This 2021 sure was an excellent year for music. We saw a fantastic display of talent, with different artists exploring different sounds and genres that they’ve never done before. As a result, we put together a list of some of the incredible albums we think are the best of the year.
1. Revelación – Selena Gomez
After dropping her album Rare, which was more bubblegum pop and dancey than fans expected after singles like Fetish and Bad Liar, fans understood that Selena was trying to close a chapter in her life. With tracks like Lose You To Love Me or Vulnerable, letting everyone know that she was now in A sweeter place before moving into this new project that many of her fans were anxiously expecting.
Back in the day, Selena made a Spanish version of her singles, like Un Año Sin Ver Llover, o Díces, when she was still working with Disney Channel, but she never fully jumped to do a whole project in Spanish, until Revelación.
Technically an EP, but it feels more than enough, with seven tracks that explore a lot of Latin sounds that are easy to listen to, great lyrics, enjoyable, and might give you an energy boost when you go through it.
2. KG0516 – Karol G
Karol G announced her newest album with that eclectic cover by David LaChapelle and an album trailer voiced by Kali Uchis, leaving people wondering what KG0516 would sound like. And saying it was a surprise would be an understatement.
Everyone would agree that this is the best album from Karol G; without a doubt, it has everything to be an incredible experience. You have some bangers like El Makinón and Bichota, and love songs like Contigo Voy a Muerte, even a corrido with more Mexican sounds in 200 Copas. She really checked every box with this one, and of course, she earned a Grammy nomination and a well-deserved one!
3. Sueños de Dalí – Paloma Mami
After releasing her hit singles Not Steady and Fingías, Paloma gained a fanbase, which was incredibly excited for a debut album from this promising young artist with this unique voice and a presence that’s so magnetic.
This 2021, Sueños de Dalí came around, in which Paloma showcases her beautiful and hypnotizing voice and rather simple trap beats to sign over, making some mesmerizing R&B tracks.
It’s not every day that we see Latin artists making R&B in Spanish, and Paloma Mami does it incredibly well, with only 22 years.
4. Vice Versa – Rauw Alejandro
Rauw Alejandro has been working nonstop on his career, and there’s no point in denying his talent when it comes to making the catchiest songs and some of the most interesting when it comes to the standard for urban artists.
And until Afrodisiaco, everything from Rauw Alejandro was expected to be reggaeton. Still, Vice Versa was a welcomed surprise, seeing him go to a more Latin pop sound mixing it with his reggaeton roots and execute it flawlessly, too, with tracks like Todo de ti, Cúrame, Aquel Nap ZzZz, and ¿Cuándo Fue? Tracks add a little plot twist to the genre and leave you craving more.
Overall, the album is a 10/10, just the right length, and I’m sure you’ll want to add some of the songs to your playlist after the first listen!
5. Besitos, cuidate – Princesa Alba
Another talented Chilean artist appearing on our list tonight is Princesa Alba, who you might not know yet, but it sure is an incredible discovery. At the beginning of her career, she had more of a trap vibe, maybe falling under the spectrum of what people call “neoperreo.” Since then, she’s been exploring different genres and growing as an artist, and now I can thoroughly say she has found her voice, and it’s a fantastic one.
This 2021 she released ‘besitos, cuidate’ an incredible Electropop record about female empowerment, going through a breakup, and getting over it, with tracks like nasty, acelero, and amor sin amor, that are so catchy and energetic that you want to get you on your feet and dance.
If for any reason, you decided to ignore any of these albums earlier in the year, we encourage you to check them out. We know you’ll be pleased.
