Metacritic Aggregate: 2021 New Music: World

Notes

For information on what lists are consulted, and what the various abbreviations and notes mean, click here.

For reissues and compilations, click here.

Sub-Lists

Some breakdowns by genre:

Ranking

  1. Mdou Moctar: Afrique Victime (Matador) {181}: AD:+, Bc:+, BPM:+, Btz:3, C:16+, CM:+, Crz:22, CS:35, DaB:7, DJM:+, Dz:10, EWi:42, Ex:15, FO:27, G:10, Gg:12, Gl:++, Gw:23, Hi:28, HP:31, HV:4, IS:33, LBF:21, Mc:31, Mg:9, Mj:20+, MO:9+, ND:18, No:23, NR:44, NT:13, OC:22, Oo:3, P:11+, PAM:7, Pf:8+, Pf_r:46, PJ:4, PM:13, PO:15+, PW:4, Qt:94, Rf:61, RS:26+, RS_D:24, RSh:10, RT:19, RT:7, Sbd:8, SC:19, Si:5, Sl:22, So:14, Tr:13, Trk:33, U:13+, Up:+, UR:33, W:41, YF:2, Zf:19; am:+, am_l:+, aqd:+, atw:+, dg:10, e:+, ec:+, gw:+, hc_d:8, i:9, kf:8, lar:13, n_ap:4, n_sp:+, ncpr:+, npr_sh:4, ny_p:5, ny_z:12, p_r:+, pf_k:+, pi:7, rsch:5, rsjb:4, st_b:4, up_i:+, up_sh:6, v_jw:4, vfk:5, vjk:5, xbw:+, xhs:4, yclw:2, ypg:5, ysp:+, yti:3 -- RC:***, TH:A-
  2. Arooj Aftab: Vulture Prince (New Amsterdam) {60}: Bc:++, BPM:38, BV:18, Crz:29, DaB:41, Ex:36, G:20, GB:47, Gg:40, JC:+, Mj:+, Ni:11, NPR:7, OC:24, Oo:11, P:42, Pf:12+, PJ:67, RS_D:22, So:5, U:6+, UPC:+; av_am:12, do:+, jak:6, kc:16, npr_bb:5, npr_st:1, npr_th:2, ny_p:+, pf_j:+, rte:15, rte_k:+, sdu:+, sol:+, svr:6, v_ja:8, vg:4, vmp:+ -- TH:*
  3. C Tangana: El Madrileno (Sony Music) {34}: BB:10, Dz:16, Jp:2, NPR:5, On:10, RS:9, UPC:+; am:+, am_l:+, hc_g:3, npr_as:1, npr_fc:19, npr_fo:10, pf_p:+, wla:1 -- TH:*
  4. Altin Gun: Yol (ATO) {30}: 3v:17, Bc:+, Btz:5, Gw:+, MO:+, Pc:64, PM:74+, PO:+, PW:35, RM:31, RT:36, S:18, Si:15, U:+, Zf:7; am_l:+, ncpr:8, ycc:2 -- TH:**
  5. Mon Laferte: Seis (Universal Music Mexico) {20}: BB:33, Jp:16, Mz:24, NPR:38; am_l:+, nat:7, ncpr:2, npr_as:2, ny_p:3, xpb:1 -- TH:A-
  6. Jaubi: Nafs at Peace (Astigmatic) {17}: Bc:++, Gg_j:19, JC:+, PO:+, WS_j:12; am_l:+, bv_j:10, jak:4, tr_j:+ -- TH:A-
  7. Rauw Alejandro: Vice Versa (Sony Music Latin) {16}: BB:37, Fa:5, GC:23, RS:3+, RSh:17, UPC:82; ny_c:11, tv:+
  8. Caetano Veloso: Meu Coco (Sony Music Brasil) {16}: HV:16, JDC:46, RS_D:39; cw:+, npr_ap:2, npr_fo:9, npr_sm:10, sl:+, wp:3, xrt:+ -- TH:***
  9. Kasai Allstars: Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound (Crammed Discs) {15}: PAM:8, PM:+, Rx:54; pm_g:3, sol:+ -- RC:A-, TH:***
  10. Danger Dan: Das Ist Alles Von Der Kunstfreiheit Gedekt (Antilopen Geldwasche) {10}: 1l:2, Lt:5, RS_D:21, Vi:44, Zf:22 -- TH:*
