2021 Albums Poll: Thread of States and Balloons

Ah I remember the optimism early in the week when imago insisted that my top 8 would place

Two of the others came close!

That is true. Ah, if only I could have put Black Dresses higher than #1. It really is their best album, which is saying something.

agreed

my mixed ballot, bold placed, italics lone vote. in my post earlier, i was def looking at the tracks spreadsheet, oops.

Dean Blunt - Black Metal 2
Arooj Aftab - Vulture Prince
Flock of Dimes - Head of Roses
Mach-Hommy - Pray for Haiti
Mr Twin Sister - Al Mundo Azul
Men I Trust - Untourable Album
Genesis Owusu - Smiling With No Teeth
Cleo Sol - Mother
Isaiah Rashad - The House Is Burning
Rauw Alejandro - VICE VERSA
Maria Arnal i Marcel Bagés - Clamor
Kabza de Small, DJ Maphorisa & Tresor - Rumble in the Jungle
Damon Locks & Black Monument Ensemble - NOW

Ka - A Martyr's Reward
Duke Deuce - Duke Nukem
Sons of Kemet - Black to the Future
Rochelle Jordan - Play With the Changes
Key Glock - Yellow Tape 2
Bruiser Wolf - Dope Game $tupid
Quickly, Quickly - The Long & Short Of It
Spellling - The Turning Wheel
EST Gee - Bigger Than Life Or Death
Boldy James & The Alchemist - Bo Jackson
Really From - Really From
G Herbo - 25

Mixed ballot. Bold did not place.

Blectum From Blechdom - Deep Bone
Dax Pierson - Nerve Bumps (A Queer Divine Dissatisfaction)
Richard Dawson & Circle - Henki
YAY MARIA - OYEZ
L'Rain - Fatigue
The Organizing Committee - The Day Computers Became Obsolete
Phew - New Decade
Bredbeddle - Steps On The Turning Year
Rắn Cạp Đuôi Collective- Ngủ Ngày Ngay Ngày Tận Thế
Loraine James - Reflection

AJA - Slug
aya - im hole
Birthday Ass - Head of the Household
Chants - Poly Pointillism
Cucina Povera - Seesteyttää
Grey Frequency - Paranormal
Haiku Salut - The Hill, The Light, The Ghost
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu - Candy Racer
Lexagon - Feminine Care
Melinda Bronstein - In Reverse
Morceaux de Machines - Saison Gonzo
MXLX - NEBULA RASA
Sophie Cooper - Goodbye Gemini
Xeno & Oaklander - Vi/deo
Xylitol - Inside a Stone of Cream there is a Language

Despite feeling pretty happy with how many of my votes got in the top 77, I still managed to be in the top 10 of lonely voters. My closest neighbour was nxd - yo nxd!

mixed, dnp

Spellling - The Turning Wheel
Flock of Dimes - Head of Roses
CFCF - Memoryland
Saint Etienne - I’ve Been Trying to Tell You
Erika De Casier - Sensational
Dawn Richard - Second Line
Amapiano Now
Dean Blunt - Black Metal 2
Parris - Soaked in Indigo Moonlight
La Luz - La Luz

ABBA - Voyage
Anz - All Hours
Black Dresses - Forever in Your Heart
Jayda G - DJ Kicks
Joan Armatrading - Consequences
Lightning Bug - A Color of the Sky
Loraine James - Reflection
Low - Hey What
Men I Trust - Untourable Album
The Chills - Scatterbrain
The Reds, Pinks & Purples - Uncommon Weather

er, inp rather

yo emil.y
voted for your top two too, great shouts

Weighted. Bold placed.

Low - HEY WHAT
Koreless - Agor
arusha jain - Under the Lilac Sky
Yasmin Williams - Urban Driftwood
Altin Gün - Yol
DJ Manny - Signals in My Head
Nite Jewel - No Sun
36 - Weaponized Serenity
Mint Julep - In a Deep and Dreamless Sleep
Sofia Kourtesis - Fresia Magdalena
Arooj Aftab - Vulture Prince
Marisa Anderson & William Tyler - Lost Futures
Skee Mask - Pool
Illuvia - Iridescence of Clouds
Loraine James - Reflection
CFCF - Memoryland
Nala Sinephro - Space 1.8
Darkside - Spiral
Lingua Ignota - Sinner Get Ready
Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - G_d's Pee AT STATE'S END!
Wanton Witch - Wanton Witch
Helm - Axis
NP - Lattices
Lone - Always Inside Your Head

Weighted, bold placed

Various Artists ‎ - Heisei No Oto- Japanese Left-Field Pop From The CD Age, 1989-1996

lol

Weighted, bold placed:

