On Dec. 1, music lovers all over the world grabbed their phones and opened up one of the most awaited annual announcements from their favorite app. Spotify Wrapped was released and every genre of music from K-Pop to rap shone on the screens of students. However, artists outside of the mainstream music industry also released listen-worthy projects throughout 2021. Listed below are my top five albums of the year that you probably haven’t heard yet, but should:

1. “Heaux Tales” by Jazmine Sullivan

“Heaux Tales” is by far my favorite R&B album this year. Sullivan combines smooth production with vocals that are passionate and command a sense of power. R&B powers Anderson Paak and Ari Lennox are featured on “Heaux Tales,” allowing for more creative freedom and opportunity for success. My favorite song from the album is “Pick Up Your Feelings” because it is an amazing example of soulful beats combining well with a strong vocal performance.

2. “Sound Ancestors” by Madlib

“Sound Ancestors” is the only album on this list without contemporary lyrics. Renowned hip-hop producer Madlib pulled from all genres of music while making his album, giving us a mix of folk-style beats and rock and roll. It is the perfect album to listen to while doing any sort of work. My top song on the album is “Loose Goose” because it is the easiest song to listen to when I want background noise while working. 

3. “LP!” by JPEGMAFIA

“LP!” is the experimental hip-hop album most revered by underground music fans in 2021. Baltimore rapper JPEGMAFIA, known as “Peggy” to his fans, delivers a plethora of choppy verses mixed in with abrasive, industrial production. JPEGMAFIA takes advantage of soul samples throughout the album, where he pitches the sounds up to achieve unusual effects. I highly recommend the song  “WHAT KINDA RAPPING IS THIS” as it is the most approachable song on the album for someone who has never heard his work. 

4. “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert” by Little Simz

This album, commonly known as SIMBI, is the quintessential underground hip-hop album of 2021. Little Simz is a British-Nigerian rapper who is known for utilizing loud beat drops in her songs as well as her flow and extensive wordplay. Her album “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert” is no exception. Simz combines orchestral productions and harmonies with vocabulary that is not typically found in hip-hop albums. My favorite song on the album is “Woman,” featuring singer Cleo Sol as it contains some of Simz best wordplay as well as an amazing feature by Sol. 

5. “Home Video” By Lucy Dacus

“Home Video” is my favorite indie rock album of the year.  Dacus effortlessly combines vulnerable vocals with a mix of quiet piano, loud guitar and solid drum beats. Her tone contains tinges of melancholy, but at the same time is not boring. It is a great listen throughout, with each song being interesting in its own right while also leaving the listener wanting more from the next song. “Home Video” is possibly the most consistent album from front to back that I have listened to in 2021. My top song on this album is “Hot and Heavy,” since the production of the album works best with her voice on this song.