Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

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Leestu
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Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

Post by Leestu »

Thanks Shryke for organising this and taking the time to put it all together. I can barely find the time to listen to everything, no way I could find the time to do what you do. But I make the time to listen, even when it's a bit later, because this is one of my favourite musical projects of the year. Not because I love bringing great music to others, but because I love hearing what you all are into, and making some new discoveries for myself. So thanks everyone for taking part, and I hope we do it again.

#1

The Lazy Eyes, Fuzz Jam


I'm not going to say much here. It is often the case that the more I like a song the less I have to say about it, as I try to avoid hyperbole knowing that it can be such an individual connection with someone and their favourite songs, and what is great is not always great to everyone else. So why is this my favourite song of the year is more interesting to me. Basically it does what it says on the packaging, and I always love a fuzzy jam. It sounds like a song written by King Gizzard, performed in the style of Pond, and produced by Tame Impala. And as anyone who knows my music taste well will know, that is like a recipe for making a song specifically catered to my taste. All it's missing from that theoretical recipe is some Car Seat Headrest type lyrics. This was an instant hit for me, going straight to the top spot in my favourite songs of the year playlist I curate and reorder throughout the year, and staying there. It is a dancey, trippy, feel good vibe that puts me in a great mood every time as soon as I hear that bass riff that starts the song.



Even though this song was only released in early November it already has a remix, so for curiosity's sake, and those who prefer their music more electronic, here is that also.




My top 30

#30 Iceage, Shelter Song
#29 Carla Geneve, Dog Eared
#28 black midi, John L
#27 Yoo Doo Right, 1N914
#26 King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Pleura
#25 Deafheaven, Mombasa
#24 Turnstile, BLACKOUT
#23 Tiny Little Houses, Smartest Guy
#22 WAAX, Most Hated Girl
#21 Bobby Gillespie & Jehnny Beth, Remember We Were Lovers
#20 L’objectif, Drive In Mind
#19 Wet Leg, Chaise Longue
#18 Chad Vangaalen, Spider Milk
#17 Tropical Fuck Storm, The Donkey
#16 Goat, Queen of the Underground
#15 Amyl and the Sniffers, Hertz
#14 Noah Dillon, That’s Just How I Feel
#13 Ball Park Music, Sunscreen
#12 Arab Strap, Bluebird
#11 Sly Withers, Clarkson
#10 Nice Biscuit, Candle
#9 shame, Nigel Hitter
#8 glass beach, beach life in death
#7 Mdou Moctar, Afrique Victime
#6 Adam Newling, Sweetness
#5 Wolf Alice, The Last Man On Earth
#4 Squid, Narrator
#3 Black Country, New Road, Opus
#2 Pond, Pink Lunettes
#1 The Lazy Eyes, Fuzz Jam

Lastly here is a link to my current 100 favourite albums of 2021.

https://www.besteveralbums.com/thechart.php?c=64297

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Shrykespeare
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Re: Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

Post by Shrykespeare »

I checked out your Top 100 albums, Leestu, just to see how many of them I had listened to in 2021 (a year where I listened to more complete albums than probably any year in my life). There were four - Lucy Dacus, CHVRCHES, The Killers, and Weezer.

As to your list, I've liked a large percentage of it, while loving only a couple. Wolf Alice and Nice Biscuit were probably my favorites.

Your #1 song was cool. Definitely get the Tame Impala comparison.

And it's a pleasure to do this every year. I get the same kick out of it that you do, just like I love talking music with you no matter what month it is.




Six, you're up next.
Happy 60th birthday Jet Li! (4/26/23)

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numbersix
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Re: Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

Post by numbersix »

Thanks all for contributing to this fun distraction from my stressful life. And to Shyke for arranging.

