Well, another shit year but at least we got some good music. Overall this was a pretty stacked year for solid releases though not quite as solid as years past at the top. We have a clear-cut winner although somewhat controversial in that Upupayāma was originally released in 2020 as a digital-only release. Since we do not cover digital releases and the LP went largely unnoticed we consider this to be a 2021 release. Outside of this list, there are a ton of releases I didn’t even get a chance to hear that probably could be listed here but I just didn’t get to them. Shipping from overseas has become impossible to deal with so picking and choosing purchases has been quite the task in itself. We have to rely on labels to cooperate and co-release which has turned out to be a blessing. After the top 5, you could pretty much go in any order. What are my main criteria here? If I’m not replaying a release over and over it’s just not standing out. I couldn’t care less what popular opinion says. This list represents a group of releases that always get played all the way through and take a while until I let them leave the new release shelf to be sorted into their proper slots. I find it interesting to go back and read the reviews again since most reviews are written at the three listens mark. I tried to keep this to Psych-related records so a special shout out to Mono and Godspeed for two of my all-around favorites of the year. I’m really hoping to get my ass to Europe in April for a few of the festivals I have tickets for to see some of these bands.

Click on the Album links to read the individual reviews.

1Upupayāma – UpupayāmaNot even close. This one stands above all
2Dark Bird – Out Of LineNo record was played more here. “Minefield” is runner-up for Track of the year.
3Jeffrey Alexander and the Heavy Lidders – S/TThe second one gets more love but this one is, track by track, solid beginning to end.
4Kombynat Robotron – -270°CThese guys have really grown on me.
5Saturnia – Stranded On The GreenFar exceeded my expectations when purchased on a whim to save on shipping.
6Trees Speak – Vertigo of Flaws:They keep cranking out the music. This one is solid in so many different ways.
7Black Tempest – PsyborgHow is this not on a T-shirt in my collection? Top-notch design.
8Muun Bato – Paraphonic VaporsLove to see local bands getting so much love.
9Dr. Pete Larson And His Cytotoxic Nyatiti Band – Damballah Not sure how I failed to review this. It’s a must-have
10The Oscillation – Untold FuturesAlways solid
11Snakes Don’t Belong in Alaska – The Eternal Electric LandscapeNeed to get more Snakes on vinyl!
12Jeffrey Alexander and the Heavy Lidders – Elixor of LifeMissed out on reviewing this one. Different vibe then the S/T. More Jammy
13Magic Castles – Sun ReignTrack of the year here with “Relax Your Mind”
14Smote – DrommonI’m expecting big things from this group.
15Firefriend – Dead IconsLike many of the bands on this list Firefriend is always a front to back solid listen
16Los Mundos – La Fortaleza del Sonido Consitantly excellent
17The Third Sound – First LightHopefully, we don’t have to keep waiting for another 4 years for the next release.
18Dead Sea Apes/Adam Stone/Black Tempest – DatalandSo much to like here and unique to the rest of this list
19New Candys – VyvydThese guys always seem to be on the cusp of breaking out
2010 000 Russos – SuperinertiaAgain always solid
21Mythic Sunship – WildfireHard to say that 21 is a disappointment but I really wanted this one to be better than it was.
22Electric Moon Meets Talea Jacta – SabotarA late entry but getting lots of run here.
23White Canyon & The Fifth Dimension – Spectral IllusionImpossible to live up to last years top choice
24Sei Still – El Refugio Love the new direction as much as I loved the first release.
25Grinding Eyes – Taste the MonochromeAlways a good Friday night record.

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