David Vasquez’s 2021 Music Review
Over the past year, I listened to hundreds of new songs, just as I did in 2020, primarily because I love music, but also because I wanted to share my thoughts on what were the best released this year. 2020 was an incredible year for music, and 2021 has seen its own share of great music released. Alongside the yearly emergence of new artists, 2021 saw the return of established stars such as Adele and ABBA. As such, I listened to new music released by everyone from Swedish House Mafia, The War On Drugs, and Limp Bizkit, to Lorde, Olivia Rodrigo, and the Artist Formerly Known as Kanye West. In this effort, I’ve ranked the top 40 songs, as well as an extended list of the top 100. I judged each accordingly by its genre, chart performance, songwriting, and relation to other songs, among other criteria. Songs originally released in 2021, and songs released in 2020 that achieved prominence and were included on an album released in 2021 were eligible. (I did not consider the 10 minute version of All Too Well). Here are the top 40 songs for the year 2021:
40. Saturday - Twenty One Pilots
Twenty One Pilots released their first studio album since 2017 this year, Scaled And Icy, which was admittedly, disappointing when one considers not just how great it’s predecessor Trench was, but the entirety of Twenty One Pilots' catalog. This is partly due to a change in direction for the band, which some people enjoyed. “Saturday" was the most accessible to pop radio song on the album, and in my opinion the best. It’s a good, solid pop song, which feels in tone like a follow-up to last year’s single “Level Of Concern.” It’s bright, catchy, and syncopated towards the end, which is always fun. I’m a sucker for syncopation.
39. Cold Heart — Elton John, Dua Lipa, PNAU
Congratulations goes out to Sir Elton John for his latest hit and first number-one single in the UK in 16 years, with assists from Dua Lipa and PNAU. “Cold Heart” is a perfect mashup of Elton John’s previous hit single “Sacrifice” and the timeless “Rocket Man.” The mid-tempo house track features, alongside John’s 1980s voice, Dua Lipa providing vocals on the “Rocket Man” chorus. Dua Lipa blends seamlessly with the disco sound and is a natural continuation of her Future Nostalgia sound. “Cold Heart” highlights the timeless nature of not only Elton John’s music, but of classic rock, as though certain genres may not receive airplay on popular radio, the truly great songs and truly great poetry can be adapted to be accessible in any medium and by any generation.
38. Under The Sun - Cuco
“Under The Sun" is an exceptionally well-written song, a sound of both blazing hot, sunny afternoons and dark rooms with the blinds drawn and A/C turned on blast. Starting off with a sort of reggae-feel and a soaring chorus, the song suddenly breaks down into a Spanish verse over a cumbia, which is then followed by a Carlos Santana-esque guitar solo. Each segment of the song is unexpected, morphing from Sublime to Santana, resulting in a sound which is a sort of Latin concept album-like song, a really cool song, by indie artist Cuco.
37. Essence — WizKid, Justin Bieber, Tems
“Essence” is an Afrobeat and R&B summer hit from Nigerian artist WizKid, with features from Tems and pop superstar Justin Bieber. A love song which was originally sung between just WizKid and Tems, a remix was later released with Bieber providing his own new verse and backup vocals. The song is the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Global Music Performance. Not only is the hook incredibly catchy, but also the opening verse, as the melody, rising up the scale, is untraditional and immediately captures the listener. The addition of Bieber truly elevates “Essence” to the next level.
36. Stay — The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber
I’m not going to lie, The Kid LAROI has released like two songs over the course of his very short career, both of which have been hits, and I’m already sort of tired of him. I don’t know what it is, but I cannot deny that “Stay” is a great pop song, and I do like it. A collaboration with Justin Bieber, “Stay” is a fast, high-energy sound of loud, in-your-face synths punctuating an infectious melody. “Stay” sees the singers deal with a difficult relationship as they essentially beg their respective flings to stay with them. It hits all the right notes to function as a great pop song. As an aside, songs like these, fast-paced synthpop and electronic dance songs, are truly where Justin Bieber is at his best. Songs like “Where Are Ü Now” and his own 2021 release Skrillex-produced track “Don’t Go” fit Bieber well, and he really should produce more songs as such.
