Best Austin Albums of 2021

As a tumultuous year in the music industry comes to close, it is time to look back on the music Austin musicians made in 2021. It’s always difficult to narrow our focus to just ten records given the vast and deep well of talent producing music in the Live Music Capital. It’s one of our lesser known virtues as a music town that Austin musicians record as much good music as they perform. The best Austin albums of 2021 include Hip-hop, Dream pop, Indie pop, Blues and even Cumbia sounds. The Austin music scene is perhaps more diverse than many casual fans may realize. Yes, Austin is known for Texas Blues and Outlaw Country a la Stevie Ray Vaughn and Willie Nelson but the scene in Crescent City has much more variety than those prominent styles as you will see in our contributor lists below.

As a reminder, the bulk of these records were released in the second half of 2021 when many of these acts were able to tour in support of their record following months of lock-downs, travel advisories and uncertainty amid the worldwide pandemic. Most of these acts saw a dramatic drop in income from their musical endeavors over the past two years. So if you enjoy an album you find here, consider purchasing the record. Or buy one for a friend for the holidays. If your budget is tight, share this story or the artist’s album on social media and spread the good word.

Lists are arranged chronologically by date released

Cosmic Clash Editor – Greg Ackerman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sun June – Somewhere – February 21, 2021 By now you may know The Cosmic Clash are not only fans of Laura Colwell’s indie pop band, Sun June.  We’ve booked the remarkable group at our own events beginning with Free Week in 2018. The band’s latest full-length, Somewhere (Run for Cover Records) expands upon the group’s work on their previous efforts, Younger (2019) and TCC favorite Years (2018) Check the track “Karen O” which highlights Colwell’s understated and delicate but gorgeous vocal delivery amid the fine musicianship of her band. The group head to the UK next month to launch their European tour.

   

(RAS) Riders Against the Storm – Flowers for the Living – February 22, 2021 Austin Hip-hop duo, Riders Against the Storm are best known for their rejuvenating, monthly celebration Body Rock ATX. Their recordings, however, should not be overlooked. In particular, this year’s Flowers for the Living is perhaps their best full-length yet. Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone and Ghislaine “Qi Dada” Jean came to Austin via Providence, Rhode Island, establishing RAS in 2004. The pair have gone on a steady upward trajectory since then. The title track of this new record featuring Clarence James is a bona fide banger. Give it a spin.

 

Magna Carda – To the Good People – June 15, 2021 Hip-hop duo Magna Carda dropped their third LP, To the Good People midway through the year and made a splash locally with the record. All the new material was written by Megz Kelli whose smooth rap delivery is enhanced by producer Dougie Do’s exceptional work in the studio. The Cosmic Clash were on hand when the band recorded forthcoming live streams at the Long Center over the summer. The track that stood out both on the album and in that live performance was feel good tune, “Do it Again.” 

 

Emily Wolfe – Outlier – June 25, 2021 Blues rocker and exceptional guitarist Emily Wolfe dropped her platter, Outlier in late June. The sophomore effort by Wolfe leans more Pop-rock than Blues rock like her debut, but still highlighting Wolfe’s prodigious guitar work along with solid vocal performance and and a crack band behind her, anchored by longtime Austin drummer Clellan Hyatt and bassist Evan Nicholson. Michael Shuman contributes on keys, bass and additional instruments. The percussive track “Vermilion Park” is one of the songs that stands out to us with it’s up tempo pace and lovely, harmonized vocal parts. Catch Wolfe December 18 at Haute Spot in Cedar Park.

 

BLK Odyssy – BLK Vintage – August 27, 2021 Fusing alternative soul and 70s rock to create a unique new sound, Houston to Austin singer and producer Sam Houston and guitarist Alejandro Rios joined forces to create BLK Odyssy who are arguably one of the most exciting new artists in our list this year. While Houston had already established himself as a solo, Hip-hop artist, this new project’s debut, BLK Vintage sets the songwriter apart from a crowded pool of high-bar, Austin talent. Check lead track, “Funkentology” and get right into those sweet grooves. See BLK Vintage at Empire Garage on NYE.

 

Shinyribs – Late Night TV Gold – August, 27, 2021 Shinyribs front man, Kevin Russell (The Gourds) is one of the most entertaining live performers in town. The whimsical and multi-talented Russell recorded, engineered and produced this outstanding new, full-length largely on his own at his Mazcow Home Studio. The track “Party While You Still Can” encapsulates the best characteristics of Shinyribs’ music lending sage advice inside exceptional songwriting, while rocking and rolling with horns by Marc Franklin (trumpet) and Kirk Smothers (saxophone).

   

Heartless Bastards – A Beautiful LIfe – September 10, 2021 When Heartless Bastards dropped the single “Revolution” from their, then forthcoming album, A Beautiful Life (Sweet Unknown Records) earlier this year it was clear the group’s bandleader, Erica Wennerstrom had written some truly special songs. The pandemic-fueled single is not only a great song, but foreshadowed her best new material since 2012’s Arrow (Partisan Records). With the addition of guitarist Lauren Gurgiolo (Okkervil River) and drummer Gregory Clifford (Kalu and the Electric Joint), plus multi-instrumentalist Jesse Chandler (Mercury Rev, Midlake), keyboardist Bo Koster (My Morning Jacket), guitarist David Pulkingham (Patty Griffin), and longtime Heartless Bastards bassist Jesse Ebaugh the band made a fantastic new recording you should consider owning.

 

Semihelix – Recoil – October 1, 2021  Geannie Friedman’s Dream pop trio, Semihelix released their debut full-length, Recoil in October after rolling out three singles including The Cosmic Clash track favorite “Will It Take” which we premiered in September. Produced by Matt Gerhard (Public Hi-Fi Studios) who has worked on a number of Spoon records among other notable acts, the album has seen wide acclaim both nationally and locally in the music press. With our own, Mike Cosmic on bass and Valderama Barrera on drums, this band is one to watch in 2022.

 

Money Chicha – Chicha Summit – October 8, 2021  Latin music is often overlooked in Austin despite it being home to Tejano music legends like Johnny Degallado, Grammy-nominated Latin act Gina Chavez and Grammy winners Grupo Fantasma. An offshoot of Grupo, featuring many of the same players, Money Chicha has dropped another slice of psych-rock infused Cumbia in this year’s Chicha Summit. The live album, recorded at Antone’s and mixed and mastered by bassist, Greg Gonzalez is a masterful performance that showcases each member’s virtuosity. Beto Martinez’s searing guitar, Peter Stopschinski’s mind-blowing organ, Sweet Lou’s percussion chops and drummer John Speice’s performance combine for an amazing listen.

 

Go Fever – Velvet Fist – October 8, 2021 Australian-born indie rock singer and songwriter Acey Monaro is the woman behind Go Fever, the indie rock outfit that mashes classic rock riffs with delicious, pop hooks and great lyrics released Velvet Fist (Nine Mile Records) late in the year. Recorded at White Denim’s Radio Milk Recording Company with engineer Jim Vollentine, this is Go Fever’s best full-length effort yet. You’ll notice it also appears in both lists below if that’s any indication of how good this record is. Check lead off track, “NYE15” then catch the band at Empire Garage for Nine Mile’s 10th Anniversary party December 11 (tonight).

Honorable mentions: 

 

Brian Hillsman – Staff Writer

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Cosmic – Founder

           

 

 

 

 

 

Selfless Lovers – When the Bars Close

 

 
Honorable Mention

Top 3 EP’s

 Top 3 Singles