Favorite Songs of 2021
Boy oh boy, it certainly was a banner year for music that I dig. Here is a top-shelf Spotify playlist of 70 solid jams — punk, alt, indie, pop — and I guarantee there is something for everyone (who likes what I like). The playlist is also embedded below. Please support these bands and buy some vinyl on Bandcamp.
Standouts
Mogwai – “Ritchie Sacramento”
“It took a while just to think of home” makes me tear up every single time. Amazing record from start to finish.
The Bronx – “Peace Pipe”
Probably the best straight-up rock song I heard this year. The Bronx rule and I want that yellow Go-Go’s tee.
Tigers Jaw – Cat’s Cradle
The pride of Scranton, PA consistently delivers spirited pop-punk gems mixed with thoughtful emo jams. The entire record is double thumbs up.
Matt Sweeney & Bonnie Prince Billy – “Resist the Urge”
Seriously, when I leave this mortal coil, play this beauty on repeat as you sprinkle my ashes on my favorite trail or in the planter in front of my favorite pizza place (Vic’s).
Sincere Engineer – “Come Out For A Spell”
Full-on punk energy at its best. My top air drum pick of 2021.
Hurry – “It’s Dangerous”
Teenage Fanclubesque power pop is alive and well in Philly. Good job, Hurry.
Gruff Rhys – “Can’t Carry On”
Super Furry Animals frontman dropping an infectious and trippy slice of cosmic pop.
Subsonic Eye – “Fruitcake”
If you dig hypnotic mathy dream pop with some serious +/- { Plus/Minus } and Sonic Youth swagger, this is your band.
Fiddlehead – “Million Times”
This is the record I played the most on long runs. It’s captures everything I love about melodic hardcore. “How do I say goodbye” is such a simple yet unanswerable question about loss that destroys me on every spin. On a lighter note, check out Pat Flynn’s son in the zone at the 2:05 mark.
The Stranglers – “This Song”
The keyboard/synths that exploded during the chorus give me such a needed nostalgic dopamine hit. It’s a perfect-fit Stranglers cover originally done by The Disciples of Spess and it is easily the best video of 2021. Kudos to football legend Stuart Pearce.
Pip Blom – “Keep It Together”
This song evokes the kind of mid-90s alternative goodness that would be the lead-off track on a killer CMJ New Music Monthly CD.
BADBADNOTGOOD – “Beside April”
Got a real good Tortoise vibe from this beautiful journey of a song by a band that can pretty much do anything.
Sleaford Mods Ft. Amy Taylor – “Nudge It”
My favorite hook and guest vocals of 2021. I’m considering joining Sleaford Mods in 2022.