35. Let Down - Michigander
Michigander is an indie artist I first heard funnily enough while cruising down Pleasant Park and listening to one of the Fortnite in-game radio stations. The song was “Let Down" a simple yet well-written song which, were Michigander to become big enough, could easily fill a stadium like it was performed by U2. The song is my favorite off his new EP. While arena rock is so synonymous with classic rock and mainstream modern rock in the vein of 2000s U2 and Coldplay, Michigander manages to channel that sound through the sound of indie and alternative. As a result, Michigander has positioned himself as the voice of what might be an entirely new indie and alternative arena rock subgenre which is accessible to a new generation. “Cause I have high hopes / they usually let me down"
34. Way 2 Sexy - Drake, Future, Young Thug
Sampling 1992’s legendary tune from Right Said Fred, “Way 2 Sexy" is a modern, and much cooler version of “I’m Too Sexy.” Future takes the main hook while Drake carries the verse. The best thing however, as has become a tradition with Drizzy, is the music video, a comedic video that sees Drake take turns performing as a variety of characters including an 80s aerobic instructor, beach dad-bod, Michael Jackson, and Rambo. The video also features a rare dancing cameo from famed comedian Kawhi Leonard. When people consider who creates the greatest music videos, it’s time that Drake be acknowledged as up there with the likes of Michael Jackson.
33. Seeing Green - Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Drake
A surprise track included with the re-release of her 2009 classic Beam Me Up Scotty, “Seeing Green” is a 2021 reunion of the classic Young Money trio: Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and Drake. Each YMCMB superstar provides a successive verse worthy of their names and worthy of the expectations one gets when thinking YMBMB. It’s a hearkening back to a classic era of rap and hip hop, with verses relevant to current times, as Lil Wayne raps about taking his Balenciaga mask off. Drake closes out the song with the third verse, with bar after bar replete with wit, puns, and humor.
32. WUSYANAME - Tyler, The Creator, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Ty Dolla $ign
Tyler, The Creator opens this track with one of the smoothest pickup lines known to man: “Aw, you look malnourished. (Malnourished)” Incredible. “WUSYANAME” sees Tyler, The Creator repeatedly ask the proverbial question to a girl he’s met, “what’s your name, girlfriend?” The smooth R&B song features vocals from YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Ty Dolla $ign, as well as absolutely incredible lyricism and production, as is typical and characteristic of Tyler, The Creator.
31. Woman - Little Simz, Cleo Sol
Little Simz, the 27-year old British-Nigerian rapper, delivers one of the best rap and R&B performances of the year with “Woman,” a song she describes as a celebration of women everywhere. Name-dropping the women from various African countries such as “Miss Sierra Leone” and “Miss Ethiopia” who “can play so jazzy,” as well as Donna Summer, Little Simz gives her own tribute to the women of the world, a sort of modern day British Hip Hop rendition of “California Girls” by The Beach Boys. As great as her performance is however, what manages to almost steal the show is the chorus, which is a dreamy and beautiful hook sung by Cleo Sol. “I love how you go from zero to one hundred / and leave the dust behind.” I love the chords on this track as well. Awesome jazz chords, embellished with a beautiful, space lounge-pop marimba.
30. Skate - Silk Sonic
Bruno Mars stormed back into popular music this year with Anderson .Paak as the new duo Silk Sonic. A revival of the disco, R&B, and soul of the 1970s, Silk Sonic is a breath of fresh air in pop music. “Skate" starts off with strings sounding like a Barry White tune, before the beat kicks in and it hits into an up-tempo dance track. Like a classic disco in the vein of White or Lou Rawls, the strings, which are present throughout the song, are absolutely gorgeous. “Skate" is a great pop song made for radio despite it’s 70s framework, and further evidence of Bruno Mars' status as one of the most versatile and important artists of his generation.
