Year-End Lists

Parade Magazine: 40 Best Books of 2021

• Great Circle
  Maggie Shipstead
• Taste

  My Life Through Food
  Stanley Tucci
• The Last Thing He Told Me
  Laura Dave
• Vanderbilt

  The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty
  Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe
• The Lincoln Highway
  Amor Towles
• Seven Days in June
  Tia Williams
• The Maidens
  Alex Michaelides
• The Four Winds
  Kristin Hannah
• The Push
  Ashley Audrain
• Harlem Shuffle
  Colson Whitehead
• The Anthropocene Reviewed

  Essays on a Human-Centered Planet
  John Green
• The Rose Code
  Kate Quinn
• Project Hail Mary
  Andy Weir
• Beautiful World, Where Are You
  Sally Rooney
• Cloud Cuckoo Land
  Anthony Doerr
• Come Fly the World

  The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am
  Julia Cooke
• Instructions for Dancing
  Nicola Yoon
• The Storyteller

  Tales of Life and Music
  Dave Grohl
• Malibu Rising
  Taylor Jenkins Reid
• The Gilded Ones
  Namina Forna
• The Plot
  Jean Hanff Korelitz
• The Spanish Love Deception
  Elena Armas
• Still Life
  Sarah Winman
• The Lost Apothecary
  Sarah Penner
• She Who Became the Sun
  Shelley Parker-Chan
• The Paper Palace
  Miranda Cowley Heller
• The Man Who Died Twice
  Richard Osman
• The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois
  Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
• People We Meet on Vacation
  Emily Henry
• Rock Paper Scissors
  Alice Feeney
• We Begin at the End
  Chris Whitaker
• The Prophets
  Robert Jones Jr.
• Somebody's Daughter
  Ashley C. Ford
• The Sentence
  Louise Erdrich
• Every Last Fear
  Alex Finlay
• The Doctors Blackwell

  How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine
  Janice P. Nimura
• The Other Black Girl
  Zakiya Dalila Harris
• Billy Summers
  Stephen King
• The Final Revival of Opal & Nev
  Dawnie Walton
• Klara and the Sun
  Kazuo Ishiguro

Paste Magazine: The 50 Best Movies of 2021

[see also 2022 • 2020 • 2010s • 2018 • 2017 • 2015]

1. The Green Knight
   David Lowery
2. Drive My Car
   Ryûsuke Hamaguchi
3. Memoria
   Apichatpong Weerasethakul
4. C'mon C'mon
   Mike Mills
5. Benedetta
   Paul Verhoeven
6. Nine Days
   Edson Oda
7. Days
   Tsai Ming-liang
8. Licorice Pizza
   Paul Thomas Anderson
9. This Is Not a Burial, It's a Resurrection
   Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese
10. West Side Story
    Steven Spielberg
11. On-Gaku: Our Sound
    Kenji Iwaisawa
12. Shiva Baby
    Emma Seligman
13. The French Dispatch
    Wes Anderson
14. Parallel Mothers
    Pedro Almodóvar
15. The Summit of the Gods
    Patrick Imbert
16. Sator
    Jordan Graham
17. Pig
    Michael Sarnoski
18. Red Rocket
    Sean Baker
19. Titane
    Julia Ducournau
20. In the Heights
    Jon M. Chu
21. Procession
    Robert Greene
22. About Endlessness
    Roy Andersson
23. Evangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time
    various directors
24. Labyrinth of Cinema
    Nobuhiko Obayashi
25. The Lost Daughter
    Maggie Gyllenhaal
26. The Novice
    Lauren Hadaway
27. Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy
    Ryûsuke Hamaguchi
28. The Last Duel
    Ridley Scott
29. Zola
    Janicza Bravo
30. Together Together
    Nikole Beckwith
31. Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn
    Radu Jude
32. The Hand of God
    Paolo Sorrentino
33. Undine
    Christian Petzold
34. Moffie
    Oliver Hermanus
35. The Paper Tigers
    Bao Tran
36. Bergman Island
    Mia Hansen-Løve
37. Plan B
    Natalie Morales
38. Listening to Kenny G
    Penny Lane
39. Judas and the Black Messiah
    Shaka King
40. The Mitchells vs. the Machines
    Mike Rianda
41. Delphine's Prayers
    Rosine Mfetgo Mbakam
42. The Dig
    Simon Stone
43. Those Who Wish Me Dead
    Taylor Sheridan
44. The Sparks Brothers
    Edgar Wright
45. Some Kind of Heaven
    Lance Oppenheim
46. Come True
    Anthony Scott Burns
47. Flee
    Jonas Poher Rasmussen
48. Raya and the Last Dragon
    Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada
49. The Beta Test
    Jim Cummings and PJ McCabe
50. Petite Maman
    Céline Sciamma

Mark Kermode: Best Films of 2021, as published by The Observer

[see also 2023 • 2022 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014]

