It's time to reflect on your favorite music of 2021! Here are Julian's favorite songs of the year. Once you've made your own list, vote in The Current's Top 89 poll, and we'll count down your Top 89 of 2021 on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Top 10 Songs of 2021

Playboi Carti – "On That Time"

“On That Time” can best be described as boss fight music. It’s an explosion with wild embers that burn everything in its wake. If I knew I had to fight someone to the death and we were offered a song to play in the background for some reason, I would choose this song without a doubt. There’s a distorted organ that comes in during the hook that simultaneously encapsulates Whole Lotta Red’s gothic motif and sounds like Gabriel’s horn, signaling the rapture. On an album filled with window-shattering songs, “On That Time” manages to stand out.

Japanese Breakfast – "Tactics"

As the penultimate track on Japanese Breakfast’s latest LP Jubilee, the sense of finality on “Tactics” is well deserved. It’s easy to imagine the song playing over a rain-filled scene where two lovers part ways and walk into an uncertain future, unsure if they will ever meet again. Strings and sparkles give the song a bittersweet tone, with soaring vocals on the chorus the lift the listener from their seat. It’s hard not to be inspired by this song. 

Sahbabii – "Step In The Name Of Love"

Sahbabii has never been more personal than he became on his latest full-length Do It For Demon. While jovial under normal circumstances, Sahbabii used this album to discuss the trauma of losing his close friend Demonchild. “Step In The Name Of Love” stands out as one of the most somber songs on the album and the most salient expression of his grief. Sahbabii’s intelligent use of the track’s title during the hook shows his dexterity and wit as a songwriter.

PinkPantheress – "Reason"

PinkPantheress’ ubiquity on social media in 2021 was well deserved. She’s just that good. It was hard to choose one song of hers to include on this list, but “Reason” is the one least likely to keep me up at night. “Reason” is the culmination of all the singles that PinkPantheress released this year. The ethereal synths, kinetic drums, and deeply personal lyrics that have been present throughout her output coalesce to create her best song.

papa mbye – "WEB(si)+e"

"WEB(si)+e" works on every level. It works as a song dedicated to a lost loved one, an intro to the MANG FI EP that sets the tone for what is to come, a catchy banger, and a trademark mind-bending experimental romp, the formula to which papa mbye and his producers are perfecting. The feeling that “WEB(si)+e” inspires escapes description. It’s easier to liken it to one of papa mbye’s pieces of visual art that collages visual motifs to create a work greater than the sum of its parts. A wide array of seemingly unconnected influences brought together by some of the most creative minds in the Twin Cities.

Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders, and the London Symphony Orchestra – "Promises"

A single piece of music separated as movements for the sake of streaming, “Promises” is a thought-provoking, deeply emotive work of art. Although it is best to digest all of “Promises” in one sitting, the movements are separated in a way that is unintrusive and intuitive. “Movement 6” stands out as the climax. This song is best experienced at full volume while watching videos of lions chasing prey. You will cry, but it will be worth it. Trust me.

Faye Webster – "Better Distractions"

Faye Webster’s signature brand of countrified, breezy, lo-fi indie gets more refined with each release. “Better Distractions” is my favorite song from her latest album I Know I’m Funny haha. The woozy slide guitar waxes and wanes like a snake, and Webster’s shaky vocals compliment the nervous situation that she describes in the song. Faye Webster’s honesty and humility give her music longevity. There will always be a time where you can relate to what she describes, whether you want to admit it or not.

Kanye West – "Come To Life"

Kanye West’s faith has been present throughout his career. With DONDA, it takes center stage. Although it’s hard to decipher whether he’s talking about God or just talking about himself, it’s clear that his faith has inspired levels of introspection and beauty that were absent in releases like Ye and The Life of Pablo. “Come To Life” is the climax of DONDA, with exasperated voices in the background of the first half clashing with warm, ethereal synths. This synth melody transforms into a triumphant guitar in the second half and is paired with a dizzying, seemingly impossible piano arpeggio. All the while, Kanye West is baring his soul, lamenting on mistakes of the past, and praying for better days. “Come To Life” is without a doubt Kanye West’s best song in years and a proof of concept for the DONDA LP.

Amaraae ft. Kali Uchis – "SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY (Remix)"

I had no choice but to become deeply familiar with Amaraae’s discography as a passenger in my girlfriend’s car this past year. It was with good reason, as Amaraae is one of the best young voices in alternative pop. “SAD GIRLZ LUV MONEY,” already standout on her 2020 THE ANGEL YOU DON’T KNOW LP, was brought to the next level this year with the remix featuring Kali Uchis, who perfectly complements the song’s sultry vibe. I highly recommend listening to this song while getting dressed or in the shower — it’s the best way to start a day or a good night.

black midi – "Ascending Forth"

It’s a wonderful thing when an album outro has a real sense of finality. It shows that care was taken in the sequencing of the album, that the artists intend and expect a full, sit-down listen. “Ascending Forth,” the closing track to black midi’s 2021 album Cavalcade, brings that sense of finality and shows that black midi can create truly beautiful music in addition to their more abrasive works. “Ascending Forth” is like a boiling pot of water. It starts slow, with patterns becoming visible and then shattered as time moves forward. With time, the pot bubbles over, resulting in a climax that will leave your jaw on the floor as the song and album itself fades out.