The best albums, songs, books, films and feel-good music stories of 2021
The Australian’s music writer nominates his highlights of another challenging year for the arts, from the best albums, songs and concerts to the most heartwarming stories.
BEST ALBUM
Smiling With No Teeth by Genesis Owusu
For his ARIA Award-winning debut, the 23-year-old Canberra hip-hop artist summoned a genre-hopping concept album with a clearly defined narrative, memorable characters, a musically adventurous band and an engaging narrator.
Runners up:Old Gods by Shihad. Life is Strange by Angus & Julia Stone. I Don’t Live Here Anymore by The War on Drugs.
BEST SONG
I Don’t Live Here Anymore by The War on Drugs
This propulsive five-minute rock ‘n’ roll masterwork features one of the most satisfying and uplifting choruses I’ve ever heard. Highly recommended companion piece: the episode of Song Exploder podcast where songwriter Adam Granduciel unpacks its creation.
Runners up: Get Me Out by King Stingray. Drivers License by Olivia Rodrigo. The Other Black Dog by Genesis Owusu. Stand For Myself by Yola. Stay by The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber. All Too Well (10 minute version) by Taylor Swift. Little Demons by Shihad.
BEST BOOK
My Rock ‘n’ Roll Friend by Tracey Thorn
In this unusual and shimmering portrait of Australian musician Lindy Morrison, the author approaches her task from several angles – friend, colleague, artist, observer, participant, insider, outsider, admirer – while also correcting errors in the historical narrative surrounding Brisbane pop band The Go-Betweens.
Runners up: The Storyteller by Dave Grohl. Loud by Tana Douglas.
BEST CONCERT
Genesis Owusu at The Triffid
An astonishingly polished and well-executed show, from its choreography to lighting design, centred on his debut album.
Runners up: Midnight Oil and their First Nations collaborators doing Makarrata Live. Paul Kelly and band at Dirranbandi Showgrounds. Tim Rogers, Tex Perkins, Adalita Srsen and Phil Jamieson doing The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers. King Stingray at The Tivoli.
BEST SEND-OFF
The state memorial service for Michael Gudinski at Rod Laver Arena
Only one person could have gotten Kylie Minogue, Jimmy Barnes, Ed Sheeran and Paul Kelly to join together on the same stage to sing an Easybeats song in his honour. A golden, glorious night in Australian music history, despite the sadness of his absence.
BEST FESTIVAL
In a slim year for music festivals across the country, the best one I attended was from my couch, as the Splendour in the Grass team delivered an “extended reality” event centred on unique prerecorded performances from artists here and abroad.
Runner up:Airlie Beach Festival of Music.
BEST COVER SONG
Kate Miller-Heidke: Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones
Accompanied by her husband Keir Nuttall for Review’s rebooted Isolation Room series, this is one performance that divided listeners, but I’m of the firm opinion that Kate’s version is brilliant.
MOST CONSISTENT
This New Zealand rock quartet continues to release some of its most absorbing work while 30-plus years deep into its career. As noted above, its 10th album Old Gods is one of the year’s best, and it continues an astounding run of form.
BEST PODCAST
This fascinating five-part documentary series by Spotify centred on the former Silverchair frontman and the corrosive effects of fame on a sensitive and immensely talented individual.
Runner up: One Guitar by Alex Gow.
BEST TV SERIES
Above all, it felt like an eight-hour hang with the greatest band in human history. A fascinating study in creativity and band dynamics, and a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand how popular music is made.
Runner up: Going Country. The Sound. 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything.
BEST FEEL-GOOD STORY
Bluey soundtrack
The soundtrack to children’s TV show Bluey, composed by Brisbane musician Joff Bush, debuting at No.1 on the ARIA chart and also winning the ARIA for best children’s album last month. For real life.
BEST FILM
Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry by RJ Cutler.
This feature-length documentary charts the remarkable ascent of the US teenage pop star, but it also offers an immersive and empathic portrait showing the dark side of becoming a public figure.
Runners up:Under the Volcano, directed by Australian filmmaker Gracie Otto. Music by Sia.
BEST INTERVIEW
The British singer-songwriter we deemed “rock ‘n’ roll’s biggest mouth” was immensely fun to speak with in June, and during that chat, I managed to uncover one of the few instances in his life that left that mouth speechless.
BEST SUCCESS STORY
The 18-year-old Sydney-born artist’s collaboration with Justin Bieber, titled Stay, became the fastest song to reach one billion streams on Spotify, beating a record that Ed Sheeran’s song Shape of You had previously held for four years. He plays arenas here next year.