Best Songs of 2021: 50-36 | Playlist

45. Shelley FKA DRAM, “The Lay Down”

Ft. H.E.R. & watt

💿 Shelley FKA DRAM • 🏷 Atlantic / EMPIRE • 📅 2021

🎙 Shelley FKA DRAM embraces R&B exclusively on his sophomore album, 💿 Shelley FKA DRAM.  Shelley, 10 tracks deep and 38 minutes long, proves to be well worth the wait, with a number of gems.  Among those gems is 🎵 “The Lay Down,” where DRAM truly outdoes himself.

On “The Lay Down,” the lushness and buttery smooth vibes are breathtaking.  This record shows various faces of R&B. DRAM sings angelically, as does 🏆 Oscar and Grammy-winning co-vocalist, 🎙 H.E.R. The chemistry is epic.  Also, throw in 🎛 watt writing and working behind the boards and “The Lay Down” only grows into a bigger juggernaut.  The two best moments: the chorus and a stellar guitar feature.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Lay: 5ive Songs No. 40 (2021)
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44. Anthony Hamilton, “Real Love”

Ft. Rick Ross

💿 Love is the New Black • 🏷 My Music Box / BMG Rights Management • 📅 2021

After an excruciating five-year wait, 🏆 Grammy-winning, contemporary soul singer/songwriter 🎙 Anthony Hamilton released a brand-new studio album, 💿 Love is the New Black. One song I’ve had on repeat from the LP is 🎵 “Real Love” featuring 🎙 Rick Ross. “Real Love” provides a brilliant balance between old- and new school.  Neo-soul is firmly in play, amplified by an interpolation of 🎵 “Swahililand” courtesy of 🎙 Ahmad Jamal. Those syncopated, jazzy chords are nothing short of awesome. Besides the kick ass jazz sample, the beat provides a more contemporary anchor, while also recalling the hip-hop soul of the 90s.  

As always, Anthony Hamilton is locked in, blessing the soulful, love-oriented track with his anointed, distinct pipes. As for Ross, he excels at a soulful, old-school beat, so like Anthony, he’s in his zone. “Real Love,” produced by 🎛 9^th Wonder, is ‘really’ good, NO CAP!

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Real: 5ive Songs No. 80 (2021)

43. Drake & Tems, “Fountains”

💿 Certified Lover Boy • 🏷 OVO / Republic • 📅 2021

“Try to suppress my emotions / They’re bursting like fountains, baby / They take me up, they take me down / I’m getting weak in my knees, oh.” Woo! Despite being overstuffed, 💿 Certified Lover Boy, the sixth studio album by 🎙 Drake, has its fair share of moments.  Among the best arrives later, 🎵 “Fountains,” where the 🏆 Grammy-winning Canadian musician gets an assist from Nigerian singer, 🎙 Tems (Temilade Openiyi).

🎵 “Fountains” is an ultra-funky B-O-P – PERIOD! The African groove is infectious – totally inescapable.  This chilled-out, must-hear banger feels natural on Drake. From the moment it kicks off, it’s a total vibe. Tems gets the honors of singing the chorus:

“I got nothing to admire, taste certain
Baby, longing you make me feel something
I got my eyes on you, pull down the curtain
I’ll be patient with you, no more fighting.”

Notably, “Fountains” is reminiscent of Drake’s former no. 1 hit, 🎵 “One Dance” from 💿 Views.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: September 2021

42. St. Vincent, “Pay Your Way in Pain”

💿 Daddy’s Home • 🏷 Loma Vista • 📅 2021

Annie Clark, aka 🏆 Grammy-winning singer/songwriter 🎙 St. Vincent, dropped her first new album of the 20s with 💿 Daddy’s Home.  Leading the charge is single and opener, 🎵 “Pay Your Way in Pain”.  As always, Clark never fails to disappoint. “Pay Your Way in Pain” was written by Clark and 🎼✍ Jack Antonoff.  Both musicians produce a unique-sounding record.

“Pay Your Way in Pain” commences with sort of this cabaret sound – throwback in quality. Soon enough, it transforms into this adventurous joint with a blend of funk and electronic cues.  This quirky number is alternative through and through. If nothing else, St. Vincent delivers an ear-catching record that doesn’t conform in any way, shape, or fashion.  I love the playful ways that she uses her voice here. The songwriting is also intriguing, telling a compelling story, characteristic of the artist’s music of the past. Specifically, the character seems to be facing plenty of pain as the adversity is through the roof from lack of money, being judged, becoming homeless – it’s a lot! “Pay Your Way in Pain” is quirky as albeit and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Pay: 5ive Songs No. 22 (2021)
🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: March 2021
🔗 🎧 40 Best Songs of 2021 (So Far)

41. Kacey Musgraves, “Justified”

💿 star-crossed • 🏷 UMG Recordings, Inc. / MCA Nashville • 📅 2021

🎵 “Justified”, the promo single from 💿 Star-crossed, the fourth studio album by 🏆 Grammy-winning country musician 🎙 Kacey Musgraves, confirmed she was dropping a divorce LP. “It was a fun, strange summer / I rolled on, didn’t think of you,” she sings on the first verse, continuing, “We lost touch with each other / Fall came and I had to move.”

The verses on find her reflecting on the state of things.  The first focuses on the aftermath of the divorce.  The second is also reflective, but looks back on the relationship itself, prior to ending. “And when you lied, said you didn’t want me / Tell me, what was I supposed to do?” The chorus, as well as the bridge, sums up conflicted feelings she experiences, highlighted by the assertion “That I [You] shoulda treated you [me] right.”

