The Best 100 Songs of 2021
PopTara is back with a recap of the top 100 songs of the year. Featuring Lana Del Rey, James Blake, Spellling, Magdalena Bay, and more:
By Tara Bolar
- listen to the full playlist here -
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100. Working for the Knife - Mitski
How much of your identity would you be willing to sacrifice to be adored for your art? How do you balance the line between vulnerability and expectation? These are the big questions Mitski wrestles with on her brooding and austere come-back track, Working for the Knife. Mitski opens the track with one of the most gut-wrenching opening lines of the year; "I cry at the start of every movie / I guess 'cause I wish I was making things too." The desire to create something pure is obliterated by the harsh reality of capitalism and day-to-day life. "I always thought the choice was mine / I start the day lying and end with the truth / That I'm dying for the knife," she sighs atop an eerie synthesizer and twinkling piano notes. It's a cynical anthem for those who live to be known; for those who crave to be seen.
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99. Best Dressed Demons - Westside Gunn ft. March-Hommy
Westside Gunn and March-Hommy are effortlessly rebellious on, Best Dressed Demons. Over loungy, jazz-inspired instrumentals, the track calls out black-erasure by white artists in music history from Elvis Presley to the Rolling Stones. The atmosphere is dusty yet luxurious, making it one of the best call-out rap numbers of the year.
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98. Pay Your Way In Pain - St. Vincent
Annie Clark (St. Vincent) takes on sleazy sensuality on her gritty track, Pay Your Way In Pain. The instrumentation feels overly compressed and claustrophobic— a completely new sonic direction for Clark. There are pounding drums, loads of vocal layers, and bubbling synths that swallow listeners whole. Lyrically, Clark explores themes of poverty and shame. "I went to the park just to watch the little children / The mothers saw my heels and they said I wasn't welcome / Pay your way in pain / You got to pray your way in shame," she groans. The tension of the track is immense and, at times, uncomfortable, but that's what happens when you dive into social-economic inequality.
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97. All My Favorite Songs - Weezer
All My Favorite Songs is a stupidly catchy alternative song from Weezer. The impassioned track is a bit cheesy at times, but the relatable lyrics and balanced instrumentation make for one of the strongest Weezer songs released this year. "All my favorite songs are slow and sad / I don't know what's wrong with me," Rivers Cuomo exclaims.
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96. The Last Man On Earth - Wolf Alice
Wolf Alice demonstrates sharp songwriting on, The Last Man On Earth. The gospel-esque song critiques humanity's egotistical impulses; "Do you wait for your dancing lessons to be sent from God? / Who are you to ask for anything else? The thing you should be asking is for help." This gentle piano-driven number is a sonic departure for the band, but it works out in their favor.
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95. Valentine - Snail Mail
Lindsey Jordan spirals in the aftermath of a breakup on the indie-rock anthem, Valentine. The track serves as an inevitable eruption. Over surging guitars and ghostly synths, she urgently wails, "Why'd you wanna erase me, darling valentine? / You'll always know where to find me when you change your mind." It's a desperate plea to hold on to a disintegrating relationship— but it's time to face the music and let go.
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94. Coconuts - Kim Petras
Mainstream pop music has one purpose and one purpose only: to be stupid and fun. The second a pop song begins to take itself too seriously, it loses all of its charm. Fortunately, Kim Petras understands this golden rule, and her latest single, Coconuts, is sweet, stupid, sugary, pop music at its finest. Over a bubbly disco-pop instrumental, Petras confidently sings, "My coconuts, you can put 'em in your mouth / My coconuts, watch 'em bounce up and down." That right there, is high camp, baby!
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93. Atlantic - The Weather Station
Singer-songwriter, Tamara Lindeman, struggles with the contrast between the natural beauties of the world and the grim destruction of society on the folk number, Atlantic. "How can I touch this softest petal / Softest stem, softest leaf / I should get all this dying off of my mind / I should really know better than to read the headlines," she croons. With the mass chaos of the pandemic and dangerous political division, Atlantic reminds us that it's okay to take a break sometimes and just enjoy the sunset.
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92. Living Proof - The War On Drugs
The War On Drugs have never sounded as vulnerable or direct as they do on, Living Proof. Frontman, Adam Granduciel, gently sings over a lightly strummed acoustic guitar, "They're building at my block / Maybe I've been gone too long / I'm always changing / Now I suppose I'm only moving." The hushed and fragile instrumentation builds towards a restrained electric guitar— maybe it's time to stop grasping for something that is no longer there; maybe it's time for acceptance.
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91. family ties - Baby Keem ft. Kendrick Lamar
This may be a controversial pick, but anyone who can't see the fun in, family ties, must be a miserable person. Cousins Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar collab on this triumphant two-parter that is totally unhinged. Lamar's delivery offers a nonsensical flow that shows off his newfound creative freedom. Sure, it's not the most structured song of the year, but the amusing energy was much needed, brother.
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90. shut the fuck up talking to me - Zack Fox
Beloved comedian, Zack Fox, brings humor to 2021 on, shut the fuck up talking to me. Over smooth instrumentation, Fox delivers one of my personal favorite lines of the year, "Shit could get ugly as fuck like Ed Sheeran." Each bar is wittier than the last— and while Fox may not be for everybody— his cocky delivery and carefree persona deserve recognition.
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89. Bruuuh Remix - JID ft. Denzel Curry
JID and Denzel Curry's vocals blend effortlessly on the highly anticipated, Bruuuh Remix. JID's gliding delivery perfectly compliments Curry's aggressive bars— and the nocturnal beat goes hard as well. Even with some goofy lines here and there, ("Movie groovy, jinkies, / Scooby / Very spooky") Bruuuh Remix is still an energetic banger.
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88. Kill Me - Indigo De Souza
Indigo De Souza strips away the glamour of Romeo and Juliet on, Kill Me. This indie-pop track provides frenzied, thumping snares and some shockingly macabre lyrics; "Fuck me, 'til my, brains start dripping / Down to, the second, floor in our home / Kill me, and clean up, and if they, ask you / Where I am, we'll tell them, that I was all done." The instrumentation of this track is so catchy and Souza's vocals are so charming that the dysfunctional lyrics come as a jarring surprise.