30. IDLES, The Beachland Ballroom
29. NOV3L, Group Disease
28. Grouper, The Way Her Hair Falls
27. The Body, Eschatological Imperative
26. Gustaf, Book
25. Dean Blunt, The Rot
24. Dry Cleaning, Leafy
23. TV Priest, Fathers and Sons
22. Self Esteem, Priortise Pleasure
21. Iceage, Gold City
20. Sufjan Stevens And Angelo De Augustine, Cimmerian Shade
19. Yard Act, Dark Days
18. Floating Points (with Pharoah Sanders and the London Symphony Orchestra), Movement 7
17. Tyler, The Creator, Runitup
16. Snail Mail, Ben Franklin
15. Amyl and the Sniffers, Knifey
14. Viagra Boys, Girls and Boys
13. Tirzah, Send Me
12. Geese, Disco
11. Lingua Ignota, I Who Bend Tall Grasses
10. Little Simz, Point and Kill
9. Goat Girl, Anxiety Feels
8. Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, Balcony Man
7. Parquet Courts, Walking at a Downtown Pace
6. Squid, Pamphlets
5. Folly Group, Four-Wheel Drive
4. Low, Days Like These
3. IDLES, Car Crash
2. Lost Girls, Menneskekollektivet


#1
Shame, Snow Day

I was ambivalent about the first album by this act, but their follow-up Drunk Tank Pink shows astounding improvement on every level.

This song has absolutely everything I love about guitar music. It doesn’t stick to a traditional verse-chorus structure, but instead is several parts strung together in a fascinating way, each part itself great but together form something greater as a whole. Charlie Steen’s vocals swerve from sullen storytelling during the more elemental parts of the song, to huge yelps that remind me of greats like Gang of Four. Charlie Forbes’ drumming, which intros the song, feels like a lead instrument, the guitars pick their moments whether dissonant noise or minimalist plucking, and the bass surprises with a hell of a grove in the closing minutes.

This is a song full of surprises, and full of delight. I’ve had it on repeat all year and still shiver with joy on each listen. And it proves that music in 2021 can still excite this nearly-40-something.



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numbersix
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Re: Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

Post by numbersix »

Also, Leetsu

Great list of songs.

Your #1 is perfect for you. Got the psych rock element with a bit of Krautrock, lots of fuzzy guitar. You just know this came out of an extended hazy jam. And it's one of the better songs from your list.

Overall, I very much enjoyed your songs. Maybe less so the quieter folky ones, as some just didnt' stick with me. But the other stuff was great, in particular Pond, Wet Leg, Tropical Fuck storm, etc.

Plenty of crossover of bands - IDLES, Amyl, Shame, Squid, and a few ones that nearly made my list - Black Midi, Black Country, Turnstile, etc.

So well done.

and yeah, how on earth you are able to have a Top 100 albums of the year is beyond me. I barely get past 40 these days.

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Re: Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

Post by JohnErle »

Leestu,

You consistently post more new-to-me songs that I enjoy than anyone else in these countdowns, and this year was no exception. Queen Of The Underground and Afrique Victime are probably my favourites from the entire countdown, while Hertz, Bluebird, and Nigel Hitter are still on my 2021 playlist.

As for your #1, when I saw the album cover I was worried it was going to be another Wiggles cover of Tame Impala which you Aussies seem to love so much. ;-) Then I thought that The Lazy Eyes would be a great name for a Pumping Smashkins cover band. (I have a shiny new penny for anyone who gets that reference.)

I enjoyed your #1, but the vocals have a child-like quality that will take some getting used to. And I've often said in the past that I might enjoy Tame Impala if they didn't use such ludicrous amounts of compression on everything. Well, this is what Tame Impala might sound like with some dynamic range.

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Shrykespeare
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Re: Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

Post by Shrykespeare »

Six, most of your list was not for me. Your #1 was even less so.

Which is not to say I didn't enjoy hearing your list. It's always great to listen to new things.
Happy 60th birthday Jet Li! (4/26/23)

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transformers2
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Re: Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

Post by transformers2 »

Leestu:
#1
Man, does Australia have a great supply of psychedelic music right now or what? The bass groves and fuzzy guitarwork on here were downright intoxicating and the vocals added a soft, hypnotic layer that was a perfect aesthetic fit. The spell this track cast became even more impressive once I discovered they don't even have a full length out yet! Will definitely be exploring more of their stuff soon and be spinning their new record when it releases later this year.