Also appears on 🔽:
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40. Billie Eilish, “Your Power”

💿 Happier Than Ever • 🏷 Darkroom / Interscope • 📅 2021

“Try not to abuse your power.” That is a powerful lyric that 🏆 Grammy-winning alternative pop superstar 🎙 Billie Eilish sings on 🎵 “Your Power” (💿 Happier Than Ever). The biggest selling point regarding “Your Power” is the songwriting – the theme and the lyrics. Eilish goes big, tackling an ‘abusive’ relationship in some form or fashion.

“...I know we didn’t choose to change
You might not wanna lose your power
But havin’ it’s so strange.”

While this song is personal to Eilish, she aims at an entire congregation wronged by power – abuse.  Vocally, she sings as beautifully, intimately, and understatedly as always. Her brother, 🎼✍ 🎛 FINNEAS, co-writes and produces with great results. “Your Power” is more acoustic sounding compared to previous records.  The use of guitar as the driving force within the accompaniment is very musical, much like Billie’s vocal performance.  As emotionally charged as the record is, Eilish manages to pen a catchy, memorable chorus on this gem.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: May 2021
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39. Taylor Swift, “Willow”

💿 evermore • 🏷 Taylor Swift • 📅 2020

“Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind.” An awesome lyric from an awesome song!  🎵 “Willow” initiates 💿 evermore – the SECOND surprise album of 2020 from the ever-dominant, 🏆 Grammy-winning musician, 🎙 Taylor Swift – brilliantly, ranking among the best of the album. The production by 🎙 Aaron Dessner is gorgeous, featuring both standard instrumentation (piano/keyboards, guitar, bass, drums), as well as adding wind and string instruments.

Swift sings with ease, never getting too high, yet packing a punch, nonetheless.  Much like the excerpted lyric, the song is incredibly well-written, including a memorable, tuneful chorus.  Ask yourself this question: Would a weeping willow tree even weep hearing this glorious song? Fancy sufficiently tickled!

Also appears on 🔽:
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38. Polo G, “RAPSTAR”

💿 Hall of Fame • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2021

🎙 Polo G didn’t slow down in the least in 2021 judging by his terrific new single, 🎵 “RAPSTAR” (💿 Hall of Fame). “RAPSTAR” shines from the get-go.  Well produced, 🎛 Einer Bankz and 🎛 Synco set him up for success.  The backdrop goes hard yet also brings a more chill, mellow vibe.

Polo G blesses us with both a sweet, rhythmic flow as well as a melodic rap performance.  What I love about his performance is how we naturally get this contrast of the street/toughness with sheer beauty – harmoniousness.  With Polo remaining ‘on’ throughout the course of the record, his best moment is undoubtedly the chorus, which screams H-I-T (and a sexual experience).

“So high up through the clouds, I was swimmin’
I’m probably gon’ drown when I’m in it
I bet she gon’ get loud when I’m in it
And we might have a child when I’m finished.”

Ultimately, “RAPSTAR” marks another strong showing for the rapper, who brings great personality, rhymes, and a sweet melodic approach to the table on this former no. 1 hit.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: April 2021
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37. Lorde, “Solar Power”

💿 Solar Power • 🏷 Universal Music New Zealand Limited • 📅 2021

“I hate the winter, can’t stand the cold / … But when the heat comes, something takes a hold.” 🎵 “Solar Power”, the comeback single by 🏆 Grammy-winning alternative pop artist 🎙 Lorde is a certified vibe (and the best thing about her so-so third studio album, 💿 Solar Power).  While Lorde sings in a relatively low-key fashion, she exudes ample personality. The songwriting is terrific.

She touts the power of summer, and everything associated with it, including ‘the heat’ in a more passionate sense (“My cheeks in high colour, overripe peaches / No shirt, no shoes, only my features”).  Of course, the centerpiece is the glorious chorus, readymade for a carefree, fun, and sexy summer:

“Turn it on in a new kind of bright
It’s solar (Solar, solar, solar, solar)
Come on and let the bliss begin
Blink three times when you feel it kickin’ in.”

“Solar Power” marks an utterly sublime return from Lorde thanks to expressive vocals, solid production (🎛 Jack Antonoff), and alluring songwriting.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: June 2021
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36. Diana Ross, “Thank You”

💿 Thank You • 🏷 Decca • 🗓 2021

After a 15-year-hiatus, 🎙 Diana Ross returned with a brand-new studio album, 💿 Thank You. Woo! The soul icon is a ripe, young 77. 🎵 “Thank You” proves to be a compelling and fitting lead single. It’s an exuberant, impressive showing; her energy is infectious to the nth degree.  As you listen to this 🎛 Troy Miller-produced number – patterned after pop and soul of old with the advances of modern technology – you feel the nostalgia of 🎙 The Supremes/Ross solo cuts of old.  Furthermore, I hear that assertive, cutting, timeless voice, coupled with a playful performance, and I hear something us, the music enthusiasts, have been missing for years.

Diana Ross is ‘giving’ from start to finish, particularly the moments when she ad-libs and shows off an awesome personality.  I’d just like to say, ‘thank you’ to Ross for sharing a surefire contemporary soul bop with “Thank You.” This is an awesome reintroduction for an icon.  Ross sings well, showcasing tremendous personality.  The production is the right balance of old school while sounding refreshing in 2021.  The songwriting, also, is fitting for a queen.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy: July 2021
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