Best of 2021
2021 seemed to have started off pretty much in the same way 2020 had left off, with global lockdowns, a lack of live music and the music industry on the brink. That however didn't reflect in the quality of musical releases, with more time on their hands and plenty of topical frustrations to sing about, the standard of music in 2021 was incredible. Looking back on the pervious years releases we have crowned our winners of Best Album, Single, Breakthrough Artist and just for a change, Best Rock Cover of 2021! The winners and reasons for their selections can be found below...
Best Album of 2021
Thunder - All The Right Noises
Released 12th March 2021 via BMG
When it came to selecting the best album of 2021, Thunder’s 13th studio album ‘All The Right Noises’ had pretty much been the standard barrier since its release on the 12th March.
Reaching a respective number 3 in the UK album charts and despite originally being set for release in September of 2020, the delayed album proved to be well worth the wait.
As a big fan of Thunder it had actually been a while since I had track for track obsessively listened to an album of theirs. On all songs Luke Morley’s writing and production brings back echoes of their roots in classic rock, a return to the sounds of their iconic album ‘Back Street Symphony’. Certainly their very best form since then.
Like many artists at the moment the album is very topical in its subject matter, focusing on current political events and personal frustrations, yet delivered with the lyrical genius we’ve come to expect from Thunder over the years. There’s no mincing of words on this one, with songs such as ‘Last One Out Turn Off The Lights’ venting feelings on Brexit. ‘Destruction’ which tackles the issues of mental illness and depression, and my personal favourite ‘Don’t Forget To Live Before You Die’, which is about seizing the day (carpe diem). This is a track which so many of us should take inspiration from, a strong message about living our lives instead of seeking validation from social media.
It’s not all heavy stuff though, the album is well balanced with with ballads and feel good rocking numbers, ‘Going To Sin City’, ‘You’re Gonna Be My Girl’ and even ’She’s A Millionairess’, typical of Thunder’s vibe. The fact that this band are so good at writing songs, even the tracks with the heavier subject matter are delivered as ‘crank the volume’ feel-good, sing-along with Danny Bowes classics.
This album was 2021’s source of comfort throughout the ongoing uncertain times caused by the pandemic. Musically hard rocking, lyrically hard-hitting and most certainly as the title suggests, songs that make ‘All The Right Noises’.
Best Single of 2021
The Night Flight Orchestra - 'Burn For Me'
Lifted from Aeromantic II released 3rd September 2021 via Nuclear Blast Records
Maybe the love for tracks like this one speak volumes about my own need for the feel good vibes in 2021. Sweden’s eccentric, 80s inspired, party rockers The Night Flight Orchestra continued where they left off in 2020. The release of their sequel album ‘Aeromantic II’ on the 3rd of September followed hot on the heels of the critically acclaimed ‘Aeromantic’ album.
Bursting with all the energy, excitement, and synth infused pop-rock of the first album, but seemingly with more 80s movie soundtrack inspired singles. I could have picked any of the releases from this album as my favourite track of 2021. Yet the one that stands out the most is ‘Burn For Me’. Very catchy, instantly likeable, summer anthem that even forces you to bring out the ‘air-keyboard’ as you dance and sing along.
The romanticism of travel, in particular flight, is a major theme for the band, highlighting the joy of escapism from the real world. Yet out of all their accompanying music videos, ‘Burn For Me’ has to be the one that hits the heights of pure 80s movie fantasy. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Irena Cara’s ‘Fame’, we see people dancing in the streets in that typical care-free, but well choreographed fashion.
The band lead the by the flamboyant front man Björn “Speed” Strid, have created the ultimate feel good summer anthem for those seeking refuge from the chaos of the times we find ourselves in.
Breakthrough Artist of 2021
The Dust Coda
Album: The Mojo Skyline released 26th March 2021 via Earache Records
If there’s been one band that has impressed massively on the new music scene in the UK for some time now, it’s London based up and coming rockers The Dust Coda. Introducing audiences country wide to their delectable new wave of rock vibes and expert live showmanship. In 2021 the band were pleased to announce the release of their second studio album ‘The Mojo Skyline’ on the 26th of March. Now signed to Earache records, and bolstering their profile amongst the labels ever expanding roster of young British rock talent, the talented four-piece weren’t going to let a global pandemic halt their rise!
Gigs and festivals might well have been postponed but The Dust Coda’s latest album would prove to be one of the best of the year. Fully living up to the hype the band had generated on the live circuit pre-covid.
Drawing influences from gritty guitar-driven classic rock giants of the past, a hint of Led Zeppelin blues, a dash of Skynyrd southern sounds and presented with a real sense of a new rock revival. This band will get you grooving along to their catchy tunes, with strong favourites from the latest album including ‘Jimmy 2 Times’, ‘Limbo Man’, ‘Best Believe It’ and ‘Dream Alight’.
Led by the vocal talents of John Drake, who really gives the band soul, they have produced an album they can be proud of. The Dust Coda are a shining light in the new rock scene, and will once again be the band to see on the festival circuit post covid.
Rock Cover of 2021
The Dust Coda
'Call Me' Cover of the Blondie classic.
Hot on the heels of their UK Top 30 album Mojo Skyline [2021], Earache Records was thrilled to unveil a sensational cover of Blondie's beloved song “Call Me” recorded by rock powerhouse The Dust Coda. A gritty, punchy take on the Blondie classic, The Dust Coda's “Call Me” is a head-turning rendition of the original track that captures raw rock'n'roll attitude.
Frontman John Drake details how the cover came to be: “When I’m practising vocals, I often sing along to a lot of female artists - old soul artists and female rock singers. I’d often find myself singing “Call Me” by Blondie - but when I sang it, I would imagine someone like Motörhead playing it really heavily in the background. It floated around my head for a while, so when we decided to record a cover, ‘Call Me’ was my first thought. The exceptional songwriting and indie rock’n’roll production of the original track made ‘Call Me’ enticing as a cover choice, especially as it's a bit of a leap from the usual songs we write.”