25. Jensen McRae - "Immune"
It turns out that sometimes taking joke songs that go viral on Twitter and turning them into actual songs can end up pretty great! “Immune” started as a Phoebe Bridgers parody song after her joke went viral, but after the snippet went viral as well, the fully produced track came out a couple weeks later. The full version takes it away from the Phoebe influence by making the song more upbeat and shows Jensen’s more symbolic songwriting style compared to Phoebe’s more literal and potent flair. As great as the songwriting is on here, the production from Rahki helps make the song from a guitar demo to a full indie song. It’s now been almost a full year since the song came out, but it’s still a pretty great song all these months later.
24. Injury Reserve - "Superman That"
I like to think I listen to a lot of experimental hip hop, but I had never heard anything like this track before. It’s barely even hip hop, most of the track consists of Ritchie singing the refrain of, “Ain’t no saving me, ain’t no saving me or you,” over and over again. The production has these incredibly fast metallic drums, similar to what you’d hear in an IDM track, but they seem to be filtered through some generator or something. I still can’t concretely break down what’s actually happening here, but I can now say it’s one of the most heart wrenching songs I’ve heard all year. That aforementioned chorus over and over again just really starts to set in after the production becomes less abrasive after multiple listens. The emotion is just melting off of this track. No words can accurately describe how this track sounds, but I guarantee you that nothing else you’ve heard sounds like this song.
23. Mach-Hommy - "Wooden Nickels"
I really thought the Mach-Hommy song on this list was going to be from Pray for Haiti, but this new Mach album definitely has his best song of the year, the emotional “Wooden Nickels”. He weaves a story of his grandfather and how he helped his family leave Haiti and live better lives solely because of him. Mach then says how his father was going to do the same, but unfortunately passed away before he could and none of his hard work came to fruition. It’s summed up perfectly in the line, “It’s funny how debts are transferable but favors are not.” He also talks about his father making the fatal mistake and how people will call it selfish, which makes me think there’s a chance he actually committed suicide, but it’s hard to tell. Mach somehow manages to tell an extremely personal story while both being anonymous and leaving some of the story up to interpretation.
22. JID - "Skegee"
Kind of disappointed that this is the track of his that made it through to the end of the year, but I guess it is what it is. He really has to drop his album next year because as much as I love his previous albums, the general public is definitely losing interest. But that’s neither here nor there because “Skegee” is a slower, but powerful hip hop song that lets people know about the Tuskegee experiments and many more that has to do with the town. The lyrics go into depth on what it means to be Black in the United States right now, which ties in to the Tuskegee experiments mentioned above. The way he ties every line together is still something that astounds me every time I hear him rap, but everything is detailed to perfection. “Skegee” is still a great track, even though I’m a little disappointed there was no project this year.
21. Doja Cat - "Kiss Me More" (Feat. SZA)
Two words, pop perfection. Doja’s progression from a joke song about being a cow called “Moooo” in 2018 to making maybe the best pop song of the year three years later is not something I would’ve guessed. “Kiss Me More” is sonically coming from the same place as her 2019 hit “Say So”, except everything about this track is better. “Say So” felt almost like a pastiche of an 80s song, with nothing to ground it to today besides an ok rap verse from Doja. Instead, “Kiss Me More” feels current with a current day disco flair and obvious current day vocal layering. Adding SZA as a feature was a perfect fit as she brought a bit more of a vocal presence to this obvious pop hit in the best way. And talk about a melody that gets stuck in your head, this sure has that. “Kiss Me More” was the song of the summer, and for good reason.
20. Conway the Machine - "Scatter Brain" (Feat. JID & Ludacris)
Well this is slightly disappointing. It has nothing to do with the song itself, but I was sure that Conway would release better songs than this in the second half of the year as well. Unfortunately, my prediction didn’t come true, as neither Conway or JID ended up releasing their big albums, each of which was supposed to come out a long time ago. Regardless, there’s no arguing that this isn’t one of the best aggressive hip hop songs of the year. JID’s feature was so phenomenal that Conway had to add a little 15-second extra verse afterwards to not appear completely washed on the track. Having someone like Ludacris on a track like this doesn’t seem like it would work, but it does, even though he stumbles at the beginning of his verse. “Scatter Brain” shows some of the best rappers currently near the top of their game.
19. Terry Presume - "Zaza And Some Runtz"
I was not expecting a song like this from someone I’d never heard before. Terry came onto my radar from his debut single that was being pushed by accounts like Pigeons and Planes and Ones To Watch that combined folk and hip hop pretty smoothly, but it still seemed like he had a ways to go before he could make a fantastic song. Instead, just a couple months later, he drops something I’ve never heard before! The instrumental sounds like something a funk group in the 70s would’ve come with, especially with the super present bassline, quick guitar riff, and clavichord additions. Terry’s voice just soars over the track in the best way possible with this sporadic flow. It’s one of those tracks where it doesn’t even matter what he’s talking about, the beat and his voice are just too fantastic.
