 2021, According to Pitchfork Staff
Personal favorites that didn’t make our list of the best albums of the year, including Willow, Baby Keem, Mickey Guyton, and more
The 15 Best Music Movies and TV Shows of 2021
From the joy of Summer of Soul to the absurdity of The Other Two, these were our favorite artist documentaries, concert films, and music-related shows to watch this year.
The Year in Music on TikTok 2021
From vocaloids to demonic rap to whatever the hell Charlie Puth is doing
The Best Progressive Pop Music of 2021
From PinkPantheress’ lo-fi club cuts to Bladee’s self-deprecating sing-song raps, C. Tangana’s folkloric reimaginations to Tinashe’s featherlight fireworks, these are the songs and albums that pushed pop music forward this year.
The 38 Best Rap Songs of 2021
From Megan Thee Stallion to Tyler, the Creator; Playboi Carti to Cardi B; NoCap to Noname
The Best Music Merch Gifts of 2021
From Caroline Polachek thongs to Megan Thee Stallion nail tattoos to Squid socks to Kacey Musgraves condoms, here are unique gift ideas for every type of music fan.
The 100 Best Rxk Nephew Songs of 2021
No rapper was more chaotic this year. Let us count the ways.
The Best Music of 2021: Pitchfork Readers’ Poll Results
Featuring your picks for the best albums and songs of the year
Ambient Jazz’s Quiet, Forceful Return
In 2021, works by Pharoah Sanders and Floating Points, Nala Sinephro, Nicolás Jaar, and others furthered a contemplative sound that’s impossible to ignore.
The Best Electronic Music of 2021
From SHERELLE’s breakneck breakbeats to Equiknoxx’s surrealistic dancehall, and from aya’s dissociative club fugues to Space Afrika’s mournful ambient, these are the electronic releases that made our year.
The 31 Best Rock Albums of 2021
From Snail Mail’s explosive breakup anthems to the Armed’s conceptual fireworks, Lucy Dacus’ home movies to Mdou Moctar’s virtuosic guitar anthems, these are the rock albums that stood out this year.
The 50 Best Albums of 2021
The albums that got us through a very strange year, featuring Tyler, the Creator, Adele, Jazmine Sullivan, Playboi Carti, and more
The 100 Best Songs of 2021
The tracks that defined an unsettling year, featuring Japanese Breakfast, Olivia Rodrigo, Caroline Polachek, Megan Thee Stallion, and more
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The 11 Best Music Books of 2021
From a devastating memoir by Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner to a rigorous study of Black feminist sound to a spirited defense of ska