29. Take My Breath - The Weeknd
“Take My Breath” continues The Weeknd’s evolution towards synth pop. A dark dance track, “Take My Breath” is built around a driving guitar and 808, and The Weeknd produces a track which is built to be not only a club hit but a top 40 hit. As has become common among The Weeknd tracks but should not be taken for granted, “Take My Breath” features gorgeous, powerful synths. The synths accentuate and embellish The Weeknd’s vocals, who themselves continue to evoke Michael Jackson and serve as their own synthetic instrument.
28. Close To You - Dayglow
My favorite song off his sophomore release, “Close To You" by Dayglow sees the Austin west campus-based artist produce an up-tempo dance song which is different in style from the music of his debut album. Singer Sloan Struble described the song as being one about the tension between two people at a party who never spoke to each other. The change in pace works for Dayglow, and the driving kick punches hard, providing for an infectious rhythm which makes it difficult to not tap your foot.
27. Happier Than Ever - Billie Eilish
“Happier Than Ever” is the titular song from her sophomore album, and is so for good reason; the song is an absolute epic, beginning as a soft, acoustic, soulful ballad, with Billie’s vocals filtered to sound as if played on an old tape recorder, the song suddenly transitions midway through to a loud, 6/8 power ballad, with electric guitar and passionate vocals. Billie sings that when she is away from the person she’s singing to, a lover, that is when she’s happier than ever. And the reason that she feels that way is initially unexplainable. She ultimately in the closing verses begins to list off some of the reasons why, one of which is curious for its specificity to Gen Z, but is also relevant to all listeners via different interpretations.
26. Stoned At The Nail Salon - Lorde
After a nearly four-year hiatus, Lorde finally returned with her third studio album Solar Power, a sharp left turn from the indie synth pop we’re used to. While the album is polarizing, and in my opinion disappointing, “Stoned At The Nail Salon” is a beautiful track. Lorde is one of the great pop figures in modern times because of (1) her voice, and (2) her songwriting and vision. It’s her songwriting however which takes centerstage on this mellow track that sees Lorde reflect on how much her life has changed since 2013. Lorde begins the first chorus by reminding the listener that “all of the beautiful girls they will fade like the roses.” In the second chorus she laments “all of the music you loved at 16 you’ll grow out of.” She finally closes the song in the third chorus by urging the listener to “spend all the evenings you can with the people who raised you.” It is as if Lorde is speaking for all those Gen Z young adults who were teens in 2013 when she released Pure Heroine, and who have now grown up with her. Though she admits that she loves the life she currently lives, it is as if in this song, taken in totality with the polarizing change in sound of the album, Lorde is admitting that like the listener, she longs for aspects of 2013 from time to time.
25. Jail - Kanye West
The opening track of his latest project Donda, named for his late mother. Ye’s vocals are top-notch on this performance, and it is truly one his best vocal performances ever, laced with his classic Ye autotune. What steals the show however is the highly anticipated return of longtime Yeezy collaborator JAY Z. Jay acknowledges during his verse, “This might be the return of The Throne.” Jay Z’s arrival is one of the most hype moments of the album, as Jay riffs on the album’s gospel themes amidst Ye’s conversion, opening with “God in my cell, that’s my cell-y / Made in the image of God that’s a selfie / pray five times a day so many felonies / who gon’ post my bail Lord help me”
24. Transparent Soul - Willow, Travis Barker
Willow took a turn in 2021 toward pop-punk along stars such as Olivia Rodrigo and Machine Gun Kelly. Truly no one has benefited from this latest craze though more than Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, who is enjoying a career resurgence as every single pop artist is rushing to include him in their efforts to sound like Avril Lavigne or 2000s Green Day. It’s only a matter of time before Lizzo goes punk with Travis Barker. Anyways, this commentary is unfair to Willow, as “Transparent Soul" is easily one of the best songs of the year with a truly incredible chorus. Energetic throughout, what’s special about this song is that it immediately captures the listener in a mood, and it manages to do so within only a few seconds. Willow’s vocals are in top form and carry a soaring chorus. Not only is this song one of the best of the year, it should be considered among the best in the pop-punk genre.
