Top 50 Songs of 2021

[dremolus - solarpunk]

Jan 4, 2022 11:32:56 GMT -5 sadchild said:

Jan 1, 2022 8:10:14 GMT -5 dremolus - solarpunk said:

his was the first real song I'd ever heard from Thrice and talk about a great first impression

Be sure to check out "Black Honey" from 2016. Some would call it their best song.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9GTEsNf_GU

Really liked it, not as much as Scavengers but it's solid alt rock

[dremolus - solarpunk]

Time for round three!

Honorable Mentions Round 3:

Delicious Things by Wolf Alice

For a while, I thought The Last Man on Earth was a lock for this list but eventually, the great hook of this won me over and is actually my favorite song from Blue Weekend.

You're Not One to Cry by Fawning

My favorite shoegaze single of the year, just a quiet but simmering great joint.

Hollywood by Emma Ruth Rundle and Thou

Looking at my notes, I'm surprised how many songs about fame made my list.

Peng Black Girls by ENNY feat. Jorja Smith

Always great to see more female black artists in the scene, also is my favorite Jorja Smith song in a while.

quicksand by Morray

God, Morray is so good.

Perennial Philosophy by Eidola

A late year entry this one and not to get too personal, but if there's a song this year that really speaks to asking for help, it was this one.

family ties by Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar

Baby Keem is surprisingly great here...but man, Kendrick is still a GOAT.

mememe by 100 gecs

The gecs' ability to write a hook is superhuman, I swear to God.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#30. John L by black midi

So much of the discourse surrounding Don't Look Up has been interesting. I haven't seen it in full but a common complaint is the unsubtlety of the movie which got me thinking: can political allegories and satire still be strong even if the figures of speech aren't precisely subtle. The answer is of course; there's been plenty of direct political satire made in decades prior and now that are just as powerful even if you know the background and obvious parallels (hell, I just finished reading Animal Farm) a few weeks ago.

In my opinion, whether art is clever or subtle commentary is is only as important as the presentation which I why black midi's lead single caught me off guard. In summary: in chronicles the rise of John L (pronounced John 50), rallying a crowd behind his ideas, making them angry and restless, and indoctrinating them to his ideology: nationalism. The crowd can only take so much as violence ensues, resulting in the death of John L but his ideology will persist in those who survive, perhaps creating a new John L in the future. Again, you don't have to reach that far to see the band is talking about but again, like a lot of good political allegories, even if you decipher the lyrics, the presentation is still powerful enough to make it art to come back to. From the stuttering up string, chopped up guitars, Geordie Greep's vocals, the drumming, it's all chaotic to serve the narrative and to evoke the atmosphere of being in the midst of a cult leader, but with enough distance to recognize that the emperor has no clothes. It's bold and creative, and a great foot forward for what we can expect from black midi beyond experimental art rock compositions.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#29. Moth to a Flame by Swedish House Mafia and The Weeknd


The re-examination of Swedish House Mafia - as well as the entire 2010s EDM scene - has been interesting to see. Time will truly tell how Avicii, Zedd, and the whole EDM house scene will be viewed but for now, it seems SHM are being viewed as the good ones, with the three songs they put out this year showing how much they've evolved from their bombastic festival days yet they still remain top notch when it comes to crafting a good pop song with a good hook; especially with the more gothic bells and chimes. And it's also one of The Weeknd's best ever electronic collaborations. Outside of his work with Daft Punk and Oneohtrix Point Never, most of his collabs with producers have been pretty stale pop but here, they still allow Abel to show his personality. It's the best of both worlds and when I first heard this song, I was blown away by how well both worked together. It'll be interesting to see what other experiments Swedish House Mafia have prepared for 2022 but after hearing this, I think we're all glad the boys are back.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[GP]

yessssss Moth To A Flame is incredible

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#28. Cold Heart (PNAU Remix) by Elton John and Dua Lipa

I’m honestly a bit surprised how high this ended and I think a bit of you will be surprised this is even on the list. I've seen the backlash and indifference to this and how it's not one of Dua's better hits. Well I'm more than ready to disagree. I can't help it, this is one of my favorite hits of the year. In the end I was won over the great groove, the great chemistry Dua has over the sampled vocals of Elton John, and most importantly the way PNAU was able to make sampling various Elton John songs feel cohesive and unique, including using the honestly rather saccharine and dated Sacrifice into something with body, something worth replaying. It's one of the best hits of the year, the best electronic hit of the year, and a comeback in the mainstream for Elton John, all wrapped up in one great package. And besides: a song that reminds us how amazing the original Rocketman is can’t be all that bad.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends }Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

