My Favorite Songs of 2021 So Far
Already moving away from sports, oops
Because I didn’t have this newsletter at the six-month point of the year, I will do my favorite songs list at the seven-month point instead. It also helps that a song released within the past week was so good that it inspired me to talk about music on the whole for 2021.
Last year was so unbelievably bad in so many ways, but the music released was a small, small bright spot for me. Albums like Phoebe Bridgers’ “Punisher,” Dua Lipa’s “Future Nostalgia,” The Weekend’s “After Hours,” The Stroke’s “The New Abnormal” and both of Taylor Swift’s “folklore” and “evermore” were some of the many that I truly loved last year.
(Mark that down for two straight newsletters with Phoebe Bridgers shoutouts, it could become a trend.)
There are albums I have enjoyed in 2021 as well, but for now, I will focus on the individual songs that I’ve truly loved. These 10 songs are almost nothing alike, but man they all slap so damn hard. Here they are, in alphabetical order, as I will probably do a full songs/album list in actual order at the end of the year.
If you have not heard any of these songs and would like to, there is a link to a Spotify playlist at the bottom and links to each individual song as it goes. There would be an Apple Music playlist link at the bottom, but it wouldn’t work, so Spotify wins this round.
Also, I hope you like some non-sports content here once in awhile. If not, well, you can always count on Monday’s post.
All Eyes on Me – Bo Burnham
Starting it off with what some may consider a weird one, but I had to include something from Burnham’s “Inside,” a true masterpiece of a special.
There are plenty of songs funnier than “All Eyes on Me,” but this is the type of track that makes “Inside” such a special watch. This song is mostly devoid of humor, but is instead a moving, beautiful track that comes at a point in Burnham’s special where he is at his lowest, and you can really feel that emotion come through.
I would recommend the entirety of this Netflix special, and it will make a song like this have a much larger impact than it should on the surface.
Buzzcut – Brockhampton feat. Danny Brown
Brockhampton has worked its way into my heart ever since the wonderful “Saturation” trilogy of 2017. Since then, the group has still made excellent music, and while I don’t have “Roadrunner” among my favorite albums the group has done, “Buzzcut” as the opening single was up there with one of its best songs.
The beat on this thing is insane, with the verses from Kevin Abstract and guest feature Danny Brown being even more absurd, and the switch up the last minute of the track makes just put it over the edge as one of my favorites of the year.
The video is also one of the best I’ve seen in 2021, if you are prepared for that sort of unhinged energy.
Good 4 u – Olivia Rodrigo
Believe me, I wanted to pick one of the non-singles. But if I did, I would be lying.
Olivia Rodrigo has dominated 2021, and the entirety of “Sour” is worth a listen. But no song hit harder than “good 4 u,” which gets me jumping, head-banging and screaming the lyrics without fail every single time.
Surely you have heard this song by accident at the least, but in case you haven’t given it a fair shake yet, blast the shit out of this song and enjoy the ride.
Great Mass of Color – Deafheaven
Deafheaven is always a group I have had great respect for, while still recognizing the music is not entirely made for me.
But this first single off its incoming album is one of the first songs that I both respected and adored. “Great Mass of Color” trades out the typical scream vocals for more melodic singing behind an absolutely beautiful assortment of instruments, and the results are stunning, at least to me.
While “Sunbather” is certainly a classic, “Infinite Granite” might become my favorite album from the metal group if this track is any hint at what is to come.
Hot & Heavy – Lucy Dacus
Every member of Boygenius has made an absolute heater album in the past year plus, and Lucy Dacus is no exception. And while “Home Video” had plenty of highlights, it is “Hot & Heavy” that I go back to over and over and over and over again.
The lyrics are heartbreaking, the instrumental is gorgeous and Dacus’ vocals fit perfectly over it all. It shouldn’t be surprising that Dacus is able to paint a picture of something sad about love at this point, but this song is so specifically incredible that it felt like I was hearing her music for the very first time.
Industry Baby – Lil Nas X feat. Jack Harlow
If Lil Nas X’s career ended with “Old Town Road,” it would have been all worth it. Instead, he has continued to deliver great single after great single, and “Industry Baby” is his very best, at least since his first hit.
With great production from Take a Daytrip and Kanye West that is primarily using horns to pick up the energy, Lil Nas X delivers great verses and a catchy chorus, all adding up to one of the most infectious songs of the year.
All of that would be good enough, but the addition of Jack Harlow, who brings the heat for one of the best verses of his career, is enough to put it over the top. And, like “Buzzcut,” I would recommend the video.
Introvert – Little Simz
Another Little, but this one has much less recognition than they deserve.
Little Simz is likely the most underrated rapper working today. The 27-year-old British artist had one of the best albums of 2019 with “GREY Area” and she seems on track to do it again with “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.”
Almost any of the singles released from this thing could be on this list, but the first track dropped, “Introvert” was the first jaw drop, and is the one I still enjoy the most. Simz, per usual, brings the heat on the verses behind a beat that sounds cinematic to put it lightly.
This is six minutes of intensity, passion and all-around excellence, and I cannot recommend it enough.
Leave the Door Open – Silk Sonic
A Bruno Mars-Anderson .Paak collab project was always destined for greatness, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect something this good.
My god, has there ever been a more well-named group than Silk Sonic? This shit is the silkiest song I have ever heard in my life, with both Mars and .Paak working perfectly over this retro-style beat.
Not only do they both work with the production, but they work off each other like they were made to collaborate. The chemistry is clear, and the results are absolutely stunning.
Paprika – Japanese Breakfast
Headed by Michelle Zauner, Japanese Breakfast dropped a brilliant piece of work this year in “Jubilee,” one of my very favorite albums of the year.
Like many other picks on this list, I could have went with plenty of songs from this artist, but the opener is so sugary sweet and blissful that it teleports me into its world on every listen.
Zauner’s vocals work wonders on a sonic experience that sounds so full and vibrant, something you can say about the majority of the record. Please listen to “Paprika,” then listen to the rest of this wonderful album.
Sweet / I Thought You Wanted To Dance – Tyler, the Creator feat. Brent Faiyaz and Fana Hues
If Tyler says this is his favorite song on the album, who am I to disagree with him?
Again, many songs to choose from off “Call Me if you Get Lost,” another wonderful album to add to the list this year, but this 10 minutes of pure, continuous bliss is my pick.
There are some insanely good hard core rap moments all over the album, and the softer “Wilshere” will always have a place in my heart, but the groove, flow and creativity in this two-part track is something else entirely.
The additions of Brent Faiyaz and Fana Hues only add to what is an already wonderful track and, even with its lengthy runtime, it is the song I come back more than the rest on this project.
If you enjoyed this post and agree with all of my correct opinions, please share this post with the button below. If I forgot any songs you think should have been included, I’d love to see some suggestions in the comments.
If you are interested in me talking about random topics like this, or on my more focused Mondays with Big Ten women’s basketball, you can subscribe with the button at the top of the post. Thanks!