23. Moth To A Flame - Swedish House Mafia, The Weeknd
“Moth To A Flame” lives up to its billing as a collaboration between one of the biggest pop stars of this generation and the legendary EDM supergroup of Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Steve Angello, better known as Swedish House Mafia. The third single from their upcoming 2022 studio album, their first major project since going on hiatus at the height of their fame in 2012, “Moth To A Flame” is a return to form by Swedish House Mafia, and a dream collaboration with The Weeknd. The track strikes the perfect balance between the house music Swedish House Mafia fans are accustomed to and the direction of current EDM and popular music, partly due to the addition of The Weeknd, but also because it straddles that line where house music is accessible to pop radio, which is more difficult to do than when Swedish House Mafia last appeared on pop radio with “Don’t You Worry Child.” It functions as both a Swedish House Mafia track and a song that could have appeared on The Weeknd’s own last album. For his part, I can only imagine that had The Weeknd been as big an artist then as he is now that he would have been a staple in house music during its early 2010’s heyday.
22. Moon - Kanye West
With Kid Cudi and Don Toliver providing the primary vocals, Ye delivers what is easily the most beautiful, and most enthralling song of 2021. A simple song built around lush synth pads and an electric guitar, “Moon" sees Ye ponder through layered vocals how he can reach the Moon, a question which, given the Gospel messages prevalent on Donda is accessible to a variety of interpretations whether sung to another person, God, or something else entirely. “I wanna go to the Moon / Don’t leave so soon / How can I get through"
21. It Won’t Always Be Like This - Inhaler
Inhaler released their highly-anticipated debut album this summer. The title track “It Won’t Always Be Like This" sees Dublin’s hottest new rock band produce a song which is relevant in both music and lyrics despite it’s heavy 70s/80s post-punk influences, complete with prominent, driving bass. What has truly separated Inhaler in their previous releases from their indie peers has been the quality of production present in their music. One of the coolest things about Inhaler is just how much lead singer Elijah Hewson sounds like his father Bono did in the early 1980s. “It Won’t Always Be Like This" is nothing short of an alternative masterpiece, bright and loud, unsure yet defiant.
20. Serotonin - Girl In Red
“Serotonin” is the opener on indie rock artist Girl In Red’s debut album if i could make it go quiet. Co-produced by Billie Eilish collaborator/brother/indie artist FINNEAS, “Serotonin” is such a great rock song, a blend of various styles, primarily punk and alternative. The song sees the Norwegian singer-songwriter explore her own difficulties with her mental health, as despite its fast pace and driving beat, the chorus reveals, “I’m running low on serotonin / chemical imbalance got me twisting things / stabilize with medicine / but there’s no depth to these feelings.” The verses feature a fast-paced rap that sounds as if the singer is really losing control as she contemplates “intrusive thoughts.” Credit goes to Girl In Red, as “Serotonin” is essentially, in both lyrics and spirit, a modern-day “Semi-Charmed Life,” the timeless 90s alt rock Third Eye Blind anthem.
19. Believe What I Say - Kanye West
Built around a sample from Ms. Lauryn Hill’s 1998 classic “Doo-Wop" from her immortal solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, “Believe What I Say" is another in a long line of Ye club bangers that has no business being anything but a Top 40 hit. In addition to his many titles, Ye holds status as one of the greatest pop songwriters of all time despite his increasing distance from Top 40 radio. Ye carries the song solo on an album full of features, singing “Don’t let don’t let the lifestyle drag you down / who knows when was the last time you felt the love / one last sparkle to follow in my light / one last sparkle.”