Apologies about the pause in between entries, laptop was lagging so had to delete some tabs lmao

[Deleted]

saw #29 just in time with the rumors of the swedes having production credits on dawn lmfao

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#27. Harshest Critic by Allison Ponthier


Okay so I don't want to get too personal with these lists but out of all the songs here, this is the one I relate to the most but I think most of us can relate to crushing and potentially self-destructive doubt and insecurity. It's the little things that only we'll notice and that will eat at us while we sleep...that most people whether it be the audience at a show or just even just your friends, they won't care about, won't notice, or most likely unaware. It's simple but powerful writing nonetheless from one of my favorite singer-songwriter acts from 2021...and one that'll probably be powerful a few years, months, days, hell right now. Anxiety is a bitch, ain't it?

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#26. Day After Tomorrow by Phoebe Bridgers

Phoebe Bridgers is lowkey becoming one of the best cover artists currently around. Her cover of the Goo Goo Dolls’ Iris was both great and for a great cause, her cover of Merle Haggard’s If We Make It Through December is stunning and would’ve been an honorable mention if I didn’t have a one-song-per-artist rule. Her cover of Nothing Else Matters is one of the best from that Blacklist album, and for a while, I was thinking about putting her cover of Bo Burnham’s That Funny Feeling.

But in the end, I went with her cover of a Tom Waits deepcut. Now covering Tom Waits is already tough as is, given his legacy. And the original isn't an easy song to talk about. The song is about a soldier going to war with the belief he'll return a hero...only to be faced with the reality, pointlessness, and cruelty of war. It is a hopeless scenario, one where he can only cling onto his memories of home as a source of comfort with the idea he'll come home even alive now feeling like a fantasy...until the end where against all odds, he makes it home. And while the original is good and Tom Waits' delivery certainly fits the character of the song, crucify me for saying this but I think Phoebe actually tops the original. Not just with a more soothing delivery that's just as emotive in capturing the tragedy and hope of it all, but in the instrumental additions. Normally, adding more to a bare acoustic song would miss the point, make it too bombastic. But here the strings and guitar still fit the melancholy vibe while adding more melody to make it more palatable to return to and the short interlude of Silent Night evoke more emotions of homeliness. It's a devastating song that rips your heart out to put it back in and it was somehow made better. What more can you ask from a cover?

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#25. Welcome to the Internet by Bo Burnham


Todd in the Shadows talked about this before but comedy music is without a doubt one of the hardest genres to do. Balancing songs that are musically competent, creative, and fresh, while also writing jokes that still need to be funny after multiple listens. It's a tricky tightrope that only few can really master, let alone get acclaim for.

So it's good to know that Bo Burnham isn't just one of the few making good comedic music, that he isn't just one of the few who've broken into the mainstream - especially after the release of his film Inside, but also that he hasn't missed a step in being funny ever since his retirement from stand-up a few years ago. He's always been a great talent when it comes to jokes but I think what's underrated is his talents as a composer. So outside of the word salad about the insanity of the internet is a solid melodic tune even with all the admittedly corny sound effects. But the part of the song in my opinion is the bridge with a talk about the history of the Internet with a call to stick together...all to be bookended the maniacal laughter at the end before the final chorus. A wonderfully dark way to end the song. It's a hell of an earworm, fun to sing-along to and memorize, and yeah, is still pretty funny even after multiple listens.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#24. Keel Timing by Manchester Orchestra

Andy Hull has been one of my favorite discoveries this year. I've already talked about how I loved his work with Paris Jackson but without spoiling too much for my other list (wink wink), his work with Manchester Orchestra has also been stellar. And what's great is that they're pretty accessible as far as alt rock bands go. The hard rock strumming and drumming, Andy Hull being charismatic both with softer singing on the verses but still being capable of belting on the chorus, all around one of the best hooks on the album, and all centered around finding love from your loved ones and to cherish that love in the face of sudden death in the family. Manchester Orchestra's got a ton of exposure this year and I can only hope they and Andy Hull get more love from alt rock fans and rock press going forward.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#23. Chaeri by Magdalena Bay

Oh boy well I think most of y'all expected something from Magdalena Bay to show up sooner or later, and I bet some MagBay stans are mad this isn't higher! Well, it's all my opinion but that shouldn't detract from the quality they've been putting out this year. It was neck-in-neck between this or Secrets as the rep but while I love the g-funk synthpop of the latter, the slow building climax of Chaeri can't be ignored. Most of the music community on the Internet has already raved about ALL of the singles from Magdalena Bay this year so I won't add much beyond the futuristic pop sound they've crafted has been fascinating. Given the album it comes from, it really does feel like music from a different world yet there's still a familiarity to it. Not necessarily obtuse or complex but still new. The following the group as accumulated in a short amount of time has been interesting to see as well and I think all eyes are on what they have next.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#22. brutal by Olivia Rodrigo