Arooj Aftab - Vulture Prince
Low - HEY WHAT
Faye Webster - I know I'm Funny Haha
Kareem Ali - Quantum Blackness
Rochelle Jordan - Play With the Changes
Emeka Ogboh - Beyond the Yellow Haze
lucy dacus- home video
Wolf Alice - Blue Weekend
kitten - personal hotspots
Julien Baker - Little Oblivions
CHVRCHES - Screen Violence
Halsey - If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power
Manchester Orchestra - The Million Masks of God
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raise the Roof
Mr Twin Sister - Al Mundo Azul
Wild Up - Julius Eastman Vol.1: Femenine
Erika de Casier - Sensational
Ishmael Ensemble - Visions of Light
Cassandra Jenkins - An Overview on Phenomenal Nature
Dawn Richard - Second Line
Tinashe - 333
Snail Mail - Valentine
Monogem - Gardenia
DJ Manny - Signals In My Head
TRESOR - Motion

weighted; bold placed:

Duet for Theremin and Lap Steel- 'Oumuamua
Vijay Iyer Trio - Uneasy
Birds of Maya- Valdez
Sarah Davachi - Antiphonals
Biosphere- Angel's Flight
Steve Moore- Analog Sensitivity
Pulse Emitter- Voids
Andrew Pekler & Giuseppe Ielasi – Palimpsests
Mong Tong – Orientations
Plankton Wat- Future Times
Ryley Walker & Kikagaku Moyo- Deep Fried Grandeur
William Parker - Mayan Space Station
Ben Bertrand – Dokkaebi
Marc Barreca- The Empty Bridge
Bitchin Bajas- Switched On Ra
Fabiano Do Nascimento - Ykytu
Flow Trio & Joe McPhee- Winter Garden
Can - Live in Stuttgart 1975
Endless Boogie - Admonitions
Steve Gunn- Other You
Roy Montgomery- Island of Lost Souls
Vapour Theories- Celestial Scuzz
Rob Frye- Exoplanet
Daniel Bachman- Axacan
Stein Urheim & Jørgen Træen – Krympende Klode

this gianni brezzo record is incredible

ha ikr! song off that that stole my heart is the second to last track, 'the end of'

That whole label is good by the way and well worth a follow - Into The Light, are based in Athen: https://into-the-light.bandcamp.com/

The Santilli record they put out ('Surface') is also lovely and quite similar to the Gianni Brezzo. I really like the Bartosz Kruczynski & Pulses album too, but that's more of a synth album

Wow, cool, technopolis. Good to know I don't just post into the void.:)

Cool ballot, octobeard.

Thanks to the pollrunners! Mixed ballot

YL Hooi – Untitled
Various Artists - I Stumble And Then I Fall
bassæ – Untitled
Ulla - Limitless Frame
Tara Clerkin Trio - In Spring
Dean Blunt - Black Metal 2
Princess Diana Of Wales - Princess Diana Of Wales
Merope – Salas
Pendant - To All Sides They Will Stretch Out Their Hands

Christos Chondropoulos - Athenian Primitivism
Cucina Povera – Seesteyttää
CZN - Luxury Variations
Eris Drew - Quivering in Time
Joy Orbison - still slipping, vol 1
Sault – Nine
Shackleton - Departing Like Rivers
Various Artists ‎- Heisei No Oto: Japanese Left-Field Pop From The CD Age, 1989-1996
Various Artists - La Ola Interior: Spanish Ambient & Acid Exoticism 1983-1990

Many thanks to those involved with running the poll again this year.

I entered a mixed ballot and the bolded albums didn't place:

Rochelle Jordan - Play With the Changes
Magdalena Bay - Mercurial World
Agnes - Magic Still Exists
Monogem - Gardenia
Ngaiire - 3
Cleo Sol - Mother
Laura Mvula - Pink Noise
Joy Crookes - Skin
Tinashe - 333
Wolf Alice - Blue Weekend
The Weather Station - Ignorance
Princesa Alba - besitos, cuídate
Myra - Bokser & Ballerina
Maple Glider - To Enjoy Is The Only Thing
CHVRCHES - Screen Violence

Art School Girlfriend- Is It Light Where You Are
Cassandra Jenkins - An Overview on Phenomenal Nature
Dawn Richard - Second Line
Erika de Casier - Sensational
Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales
L'Impératrice - Tako Tsubo
L'Rain - Fatigue
Mariah the Scientist - Ry Ry World
Mr Twin Sister - Al Mundo Azul
pinkpantheress - To Hell With It

