Announcing Virtuosity Worldwide’s Top 21 Albums of 2021 – there was a lot of great music released this year and choosing our Top 21 was no easy task, but we did it! And here’s our list in alphabetical order:
ABBY BRYANT & THE ECHOES
Not Your Little Girl -Released 10/14/21
Abby Bryant & The Echoes, the southern rock & roll band, fronted by childhood friends Abby Bryant and Bailey Falkner and hailing from Gastonia, North Carolina, released their debut album, Not Your Little Girl, this past fall. Packed full of soulful, southern rock and Americana, this cohesive album has something for everyone.
Leading off with single releases “When I’m Gone” and “Tried,” this 13-track album is definitely worthy of exploration. Find out more about Abby Bryant & The Echoes at their official website: www.AbbyBryantAndTheEchoes.com and find the album here: www.AbbyBryantAndTheEchoes.com/Store.
Chris Daniels, Hazel Miller, Dana Marsh & Friends
What We Did – Released 7/1/21
In early 2020, Colorado Hall Of Fame Inductee, Chris Daniels, was asked to do an online performance to benefit Inner City Health of Denver. Chris jumped at the chance and he recruited powerful vocalist, Hazel Miller and the talented Dana Marsh on keys.
During the two online performances, the trio was joined by several other legendary Colorado musicians, including Freddi Gowdy of the legendary Freddi Henchi Band, Todd Park Mohr of Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Greg Garrison of Leftover Salmon, International Bluegrass Hall Of Fame mandolin player, Sam Bush, bassist Victor Wooten of Bella Fleck & The Flecktones, and drummer Christian Teele, best known for his work as the house drummer for the internationally syndicated radio show, E-Town. What We Did has been at the top of the Roots Music Report for more than 15 weeks in 2021. Find out more about Chris Daniels at his official website: www.ChrisDaniels.com and find the album here: https://chrisdaniels2.hearnow.com.
Chris Roberts
Red Feather EP – Released 2/21/21
Red Feather, Chris Roberts’ 5-track debut EP was recorded early in the pandemic with the band quarantining in a remote studio in Joshua Tree, and was released in February 2021. Originally from Texas, Roberts now resides in the mountains of Colorado and in addition to making amazing music, he also designs custom hats that have been donned by artists, celebrities and cowboys.
There are five amazing tracks on this album, “Get Down,” a funky celebrate-your-weekend track, a soulful, but sad musical plea, “Hate When You’re Gone,” “On My Own,” an anthem of fierce independence, “Coming Down Ain’t Easy” a beautiful and insightful song, and “Remember That It’s Me,” a heartfelt love song. Find out more about Chris Roberts at his official website: www.TheOfficialChrisRoberts.com and find the album here: The Red Feather EP CD – theofficialchrisroberts.com.
Christina Perri
Songs For Rosie – Released 11/24/21
Amazing songstress Christina Perri, known for her poignant breakout hit “Jar Of Hearts” over a decade ago, has had a rough couple of years to say the least. In July of 2020 the singer-songwriter shared on social media that she was expecting another child with her husband, comedian Paul Costabile. The couple was overjoyed; this would be their rainbow baby after experiencing a pregnancy loss at 11 weeks in January of 2020
But in November of 2020, in her third trimester, Perri was hospitalized with pregnancy complications. Two weeks later, she and her family shared on social media the devastating news that they had lost their daughter, Rosie. “She was born silent, after fighting so hard to make it to our world,” Perri, who had been 33 weeks along, wrote at the time. To work through her grief, Perri recorded an album of songs/lullabies that she had planned to sing to her infant daughter. “Rosie is my daughter and she will remain part of our family forever,” Perri recently said in an interview with Biz News Post. Perri’s new album is affectionately titled Songs For Rosie. Find out more about Christina Perri at her official website: www.ChristinaPerri.com and find the album here: songs for rosie (lnk.to).
David Duchovny
Gestureland – Released 8/20/21
David Duchovny’s most recent album, Gestureland is a collection of twelve new songs, which Duchovny recorded after a brief pause during the pandemic, along with keyboardist Colin Lee, guitarists Pat McCusker and Keenan O’Meara, bassist Mitchell Stewart, and drummer Davis Rowan.
