FAVORITE MINNESOTA ALBUMS OF 2021
The Minnesota music scene made it through 2021. We didn’t see as many live gigs as we wanted, but we did our best with livestream concerts. Shows were back again in the summer, then they weren’t again onces winter started rolling in. I think 2022 will be a better year for Minnesota music, but before we get to that, one last look back at our Favorite Albums of 2021.
James’s Favorite Albums
Orchid Eaton “Where All Ends Meet”
This psychedelic bonanza from the recording duo Brian Moen and Matt Leavitt was a life changing adventure for me. The emotions in these songs are memorable and layered with simple melodies that are deceptively complex. It’s a sonic feast for the ears and always brings a smile to my face every time I come back to it. Conceptually based on life, death and impermanence – these themes are presented in the most comforting way. The instrumentation alone will take your breath away. Curl up to this record and let the visuals unfold.
Favorite songs: Casino Drums and Said Just Right
Related Article: ORCHID EATON "WHERE ALL ENDS MEET" REVIEW
Lazenlow “Conditional Love: Chapters 1, 2 and 3 (Deluxe Version)”
Lazenlow follows up their triumphant year of 2020 (they released “Pretty Dark” and their excellent collaboration with Brandon Pulphus “Blind Luck”) with 3 chaptered EP’s “Conditional Love” They also released all 3 as a deluxe album with six, yes six, bonus tracks! The dynamic, and as we all know now prolific, duo continue to surprise with their classification-defying styles. Combining hard-hitting percussion (thanks to versatile, driving drumming of Mo Bluntz) with atmospheric, head-nodding pop vocals. Their maestro, Mike Ryerse’s (Ghost Channels) production and instrumentalism is unmatched. Gillian Needham’s vocals are stunning and tell a story in every verse. This album is stacked!
Favorite songs: Can’t Believe Your Eyes and Five Four
Related Article: LAZENLOW "PRETTY DARK" PREMIERE
Juice Lord “Spread Luv Tape: A Point of Light”
Juice Lord is back with twelve bangers. The top-notch production on the Spread Luv Tape is second only to the lyrical skills. Juice has a lot of heart and eyes on the future, but he never forgets where he’s at. This is really an ode to the city and more importantly the people in it. There’s a lot of love on this mixtape.
Favorite songs: We The People and Spread Luv feat. Destiny Roberts
Cashinova “High Speed Cash”
From track one of “High Speed Cash”, you know that Cashinova is not messing around. His energetic flow and charisma seem to drip off each verse. This album also shows a lot of versatility. From comedic to hardcore and then to heartfelt. It all seems seamless and you never can predict what vibe you are going to get next. You will know that the song will slap though. Cashinova is one of the brightest lights shining and the future is only looking brighter
Favorite songs: Bugged Out and Flawless
26 BATS! “Portal Party”
Listening to Portal Party is truly like stepping through a door into another world. This album is other worldly in all of the best ways. The music is truly beautiful, moving and intricately layered. Even though it is so meticulous, the album flows so naturally from a pure and unadulterated place. I can’t help but feel that I am along for the ride and hanging with Bailey “26” Cogan and Karl Remus when I listen – it is that intimate. Each track flows into each other on this exquisite journey. Portal Party is where its at.
Favorite songs: Run and GMUM EXTENDO
Related Article: 26 BATS! "PORTAL PARTY" REVIEW
Re5ve “Re5ve”
Re5ve’s new album is refreshing and life-affirming. This LP came together quickly and easily like the best things sometimes do. Each song is beautifully orchestrated by Big Jess. I don’t think it could be any more action-packed and entertaining. The Twin Cities veterans from Unknown Prophets and Kanser (Big Jess, MaD SoN, Big Zach, UnicusHarry, Mesh) really don’t mess around on the tracks. The mic is passed quickly leaving you wanting more in the best way. Outstanding performances from every member of this crew and this project delivers some of my favorite verses to date. Everyone pushes each other and you can just tell they were having fun making this. Willy Lose on the cuts and vocal features from Natalie Fine and Dalia polish off this epic collaboration.
Favorite songs: Vibe the Vibrations and I Wish You Love feat. Natalie Fine
Medium Zach “Bad by Myself”
The debut solo album from Medium Zach blew my expectations out of the water (and they were very high to start with). Gathered from a decade of life experiences, the tracks themselves were originally featured on his innovative “beat story” series. That started as an exercise to keep his skills sharp and push his style into new areas. The result is a producer, engineer and father soaring to unheard of heights with the samples of everyday life. Medium Zach uses everything from the sound of making pancakes to cleaning the house and transforms it masterfully. On the mostly instrumental LP, vocals are dropped with the precision of a DJ. The main source of talent is provided by Zach’s son, Theo but he is accompanied by Open Mike Eagle and Lady Midnight. Without saying a word this album speaks volumes.
Favorite songs: 20 Years and Family Band
Andrew’s Favorite Albums
VIAL “LOUDMOUTH”
One of the best bands in town put out one of the best albums of 2021. While listening to LOUDMOUTH you can almost hear the band growing up and maturing. Heavily distorted riffs and frantic drumming lay the bed for the clever and immaturely witty lyrics. The songs tackle everything from relationships to gatekeeping in the music scene to toxic masculinity. Honestly, some of my favorite lyrics are the insults thrown at the subjects of the songs. This is just a fun punk album. If you haven't heard LOUDMOUTH yet, what the fuck are you even doing with your life?
