As we wrap up the year, we’re sharing some of our staff members’ favorite albums of the year. Here’s Luke Adams’ list.

5. Kanye West – DONDA

Not a perfect album, but few perfect albums could ever be this interesting. Whereas Jesus Is King felt like the Yandhi outtakes with bad Christian symbolism on top, DONDA is a spiritual album through and through. Ye is endlessly creative with how he bends otherworldly textures into rap songs.

4. Nick Cave & Warren Ellis – Carnage

Nick Cave has been on a hot streak recently but even then this is the best album he’s put out in a decade or more. I dare you to find a song from this year more rousing than the last half of “White Elephant”

3. Lingua Ignota – SINNER GET READY

White-hot rage personified. Kristen Slater uses religious symbolism as a weapon, smiting all those who have wronged her into a fiery hell. Physically hard to listen to at times.

2. Tyler, The Creator – CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST

This is less of an R&B album than his last two but it also tightens his rapping down to needlepoint precision. Some of the best bars of the year are on here.

1. Porter Robinson – Nurture

Beautiful, uplifting, endlessly textured pop music. Kind of corny but bright and full of feeling.

You can listen to Luke’s entire Top 5 Albums of 2021 playlist below.