The Freshman 15: 2021's Best Debut Albums
Next week, we'll release our final overall list of this year's best overall albums. But our ongoing best of 2021 coverage continues right now with a look at this year's top newcomers in music.
Above is our list of the 15 best-reviewed debut albums of 2021, ranked by Metascore. Note that albums must have at least 7 reviews—and be a full-length LP (or mixtape) rather than an EP—to be eligible for inclusion. Albums are ranked by Metascore prior to rounding based on scores as of December 14, 2021.
(#15) Bachelor is a new collaboration between Jay Som's Melina Duterte and Ellen Kempner of Palehound, and the 10-song debut from the longtime friends, Doomin' Sun, should appeal to fans of either group. The set was recorded during a two-week stay in Southern California's Topanga Canyon just before the start of the pandemic.
“Doomin' Sun is indie music at its most engaging. ... A reminder of how exceptional songwriting and musicianship can be even in the face of apocalyptic anxiety as long it's the right mix of artists.” —PopMatters
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