“If I’m getting cut on that double-edged sword (of celebrity), I’m the one who pulled it out in the first place,” Duchovny says. “But good or bad, just take (the album) seriously as a piece of music,” Duchovny recently told MSN Music. Stand-out tracks on this album are the gritty rock anthem, “Nights Are Harder These Days,” the dreamy, “Stay Until,” and the fun and breezy, “Pacific Coast Highway.” Find out more about David Duchovny’s music at his official website: www.DavidDuchovny.com/Music and listen to the album here: https://open.spotify.com/album/0GQ7Rv3V1FZzWQ7zUAm8Uo?si=Oyfcled6RtSHhCTw2u5XDw.
David Shaw
David Shaw – Released 5/6/21
David Shaw, lead singer of the breakout New Orleans’ band, The Revivalists, has branched out on his own, releasing his self-titled debut album in May 2021. This album includes twelve original songs, produced by Jack Splash (4-time Grammy award-winning producer of Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys, Solange, Valerie June, St. Paul and The Broken Bones), and is packed with that cool vibe only Shaw can deliver.
Listener favorites on this album are the danceable love song, “Something To This Feeling,” the funky and uplifting, “Got Me Feeling Good,” the introspective and relatable, “Heavy Soul,” the romantic pleas of “I’ll Be Your Man” and “Disrepair,” and the joyful ditty, “The Place.” Find out more about David Shaw at his official website www.DavidShaw.com and get the album here: ‘David Shaw’ Debut Album Out Now — David Shaw.
Emily Cole
Manipulated – Released 12/16/21
Emily Cole, the 2019 Josie Award Winner for Pop/Contemporary Vocalist Of The Year just released her powerful 11-song debut album, Manipulated. Although it made a late entrance into 2021, it could not be ignored – we had to halt the presses and change everything to make sure this album was included on this list.
All eleven songs are originals written by Cole (some with co-writers) and the album was recorded, engineered and produced by Cole as well. She wraps her beautifully clear voice around meaningful lyrics and delivers them with soulful, pop melodies. Cole has been writing songs since she was twelve, and after hearing this debut record, it’s clear that the sky’s the limit for this up & coming artist from Texas. Find out more about Emily Cole at her official website: www.EmilyColeOfficial.com and get the album here: MANIPULATED by Emily Cole – DistroKid.
From Ashes To New
Quarantine Chronicles Volume 3 – Released 10/14/21
From Ashes To New was formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania by frontman Matt Brandyberry. They released their debut single, “My Fight,” in 2013, followed by several other singles and ultimately three full-length albums that were all produced during the recent pandemic, Quarantine Chronicles Volumes 1 and 2 and their newest release Quarantine Chronicles Volume 3.
From Ashes To New is down and deep rock with a positive message. The stand-out tracks on this album are “Wait For Me” (featuring Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch), “Already Gone,” and one of the best covers ever released of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” Find out more about From Ashes To New at their official website: www.FromAshesToNew.com and listen to the album here: MUSIC | From Ashes to New.
Inhaler
It Won’t Always Be Like This – Released 7/7/21
Inhaler is an indie rock band hailing from Dublin, Ireland. The band was formed in 2016 and consists of vocalist/guitarist Elijah Hewson (son of U2’s lead singer, Bono), bassist Robert Keating, guitarist Josh Jenkinson and drummer Ryan McMahon. Inhaler’s new album, It Won’t Always Be Like This, has an infectious 80’s rock vibe and debuted at number one in both Ireland and the UK.
We are thrilled to report that Inhaler will be touring the United States in 2022!! Check out US tour dates here: Tour – INHALER. Listener favorites on this album are the upbeat title track, “It Won’t Always Be Like This,” the sweet and uplifting, “Cheer Up Baby,” and the danceable sing-along “Totally.” Find out more about Inhaler at their official website www.Inhaler.band and get the album here: It Won’t Always Be Like This CD – INHALER.
