2021 felt exactly like 2020 for many, but fortunately, music was there to help people get through their day. The climate in 2020 influenced a slew of albums, and these 20 albums were some of the best released during another somber year.

20. Lovelorn - What’s Yr Damage - 6131 Records

Philadelphia's Lovelorn, which includes former Creepoid members Anna and Patrick Troxell, celebrate both their musical and personal relationships with their debut album What's Yr Damage. The pair merge their love of synth-pop, trip-hop, and techno for a divine electronic excursion.

19. Origami Button - No Parking - self-released

Origami Button's sophomore album No Parking answers the burning question of "What if Chon had a lead vocalist this whole time?" From start to finish, the release impresses with a bevy of grooves (we're looking at you, "Peach") from the Chicago group that consider themselves “Math rock for people that don't like math rock.”

18. Tricot - Jodeki - Cutting Edge

Over the years, tricot have found themselves at the forefront of the math rock scene, and Jodeki further solidifies this with around 45 minutes (90 minutes if you count the instrumentals) of pop-tinged satisfaction.

17. Scarlxrd - DeadRising - Lxrd Records

U.K. trap metal artist Scarlxrd delivered a hellacious offering with DeadRising. With their major-label days far behind them, the artist turned things up to 11 with bone-crunching cuts such as "The Walking Dead" and the highly anticipated "Hate Sxng 2."

16. Open Hand - Weirdo - Blacktop Records

Alternative rock band Open Hand finally delivered their new studio album Weirdo after eight years in development. Fortunately, the band didn't deliver a lackluster experience for fans waiting this whole time. The 10-track album shimmers with guest appearances from singer Lisa Loeb and Pitch Perfect actress Brittany Snow.

15. Johnny Galvatron and Josh Abrahams - The Artful Escape Soundtrack - Annapurna Interactive

The core element behind video game The Artful Escape is music, and the game's soundtrack is easily one of the best released this year. Game creator Johnny Galvatron and musician Josh Abrahams joined forces for a product ranging from folk to electronic. The Artful Escape is listed as our favorite video game of 2021.

14. Sleigh Bells - Texis - Mom + Pop

From the pulsating opener "SWEET75" to the synth-laced closer "Hummingbird Bomb," Brooklyn noise-pop duo Sleigh Bells have gone five for five with stellar albums thanks to Texis.

13. Silly Boy Blue - Breakup Songs - Columbia France

French artist Silly Boy Blue has a definite knack for writing indie pop songs, and the artist's debut album Breakup Songs is a record that shines with absolute gems such as the album opener "Hi, It's Me Again" and "Creepy Girl."

12. HAH - Chimaera Monstrosa -self-released

If you’re searching for one completely chaotic album that’s equally as confusing as it is sublime, look no further than Chimaera Monstrosa from avant garde metal group HAH.

11. Mint Julep - In a Deep & Dreamless Sleep - Western Vinyl

Mint Julep's In a Deep & Dreamless Sleep is a nonstop burst of heavenly soundscapes perfect for some quiet time on the beach or a tranquil yoga session.

10. Lamar Woods - Wine Bars - self-released

Comedian/writer Lamar Woods has been dropping rap tunes over the years, and Wine Bars is their first proper album to be unleashed to the public. The 30-minute album is filled with clever wine analogies with a slew of special guests dropping bars, including Ron Saforo and Dre Myers in the slow groover "Wine and Tapas."

9. Full of Hell - Garden of Burning Apparitions - Relapse Records

Grindcore act Full of Hell gave fans one of the most chaotic albums of 2021 with Garden of Burning Apparitions. Clocking in at nearly 21 minutes, the 12-track release holds no punches with nothing but face rippers, including the vicious opener "Guided Blight."

8. Kanga - You and I Will Never Die - Artoffact Records

Los Angeles industrial-pop maestro Kanga crafted the perfect follow-up to their 2016 self-titled studio album. You And I Will Never Die finds the artist evolving their sound with dancefloor gems such as "Home" and "Touch." One theme surrounding the album is waiting with the artist proclaiming "I'm waiting for it" throughout the record.

7. Jintana & Emeralds - Emerald City Guide - P-VINE

Japanese doo-wop outfit Jintana & Emeralds became the talk of the town with their 2014 debut album Destiny. Unfortunately, a hiatus left fans hoping the crew would reunite for another grand release. During lockdown, however, the act reconvened for their sophomore studio album Emerald City Guide, which could easily be mistaken for an actual doo-wop record from the '50s with its intense love for the genre.

6. NewDad - Waves - Fair Youth Records

Irish alternative rockers NewDad are poised to be your favorite band's favorite band with their debut EP Waves, which is a blissful six-track offering enhanced by Julie Dawson’s spellbinding vocals.

5. Kills Birds - Married - KRO Records

What happens when Dave Grohl falls in love with your band? For Los Angeles rock band Kills Birds, it means having the iconic rocker produce their sophomore studio album We're Married. The 35-minute release showcases the band's impeccable grunge-rock swagger with songs touching upon personal subjects such as abuse ("Rabbit") and heartbreak ("Glisten").

4. UgLi - FUCK - self-released

FUCK is a great way to describe 2020 AND 2021 for pretty much everyone. FUCK is also the title of UgLi's debut album, which finds the band showcasing their love of '90s grunge rock with a sound reminiscent of bands like Jack Off Jill and Babes in Toyland.

3. Trade Wind - The Day We Got What We Deserved - Other People Records

When they're not busy performing in heavy acts Stick To Your Guns, Stray From The Path, and Textures, the members of Trade Wind are jamming to some indie rock. With The Day We Got What We Deserved, the band unveils another glorious addition in their discography with cuts such as "Burning The Iron Age," "Die! Die! Die!," and "Walk Me In//Plant Me In Your Garden" poised to be fan favorites.

2. ABBA - Voyage - Capitol Records

No one had "ABBA dropping their first record in 40 years" on their 2021 bingo card. Voyage proves that a group can reunite after almost 50 years ago and still be able to craft pop gems such as "I Still Have Faith in You" and "Little Things." If you think people somehow forgot about ABBA, Voyage became the band's highest charting album in the United States in their acclaimed career with its debut at number two.

1. Turnstile - Glow On - Roadrunner Records

Hardcore punk band Turnstile took things down a different path with their release Glow On. Incorporating a plethora of genres mixed with their moshpit offering, Glow On reminds many of the time when like-minded bands such as Title Fight and Hostage Calm transformed their sound to deliver something unique from the pack. Hopefully, Glow On inspires others to do the same.