Posted on Friday 10th December 2021 at 16:56
As we wave goodbye to 2021 and look forward to 2022 and all the great shows on offer, we thought it would be the perfect time to bring you our favourite albums of the year!
Here at alt. tickets we keep our fingers on the pulse, with weekly updates of all our favourite releases, but when it came to recapping a whole year of excellent music it was hard to narrow it down to just over 30 of our team's top picks! We've made some tough decisions and we have such a great list, so without further ado here is part one.
Samantha Fish - Faster
For fans of: Beth Hart, Joe Bonnamasa, Larkin Poe
Released: 10th September
What the critics say: "She relishes her position of power. It brings her happiness to be in charge. Fish enjoys being faster and louder than the rest and succeeds at doing so." - Pop Matters
Stand out track: Twisted Ambition
See Samantha Fish on her UK tour next year. TICKETS HERE.
Viagra Boys - Welfare Jazz
For fans of: shame, Fontanies D.C., Sleaford Mods
Released: 8th January
What the critics say: "If 2018 debut ‘Street Worms’ was your party-loving, gobby little brother, ‘Welfare Jazz’ is the well-to-do, country-loving cousin who’s ready to buckle up and not look back." - NME
Stand out track: Ain't Nice
See Viagra Boys live in Brighton next year. TICKETS HERE.
wych elm - Rabbit Wench
For fans of: JOHN, Sorry, Do Nothing
Released: 24th September
What the critics say: "Many of the deep-rooted issues around gender inequality and the one-sided power games between the sexes are investigated here in a way that’s so explicit that it will make the listener feel horribly uncomfortable. But these are uncomfortable subjects that require difficult conversations and actions - and wych elm tackle them full on in this brave and devastating record." - Even The Stars
Stand out track: Scolds Bridle
See wych elm live in Bristol next week and London in January. TICKETS HERE.
James Blunt - The Stars Beneath My Feet
For fans of: Ed Sheeran, The Script, James Morrison
Released: 19th November
What James says: “Amazingly, I’m releasing my Greatest Hits. I wanted to call it ‘Greatest Hit (& Songs I Wish You’d Heard)’, but the good people at Atlantic Records suggested I call it something more sensible, so it’s called ‘The Stars Beneath My Feet’."
Stand out track: Love Under Pressure
See James Blunt on his UK tour next year. TICKETS HERE.
Chloe Moriondo - Blood Bunny
For fans of: dodie, Cavetown, beabadoobee
Released: 7th May
What the critics say: "Whether channelling her larger-than-life musical heroes or shrouding her music in something more subtle, Moriondo’s lyricism shines through." - NME
Stand out track: I Eat Boys
See Chloe Moriondo live in Nottingham and Bristol next year. TICKETS HERE.
Benjamin Francis Leftwich - To Carry A Whale
For fans of: Lucy Rose, S. Carey, William Fitzsimmons
Released: 17th June
What the critics say: A genuine sense of gratitude and appreciation of life itself is made deafeningly clear even in the more sombre and dark moments on this record, which again reveals his newfound attitude. Serving up an audible ‘chill pill’, ‘To Carry A Whale’ is sure to bring comfort to many by exposing a distinct rawness that reflects an essential form of self-development. As Leftwich describes, “My heart has always been in the songs. Now my head is in them as well.” - Clash
Stand out track: Cherry In Tacoma
See Benjamin Francis Leftwich live in Nottingham and Cardiff next year. TICKETS HERE.
Dry Cleaning - New Long Leg
For fans of: Squid, Goat Girl, Black Country New Road
Released: 2nd April
What the critics say: "The everyday becomes poetic on this intensely original album of post-punk shape-shifting from the south London foursome."- The Observer
Stand out track: Scratchcard Lanyard
See Dry Cleaning live in Leeds and Nottingham next year. TICKETS HERE.
Jake Bugg - Saturday Night, Sunday Morning
For fans of: Miles Kane, Jamie T, The Vaccines
Released: 20th August
What the critics say: "Saturday Night, Sunday Morning marks a huge comeback for Jake Bugg. The record as a whole combines Bugg’s classic heartfelt blues influences with various ballads and a contemporary pop finish." - Gigwise
Stand out track: Rabbit Hole
See Jake Bugg live in Nottingham & Bristol next year. TICKETS HERE.