This is the song that I think proved to everyone, even to Olivia doubters and haters, that she wasn't just another cookie cutter pop star. A fantastic way to open the album and a hell of an artistic statement, it's juvenile, immature, bratty even annoying and whiney in its angst, but all underpinned under real relatable teenage anxiety. Forget what parents or other adults might say, the reality IS that your best sometimes not be good enough or that you're even rewarded for doing so. And the world is messy, fucked up, full of expectations only to be gaslit when you don't meet them, your own personal anxieties, and that's before knowing WE STILL HAVE TO GROW UP TO BE AN ADULT! It's adolescent music in the best way possible and shows Olivia has the potential to be a smart pop act in the 2020s.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#21. Right On Time by Brandi Carlile


Even despite being one of the most acclaimed acts in country right now and even being nominated for Album of the Year back in 2018, I still feel like Brand Carlile isn't appreciated more of. Maybe it's country music marketing or label or maybe it's the assumption she makes music that gets acclaimed in circles but isn't talked about much from the outside but she should be in the conversation a lot more than just "critic bait". Because beyond thoughtful and mature writing, she's got a beautiful, powerful theatrical voice capable of matching other singer-songwriter acts like Angel Olsen and Sharon Van Etten. And this year, she showed herself to be capable of moving outside of the country sound and dabbling with piano rock, where she can show even more of her belting in one of the most powerful vocal performances of the year. And despite the volume of her voice and instrumentation, it never detracts from the gut-wrenching emotions she has in the lyrics as she tackles yet another breakup. I have a sneaking suspicion this won't be the last time I praise Brandi's music but if she continues making amazing music like this, I can't complain much.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

I'm feeling a bit better now so let's try and finish this week.

Honorable Mentions Round 4:

bugAboo by bugAboo

One of the best K-Pop debuts I’ve heard in a while, those horns are just incredible.

Tiny Houses by Sweet Trip

One of the best dreampop songs of the year and also one of the best intros.

Stand for Myself by Yola

Yola's without a doubt one of the most powerful voices in country right now. Listen to that final hook and tell me you don't feel like standing up and fighting.

Venus Fly Trap by MARINA

Is it a bit simplistic, liberal, and honestly a bit cringe in its girlboss attitude? Sure. Is it still one of the best pop songs of the year, definitely.

Moonwalk by CupcakKe

"Turn his face to J. Cole, I wanna see no features." Absolute fire and better than anything on The Off-Season

porcelain slightly by Lil Ugly Mane

This is really weird. I like it.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[Darkest Hour]

Shameless self-promo but you know where to rank Stand For Myself if you need to (also surprised it wasn't sent to WTM).

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#20. Great Mass of Color by Deafheaven

I think it needs to be said but Deafheaven’s pivot to pure shoegaze was vastly overrated. Sure it’s not reinventing the wheel when it comes to shoegaze nor as interesting as their blackgaze work but it was still solid enough pivot and still retained smart writing. The influence of American Football and Mike Kinsella is pretty obvious (especially in George Clarke's more clean vocals) but that's not a bad thing, especially if like American Football, they can capture that moment of transcendent clarity. A calm amongst the storm that's not a pure or complete cleansing of inner darkness or fear, but just a moment of respite and clear thinking. A moment of going back to the drawing boards and thinking about what needs to be done next, even if it's not clear yet. But really it’s the final hook that really solidifies this song for me. The death metal shrieks with the guitars with the line 'You are the sea and nobody owns you' being echoed. It's a powerful statement to end on that I think was sorely underappreciated this year and I hope gets more respect in future years.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#19. My Head & My Heart by Ava Max

YUP! I really did that.

And no, I’m not being ironic whatsoever when I say Ava Max made one of the best pop songs of the year. And I get the feeling that for a song as simple and straightforward as this, it really is a matter of taste because yes, Ava Max isn't re-inventing the wheel nor does she still have the charisma or personality to really stack against other pop acts right now. If you don't really care for this song or don't think it's all that special (especially special enough to be above Magdalena Bay, Olivia Rodrigo, Bo Burnham, Phoebe Bridgers, black midi, and other acts who made "better/more complex music" in 2021. But goddamnit, I don't care: I love this song so much, there's a reason this was one of my most played songs of last year. The way she elevates the original All Around the World with a tighter groove, the beat, one of Ava Max's best ever vocal performances (and videos as well), all centered around her best ever hook. It’s unlikely Ava Max will ever catch lightning in a bottle this simple yet satisfying but again, even when pop is boiled down the basics, even an act like Ava Max can make something truly great.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[wrip]

