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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at FIU chapter.

2021 was a hard year, but there were some positives. Some of those included award-winning TV shows, blockbuster movies, and the newest releases in music.

With the Covid-19 pandemic still looming in 2021, I had to find ways to entertain myself during another year of quarantine. That’s when I started listening to new music and revisited old favorites. Listening to the albums listed below gave me an escape from reality and hopefully they’ll do the same for you.

These are the 7 albums that helped me get through 2021…

Sour by Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo’s record-breaking debut album SOUR was released in May 2021. The day that the album released, I streamed it non-stop. It was no surprise to see Olivia as my No. 1 Top Artist and drivers license as my No. 1 Top Song on my Spotify Wrapped for 2021.

SOUR on Spotify

My favorite songs: deja vu, good 4 u, drivers license, traitor, enough for you, and jealousy, jealousy

Heartbreak Weather by Niall Horan

Niall Horan, known for his rise to fame as a member of One Direction, released his second solo album, Heartbreak Weather, in March 2020. Heartbreak Weather exceeded my expectations following the release of Horan’s hugely successful debut album, Flicker. This is one of my favorite albums that was released in 2020 and it’s helped me get through two years of quarantine. This album is a must-listen-to.

Heartbreak Weather on Spotify

My favorite songs: the entire album (trust me when I say it has absolutely no skips!)

Fine Line by harry styles

Harry Styles, also a former member of One Direction, released the musical masterpiece that is Fine Line in December 2019. Although, it was released in 2019, the album is still very popular considering Styles just wrapped up the North American leg of his Love on Tour. I absolutely adore this album and have been streaming it non-stop ever since it came out.

Fine Line on Spotify

My favorite songs: Golden, Canyon Moon, Adore You, Lights Up, and To Be So Lonely

fearless (Taylor’s version) by taylor swift

Taylor Swift’s re-recorded version of her 2008 Fearless album, aptly titled Fearless (Taylor’s Version), was the first re-recorded album that she released. The re-recorded version was released in April 2021. Although I wasn’t a Taylor Swift fan back then, it was great to be able to revisit her older music with the release of Fearless (Taylor’s Version).

Fearless (Taylor’s Version) on Spotify

My favorite songs: Love Story (Taylor’s Version), You Belong With Me (Taylor’s Version), Forever & Always (Taylor’s Version), and Fearless (Taylor’s Version)

red (taylor’s version) by taylor swift

Yes, I had to include another Taylor Swift album here. Taylor’s much-anticipated re-recorded version of her 2012 Red album finally released in November 2021. It’s been 3 months since it came out and I still can’t get enough of it, especially since we finally got the ten minute version of All Too Well (Swifties, rejoice!).

Red (Taylor’s Version) on Spotify

My favorite songs: All Too Well (10 Minute Version)(Taylor’s Version)(From The Vault), I Knew You Were Trouble (Taylor’s Version), Message In A Bottle (Taylor’s Version)(From the Vault), We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor’s Version), and Treacherous (Taylor’s Version)

Thank u, Next by ariana grande

Ariana Grande’s thank u, next album was released in February 2019. Despite being released in 2019, the album’s still relevant to me and keeps me entertained whenever I hear my favorite tracks. Thank u, next is one of my favorite albums that was released in 2019.

thank u, next on Spotify

My favorite songs: 7 rings, thank u, next; break up with your girlfriend, I’m bored; and NASA

Four by one direction

One Direction may be on a “hiatus” (yes, I’m still holding out hope for a reunion!) since 2015 but that doesn’t mean their albums are irrelevant. FOUR was released in November 2014 and it was the last album that featured former bandmate Zayn Malik. Even though the album came out 7 years ago, it’s still one of my favorite albums of theirs and it gave me some nostalgia throughout quarantine.

FOUR on Spotify

My favorite songs: Night Changes, No Control, Spaces, Fireproof, Stockholm Syndrome, Fool’s Gold, Girl Almighty, and Where Do Broken Hearts Go

I hope you enjoyed my list of the 7 albums that helped me get through the mess that was 2021. These albums will always have special places in my heart and will never get old.

Nicolle Hernandez was the Treasurer and Social Media Assistant at the Her Campus at Florida International University (FIU) chapter. As Treasurer, she oversaw the chapter's finances and funding. In her role as the Social Media Assistant, Nicolle worked with the social media team to publish a variety of content, including graphic design posts, video content, member-specific content, and more. Nicolle was also a writer for Her Campus FIU during the Spring 2022 term, in which she focused mainly on entertainment topics. At Florida International University, Nicolle is a Digital Communication and Media major with a concentration in Digital Journalism. She is also pursuing a minor in Social Media and E-Marketing Analytics. As a result of her dedication to her studies, Nicolle has been awarded several Dean’s List recognitions. Being a part of Her Campus has given Nicolle a great sense of pride and individuality. She considers herself grateful to have gotten the opportunity to explore her passion for writing. In her free time, Nicolle enjoys listening to music, watching rom-com movies, and traveling the world.