Ranker

Anime Underground

Button Mash

Graveyard Shift

Total Nerd

Unspeakable Times

Weird History

Weird Nature

Weirdly Interesting

Sports

Music

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Culture

Food

Makeup

Halloween

Thanksgiving

Holidays

Watchworthy

HBO Max

The best new artists, albums, and hits for your 2022 playlists, ranked by over 1 million votes. Click to make your opinion heard.

You Gotta Hear This

pageType

affiliatized

Tier 3

Amazon Alexa

srch

Released

Recent

2021 Music

What are the best new albums of 2021? Featuring highly anticipated full-length projects&nbsp;from some of today&#39;s hottest artists, including Justin Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo, Lana Del Rey, and Kings of Leon, this list of new <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/upcoming-albums-2021/music-lover?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">albums coming out in 2021</a>&nbsp;contains all genres, ranging from pop and alternative rock to hip hop and R&amp;B. Several new movie soundtracks, like Sia&#39;s Music, are also featured below.&nbsp;

Vote up the best 2021&nbsp;albums, and&nbsp;keep coming back to stay updated with&nbsp;upcoming releases!

The 150+ Best New Albums Of 2021, Ranked

The Best New Albums Of 2021

Top Albums Lists: Top 10/Top 100 Album Rankings and Articles

Musical Album

Top Music List: Top 10 Music Lists and Entertaining Rankings

music

Jared Baly

Region

American

West Coast US

Us States

Amazon

AMAZON

Happier Than Ever

Happier Than Ever is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Billie Eilish, released on July 30, 2021, by Darkroom and Interscope Records. It follows her debut studio album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (2019). Eilish has cited self-reflection as the biggest inspiration for the record. Five singles were released in promotion of the album: "My Future," "Therefore I Am," "Your Power," "Lost Cause," and "NDA," all of which charted in the top 40 of the US Billboard Hot 100. To promote it further, a Disney+ documentary concert film, Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles, will be released on September 3, 2021, and Eilish will embark on the Happier Than Ever the World Tour in 2022. Before its release, Happier Than Ever became the most pre-added album in Apple Music history. Musically, the album delves into an electro pop sound characterized by subdued textures and sparse instrumentation. Its subject matter revolves around the downsides of fame.

Blue Banisters

Blue Banisters is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, released on October 22, 2021 through Interscope and Polydor Records. The album was preceded by four singles: the title track, "Text Book," "Wildflower Wildfire" and "Arcadia."

Planet Her

Planet Her is the third studio album by American singer and rapper Doja Cat, released by Kemosabe and RCA Records on June 25, 2021. The album features guest appearances by the Weeknd, Young Thug, Ariana Grande, JID, and SZA, as well as production from frequent collaborators Dr. Luke, Yeti Beats and Tizhimself, among others. It is named after the fictional planet self-originated by Doja Cat on which all species and races of space exist in harmony. She emphasised the visual aspect of the record and has described it as her most visually captivating project yet, prioritising its cohesion by ensuring that each associated music video occurs on different locations across the planet. The album's lead single, "Kiss Me More" featuring SZA, was released on April 9, 2021, and reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST

Call Me If You Get Lost (stylized in all caps) is the sixth studio album by American rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer Tyler, the Creator. The album was released on June 25, 2021, through Columbia Records. Two singles preceded its release; "Lumberjack" and "WusYaName", on June 16 and June 22, 2021, respectively. The album features uncredited guest appearances from 42 Dugg, Ty Dolla Sign, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Lil Wayne, Teezo Touchdown, Domo Genesis, Brent Faiyaz, Fana Hues, Daisy World, Lil Uzi Vert, and Pharrell Williams.

MONTERO

Montero (stylized in all caps) is the debut studio album by rapper and singer Lil Nas X, released on September 17, 2021, by Columbia Records. The album was announced in 2019, and its title unveiled in March 2021, following the release of "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)," the lead single. Montero was also preceded by the singles "Sun Goes Down" and "Industry Baby," and features guest appearances from Jack Harlow, Doja Cat, Elton John, Megan Thee Stallion, and Miley Cyrus.