Tiny Houses, Stand For Myself, Porcelain Slightly and Great Mass Of Color

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#18. A Bottle of Rum by Xiu Xiu

Take all the context and lyrics of Great Mass of Color but have it be preceded by a whole album of vulnerability and accepting personal weakness. It's the climax of the the album, one of the most powerful musical statements this year but even taken outside the context of the album, it's just a phenomenally beautiful dream pop song. Jamie Stewart's vulnerable singing opposite Liz Harris of Grouper, playing the woman who finally let's him pick up the pieces of himself for self-compassion and to find love. In a world full of nihilism, pessimism, and despair, being able to find the light and create hope in the darkness - it wasn't an easy path getting here nor will it be a stable path going forward; there's still lingering anxiety and worry - but to be able to move forward, it is inspiring. And what's funny is that this isn't in my Top 3of OH NO but we'll leave that for another list. For now; a beautiful song and from a band mostly known for darkness, that was a pleasant surprise.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#17. Ambiguous Norway by Cassandra Jenkins

The heavy content continues...not gonna lie: even until now this is the hardest song to really revisit and the one that touched me the hardest. Cassandra Jenkins’ tribute to the late David Berman with her grief-stricken vocals, the soft instrumental full of harps, snares, it’s always knocked the air out of me every time I’ve listened to it. Especially when you can clearly here her still trying to process events and trying to accept the reality of the situation...even if she doesn't want to. No amount of description I have will ever do fully capture her grief over the situation, hence why it's so hard to revisit. But it's one I'm grateful to have heard and I hope Cassandra as well as David Berman's family is healing. May David rest in peace and Cassandra's words ring truer than ever.

You're gone, you're everywhere

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#16. INDUSTRY BABY by Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow

I've said it before and I'll expand on it in another list but Lil Nas X is one of the most forward thinking and creative acts in the mainstream right now. Which might seem like way too much praise to the point of overexaggeration...but it's probably one Nas has heard himself, one that he expects to here in fact. He's acutely aware of all his detractors and critics who are ready to decry him a flop, a fad, and an artist who's nothing but gimmicks of controversy, but only will he prove them wrong and flip expectations on their heads, he'll have those who support him in populist empowerment. And with the powerful horns, catchy flows and a great hook, the queer spirit, and a fantastic verse from Jack Harlow, both men take what could've been another tired, annoying 'fuck the haters' song into something actually anthemic and motivational. Having studied queer arts and how most of it revolves around being the outcast of society, it's great to hear a mainstream song from a queer artist actually bring us to the forefront.

But really when a song has the line: "All these social networks and computers got these pussies walkin’ round like they ain’t losers". What else do I need to add?

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#15. CORSO by Tyler, the Creator

And speaking of gay black men feeling and acting powerful, I mean like Ava Max there's a limit I can say to a song as simple as this and unlike Ava Max, everyone is on board with how great of a rapper Tyler is. His unique voice and buckets of charisma, the amount of quotables in this song, the various flow switches including a mantra to 'turn the noise up', even DJ Drama's adlibs are great (according to Tyler, they were originally meant for A$AP ROCKY but I don't think ROCKY would've been as charming as DJ Drama). Again, what else can I really add? Everyone's praised Tyler to hell and back, if you aren't on board yet, what the hell are you waiting for?

Call me if you get lost, bitch!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#14. The Beachland Ballroom by IDLES

It takes balls and guts for IDLES to release a song this dark as their lead single, especially after so many anthems of populism but I'm also grateful because it's one of their most raw and powerful songs ever. It's a wake-up from a cocaine binge but in all the worst ways. Sweat sliding down your head, teeth grit, fist clenched, on your knees, barely conscious and aware of the self-destruction you've put yourself through and will most likely keep going through given addiction, but rather than being voyeuristic in despair it's visceral and real. Joe Talbot's howling for the final half of the song being the most evident, just a roar to self-destruct and leave nothing in it's wake. It's great to see IDLES shed the image that they're just a band full of progressive sloganeering and that there's also a reality behind all the loud anthems they make, a reality that's darker than some of us realize.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#13. 4 Da Gang by 42 Dugg and Roddy Ricch

