Our Favorite Mid-Year Releases (2021, Part II)

 

Presenting the Osmosis Tones staff's 20 favorite releases of 2021 at the mid-year point. Featuring Armand Hammer, Mon LaFerte, Japanese Breakfast, Genesis Owusu, Origami Angel and many more! 

Blue Weekend - Wolf Alice

Blue Weekend is the third studio album by Wolf Alice, and it might be their best yet.  Ellie Roswell’s voice sounds like a riot girl in outer space, the perfect tone for the terrestrial “fuck you” of confidence this album presents. All the tracks feel totally realized and purposeful, while still holding a carefree attitude behind them. One lyric that really sums up the entire vibe is “I am what I am and I'm good at it, If you don't like me well that isn't fucking relevant.” The album isn't too much of a musical shift, featuring much of their beautiful blend of shoegaze and garage rock with a punch of indie tropes. But even with it sounding like a Wolf Alice classic, it feels more defined in direction and purpose. Even with everything so thoughtfully and masterfully strung together, it still feels effortlessly cool. - Eleni Haberis

Lei Line Eon - Iglooghost

With a mind-blowing offering, Iglooghost proves himself to be one of the best electronic producers in the game right now. Igloo takes his previously manic, sugary futuristic sounds to a new found calmness and ambience. By focusing on subtleties and cohesion through beautiful string arrangements - or disgusting, otherworldly bangers - Iglooghost makes his most approachable and mature release yet. It is a daring move for this maximalist producer, but by giving his songs space, you can truly understand his craft and appreciate his talent. His treatment of soundplay and songwriting is bar none, to the point where you should want to see this man conduct an orchestra after hearing this lavash instrumentation. The sky is truly the limit, as they say. - Luke Chobanian

GAMI GANG - Origami Angel

The sophomore album from the DC emo/skate-punk duo is, quite frankly, fucking loaded. The leaps and bounds that Origami Angel has made since their 2019 debut Somewhere City are astounding, and this album is a must-listen. GAMI GANG seamlessly transitions between various genres on a level that is anything but ordinary, and the first front-to-back listen of this album is a rollercoaster that you’ll never want to end. In a world that constantly feels like it's going to shit, GAMI GANG tries to lift the veil of depression and make the listener reflect and look at the brighter side of life, and it does just that. I could ramble on and on about how great this album is, but at its core, GAMI GANG is stacked front to back with great guitar riffs, heavy metal breakdowns, and catchy lyrics. Needless to say, this album doesn’t have a single skip in sight. - Tommy Delone

Dope Game Stupid - Bruiser Wolf

Bruiser Wolf sounds like a one-off Boondocks character, with a helium huffed voice and an odd, offbeat flow that’s most comparable to E-40 or Suga Free. Dope Game Stupid puts this secure commitment to his style, and his charismatic personality overflowing with wit, on full display. But above all, this album comes off as fun, quirky and playful due to the constant joking. There’s no one quite like him when it comes to the comedic timing of punchlines. He’ll say a phrase, give it a slight awkward pause, then flip it into something based on double entendre, presenting nothing but “how did he make that connection” metaphors. His style may be divisive on first listen, but there are so many “blink and you miss it” moments of comedic genius here that will only reveal themself on each subsequent spin. You can’t write out these lyrics in confidence, as it’s impossible to convey the timing and delivery through text. 

Yet this album is still a coke rap album at the end of the day, leveling out the moments of humor. The intro track is a celebration of life and survival, “Whip Test” is surprisingly threatening, and the closer is an emotional piece of introspection about his mother’s general absence from his life due to her addiction to the same drugs he would end up dealing. This album is certainly driven by humor, but, like the best of comedians, presents an enthralling performance of language and timing at its core, with some insightful observations about the human experience in between. The beats are dope too – firmly in the “abstract” camp, but they provide a cohesively surreal atmosphere that compliments the rapper well. - Greg Wiacek

