Best Songs Of 2016 (So Far) | Year in Review Playlist

 6. Rihanna, “Kiss It Better”

[Anti]

Arguably, “Kiss It Better” is the best song from Rihanna’s Anti, even eclipsing the unstoppable “Work” which places higher. The ballad is equal parts sensual and beautiful.  Here, the Barbadian queen sounds smooth – as much as those coarse, distinct set of pipes allows –  expressing her desires for him to “kiss it better” aka make passionate love.  “Man, f*ck yo pride.”

7. Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Dark Necessities”

[The Getaway]

Has people’s “dark side” ever sounded more terrific than Red Hot Chili Peppers’ funky “Dark Necessities?” No, at least not in 2016. This perfectly produced joint was the promo single and sophomore cut on The Getaway, serving as a good indicator of the strength of the forthcoming album itself. The geniuses point out the references to frontman Anthony Kiedis overcoming drug addiction, definitely logical given the lyrical content (“Tell the world that I’m / falling from the sky / dark necessities are part of my design”) and the accompanying music video.

8. Maren Morris, “My Church”

[Hero]

It takes a truly terrific country song to separate itself and be considered one of the best of 2016.  It also must be special (and featured on a 2016 release, Hero specifically) considering the song first appeared off the said artists 2015 EP (The Maren Morris EP).  Thankfully everything falls into place for Maren Morris as she is blessed by classic country music:

“When Hank brings the sermon / and Cash leads the choir / it gets my cold, cold heart burning / hotter than a ring of fire.”

Maren, we’ll gladly give you “hallelujah,” an “amen,” and our seal of approval. “My Church” is kick… – rather it “stomps the devil out!”

9. Zayn, “Pillowtalk”

[Mind of Mine]

When you’re a guy of a certain age, you just need to let the world know how it goes down.  On “Pillowtalk” former boy-bander Zayn needed to get it out of the system the fact that he enjoys and has had sex. Using his commanding pipes, he tells the world just how he likes to do it: “Climb on board / we’ll go slow and high tempo.”  Ultimately, the act ends up in “pissing off the neighbors,” “reckless behavior / a place that is so pure, so dirty and raw” and “f*cking and fighting on / it’s our paradise and it’s our war zone.” A lot has been going down in that bed.

10. Desiigner, “Panda”

The year wouldn’t be complete without one epic, breakout rap song now would it? Of course not!  Talk about a teen who saw a big come-up, “Panda” was a no. 1 hit and ultimately earned Desiigner a record deal.  Take one listen, and you’ll see why “Panda” is “kind of a big deal.”

“I got broads in Atlanta / twistin’ dope, lean and the Fanta / credit cards and the scammers / hittin’ off licks in the bando…”

Sigh, it’s the quick-paced delivery, drenched in swag, over the menacing, edgy production work.  Maybe the catchiest part of the song is simply when Desiigner repeats the word “panda” over and over.