Cards on the table: best trap hit of the year. And I know it might be "heresy" to rank a song like that so high but I don't care, there's just so much I love about this song! 42 Dugg has slowly been growing on me as a rapper; his nasal southern twang (odd since he's from Detroit) took a while to get used to at first but he's got enough presence and confidence as a rapper. And I also love his affection for the West Coast sound and bounce while never coming across as a poser or just doing a throwback for nostalgia sakes. And with Roddy Ricch still being one of the more colorful rappers in trap right now, the Scopions sample accenting the beat, and the chemistry both rappers have to play off with each other, again a song I found myself replaying over and over again. Y'all slept on this song and 42 Dugg this year, I think y'all need to change that.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#12. Born Yesterday by Arca feat. Sia

Look, I get given the title given the title and Sia's involvement it'd be easy to mock and ridicule this song but I hope people don't ignore this song just because of Sia. They'd be missing out on one of Arca's best songs yet and one of the powerfully queer musical statements of last year. The way that Arca's been able to tap into a real LGBT emotional spectrum over the past two years has been fascinating to watch. And while most of it has ranged from smart flips of reggaeton tropes, peaceful ambience, or reckless but proud noise, this is her at her most angry. Still confident but fighting against a system that would dare question her intelligence and integrity as a trans woman and the gall at them for ever thinking they could take that away from her. But while I could praise the unstable groove and the flapping synths that sound like hordes of insects, loathe as I admit it, it's really Sia who makes the track standout and as powerful as it is. This is without a doubt the best she's sounded in a decade: not just spewing empty pabulums or corporate slogans of being united, this is her sounding reinvigorated and with purpose. It's a loud song that shouts I am here and I'm not moving an inch in the face of systemic discrimination that feels real and should be an anthem for LGBT unity in the future. We weren't born yesterday and we aren't going anywhere tomorrow. 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#11. EAT by Poppy

I would've never suspected that a short little EP for WWE's NXT brand of all things would lead Poppy to making some of the best music of her career and the best metal music she's ever put out. Stripping away all the irony that's been curtaining the impact she could do and giving one her best ever vocal performances with howling shrieks and distorted yells into something manic and looks chaotic but like with Arca, it's not without a point. There's a great anger in her voice as she lays it all out and yells 'WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO EAT', and given the real abuse and trauma she's escaped, it's a cathartic yell she more than deserves. It's Poppy finally evolving into a credible and interesting metal act, perhaps the final stage of her evolution into metal but let's hope the great music doesn't end here and that she can expand and explore metalcore even more. I think we should all be grateful we've arrived at this destination. 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[wrip]

I’m not the biggest fan of Born Yesterday, but still love to see Arca on this list!! She’s so awesome

[dremolus - solarpunk]

Ayt let's finish this!

Final Round of Honorable Mentions!:

Thing With Feathers by Every Time I Die feat. Andy Hull

It's a testament to Every Time I Die's talent that a midst all the loud political anger and fast, heavy playing on their album, they're still capable to providing more quiet gut punches.

Measure of a Man by FKA twigs feat. Central Cee

Man even when FKA twigs goes a bit "mainstream", she's still great.

DONT SHOOT UP THE PARTY by BROCKHAMPTON

HEY! Just...chill...okay?

Strawberry by Doss

Was really on the cutting edge of making the Top 50 proper; consider this is the honorary #51. A beautiful example of less being more and letting the music speak for itself; it’s a beautiful combo of shoegaze and trip-hop that makes me wish that we got more from Doss this year outside of the four songs

SPOILER: Click to show

Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour

[dremolus - solarpunk]

#10. Take My Breath by The Weeknd


If I’m being honest, I’ve never been over the moon with The Weeknd’s retro throwbacks. Don't get me wrong, they're fun mostly competent and they're not just shamelessly nostalgic but I've always been more attached to the original brooding darkness that Abel's been making his bread and butter for the past decade. So when I say this is the best of his 80s throwbacks and the best thing he song The Weeknd did in 2021, I mean that. Obviously the 80s disco beat is great to hear (nice to know the Daft Punk influence hasn't gone even if they have) and of his mainstream hits, this is probably one of his catchiest hooks ever, it's so sticky. But what I might love the most are the lyrics. Walking the tight line line of total sadistic submission while still having that nervous fear of 'oh god, this might actually be the death of me' in great melodramatic fashion.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Friends}Mayman HamedM1 💔  ramona wants sleep rekwiem razorshark  Daryl the Beryl  willapted33  GP  Choco  Crimsonio  rom  samo🦕  peacebone  wheatsquares33  bornfearless2000  fearlessarrow  filthy  Leaf  lyhom  Web  Nick P  wrip  rimetm  BB🌕  kimberly  kindofbiased  MoD  otaviohmg  trilogy  Sambalada  Rose "Payola" Nylund  singingrulebritannia  violentdreams  walt91  𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕓𝕤  Ｓｏｕｎｄｃｌ🕤ｃｋ  Darkest Hour