1. Petite Maman
   Céline Sciamma
2. Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
   Questlove
3. The Green Knight
   David Lowery
4. Another Round
   Thomas Vinterberg
5. Titane
   Julia Ducournau
6. Censor
   Prano Bailey-Bond
7. Sound of Metal
   Darius Marder
8. After Love
   Aleem Khan
9. Spencer
   Pablo Larraín
10. Quo Vadis, Aida?
    Jasmila Žbanić

Brooklyn Vegan: Top 50 Albums of 2021

[see also 2023 • 2022 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016]

1. Glow On
   Turnstile
2. Heaux Tales
   Jazmine Sullivan
3. Hey What
   Low
4. Call Me If You Get Lost
   Tyler, The Creator
5. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
   Little Simz
6. Ignorance
   The Weather Station
7. An Overview on Phenomenal Nature
   Cassandra Jenkins
8. Radical
   Every Time I Die
9. Happier Than Ever
   Billie Eilish
10. Jubilee
    Japanese Breakfast
11. Promises
    Floating Points / Pharoah Sanders / London Symphony Orchestra
12. The Million Masks Of God
    Manchester Orchestra
13. Weight of the World
    Maxo Kream
14. Black Encyclopedia of the Air
    Moor Mother
15. We Are Always Alone
    portrayal of guilt
15. CHRISTFUCKER
    portrayal of guilt
16. Illusory Walls
    The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die
17. Half God
    Wiki
18. Vulture Prince
    Arooj Aftab
19. This Place You Know
    One Step Closer
20. Fatigue
    L'Rain
21. i became birds
    Home Is Where
22. Vince Staples
    Vince Staples
23. Thirstier
    Torres
24. Sour
    Olivia Rodrigo
25. We're All Alone in This Together
    Dave
26. Ultrapop
    The Armed
27. Chemtrails over the Country Club
    Lana Del Rey
27. Blue Banisters
    Lana Del Rey
28. Nine
    Sault
29. Hall of Fame
    Polo G
30. Black To The Future
    Sons of Kemet
31. Haram
    Armand Hammer & The Alchemist
32. Entertainment, Death
    The Spirit Of The Beehive
33. New Long Leg
    Dry Cleaning
34. Pray For Haiti
    Mach-Hommy
35. Home Video
    Lucy Dacus
36. Crypt Of Ice
    Frozen Soul
37. Sling
    Clairo
38. Shade
    Grouper
39. Ordinary Life
    We Are The Union
40. A Tear In The Fabric Of Life
    Knocked Loose
41. Menneskekollektivet
    Lost Girls
42. Any Shape You Take
    Indigo De Souza
43. In Spite Of
    for your health
44. Between the Richness
    Fiddlehead
45. NOW
    Damon Locks & Black Monument Ensemble
46. Celestial Blues
    King Woman
47. As Days Get Dark
    Arab Strap
48. Astro Tough
    Audiobooks
49. History Of A Feeling
    Madi Diaz
50. Twin Plagues
    Wednesday

Willa Paskin: The Top 10 TV Shows of 2021, as published by Slate

[see also 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017]

1. Succession
2. Hacks
3. The Underground Railroad
4. Philly D.A.
5. City of Ghosts
6. The White Lotus
7. Station Eleven
8. The Beatles: Get Back
9. Only Murders in the Building
10. Starstruck

The Atlantic: The 50 Best Podcasts of 2021, selected by Laura Jane Standley and Eric McQuade

[see also 2022 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018]

1. 9/12
2. The Midnight Miracle
3. According to Need
4. Believe Her
5. The Line
6. My Fugitive
7. Mississippi Goddam: The Ballad of Billey Joe
8. Bent by Nature
9. Embedded: Capital Gazette
10. Because of Anita
11. The Ezra Klein Show
12. Blindspot: Tulsa Burning
13. Radiotopia Presents
14. Loud
15. The Improvement Association
16. This Land
17. La Brega
18. Meltdown
19. Hot White Heist
20. Odessa
21. White Hot Hate
22. 70 Over 70
23. The Messenger
24. Wild
25. The Just Enough Family
26. Southlake
27. Blind Landing
28. 365 Stories I Want To Tell You Before We Both Die
29. Fiasco: Benghazi
30. Nice Try!: Interior
31. Exit Scam
32. Spectacle
33. Not Past It
34. The Apology Line
35. Making Gay History: Coming of Age During the AIDS Crisis
36. Smoke Screen: The Sellout
37. Forever is a Long Time
38. Suave
39. The Sporkful: Mission Impastable
40. Algorithm
41. Anything for Selena
42. Storytime with Seth Rogen
43. Going for Broke with Ray Suarez
44. Princess of South Beach
45. Gene and Roger
46. The History of Sketch Comedy
47. The Flamethrowers
48. Strangeland
49. Dish City
50. Toxic: The Britney Spears Story

No Depression: Favorite Roots Music Albums of 2021

[see also 2023 • 2022 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016]