Jubilee - Japanese Breakfast

Any victory lap an artist receives through the critical discourse should be met with heavy skepticism - this, according to those who hate the “dreaded realm of poptimism” or whatever. But not Jubilee, the third LP (and thus far, magnum opus) from Japanese Breakfast. Michelle Zauner (aka, our girl Jbrekkie) has gradually been working towards her artistic zenith, and on Jubilee, she reaches it. By combining the best attributes of her cosmic dream pop and indie rock with orchestral flourishes, idiosyncratic characters, heartfelt poetry and some good ol’ fashion glee, Zauner solidifies her art with auteur status, placing herself in a trajectory reminiscent of classic indie heroes while maintaining a perspective unique to herself. Only through the depth of great loss can a record this joyous be achieved, and by combining these two modes to stunning effect, the resulting music bursts not only with life, but an inherent drive to live life in its most positive iteration. - Zach Zollo

Life In Your Glass World - Citizen 

It’s been about four years since Citizen released their last album, and with their latest release, they’ve done something funky...like, emo-dance fusion funky. I didn't think this could be accomplished in such a dreamy way or without just tossing Skrillex on a track, but Life In Your Glass World really shattered all of that. The high energy in the music accompanied with the somber lyrics allows the band a lot of leeway to really experiment, but stay focused with a strong emotional motif. They pay homage to the roots of post-punk but with the addition of a more modern electronic palette. All in all it feels really palatable for situations when you’d normally play something a bit more upbeat. This album gives you the feeling that you can get excited about all the parts of your life even if they might not be as energetic. Even in the softer moments, it's just a slower dance. - Eleni Haberis

Real Late - Peter Rosenberg

If you’re a fan of hip hop, you may have thought to yourself, “I would love an album with Wu-Tang, Mayhem Lauren, and Westside Gunn on it.” Well look no further, cause Real Late is without a doubt a contender for rap compilation of the year. Modern-day renaissance man Peter Rosenberg comes in guns blazing on his debut album as producer/curator. Maybe you can owe it to his time at Hot 97, but the man has a knack for selecting beats that fuse vintage and contemporary samples together, bridging the gap between the old school of New York and the new. The combination of talent here is noteworthy, as modern underground heavies Westside Gunn and Mayhem Lauren work with living legends like Ghostface Killa and Jim Jones. The production is incredible for a debut, and Rosenberg is making a legitimate claim for respect on his name beyond his shock-jock persona. There has been some great hip-hop so far this year, as well as some that didn’t quite meet expectations, but this album not only exceeded expectations, it's borderline immaculate. - Tommy Delone

Haram - Armand Hammer & The Alchemist

I knew that from the second this Alchemist produced Armand Hammer project was announced, it would end up being one of my favorites this year. The Alchemist is behind some of my favorite albums the past few years like Boldy James’s The Price of Tea in China or Freddie Gibbs’ Alfredo, so the fact he could make a full project with Billy Woods and Elucid makes me feel like a kid on Christmas. The duo feel more focused than ever over Alchemist's experimental production. This project is so powerful in every sense with songs like “Chicharrones,” featuring menacing bars from Billy Woods that call out homophobia in hip hop, as well as the clever alliterations that reference the war conflicts in the Balkans and the Caucasus. Elucid really pushes himself to be his best on this record with some of the most perplexing, nearly slam poetry-esque rhymes. - Luke Chobanian

Smiling With No Teeth - Genesis Owusu 

The Ghanian-Australian singer has presented a fantastic and ambitious audio buffet, ranging from soul to funk to post-punk to hip hop and even a bit of 80s new wave synths. What’s most impressive about this album is how none of these genre-hops ever come off as a forced gimmick - they feel effortless. This album (work with me here) feels like a spiritual successor to Prince’s Dirty Mind – it’s not exactly apples-to-apples, but they do cover similar genre ranges, are driven by a strong pop sensibility, and are certainly horny. Owusu exudes a warm vibe that makes this LP all the more inviting – you can just hear his wide, shit-eating grin the entire time, like he’s just happy that he has the chance to sing in front of a microphone.

One of the most notable aspects of this album is the lyrical motif of a “black dog” used to convey both Owusu’s experiences with racial discrimination and his internal battle with depression. “Don’t Need You” is the catchiest song I’ve heard this year, and I wouldn’t be mad if it becomes a hit. “No Looking Back” uses the same melody as the Full House theme song, but done in a far more lush way where the sentimental feelings sound genuine. The more soulful and uplifting final quarter of the album is about “fighting the good fight” to overcome your internal demons, making sure to get out of bed the next day. However, the album refuses to close the curtain Hollywood-style, with the final track providing a stern reminder that the battle against racism and your own depression is a continuous daily effort. An absolutely flooring record that can be listened to at any time. - Greg Wiacek

