Many of us anticipated 2021 to be a cathartic, celebratory return to normalcy, but it hasn’t turned out to be. But, as best we can, we’re making progress. The point we’re leading up to here is that a lot of the anticipated albums of 2021 just released and made a good vibe all over the music world. So here are five anticipated albums am going to introduce to you.

Coldplay: Music of the Spheres***

October 15

Coldplay’s ninth studio album Music of the Spheres was released on 15 October 2021. The concept album is set in a fictional planetary system called The Spheres, which contains nine planets, three natural satellites, a star, and a nebula. It features guest appearances from Selena Gomez, We Are King, Jacob Collier, and BTS. The album received mixed reviews from critics, who criticized its overtly pop sensibilities and style.

Courtney Barnett: Things Take Time, Take Time***

November 12

Courtney Barnett’s third studio album Things Take Time, Take Time was released on 12 November 2021. It was recorded in Melbourne and Sydney from late 2020 to early 2021 with producer/drummer Stella Mozgawa. The first single, “Rae Street”, was released on 7 July 2021; its music video follows the residents of a suburban street, all of whom are played by Barnett. It was written over the course of two years and produced alongside producer/drummer Stella Mozgawa. The song “Rae Street” leads the album, which is the follow-up to 2018’s Tell Me How You Really Feel.

Damon Albarn: The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows***

November 12

Damon Albarn’s most recent solo album began as an orchestral work. The leader of Gorillaz and Blur revealed plans to tour the piece with a string ensemble in 2020 in 2019. After the pandemic derailed those plans, Albarn went back into the studio to work on his next album. The album’s 11 compositions were inspired by Iceland’s spectacular natural beauty.

BadBadNotGood: Talk Memory***

October 8

BadBadNotGood focused on cooperation and improvisation for their new album Talk Memory, bringing in a diverse range of musicians to expand on their established style, including renowned Brazilian composer Arthur Verocai, Terrace Martin, Laraaji, Karriem Riggins, and harpist Brandee Younger. As indicated by the nine-minute lead song “Signal From the Noise,” a psychedelic jazz adventure, the outcome is a more free-form BadBadNotGood. Talk Memory is the fifth solo album by Canadian instrumental group BadBadNotGood. It was released on October 8, 2021, by XL Recordings and Innovative Leisure. A mostly improvisational work, it was produced and written by the trio with contributions from American instrumentalists.

Bomba Estéreo: Deja***

September 10

The release plan for Bomba Estéreo’s first album since 2017’s Ayo is separated into four parts based on the four classical components. The versatile Colombian pop quartet released the Agua EP in February, which featured Lido Pimienta and Afro-Cuban duet Okan on the title tune. The Aire EP, a three-track offering, appeared in April, followed by Tierra in July. The whole album Deja was released on September 10, and it’s “about the connection and detachment of human beings—from the world, from one’s own self,” according to singer Li Saumet.