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87. Little Things - Big Thief
Big Theif encourages us to embrace our yearning on, Little Things. Over jangly guitars, Adrianne Lenker hones in on lyrical longing; "Maybe I'm a little obsessed / Maybe you do use me / The little things I like about you / How you say, when you say, what you do." It's a blow to the heart when the realization settles in that feelings aren't mutual, but it's nice to imagine what could've been.
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86. SIERRA NIGHTS - Kevin Abstract ft. Ryan Beatty
Kevin Abstract and Ryan Beatty team up for a mellow pop song about love. Over a glitchy, video-game-like beat Beatty sings, "In your bed, keeping secrets / Long as you're loving me / We can keep this going on." It's an endearing slow-build that gets sweeter and sweeter with each listen.
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85. Off The Grid - Kanye West ft. Playboi Carti, Fivio Foreign
Kanye West serves rapid drill beats, rocking bass, and gothic synths on, Off The Grid. On one of the strongest cuts from Donda, West clears up any misconceptions or contradictions around his relationship with God. Playboi Carti and Fivio Foreign act like disciples to West as they help spread his personal gospel with luxurious boasts and hard-hitting flows.
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84. Hush - The Marías
One of the most spellbinding pop songs of the year goes to The Marías, Hush. The intoxicating, sultry number hypes up self-confidence and dismantles any critics. Over a bold, heavy bass, María Zardoya sings, "Don't act so special / What I do is not for you / Forget about it."
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83. Days Like These - Low
Days Like These is the unparalleled and uncanny new track from Low. The static-filled song is distorted, blurred, and at times even alien-like. As jarring as the instrumentation may be, the ethereal atmosphere makes for an unforgettable, kaleidoscopic moment in music.
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82. Slumber Party - Ashnikko ft. Princess Nokia
Ashnikko is a hit-or-miss artist. Sometimes she gives us bangers, and other times we get cringe. In the case of, Slumber Party, we definitely got a banger. This playfully explicit track is packed with raunchy, lascivious bars being spat over a vaguely Middle-Eastern melody. "Me and your girlfriend playin' dress up at my house / I gave your girlfriend cunnilingus on my couch," she playfully teases.
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81. UNISIL - SOPHIE
Released only two days before the tragic death of SOPHIE, UNISIL stands as a reminder of the artist and the potential art we lost. SOPHIE was a trailblazer in the electronic music scene, always finding a way to blend abrasive industrial sounds with sugary bubblegum pop. This two-minute pounding track is a crisp and clear example of SOPHIE's brain-warping magic. Rest in Peace, icon. _____________________________________________________________________________
80. The Princess and the Clock - Kero Kero Bonito
The glittering synthpop track, The Princess and the Clock, is an escapist dream for anyone feeling trapped and confined. The fairytale-esque song wraps itself in a blanket of euphoria as vocalist Sarah Midori Perry sings in a light, futuristic voice about a girl trapped in a tower by her crazed worshipers. The production on the track is immaculate as well, with skittering hi-hats and transcendent chiptune drops.
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79. Dumb Enough - Kirin J Callinan
One of the most eccentric and joyous pop-rock ballads of the year goes to Kirin J Callinan's, Dumb Enough. "I've done dumb things / I'd probably do them again," Callinan admits over ridiculously catchy instrumentals. Despite the mistakes Callinan has made and failed to learn from, at least he's, "not quite as dumb as the president." It's impossible not to get this cheeky song stuck in your head after only one listen.
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78. Circles - Buzzy Lee
Buzzy Lee takes us on a hazy, dreamlike state on,Circles. "I only draw circles around you / I make a part of me part of you," she coos. As melancholy and murky as this track is, there's a strange sense of terrestrial beauty that shines through.
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77. AP - Pop Smoke
Late rapper, Pop Smoke, sounds smoother than ever on AP. The track was written for the film, Boogie, but still stands strong as your typical Pop Smoke song. With drill influences, a bouncy bass, and hard bars, the rapper creates a well-executed banger.
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76. Jackie - Yves Tumor
Yves Tumor ruminates over tormented love on the pop-rock number, Jackie. Over metallic guitars, Tumor finds himself at his lowest due to a monomaniacal obsession; "These days have been tragic / I ain't sleeping / Refuse to eat a thing / Little Jackie when you wake up, do you think of me?" The track's brooding intensity and frenzied emotions make for a thrilling experience.
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75. Don't Go Puttin Wishes in My Head - TORRES
The indie-rock anthem, Don't Go Puttin Wishes in My Head, puts TORRES on the map as an up-and-coming artist to watch. "If you don't want me believing that you're never gonna leave me, darling / Don't go putting wishes in my head," she brazenly sings. This synth-heavy number is powerful and fearless, as TORRES embraces all of her vulnerabilities.
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74. Take My Breath - The Weeknd
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The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) gives us a glossy, dancefloor-ready hit on, Take My Breath. While the lyrical content is pretty mild, Tesfaye does an excellent job at flexing his vocal improvement on the track. With silky runs and immense charisma, the singer sounds more confident than ever on this infectious pop song.
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73. Lonestar - Twin Shadow
Twin Shadow heads in an odd Western-reggae direction on his single, Lonestar. On this track about being a lone-wolf and learning from past mistakes, singer Geroge William Lewis gives his most assertive and righteous vocal delivery yet. The instrumentation is impeccable and playful, while Lewis freely sings, "it's good to be a lonestar / Don't kick me off of my wave, boy!"
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72. Pick Up Your Feelings - Jazmine Sullivan
Jazmine Sullivan delivers one of the most potent R&B performances of the year on, Pick Up Your Feelings. This smoldering breakup song leaves little room for patience or forgiveness. "You're off the lease, run me my keys," Sullivan demands. Her raspy, unbothered vocals over the seductive instrumentation feel luxurious— how could anybody be foolish enough to let her go?