Favorite song: Vodka Lemonade
Related Article: VIAL "LOUDMOUTH" REVIEW
Mama Knoz "Black. Femme. Masc."
I love this album. Even after just one listen I was hooked. But it took me a while to put in to words why I (white, cis, het guy into punk and lofi) liked and related to a pop/dance/hip-hop album titled "Black. Femme. Masc." After several hours of contemplating and listening to the album on repeat, the best answers I have are #1) it's just that good, and #2) I'm drawn to honesty, self-freedom/expression, and rebelliousness/anti-authority no matter what the packaging. While I have no rythem or ability to dance, songs like "Atari" and "Your Fool" get me at least moving my hips. I'm always a sucker for political/social commentary songs like "Black the Rich." And the nerd culture references heavily sprinkled throughout the album are also a very nice touch.
Favorite song: Black the Rich
Related Article: Mama Knoz "Black. Femme. Masc." Album Review
Acid Patch Kids “Commandeered”
Fun, dark, and full of extremely catchy hooks, “Commandeered” has a surprising amount of depth from a pop-punk album, but don’t worry there are still some na-nas. Acid Patch Kids covers the darker elements of topics ranging from religion, the apocalypse, and relationships with the perfect combination of cynicism and wittiness. In the penultimate song “Sounds Like Bullshit,” Acid Patch Kids provide perhaps my facorite lyric to sum up 2021 as a whole, “It’s a really good year to say fuck that shit.”
Favorite song: I Lied
Ingeborg von Agassiz “Coventry Carols”
I don't like most Christmas music. Something about being that cheery and optimistic puts me off. Perhaps that's why Ingeborg von Agassiz's latest take on a Christmas album is so intriguing to me. Coventry Carols is haunting dark pop, with ghostly vocals and supporting instrumentation that feels both rich and stripped down. It's easy to forget that this is a Christmas album as it feels more like a chilling winter themed album. Make sure to put this album on repeat once December rolls back around.
Favorite song: Medieval Ghost Choir
Related Article: MINNESOTA (HOLIDAY) SOUND REVIEWS - 12/08/21
Twin Tombs “4:23”
Blasting through nine songs in the titular four minutes and twenty-three seconds, Twin Tombs released an in your face punk/metal explosion. Brief but intense, this album hits you with sound and anger. While the actual lyrics are difficult to understand through the screaming and growling, you definitely get a sense of the emotion behind the words. This album is the perfect appetizer for keeping pumped up before heading out a concert or to throw on for a quick drive to the store.
Favorite song: Complacent
Anita Velveeta “The Motherhood of St. Monica”
The Motherhood of St. Monica is my favorite hyper-pop yet. It sounds up-beat, with lyrics that are not. Pitched vocals. Glitchy, obviously digital beats. Dealing with difficult topics in a simple and pop manner. Moments on this album feel like everything is falling apart all around you and the only thing you can do is sing/scream along. I love this release from Kitchen Knife Blood Pact and don’t know what else to say about it other than, I love it and all of quirkiness.
Favorite song: Saint of Missed Opportunities
Related Article:
Paul’s Favorite Albums
Mama Rose “Set the Clock Down”
Why work against time when you can just set it down? Mama Rose’s second 2021 release, “Set the Clock Down,” asks and answers this question with poignant melodies and polished sound. The first release, “Drink More Water,” served as the blueprint for this album, helping it become one of the most complete albums of the year.
Related Article: Mama Rose’s “Drink More Water” Review
Reed Benjamin “I, of the Storm”
Reed Benjamin has leaned towards the bite-sized project length with a slew of EP’s over the last few years. However, this past autumn, the Southside emcee shifted focus with “I, of the Storm” last October. With a dash, a pop, and a healthy portion of melodies over various but cohesive instrumentals from the Twin Cities finest.
Related Article: REED BENJAMIN "RXB" REVIEW
Mijo “From, Mijo”
Short. Sweet. Funky. Mijo, under the blanket of Good Company, released “From Mijo” in 2021. The 5-track length could make this project an EP, but the charismatic vocal performance with a crisp mix expands its depth over its initial simplicity.
Related Article: GOOD COMPANY'S 4/20 SPECIAL: MINNESOTA COLD'S "DOPESAUCE" AND MIJO'S "OMENS"
Capaciti “Mannequins”
Three-decade-long veteran Capaciti dropped “Mannequins” in April of last year. This textbook classic local hip-hop project is the first full collaboration between Capaciti and B&E Music. With a variety of boom-bap and a tight guest list of features, Capaciti showed no signs of losing his edge in 2021.
Related Article: Capaciti's "Mannequins" Review
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Reviews by: Paul Thorson, Writer @PaulyT03, James Adamiak, Writer @RisingPathMusic, Andrew Perrizo, Owner @PlaylistTC
Edited by: Paul Thorson, Hip-Hop Writer @PaulyT03, Andrew Perrizo, Owner @PlaylistTC
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