The 20 Best Albums of 2021 So Far
Which albums have impressed critics the most during the first half of the year? Above, we rank the best-reviewed LPs released between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021 by Metascore. Albums must have at least 7 reviews from professional critics to be eligible, and resissues, EPs, live albums, and compilations are excluded.
The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, who has performed with Craig Finn and Eleanor Friedberger, released her debut album, Play Till You Win, back in 2017. This 33-minute follow-up, recorded with producer Josh Kaufman, represents a "significant step forward" according to AllMusic, with critics singling out the spoken-word track "Hard Drive" as the can't-miss cut.
“Jenkins' winding writing is cerebral and referential, nearly every song capable of opening a Wikipedia rabbit hole. However, much like Norwegian art-pop virtuoso Jenny Hval, she works wonders in the place between heart and mind; her intellectualism is never overbearing, instead revealing a dedication to explaining the unexplainable.” —Exclaim
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