Peace Out Cruel World - Whiner

Put the Killers, Cold Cave, The Lost Boys and three episodes of The Sopranos in a blender and you get New Jersey’s Whiner. On Peace Out Cruel World, the band makes thrilling pop rock that soars above black waves with a glitz and glamour destined for primetime. There’s post-punk edge, gothic atmosphere, and a bravado drenched vocal performance from Cameron J. Castan, who strikes a strong resemblance to Dear and the Headlights’ Ian Metzger. From “Sleeping Pills” to “Dog” to “Varicose Veins” and “Baseball Bat,” the band showcases a knack for writing alt-rock hits that benefit from the level of musicianship brought to the table. A soundtrack to the summer, or winter, or fall, or whenever. - Zach Zollo

SEIS - Mon LaFerte

I first heard Mon LaFerte when I was in an Uber in Chile. My driver was so surprised I had never heard of her, and when I did some research, I honestly was surprised as well. Mon LaFerte is an incredibly popular, acclaimed and awarded Chilean singer, but she hasn't exactly made big waves in the United States. However, she currently resides in Mexico, and with her newest album SEIS, you can feel how deeply she loves the country she has made home. This album is filled with not only classic Mexican instruments and the beautiful ranchera sound that carries it all so smoothly, but also features extremely popular Mexican artists like Gloria Trevi and Alejandro Fernandez. 

This album showcases just how strong Mon LaFerte’s voice really is, with powerful ballads sung over soft mariachi sounds - lullabies that make you want to walk around in a long silk robe and contemplate slaying your husband... or something like that. When the songs aren't soft and sensual, they're big band anthems overflowing with her emotions. There’s something so feminine about this album, but rough in a way that makes her so desirable. Mon LaFerte did not miss on this one, and I think I need to buy a plane ticket to Mexico now. - Eleni Haberis

Songs of Sage: Post Panic! - Navy Blue

While actually at the very tail-end of 2020, this album continues to prove its worth in 2021, never leaving regular rotation. Navy Blue, who feels like a spiritual disciple of Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def), shows himself in an even more vulnerable light, reflecting on his found spirituality through the loss of many family members. “Memory Lane” - which was released at the height of the coronavirus pandemic - contains the lyrics “Step with me on this path, it’s hell ridden. Wear a mask, wash your hands or fall victim. Pick a casket lay in it, the death wishes don’t last,” proving how chilling his perspective can be. Navy Blue’s deep insight and his “less is more” method to the beats and rapping have pushed himself to the head of the pack in this modern age of minimalist boom bap. - Luke Chobanian

Duke Nukem - Duke Deuce

If you need a kick in the ass, put this shit on. Woefully underrated Memphis rapper Duke Deuce had the momentum from his 2019 viral hit “Crunk Ain’t Dead” was unfairly put on pause due to COVID, but he’s here to remind you on his debut album that his slice of the genre is here to stay - and that the spirit of 2000s Three 6 Mafia lives on. The self-proclaimed “WTF-inator” yells, boasts and barks, grabbing your throat for attention, but underneath it all, the heavy flows are on-point, every hook makes you want to get up and push something (soon that will be somebody, but give this pandemic a few more months). 

The layered vocals on “Fell Up in the Club,” along with the aggressive drum beat and A$AP Ferg feature are a nice tribute to the classic Memphis rap sound. The humorous “Toot Toot” is an ode to the woman you may have set your eyes on, featuring an extremely crisp hi-hat pattern, but it's how Duke maintains the rhyme scheme throughout and the way the hook bounces on the beat that mesmerizes. “Duke Skywalker,” “Busy,” and “Kirk” are other high-energy banger highlights, but really, the entire project propels you forward. One of the most underrated in the current trap scene - it’s a shame that his label Quality Control doesn’t push him harder with the resources they have… - Greg Wiacek

Limitations - Sports Coach

J. Thatcher May’s ninth solo album as Sports Coach may just be his definitive statement of lo-fi vignettes, cosmic queries, synthetic sensations and washed-out wonders. Every listen of this project transports you to the headspace you’d expect from a bedroom record of its ilk - one that’s hazy, foggy, and nostalgic - but there’s the added presence of an innocent, curious soul lingering throughout, like a sprite crossing over from the land of the fae. The textures, twists and turns throughout are nothing but euphoric ear-candy, assembled by a master candyman valuing the sweetest taste. Along with the 2017 demos collection Welcome 2 The Tone-Zone, Sports Coach has had a tremendous year giving listeners the best of his craftsmanship. Highlight included “Nutcracker Included,” “Figured,” “Skatin’ the Line” and the title track. - Zach Zollo

