Songs Of 2021

These are some songs I liked, released over the year, grouped by ‘tiers’.

Also, The title is a lie. Technically, these are songs released between [01 Dec 2020] and [31 Nov 2021]. Songs from Dec 2021 will be considered in the next year’s list.

! Warning: Some of these songs are (very) explicit in nature.

Even If you don’t have spotify, the embedded playlists will play 30 second previews of each song. Just going through the previews is an interesting exercise in itself. If you only want the list for easy copy-pasting, you can find it here. I can copy the playlists to other streaming platforms on request.

S Tier: Best of the Best 🔗

#1: “Amazonia” by Gojira 🔗

What better way to illustrate ongoing destruction in the Anthropocene, than setting your mental stage on fire? This track perfectly captures the carnage of the climate emergency.

Worth a listen even if you are not used to Death Metal.

#2: “Tú Sí Sabes Quererme” (2021 version) by Natalia Lafourcade, Mare Advertencia Lirika, Rubén Blades 🔗

This melodic Mexican folk-pop cut is a love song. And it is so sweet! The 2021 version is a duet and has a rap verse. The result is a song that simply makes you want to move your body. Chef’s kiss

#3: “Guerrilla” by Remi Wolf 🔗

A happy song. Has a smashing hook. Expertly produced. Keeps playing with your aural expectations (in a good way).

#4: “Long Lost” by Lord Huron 🔗

This atmospheric song resonates with my deep, persistent desire to re-embrace nature. You know, before it ‘runs out’.

#5: “Phuljhadiyon” by A.R. Rahman, Shilpa Rao 🔗

A playful and experimental bollywood song about being pregnant, of all things. Every time the bold horn section arrives, it lifts you up with it. Rahman should get to experiment more often.

#6: “John L” by black midi 🔗

This absolutely chaotic rock ballad is “a jet black comedy about what happens to cult leaders when their followers turn on them”^[*]. Insane jazz-noise-rock fusion.

#7: “Rainforest” by Noname 🔗

A Jazzy, laid-back; yet beautiful and profound hip hop cut.

#8: “FataFati” by Amit Trivedi, Rana Mazumder, Goutam Das Baul 🔗

This Bengali folk composition is just so pure. Never fails to make me smile.

#9: “Running with the Wolves - WolfWalkers Version” by AURORA 🔗

The folk-acoustic backing beat pattern has captivated me ever since I heard it for the first time in the cinema. The starting rhythm has made a permenant residence in the crevices of my brain.

#10: “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X 🔗

Every aspect of this song has both simple and deeper layers, be it lyrics or the music. Instrumentally intricate, yet such clean production. Great harmony on the vocals. Earworm of the year.

#11: “Gold Chains” by Genesis Owusu 🔗

A critique on consumerism, delivered with amazing vocal versatility and smooth production. Memorable hook.

A++ Tier: Great songs 🔗

A+ Tier: Very Good songs 🔗

A Tier: Good Songs (Ordered Arbitrarily) 🔗

Many of these could’ve been in lists above, but I simply haven’t replayed them enough.

Shuffle recommended!