Six whole months have passed since the calendars switched over into 2021, and this year has already delivered some outstanding albums and given us a peek of what it come over the rest of the year. Before we get all worried about how we’re going to manage Spiritbox, Employed to Serve and Don Broco all dropping new albums on the same day, let’s take a relaxing look back at 2021 so far from the perspective of some our staff.
Joe Edwards – Site Manager
In the early months of 2021, it looked like I might be heading towards the promised land where metalcore was no longer my “thing” musically. Releases such as Julien Baker, The Armed and Perturbator were the ones captivating me, especially the former. Baker’s expansion in her sound with her ever present crushing lyricism has been a highlight so far this year, even though does it seem somewhat odd to call an album that is mainly listened to during the sad hours a “highlight”.
As a man in his kitchen once said “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in”. Here I am again, getting excited over metalcore releases and trying to figure out which one may or may not be my AOTY. I primarily blame two bands for this; Spiritbox and Lotus Eater. The latter returning with “Vermin” with their new vocalist Paul Collins, a fierce fuck you track showing that Gloom is back and, you guessed it, better than ever. Spiritbox is Spiritbox, the blue chip prospect of the scene and we all know Eternal Blue is going to bang so I will say no more.
Lastly, VEXED dropped Culling Culture which quite frankly is really fucking good. It could be mistaken for being the sort of album that is written to cause carnage once it is eventually played live. Lyrics such as “You and your fucking big mouth” leading into a huge breakdown from the open, suggest the rest of the album will follow suit. However there are touching moments of introspection in this album that have stuck with me, “A shell I’ll learn to love, all of this self loathing is enough”, among many shows that the emotion expressed in their debut album is all raw and honest. In short, you should go listen to VEXED.
Max – Lead Writer & PR Manager
It seems like the effect of the music world at large being trapped inside with nothing left to do but write is finally coming to a head. While the first half of the year has graced us with some fantastic records that will surely stay in my top 10, from the likes of VOLA, The Devil Wears Prada and, surprisingly, Olivia Rodrigo, the second half of the year seems to be where the fun will begin.
Looking forward a few months, Sleep Token, Spiritbox and Don Broco are my obvious picks for anyone who knows me. However, with the likes of Veil of Maya (having released my favourite track of the year so far with “Viscera”), Vildhjarta, Volumes, Twelve Foot Ninja and Every Time I Die due to release records, amongst many more of my most beloved acts, it seems my top spot of the year will prove to be a contentious one to say the very least. I don’t think it quite struck me just how much was actually coming out this year until the pure volume of artists recently announcing late-year release dates seemed to come all at once over the past month or two.
In the not-too-distant future, however, I’m very much looking forward to the upcoming Lotus Eater, Structures and Lorna Shore records. Watch this space for my full reviews of these in the coming weeks!
Tim – Writer
Given the turbulence of 2020, it’s only natural to view 2021 within the lens of potential revival, rebirth, or revitalization. Even as last year closed, we saw a vast array of attempts to capture the zeitgeist, only to be struck with myopia from the nearness of the pandemic. There were still adjustments to be made, compromises to be struck, and the back-and-forth of quarantine measures lifting and descending.
As 2021 dawned, we’ve seen steps taken towards the much clamored-for “return to normalcy”, alongside a myriad of strong releases, from the freshness of Black Country, New Road’s debut album, to Spirit of the Beehive’s dark carnival Entertainment, Death, to Armand Hammer’s return to form with Haram, and Fucked Up’s epic hero’s journey in Year of the Horse. Much work is being done to fill the relative void that encapsulated a large portion of 2020, and these albums are among those at the forefront of that recovery effort.
I also recommend and commend the following releases for the continuation of the spirit in looking forward to keeping contact with the breathlessness of the moment; Amenra‘s De Doorn, For Your Health’s In Spite of, 파란노을 (Parannoul)’s To See the Next Part of the Dream, Genghis Tron’s Dream Weapon and Dreamwell’s Modern Grotesque.
We’ll be looking for the second half of 2021 to keep pace.