18. Yonaguni - Bad Bunny
“Yonaguni” is another in a long line of hits from Latin hip-hop’s hottest star Bad Bunny, and one of the best in his catalog. “Yonaguni” is named for the Japanese island, and the song is notable for its outro, which sees Bad Bunny actually sing in Japanese. “Yonaguni” has a fun hook, and is melodious throughout the mid-tempo, chilled-out reggaetón. With “Yonaguni,” Bad Bunny was able to break a tie with legendary Latino artists Enrique Iglesias and Luis Miguel and set a new record for most top 10 singles, at forty total. Benito sings in melancholy of his inability to get over a love with someone he no longer sees.
17. Fair Trade - Drake, Travis Scott
Drake and Travis Scott team up again on what is in my opinion the best song off his new studio album Certified Lover Boy in “Fair Trade,” a track that sees Drake continue to explore themes he’s previously brought up in 2013’s “Started From The Bottom”: fake friends and the benefits, or lack thereof, that come from having them. Drake considers it a fair trade to lose these fake friends, singing on the chorus, “I’m outside, 29, G5, seaside / I’ve been losing friends and finding peace / honestly that sounds like a fair trade to me.” The track is a good song and able to stand alone on its own as a fair shot for Drake at a hit single, until Travis Scott arrives about three-fourths of the way in, injecting the song with new energy and second-life like only Travis Scott can. Scott is what elevates this song to the next level.
16. Lesson In Depression - Charley Crockett
“You’re gonna get yourself a lesson in depression / from the king of his profession” sings the Son of Davy and Rio Grande Valley native in his tribute to the late country songwriter James Hand. “Lesson In Depression” is a classic honky-tonk replete with slide guitar, and Crockett’s classic baritone brings to mind Johnny Cash and George Jones. However, what sets this song apart from others in Country music, even those reviving the neo-traditional sound, is the subject matter of the lyrics: a lesson in depression, which, ironically, is a breath of fresh air amidst all too common country songs of beer, trucks, and break-ups.
15. Bad Habits - Ed Sheeran
Among the critically acclaimed artists that returned in 2021 was Ed Sheeran, who’s lead single off his 5th studio album “=” saw the pop singer-songwriter explore a new sound uncharacteristic of Sheeran. This new sound is present not only in the infectious kick drum and bass, which punch incredibly hard and are almost shocking on the first listen, but also in Sheeran’s voice, which he uses almost exclusively in a higher register than is typical of him. Such use of his voice makes him sound almost unrecognizable on the first listen. “Bad Habits,” as is typical of Ed Sheeran songs, is incredibly well-written lyric-wise. What makes it a truly great pop song and one of the best of the year, and what distinguishes it from the rest of the singles released by Sheeran from his new album, is just how well the song operates as a pop song. Everything from the theme, the melody, instrumentation, and the speed with which the listener is engaged is built for radio, and built to be a hit.
14. Volví - Aventura, Bad Bunny
Legendary bachata group Aventura returns from their hiatus with a collaboration with Bad Bunny. The sound of “Volví” is a window into the history of Latin popular music, featuring the kings of Bachata and the current king of the increasingly popular Latin hip hop, Bad Bunny. The sound is a dream collaboration, and Bad Bunny fits perfectly within the bachata sound. I’ve long been a big fan of bachata, and this track is one I didn’t know I needed. Romeo Santos’ voice is eternal, and the mashup of his and Bad Bunny’s is a perfect fit. Aventura is anticipated to embark on a final tour in 2022.
13. I Bet You Think About Me - Taylor Swift, Chris Stapleton
It truly is something that an unreleased song from the vault by an artist who no longer represents Nashville released the best country song of 2021. And I do not intend that as an insult to country music. I’m amazed at the quality of songs that were written by Taylor Swift and left off her 2012 album Red and stored in the vault, songs like “Better Man” and “Babe,” which were later hits for Little Big Town and Sugarland, respectively. Performed with backing vocals from one of Country’s best artists today in Chris Stapleton, “I Bet You Think About Me” continues themes classic to Swift, especially from her Red era. A country ballad filled with harmonica, “I Bet You Think About Me” sees Swift continue to express her emotions regarding a former boyfriend, likely Jake Gyllenhaal, demonstrating her lyrical songwriting mastery at its absolute peak. She continues on and on almost breathlessly, and you begin to recognize a sort of irony to the song’s applicability to Swift herself, right up until the closing lines, a perfect ending: “I bet you think about me when you say / ‘Oh my god, she’s insane, she wrote a song about me’ / I bet you think about me”.