Jack Savoretti
Europiana – Released 6/24/21
Europiana is the seventh studio album released by English singer/songwriter, Jack Savoretti. His new eleven-song album was released in June 2021, with “Who’s Hurting Who” produced by Nile Rodgers and MarkRalph as its first single release.
Written in his Oxfordshire home, the album was recorded at the end of 2020 at Abbey Road Studios with Savoretti’s longtime touring band and longtime collaborator, Cam Blackwood, whose credits include George Ezra, London Grammar and Florence & The Machine, at the controls. Europiana is the perfect mixture of reflective lyrics, such as “I Remember Us” and upbeat tunes like, “Dancing In The Living Room.” Find out more about Jack Savoretti at his official website www.JackSavoretti.com and get the album here: Jack Savoretti – Europiana (lnk.to).
Joy Oladokun
In Defense Of My Own Happiness – Released 6/3/21
The daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Oladokun is the first in her family to be born in America. Oladokun has released three albums, Carry released in 2016, In Defense Of My Own Happiness (The Beginnings) released in 2020 and In Defense Of My Own Happiness, her newest album released in June 2021.
Jude Cole
Coolerator – Released 7/26/21
Jude Cole wears many hats in the music business, including manager and record producer for several artists, including the band Lifehouse, Kiefer Sutherland and others. Songwriting has always been Cole’s soul and after 21 years, he had accumulated a diverse catalog of songs and he released two solo albums in 2021 – Coup De Main in January, followed up by Coolerator released in July.
“Coolerator is a piece of work that’s been over ten years in the making and it’s not any sort of epic work you would think would take me ten years,” Cole tells Rock Source Magazine. “It was really just a pet project in between a lot of other hats, inspired by the true heart and soul of ’50s and ’60s doo-wop music.” Find out more about Jude Cole at his official website www.JudeCole.com and get the album here: Jude Cole – Coolerator (ffm.to).
Last Year’s Model
The Neon Lights Collection – Released 9/16/21
Last Year’s Model is a high-energy alternative rock band from West Virginia and they just released their debut album, The Neon Lights Collection, in September 2021. This 10-song collection has a supercool 80’s vibe that makes this new music feel familiar.
There are so many great tracks on this record, it’s hard to pick favorites, but “One Hit Wonder,” “Ronde Vous,” “Heartbeat,” and “Home” are at the top of the list. Find out more about Last Year’s Model at their official website www.LastYearsModelMusic.com and listen to the album here: LAST YEAR’S MODEL (lastyearsmodelmusic.com).
Lifehouse
Goodbye Kanan – Released 11/25/21
Lifehouse, the rock band from Los Angeles, California just celebrated the 20th anniversary of their first album, No Name Face and has been releasing singles all year leading up to the official release of their new 6-song EP, Goodbye Kanan, in November including “Cut And Run,” “Dragonflies,” “Static,” “EnRogue,” and “Chester Copperpot.”
The sixth and final single, “Goodbye Kanan” was released along with the full EP in November. Find out more about Lifehouse at their official website www.LifehouseMusic.com and get the album here: https://music.apple.com/us/album/goodbye-kanan-ep/1585172519.
Mat Kearney
January Flower – Released 10/1/21
Born in Oregon and now based in Nashville, singer/songwriter Mat Kearney released his sixth studio album, January Flower this past October. This amazing 16-song collection is jam-packed with adventurous tunes like “Grand Canyon” and “Pontiac,” romantic favorites like “Say It Now,” “Anywhere With You,” and “Powerless,” and there’s lots of inspiration in “Can’t Look Back,” “I Don’t Really Care,” and “Something Beautiful.”
This stellar album also includes three incredible bonus tracks, “Odds,” “Save Me,” and “Still The One.” Mat Kearney’s January Flower Tour continues throughout 2022. Click here for tour info: Tour — MAT KEARNEY. Find out more about Mat Kearney at his official website www.MatKearney.com and get the album here: Music — MAT KEARNEY.
