The Top 100 Songs of 2021: 20 - 11

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!

20. Kis-My-Ft2 - Fear

After being the fun, cheesy Johnny's boy band for most of their career, Kis-My-Ft2 made a total shift for their 10th anniversary, instead opting for a heavy, dark, and intrinsically melodic sound, peaking with the haunting Fear. The chorus is instantly memorable, with a pleading, gritty, and dreamy refrain for the ages. (Full Review)

19. Miyavi - Warrior

In an album filled to the brim with highlights, Warrior stood out from the bunch with its eclectic sci-fi sound, pushing Miyavi's ambition further and further. The speedy verses are an absolute race, pounding forward beyond sound and light. Just when you expect the song to peak, however, Miyavi drops the listener down into a floating, anti-gravity chorus. A truly galvanizing release, Warrior is Miyavi doing what he does best. (Full Review)

18. Duo Liang - Shaking Sword of the Martial World

Duo Liang shot to fame for his incredible Qing Ping Yuan OST for Nirvana in Fire 2 back in 2017. While he has yet to release a major hit on its scale since, The Shaking Sword of the Martial World, an OST for the animated Bilibili show Long Sword shows he still has the skill to fly high. While the melody is not exactly perfect or unique, the riveting guitar riff at the tail end of the song is perhaps one of the greatest musical moments of modern times, absolutely shredding through any opposition. (Full Review)

17. ONF - Beautiful Beautiful

With a set team behind the scenes, increased popularity following Road to Kingdom, and the members with a set sound, expectations were high for ONF's first album and its title track. However, few expected either to be as good as they were. For the lead single Beautiful Beautiful, ONF provided perhaps the most massive song this year, with nearly every moment providing a killer hook. From the A-Capella bridge to the stunning chorus, Beautiful Beautiful can do very little wrong and provided ONF with their first, well-deserved, hit. (Full Review)

16. Spyair - Wadachi

In an era dominated by disappointment and worry, leave it up to Ika and Spyair to provide you your missing smile. With this finale OST for anime Gintama, veteran Spyair do their best to provide a memorable goodbye. From Ike's gruff voice to the stunning strings, Wadachi brings hope back into a down day like few other 2021 songs. (Full Review)

15. Jackson Wang - LMLY

Personal controversies aside, Jackson Wang had a stupendous 2021, with LMLY heralding the peak of the new, vocalist Jackson. From the '90s Hong Kong cinema-inspired music video to the '80s inspired production, LMLY thrives on nostalgia. However, the song would not be what it is if not for Jackson's dreamy performance, showing denial at the end of a relationship falling apart at the seams. (Full Review)

14. Susan Darvishi - New Salvation

For her move across the United States, Iranian-American singer-songwriter Susan Darvishi found the best way to express her confusion was through an epic EDM-funk dance track on the scale of no other. The result is one of the most utterly incredible songs this year, with strong lyrics being a nice assist to the utter chorus, taking no prisoners with its perfect melody. (Full Review)

13. IU - Lilac

Like the best artists, one can see IU slowly grow up throughout her career. From the confused Twenty-Three, wondering at the future, the thoughtful Pallette, and last year's Eight, one can see how she has grown. Indeed, letting go has been an essential part of the journey, and Lilac bids farewell to her 20s with a newtro city pop sound, merging with IU's subtle and hopeful vocals. A goodbye song for the ages, Lilac leaves one utterly excited for the next step in IU's incredible career. (Full Review)

12. NCT U (Haechan & Doyoung) - Maniac (Prod. Ryan Jhun)

In arguably NCT's most popular year, with them surging through the charts, breaking album sale records often, Maniac remained hopelessly underrated. Working with controversial producer Ryan Jhun, vocalists Haechan and Doyoung get to show what they can do over a fun and popping beat. It all culminates in arguably one of the best choruses of NCT's entire career. (Full Review)

11. Rat City - Rather Be Ft. Isak Heim

With retro dance nearing the end of its peak this year, leave it up to the music project Rat City to send it a defining farewell. Working with fellow Norwegian artist Isak Heim as the vocalist, Rather Be utterly explodes in its chorus. A tale of letting go and moving on at the end of a controlling relationship, Rather Be reaches freeing heights, coming together for an utter rush in its each and every moment. Few songs are as perfect to sing along with. (Full Review)