Joe Hammond – Writer
2021 — the sequel to the most disruptive year to hit the music industry in our lifetimes. Expectations for new music have understandably been about as high as our collective hopes for brighter days ahead, and the first half of the year has certainly brought about a resurgence of eagerly awaited projects. Early 2021 releases ranged from progressive-metalcore stars ERRA with their riff-heaven self-titled record, to the sweeping ambient landscapes of The Things They Believe by Loathe, to Normandie’s banger central, Dark & Beautiful Secrets. However, aside from the likes of Karmanjakah with their mesmerising debut A Book About Itself, very few bands that were previously unknown to me have genuinely stuck the landing personally. So far, 2021 has been dominated by pre-established powerhouses, and to some extent this is exactly what I have needed: a feeling of familiarity whilst we continue to navigate these uncharted waters.
The spring months introduced me to Trade Wind’s The Day We Got What We Deserved, a foray into melancholy, fragility and sonic serenity. This record particularly has provided me with countless hours of enjoyment and comfort as society rebuilds. Yet, I firmly believe that the greatest releases of this reformative year are still to come. Soon approaches new EPs from the likes of Structures and Lorna Shore in July and August respectively, plus the long-awaited behemoth debut record by Spiritbox in September, and Sleep Token’s sophomore record dropping just a week afterwards. The remainder of 2021 is set to be a spirited adventure out of the darkness, and into the light.
Dhairya – Writer
2021 started off with me not discovering newer music, at least not in the volumes of previous years. However, the few albums I listened to have stuck with me pretty hard. Parannoul’s To See The Next Part of the Dream and Japanese Breakfast’s Jubilee are two of my favorite releases of these year. VOLA and Thy Catafalque dropped stellar records, pushing their musical boundaries ever further. Notably, the latter’s album being dropped only after an year from his previous release, it is all the more astounding since Vadak is a masterpiece, easily the best album to grace my ears this year.
Two other bands who turned out to be quite a sleeper hit for me this year are Twenty One Pilots and Holding Absence. I absolutely didn’t expect to enjoy their albums as much as I did, the former being all joyous and upbeat while the latter oozing melancholy. Other notable mentions include Devil Sold His Soul’s Loss, Amenra’s De Doorn, Mental Cruelty’s A Hill To Die Upon Chase Atlantic’s Beauty in Death and Weezer’s OK Weezer.
With upcoming releases by Leprous, Spiritbox and Sleep Token on the horizon for later this year, I can undoubtedly say, what I say on an annual basis, “This year is the best year for music.”
Dean – Editor
Unfortunately, the first half was slower then expected, as many artists hold onto finished projects until touring is fully allowed. Many artists opted to release singles to bide the time instead. Spiritbox most notably released “Circle With Me,” and “Secret Garden” to mark the announcement of their highly anticipated debut LP Eternal Blue. Cane Hill released their Krewe De La Mort, Vol. 1 EP as well as their single “Blood & Honey” which marks the first song of Krewe De la Mort, Vol. 2 EP. The pleasant surprise of the return of Structures with their song “Planet of Garbage” tackling the worldwide issue of climate change. There’s plenty more singles released in the first half of 2021 from just as notable artists released as well.
In terms of albums, The Devil Wears Prada released their follow up to the legendary Zombie EP with the ZII EP, which packs the heaviest punch they’ve ever made while still progressing in maturity compositionally. While She Sleeps released their latest album Sleeps Society that includes some of their best tracks. It’s a shame that a few tracks on the album highlight their most dull moments on what otherwise would be While She Sleeps’ best album to date. Architects released their follow-up to 2018’s Holy Hell with their new grandiose album For Those That Wish to Exist. The band’s 9th LP feels like a natural progression in songwriting as well as style, though the new route taken by the band seems to divide their fanbase.
The second half seems like it could make 2021 as a whole, one of the best years for music releases in a very long time. We wait for albums from Spiritbox, Silent Planet, The Plot in You, Northlane, Lotus Eater, Volumes, Memphis May Fire, Beartooth, Born of Osiris, Periphery, Thrice, Motionless in White, and many more unnamed artists that could make 2021 very special.