  11. Jucara Marcal: Delta Estacio Blues (QTV Selo/Mais Um) {10}: EWi:43, G:+, UPC:+; am_l:+, tgl:+, vfk:+ -- TH:A-
  12. Alostmen: Kologo (Strut) {9}: Mj:+, YW:5 -- TH:A-
  13. IKOQWE: The Beginning, the Medium, the End and the Infinite (Crammed Discs) {9}: PAM:3, PM:+, U:+; npr_fc:9 -- TH:***
  14. Femi Kuti & Made Kuti: Legacy + (Partisan -2CD) {9}: AD:+, G:+, Gw:+, Mj:+, Rf:92; ncpr:11 -- TH:***
  15. Les Filles De Illighadad: At Pioneer Works (Sahel Sounds) {9}: PAM:50, PO:+, W:15; aqd:+, xpb:7, ycc:7 -- TH:**
  16. BaianaSystem: OXEAXEEXU (Maquina De Louco) {8}: PO:+; xrt:+ -- RC:***, TH:***
  17. Bomba Estereo: Deja (Sony Music Latin) {8}: RS:+; am:+, am_l:+, ny_p:1 -- TH:**
  18. Fimber Bravo: Lunar Tredd (Moshi Moshi) {8}: Bc:+, Mj:+, No:45; ncpr:6 -- TH:A-
  19. Anansy Cisse: Anoura (Riverboat) {8}: Rx:29 -- RC:A-, TH:***
  20. DJ Black Low: Uwami (Awesome Tapes From Africa) {8}: PAM:2 -- TH:A-
  21. Fanfare Ciocarlia: It Wasn't Hard to Love You (Asphalt Tango) {8}: -- RC:A-, TH:A-
  22. Jupiter & Okwess: Na Kozonga (Everloving) {8}: Ms:43, PM:+, PO:+; aqd:+, xci:37 -- TH:***
  23. Marisa Monte: Portas (Sony) {8}: BPM:46, EE:18, PM:+; am:+, am_l:+, pm_bp:7, xrt:+
  24. Wau Wau Collectif: Yaral Sa Doom (Sahel Sounds) {8}: EWi:+, GB:50, Mj:+, PAM:33, PO:+; aqd:+ -- RC:**, TH:B
  25. Susana Baca: Palabras Urgentes (Real World) {7}: Mj:+, NPR:41, PAM:37; npr_fc:11, npr_fo:3, sol:+
  26. Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers: Set Me Free (Louisiana Red Hot) {7}: PO:32+; ob:5 -- TH:***
  27. Karol G: KG0516 (Universal Music Latin) {7}: reggaeton -- BB:24, Cos:12, Fa:28; am:+, am_l:+, av_nh:20
  28. Masha Qrella: Woanders (Staatsakt) {7}: RS_D:36, Top:19, Zf:58 -- TH:***
  29. Weedie Braimah: The Hands of Time (Stretch Music/Ropeadope) {6}: JC:+; gl_j:+, ti:8, npr_nb:8 -- TH:**
  30. Nahawa Doumbia: Kanawa (Awesome Tapes From Africa) {6}: Mj:+, PAM:11 -- TH:***
  31. Guedra Guedra: Vexillology () {6}: Bc:+, G:+; tr_e:+, tr_u:+ -- TH:**
  32. Ife: 0000+0000 (Mais Um Discos) {6}: am_l:+, ncpr:4, npr_fc:12 -- TH:**
  33. Youssou N'Dour Et Le Super Etoile De Dakar: Mbalax (Universal) {6}: EWi:50; xde:10 -- TH:A-
  34. Maria Sena: De Primeira (Ala Comunicacao E Cultura) {6}: PO:+; pm_bp:1, xrt:4
  35. Tomorrow X Together: The Chaos Chapter: Freeze (Big Hit) {6}: AD:+, Cos:25, NME:38, PM:+, RS:46; wwl:+
  36. Combo Lulo: Neotropic Dream (Names You Can Trust) {5}: -- RC:**, TH:***
  37. Angelique Kidjo: Mother Nature (Decca) {5}: AD:+, PM:+, PO:+, U:+; am_l:+ -- TH:B
