Top Songs of 2021 (#10-#1)

 

   Here we are, the end of 2021. 

   Treat yourself to a robotic retelling of female objectification, a song that effortlessly tows the line between 70s pop and 80s rock, and yes, an appearance by Ed Sheeran.

#10. "Plastic Doll (Ashnikko remix)" by Lady Gaga

   For the final Lady Gaga remix featured on this list, let's shine more deserved light on a vastly underappreciated cut. "Plastic Doll" is a frantic, explosive, robotic pop track that purposefully disguises Gaga's trademark vocals to symbolize past abuse and female objectification. The Barbie and toy metaphors detail someone prevented from charting their own course forward, someone not in control of their own actions. American singer/rapper Ashnikko doubles down on the plastic and possession references for Dawn of Chromatica with a homerun opening verse. She also matches Gaga's manic energy over the chorus. "Squeeze me 'til I pop, I've been broken, I've been dropped, bustin’ out my box, flamin' hot and callin' shots," the young artist proclaims over new trap-styled production, another appreciated improvement. 

  

#9. "Have a Good Life (See You Never)" by Benedict Cork

   While most might crumble and sob for days following a romantic break up, English singer-songwriter Benedict Cork exudes initial feelings of happiness and relief on the bittersweet "Have a Good Life (See You Never)". With a gorgeous choir in his corner for support, the artist relishes in the new freedom and readies himself for better days ahead. The end product is harsh, snarky, and yet, still heartfelt and emotional. We've all been in unhealthy relationships, unsure why we feel we deserve all the fights and lies. Well, why not let the relationship parasite do all the hard work for you and leave first? 

Cork's vocals do much of the heavy lifting on the song with the aforementioned choir adding impactful, soulful layers to the finished product. However, the personal and authentic writing is a cherry atop the artist's strongest release to date. 

 

#8. "Here Comes the Night" by Agnes

   The transformation. The sound. The excruciating long wait. Swedish singer-songwriter Agnes spent nearly a decade crafting a fifth studio album. Magic Still Exists burns like a supernova strangely thanks to sultry, brooding singles like "Here Comes the Night". Released as the album's third single, the artist vocally glides over a mash of 70s pop and 80s rock production as she proclaims true love will only be found in pitch darkness. "Walking into the heat of night, we're closer to freedom, see the bliss growing in your eyes, it's all that I need," she sings on the opening verse, preparing for the pounce as the sun begins to set. While there's power in the comfortability to search for love in unthinkable places, there's an underlying pain in the delivery as a romance outcast. 

          

#7. "If It Ain't Me" by Dua Lipa

   After a year of quarantine and social distance measures, Dua Lipa teased an expansion of her most recent album. Hence, Future Nostalgia (The Moonlight Edition) featuring four new tracks was born. Let this be a lesson to all artists: material worth hearing is best left in the cooking pot until well done. The new edition's crowning moment belonged to "If It Ain't Me", an elevated extension of the disco vibes and tone set by the original parent album. With a new lover on her mind, Lipa struts onto the dancefloor in tears, wondering if they'll ultimately choose another over her. She is a nervous wreck. "And baby, if you ever, find another lover, you'll see, I'll be dancing with my heart broke, such a sad disco, if it ain't me," she admits on the pristine chorus, a mix of excitement and fear in her voice. 

   

#6. "Nobody" by Greyson Chance

   Singer-songwriter Greyson Chance shared his third extended play Trophies in 2021. For the project's third single "Nobody", the artist describes the questionable tactics used in the hopes of getting over a former lover. Though he's making an effort to see other people, it's all simply for revenge. Even though he's finding intimacy with another, he can't help but fantasize about the hands and lips of his ex. Though he will regret his decision to fall back into their arms, he will at enjoy the immediate, temporary pleasure. At the end of the day, nobody wants to be alone. Somber feelings associated with a break-up juxtaposed with the upbeat nature of the song's production and Chance's seductive vocal performance heightens the overall passion, allure and confusion. 

   

#5. "Shivers" by Ed Sheeran

   There's a song by Ed Sheeran featured on this list! Rightfully so. Dance-pop second single "Shivers" off the artist's fourth studio album is an authentic, feel-good, captivating effort that took the artist out of his creative comfort zone. Tailored for constant radio airplay, the track is an honest retelling of an uncontrollable love. Completely smitten by his new significant other, the artist details his intentions, desires and the immediate feelings that come with a blossoming relationship. From the first kiss, to the backseat of the car, to a sweaty night on the dancefloor, the first days are unlike any other. "You know you could tear me apart, put me back together and take my heart, I never thought that I could love this hard, ooh, I can't get enough," the artist passionately sings on the second verse. 

   

#4. "I Wanna Love You But I Don't" by Ben Platt

   Nothing stings more than the realization of not loving someone with the same intensity as they love you. Ben Platt navigates those conflicting, and slightly selfish, feelings on soaring "I Wanna Love You But I Don't", an 80s-inspired power ballad featured on second studio album Reverie. Over intense strings and pounding drums, the artists grapples with reality and truth. Though able to acknowledge a good thing, appreciate the love radiating from a good person, Platt knows he'd be settling and dishonest if his heart was completely in it. "When you finally find that someone who fits you right, you'rе gonna see I couldn't be him, no matter how hard I try," he sings on the second verse, managing the difficult task of rejecting someone so perfect, just not perfect him. 

   

 

#3. "Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land" by MARINA

   Following a tranquil fourth album, MARINA approached her brand of reflective pop with a sense of angst, frustration, and 70s influence for her fifth outing. "Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land", the project's psychedelic title track, is an explosion of rock and disco influence, intriguingly clashing, as the artist counsels listeners to not disappoint their ancestors or let the world's struggles result in little improvement. MARINA highlights humanity's failures and misdeeds without hesitation or apology, blaming only us for our current mess. Instead of falling in line and accepting the lies of war and capitalism, she encourages an embrace of individuality, truth and decency. It's time to break out of the box and rewrite the definition of socially acceptable. We will not conform. We will not apologize. 

 

#2. "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" by Lil Nas X

  Lil Nas X proudly puts his queerness on colorful display for "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)" as he detailed an intimate relationship with a closeted partner that blossomed last summer. Though said partner pretends to live a life of luxury, the need to suppress one's true self and feelings is carving a path toward destruction and unhappiness. Instead of connections, excess time and money is spent on weed and cocaine. The song also doubles as clapback to critics who think they can dictate his choices or stifle his freedom. It shines bright by simply existing. Bold in subject matter, provocative and clever with its sexual innuendos, and fearless in ignoring the supposed shame cast by harmful Christian beliefs and transforming the "sin" into a power that gay men should instead embrace. 

   

#1. "Jealous" by The Veronicas

   A second stellar track pulled from a second album release by The Veronicas in 2021. That feat alone warrants praise and placement. "Jealous", the glorious, unabashedly pop moment on Human, finds the sister duo reverting back to their destructive romance tendencies, fawning over another who might not be as committed. It's lust, not love, and destined to end badly. "Call your phone, you alone, I don't mean to ask again, I'm in bed, thinking 'bout you with your friends, all the girls you're talking to," the sisters sing without an understanding of boundaries over hypnotizing electro-pop production. There's no shame in their true feelings rather they are straightforward about how enamored they are about someone who was likely nothing but a one night stand. Delusion apparently serves as the base for a good time.