12. Pressure Machine - The Killers
Fresh off their outstanding 2020 album Imploding The Mirage, The Killers returned in 2021 with a surprise concept album, Pressure Machine. While the album’s folk and Americana genre is a far departure from the synths and electric guitars Killers fans are accustomed to, the title track off the album is a beautiful song that features frontman Brandon Flowers singing in an atypical and rare falsetto. Flowers has one of the greatest voices in rock history, yet when he sings in a falsetto, it provides a whole new dimension to the voice of a man known for the passion and divine right with which he’s been singing since 2004 when The Killers burst onto the scene with “Mr. Brightside.” “Pressure Machine” begins with a spoken word of a woman describing how she and her husband met, and how she is uncomfortable with their future plans. The song begins and Flowers sings as a working class husband in Utah, the state where he grew up in, who’s trying to manage his marriage and provide for his family. He describes the “Kingdom of God” as a pressure machine, and he sings about trying to keep his family’s financial struggles from the kids. The song closes with him continuing about his marital struggles, singing, “If I shut my mouth and keep the peace, she’ll cook my eggs in bacon grease.” The song ends with an extended outro featuring a violin.
11. Hurricane - Kanye West
“Father hold me close / don’t let me drown / I know you won’t” sings The Weeknd, who carries the lead vocals on “Hurricane,” a track that also features Lil Baby. Ye continues to explore his newfound faith on “Hurricane" a track that has lingered around the internet in some form for several years before finally being released in August. The chorus references the Apostle Peter, who famously walked on water prior to becoming scared and sinking. Ye compares himself to Peter, saying he can now walk on water, yet he still asks God not to let him drown, before declaring confidently “I know you won’t.”
10. Get You Down - Sam Fender
New off his sophomore album Seventeen Going Under, one of the United Kingdom’s hottest rising alternative stars breaks beyond his Springsteen roots and towards his own sound in “Get You Down.” The best track off the album, “Get You Down” features every element characteristic of a Sam Fender track: loud guitars, earnest lyrics, and righteous, impassioned vocals. The song certainly carries with it Fender’s Springsteen influences, yet it becomes evident towards the end of the song that this is an entirely new sound from Fender altogether, as strings swell and play in tandem with the lead guitar. Fender has one of the greatest and most powerful voices in music at large today, not just alternative and indie rock.
9. 1 Way - DMA’S
Following their 2020 electronic venture into the sounds of Madchester, DMA’S return to a more classic DMA’S sound, built heavily around reverberating guitars and Tommy O’Dell’s anthemic vocals. The song is one of three such tunes on DMA’S surprise August EP I Love You Unconditionally, Sure Am Going to Miss You. “1 Way" is a return to form by the indie band from down under, who drew early comparisons to Oasis and The Stone Roses, and it is a triumphant one. What the song lacks in the vagueness of it’s lyrics is made up for in the sheer power and atmospheric quality of it’s anthemic sound. This song is loud, and it punches immediately, establishing itself instantly as one of the indie band’s best songs and absolutely perfect for filling arenas and the wide, dark expanse of a music festival.