Paula Cole
American Quilt – Released 5/20/21
Best known for her hits “Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?” and “I Don’t Want To Wait,” the theme from Dawson’s Creek, Grammy winner Paula Cole just released her newest album, American Quilt. “I went into the studio in January 2020, right before the pandemic hit, and cut “Wayfaring Stranger,” “Shenandoah,” and “Black Mountain Blues,” which I learned through Bessie Smith and also Janis Joplin,” Cole tells Rolling Stone Magazine in a March 2021 interview.
“We’re now in the pandemic and I was thinking of calling it American Quilt because it truly was a patchwork, and [because of] my mother being a visual artist and surrounding me with her work. Quilting was a longtime part of her heritage.” The new album is a touching peek into American history, as Cole interprets a collection of classic songs with a fresh outlook, including “What A Wonderful World,” “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out,” and “Bye Bye Blackbird.” Find out more about Paula Cole at her official website www.PaulaCole.com and get the album here: American Quilt (paulacole-promo.com).
Rich Nelson Band
Fret And Wail – Released 7/27/21
Rich Nelson is a rock musician originally from Detroit, but has been rocking the mountains of North Carolina since 2004. After playing in many bands over the years, Nelson recorded his first album, Ever Since Now in 2018 and his second album, Twenty Twenty Hearing in 2019.
His follow-up, Fret And Wail, is a 12-song collection, including a poignant song Nelson wrote for his late brother who passed away this year, “Hands Of Time.” Find out more about the Rich Nelson Band at their official website www.RichNelsonBand.com and get the album here: Fret And Wail | Rich Nelson Band (bandcamp.com).
Samantha Fish
Faster – Released 9/10/21
On her new album, Faster, Kansas City’s Samantha Fish teamed up with producer Martin Kierzenbaum (Lady Gaga, Sting, Sheryl Crow), as well as drummer John Freese (Guns ‘N Roses, Nine Inch Nails, The Replacements) and bassist Diego Navaira of The Last Bandoleros for a 12-song collection of the best blues, rock and funk Fish has ever delivered.
Listener favorites are the title track, “Faster,” “Twisted Ambition,” “Hypnotic,” “Forever Together,” and “Better Be Lonely.” Find out more about Samantha Fish at her official website www.SamanthaFish.com and get the album here: Faster | Samantha Fish (bandcamp.com).
Silver Synthetic
Silver Synthetic – 4/8/21
Silver Synthetic, the psychedelic garage band from New Orleans released their second self-titled EP in April 2021, following their debut EP Out Of The Darkness released in 2020. The new 12-song collection is full of sixties-esque rock, including “Unchain Your Heart,” “Around The Bend,” “Unholy Love,” and “Some Of What You Want.”
Find out more about Silver Synthetic at their official website www.SilverSynthetic.com and get the album here: Silver Synthetic, Silver Synthetic (orcd.co).
The Petal Falls
All These Years – 9/2/21
The Petal Falls, hailing from Kent, United Kingdom, have been around since the nineties. The band creates a classic blend of rock and pop, that draws us in with stellar vocals and lyrics. Their newest release, All These Years, is a 10-song collection released this past September and includes the favorites, “Between My Brother And Me,” “Take Me Home,” and the title track, “All These Years.”
Find out more about The Petal Falls at their official website www.ThePetalFalls.com and listen to the album here: https://open.spotify.com/album/4EAsahOwic8863sKZwQTqc?si=VYga1u5sQO22SwhJgUYSug.
When Rivers Meet
Saving Grace – 11/18/21
England’s husband and wife duo, Grace and Aaron Bond are When Rivers Meet. When Rivers Meet released their debut EP The Uprising in April 2019, followed by their second EP Innocence Of Youth in May 2020. Their new album, Saving Grace, released in November 2021, includes twelve addictive songs including listener favorites, “Never Coming Home,” “Do You Remember My Name,” “Testify,” “Shoot The Breeze,” and “Make A Grown Man Cry.”
When Rivers Meet will be touring the UK in 2022 to promote the new album. Find out more about When Rivers Meet, including tour dates, at their official website www.WhenRiversMeet.co.uk and get the album here: SAVING GRACE ~ CD – When Rivers Meet.
