---Ada Wofford
Obviously, I haven’t heard every song released this year and I have no specific metrics for what qualifies a song to make this list. These are just the songs that really impressed me this year and left a lasting impression. The tracks are listed in no particular order. Here is a Spotify playlist of all the tracks.
Vampire Weekend—2021
I remember that day in January when Vampire Weekend released this track along with “Harmony Hall.” I was a little disappointed in “Harmony Hall.” I loved the riff but the track gets carried away with itself; erupting into something so bubbly and commercial sounding you could easily imagine it accompanying a Pixar movie. “2021” offers something more familiar and more appreciated—Something undeniably Vampire Weekend. It references the previous albums but has that certain amount of freshness to it that VW are so known for. Contra built on their debut and Modern Vampires of the City built on Contra. But Father of the Bride seems to be built upon an entirely new foundation, save for certain tracks (“2021” being among them). It’s because of this that this short little track has stuck with me all year long.
Bombay Bicycle Club—Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You)
I was so excited when Bombay Bicycle Club announced their return. This track picks up right where their last album, So Long, See You Tomorrow left off. It possesses that undeniable groove you can’t help but tap your foot to that all great Bombay Bicycle Club tracks possess. It’s sort of their calling card—Catchy music you can dance to but also listen to critically. The track is layered beautifully, the production is wonderful, and the chorus is possibly the catchiest one I heard this year. I can’t wait for the album!
Everyone Hides—Wilco
It was such a treat this year to be blessed with the best album Wilco has produced in years. This track is so delicate yet playful. It’s the type of song that lights up a room and warms your soul.
Dogleg—Fox
This is the first song I ever heard from Dogleg. I remember when I stumbled across it (I believe it was a Pitchfork post) I almost scrolled right past it. The headline described them as a Midwest emo band and I suppose some prejudice in me imagined a group of American Football wannabes. I’ve never been happier to be so wrong. This track sounds like a mashup of Cap’n Jazz, Joyce Manor, and early Jimmy Eat World. It’s a banger!
Long Rider—Pixies
This track truly sounds like a forgotten recording from the Bossanova sessions. It’s catchy, fun, surfy, and heavy. It’s old-school Pixies and it will get stuck in your head for days.
Gretel—(Sandy) Alex G
This track reminds me a lot of his album DSU, which I was obsessed with a few years back. “Gretel” does that thing Alex G does so well—It mixes slightly off-putting tones and melodies with an absolutely beautiful hook. I don’t know how he does it but I will be forever envious of his magic touch.
Not—Big Thief
This track is a true gut-punch. In my review of their album Two Hands, I said that “Not” reminded me of Nirvana. Not that it sounds like Nirvana but emotionally it’s in the same spot. The pain, the angst, the anger—It’s all there and just as powerful. I might have listened to this song more than any of the others on this list.
Dylan Thomas—Better Oblivion Community Center
Better Oblivion Community Center was one of my most listened to albums of the year. I remember when they surprised us all with an appearance on Colbert and I lost my shit. I’m not a huge Phoebe Bridgers fan but I’ve been following Conor Oberst for years and this project has some of the best music he has put out in a long time. "Dylan Thomas" is the obvious choice for the album’s single. It’s catchy and upbeat but still manages to put their collective lyrical chops on display. Plus, the guitarist from the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs does the solo!
Unbearably White—Vampire Weekend
If it were a bit shorter, this track could have been on Modern Vampires of the City. I always loved it when Vampire Weekend would allow themselves to get a little melancholy. The song has this lovely swaying groove to it that gets interrupted by violins buzzing like insects. It’s a sweet, almost lullaby like track. It also has one of the best guitar riffs in Vampire Weekends’ catalog. Although it somewhat overstays its welcome, it's still one of my favorite tracks of the year.
Heavy Like the World—Guided By Voices
Maybe I only like this track so much because it reminds me of their track, “Things That I Will Keep.” Regardless, it’s one of the best GBV songs from recent memory. I heard them play it in Philadelphia a couple weeks ago and it rocked. I don’t think GBV could ever write a truly crappy song but every once in a while, they put out a truly amazing one.