8. Renegade - Big Red Machine, Taylor Swift
While Taylor Swift certainly had a busy year, releasing re-recorded versions of her classic studio albums Fearless and Red, each featuring their own unreleased and previously unheard songs “from the vault,” she did not release any other original songs, or feature on any other, which no one can blame her for after releasing two new albums last year and re-recording of two albums this year. “Renegade” sees her as the featured vocalist on a collaboration with Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon’s indie band Big Red Machine. Dessner himself is an accomplished producer who co-produced Swift’s latest albums folklore and evermore, and a founding member of rock ground The National. Written by Dessner and Swift following their evermore sessions, “Renegade” is masterpiece of a folk song, a blend of acoustic instruments and soft synthesizers, which continues the sounds explored by Swift on her latest albums, and examines the difficulties and issues which arise from being in a relationship with someone who deals with mental health issues, particularly anxiety and fear, as those problems pose challenges to their ability to love each other. “Are you really gonna talk about timing in times like these? / And let all your damage damage me / And carry your baggage up my street / And make me your future history, it’s time”
7. Wants And Needs - Drake, Lil Baby
“I probably should go link with Yeezy, I need me some Jesus” “Wants and Needs” sees Drake at his best in 2021, discussing both his wants and needs, and a growing realization that his lifestyle is all mixed up and his priorities are misaligned. The real highlight of the track however is Lil Baby’s feature, a furious verse that sees Lil Baby drop bar after bar acknowledging himself as fitting the description of the GOAT, and making a welcome shout out to Drake’s classic 2011 hit from his sophomore release Take Care which reached its 10 year anniversary this year: “I’m screaming out YOLO yeah that’s still the motto.” Drizzy lists off everything on his mind, including sin, women, money, friends, before acknowledging he should repent. “I need me some Jesus in my life Amen.”
6. My Honest Face - Inhaler
“I can be Elvis on a Tuesday night / 1 2 3 4 5 all right” The strongest song off their highly anticipated debut album It Won’t Always Be Like This, “My Honest Face” is fast, loud, and a call back towards Joy Division, The Stone Roses, and Echo and the Bunnymen. Lead singer Elijah Hewson delivers an incredible vocal performance, but each instrument is audible and impressive in its own right. The bass is loud, just how I like it, and carries the driving sound, building towards an incredible climax with Hewson singing in an almost panic. It can be difficult to try and repurpose an older genre such as 70s/80s post-punk that has fallen out of relevance, and still produce something that sounds new and original without sounding just a rehash of a song that’s been written before. Inhaler manages to do so and gives no indication that it was anything but effortless, establishing themselves with their own unique sound in the alternative scene and something which I anticipate will only attract its own followers as Inhaler grows in popularity.
5. Todo De Ti - Rauw Alejandro
In a world that is increasingly supportive of Latin music and stars such as Bad Bunny and J. Balvin are increasingly prominent in popular radio and culture, it is curious that this interest has been limited to only Latin hip-hop. Rauw Alejandro is a new artist who’s single “Todo De Ti” breaks that mold and offers a Spanish language 80s synthpop dance track. Maybe this is a genre that existed that I had just yet to hear, but its effect is to act as an answer to void you didn’t know was missing. “Todo De Ti” is such a great pop song, and a great summer song, which is what Rauw Alejandro said he was aiming for. Alejandro’s voice when in the upper register and autotuned evokes the party of the early 2010s like Ne-Yo or Chris Brown.
4. Leave Before You Love Me - Marshmello, Jonas Brothers
The first time I heard “Leave Before You Love Me” I was hooked by the chorus. There are things which make a good pop song a good pop song, i.e. the melody, how catchy it is, how short the song is, how quickly it captures the listener’s attention, and who’s performing it. However, there are also things which make a pop song a great pop song that are indescribable. “Leave Before You Love Me” has all of these things. It is an absolutely outstanding pop song, and I’m stunned that, as big a hit as it was, it was not even bigger. The melody is fantastic, but what’s special about this song is its simplicity: it only gives the listener only what they absolutely need. The chorus, as catchy as it is, is only ever sung one time through, and in total, only two times. This leaves the song relatively short at 2 minutes and 35 seconds. The chorus is so good that I think the song could have benefitted from one more run through, but ironically, if anything it just leaves the listener wanting to play it again. Like U2’s classic “With Or Without You” it gives the listener only what they absolutely need, and nothing more. When your goal is Top 40 radio, where every conventional wisdom says to give more, louder, and faster, with more remixes and more features, it takes a lot of guts to do what Marshmello and The Jonas Brothers did: show restraint, and create pop art.