18. Vince Staples - "The Shining"
I’ve gone back and forth with this track and “Are You With That?” from the same album, but this track just encompasses the melancholic feeling better. Sonically, the song is fairly plain with a minimal trap-inspired beat from producer extraordinaire Kenny Beats and even Vince’s flow is almost nonexistent. It’s almost like he’s mumbling through the song, but it works with his nihilistic lyrics, like the chorus for example, “It’s not what you think. I could be gone in a blink, I don’t wanna leave. Yeah, it’s not what you thought. We dyin’ broke or live with broken hearts.” If that line wasn’t dark enough, the first line of the song is, “Don’t get murdered.” Thankfully, I’ve never and hopefully never will be in a situation like Vince grew up in, but the nihilistic feeling he gives off in this song is infectious, for better or for worse.
17. Phoebe Bridgers - "That Funny Feeling"
Normally covers wouldn’t be allowed in this list, but since she was able to officially release it on streaming services, I guess I’ll count it. Phoebe’s someone who keeps growing on me the more I listen to her, even 18 months after hearing Punisher for the first time. “That Funny Feeling” fits her lyrical style so well it’s honestly a shock that she didn’t write it, and she even introduces this cover during her live show by saying how it kills her that she didn’t write this track. The random references to pop culture events and people while still bringing home the nihilistic existential dread is perfect. Of course, the production is beautiful and Phoebe sounds amazing over it, which is why I have this version in here instead of Bo Burnham’s original plain guitar playing, but the lyrics are what really brings it home. When people can hit a chord like this line, you know it’s a special song, “That unapparent summer air in early fall. The quiet comprehending of the ending of it all.”
16. JPEGMAFIA - "HAZARD DUTY PAY!"
I really went between this track and the EP2 single “FIX YOURSELF!” as to which JPEGMAFIA track I wanted to include, but “HAZARD DUTY PAY” is just too infectious. The song is actually not on streaming services as he couldn’t clear the sample, but he made the right choice by releasing it anyway just on Youtube and Bandcamp. It wouldn’t be the same without the sample. In fact, the combination of the sample and the beat Peggy puts over top of it is the reason why this song is so amazing. Yes, JPEGMAFIA’s flow and rhymes are great and fit the song perfectly, but it’s this infectious groove he created with this beat and made sure to loop the perfect part of the sample. I definitely understand why the sample wasn’t cleared because it’s a heavy part of this song, but I’m also glad we got this song anyway.
15. Isaiah Rashad - "Headshots" (4r da Locals)
Isaiah Rashad has always been able to cultivate a perfect vibe with his tracks, and “Headshots” is another perfect example. It’s the spiritual successor to the track “4r da Squaw” from his 2016 album The Sun’s Tirade, and it occupies a similar vibe as that first one. “Headshots” almost feels like an R&B song with the slow tempo and the muted, but driving drums, and Isaiah even acknowledges this in the track. The chorus features these layered female vocals that duet with Isaiah beautifully. Just like its predecessor, “Headshots” doesn’t go deep into Isaiah’s mindstate like his earlier material, but it’s still an effective jam nonetheless.
14. James Blake - "If I’m Insecure"
“If I’m Insecure” only beats the single from this album because of the chorus lyrics, “And if I’m insecure, how have I been so sure that I’m gonna care for you until I am no more”. Sure, there are other parts in the song that I absolutely love. The subtle piano and percussion in the background for the majority of the song is nice, but the explosion of synths swelling to their full potential and even breaking down near the end of the track really help the song actually have a climactic ending, and thus, a climactic ending the album as well. As usual, James’s vocals are nothing short of beautiful and layered perfectly, but I just love that line above so much that it catapults this track above any other on the album.
13. Linkin Park & 100 gecs - "One Step Closer" (100 gecs Reanimation)
100 gecs released their lead single to their upcoming album 10000 gecs this year, but this remix of the Linkin Park classic is still significantly more enjoyable, in my opinion. It could be because this Linkin Park track is one that I grew up hearing a lot in public and video games, so hearing these innovators of music doing a remake of it pushes all the nostalgia buttons for me, but they also manage to keep everything that made the original song great into a super short time frame. They even keep Chester’s voice in the beginning while mixing in Laura’s traditional high pitched register. Even the screaming breakdown towards the end of the track remains here in the minimal time frame they gave themselves. 100 gecs may not have amazing singles everytime, but when they hit, they hit.
