The year 2021 brought us some fantastic new music. There were a handful of noticeable trends in country music, including artist collaborations and “double/triple” albums. Check out my Top 5 favorite albums of the year.
5. Morgan Wallen – Dangerous
It would be hard to not include the top selling album of 2021 on this list. Morgan Wallen definitely knocked it out of the park with all 30 songs from his double album.
4. Carly Pearce – 29: Written in Stone
Also a nominee for this year’s CMA Awards. Carly found a way to channel her heartbreak into an incredible album. Couldn’t be happier for her and her recent success.
3. Lainey Wilson – Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’
Lainey’s debut album was one I had been waiting for since seeing her on radio tour when I was in Wisconsin back in 2019. Getting to hear songs like ‘LA’, ‘Dirty Looks’ and her #1 hit, ‘Things A Man Oughta Know’ in one collection was pretty special.
2. Taylor Swift – Red (Taylor’s Version)
Love her or hate her, Taylor finds a way to reinvent herself, but this time in a nostalgic form with the re-recording of her hit album Red. Like Fearless (Taylor’s Version), we were pleasantly surprised with a handful of bonus tracks from the vault. While Taylor certainly mixes genres, there’s no denying the country influence in this album.
1. Eric Church – Heart & Soul
I’ll be honest, I’m very late to the Eric Church party. He’s definitely an ‘acquired taste’ for some. Well I certainly found it with this triple album. After releasing a handful of songs, including ‘Stick That In Your Country Song’, ‘Hell of a View’, ‘Doin’ Life With Me’ and more, I immediately signed up to be a member of the Church Choir (his fanclub) to pre-order Heart & Soul on vinyl. Worth every penny.