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71. Tulsa Jesus Freak - Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey has a way with her writing where you don't always quite understand her lyricism, but nevertheless, you still know what she means. Tulsa Jesus Freak is a perfect example of this Del Rey phenomenon. On this eerie track, Del Rey tempts (at times even mocks) her self-proclaimed Christian man to a night of sinful lust that is too heavenly to refuse. "You should stay real close to Jesus / keep that bottle at your hand, my man / find your way back to my bed again / sing me like a Bible hymn," she sighs. The track takes some unexpected turns with random autotune flares, her intentional mispronunciation of "Arkansas," and the crashing drums that build during the bone-chilling post-chorus. "We'll be white-hot forever, white-hot forever, white-hot forever, and ever, and ever, amen," she chants.
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70. Colourblind - Indigo Sparke
Indigo Sparke serves classic indie-rock on, Colourblind. Over minimal plucked guitar strings, brushed drums, and a sweet melody, she sings, "Been waking with bad dreams / Been walking with shaky knees / I feel colourblind when I'm with you." Her vocal delivery provides rich emotions that prove you don't always have to pull out the theatrics to create a good song.
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69. Justine Go Genesis - Sleigh Bells
'90s metal meets hyperpop on Justine Go Genesis. This noisy, high-energy track has an intriguing way of feeling modern yet retro at the same time. The epic single shows a more polished and defined side of Sleigh Bells, making it one of their most solid songs to date.
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68. John L - black midi
Black midi introduces staggering chaos on John L. This experimental rock number is triumphant and bizarre as the group tells a story of mass destruction, fear, and a cultish society led by demonic deities; "In all the world there's no escape from this infernal din." With dark surrealism and catchy riffs, John L stands as one of the year's most unique and daring songs.
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67. WUSYANAME - Tyler, The Creator ft. YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Ty Dolla $ign
Tyler, The Creator tries to woo over a new crush on his sugary track, WUSYANAME. Over a delicious '90s R&B instrumentation, Tyler gets to smooth-talking; "Let's go to Cannes and watch a couple indie movies that you never heard of / Disco in France, smell some perfume / I can show you how you can really exfoliate skin." Sure, Tyler doesn't even know the girl's name yet, but the infatuation is strong. The most impressive element of this track comes from YoungBoy NBA. Surprisingly, his feature flows smoothly on the track, showing that Tyler knows how to make his featured guests shine.
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66. Blue Banisters - Lana Del Rey
"You can't be a muse and be happy, too / You can't blacken the pages with Russian poetry and be happy / And that scared me," Lana Del Rey cries on Blue Banisters. On one of the most stunning vocal performances of the year, Del Rey tells an intensely personal narrative about the toll depression takes on romance and the power of finding support in sisterhood. This gorgeous piano ballad, inspired by Joan Baez, highlights Del Rey's poetic language and her riveting views on what it means to be a woman.
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65. I Know I'm Funny haha - Faye Webster
Faye Webster's, I Know I'm Funny haha, takes on a different song structure that feels like a relatable, drunk conversation with a friend. The number is three mumbled verses about an awkward encounter with her boyfriend's sisters, not getting her security deposit back from her landlord, and wanting to become a rockstar. The lyrical content may come across as a game of mad libs, but it works.
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64. Lawmaker - DARKSIDE
One of the most chilling and cryptic numbers of the year goes to DARKSIDE'S, Lawmaker. The psychedelic political commentary of the track makes it a stand-out in DARKSIDE'S discography; "People are gathered outside / Waiting for someone to pray / He's wearing a doctor's coat / But in his hand is the ring of a lawmaker." The brooding and shadowy instrumentation perfectly accompanies the cynical atmosphere that encapsulates the overarching feeling of 2021.
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63. MAZZA - slowthai ft. A$AP Rocky
Slowthai and A$AP Rocky explore selfhood on their hard-hitting track, MAZZA. Wrapped in a vibrating beat, Mazza tackles the painful journey one goes through to reconnect with their old self. "Feeling like these drugs made me better than I was / But I never felt love before the drugs / Feel to revert to my old ways Cricket tickets, wraps of cocaine," Slowthai rapidly raps over wheezing chords. The energy between Slowthai and A$AP Rocky is beyond palpable, creating one of the most dynamic duos of the year.
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62. LEGEND - Alice Longyu Gao ft. Alice Glass
Alice Longyu and Alice Glass team up to create some confrontational hyperpop energy on, Legend. "Bitch I'm fucking Alice / You could never catch me in Lululemon," they chant with rage. The track is devious and aggressive as the girls viciously attack their haters and detractors.
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61. Gold Chains - Genesis Owusu
Genesis Owusu presents one of the smoothest songs of the year, Gold Chains. This crunchy funk-rap number explores the hollowness that comes along with fame. "When it looks so gold, but it feels so cold inside these chains / I hope the stress don't kill me," he sings. The charisma Owusu brings to this track is off the wall, making him one of the most exciting vocalists of 2021.
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60. BDE - Shygirl ft. slowthai
London rapper, Shygirl, gets confident and filthy on the thunderous track, BDE, featuring slowthai. "Read my lips, I need a big dick boy," she exclaims. Over a pounding kick-drum, Shygirl's vocals dip in and out from low sultry tones to manic, lustful stanzas. Slowthai delivers a charming performance on the track as well, making BDE a classic party banger.
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59. Clouds - Slayyyter
Fame can't buy happiness, according to Slayyyter on her club-banger, Clouds. Over addictive and racing synths, the pop star angelically sings, "I'm unhappier than I've ever been / I never thought I'd know what it's like to win." The production is bombastic and colorful, while the lyrics take a more cynical approach. It's a perfect crying-in-the-club anthem.