12. Cleo Sol - "We Need You"
This song was maybe the hardest to pick out of any on this list just because I only wanted to include one song per artist, and every song on Cleo Sol’s Mother is extremely consistent. In the end, “We Need You” stands out with its beautiful progression from a heartfelt piano ballad, to these swirling, watery guitars, and finally with some drums that hit so perfectly you forgot there wasn’t any percussion to begin with. The additional female voices that back up Cleo during the chorus are phenomenal, and Cleo’s leading vocals are easily some of the best on the album. I also love that the mic picked up her newborn son crying a little before five minutes in because it really shows that she recorded these songs while literally holding her song. That little detail helps make the song and album feel even more heartfelt than it already does.
11. Paris Texas - "Heavy Metal"
It’s rare that people’s first song on streaming services can be this amazing or unique, but leave it to Paris Texas to surprise. Built around an industrial-like guitar riff, the duo delivers introspective and boasting rap verses about independence. It’s a fairly minimal instrumental during the verses, with only that guitar riff and singular bass melody present, but the song explodes during the chorus with these blaring drums and synth that sounds straight out of 90s g-funk. For someone to start their career with a track like this is so impressive, especially with the melding of rock and hip hop they do. They ended up delving further into that sound with their EPs later in the year, but nothing from those projects hit quite as hard as this first track.
10. Nas - "Moments"
Nas is undoubtedly one of the greatest rappers of all time, but I didn’t see this coming from him this year. “Moments” is a song that he couldn’t have made up until now, and a song that wouldn’t work with almost any other rapper. Nas is speaking wisdom from above to remind people to appreciate moments they can’t relive. It’s a simple concept, but he puts it so eloquently and still makes it easily accessible to the masses. Especially during the chorus where he just lists a bunch of different things you can only do once, like learning how to swim or having your first kid. But it was when he said, “moving into your first crib,” where it really hit home, especially since this came out a couple weeks before I was moving into the studio downtown. Knowing that it would be a moment to remember and Nas almost subconsciously giving me a reminder will forever tie this song to that moment.
9. Zelooperz - "Battery"
Am I really going to write a full description about a song that’s only a minute long? Absolutely, because there aren’t many better bangers this year! Zelooperz tends to be pretty hit or miss with his music. His 2019 project Dyn-O-mite had some fantastic singles, including an amazing collaboration with Earl Sweatshirt called “Easter Sunday”. It wasn’t until this year’s Van Gogh’s Left Ear where he got back on track, and the opener “Battery” sets the project off with a bang. The bass is deep, the sample is warped beyond recognition, and it matches Zelooperz’s crazed delivery perfectly. Zelooperz delivers about five different voices and flows over the 66-second runtime that all carry this insane energy. I still have no idea what the song’s actually about, but after seeing him perform live, there’s no doubt this song will be a show staple for years to come.
8. St. Vincent - "Live in the Dream"
I had her song “Down” in this spot for the longest time, but the more Daddy’s Home sinks in, the more incredible this song gets. It’s a six-and-a-half minute long Pink Floyd-esque psychedelic rock track. Everything is coated in layers of reverb and delay that help make this track feel like a literal dream. There’s a plethora of synths that fill the soundscape, as well as her trusty guitar and many background singers during the chorus. It’s shocking that someone like Jack Antonoff who’s produced so many minimal albums this year would also produce something like this, but that just goes to show much of the vision and sound is attributed to St. Vincent herself. It should be impossible to make a Pink Floyd track this well in 2021.
7. Little Simz - "Introvert"
This song is by far the biggest statement I heard all year! The production is so large and bombastic that it transcends just being a rap song. And I don’t say that to put down hip hop, but rather that the impact and effort put into this track makes it feel like a movie instead of an actual song. The opening horns are fit for royalty, while the more straightforward beat provides a perfect space for Little Simz to rap extremely potent bars. And the way the string sections come in over little parts during her verses just helps add that little extra something special. Of course, having Inflo to produce the track and Cleo Sol sing the hook are also cheat codes in 2021 as well, but they only aid in Little Simz’s vision to create a masterpiece of a song.
6. The Alchemist - "Nobles" (Feat. Earl Sweatshirt & Navy Blue)
The positive energy just radiates off of this song, which is weird considering the music Earl Sweatshirt and Navy Blue normally make, but their connection is why this song is so uplifting. They grew up together and that connection still maintains to this day, even to the point of Navy Blue doing art direction for one of Earl’s albums. With both of them covering depression and mental health issues in their music, hearing them this positive about life is an achievement in itself. Musically, they trade bars and play off of each other’s lines in a way only longtime friends could. The Alchemist’s beat shouldn’t be overlooked as well, as he picked a beautiful loop and layered everything perfectly. “Nobles” will likely be an underappreciated gem for each of these artists by the time their careers are over.
