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.
This self-titled set is the solo debut album for Dublin-based producer David Balfe, who recorded it as a tribute to Paul Curran, his best friend and bandmate (in a group called Burnt Out) who took his own life in 2018. (A recent album from the Irish band The Murder Capital was also inspired by the same tragedy.) Reviewers have compared Balfe's music to that of The Streets and Burial.
“‘For Those I Love’ is not only an immaculate debut, but a beautiful record that speaks to anyone who’s ever loved and lost, anyone who might be mourning or just processing the days of youthful abandon, or perhaps those who need reminding that you can’t have shadows without the light.” —NME
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