2021 in Music.
Pop had a stellar year.
What I listened to in '21
I drive a lot, which means I have a lot of radio time (although these days that’s streaming services really). As I hear anything new that stands out I always set up a new playlist every year and throw songs in as I go, around now I go through it, there's always a couple of tracks that get thrown out on second listen and what remains becomes my annual playlist. This will be what gets played in the car as I head home on Christmas Eve morning (Yes, Anita will pepper it with a few Christmas songs too).
Everyone says it but I pretty much love every sort of music but one thing I've found looking back on this year is that Pop music has had a stellar year, it’s been a bit light on rap this year but I’ll console myself with word that the new Dre & Kendrick are both out in early '22.
*Standard warning that the tracks listed may include some naughty sweary words and maybe a couple of themes that might not be for everyone.
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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
At My Worst – Pink Sweat$ ft. Kehlani
OK, you’ve got me, I’m an absolute softy, and yes this has gone on at home after a couple of glasses of wine, but that’s OK.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Kiss Me More – Doja Cat ft. 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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Peaches – Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar & GIVĒON
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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Carousels – Doves
Right so technically this album came out in late '20 but I'm including it for three reasons:
1 - It’s 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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
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)
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Just for me – PinkPantheress
OK so nostalgia doesn’t 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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Meet Me At Our Spot – THE ANXIETY, WILLOW, Tyler Cole
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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Linda – Tokischa, ROSALÍA
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)
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Hope – Arlo Parks
One of the breakout 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
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
daydreams – hard life
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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Street Runner – Rod Wave
When it comes 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 it’s the super long answerphone outro, that’s it!
Paints a great picture though.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Intimidated – KAYTRANADA ft. H.E.R.
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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
For Tonight – GIVĒON
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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Black Hole – Griff
Just like Holly Humberstone above, Griff is one of those who’s 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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
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"
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Spit Of You – Sam Fender
I'm on board with everything Sam does, I'll even forgive him for being a massive Newcastle fan and that’s 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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Essence – Wizkid ft. Tems
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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
INDUSTRY BABY – Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow
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 that’s 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
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
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
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Chemtrails Over the Country Club – Lana Del Rey
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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Leave The Door Open – Silk Sonic, Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak
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 that’s OK. This is for the pure cheesy fun of it.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
DÁKITI – Bad Bunny, JHAYCO
Like the Rosalia tune earlier, it doesn’t matter if you understand the lyrics, it's just a tune.
(Although I've noticed this video has english subtitles)
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
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
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Chaise Longue – Wet Leg
It’s just the knowing wink going on here that makes this pretty cool, two sisters from the Isle of Wight with a lot more to come in '22
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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.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify
Seventeen Going Under – Sam Fender
The title track from Sam Fender's second album. If Spit of You is about his dad, this is about growing up in North Shields. Huge singalong live.
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Security – Amyl and The Sniffers
Amyl and the Sniffers, Australian pub punk at its finest. Short and loud.
Listen: Apple Music · Spotify