  38. Kondi Band: We Famous (Strut) {5}: Bc:+, PAM:18
  39. Alessandra Leao: Acesa (self-released) {5}: PO:+; xrt:+ -- TH:***
  40. Meridian Brothers/Conjunto Media Luna: Paz En La Tierra (Bongo Joe) {5}: Bc:+; ncpr:+, npr_fc:8 -- TH:**
  41. Okute: Okute (Chulo) {5}: ncpr:5 -- TH:***
  42. Orquestra Afro-Brasileira: 80 Anos (Day Dreamer) {5}: PO:41+ -- TH:***
  43. Omar Sosa and Seckou Keita [25 for the Future]: Suba (Bendigedig) {5}: DB:+; npr_fc:3 -- TH:**
  44. J Balvin: Jose (Suenos Globales) {4}: Cmp:49, Rf:78; am_l:+, xsm:24
  45. Ruben Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta: Salswing! (RBP) {4}: AAJ:+, JC:+, PO:+ -- TH:*
  46. Boubacar "Badian" Diabate: Mande Guitar (Lion Songs) {4}: JC:+; jmm:+ -- TH:**
  47. Mon Laferte: 1940 Carmen (Universal Music Group) {4}: am_l:+ -- TH:***
  48. R2Bees: Back 2 Basics (Ziiki Media) {4}: PAM:5
  49. Ballake Sissoko: Djourou (No Format) {4}: AD:+, Mj:+, PAM:31, U:+
  50. Stray Kids: Noeasy () {4}: GC:5
  51. Teno Afrika: Amapiano Selections (Awesome Tapes From Africa) {4}: am_e:+ -- TH:***
  52. Trak Trak: Sur Sur (Ciclismo -20) {4}: -- TH:A-
  53. Twice: Formula of Love: O+T=?3 (JYP Entertainment) {4}: BPM:48+; pm_kp:5
  54. Twice: Taste of Love (JYP/Republic -EP) {4}: Pf_r:4
  55. TXT: The Chaos Chapter: Freeze (Big Hit Music) {4}: pm_kp:1, tv:+
  56. Pabllo Vittar: Batidao Tropical (Sony) {4}: PM:+; pm_bp:2 -- TH:*
  57. Babes Wodumo: Crown (West Ink) {4}: vfk:+ -- TH:***
  58. Aespa: Savage (SM Entertainment) {3}: GC:22; ny_c:+, pm_kp:15
  59. Dos Santos: City of Mirrors (International Anthem) {3}: PO:+, Tr:31 -- TH:*
  60. Farhot: Kabul Fire Vol 2 (Kabul Fire) {3}: Bc:+, Lt:42; pm_g:6
  61. Selena Gomez: Revelacion (Interscope) {3}: EW:+, PB:23; am_l:+
  62. Sho Madjozi: Limpopo Champions League (Flourish & Multiply -18) {3}: Rx:56; dw:5 -- RC:[A-], TH:[A-]
  63. Mas Aya: Mascaras (Telephone Explosion) {3}: Bc:+ -- TH:**
  64. NCT 127: Sticker (SM Entertainment) {3}: AV:+, Cl:+; ny_c:+
  65. Raw Poetic Featuring Damu the Fudgemunk: Big Tiny Planet (06-29) {3}: TH:*
  66. Red Velvet: Queendom (SM Entertainment) {3}: BPM:+, PM:+; pm_kp:14
  67. San Salvador: La Grande Folie (Pagans) {3}: On:11; sol:+
  68. Senyawa: Alkisah (Burning Ambulance) {3}: Qt:95, VF:41; tr_u:+ -- TH:B
  69. U-Roy: Solid Gold U-Roy (Trojan) {3}: G:+; am_l:+ -- TH:*
  70. Yat-Kha: We Will Never Die (The Lollipoppe Shoppe) {3}: pm_g:1
  71. Akmu: Next Episode (YG Entertainment) {2}: pm_kp:4
