Who can remember what we were feeling heading into 2021? There was certainly an air of cautious optimism, with a sense that our priorities had shifted toward matters of heart and home. As the year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on and acknowledge the solace that our favorite artists and musicians provided throughout the year. Their songs—whether uptempo bops or slow jams—definitively got us through another year of uncertainty, and inspired the below edits, sure to wow any music fan.
“Telepatía” by Kali Uchis
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With a little help from TikTok, “Telepatía” became Uchis’s breakthrough single of the year, prompting her album Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) to land on the prestigious Billboard 200. The video and song celebrate her Colombian heritage, with bilingual lyrics rhapsodizing about a long-distance lover, and how she uses the power of telepathy to communicate unfulfilled desires.
“Levitating” by Dua Lipa
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Despite being released in 2020, “Levitating” stayed on the charts for all of 2021 and was Billboard’s #1 charting song of the year (even though it never reached #1). This song is the perfect bop for the car, the club, the train… literally anyone and anywhere. Yes, we’ll still be listening to it come 2022.
“Solar Power” by Lorde
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After a four-year hiatus, Lorde breezed into 2021 with her cannabis-inspired (no, seriously) album and titular track, “Solar Power.” This gentle song inspired us all to hit the beach a little harder this summer—and throw our phones in the water while we’re at it. Disconnect and plug into the sun’s rays with our selects.
“Good 4 U” by Olivia Rodrigo
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The undeniable breakout star of the year, Olivia Rodrigo broke all of our hearts with her breakout single “drivers license,” then promptly got over it with the biting “good 4 u.” The Y2K-infused single wishes one’s exes all the luck, or demise, in the world.
“Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic
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The dynamic duo of Silk Sonic, Bruno Mars and Anderson. Paak, started their group in order to pay homage to the soul train movement of the ‘70s. They brought back velvety R&B in style in 2021, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and inspiring nostalgic flings and summer romances without falling into pastiche.
“Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat ft. SZA
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Doja Cat proves time and time again that she has one of the most original—and unusual—creative minds in the music industry. Her smash hit featuring SZA has a confectionary and undeniable banger beat, and the accompanying music video features the duo navigating a mystical river with a giant astronaut, which inspired the oddity of our picks below.
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