1. Outside Child
   Allison Russell
2. They're Calling Me Home
   Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi
3. Quietly Blowing It
   Hiss Golden Messenger
4. A Southern Gothic
   Adia Victoria
5. Wary + Strange
   Amythyst Kiah
6. Blue Heron Suite
   Sarah Jarosz
7. Stand For Myself
   Yola
8. Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan!
   Aaron Lee Tasjan
9. The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers
   Valerie June
10. Pohorylle
    Margo Cilker
11. Urban Driftwood
    Yasmin Williams
12. Long Time Coming
    Sierra Ferrell
13. The Horses and the Hounds
    James McMurtry
14. Leftovers
    Le Ren
15. Little Oblivions
    Julien Baker
16. Depreciated
    John R. Miller
17. Whispers and Sighs
    David Olney & Anana Kaye
18. Afrique Victime
    Mdou Moctar
19. Renewal
    Billy Strings
20. I Don’t Live Here Anymore
    The War on Drugs

Kitty Empire: Top 10 Albums of 2021, as published by The Observer

[see also 2023 • 2022 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2012 • 2011]

1. Ignorance
   The Weather Station
2. Prioritise Pleasure
   Self Esteem
3. Promises
   Floating Points / Pharoah Sanders / London Symphony Orchestra
4. Space 1.8
   Nala Sinephro
5. Nine
   Sault
6. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
   Little Simz
7. Isles
   Bicep
8. For the First Time
   Black Country, New Road
9. Spare Ribs
   Sleaford Mods
10. Pohorylle
    Margo Cilker

Anthony Fantano: Top 50 Albums of 2021, as posted on his YouTube channel, The Needle Drop

[see also 2023 • 2022 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017]

1. The Turning Wheel
   Spellling
2. Sinner Get Ready
   Lingua Ignota
3. KicK iii
   Arca
4. Promises
   Floating Points / Pharoah Sanders / London Symphony Orchestra
5. Daddy's Home
   St. Vincent
6. LP!
   JPEGMAFIA
7. Henki
   Richard Dawson & Circle
8. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
   Little Simz
9. Nurture
   Porter Robinson
10. Ska Dream
    Jeff Rosenstock
11. By the Time I Get to Phoenix
    Injury Reserve
12. A Beginner's Mind
    Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine
13. Madison
    Sloppy Jane
14. Call Me If You Get Lost
    Tyler, The Creator
15. Cavalcade
    black midi
16. Smiling with No Teeth
    Genesis Owusu
17. Hey What
    Low
18. The Color Blu(e)
    Blu
19. Glow On
    Turnstile
20. I Lie Here Buried with My Rings and My Dresses
    Backxwash
21. Half God
    Wiki
22. Imperative Imperceptible Impulse
    Ad Nauseam
23. Forever In Your Heart
    Black Dresses
24. Rainbow Bridge 3
    Sematary
25. For the First Time
    Black Country, New Road
26. Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine
    BROCKHAMPTON
27. Palais d’argile
    Feu! Chatterton
28. Stand For Myself
    Yola
29. OK Human
    Weezer
30. Friends That Break Your Heart
    James Blake
31. Faith in Persona
    death’s dynamic shroud
32. Mercurial World
    Magdalena Bay
33. Let Me Do One More
    illuminati hotties
34. Tyron
    slowthai
35. Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Side B
    Westside Gunn
36. GUMBO'!
    Pink Siifu
37. King's Disease II
    Nas
38. Carnage
    Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
39. Haram
    Armand Hammer & The Alchemist
40. Fatigue
    L'Rain
41. Welfare Jazz
    Viagra Boys
42. Actually, You Can
    Deerhoof
43. Twin Shadow
    Twin Shadow
44. ...And Again Into The Light
    Panopticon
45. Heaux Tales
    Jazmine Sullivan
46. Pressure Machine
    The Killers
47. Eternal Home
    Fire-Toolz
48. An Evening with Silk Sonic
    Silk Sonic
49. Black Metal 2
    Dean Blunt
50. Frailty
    dltzk

The A.V. Club: The 20 Best Albums of 2021

[see also 2020 • 2010s • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2012 • 2011]

1. Jubilee
   Japanese Breakfast
2. Heaux Tales
   Jazmine Sullivan
3. Valentine
   Snail Mail
4. Call Me If You Get Lost
   Tyler, The Creator
5. Any Shape You Take
   Indigo De Souza
6. Ultrapop
   The Armed
7. Glow On
   Turnstile
8. The House Is Burning
   Isaiah Rashad
9. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
   Little Simz
10. Ignorance
    The Weather Station
11. An Evening with Silk Sonic
    Silk Sonic
12. Sour
    Olivia Rodrigo
13. Hey What
    Low
14. Future Past
    Duran Duran
15. 30
    Adele
16. Happier Than Ever
    Billie Eilish
17. Loving In Stereo
    Jungle
17. Collapsed in Sunbeams
    Arlo Parks
17. Sound Ancestors
    Madlib
20. If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power
    Halsey