  72. Altin Gun: Alem (ATO) {2}: Mj:+, U:+
  73. Gyedu-Blay Ambolley: 11th Street, Sekondi (Agogo -19) {2}: PO:+, Rx:61 -- RC:[A-], TH:[**]
  74. Ben Aylon: Xalam (Riverboat) {2}: DB:+; sol:+
  75. Jane Birkin: Oh! Pardon Tu Dormais . . . (Kachalou) {2}: U:+, YF:+
  76. CL: Alpha (Very Cherry/Sony) {2}: GC:48; up_p:+
  77. Jhay Cortez: Timelezz (Universal Music Latino) {2}: RS:47; ny_c:+
  78. Linn Da Quebrada: Trava Linguas (self-released) {2}: pm_bp:4
  79. Duda Beat: Te Amo La Fora (self-released) {2}: pm_bp:3
  80. Farruko: La 167 (Sony Music Latin) {2}: ny_c:19, sl_h:+
  81. Gajanas: Cihkkojuvvon (Bafe's Factory) {2}: pm_g:5
  82. IU: LILAC (Edam Entertainment) {2}: BPM:+; pm_kp:6
  83. Key: Bad Love (SM Entertainment) {2}: pm_kp:2
  84. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: Candy Racer () {2}: BPM:22+
  85. Clara Luciani: Coeur () {2}: LI:11
  86. Marinero: Hella Love (Hardly Art) {2}: U:+; am_l:+
  87. Onewe: Planet Nine: Alter Ego (RBW) {2}: pm_kp:3
  88. Os Amantes: Os Amantes (Elemess) {2}: pm_bp:5
  89. Joseph Ray and Lakou Mizik: Leave the Bones (Anjunadeep) {2}: pm_g:2
  90. Shanique Marie: Gigi's House (Equinoxx Musiq) {2}: Bc:+ -- TH:*
  91. Skillibeng: Crocodile Teeth (East Syde) {2}: cw:+, sl:+
  92. Yndi: Noir Bresil (Nascimento/Grand Musique) {2}: pm_g:4
  93. Getulio Abelha: Marmota (Rec-Beat) {1}: pm_bp:8
  94. Gaby Amarantos: Purake (DeckDisc) {1}: pm_bp:6
  95. Ichiko Aoba: Windswept Adan (Hermine -20) {1}: PO:+
  96. Mariana Aydar and Fejuca: Aqui Em Casa (Vol 1) () {1}: xrt:+
  97. Baekhyun: Bambi (SM Entertainment) {1}: pm_kp:18
  98. Balkan Taksim: Disko Telegraf (Buda Musique) {1}: Mj:+
  99. Batuqueiros E Sua Gente With Douglas Germano: Partido Alto () {1}: xrt:+
  100. Ruben Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta: Salsa Plus! (Ruben Blades Productions) {1}: JC:+
  101. Ruben Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta: Swing! (Ruben Blades Productions) {1}: JC:+
  102. The Brother Moves On: Mtoliki_Tolika (Matsuli Music) {1}: PO:+
  103. Bertrand Burgalat: Reve Capital () {1}: LI:46
  104. Guy Buttery/Mohd Amjad Khan/Mudassir Khan: One Morning in Gurgaon (Riverboat) {1}: pm_g:10
  105. Camilo: Mis Manos (Sony) {1}: am_l:+
  106. Electric Jalaba: El Hal (Strut) {1}: sol:+
  107. Embryo: Auf Auf (Madlib Invazion) {1}: am_l:+
  108. Francois & the Atlas Mountains: Banane Bleue () {1}: MO:+
  109. Romulo Froes: Agora E Minha Voz: Calado () {1}: xrt:+