An Evening with Silk Sonic

An Evening with Silk Sonic is the debut studio album by American R&B duo Silk Sonic, composed of recording artists Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. It was released on November 12, 2021, by Aftermath Entertainment and Atlantic Records. Mars reunited with Christopher Brody Brown, while .Paak reached out to Domitille Degalle and JD Beck to write the album. Silk Sonic recruited American musician Bootsy Collins for narration, and composers such as D'Mile to co-produce the album, which was recorded in 2017 and early 2020 to mid-2021. Three singles preceded the album: the lead single "Leave the Door Open" was a commercial success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart as Mars's eighth number one song in the United States and Paak's first. The follow-up, "Skate," charted moderately, reaching number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The third single, "Smokin Out the Window," was released on November 5, 2021.

Delta Kream

Delta Kream is the tenth album by American rock duo the Black Keys, released through Easy Eye Sound and Nonesuch Records on May 14, 2021. It is a cover album of hill country blues songs. It was preceded by the April 15 release of a cover of "Crawling Kingsnake," based on Junior Kimbrough's rendition.

The Bitter Truth

The Bitter Truth is the fifth studio album by American rock band Evanescence. It was released on March 26, 2021, through BMG Rights Management and was produced by Nick Raskulinecz. The album is the band's first in more than three years, following 2017's Synthesis, as well as their first full album of new material since their self-titled third album (2011).

Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night

Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night is the third studio album by American indie pop act Bleachers, released on July 30, 2021, by RCA Records.

Daddy's Home

Daddy's Home is the sixth studio album by American musician St. Vincent, released on May 14, 2021, by Loma Vista Recordings. Like its predecessor, Masseduction (2017), Annie Clark produced the album alongside Jack Antonoff. The album was promoted by the lead single, "Pay Your Way in Pain", released on March 5, 2021. Daddy's Home was inspired by Clark's father's release from prison at the end of 2019, as well as the musical palette of New York City in the first half of the 1970s. Daddy's Home received universal critical acclaim.

Solar Power

Solar Power is the third studio album by New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde. It was released on August 20, 2021, by Universal Music. She wrote and produced the album with American musician Jack Antonoff, whom she worked with on her second studio album, Melodrama (2017), as well. Lorde opted against CDs for environmental reasons, releasing Solar Power to digital music platforms, streaming services, and as vinyl LPs only. The album was preceded by Going South, a June 2021 memoir documenting Lorde's 2019 visit to Antarctica, which she dubbed as the precursor to the album. She stated the title Solar Power was inspired by the trip, and that she "felt like [she] could just chill out and flex a little bit" while creating the record. Three singles were released before the album. The lead single and title track, "Solar Power," was released on a solar eclipse and entered the charts in various countries, reaching number two on the New Zealand Singles Chart.

Chemtrails Over the Country Club

Chemtrails over the Country Club is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. It was released on March 19, 2021 by Interscope Records and Polydor Records. The album was produced by Del Rey and Jack Antonoff, and features additional production contributions from Rick Nowels, whom Del Rey worked with on past studio albums. A cover of Joni Mitchell's 1970 song "For Free," featuring American singer-songwriters Zella Day and Weyes Blood, is included in the album. In a September 2020 interview with Interview magazine, Del Rey stated that the lyrics of the album pertain to her "stunning girlfriends" and "beautiful siblings" ("who so much of the album is about"), and mentioned "wanting so much to be normal and realizing that when you have an overactive, eccentric mind, a record like Chemtrails is just what you're going to get."

If I Could Make It Go Quiet

If I Could Make It Go Quiet (stylized in all lowercase) is the debut studio album by Norwegian musician Girl in Red. It was released independently through AWAL and her own World in Red label on April 30, 2021, after being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was primarily produced by the musician herself alongside Matias Tellez, and features additional work from artists such as Finneas O'Connell. Sonically, it is promised to be a more "ambitious," "mature" and "developed" continuation of the musician's previous bedroom pop and indie rock musical style established in the early EPs Chapter 1 (2018) and Chapter 2 (2019). Lyrically, the singer has described the record as an "emotional recap" of the year 2020 in which she explores her personal mental health experiences as well as "the different sides of love."

The Melodic Blue

The Melodic Blue is the debut studio album by American rapper and producer Baby Keem, released on September 10, 2021, by Columbia Records and pgLang, with Keem serving as executive producer. The album features guest appearances by Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott and Don Toliver. The release of the album was preceded by two singles, "Durag Activity" with Scott and "Family Ties" with Lamar, which peaked at numbers 85 and 18 respectively on the Billboard Hot 100.

