You would think that the Pandemic would have slowed down the music industry. But, looking at the number of new album releases in 2021 – that doesn’t seem to be the case. So, what are some of the best and easily accessible albums to invest in that fully capture the most experimental, atmospheric, heavy-metal, pop music genre all in one?
Let’s take a look. All of these albums are great for students enrolled for music lessons both offline and online. There’s a lot to learn musicality-wise from each of these albums.
1. BRUIT – The Machine Is Burning
Many music lovers find modern rock to be quite predictable in terms of loud cliches. This album would come as a pleasant surprise for them. Although there are some stunning climaxes, they do not feel forced. Instead, there are moments of necessary release. Renaissance and Industry are the first 2 tracks that tell a vivid tale of decay and growth. The industry is loaded with lipping electronics and trap beats all the while building layers of calculated noise.
2. Black Country, New Road – For the first time
The band has time and again, defied the indiehead, blogosphere, and Pitchford-lead genre to create rather simpler content. During their career, they neither delivered a flop nor a classic hit. Most of their work had a ton of room for improvement.
And, you will see it’s there in ‘For the First Time’ as well. The tracks are humble and simple in their dynamics packed with naked emotionality. All and all, it’s a highly futuristic album by Black Country.
3. Wolves in the Throne Room– Primordial Arcana
If you took all of the band’s best features and combined them into one, you would get Primordial Arcana. The tracks are the kind where no matter how many times you play them, you would get a sense of familiarity and nostalgia.
There’s a certain build to all the tracks and you will also feel a sense of occult immersion which will make you more invested in the album. It’s a kind of gratification similar to the likes of Ashes Against the Grain and The Mantle. Primordial Arcana is a fine album if you’re seeking some experimental, atmospheric yet surprising genre of music; both for a windswept night and a full sunlight.
4. Low – Hey What
At first, HEY WHAT may seem like an imperfect album with spaces and instances of transition that seem overly jarring. However, after a couple of listens, as you allow all the musical complexities to settle in; you will see the album is a career highlight for LOW – a band that already has several trophies to their wall of fame.
The soundtracks take turns seeming unsettling and comforting but the intrigue is always there. And so, the album incorporates masterful clashing soundscapes. It is, therefore, yet another must-listen from such a highly acclaimed indie group.
5. Amenra – De Doorn
The album relies heavily on a delicate balance between atmospheric doom, calm moments, and an ominous sludge. The album opens with Ogentroost which is very Amenra is in its nature; slowly building towards a galloping riff finally allowing the concluding track to end on a doomy litany which feels powerful.
D’evenements is a signature of Bjorn Lebon’s smashing rollercoaster charged with post-metal crushing riffs. It calms halfway down to give a temporary respite. The tracks are immaculate sounding; probably owing to the new producer and bassist – Tim de Gieter.
6. Echo Tail – A Brief Escape From Life
Do not be fooled by the title as you’re in for a lie. Although you get a promise for escapism, as you listen to the lyrics and the actual music, you realize there is no escape. Not from life at least.
You could do everything but reality eventually hits you; unless you break lose your imagination. The band has successfully created a near-masterpiece which is a close hit to Drowning the Pacific. The tracks are an exploration into the darkest seas of the human psyche and mind.
The album is like an old dog showing all of his best tricks in a sad circus of life.
7. Black Sheep Wall – Songs for the Enamel Queen
The album conveys a complexity of a multitude of emotions and that’s one front where it is different from the band’s previous works. You will find a lot of subtleties layered on top of one another in all the tracks. It will take multiple listens before you can unpack all those layers.
The drumming patterns are woven into an intricate fabric of guitar work that brings out vigorous energy, ominous gloom, and spellbinding episodes. Every member did their part well, but it’s the vocal work by Brandon that truly stands out.
In the end, the album is a huge milestone for Black Sheep Wall which might pave the way for a promising future.
8. Kauan – Ice Fleet
The band did a lot of legwork to create this sonic album. It’s inspired by a letter published in a Russian magazine back in the 90s covering a geological expedition.
The album carries the band’s signature mournful leads built over melancholic pain and atmosphere synthesizers. As it folds slowly, Enne feels like a soft prelude to a cursed affair slowly making its way towards Taistelu. Leading all the instruments is a keyboard layer ultimately giving way to sorrowful piano-playing.
The listener would barely scratch the true meaning of the record even after two tracks in. You’ll find hellish growls and doom metal in tiny doses. After an initial build-up, the listeners are exposed to a hazy reverb with piano leads and riff washes. All in all, the band opted for melodic and breezy segments for the most part despite those occasional heavy moments.
9. Foxing- Draw Down the Moon
The Album Draw down the Moon by Foxing is the kind that might anger a lot of their fans; mainly because of what it fails to offer. But, let’s not focus on what the album isn’t. Let’s focus on what it is – all hook. The tracks are emotionally charged, vocally memorable, and an instrumentally ramped-up collection of inconsistent ideas that somehow work together rather smoothly.
In the middle of the record’s eclecticism, Draw Down the Moon is a classic Foxing experience. It is, in essence, a ‘pop album’ and a fine one too. It’s not the band’s fault if some listeners cannot appreciate its true beauty.
10. Sungaze – This Dream
The Dream essentially invites all the listeners to join the band on their fearless journey of wonderful intoxication. Without pushing any boundaries or sounding as though they’re trying too hard, Sungaze comfortably incorporates all the elements of dreamy, atmospheric music in a stylish manner. Think of the album as the last glimpses of 2021’s summer; but quite a lustrous and bright one.
Have you listened to any of these tracks yet? Which ones sounded most promising and which ones are your favorite. Do let us know!