As for the rest of the list, your passion for music remains the biggest takeaway. Between your thoughts were about one of your picks or someone else's and dedication to seek out 100+ records each year, it's clear that this shit means a lot to you and that passion is just beautiful to see. My favorites outside of Fuzz Jam were Pluera-which nearly made my list, Blackout, Opus and Queen of the Underground.
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Re: Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

Post by transformers2 »

six
#1:
I warmed up it to a bit by the end when the guitarwork started to get more frantic and complex, but the early stages were just a bit too stiff and monotonous for me to get really into it.

Was unfortunately a bit let down by your list overall. We obviously run in most different musical circles, but last year we had a couple of crossovers and there were several other tracks that I really dug-which I expected to be more or less happen again this year. That wasn't the case though as I ended up being not particular enthused about the majority of your picks. Hopefully the 2022 countdown will be a different story. My faves ended up being the Idles tunes, Book, Runitup and Send Me.
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Re: Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

Post by Shrykespeare »

Here is Ron B's #1. He did not send any comments.


RON B


25. Client Liaison, House of Holy
24. Holy Holy, How You Been
23. The Weekend & Post Malone, One Right Now
22. Choomba, White Mercedes
21. Rufus Du Sol, On My Knees
20. Blanke, Mystery
19. Ladyhawke, Think About You
18. Foals, Wake Me Up
17. Lime Cordiale & Idris Elba aka Cordi Elba, What’s Not to Like
16. The Rubens, Waste a Day
15. Confidence Man, Holiday
14. The Goon Sax, In the Stone
13. Polish Club, Stop For a Minute
12. Billie Eilish, Happier Than Ever
11. Royal Blood, Typhons
10. The Avalanches feat. Cola Boyy/Mick Jones, We Go On
9. Methyl Ethel, Neon Cheap
8. Skrillex feat. Starrah & Four Tet, Butterflies
7. Rufus Du Sol, Next to Me
6. IDLES, The Beachland Ballroom
5. Tyler, the Creator, Lumberjack
4. The Avalanches feat. MGMT & Johnny Marr, The Divine Chord
3. BROCKHAMPTON feat. Danny Brown, Buzzcut
2. Courtney Barnett, Write a List of Things to Look Forward To


1. Rufus Du Sol, Alive



Happy 60th birthday Jet Li! (4/26/23)

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Re: Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

Post by JohnErle »

Six,

The UK indie scene is something I pay little attention to, so the trifecta of you, Surfer, and Leestu always gives me a window into that world, and I usually close that window as soon as these countdowns are over. Still, there seemed to be more songs than usual that I enjoyed among your picks. Appreciated may be a better word since joy is hardly the emotion most of your picks are likely to inspire. I do like Beachland Ballroom, and Walking At A Downtown Pace is something I probably heard before, but this was the first time it clicked for me. Snail Mail, Tirzah, Goat Girl, and Geese are all still hanging around on my playlist bringing some indie gloom to the proceedings. Point and Kill remains a solid piece of music, but the lyrics are still problematic to me.

As for your #1, maybe I'm just grumpy because it's a snow day in Vancouver, but it sounded like a perfect embodiment of everything I don't like in the UK indie scene.

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Re: Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

Post by JohnErle »

Ron,

You never have much to say about your picks, so I'll keep it brief. Beachland Ballroom is a cool song, and it was fun to watch Idris Elba channeling his inner William Shatner by trying to sing, but nothing else on your list piqued my interest. Better luck next year!

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numbersix
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Re: Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

Post by numbersix »

Ron!

I think a lot of your song were built for heaving clubs, and not for sad old men listening alone on laptops. So didn't quite work for me. Funnily though you''re the only one who had a song on my list, which was a pleasant surprise.

Your #1 was probably one of the best songs from the list. The synth sounds were nice and the vibe was more mellow than expected, so it was good to end on a high note.

