Once I'd listed my favorite songs of 2021 this morning, I was surprised how quickly my rankings fell into place. Here are 25 of my favorite tunes from this year:
25. Through The Fog-Marinero (It's a compliment to say this isn't conventional radio fare; the Brazilian-sounding flute arrangement, seemingly drawn from the late '60s and early '70s, enhances the vocals.)
24. Justified-Kacey Musgraves (A lyrically effective way of conveying the thin line between love and hate.)
23. Talk About It-Jungle (This propulsive dance groove demands the listener's attention; presumably, it's a staple track at clubs. This is how you blend multiple eras while still sounding contemporary.)
22. Harshest Critic-Allison Ponthier (Sincerely sung, honest lyrics about the bravery of baring your soul as a musician.)
21. Beside April-BADBADNOTGOOD featuring Arthur Verocai (This is one of 2021's more beguiling instrumentals. This is how acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and orchestral strings coalesce harmoniously. This tune should give listeners a boost of confidence or at least sustain the confidence level they already have; it's fit for "I think I can" moments.)
20. Ocean Waves-The Ryan Benthall Trio (The pleasant uptempo piano part makes this one of 2021's more appealing jazz tracks. Also recommended: "Dance For Soli," which has a music box feel.)
19. Hole In One-Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio (Organ that brings the funk. The band's "I Told You So" release has the same consistency as an album by The Meters.)
18. Adriatic Blue-Steve Hackett (It's amazing how much of a difference a well-placed tremolo on a guitar makes when conjuring up the sensation of floating.)
17. Telepath-Manchester Orchestra (This April release offers sensitive, direct lyrics about committing to someone for a lifetime and knowing you made the right choice.)
16. To The Island-Crowded House (Although it sounds even better as an acoustic number, the sing-along quality of the chorus still shines through.)
15. Nobody's Fault-Benny Sings (This is how to sing about the disintegration of a relationship with a light, matter-of-fact touch and have it sound like a Bee Gees demo.)
14. Fall-Terence Blanchard featuring The E-Collective & Turtle Island String Quartet (Lush and ornate; a fine tribute to Wayne Shorter.)
13. More Than We Know-Aoife O'Donovan & The Milk Carton Kids (O'Donovan sings this with her customary sensitivity. I'm reminded of Mary Chapin Carpenter's music when I hear this.)
12. Show Me Your Soul-Lalah Hathaway & Robert Glasper (Lyrically and vocally empowering.)
11. Eye To Eye-John Smith featuring Sarah Jarosz (Endearing vocal harmonies and guitar accompaniment in this March release bring these lyrics about a faltering relationship to life.)
10. Too Much Heaven-Barry Gibb featuring Alison Krauss (A strong rendering of the Bee Gees hit; while I never imagined this pair as a duo, the vocals of Gibb and Krauss mesh perfectly. Krauss's vocals soar especially well.)
9. Bossa Nova California-Lawson Rollins (An aptly titled breezy guitar release with a '70s easy listening vibe.)
8. Sunshine-Grant Swift (The rhythm of this catchy June indie rock release drew me right in. Lyrically, it's a good reminder that just because you might fail at something, you can still approach it with a positive attitude.)
7. Be Sweet-Japanese Breakfast (For its catchy, poppy rhythm and solid dance hook, this track is a 2021 standout. Rhythmically, Blondie's "Rapture" segues well before or after this.)
6. The Clock Won't Tick-Quantic & Eddie Roberts (A strong brass/guitar vamp; I keep expecting The Rolling Stones to hijack the tune and launch into "Jumpin' Jack Flash.")
5. Blue Shadows On The Trail-Sara Watkins featuring Nickel Creek (Watkins recorded one of this year's most endearing vocal releases, "Under The Pepper Tree." Among its highlights is this cover of a tune from the movie, "Three Amigos." If you like the feel of "Happy Trails," this tune will likely appeal to you, as well. Other recommended covers: "Moon River" and "Pure Imagination.")
4. Save The Best For Last-Erin Bode (Bode's heartfelt sincerity shines on this cover of a Vanessa Williams tune. There's not even a hint of overproduction, which serves the vocals well. Also recommended: Bode's cover of "Happy Together" by The Turtles and "Because Of You," which features David Sanborn on saxophone and has a more overtly commercial sound.)
3. New Frontier (Live From The Beacon Theatre)-Donald Fagen (Fagen's album, "The Nightfly," with its intelligent lyrics and vision of the future, was a standout release in 1982. Recording it live 39 years later was a smart choice. This track and "I.G.Y. (What A Beautiful World)" hold up especially well.)
2. River Rise-David Crosby featuring Michael McDonald (These mature lyrics acknowledge that much of life is out of our control. Also recommended: "For Free," a cover of the Joni Mitchell tune featuring Sarah Jarosz.)
1. Amoeba-Clairo (Compellingly written, sung, and produced; an effective combination of lyrics about questioning one's priorities against a memorable undercurrent of piano and guitar. This tune is rhythmically strong and moody in the best way. Thus, it's my favorite song of 2021.)