MIXED

Low - HEY WHAT
Lost Horizons - In Quiet Moments
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
L'Rain - Fatigue
Leon Vynehall - Rare, Forever

Dawn Richard - Second Line
Vanishing Twin - Ookii Gekkou
Jane Weaver - Flock
Joy Orbison - still slipping, vol 1
Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Cleo Sol - Mother
Nicholas Godin - Concrete and Glass
Magdalena Bay - Mercurial World
Self Esteem - Prioritise Pleasure
Nite Jewel- No Sun
Mogwai - As The Love Continues
Moritz von Oswald Trio - Dissent
Mr Twin Sister - Al Mundo Azul
UNKLE - Rōnin I
Hannah Peel - Fir Wave
John Grant - Boy From Michigan
Halsey - If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power
Octo Octa - She's Calling EP
Danny L Harle - Harlecore
Roísín Murphy- Crooked Machine

Weighted, bold placed.

Wolf Alice - Blue Weekend
Carly Pearce - 29: Written In Stone
Adele - 30
Isaiah Rashad - The House Is Burning
The Staves - Good Woman
Adam Sanders - What If I'm Right
Big Red Machine - How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last?
Aly & AJ - a touch of the beat gets you up on your feet gets you out and then into the sun
Manchester Orchestra - The Million Masks Of God
TORRES - Thirstier
Dawn Richard - Second Line
Halsey - If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power
Doja Cat - Planet Her
Foxing - Draw Down The Moon
Mustafa - When Smoke Rises
The Maine - XOXO: From Love & Anxiety In Real Time
PinKPantheress - to hell with it
CHVRCHES - Screen Violence
Olivia Rodrigo - SOUR
Pale Waves - Who Am I?
Hayley Williams - FLOWERS FOR VASES / descansos
Ashley Monroe - Rosegold
Jazmine Sullivan - Heaux Tales
Tinashe - 333
Ngaiire - 3

Mixed, Bold DNP, Italics Lone voter

Wolf Alice - Blue Weekend
Manchester Orchestra - The Million Masks of God
Cleo Sol - Mother
Mr Twin Sister - Al Mundo Azul
Tems - If Orange Was A Place
Anz - All Hours EP
Loscil - Clara
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra ‎– Promises
Magdalena Bay - Mercurial World
[/i]Lou Hayter - Private Sunshine[/i]
Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
Duran Duran - Future Past
UNKLE - Rōnin I

Bicep - Isles
Goat Girl - On All Fours
Hannah Peel - Fir Wave
Various Artists ‎- Heisei No Oto: Japanese Left-Field Pop From The CD Age, 1989-1996
Koreless - Agor
Various Artists - Planet Love Vol. 1: Early Transmissions 1991-95
Roísín Murphy- Crooked Machine
Saint Etienne - I've Been Trying To Tell You
Sault - Nine
Tirzah - Colourgrade
Blank Gloss - Melt
Various Artists - 10 Years of Acid Test

my ballot with the placement, no matter how low!

CHVRCHES - Screen Violence (7)
Arooj Aftab - Vulture Prince (2)
Tinashe - 333 (10)
Tyler, the Creator - CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST (42)
Nala Sinephro - Space 1.8 (14)
Jaubi - Nafs at Peace (183)
CFCF - Memoryland (28)
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra ‎ - Promises (3)
Kero Kero Bonito - Civilisation (220)
Mach-Hommy - Pray for Haiti (61)
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu - Candy Racer (99)
Nite Jewel - No Sun (51)
Westside Gunn - Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Side B (242)
Injury Reserve - By the Time I Get to Phoenix (211)
Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (17)
Sault - Nine (17)
Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever (6)
JPEGMAFIA - LP! (191)
Mdou Moctar - Afrique Victime (15)
Sofia Kourtesis - Fresia Magdalena EP (81)
Soccer96 - Dopamine (219)
Flock of Dimes - Head of Roses (50)
Amyl & the Sniffers - Comfort to Me (646)
DJ Sabrina the Teenage DJ - The Makin' Magick II Album (227)

Mixed, Bold DNP, ^Nominated & Placed, *Sole Voter

^Cassandra Jenkins - An Overview on Phenomenal Nature
Arooj Aftab - Vulture Prince
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra ‎– Promises
Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert & Jon Randall - Marfa Tapes
Illuminati Hotties - Let Me Do One More
Dawn Richard - Second Line

