The Top 100 Songs of 2021: 80 - 71

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!

80. BDC - Moon Rider

BDC' Intersection series of singles were strongly themed, peaking with this fantastic March track. A fully fleshed production and fantastic vocal performance both play to the tune of one of the year's most sonic melodies making a track perfect for late-night drives. (Full Review)

79. SHINee - Don't Call Me

SHINee does SHINee best, but they also do hip-hop noise-pop best. Taking some of the most omnipresent trends in K-Pop these days, the legendary boy band and producer Yoo Young-Jin rework them to create an idiosyncratic and galvanizing return for the Korean legends. (Full Review)

78. Ninety One - Qiyalman

One of the best examples of the pop-punk revival, Kazakh boy band Ninety One abandon their dramatic storytelling for this fun little two-minute track. Each segment flows to the next spotlessly over the group's rough and frictionated vocals. (Full Review)

77. TIX - Fallen Angel

Don't let the title fool you, Fallen Angel is a surprisingly striking ballad about returning from the brink with the help of those who you love. It was an odd choice for Eurovision (likely why it failed to make an impact in the competition), but there is so much heart in this song.

76. BAE173 - Loved You

One of the year's most immaculately produced tracks, Loved You was certainly heavily 'inspired' by the early work of K-Pop legends Bigbang, but the melody stands out on its own right. (Full Review)

75. Golden Child - Burn It

If there was one flaw to Golden Child's 2021, it was that they opened the year with an incredible track they could not top. On the other hand, Burn It set the stage for the year, from its apocolyptic music video to its surging post-chorus, everything in this song screamed dramatic melancholy and hope. (Full Review)

74. Tomorrow X Together - LO$ER=L♡VER

A melodic, slow, rock track perfectly showcasing teenage angst, LO$ER=L♡VER remains one of the quintet's best surprises. The pain in the post-chorus remains unrivaled. (Full Review)

73. Arooj Aftab - Mohabbat

Getting a surprising commercial boost via a recommendation by none other than former American president Obama, Mohabbat remains a surprisingly strong song from the Pakistani-origin singer. The melodic grief here is perfect for a rainy day.

72. TRASH - Love

A powerful rock track, Love explodes with the melancholy hope that makes the best of modern-day rock. The chorus remains a defining moment for this year's C-Pop.

71. SixTONES - Boku Ga Boku Janai Mitai Da

A melodic track for the rising J-Pop band, Boku Ga Boku Janai Mitai Da absolutely explodes with the well-produced melancholy of the chorus. (Full Review)