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58. Blouse - Clairo
The thrill of adolescence is gone on Clairo's, Blouse. In a hushed vocal over warm guitar strings, she sighs, "Why do I tell you how I feel? / When you're too busy looking down my blouse / If touch could make them hear, then touch me now." Another young woman whose trust has been abused by older men in the industry. It's a brutal realization that to make it far in the entertainment world, you have to sacrifice self-agency and give in to sexualization at some point. ____________________________________________________________________________
57. DIP N DRIP - COBRAH
COBRAH's pulsating single, DIP N DRIP, is a dark cyberpunk reflection on modern age technology. The track is industrial and metallic, while COBRAH's rapid-fire vocals add intensity. Her blend of gothic erotica and menacing scales makes for one of the hottest songs of the year.
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56. Be Sweet - Japanese Breakfast
Japanese Breakfast provides an inescapable feeling of bliss on their pop hit, Be Sweet. Over a slinking bassline and '80s R&B guitar riffs, lead singer Michelle Zauner euphorically sings, "Be sweet to me, baby / I wanna believe in you!" The track strays away from the band's usual indie-rock sound, but listeners should embrace the change with open arms.
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55. Fuck Him All Night - Azealia Banks
Azealia Banks', Fuck Him All Night, is a carnivorous Chicago-house track full of libido and abjection. Over throbbing synths, Banks interjects with some witty bars; "We can slut, we can fuck, we can dig in the guts / Shorty telling me my pussy fat like Lizzo." It's raunchy; it's fun; it's Azealia Banks being Azealia Banks.
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54. Concorde - Black Country, New Road
Black Country, New Road shows off the band's inventive compositional skills on Concorde. The track starts with some country rambling that soon transitions into whistful chaos of tightly plucked strings and floating horns. The lyrical content is poetic and heavy, as singer Isaac Woods grieves over the disintegration of a relationship.
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53. Madre - Arca ft. Oliver Coates
The melancholic, nine-minute-long song, Madre, shows Arca taking on classical music. With doleful strings and forlorn vocals, Arca submerges us into tender torment as she repeatedly coos, "Madre mía." Madre hits something more elemental than Arca's usual experimental club music but still reflects upon her capability to create hauntingly beautiful moments.
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52. Jesus and Your Living Room Floor - Sloppy Jane
Haley Dahl (Sloppy Jane) proves herself to be one of the most intriguing songwriters of the year on her complex song, Jesus and Your Living Room Floor. On this downcast piano ballad, Dahl contemplates whether it's easier to be appreciated after death. "Tell them you're so happy that you got to know me / I know you didn't, but it's better than showing me covered in ants in my room on the floor." The instrumentation on this track becomes massive as the music expands into dramatic distortion. The production swallows you whole as if Dahl's lyricism wasn't painful enough.
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51. Thumbs - Lucy Dacus
Thumbs is a nauseating story of a parental relationship that brutally haunts Dacus's memory. Through visually evocative storytelling, she sings about accompanying a partner on a dreadful visit to see her father. With muted rage, she mutters, "we meet him at a bar, you were holding my hand hard / he ordered rum and coke / I can't drink either anymore / I would kill him if you let me." Though whatever sin the father committed is left up to the listeners' interpretation, Dacus clarifies that forgiveness is not an option. But despite the gruesome assumptions or the provocative lyricism about wanting to press the antagonist's eyeballs out, it's the pure love and unconditional support Dacus shows for her partner that shines through in this song.
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50. Say What You Will - James Blake
James Blake shows off some of his most focused songwriting on the personal track, Say What You Will. As he grows distant from pop's center, he dives into acceptance that he will not always be loved and praised by fans and critics. In Blake's eyes, he never reached the level of fame he aspired for, but that's okay— he still made groundbreaking music along the way, and Blake is content with all he has. "I can take my place without becoming sour / I might not make all those psychopaths proud / At least I can see the faces of the smaller crowds," he cries.
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49. Please - Jessie Ware
Jessie Ware's giddy number, Please, is a house-pop jam with a wriggly bassline and an ethereal, gospel-like chorus. "Don't you be too good to believe / I could be the girl of your dreams," Ware excitedly sings as she prepares to make a move on her new crush. After a few vodka-sodas at the club, Please, starts to sound like the internal monologue of many women.
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48. GOOEY FLUID GIRLS - COBRAH
GOOEY FLUID GIRLS by the BDSM-esque artist, COBRAH, is a campy and shameless club-ready banger. Over an elastic beat, COBRAH gets down and dirty about pleasure, pain, and everything that is lewd. What can I say? Swedish girls know how to have a good time.
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47. Time - SG Lewis
SG Lewis's disco-infused, pop-house anthem Time, is a colorful and carefree number about holding on to the good times; "Sun's comin' up, I wanna play." This funky, euphoric track is a much-needed beacon of light during the dark age of COVID. Forget about the bad days; the good days are right in front of us.
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46. Letters - Slayyyter
The impossibly tender ballad, Letters, reminiscences on late '90s, early '00s pop music. Slayyyter shows us a new vulnerable side of her on this cutesy love song about finally finding her soulmate. "I wished for love, every night I would pray / You came along, turned the night into day," she softly sings. While Slayyyter is known for her gimmicky bad-girl persona and provocative lyrics, it's pretty endearing to see her in this light; talk about flexibility and range.
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45. MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) - Lil Nas X
The lustful MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) is a career definer for Lil Nas X. The unapologetically queer track gives playful lyrics, flamenco guitar, and sensual humming as the rapper challenges his partner to take the relationship to the next level. With lyrical references to the Garden of Eden, Lil Nas X pole-dancing down to Hell, and the promotional "satan shoes," this track came along with a lot of backlash. However, the controversy only helped the song's popularity, and rightfully so! MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name) is quite the banger.
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44. Hysterical Us - Magdalena Bay
Magdalena Bay dives into paranoia on their existential single, Hysterical Us. The production is psychedelic, soulful, and bright, while the lyrics take you on a sinister, immersive trip. "Thirty-eight green blinding lights are here to take you home / Hysterical us / Sucking in oxygen / How did we learn to breathe," lead singer Mica Tenebaum sings over a groovy melody. Try not to think about this song for too long, or you might end up as hysterical as the indie-pop duo themselves.
