Our regular roundup of the most popular new albums is determined by how many Discogs users added the release to their Collections during the month. To be included on each genre-specific list, the album must have been released in 2021 in a physical format (meaning vinyl, CD, or cassette), so it won’t take into consideration digital streams.
We wrapped up 2020 with a nice mix of Record Store Day releases, year-end drops (Paul McCartney, Com Truise, Bill Evans), and extremely popular records that made regular appearances since we started the monthly chart back in June (Mac Miller, Phoebe Bridgers, Thundercat, Khruangbin).
However, the first edition of 2021 looks a lot different. For starters, we’ve kicked off a new release year, which means all of those 2020 favorites will not be found in our January ranking. On top of that, we’re only one month in, so there won’t be as many records that qualify for the ranking. All of the records below will have been released, then copped by Discogs users in January 2021.
What this really means, though, is that we have a much more diverse lineup right now. Some of the “smaller” artists with new albums cracked the top 10 before the big-name acts dropped their 2021 work. We also included EPs to keep things interesting.
What are we listening to? Everything. There are some serious gems. Obscure electronic EPs, crooning pop artists from outside of the U.S., doom metal full-lengths, tunes from a professional skateboarder (and former Bones Brigade member), traditional Nordic folks music with a twist — everything has a moment in the spotlight. It’s wild down there. Enjoy.
Rock
- 10. The Upsides/Suburbia 10 Year Anniversary Box SetThe Wonder Years
- 9. Collapsed in SunbeamsArlo Parks
- 8. Is This Desire? DemosPJ Harvey
- 7. Crypt of IceFrozen Soul
- 6. An Unexpected RealityGatecreeper
- 5. NecrocerosAsphyx
- 4. The Future BitesSteven Wilson
- 3. Welfare JazzViagra Boys
- 2. Spare RibsSleaford Mods
- 1. Drunk Tank PinkShame
Hip-Hop
- 10. Demolition StrictlyGrand Invincible
- 9. MedioegoInoki
- 8. When The Black Hand Touches YouLukah
- 7. CCXXXVIIAl.divino, Grubby Pawz
- 6. La Der: l’Ultime Concert À l’Accorhotels ArenaSuprême NTM
- 5. Director’s Cut: Scene 3Ransom, Nicholas Craven
- 4. The Ghost Of AlbizuUFO FEV & Big Ghost LTD
- 3. KilogramDJ Muggs & Al.divino
- 2. DemidevilAshnikko
- 1. Sound AncestorsMadlib
Electronic
- 10. Ormens Väg10. Monokultur
- 9. Angel’s Flight9. Biosphere
- 8. Run Tings / Feel The Magic / New Place8. Dwarde x Tim Reaper
- 7. The Theme EP7. Equinox
- 6. The Shadow of Their Suns6. Wax Tailor
- 5. Home5. Rhye
- 4. Somewhere Between: Mutant Pop, Electronic Minimalism & Shadow Sounds Of Japan 1980-19884. Various
- 3. The Third Chimpanzee3. Martin Gore
- 2. Vertigo Days2. The Notwist
- 1. Isles1. Bicep
Pop
- 10. A Night That’s Never Ending/Fool For LoveSonia
- 9. Nobody Is ListeningZAYN
- 8. Down the ShopsEven
- 7. EuphoriesVideoclub
- 6. BrigatabiancaSamuel Romano
- 5. Better WayCasper Clausen
- 4. Aliena (Giuni Dopo Giuni)Giuni Russo
- 3. J’étais Devenu Un HommeBalavoine
- 2. Vinyl Moon Volume 064: Odd PartyVarious
- 1. Una Canzone D’Amore Buttata ViaVasco Rossi
Jazz
- 10. Lifting The BandstandCecil Taylor Quintet
- 9. Roma A Mano ArmataFranco Micalizzi
- 8. RayAshley Paul
- 7. Many WorldsMenagerie
- 6. MaquishtiPatricia Brennan
- 5. Fitz Gore & The TalismenFitz Gore & The Talismen
- 4. Tangerine DreamsClaude Cooper
- 3. Spiritual Jazz 13: Now! Part Two / Modern Sounds For The 21st CenturyVarious
- 2. Spiritual Jazz 13: Now! Part One / Modern Sounds For The 21st CenturyVarious
- 1. John Dwyer, Nick Murray, Brad Caulkins, Greg Coates & Tom DolasWitch Egg
Funk and Soul
- 10. Resense 052Slick Walk, Voodoocuts
- 9. Horror GamesThe Jack Moves Featuring Larry Hamm & The People Of Newark
- 8. Skorpion Im StiefelHamburg Spinners
- 7. Finally ReadyThe Shapeshifters feat. Billy Porter
- 6. You’re Gonna Love Me / EnchantingBrian Morgan
- 5. Sunshine RadioTommy Guerrero
- 4. Will I See You Again? / It’s Our LoveThee Sacred Souls
- 3. Not Your MuseCeleste
- 2. I Told You SoDelvon Lamarr Organ Trio
- 1. Introducing…Aaron Frazer
Folk, World, and Country
- 10. Strawberry MansionLanghorne Slim
- 9. The Wide, Wide RiverJames Yorkston and The Second Hand Orchestra
- 8. Magic MirrorPearl Charles
- 7. Under a Mediterranean SkySteve Hackett
- 6. Two SaviorsBuck Meek
- 5. Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers Songbook Vol. 1Barry Gibb & Various
- 4. Dangerous: The Double AlbumMorgan Wallen
- 3. Songs for the Drunk and Broken HeartedPassenger
- 2. KvitravnWardruna
- 1. Speed, Sound, Lonely KV EPKurt Vile
