Petal Motel’s Albums of the Year (2021)

Picking favorite albums of the year is always a daunting task; yet a chance for introspection and a guideline by which to mark the passing of time. Petal Motel never ranks; but simply compiles and points out a few that have meant the most to our staff (me) throughout the duration of this topsy-turvy year.

There was (understandably) an enormous amount of creative output this year. Although we are grateful, we happily say goodbye to “the pandemic album” and all surrounding interviews tiring the subject out. As usual, these are in no order. I did highlight a few that my listening reports tell me I listened to the most, albums that reached me when I needed them the most.

Some disclaimers: EPs that were less than 5 songs were not included, live albums were not included, compilations, and lots of standalone singles came out that I love that aren’t here. But they’re probably on petalmotel.com? There are also a bunch of albums that I bought but haven’t listened to yet because I’m either saving them for the right location/occasion or, you know, life. This year I got really into ambient music, thanks to Nashville Ambient Ensemble and marine eyes, and there’s a giant wealth of amazing ambient albums that didn’t all make this list but possibly deserve their own. I wish I could pick them all but this list is already getting too long. At my core, folk rock is where my heart is but grateful for all the music that came out this year that completely changed my listening habits. Never thought I’d enjoy solo synth instrumentals! But now look at me.

I also realized, digging back through the website to link to writeups, that I did a lot this year, which is pretty cool considering I have a 40-hr/week job and two other major hobbies. Good for all of us! We did it.

So! In no order.

The annual Petal Motel favorite albums of the year:

Aaron Lee Tasjan – Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan! (New West) 
Read Petal Motel’s interview with Aaron

Adeline Hotel – Good Timing (Ruination Record Co.)

Adia Victoria – Southern Gothic (Atlantic Recording Corporation)

Anushi Jain – Under the Lilac Sky (Leaving Records)

Ben Reddell Band – ¡LA Baby! 
Read the Petal Motel review

Bill MacKay and Nathan Bowles – Keys (Drag City) 
Read Petal Motel’s interview with Bill and Nathan

Bobby Lee – Origin Myths (Tompkins Square)

Buffalo Nichols – Buffalo Nichols (Fat Possum) 
Read Petal Motel’s interview with Buffalo Nichols

Cameron Knowler & Eli Winter – Anticipation (American Dreams) |
Listen to Petal Motel’s interview with Cameron & El

Corntuth – The Desert Is Paper Thin (A Flow State Records) 
Read the Petal Motel review

David John Morris – Monastic Love Songs 
Listen to Petal Motel’s interview with David

Daytime Moon – You Are the Dusk, I Am the Dawn

Derek Monypeny – The Hand As Dealt (2182) 
Read the Petal Motel review

Dori Freeman – Ten Thousand Roses (Blue Hen) 
Read the Petal Motel review

Fubuutsushi – Natsukashii (懐かしい)

Fruit Bats – The Pet Parade (Merge) 
Read the Petal Motel review

Gerycz/Powers/Rolin – Lamplighter (American Dreams)

Gold Dust – Gold Dust

Golden Brown – Gems & Minerals (Inner Islands)

Hataałii – Hataałii

Hayden Pedigo – Letting Go (Mexican Summer) 
Read the Petal Motel review

Herb Benham IV – Ragtown

The Pink Stones – Introducing… (New West)

Jeffrey Silverstein – Torii Gates (Arrowhawk) 
Listen to Petal Motel’s interview with Jeffrey

Jesse Aycock – S/T (Horton Records) 
Listen to Petal Motel’s interview with Jesse

JJJJJerome Ellis – The Clearing (NNA Tapes & Wendy’s Subway)

Joe Bourdet – Meadow Rock (Mountain Sounds Recorders) 
Listen to Petal Motel’s interview with Joe

Johanna Samuels – Excelsior (Mama Bird Recording Co) 
Listen to Petal Motel’s interview with Johanna & read the review

Ki Oni – Stay Indoors and Swim (Sound as Language) 
Read the Petal Motel review

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson – Theory of Ice (You’ve Changed Records)

marine eyes – idyll (Stereoscenic Records) 
Read the Petal Motel review

Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victim (Matador)

Minor Moon – Tethers (Ruination Record Co. & Whatever’s Clever) 
Peep Sam Cantor’s guest mix for Petal Motel

Mother Hips – Glowing Lantern (Blue Rose) Interview coming soon!

Nala Sinephro – Space 1.8 (Warp)
Read the Petal Motel review

Nashville Ambient Ensemble – Cerulean (Centripetal Force) 
Listen to Petal Motel’s interview with Luke Schneider and Michael Hix

Patrick Shiroishi – Hidemi (American Dreams)

Pelt – Reticence / Resistance (Three Lobed) 
Read Petal Motel’s interview with Nathan Bowles & Mikel Dimmick

Rhiannon Giddens – They’re Calling Me Home (Nonesuch Records)
Read the Petal Motel review

Robert Finley – Sharecropper’s Son (Easy Eye Sound)

Rosali – No Medium (Spinster Sounds)

Rose City Band – Earth Trip (Thrill Jockey) 
Listen to Petal Motel’s interview with Ripley Johnson

Sarah Louise – Earth Bow 
Listen to Petal Motel’s interview with Sarah

Scott Hirsch – Windless Day (Echo Magic) 
Read the Petal Motel review

Starbirthed – Reflections of the Samith (Flower Room)

Starlight Cleaning Co -S/T (Sofa Burn)
Listen to Petal Motel’s interview with Rachel & Tim

Steve Gunn – Other You (Matador) 
Read the Petal Motel review

Taranoya – Becoming (Sound As Language)

The Modern Folk – Primitive Future II (War Hen)

Valerie June – The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers (Fantasy Recordings)

Wes Tirey – The Midwest Book of the Dead (Dear Life) 
Read Lou Turner’s interview with Wes

Xisco Rojo – Transfigurations 
Peep Xisco’s guest mix for Petal Motel

Yasmin Williams – Urban Driftwood (Spinster Sounds)

Here’s to 2022. Buy music! Donate to foundations that help musicians!