Best Rock Albums | Rock
10 Best Rock Albums 2021
2021’s best rock records didn’t come to reassure or pat your head—they kicked the door in and demanded to be heard, scars and all. Turnstile’s GLOW ON hit like hardcore discovering sunlight, marrying aggression and euphoria in a way that felt strangely life-affirming without losing the punch. Greta Van Fleet’s The Battle at Garden’s Gate went full arena messiah, leaning into their retro bombast so hard it looped back into something weirdly refreshing.
Number 10
Snail Mail
– Valentine
Valentine captures heartbreak’s glow and sting through Snail Mail’s raw honesty and layered sound. Lindsey Jordan turns loss into melody, crafting a record that aches, glimmers, and refuses to fade—a stunning portrait of young love unraveling in real time.
Number 9
Dry Cleaning
– New Long Leg
Dry Cleaning’s New Long Leg, is a post-punk album that thrives on its wit, tension, and intricate soundscapes. The band crafts an atmosphere that feels simultaneously raw and surreal, with jagged guitars and driving basslines.
Number 8
Low
– Hey What
Hey What is a transformative and emotionally potent album that cements Low’s legacy as sonic innovators. The record builds on the experimental groundwork laid by their previous work, Double Negative, but pushes even further into the abstract with a stark, minimalistic approach and distorted soundscapes that are as disorienting as they are captivating.
Number 7
Iron Maiden
– Senjutsu
Senjutsu is Iron Maiden at their most colossal—songs as fortresses, vocals as proclamations, and riffs as ancient weapons. It’s an album built on weight and scale, demanding immersion and rewarding it with sheer spectacle.
Number 6
Weezer
– Van Weezer
Van Weezer is a high-energy homage to the rock and metal sounds of the 1980s that shaped the band’s origins. Packed with electrifying guitar riffs, arena-ready choruses, and a playful sense of nostalgia, the album channels the larger-than-life spirit of classic bands like Van Halen, KISS, and Def Leppard while maintaining Weezer’s signature pop-rock charm.
Number 5
The Killers
– Pressure Machine
Pressure Machine swaps glitz for grit, giving The Killers their most grounded, soul-baring record yet. Through stories of dusty towns and bruised dreams, they find a quiet power in restraint, letting the songs breathe—and bruise—on their own terms.
Number 4
Royal Blood
– Typhoons
On Typhoons, Royal Blood evolves, trading minimalist fuzz for a more electronic, groove-driven sound. With glossy hooks and pulsing synths, they maintain their gritty edge while experimenting with new rhythms and a fresh, introspective vibe.
Number 3
Foo Fighters
– Medicine at Midnight
Medicine at Midnight thrives on rhythm, color, and drive. Each track pushes forward with bold patterns, strong hooks, and a clear sense of motion. The band uses groove as a guiding force, giving the record a vibrant pulse grounded in rock energy and confident songwriting.
Number 2
Greta Van Fleet
– The Battle at Garden’s Gate
The Battle at Garden’s Gate is a bold, theatrical leap into grandeur—classic rock meets prog ambition. Mythic lyrics, cinematic swells, and soaring vocals mix with sincere naiveté. It’s big, loud, and unafraid to overreach for the stars.
Number 1
Turnstile
– Glow On
Glow On is a bright, brutal burst of hardcore joy—chaotic, beautiful, and oddly tender. Turnstile doesn’t just bend genre lines; they run through them barefoot, screaming, with a heart full of melody and fists full of truth.
The 10 Best are selected based on lyrics, innovative compositions, a unique approach to the genre, production quality, and public opinion/popularity.
Honorable Mentions
Halsey
– If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power
If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power is a raw, electric reckoning—equal parts divine and broken. Halsey doesn’t hold back. She builds a world where pain and power walk hand in hand, and sings like she’s burning the map on purpose.
Spiritbox
– Eternal Blue
Eternal Blue is a landmark album in modern metal, blending atmospheric soundscapes with crushing riffs and emotionally charged lyricism. The record seamlessly bridges genres, incorporating elements of metalcore, progressive metal, and ambient music to create a sound that is as heavy as it is ethereal. This dynamic range is a hallmark of Spiritbox’s artistry.
Mdou Moctar
– Afrique Victime
Mdou Moctar’s Afrique Victime is a groundbreaking record that combines the hypnotic traditions of Tuareg guitar music with electrifying, modern rock sensibilities. The album is a powerful blend of fiery guitar solos, intricate rhythms, and impassioned vocals, creating an emotional journey that transcends language and borders.
Foo Fighters’ Medicine at Midnight dabbled in glam-pop flirtation with a grin that dared you to call it sellout—because honestly, they’ve earned the right not to care. And Royal Blood’s Typhoons gave rock a disco seizure, grinding out basslines with enough sweat and swagger to leave a mark. If rock was supposed to be dead, 2021 didn’t get the memo—it sounded too busy mutating, thrashing, and dancing under flickering lights.
Wolf Alice’s Blue Weekend swerved from dreamy haze to barbed-wire riffs, proof that emotional whiplash can be its own kind of ecstasy.