SOUR

Sour (stylized in all caps) is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo, released on May 21, 2021, via Geffen Records. Rodrigo stated that the album explores her perils and discoveries as a 17-year-old, with its title referring to the uncomfortable "sour" emotions youngsters experience but are often shamed for, such as anger, jealousy and heartache. The musical style of Sour was inspired by Rodrigo's favorite genres and singer-songwriters. Written and produced by Rodrigo and Dan Nigro alongside few other collaborators, Sour is primarily a pop record that juxtaposes upbeat alternative rock and pop-punk songs aside bedroom pop ballads, driven by guitars, piano and synths. Its subject matter deals with topics centered on adolescence, failed romance and heartache told from Rodrigo's various perspectives. Sour received acclaim from music critics, who regarded it a solid debut, and admired Rodrigo's musical versatility, honest lyricism, and Gen Z appeal.

Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land

Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land is the fifth studio album by Welsh singer-songwriter Marina, released on June 11, 2021, through Atlantic Records. She began songwriting for the project in January 2020, around the time she released the soundtrack single "About Love." The album was preceded by the release of four singles, "Man's World," "Purge the Poison," the title track, and "Venus Fly Trap" with each one having a music video.

The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood

The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood is the sixth studio album by the American heavy metal band Ice Nine Kills, released on October 15, 2021, via Fearless. It is a follow-up and sequel to the band's previous album, The Silver Scream, which was inspired by horror films. The album is also inspired by horror films and features guest vocalists such as Jacoby Shaddix, George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher, Brandon Saller, Ryan Kirby and Buddy Nielsen. On the ninth of each month leading up to the album's release, a new single and accompanying video was released to promote the album. As with the previous album, each of the videos are based on the films that the tracks were written about, while also having an overall story arc across the sequence of videos.

Seventeen Going Under

Seventeen Going Under is the second studio album by English musician Sam Fender. The album was released on October 8, 2021 through Polydor Records. Four singles were released ahead of the album: the title track, "Aye," "Get You Down" and "Spit of You."

Swan Song

Swan Song is the fifth studio album by American rock band The Plot in You. The album was released on September 17, 2021, through Fearless Records. It was produced by Landon Tewers and Drew Fulk.

Begin to Look Around

Begin to Look Around is the debut studio album from Australian singer-songwriter Gretta Ray, released on August 27, 2021 through EMI Music Australia. The album was announced in May 2021 with Ray saying "This record is a documentation and celebration of the lessons I have learned about love, life and my unremitting passion for music as I've stepped into my early twenties. It is beautiful how much you change your mind throughout those formative years; things can always be seen from a different perspective, and when you're immersed in incredible opportunities that see you traveling the world, falling in and out of love and losing your sense of independence only for it to return stronger than ever before, it is only natural that your view of yourself and the world will be refined when you wake up, and begin to look around." Ray previewed tracks from the album at Oxford Art Factory, Sydney on June 24, 2021 and at The Night Cat, Melbourne on July 1, 2021.

Dawn

Dawn is the debut studio album by American Grammy-award-winning singer-songwriter Yebba. It was released on September 10, 2021, through RCA Records.

Aggression Continuum

Aggression Continuum is the tenth studio album by American heavy metal band Fear Factory, released on June 18, 2021. It is the band's first studio album since Genexus (2015), marking the longest gap between two albums in their entire career. The reasons behind the six-year gap between Genexus and Aggression Continuum were due to creative and personal differences, and legal issues surrounding the band, all of which contributed to Fear Factory going on an extended hiatus and Burton C. Bell leaving the band in 2020 after more than three decades as their singer. Despite this, Bell's vocals are present on the album, as they were recorded in 2017. Aggression Continuum also saw Fear Factory's lineup intact for the first time since Transgression (2005), with Mike Heller on drums and founding member Dino Cazares contributing to both guitar and bass.

KEYS

Keys

Keys is the eighth studio album by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys, released through RCA Records on December 10, 2021. It was primarily produced by Keys. It was preceded by the release of two singles: "Lala (Unlocked)" featuring Swae Lee and "Best of Me." The album was announced on October 27 and includes two discs (original and unlocked), with two versions of 10 tracks, along with six other tracks.

Things Take Time, Take Time

Things Take Time, Take Time is the third studio album by Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett. It was released on November 12, 2021 by Milk! Records, Mom + Pop Music and Marathon Artists.

The Phantom Tomorrow

The Phantom Tomorrow is the sixth studio album by American rock band Black Veil Brides, released on October 29, 2021, through Sumerian Records. It is a concept album, similar to previous releases Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones and Vale.

What are the best new albums of 2021? Featuring highly anticipated full-length projects&nbsp;from some of today's hottest artists, including Justin Bieber, ...