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Re: Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

Post by transformers2 »

Thanks to Shryke for putting this together and to everybody else for participating. It was a blast per usual and I'm looking forward to doing again it next year. Now let's get down to business...

#1
Turnstile-Blackout



Back in the spring of 2018, a friend of mine convinced me to go see Turnstile at a 900-capacity club in Boston. Neither of the LP's they had out at the time impressed me much, but they had generated a level of buzz in the hardcore punk community that was unlike anything I'd seen for a modern band, so I figured what the hell I'll drop $25 and see what they're made of as a live act. That blind faith and curiosity proved to be very rewarding. It became evident that night as they ran around that stage gleefully dodging stage divers and sharing the microphone with anyone that wanted it that these guys were something special. I left the venue firmly believing that that Turnstile will have the same effect on their generation that the Dead Kennedys, Bad Brains and Converge had on theirs.

Fast forward to late August 2021 when their 3rd LP Glow On dropped on and all of the feelings that developed on that night 3 years prior somehow managed to intensify further. "Blackout"-which is the 2nd track on the record-was the exact moment where I knew was in the midst of experiencing a classic record. The fashion in which they combined their established energetic, groove-laden hardcore sound with fascinating moments of experimentation that ranged from shoegaze to alternative rock and the way that the entire song builds towards an explosive, mosh pit-fueling breakdown finale without ever sacrificing its catchiness makes it a jovial lightning rod of a song that feels both brand new and timeless at the same time. Turnstile is unquestionably only going to keep making an impact on their scene and beyond in the coming years, but the feelings and realizations that came from listening to "Blackout" for the first time are practically guaranteed to permanently cement it as my favorite songs of theirs.
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Re: Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

Post by transformers2 »

Full List:
30.Sturgil Simpson-Ol' Dood (Part I)
29.Silk Sonic-Fly as Me
28.Idles-The Wheel
27.Lil Nas X-Industry Baby (feat. Jack Harlow)
26.Turnstile-New Heart Design
25.Rina Sawayama-Enter Sandman (Metallica cover)
24.Spiritbox-Sun Killer
23.Limp Bizkit-Out of Style
22.The Weeknd-Take My Breath
21.Halsey-The Lighthouse
20.Tyler, the Creator-Hot Wind Blows (feat. Lil Wayne)
19.Converge and Chelsea Wolfe-Lord of Liars
18.Rivers of Nihil-Wait
17.BROCKHAMPTON-Buzzcut (feat. Danny Brown)
16.Lana Del Rey-Wild at Heart
15.Every Time I Die-Thing with Feathers (feat. Andy Hull)
14.King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard-Ataraxia
13.Mastodon-Pushing the Tides
12.Billie Eilish-Oxytocin
11.Coheed and Cambria-Shoulders
10.Halsey-Bells in Santa Fe
9.Tyler, the Creator-Massa
8.Every Time I Die-All This and War
7.Billie Eilish-Billie Bossa Nova
6.St.Vincent-Down
5.Turnstile-Don't Play
4.Between the Buried and Me-The Double Helix of Extinction
3.Halsey-Easier than Lying
2.Doja Cat-Kiss Me More (feat. SZA)
1.Turnstile-Blackout
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Re: Top 30 songs of 2021 - The #1's

Post by Shrykespeare »

Pleasure as always to have you, Tranny. Though with each passing year, it takes the inclusion of bands like Every Time I Die and Mastodon to convince me that you and Six are not the same person.

Sadly, with the exception of Silk Sonic, nothing on your list really floated my boat. Though, thanks to your mandate to keep your growly-demon songs to a number that can be counted on one hand, there were very few I objectively hated.

As for your #1... I liked it. The lead singer's names reminds me a lot of Perry Farrell for some reason (especially in Jane's Addiction's "Stop"). The guitars had a bit o' jangle that I loved, and I liked the energy.


JohnErle has to work tomorrow, so he has asked me to post his #1 for him. He's already sent me the comments.
Happy 60th birthday Jet Li! (4/26/23)

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