Top Songs of 2021: Rock and Indie Bands Still Making Noise

The musical landscape of 2021 continued to be dominated by hip-hop, rap, and pop artists. Sorry regular readers, but here I go again. What’s a rocker to do? I made some nice discoveries, but this is where I need your help. I know there’s more out there. Please share some of your favorite new music with us. In the meantime, I’ll take this opportunity to plug my two favorites again and highlight some other songs that grabbed me this year. All delivered to you with a nice New Year’s Day hangover.

#1 (or # 2) – “I Don’t Live Here Anymore” by The War on Drugs: As I wrote in my review of this album, the title song had me immediately with its undeniably catchy guitar, Adam Granduciel’s Americana vocals, and sweet background vocals by indie-pop band, Lucius. I’ve seen several comments in music reviews saying that this is your Dad’s new favorite song. “Dad rock.” Ouch. As a baby boomer, I guess I’ll have to own it.

#2 (or #1) – “Scratchcard Lanyard” by Dry Cleaning: Spoken words in a monotone voice. Lyrics a hodgepodge of personal reflections, trite observations, online comments, bizarre visions …and food. Musically touches of Wire, Sonic Youth, Gang of Four, and believe it or not, Black Sabbath. “Scratchyard Lanyard” opens with bouncy balls in Tokyo, Oslo, Rio, then Twix, bananas, and “a woman in aviators firing a bazooka,” accompanied by edgy, upbeat riffs. It’s enchanting, surreal, funny, and simply irresistible.

Here’s some other noteworthy songs of 2021 in no particular order.

– “Valentine” by Snail Mail: Snail Mail is the indie rock project of 22-year-old Lindsey Jordan. “Why’d you wanna erase me darling Valentine?” The title song to her second album is poppy, infectious, and you’ll be hooked by the rousing chorus.

– “We Are Between” by Modest Mouse: I’ve liked a few of the better-known Modest Mouse songs over the years, but never really explored the band. This song surprised me. A catchy, driving straight ahead rocker without the more experimental nature of their tunes. Modest Mouse fans may be disappointed by this turn, but it was refreshing to me. Makes me want to go out and buy their new album, The Golden Casket.

– “Gold City” by Iceage: Thanks to reader MSquared for letting me know about this band from Copenhagen. They’ve been around for a while, releasing their fifth album, Seek Shelter, in 2021. I’m still discovering them and for now concentrating on the new album. They’re dark and grungy classic rock with the shades lifted at times. “Gold City” is actually one of those lighter songs, opening with harmonica and slowly becoming a lofty melody. I like the gold city image of, “traffic lights and the setting sun through a polluted filter, shimmering and golden.”

– “Chaise Longue” by Wet Leg: Wet Leg is a Brit-indie band from the Isle of Wight, made up primarily of Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers. In 2021 they released their debut self-titled album. The “on the chaise longue” chorus goes on and on and on, but they are having a good time. Their videos are hilarious. They can’t help but remind me of a certain band mentioned above with their deadpan, tongue-in-cheek vocals and even a line about buttering your muffin. They’re lighter musically than Dry Cleaning with an effervescent 80s bounce. For more fun check out their second single, “Wet Dream.”

– “Blackout” by Turnstile: Hardcore punk is the common term used to describe this Baltimore band. I don’t know about “hardcore;” they have broadened their sound and are not a screaming sonic assault on the senses. Certainly, some punk energy in there, but so much more. Their 2021 album, Glow On, is one of the highlights of the year and has been recognized as such by many best-of lists. They slow it down some, introduce some synth-pop moments, and even a little funk. Hard to pick one song, but “Blackout” with its power chords, captivating guitar, and genuine affirmation, “If it makes you feel alive/Well, then I’m happy to oblige,” gives me hope for the future of rock n’ roll.

– “Beggin’” by Maneskin:

I’m not sure what to make of these young Italian rockers. They take their glam hard rock sound and look straight from Bowie and Marc Bolan. Is it too imitative? Maybe, but they do it well. A basic guitar, bass, and drums rock band should be recognized these days. Their cover song “Beggin”, originally by the Four Seasons in 1967 (sung by Frankie Valli) has been played over 800 million times on Spotify. They first covered the song in 2017 but it gained international attention after the group won the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. They have fans, young and old, all over the world. That’s a good thing for the rock world.

– “How Not to Drown” by Chvches: These Scottish synth-poppers released their fourth album in 2021, Screen Violence. It’s a continuation of their majestic pop sounds underlined with anxiety. I included the darkest song here, because, well, it features Robert Smith of the Cure.

– “Mother’s Echo Chamber” by Spyderland: Another surprise highlight of the year for me. Thanks to reader Barcelona1 for guiding me to them. The indie-electric duo from Denver released their first full-length album in 2021, There’s Monsters Outside. The band’s moving harmonies of contrasting melody are mesmerizing. Again, hard to pick one song because this album should be heard in its entirety. Check out “Mother’s Echo Chamber,” “Paper Posies,” “Fearless Heart,” and the album’s other songs at Spyderland’s website: https://spyderlandmusic.com

Here’s some of the new releases coming for us in 2022: The Wombats, Weezer, Gang of Youths, Eddie Vedder, Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Johnny Marr, Placebo, Bloc Party, Jack White, and please, please, The Cure.

Happy New Year