5. Baby Keem - "Family Ties" (Feat. Kendrick Lamar)
I mean, of course it was going to be on here. Even outside of Kendrick’s half of the song, Baby Keem sounds better on here than most of his previous material. It helps that the beat has these infectious horns that set the song on the right path before he even raps. The fact that there’s not really a chorus to this song either is insane, especially for it to be as successful as it was, that’s a feat in itself. It’s basically just a long verse from Keem, and a second one by Kendrick, but both are amazing. Hearing a new Kendrick verse for the first time in years was definitely a moment in hip hop, especially with him being this aggressive towards the competition. Now, if only he actually released an album this year, but that’s another conversation.
4. Silk Sonic - "Leave The Door Open"
I’ve thought about changing this one to “Put on a Smile” or any number of songs from the album, but nothing compares to when this song came out, especially after their announcement. Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak obviously both put out quality music in their respective sounds, but this track blew the expectations out of the water! It was so perfectly retro, but still managed to be current, especially with Anderson’s cheeky lyricism. But musically, this track is full of incredible moments of both small and grand proportions. The outro is full of life with Bruno putting his all into the vocals and the addition of those harmonies, but also little things like Anderson’s impeccable drum fills during the chorus and the way everything drops out when Bruno ends the chorus make this song what it is.
3. Tyler, the Creator - "Sweet / I Thought You Wanted To Dance"
Of course in the album full of Tyler rapping, my favorite track still happens to be the one where he brings out the melodic side of himself. As per tradition on any Tyler album, the tenth song is separated into two vaguely related songs. “Sweet” is a meandering pop song with Brent Faiyaz providing some heavenly vocals and Tyler himself doing some singing. He managed to sneak two separate bridges into this track as well, which helps provide some difference to the instrumental. “I Thought You Wanted To Dance” is a reggae song that includes a heavy sample from a song called “Baby My Love”. Tyler sings once again about his attempts to find romance and even includes a very revealing rap verse towards the end of the track. Fana Hues also comes onto this track and provides the female perspective and plays the role of Tyler’s love interest. “Sweet / I Thought You Wanted To Dance” provides a nice melodic break from the rest of Call Me If You Get Lost that will age gracefully.
2. Kanye West - "Come to Life"
It came down to a game-time decision between this one and “Off The Grid”, but the emotional potency behind this track put it over the edge. The track is mainly about his divorce and how it’s affected him. His mixed feelings about Kim are clearly present in the lyrics, repeating that he’s mad when she’s home, but sad when she’s gone. But that the kids are what’s most important in his life, even if that means directly supporting the opposing fashion brands and having faith that God has a plan for him no matter what happens. Obviously I can't say I’m going through similar things as a 21-year old college student, but the passion behind his voice is infectious and the performance itself is one of his best. The instrumental is heart wrenching as well with the minimal guitar lines, layers of pianos, and vocal samples of prayers in the background. The piano was actually played by a sixth-grade piano prodigy, which is just a fun fact to make us all feel worse about achieving less. But “Come To Life” is easily one of the best songs Kanye’s made in a long time, and will hopefully have a lasting impression on this era of his career. The fact that I got to be in the arena where this song was premiered is easily a favorite memory of 2021.
1. Deb Never - "Someone Else"
Deb Never and I couldn’t be more different. Her, a daughter of Korean immigrants and openly gay, while I’m a straight white guy with family that’s been here for generations. There would be almost nothing on a demographic survey that we would answer the same. There’s not many reasons why her music should be able to resonate with me that much, but it does, and “Someone Else” is the best and first example of this. This song came out less than three weeks into 2021, and it never lost any emotional or replay value over that time. It’s hard to really describe this one because I know it’s not objectively the best song here, or even really that close. How this song is above “Introvert” and “Family Ties” on any top list should be impossible, but there’s just something about this track that keeps bringing me back. I think the simplicity in the track is really alluring, especially with the heaviness of the subject matter of the song. It builds flawlessly throughout the track, even with none of it being mind blowing. Deb’s voice is not one that will stand out, but her depressive tone and vocal layering during the chorus hit home. It always sounds like she’s sad while singing her songs, and this one is no exception. There’s just this extra something in this song that kept me coming back to it week after week after week. It just captures this melancholy aching feeling perfectly that we’ll get back to on the favorite projects list, but either way, “Someone Else” is an amazing song that won’t blow people away, but it’ll settle into your heads and your hearts.
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