The Top 100 Songs of 2021: 5 - 1

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!

5. Shinsei Kamattechan - My War (Boku No Sensou)

Perhaps it was the increasing global tensions, the Afghanistan situation, or simply the pandemic, 2021 had a surprisingly high amount of anti-war songs for peacetime, many from unexpected situations. Popular anime Attack on Titan cleverly chose controversial singer-songwriter Noko and his band Shinsei Kamattechan for their 4th season's theme song, and basically let them do what they want. Never one to back down from what he wants to say, Noko took this opportunity to release one of the greatest anti-war songs of modern times.

Part of this is simply due to the lyrics. The song opts to portray war from the view of three parties, united by a dark chant on the destruction of war. The first is a new soldier, shocked at the violence, the second a war veteran suffering from destructive PTSD, and the third a child left to survive the carnage of war.

Driven by claustrophobic instrumentation, crowded by virtually every instrument available, perfect for the overwhelming sound aimed for by the J-Rock band. It all leads into one of the year's best climaxes, with Noko's vocoder-ed feminine child voice, the exploding choir, building instrumentation, all an honest portrayal of the death and destruction from war. (Full Review)

4. Altin Gün - Ordunun Dereleri

Despite having an utterly fantastic year, Altin Gün's best track this year remained this late-2020 remake of a Turkish folk song. As bewilderingly simple as possible, Yildiz only sings one melody over synths and bass throughout the entire song. However, the whole piece comes out as natural, melodic, and yearning. Much greater than the sum of its parts.

With each further second, the building synths climax further, releasing in the second half of the track. Altin Gün have a long history of experimenting with their releases, and this song is no exception, showing the open potential of emptiness, perfect for the loneliness we all felt during the quarantines over the past year. It was further improved by the fantastic remix with the Metropole Orkest, easily the top live performance this year. (Full Review)

3. Dhee - Enjoy Enjaami Ft. Arivu (Prod. Santhosh Narayanan)

Despite already being one of the biggest Tamil singers of modern times due to her work in Kollywood, Enjoy Enjaami shot Dhee to a new level of fame. In many ways, Enjoy Enjaami is set to change the South Indian music industry, with many hailing it as the birth of the Tamil indie scene.

In many ways, Enjoy Enjaami is a team effort. From Amith Krishnan's incredible music video direction, the sound engineering and mixing by many prominent names such as P.A. Deepak and Sai Shravanam, to Navien Napier's bass, Enjoy Enjaami lies as a team effort. Where would the song be without Santhosh Narayanan's immaculate composition, along with Dhee's incredible alto vocals?

Of course, the heart of the track is Arivu. The lyricist and featured rapper based this song on his grandmother's migration to Sri Lanka, and his love of nature. It is simple, yet deeply messaged at the same time. With each element coming together, the song peaks in its second half, with all elements coming together to assist Dhee's ad-libs. Truly a cathartic end to one of the year's best songs. (Full Review)

2. Key - Bad Love

In SHINee's dominant 2021, Key stood apart from the rest of his group. From his variety show appearances, dedicating a win to Jonghyun, the ending fairy card, and his increased importance in SHINee's songs (he is arguably the central voice in Don't Call Me), his 2021 has been incredible, to say the least.

However, it was with his September EP that he fully embraced his inner artistry. After several clashes with his agency, he finally was able to release the style he wanted to as the creative director. Assisted by legendary producer Kenzie, Key embraced '80s synth-rock with newtro elements over a retro sci-fi concept.

Despite its maximalist sound, Bad Love never forgets what made the '80s sound great, with a level of melodic drama with a huge amount of heart. Key belts out each note with pain and memory, all with a cathartic sense. Each and every second of this song is both epic and yet extremely personal. Hardly a moment in this song is wasted, from the hopeful pre-chorus to the jam-packed central refrain, this is a highlight not to be missed. (Full Review)

1. Hikaru Utada - One Last Kiss

It has been more than 22 years since Hikaru Utada released her break-out hit in First Love, yet she remained a dominant voice in the J-Pop industry. Artists peaking this late into their career is rare, but One Last Kiss showed how it can be done. Rather than knock us over our feet with the flashiest, danceable beat, or a stunning, emotional ballad, One Last Kiss is euphoric in a way few other songs ever are.

Break-up songs driven by hope were all the rage this year, perhaps as a result of the dark pandemic world we have been living in, but few, if any, felt as sincere as One Last Kiss. Opening with nothing other than a synth and drum pad, along with Utada's melodic voice, One Last Kiss leads to an overwhelming and tearful climax without ever utilizing any other instrument. With noisy, loud, dance-pop gaining in popularity, the simple arrangement of Utada's popular hit stood out like a gust of fresh air.

Do not mistake this calmness for basicness, however. In fact, One Last Kiss is arguably the most experimental song this year. Subtly, without one ever realizing, the instruments grow, climaxing with its euphoric refrains pounded by overwhelming yet calm synths. It all releases together at around 3:20 (3:26 in the music video), peaking in perhaps the most euphoric climax of the year.

Each element comes together in One Last Kiss for Utada to release her magnum opus, a song that feels personal and universal at the same time. The euphoric synth pad, the hopeful, dreamy, and nostalgic lyrics, and Utada's pitch-perfect performance. One Last Kiss is pure euphoric and hopeful joy, with each and every element working in earnest.

In a year where we saw the light at the end of the tunnel fade away, One Last Kiss was the hope we all needed. It gave us the energy to go on, as well as hope for tomorrow. It truly is, the best song of 2021. (Full Review)