There’s more going on in the world of music than just best-of lists, of course. This week the world-dominating pop group BTS returned to the stage for the first time since before the pandemic, for four nights in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium. Photographer Hannah Yoon was there to meet some of the few hundred thousand fans that attended these shows, and she brought home a photo essay of the ARMY in their finest. Also, the year’s breakout indie pop band, Wet Leg, whose first single, “Chaise Longue,” happened to be NPR Music’s No. 2 song of the year, released its third and fourth songs ever — and played a Tiny Desk (home) concert from a record store near the musicians’ homes on the Isle of Wight.
Finally, please check out this profile of the Bay Area duo The Dodos by Grayson Haver Currin. Guitarist Meric Long and drummer Logan Kroeber have been putting out percussive acoustic rock for more than a dozen years, but recently Long discovered that his style of playing had contributed to a debilitating injury that could end his musical career. It’s a fascinating look at one cost of playing music for a living, which Grayson puts in context by talking to musicians like Max Weinberg, Yasmin Williams and Leo Kottke, who have all learned to live — and play — with pain and disability incurred through years of practicing their art.
One more bit of list business. Since we don’t expect you’ll agree with our picks, we’ve got a place where you can tell us your favorite albums of 2021: All Songs Considered's annual listener poll is collecting votes now.
And just to prove that the year was overflowing with great music, next week we’ll begin sharing lists and features on the best pop, hip-hop, classical and electronic music of 2021. We’ll be back here next week with more of the year’s best. |
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