  110. Romulo Froes: Agora E Minha Voz: Um Labirinto Em Cade Pe () {1}: xrt:+
  111. (G)I-DLE: I Burn (Cube Entertainment) {1}: pm_kp:8
  112. Owen Gray: Owen Gray Sings () {1}: rc_r:7
  113. GWSN: The Other Side of the Moon (The Wave Music) {1}: pm_kp:9
  114. Song Heejin: Soda (WatchaMusic) {1}: pm_kp:19
  115. Lee Hi: 4 Only (AOMG) {1}: pm_kp:12
  116. Innov Gnawa: Lila (Daptone) {1}: am_l:+
  117. Jadsa: Olho De Vidro (Balaclava) {1}: xrt:7
  118. Jaguar: Madremonte (El Palmas Music) {1}: Bc:+
  119. Jah Wobble: Metal Box - Rebuilt in Dub (Cleopatra) {1}: PO:+
  120. Kayawoto: Maouland () {1}: PAM:41
  121. Khalab & M'berra Ensemble: M'berra (Real World) {1}: Mj:+
  122. The Klezmatics: Letters to Afar (Chant) {1}: -- TH:*
  123. Femi Kuti: Stop the Hate (Partisan) {1}: DJ:26
  124. Made Kuti: For(e)ward (Partisan) {1}: U:+
  125. Laylow: L'Etrange Histoire De Mr Anderson () {1}: LI:47
  126. Don L: Roteiro Pra Ainou (Vol 2) () {1}: xrt:+
  127. Alex Malheiros: Tempos Futuros (Far Out) {1}: am_l:+
  128. Wu Man/Kojiro Umezaki: How (In a Circle) {1}: -- TH:*
  129. Chico Mann: Double Life (Ubiquity) {1}: am_l:+
  130. The Mavericks: En Espanol (Mono Mundo -20) {1}: TL:49
  131. Meta Meta and Marcelo Cabral: Orita Meta: Ore () {1}: xrt:+
  132. Oh My Girl: Dear Ohygirl (WM Entertainment) {1}: pm_kp:7
  133. Oneus: Blood Moon (RBW) {1}: pm_kp:10
  134. Purple Kiss: Into Violet (RBW) {1}: pm_kp:13
  135. Tassia Reis: Prospera D+ (self-released) {1}: pm_bp:9
  136. Iara Renno: Pra Te Abracar () {1}: xrt:+
  137. Ustad Saami: East Pakistan Sky (Glitterbeat) {1}: aqd:+
  138. Sangre Nueva: Goteo (Worldwide Unlimited -EP) {1}: GB:30
  139. Ray Sapienz & the Congo Techno Ensemble: Na Zala Zala () {1}: PAM:49
  140. Joao Selva: Navegar (Underdog) {1}: Bc:+
  141. Seventeen: Attacca (Piedis Entertainment -EP) {1}: tv:+
  142. Lee Taemin: Advice (SM Entertainment) {1}: pm_kp:20
  143. Tirana-Tirona All Stars: Tirana 100 (Municipality of Tirana) {1}: sol:+
  144. Tomorrox X Together: Still Dreaming (Big Hit) {1}: am_l:+
  145. Samba Toure: Binga (Glitterbeat) {1}: U:+
  146. Tuyo: Chegamos Sozinhos Em Casa [Deluxe] (self-released) {1}: pm_bp:10
  147. Vasconcelos Sentimento: Furto (Far Out) {1}: am_l:+
  148. Witch Camp (Ghana): I've Forgotten Now Who I Used to Be (Six Degrees) {1}: Mj:+
  149. Younha: End Theory (C9 Entertainment) {1}: pm_kp:17
  150. Youra: Gaussian (Mun Hwa In) {1}: pm_kp:11
  151. Ani Zakareishvili: Mtirala (CES) {1}: pm_g:7