Addicted - Jorja Smith

Jorja was one of many to do something very home made but very brilliant during lockdown (as you can tell from the video). The Be Right Back EP is an accomplished tease for a full album in ‘22.

I love the distorted guitars and homemade breakbeat simplicity.

At My Worst -Pink Sweat$ + Kehlani

Ok you’ve got my, I’m an absolute softy, as yes this has gone on at home after a couple of glasses of wine, but thats ok.

Kiss me More - Doja Cat + SZA

**Fair warning, this one is fairly explicit- don’t say I didn’t tell ya

Just a really cool summer pop track, both of these performers have been doing some quality stuff for a couple of years so no surprise.

Peaches - Justin Bieber

Yep, that’s right, the biebs made it in, and I’m not even sorry. Don’t pretend you didn’t sing along to this in summer ‘21.

Proper tune, ably supported by Giveon & Daniel Caesar.

Carousels - Doves

Right so technically this album came out in late ‘20 but I’m including it for three reasons..

1- Its my list - ner ner

2- Most of the video is shot around the Barbican in London and my friend JD thinks me saying “Barbican” in my Irish accent is the funniest thing ever.

3-This year Jez announced that after many years Doves would go on hiatus due to his own mental health issues, a really strong statement and we wish him all the best.

Learning Curve - Aitch

**Another fairly explicit one- you’ve been warned

This is absolutely childish in every possible way and I have no excuse as a 44 year old grown up for listening to it, ah well.

(Anita secretly likes it too)

Smile - Wolf Alice

Wolf Alice have quietly been producing bangers and been the festival must-see for a few years now. One of the few bits of heavier guitar music that got me this year.

Just For Me- Pinkpanteress

OK so nostalgia doesnt have to mean 50 years ago, this one is firmly rooted in the garage and 2 step of early 2000s, the girl took the artful dodger sound and made it cool again.

Meet me at our spot - The Anxiety

why do I always get anxiety about spelling anxiety right?

Some of the stuff that Willow is doing recently (yes, Willow Smith, daughter of Will, previously known for very annoying “Whip my hair” song) is really strong and this song with Tyler Cole is a straight banger.

Linda - Tokischa x Rosalia

Music can unify in a way that few other things can, go to European countries and all your favourite shows will be on, re-dubbed in whatever the local language is, but music, nope.

The kids will know all the words and love it, the same way I knew every word to “La Bamba” back in the day. (Yes, I’m old)

Please don’t leave just yet - Holly Humberstone

Holly Humberstone is in that strange position where she launched her first 2 EPs in a lockdown world so getting the promotion out must have been strange.

Well it seems that some of the right people definitely were impressed, this song is the result of Matty Healy (the 1975) hearing the first EP and asking to work together.

Hope _ Arlo Parks

one of the break out acts of 2020 started ‘21 with this release. it manages to be a bit dark but with an underlying message of positivity and yeah… hope

Daydreaming - EasyLife

Northamptonshire’s finest weirdos!! What I love about these guys is the have a habit of making beauty out of the mundane. Last time I heard a UK artist do that so well it was Mike Skinner.

Good Days - SZA

SZA has built up a huge number of chart entries on other peoples songs over the years (indeed she’s on the Doja Cat track earlier).

When SZA takes full control she ads more depth and volume than ever before. This song doesn’t even have a “standard” structure. This is in the vein of Andre300 or Erika Badu for me.

Steet Runner - Rod Wave

When it come to efficient use of your time Rod’s got it sorted…. a 1 minute intro, Rod does 1 verse, 1 Bridge, 1 Chorus and then its the super long answerphone outro, thats it!!

Paints a great picture though.

Intimidated - Kaytranada

Not much dancey stuff really grabbed me this year but this was one of them. This track is all about the vocals by H.E.R.

For Tonight- Giveon

This guy is the definition of slick in ‘21. A track that almost takes you back to the heyday of Babyface & Boys2Men in the 90’s.

I’m on board.

Black Hole - Griff

Just like Holly Humberstone above, Griff is one of those thats managed to get out there and make a name for herself during a time when most of the usual ways to market yourself just weren’t available. Lots more to come.

Love Again - Dua Lipa

Yes, if you’re even close to my age you know them sampled horns & strings from the strange one hit wonder of the 90’s Your Woman by Whitetown.

but then there is that phrase that has been attributed to everyone from Picasso to Tennyson… “Good artists copy, great artists steal”

Body of Water - Tierra Whack

A last minute addition to the list, only released in December but it had to go in. Tierra has always been on the kooky side of this and this is no different. The parallels to BOB - Outkast are huge but that only makes it better.

Spit of You - Sam Fender

I’m on board with every Sam does, I’ll even forgive him for being a massive Newcastle fan and thats not easy.

This is an obviously deeply personal and honest song about what for so many people, me included, is often the most formative of relationships.

Essence- WizKid

Back in the 90’s one of the biggest criticisms of UK hiphop was they were all trying to sound American. With pioneers like Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, Kano the UK found it’s voice in this area and today artists like Stormzy are global.

In the very same way Wizkid, Tems (who’s also on this track) and people like Burna Boy are putting Africa on the world stage.

Industry Baby - Lil Nas X

A top exposition of loud and proud and I’m all for it. 25 years ago George Michael was ruthlessly outed by tabloids (I mean everyone knew anyway but thats beside the point) and his response was top notch, “Outside” & “Freek” followed soon after with a really clear message, I’m proud as hell.

X does the very same here and in the famously homophobic world of HipHop that’s to be applauded

I Love You, I Hate You - Little Simz

Thematically not dissimilar to the Sam Fender track already mentioned except here Simbi seems to go harder on both her dad and at times herself too. PS the Album “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert” is brilliant start to finish, probably my album of ‘21

Chemtrails over the country club - Lana Del Ray

LDR is one of those funny ones for me, I wouldn’t describe myself as a fan as such but every album gets a listen end to end the moment it comes out. Always high quality and effortlessly cool.

Happier Than Ever - Billie Eilish

You’ve gotta love a song that totally changes half way through right?

At the beginning of ‘21 Apple TV released “The World’s a little blurry”, a documentary following Billie and Finneas as the world changed for them. Amongst the various passages in tour busses and dressing rooms as they riff away on song ideas we get to hear this one for the first time.

Leave the door open - SilkSonic

right so everyone knows Bruno Mars, for the record Anderson .Paak means more to me.

Be in no doubt at all, SilkSonic is a pastiche, the lads are playing a role, but thats ok. This is for the pure cheesy fun of it.

Star- Crossed - Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves has been a huge country music star for a while in the states, I know europeans don’t always get the country music thing but believe me… HUGE.

Star-Crossed was the album she came back with this year, much more pop then before, so much so that the grammys refused to put her in the country music section of the nominations.

Dakiti - Bad Bunny

Like the Rosalia tune earlier, its doesn’t matter if you understand the lyrics, it’s just a tune.

(Although I’ve noticed this video has english subtitles)

Jail - Kanye West

There’s a lot you can say about Kanye, a LOT!!

Look past all of that however and you’ll see a guy who’s been pushing forward and doing new things for 20 years.

In all honesty this much hyped and delayed album was disappointing but this track including a surprise verse from Jay is a highlight

Chaise Longue - Wet Leg

it’s just the knowing wink going on here that makes this pretty cool, two sisters from the isle of white with a lot more to come in ‘22

Apricots - Bicep

In my old job I often left at 4am to head up the M1 in the dark for the 3 hour drive to yorkshire… for that alone this was spot on.