The Top 100 Songs of 2021: 10 - 6

2021 has been an interesting year for music as a whole. While it lacked the utter stand-outs of 2020, it was arguably one of the most consistent years for music in memory. As a result, I noted that a top 50 countdown for global releases would not really cut it, and instead opted for a much more ambitious top one hundred countdown, and even then I had to leave some stunning releases, with the honorable mentions and more remaining stacked.

It was a balanced year, with my top 10 featuring artists from Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, America, Kazakhstan, and India. This alone provides some major spoilers but shows how balanced this year was. While there was not a single 10/10 song this year, there were several highlights. Now let us get into the requirements to be on this list!

• The song must have been released between January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021, though exceptions will be made at times.
• Any song from any nation is allowed.
• Instrumental and vocal tracks are allowed, but classical music is not allowed.
• B-Sides and singles count.
• Soundtracks are also included.
• This list is my personal opinion.

With that said, let the lists begin!

10. Dimash Qudaibergen - Stranger

Few stars were waiting for the end of the quarantine as much as Kazakh vocal maverick Dimash Kudaibergen. While the virus and its accompanying lockdowns have not left us completely yet, it took a bit of a break for Dimash to provide us an excellent performance for Russia's New Wave 2021.

Once again working with composer and pianist Igor Krutoy, Dimash takes on an explorative and adventurous feel perfect for the Central Asian steppe. The mysterious melody is only assisted by the haunting chants, soaring flute, and the kobyz performed by Olzhas Kurmanbek. Of course, no Dimash song is ever complete without the famed singer providing some utterly dramatic and galvanizing vocal fireworks to close the track, with the middle 8's ad-libs remaining particularly impactful. (Full Review)

9. Dewa Budjana - Naurora Ft. Joey Alexander, Simon Phillips, Carlitos Del Puerto, Imee Ooi

Dewa Budjana's 2021 album, Naurora, had some fantastic highlights, but nothing truly beat the titular track. A massive collaboration featuring ex-Toto drummer Simon Phillips, famed Buddhist composer Imee Ooi, Indonesian Jazz pianist Joey Alexander, and Cuban bassist Carlitos Del Puerto, the song had to be good.

However, few expected it to be as eclectic as it turned out to be. At times, the song reaches absolute musical nirvana. At over 11 minutes long, Naurora gives each of its artists time to shine in the sun. Simon Phillips is a fantastic glue, pulling in one of the drumming performances of the year, while Alexander's piano solo challenges all competition. Del Puerto is an essential assist to Budjana, and Ooi's voice and off-kilter flourishes are joyful each and every time they rise. Budjana himself, stands out, driving the melody forward with his guitar to the transcendent climax.

8. Zhou Shen - The Dust and Light

Like many of the best modern C-Pop tracks, The Dust and Light is a ballad OST single for a C-Drama (In this case, Like A Flowing River 2). However, vocal chameleon Zhou Shen provides all he can for the track, driving it with his high-pitched but melodic and dreamy voice.

The song was further improved with a television festival performance featuring the drama's lead actor Wang Kai. Kai's deep timbre perfectly contrasted with Shen's floating voice, greatly improving an already fantastic track. (Full Review)

7. SHINee - I Really Want You

In a packed year, this b-side from SHINee's 7th album stood out as the underrated 'Song of the Summer'. Despite no promotion, it stood out in many fans' hearts. A perfect callback to the golden era of SHINee, the funky brass production perfectly complimented the flipping percussion and euphoric melody.

However, in the hand of any other group, I Really Want You would have been seen as inauthentic, commercial, even. However, the four active members of SHINee are superstars in their own right, with just the vocal panache to pull the song off. (Full Review)

6. BTOB - Finale (Show and Prove)

Nearly 10 years into a career as a boy band, one needs to work incredibly hard to convince listeners that you still have enough gas for a victory lap. It is even harder to prove to your listeners that you are in your golden era. However, it is near impossible to convince fans and non-fans alike that your peak is still a long way off, especially when short on some of your core vocalists. That is what BTOB did this year with Show and Prove.

Despite not winning Kingdom: Legendary War against younger, streaming age groups and fandoms, BTOB were one of the biggest winners. They finally were able to grow an international fandom and got to show how their more theatrical vocal-oriented stood out. It all culminated with Show and Prove, an incredible track, filled to the brim with tear-inducing vocal moments, fiery rap blitzes, orchestral strings, all packed with a dramatic, hopeful, and theatrical performance. A moment of catharsis for BTOB fans, Show and Prove stands as the peak highlight for the boy band so far. (Full Review)