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43. Gravity - Brent Faiyaz ft. DJ Dahi, Tyler, The Creator
Brent Faiyaz and Tyler, The Creator, feel the guilt of leaving home to tour on their collaborative hit, Gravity. Part of being a musician means being on the road, but the strain this puts on the relationships they leave at home can make it all seem worthless. The bassline on this track is memorizing and psychedelic, while both Faiyaz and Tyler deliver smooth and gliding vocals.
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42. Need to Know - Doja Cat
"I heard from a friend of a friend / That that dick was a ten out of ten," Doja Cat confidently announces on her super sensual song, Need To Know. Over a throbbing, spacy bass and zesty synths, Doja delivers some of her wittiest and horniest bars yet. This provocative track is a perfect go-to for Friday night pregames before the club.
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41. Liberty Bell - DARKSIDE
Liberty Bell's reunion single, DARKSIDE, is an atmospheric and immersive piece. The vocals on this track are meditative with textured, propulsive guitars and a swirling electronic build. The track is groovy, but there's a sense of something dark lurking in the air; "Like the liberty bell / Shining in the night / Blood on the racehorse / These are the pivots on the gods."
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40. sinclair - girl_irl
girl_irl's industrial-pop track, sinclair, is an underrated banger of the year. The song oozes suspense and grittiness as girl_irl abrasively digs into an intoxicated state of mind. Her calm vocals over the hard beat adds to the manic chaos of the track that would make legendary artists such as SOPHIE and Arca proud.
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39. Alive and Dying (Waving, Smiling) - Angel Olsen
Alive and Dying (Waving, Smiling). is an alternative version of Angel Olsen's previous track, Waving, Smiling. This new cut offers a gorgeous 11-piece orchestra and string arrangements by Jherek Bischoff. Olsen chillingly sings about letting go of circumstances that are out of her control as the strings emotionally swirl around the track; "I've made my bed / I've laid out all those tears / Cried out all of those years." This new version adds a necessary layer of vulnerability that was lacking from the original recording, creating a cinematic experience from start to finish.
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38. After Last Night - Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic ft. Thundercat, Bootsy Collins
After Last Night is a sensual and playful number from Silk Sonic, Thundercat, and the legendary Booty Collins. After a zesty night with a new woman, we see Paak deading his player tendencies and turning the simp mode up. "Throw my phone out the window, there's no player in me / Those days are through," he smoothly sings. The harmonies between the other male vocalists on this tack are ridiculously slick and amusing despite the similarities it holds with SNL's Dick In A Box.
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37. cool - Uffie
Uffie's, Cool, lives up to its title with a groovy production and fresh bassline. Nonchalantly, Uffie sings about being co-dependent in an emotionally detached relationship. Uffie and her partner lack vulnerability, but it's still a whirlwind of a relationship. "Mink when I'm cold / Kissing by the pool / Life's a disco / Cool / Temporary lovе / Pockets full of fun / Life's a disco / Cool," she effortlessly sings. A world of excess is lonely without real love.
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36. Triple Dog Dare - Lucy Dacus
Lucy Dacus shows off immaculate songwriting on the wistful track, Triple Dog Dare. Dacus reflects on an old friendship that could have possibly been more had the two been more comfortable with their identities at the time. Female friendships become complicated when unrecognized queerness comes into consciousness. "I never touched you how I wanted to / If you're too afraid, it won't be you I blame," Dacus sings. Had one of them been out at the time, their relationship could have grown closer, or they could have grown apart— Dacus will never know.
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35. TRUST! - JPEGMAFIA
JPEGMAFIA's futuristic and nocturnal track, TRUST!, is one of the rapper's most exciting releases of the year. The production heads in a fun and experimental direction while his delivery is cold and precise. The lyrics are loaded with feel-good rhymes while synths twinkle in the background; "I won't even lie, I'm looking good / I won't even fib, I'm feeling nice / Trust!"
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34. Oxytocin - Billie Eilish
The Nine Inch Nails inspired, Oxytocin, is one of the more daring songs in Billie Eilish's discography. This sultry track places Eilish's whispers into the walls of a dark, steamy nightclub. "I like to do things God doesn't approve of / If she saw us she couldn't look away / She'd wanna get involved," she moans. It's sensual; it's hedonistic; it's Billie Eilish all grown up.
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33. Musician - Porter Robinson
Porter Robinson flickers between despair and reassurance on the electropop number, Musician. The frustration of trying to create art while not being in the greatest mental state is a feeling Robison isn't shy of. "I just can't stop, I'm sorry / I can feel a new day dawning / I burn up, burn out / I shouldn't do this to myself," Robinson sings over jubilant synths. Despite the hard times, Robinson still manages to find a newfound love for his craft which drives him to keep going.
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32. Thunder - Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey's, Thunder, has been a fan favorite since the demo leaked back in 2016. Almost five years later, Del Rey has remastered the track, and it is as striking as ever. Over some vintage pop and soul instrumentation, Del Rey sings in a whiskey-tinged vocal about walking away from a narcissistic partner; "You act like fucking Mr. Brightside when you're with all your friends / But I know what you're like when the party ends." This nostalgic Motown track becomes more and more stunning with each and every listen.
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31. Devil's Bane - Tori Amos
Tori Amos demonstrates some of her sharpest writing yet on the haunting track, Devil's Bane. This number finds Amos escaping a volatile relationship and knocking back shots of Tequila to black out the memories of her abusive self-righteous ex. "Shot of tequila wash me clean from his sermons and conspiracies," she roughly sings over bluesy guitar riffs.
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30. To The Country - Viagra Boys
Viagra Boy's, To the Country, is a stirring mid-tempo song about imaging an optimistic future where running away to a new location can make relationship problems disappear; "We could get a house together somewhere on the country / You would be happier out there where no one's in a hurry / Just you and me, the dogs, and no drugs to bring us down." The track offers a rhythmic piano and a faux-brass section with enthralling chord progressions. With hopeful vocals and an endearing storyline, To the Country stands as one of Viagra Boys' most substantial cuts.
