These year-end mixes & lists seem to be getting harder and harder to curate. The sheer number of releases makes it nearly impossible to keep up. Through Spotify and Bandcamp most of this music is available immediately, which is great, but it can also foster a severe case of FOMO, fear of missing out. Whether it's ambient music or indie rock/pop, I am on a constant prowl for new music, sometimes at the disservice of current music which I have not given time to sink in.
A mix like this is obviously not a definitive "Best of 2021". These are just some of my favorites from this year. Sometimes an album happens to catch me in the right mood, in the right place and it hits home. Is it better than all the other releases? Maybe. But all I know is it caught my ear at the right time, I latched on, listened, and it became one of my favorites.
I'll post the tracklist and my full 2021 favorites list in the comments. Also this is part 1. Keep your ears open for part 2.