*Allison Russell - Outside Child
DJ Sabrina the Teenage DJ - The Makin' Magick II Album
*Eric Church - Heart & Soul
Flock of Dimes - Head of Roses
Genesis Owusu - Smiling With No Teeth
Indigo de Souza - Any Shape You Take
Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee
James McMurtry - The Horses and the Hounds
Julian Baker - Little Oblivions
Low - HEY WHAT
Magdalena Bay - Mercurial World
Nala Sinephro - Space 1.8
Sofia Kourtesis - Fresia Magdalena EP
St. Vincent - Daddy's Home
Sun-El Musician - African Electronic Dance Music
The Weather Station - Ignorance
Tinashe - 333
Turnstile - Glow On
Yasmin Williams - Urban Driftwood

Just missed my ballot:

Tirzah - Colourgrade
Iceage - Seek Shelter
Torres - Thirstier
Serpentwithfeet - DEACON
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - Carnage

My ballot. *=sole voter

Rosali - No Medium
Deafheaven - Infinite Granite
The Murlocs - Bittersweet Demons
*Ducks Ltd. - Modern Fiction
*Temperance - Diamanti
*Asphyxiate - Altar of Decomposed
*Worm - Foreverglade
*Bill MacKay & Nathan Bowles - Keys
*Snet - Mokvani V Okovech
Lingua Ingnota - SINNER GET READY

my full list of 2021 albums + blurbs: https://voodoochili.tumblr.com/post/672641404920561664/my-favorite-albums-of-2021

only heisei no oto made it!

Electric Party - Play
Ssiege - Meteora
The Zenmenn - Enter the Zenmenn
Froid Dub - An Iceberg Cruising the Jamaican Coastline
Various Artists - And Felt Like...
Michal Turtle & Suso Saiz - Static Journeys
Michel Banabila - Echo Transformations
Various Artists and Tomislav Simović - Visitors From The Galaxy Revisited (Original Soundtrack Remixed)
YNV - Golden Hour Ritual
December - Debut
Martinou - Rift
Prins Emanuel - Vhassal
Various Artists ‎- Heisei No Oto: Japanese Left-Field Pop From The CD Age, 1989-1996
Steve Summers - Generation Loss
MLO - Oumuamua
Gilb'r - On danse comme des fous
downstairs J - basement, etc…
kacey musgraves- star-crossed
Lindsey Buckingham - Lindsey Buckingham
nueen - Circular Sequence
Pavel Milyakov & Yana Pavlova - Blue
RXK Nephew - Slitherman Activated
Various Artists - Planet Love Vol. 1: Early Transmissions 1991-95
Triigroup - Interest In Music
Benedek - Mr Goods

That MLO album was one of my favourites of the year (think I nominated it) but then completely forgot to put it on my ballot 🙈

Bold DNP

Deafheaven - Infinite Granite
Grouper - Shade
Low - HEY WHAT
Magdalena Bay - Mercurial World
Wild Up - Julius Eastman Vol.1: Femenine
Lamp Of Murmuur - Submission And Slavery
BUMMER - Dead Horse
Really From - Really From
The Armed - Ultrapop
Nala Sinephro - Space 1.8
Portal - Hagbulbia
Youth Novel - Youth Novel
Arooj Aftab - Vulture Prince
Senyawa - Alkisah
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - G_d’s Pee AT STATE’S END!
Krallice - Demonic Wealth
Playboi Carti - Whole Lotta Red
Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee
Alister Fawnwoda, Suzanne Ciani, Greg Leisz - Milan
Lingua Ingnota - SINNER GET READY
CHVRCHES - Screen Violence
Victory Over The Sun - Nowherer
Rhododendron - Protozoan Battle Hymns
The HIRS Collective - THE THIRD 100 SONGS
Richard Dawson & Circle - Henki

Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra – Promises
Jana Rush - Painful Enlightenment
The Armed - Ultrapop
Iceage - Seek Shelter
Low - HEY WHAT
BackRoad Gee - Reporting Live (From the Back of the Roads)
Emeka Ogboh - Beyond the Yellow Haze
Teni - WONDALAND
Anna Webber - Idiom
Black Dice - Mod Prog Sic
Danny L Harle - Harlecore
pinkpantheress - To Hell With It
Arca - Kick ii
LLNN - Unmaker
Moor Mother - Black Encyclopedia of the Air
DJ Manny - Signals In My Head
Lantlôs - Wildhund
Caroline Shaw & So Percussion - Let The Soil Play It's Simple Part
SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE - ENTERTAINMENT, DEATH
Japanese Breakfast - Jubilee
Loraine James - Reflection
Lost Girls - Menneskekollektivet
Uden Ord - Eventyr
Serpentwithfeet - Deacon
Tyler, the Creator - CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST

I was the sole voter for Iceage. Didn't see that one coming...