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29. Buzzcut - Brockhampton ft. Danny Brown
Brockhampton teams up with Danny Brown to create one of the most insane rap songs of the year, Buzzcut. The raging siren-laced beat is unlike anything else produced this year. It's beyond boisterous yet fully realized. Kevin Abstract deliveries some André 3000 inspired bars, while Danny Brown packs a powerful punch on his verse; "You normies ain't a part of the script, dox your house with crips." The song concludes with a dark R&B inspired outro that reminds listeners that Brockhampton has yet to lose their spark.
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28. The Beginning - Magdalena Bay
The cordial sweetness on Magdalena Bay's, The Beginning, conceals subtle darkness with bubblegum positivity. "So if you think you're finished / Go back to the beginning and find
that everybody needs a little help from time to time / Just look inside," lead singer Mica Tenebaum cheerfully exclaims. This colorful dancefloor anthem serves as a reminder that cynical minds can always turn to music for a bit of hope.
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27. Not All Who Wander Are Lost - Lana Del Rey
Not All Who Wander Are Lost is a tender acoustic number from Lana Del Rey and Jack Antonoff. While being stuck on her tour bus driving through the midwest, Del Rey has plenty of time to reflect on where she's been and where she wants to be. On this number, we hear her ponder on her relationship with men, her relationship with alcohol, with God, and with herself. "There's too much time to think / About seasons of old / As you pour yourself a drink / 'Cause every time I said no / It wasn't quite what I meaned / If you know what I mean," she smirks. Del Rey also offers one of her most delicate vocal deliveries on this track over a melody that is too sweet to forget. ____________________________________________________________________________
26. Hot N Heavy - Jessie Ware
Jessie Ware's Hot N Heavy is a disco-tinged dance-pop banger. The track sounds like a stairway to studio 54's door, and the lyrics are beyond addictive. "You get me hot and heavy / Something in your eyes," she exclaims. Despite this song being a throw-away number from Ware's recent album, What's Your Pleasure, Hot N Heavy is just as enticing (if not more) as the vast majority of pop jams released this year. It's soulful, it's endearing, and it's proof that Ware has yet to make a bad hit.
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25. Silk Chiffon - MUNA ft. Phoebe Bridgers
MUNA and Phoebe Bridgers team up for the sweet and fun, Silk Chiffon. This bright indie-pop number about queer love is packed with romantic imagery of cherry lipstick, roller skates, and silk dresses. Despite the loveliness of the track, we still get Bridger's staying on brand with what is probably the most Phoebe Bridgers line imaginable; "I'm high and I'm feeling anxious inside of the CVS." The rest of this summery track relishes in that coming-of-age movie moment as the girls addictively cheer, "Life's so fun, life's so fun / got my mini skirt and my rollerblades on / Silk chiffon / That's how it feels when she's on me." ____________________________________________________________________________
24. Chaise Longue - Wet Leg
Wet Leg gives us some tongue-in-cheek humor on their track, Chaise Longue. The number kicks off with a subtle Mean Girls reference; "Is your muffin buttered? / Would you like us to assign someone to butter your muffin?" The infectious indie song continues over driving drums and playful guitar riffs. The lyricism keeps up its perkiness throughout the track's entire run, making it one of the most quotable songs of the year.
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23. Knees - Injury Reserve
Injury Reserve's, Knees, serves as an intensely heart-wrenching eulogy for their late group member, Stepa J. Groggs. The track is groundbreaking instrumentally, creating a futuristic infusion of rock, soul, and hip-hop. The experimental number blurs the lines of many genres and styles. It's melodic and abstract; it's a ballad, but it's also psychedelic. Knees also offers some heavy lyrical content; "My knees hurt 'cause I'm growin' / And that's a tough pill to swallow / 'Cause I'm not gettin' taller / I need to put down the bottle." With a posthumous verse from Groggs on the track as well, Knees is one of the most essential and emotional rap songs of the year. _____________________________________________________________________________
22. Chemtrails Over The Country Club - Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey's Chemtrails Over The Country Club is a sublime track about the duality of womanhood. The feminine urge to run with the wolves and be wild, and the feminine urge to be nothing but glamorous and still. The gorgeous and idyllic number purifies quintessential Americana into its most poetic form. With hazy, dreamlike vocals, Del Rey sings about the beauty of normality. Washing her hair, doing the laundry, getting coffee with the girls. "It's beautiful how this deep normality settles down over me / I'm not bored or unhappy, I'm still so strange and wild," she hauntingly sings. With lines thrown in about astrology, "my moon's in Leo, my Cancer is sun," and contemplating God's existence while lounging in pearls and jewels, Chemtrails Over The Country Club is easily the best musical depiction of feminity.
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21. Introvert - Little Simz
Little Simz goes to war at a cathedral on her epic hip-hop track, Introvert. With sparkling orchestral instrumentation, glorious strings, and theatrical group vocals, Simz demonstrates some of the most precise storytelling of the year. "The kingdom's on fire, the blood of a young messiah / I see sinners in a church, I see sinners in a church," she declares as she vigilantly defends her title as a woman in the rap game. With a stellar concept and a flawless delivery, Simz makes Introvert one of the most grandiose hip-hop cuts of the year.
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20. Cimmerian Shade - Sufjan Stevens, Angelo De Augustine
Cimmerian Shade is undoubtedly one of the most misunderstood songs of the year. This folk track plays out as a prayer delivered from the perspective of Buffalo Bill of The Silence Of The Lambs. While many upset critics have accused Sufjan Stevens of subtle transphobia throughout this number, this song actually critiques how poor trans representation in the media has harmful real-life effects. This should have been obvious from the line, "Fix it all, Jonathan Demme." Stevens is acknowledging that Demme should have never created Buffalo Bill's character in the way that he did. It's a shame to see this track got lost in translation, but it is beautiful at its core.
