The Top 100 Songs of 2021: 50 - 41

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!

50. Miyavi - Youth of the Nation Ft. Troi Irons

What would a popular J-Rock star do when remaking a classic rock track from earlier decades? Why, turn it into a ballad. Youth of the Nation stands out from the other remakes and ballads on Imaginary, though, with its stripped down nature. Hopeful, Youth of the Nation likely resonated with several listening youths. (Full Review)

49. ABBA - Keep An Eye On Dan

Easily the most massive track on ABBA's new album, Keep An Eye On Dan explodes with its melancholy hope. This unconventional post-divorce track has us rooting for the protaganist with its synth-driven melody.

48. Akdong Musician - Hey Kid, Close Your Eyes Ft. Lee Sun Hee

Akdong Musician, also known as AKMU, are well known for tackling complex topics in their music, but few have went as rough and straightforward as Hey Kid, Close Your Eyes. A attack at war, children in warfare, and the Korean education system, the song took no prisoners. Lines such as "Here on the battlefield, once your ears stop ringing, there will be screaming" paint a harrowing picture. (Full Review)

47. Tomorrow X Together - No Rules

Compared to the angst of the title tracks, TXT's new album was filled with diverse tracks, with No Rules, a successors to 2019's New Rules, standing as the most joyous of the bunch. Well-processed and developed pop can be a rarity, but TXT nail the art. (Full Review)

46. ABBA - Don't Shut Me Down

A pre-release single of ABBA's latest album, Don't Shut Me Down heralded the quartet's fantastic return. Spiraling further and further, the pure '70s ABBA melody peaks in the climax with euphoric melancholy.  (Full Review)

45. Epic Mountain - The Largest Black Hole

Kurzgesagt's Largest series allows their soundtrack composer team Epic Mountain to go big, and The Largest Black Hole is no exception. The second half of the record absolutely explodes into the abyss with sharp choir hooks driving over a apocolyptic instrumental.

44. Miyavi - Super Hero (Imaginary Version)

Borrowing its basic elements from a track from an older Miyavi album, Super Hero got a full-fledge, top-down remix for Imaginary. Miyavi abolutely shreds the track, with guitar riff after another powering and pummelling to beyond Miyavi's limits. At the same time, the song carries a heavy emotional core, with the vocal moments shining far and high. (Full Review)

43. Monsta X - Gambler

'Go big or go home' says the famous saying, but Monsta X took it to the next level for this ginormous song, blending EDM, hip-hop, rock, pop, K-Pop elements, and a good deal of self-aware cheese to make one of the biggest songs this year. Taking none of its goofiness seriously, Gambler rejoices in its cringe-worthy lyrics such as "Me? I'm a handsome sum of money!". (Full Review)

42. Kami Wo Kami Wa Saikoro Wo Furanai - Meguru Meguru

Sometimes, the best of songs come from the most unexpected singles. This J-Pop idol group's work remains mostly unheard of in the west, but with this TikTok ad track, they provided a surprising highlight. Every element is thrown into the pop jugular, reaching for the surging refrain sought by the chorus. (Full Review)

41. ONF - My Genesis  (Übermensch)

Clearly unable to decide whether this b-side of ONF's repackaged LP needed to be jazz or rock, composer, lyricist, and producer extraordinaire Hwang Hyun likely decided 'why not both?'. The end result is the chaotic and experimental structure of My Genesis, a song on freedom, and easily one of the year's most artistic endeavors. The abrupt stylistic shifts throughout the track work well due to the connective storytelling. (Full Review)