Enough Said - The Chisel

One of the most exciting voices in punk right now, London’s The Chisel released this FIVE MINUTE GEM of an EP. Armed with hysterical album art depicting a motley crew of skinhead hash browns, The Chisel prove that oi-infused hardcore is still alive and catchier than ever. These songs - including a perfectly done cover of the Business’s “Harry May” - are football pitch ready and have plenty of fun, aggro-energy met with fantastic playing and pop savvy writing. - Luke Chobanian

Offscourings - Mefitis 

Mefitis broke with their excellent debut Emberdawn in 2019, and the core elements of their sound remain with their latest album Offscourings - it sits somewhere in between 90s Finnish death metal, the Swedish melodic black metal scene and the earliest At The Gates albums. It’s incredibly dense and constantly shifting. Often, a riff will only be repeated twice before moving on to the next. The two guitars almost NEVER play the same parts at once (which is quite rare in any extreme metal that tends to be busy), and it becomes even more jarring when one guitarist plays something that would be considered more traditionally “death metal” and the other more “black metal.” But somehow, the music ends up becoming complementary, filling in all the necessary gaps in between each other. That’s before even getting into the rhythm section, and the bass stands out fairly consistently with its own third melodic counterpoint aside from the guitars. 

These guys tend to like to play higher up the neck – “Casting in Sediment” and the title track are really the only songs that explore lower down the neck at points. Whereas they really wore their influences on their sleeves more obviously on their debut, Mefitis do a fantastic job of straying away a bit and doubling down on what made them unique – there’s an increased presence of their “Gregorian chant” vocals, synths and acoustic guitar (in my extreme metal??) that makes this even more off-kilter than before. And these riffs are downright evil – it’s a tired phrase to use for this music, sure, but more often than not, most bands keep their sound parked at “aggressive”. But these riffs will give you the stank face and make you hold an invisible orb with your hand (hey, I’ll do something cheesy if the music is that good). It’s certainly a challenging and exhaustive listen, but the fun comes from unpacking it all and seeing how it all comes together. A masterpiece of metal from this year. - Greg Wiacek

Head Of The Household - Birthday Ass

This album is bananas. With free jazz formlessness, irresistible vocal refrains, and a lyrical silliness that contains a fascination with food, Birthday Ass have offered us one of the most provocative, entertaining and downright fun experimental records of the year. Priya Carlberg leads the brigade with her compositions, mesmerizing the listener with undulating vocals and a compelling knack for melody. As esoteric as these tracks may be on first listen, they warm themselves up to the listener to the point where their melodies are lodged deep in the brain, stuck on repeat. A wonderful introduction not only to this group, but perhaps an entryway into the world of no wave and art rock for the curious mind. - Zach Zollo

hypernature EP - Palpa

The Chicago electronic-producer drops some HEAT with his hypernature EP. Palpa completely  deconstructs the trap/dubstep drops and motifs that permeated popular music last decade into something far more artful and experimental. These off-kilter drum patterns will smack you straight in the face over glitched out vocal chops and some of the most bizarre soundplay of the past few years. Banger after banger that doesn’t let up! - Luke Chobanian

Hoorsees - Hoorsees

The Parisian indie rockers find the ideal balance between melancholy and heartfelt, despondent and determined, old-school and new wave. Alexis Huysmans’ voice as a songwriter showcases a psyche afflicted by a doom cloud - for many of us, such a mindset has become our daily preset due to the acceleration of the world’s decay from the pandemic and capitalism’s decrepit hands. But like all great indie rock, Hoorsees music doesn’t force its depression onto others, it shares itself with you, to let you know you’re not alone, guiding you to where you need to be. “Get Tired,” “Videogames,” “Instant Tea,” and “Major League” are definitive cuts from this record, but really, the entire album is definitive. For those of use who rely on comforting guitar tones and mellow vibes to carry us through, introduce yourself to Hoorsees - they’ve been a great friend for myself. - Zach Zollo