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Best music of 2021

No recap of lessons learned this year. Instead, here is a collection of some of the best music from 2021. Proud to say that I succeeded in my goal of listening to more Finnish records! Shoutout to Radio Helsinki and its feature programs for keeping me on that path.


Albums and EPs

Handshaking - Garden Clogs

Seeing Fedja Kamari perform live was one of the most memorable experiences this summer. The song "Näin kai taas lankesin" even in a formidable seven-and-a-half minute length, is a masterwork in tension-building and incidentally my most listened tune of the year.

Richard Dawson, Circle - Henki

Dawsons falsetto started to catch my ear while listening to the Finnish indie Spotify list. Slowly it began to grow on me. The rough, unpolished sound of the Circle with its unbridled energy makes me grin.

Ichiko Aoba - Windswept Adan

The soothing voice of Aoba's gives me the chills. Her impressive upper range combined with a dreamy flute produces a powerful emotional experience.

Timo Lassy - Trio

Front-row seats. Timo Lassy and the Ricky-Tick big band. Hand to heart, that was the first time when a two-hour gig kept me engaged for the whole time, and the encore was genuinely welcome. I recommend this record for anyone as a jazz starter pack. The more advanced listeners will derive pleasure from the virtuoso's intricate saxophone licks.

Ocelot - Unelmoi (EP)

The stabbing chords of the song "Unelmia" got me here. The perfect record to listen to on an evening bike ride.

Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders, The London Symphony Orchestra - Promises

I listened to this a lot on my headphones while coding. The tracks explore a short refrain with diverse piano tones. Mix that with Sanders' gentle saxophone, epic strings, and the stress levels are bound to approach zero.


Highlighted tracks!

Helado Negro - There Must Be a Song Like You

Nala Sinephro - Space 4

Angel Olsen - Eyes Without A Face

Mogwai - Dry Fantasy

Black Country, New Road - Instrumental

Leon Wynehall - Mothra

Bobby Oroza - I Got Love

Trevor Deep Jr - Satisfied

Eevil Stöö - En luota mun koirii

James Blake - Say What You Will

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