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19. Good Ones - Charli XCX
Hyperpop is dead and '00s pop is back, baby! Charli XCX's Good Ones is a dancefloor banger filled with hypnotizing synths. This exciting anthem takes on Charli's usual lyricism about being the toxic one in a relationship. "I want the bad ones, 'cause they're all I know / I always let the good ones go," Charli admits right before the track erupts. With many artists leaving club hits behind and turning towards Swiftie-inspired snoozers, Good Ones is a breath of fresh air for those who still want to have fun.
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18. Just for me - PinkPanthress
PinkPanthress's viral TikTok hit, Just for me, is a 2-step daydream that feels light as a feather. The ethereal track highlights a hazy infatuation with a new crush. "I found the street of the house in which you stay / And my diary's full of your name on every page / I'm obsessed with you in a way I can't believe," she confesses. Sure, the song gives off some stalker vibes, but who hasn't gotten a bit carried away with love?
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17. Lost Angel Nights - James Blake
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16. The Laughing Man - St. Vincent
Annie Clark, aka St. Vincent, takes us to a depressive and intoxicating place on The Laughing Man. This theatrical number plays out as a strange musical conversation between Clark and a 911 dispatcher. "Little birds chirp, chirp, chirp / Singing like the day is perfect, but to me, they sound psychotic," Clark hazily sings. As she vulnerably dives into her grief of a late friend, Clark begins to feel that reality is no longer reality. The beats become delayed as the instrumentation sloshes back and forth— even the listeners lose sight of sanity.
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15. Bunny Is A Rider - Caroline Polachek
"Bunny is a rider / Satellite can't find her / No sympathy," Caroline Polacheck confidently declares on Bunny Is A Rider. Bunny is untraceable and unavailable— beguiling and free. Bunny is the embodiment of mystery, the intriguing woman we all wish to be. But in Polachek's usual crystalline singing, she says over a weird and juicy bassline, "But I'm so non-physical." The cool girl exterior deteriorates by a lack of intimacy. The balance of being a carefree rider but still making room for love and romance is a struggle most women deal with at some point. We all have a bit of Bunny inside of us. _____________________________________________________________________________
14. Diamond Studded Shoes - Yola
Yola's Diamond Studded Shoes is a fiery barroom anthem that turns revolutionary. This uplifting track gains steam every time Yola belts on the soulful chorus, "We know it isn't / It ain't gonna turn out right / and that's why we gots to fight." As Yola calls for humanity to come together and recognize our commonalities, this track could not be more relevant in America's current age of division. _____________________________________________________________________________
13. DON'T SHOOT UP THE PARTY - BROCKHAMPTON
Every member of Brockhampton sounds like the best version of themselves on Don't Shoot Up The Party. Every bar and hook is inspired and focused as the boys challenge social issues in America; gun violence, racism, and homophobia. "All-American self-hatred runs deep / White boys all I see whenever I sleep," Kevin Abstract states. The chorus follows with insane west-coast inspired wailing synths as Abstract sings, "Don't shoot up the party
Please, please / Don't shoot up the party." The raging paranoia of this track really starts to kick in towards the outro. In what sounds like a sad anthem for those feeling pushed to the edge, Joba raps, "What's the issue? Why you gotta grab that pistol? / Think about who gon' miss you." This unsettling nocturnal number is not only one of the boldest songs in Brockhampton's discography, but it's also one of the boldest songs of the entire year.
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12. Happier Than Ever - Billie Eilish
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11. PENNSYLVANIA FURNACE - Lingua Ignota
Lingua Ignota tackles heavy subject matter from loneliness to facing God on judgment day on the sorrowful piano ballad, Pennsylvania Furnace. Pennsylvania Furnace offers gorgeous instrumental builds and resolutions while Ignota's vocals breathe with an otherworldly level of beauty. While this tack may be a lot tamer compared to Ignota's other work, the lyrical content is just as dark. "Me and the dog, we died together / Within the Lord, I cast off all my earthly bonds / There is victory in Jesus / Do you wanna be in Hell with me? / One thing I've learned is everything burns," she cries. During the recent COVID pandemic, eternal feelings of isolation and doom are nearly impossible to shake.
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10. Sweet Carolina - Lana Del Rey
Being a woman in touch with her natural desire to nurture is a theme that repeats on Lana Del Rey's latest album, Blue Banisters. On the luscious closing track, Sweet Carolina, Del Rey's motherly heart is warmer than ever. Sweet Carolina— written by Del Rey and her father— is a lullaby gifted to Del Rey's sister and her first-born niece. In a fairytale-esque voice, Del Rey sings, "I'll always be right here, closer to you than your next breath my dear / We love every hair on your head / Love you like God loves you / If things ever go wrong, just know this is your song and we love you." Mixed in with the sweetness are some humorous family insiders, "you name your babe Lilac Heaven after your iPhone 11 'Crypto forever,' screams your stupid boyfriend, fuck you, Kevin," she laughs. Not only are the lyrics darling and delicate, but this track also offers the most endearing melody of the year. With her father on the piano and her sister in thought, you can almost hear Del Rey smiling throughout the entire song.
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9. Serial Killer - Slayyyter
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8. SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE - Tyler, The Creator ft. Brent Faiyaz, Fana Hues
7. Put On A Smile - Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak deliver a modern-dayLet's Get It On with their stormy track, Put On A Smile. The song offers one of the most stellar key changes of the year while Mars and .Paak transition in and out of chilly verses and lush choruses. Put On A Smile pays homage to the 70s and that vintage crying-in-the-rain R&B feel as the two sing about heartache and lost love. "Tryna fight these tears from cryin' / But Lord knows I'm dyin' / Tryna put on a smile / Out here smilin' like a fool / When the only thing worth smilin' for was you," the two admit. Mars charismatically hits his high notes while .Paak flexes his vocal range. The chemistry between the two is palpable and the vibes are tempestuous as the two take you on a blast to the past and into your feels.