3. Leave The Door Open - Silk Sonic
One of the highlights of 2021 was taking a trip to the 70s with Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, or, Silk Sonic. One of the best things about this new project is that Bruno Mars finally returns to the scene. Bruno Mars’ voice, both vocal as well as creative voice, is needed, and it had been too long since he was present in popular music, since 2018 with “24k Magic.” “Leave The Door Open” evokes the sounds the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds and Arctic Monkeys’ 2018 project Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino, as both Mars and Anderson .Paak turn in outstanding and compelling vocal performances. I encourage everyone to listen to their full album, released in November, and spend an evening with Silk Sonic.
2. Deja Vu - Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo in her debut album Sour released one of the greatest debut albums of all time. While most outlets and music critics have breakout hit “Driver’s License” as her best song, I think “Deja Vu” is not only superior, but one of the greatest pop songs of all time. “Deja Vu” starts as a mellow track with soft vocals before finally climaxing in an anthemic outro. What separates “Deja Vu” from all other pop songs is that the subject matter of this song, of the phenomenon of Déjà vu and its application to an ex-boyfriend and relationship, is so unique, and I don’t think it’s a message that’s ever been told before. Rodrigo asks her ex-boyfriend if he gets Déjà vu from doing all the things they did together with his new girlfriend, everything from their names sounding the same, to Billy Joel, as Olivia claims she was the one who taught him “Uptown Girl.” Such references, to Billy Joel, may be at first listen slightly ridiculous, as one asks themselves, “how can I take someone serious who thinks they’re a music junkie just because they heard an underground song called ‘Piano Man’?” However, the truth is that everyone at some point or another heard artists such as Billy Joel for the first time, just as everyone at one point likely experienced the same emotions of which Rodrigo sings throughout Sour. Olivia Rodrigo closes the song almost in a rage, shouting, confidently and assured, “A different girl now but there’s nothing new / I know you get Deja Vu.”
1. Off The Grid - Kanye West
Backed by Fivio Foreign and Playboi Carti, “Off The Grid” sees Ye provide the best song of the year 2021, off what is in my opinion the best album of the year, Donda. “Off The Grid” features 3 incredible verses back to back to back, from Playboi Carti, Fivio Foreign, and Ye closing the track out, each better than the last. “Off The Grid” has outstanding production, a dark track on Ye’s latest project since becoming a born-again Christian in 2019. Ye first revealed “Off The Grid” at his second listening party at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where the world first heard the haunting Brooklyn Drill and Ye flew around the stage like the Babadook. The finished version was performed at the third and final listening party in Chicago. The song begins with a haunting, distorted synth which is prevalent throughout, and Playboi Carti delivers a short but crazy verse, before a dominating bass line descends suddenly during Fivio’s verse, immediately taking over the sound. As Ye increasingly becomes more acclaimed as a producer, and increasingly features other artists who often carry heavy-duty on his tracks, Ye returns himself to rap on the third verse, a modern flow that is rapid and worthy of following Fivio’s, which is probably the best of the year. The authority and manner with which Ye delivers his lines vibes with his recent comments that he felt in making Donda that he had to come back as Thanos to wipeout all the copycat Ye’s and reassert himself as the Ye. As evidenced by his three live listening sessions, where Ye sold out three stadiums and performed working versions of his songs as he tweaked them, and offered visual performative art to accompany them, Ye stands alone at this point in his career as an artist. Drake may have sold more records with Certified Lover Boy, but there is only one Ye. “I keep it clean, but it can get messy / I talk to God every day, that’s my bestie / They playing soccer in my backyard, I think I see Messi"
…We off the grid grid grid grid
Here’s the rest of the top 100 songs of 2021, numbered 100–41.
