Trish's 10 Most Listened to Albums of 2021

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Trish’s 10 Most Listened to Albums of 2021

December 31, 2021

Trish's Top Played Albums 2021 including X Ambassadors, The Glorious sons, Crown Lands, The Honest Heart Collective, Rihanna, Arkells, Oddisee, Hotel Mira, The War on Drugs, Hozier

In this post, I’ll be looking at my most played albums for 2021. It’s been another weird year. So little live music, so many long days blurring into one another. Music always helps.

Take a look back with me at the albums and EPs I listened to most. This time around there are some older albums that made the top cut. I’m good with that.

X Ambassadors: The Beautiful Liar

Most Played Track: Adrenaline
Notes: The Beautiful Liar is also currently sitting at the top of my list for albums I can put on and not hit skip. Front to back this album speaks to me. It’s spooky and creepy. It also rocks, hard. My top 5 most played songs on Spotify were from this album.

I love this band from Ithaca, NY who feel like Toronto is on their side. So much so, that we were their only Canadian date.

When things started to open back up, this band was the first one I saw live.

Related: Trish’s 10 Top Moments/Memories 2019

The Glorious Sons: A War On Everything

Most Played Track: Pink Motel
Notes: Back for a second time. This album had staying power for me. In fact, it moved up from fifth to second since 2019’s list. My most played track may have changed but this album has kept me company more times than I could count. From 2019’s post – “Panic Attack to Pink Motel, this record provides honest lyrics, a wide range of style, inspirational stories, and hooks that’ll stick in your head.” This still holds true.

I managed to get out and shoot this band before things started to go to hell again.

Crown Lands: Odyssey Vol. 1

Most Played Track: White Buffalo
Notes: With a December 2nd, release date it’s surprising to see this album make the cut. And yet, it’s not. I love this band and I can’t get enough. They took some of my already favourites and bundled them together with new tracks. Coming in just shy of an hour, it’s another no skips album. It’s a mood, it’s a journey, it’s a message.

The Crown Lands Big Wave Tour was the first show important enough to me, to get back out there with my camera. It was so worth it.

The Honest Heart Collective: More Harm

Most Played Track: If You Wanna Leave
Notes: Take 7 tracks filled with compelling lyrics, a touch of emotionality, tempered with balls-out rocking guitars. They rock with a sense of confidence. That attitude comes from putting in the work, taking their time, and building from the bottom up. More Harm is everything you’re looking for in an album.

🇧🇧 Rihanna: Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded

Most Played Track: Umbrella
Notes: Perhaps the biggest surprise, at least for me, is Rihanna popping up on this list. I think we can thank our related post for this one. No apologies here. Twelve years later, this album still pumps. I mean, who didn’t need dance breaks during the workday this year?

Related: Rihanna Top 10 By the Numbers

Arkells: Blink Once

Most Played Track: You Can Get It (ft. K.Flay)
Notes: This is the only album that appears on both my list and Joshua’s list. I love this song because it’s catchy. When it comes on I have to sing along. My biggest regret was not seeing Arkells when they were here. I just wasn’t ready to get out in public yet. One thing I can count on, they’ll be back. Arkells are one of the hardest touring bands in the business.
Related: Arkells Release Video for Strong

Oddisee: Odd Cure

Most Played Track: The Cure
Notes: First, Oddisee is an amazing storyteller. This album is next level and something we can all relate to. Make sure you listen to the skit tracks. That shit is real life during the pandemic. It’s not just that he can spit so many words, it’s how he strings them together, and it’s the music behind it. There are timing changes, sweet energy, and his band Good Compny is so good. Amazing instrumentation! A combo of jazz, funk, go-go, gospel, soul, and hip-hop.

Dig deeper into the catalogue, there’s some life-changing stuff in here.

Related: 5 New Albums You Should Listen To Now – Crown Lands, Oddisee, Knifey, Traces, Hotel Mira

Hotel Mira: Perfectionism

Most Played Track: The Eyes on You
Notes: This album’s been kicking around on all of my playlists since its release. Hotel Mira released a new video for one of my favourite tracks this year just prior to touring.

Sadly, I wasn’t feeling well enough to catch the band when they came through town with The Zolas. Next time.

The War On Drugs: I Don’t Live Here Anymore

Most Played Track: I Don’t Live Here Anymore
Notes: It’s an album about life. Could be it any simpler than that? It’s emotional and I connected deeply with it. The album delivers the classic The War On Drugs sound. It’s moody and thoughtful. It makes you want to hit play again the second it’s over.

🇮🇪 Hozier: Wasteland Baby

Most Played Track: Almost (Sweet Music)
Notes: Not new but this album still resonates with me. I hope there’s new music soon and that we get a tour, once it’s safe for that to happen.
Related: Hozier at WayHome 2015

Author profile

Trish Cassling

Writer/Photographer/Editor

Toronto Music Blogger

Trish’s 10 Most Listened to Albums of 2021

By Trish Cassling

In this post, I’ll be looking at my most played albums for 2021. It’s been another weird year. So little live music, so many long days blurring into one another. Music always helps.

Take a look back with me at the albums and EPs I listened to most. This time around there are some older albums that made the top cut. I’m good with that.