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6. Boys at School - Spellling
In the day and age of TikTok, holding a listener's attention for more than sixty seconds is quite the challenge— but not for Spellling's Chrystia Cabral. Cabral's haunting number, Boys at School, is engaging and memorizing for its full seven-minute run. With Kate Bush inspired vocals, chilling piano, and bright horns, Cabral relives teenage isolation. "Shut out the sun until I'm small again / I'm way too tired to climb out of bed / I hate the boys at school / They never play the rules." As Cabral illustrates her story of cruel peers and their effects, it's hard not to see yourself in her. The nagging memory of childhood bullies finds a way to creep into her day-to-day life as an adult and manifests insecurities around trusting others. Childhood pains impact us all. But beyond the relatable lyrical content and enchanting vocals, the production on Boys at School is the most prominent element. It's clean, it's venturesome, and everything falls right into place, making it one of the most captivating songs of the year.
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5. The Constable - Sloppy Jane
Haley Dahl, aka Sloppy Jane, gives us one of the oddest tracks of the year, The Constable. Recorded in a cave, this gut-punching track gives a powerful sense of finality as Dahl explores themes of anguish, goodbyes, and self-growth. It's beautiful and dazzling, but there is still a sense of dark secrecy lurking in the shadows. With intensely raw vocals and descriptive storytelling, Dahl recalls seeing a man kicking a dying dog in the street, and rather than recoil, she claims, "God, I wanted that dog to be me." As Dahl continues to share about letting go of an old painful relationship and time moving forward, the lyrical content becomes more and more drastic. "I ran out the driveway, straight into the highways / Slammed my head against the concrete / There were a thousand pink slugs out of my open skull / It was then I remembered the constable / A once-handsome horse, rusted into a toy /Just as I, a great man, have grown into a scared little boy," she darkly sings over light piano keys. The contrast between the production on this track and the lyrics is too impressive to ignore.
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4. Dealer - Lana Del Rey ft. Miles Kane
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3. Chaeri - Magdalena Bay
Pop duo Magdalena Bay (Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin) serves the most electrifying song of the year on the house-inspired track, Chaeri. Over a dirty synth loop, Tenebaum muses on an old friendship, trying to figure whose to blame for the fallout. Was it her own fault? Chaeris? Or can she blame it all on mental health, leaving neither party accountable? "Was I a bad friend? / Did you feel lonely? / Chaeri, please, you're killing me / It's only that bad if you tell yourself you'll never get out of bed," Tenebaum desperately sings. This spacey track pounds away as it creates a strobed-out atmosphere that feels claustrophobic and neurotic in the best way possible. The bridge builds up to a manic head rush as Tenebaum repeatedly cries, "let it come alive, let it grow, better crucified than unknown,"— a hopeless attempt for a reconciliation that was never meant to be.
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2. Like I Used To - Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen
Pair two of the most influential writers of the past decade together, and you're bound to get one of the most memorable collaborations of a lifetime. On Like I Used To, Sharon Van Etten and Angel Olsen ascend listeners through a triumphant journey of romantic newness. "Lighting one up like I used to / Falling in love like I used to / Open my heart like I used to / Taking what's mine like I used to," the two bellow. The track is ragged and athematic but simultaneously sweet and hopeful, while the vocal chemistry between Van Etten and Olsen ties the two themes together. Waves of silvery glockenspiel crash through the song as the two reclaim their sense of self to break down their guarded walls. This momentous track is a reminder of how significant Van Etten and Olsen are to Indie music — and John Congleton might as well be a god for the meticulous arrangement of the song. Like I Used To is an anthem for those trying to feel something again. It's a battle cry for better days and a beacon of hope for lonely hearts.
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1. White Dress - Lana Del Rey
On a provocatively nostalgic track about innocence, fame, and normality, Lana Del Rey presents one of the crown jewels of her discography, White Dress. At times the vocal take on this track sounds like the very first whispered ideas for a song, and at others sounds like the most confident performance in a decade of Del Rey tracks. Breathless, without being breathy, she cries, "down at the Men in Music Business Conference, down in Orlando, I was only 19, down at the Men in Music Business Conference, I only mention it 'cause it was such a scene, and I felt seen." As jarring as her strained vocals may be on this track, there is a sense of vulnerability in every word that alludes to a perplexing state of innocence. While the image of a young Del Rey being strung along by older men in the music industry could leave one guessing she may feel resentful, the vocal delivery suggests that she misses it and longs for that moment in her life. On the bridge, Del Rey exclaims with pure desperation, "it made me feel... made me feel like a God!" White Dress is a freestyled reflection on Del Rey's life before stardom. A carefree time when she was just a waitress in a white dress, spending her nights listening to White Stripes and Kings of Leon with the guys on her block— singing for fun while holding on to optimism that maybe someday someone will discover her. Flash forward to a decade later, and Del Rey is now one of the most prominent voices in music. While reminiscing on her past should make her feel proud of all she has accomplished, it's instead a mournful flashback. The life of normality is when she felt the most valued; felt the most seen. This is where the real glamour of Del Rey comes to fruition. Her ability to take the mundane and turn it into something that feels larger than life is a trademark talent only she possesses. White Dress falls into the same vein as her 2012 hit Video Games. Video Games— a song about getting drunk at dive bars and playing darts with her boyfriend— somehow feels like the narrative of the most glamorous woman to have ever lived. But this is what Del Rey does best. She has a way of capturing the feeling of frail femininity, and instead of mocking these emotions— which most deem as hysterical (see, Lana Del Rey is not a bad feminist!)— she makes them feel divine. Even her vape crackling in the background on White Dress sounds alluring. This tense piano ballad serves as a reminder that fame isn't what it's cracked up to be. Accepting the normality of day-to-day life and finding beauty and happiness in the mundane is a pretty glamorous way to live. You won't find another track out there as complex as White Dress. It's confusing; it's daring; it's gorgeous;— it's Lana Del Rey.
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