9
“Hurricane”
Kanye West
It’s the way West weaves in onomatopaeia that addicts me to his verses.
8
“Jail pt 2”
Kanye West
Last from Donda on this list. The album was such a fulfilling return to West’s form, and “Jail pt 2” emobodied his flow, beats, and collaboration strengths all on one track.
7
“To the Hellfire”
Lorna Shore
The first time I heard this track, it was one of those moments where I had to stop what I was doing and just smile. The sweeping track gave me goosebumps and makes me want to give up songwriting forever.
6
“Up”
Cardi B
Don’t overthink it.
5
“(•REC)”
To The Grave
Punishing from the second it starts, which is what I want from a Top 5 metalcore track.
4
“Demon King”
Brand of Sacrifice
If you’re looking for one new band to get into moving forward, pay attention to Brand of Sacrifice.
3
“Good Girls”
CHVRCHES
The defiant attitude of Lauren Mayberry’s writing is something to look up to.
2
“Easy On Me”
Adele
My god. It’s a perfect pop song, an instant classic from the second it jumps off the device. It’s easily made me tear up more than once, and the lyrics just kill me.
1
“World Remember Me Now”
The Go! Team
In a year when we need fun, The Go! Team delivered in this sing-along anthem. Admittedly, there’s some nostalgia here for me. I’ve loved their lo-fi brand of anything-goes-toy-rock since 2004’s Thunder, Lightning, Strike, and when their latest release, Get Up Sequences Part One — the band’s first release since 2018 — came out, it was exactly what I needed. This track, in particular, got the melody right, got the verses to be nearly as addicting as the chorus and their no nonsense (but, like, we’re kind of nonsense as a band) sound slides right into their oeuvre. The album won’t make a critic’s list, but it’s the song I listened to on repeat the most this year. Turn it on, turn it up, turn that frown upside-down.