What song do I need to play in the morning to start the day on the right note? What music did I have to replay after listening to it because it was so good? What helped motivate me at the gym? Or clean the bathroom?
Those thoughts swirl around in my head as I think about my favorite songs of the year.
What also helped? Spotify’s Annual Wrapped Feature!
first. Beyoncé, “Hot”
With enough Instagram captions to go against any Drake album, Beyoncé’s “Heated” is a lyrical thesis about being a confident bad whore. She starts the song off with her smooth vocals at a medium tempo – but then she switches to Super Saiyan mode, spewing 34 bars and delivering hilarious lines that will make you dance and laugh, all at the same time. will raise your self-esteem. From dusting off protesters to reminding you to drink more water to yelling at her late Uncle Johnny, Beyoncé’s disco hell burns in all the best ways. Ten, ten, ten on the board!
2. Bad Bunny, “Titi Me Preguntó”
Bad Bunny has turned his aunt’s plea for him to settle down with a girl into an irresistibly, international anthem about his active single life.
3. Ella Mai, “DFMU”
The live, realistic lyrics plus Ella Mai’s powerful vocals on a clear beat make “DFMU” the perfect song. Interpolating Donell Jones’ classic R&B “Where I Wanna Be,” Mai is open to love but also offers a fair warning with her boos: “Don’t upset me, don’t let me down. .” Listen, potential.
4. Kendrick Lamar, “The Spirit of Wealth”
Introverted and daring, Kendrick Lamar continues his spiritual journey and we are here to journey together.
5. Harry Styles, “The Cinema”
The lead single “As It Was” is an aHa-inspired Harry Styles song that gets you dancing, but “Cinema” is a slick Harry Styles song that will make you drop a drawer.
6. Muni Long, “Hour & Hour”
Muni Long has spent over a decade writing songs for your favorite singers, including Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Madonna, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey, Chris Brown, Demi Lovato, Mary J. Blige , etc. She can write hits for hours, but what’s better? Finally saw her name next to the song at the top of the chart. The hours and hours behind the scenes not only pay off, but make a career that can last a lifetime.
7. Joji, “Our Glimpse”
An A-grade piano ballad has all the emotions and will immerse you in your emotions.
8. FLO, “Cardboard Boxes”
Sounding like part two of Beyoncé’s 2006 hit “Irreplaceable,” “Irreplaceable,” British girl group FLO — a graduate of the School of Destiny’s Child — sings while packing your belongings in the cardboard boxes on the track. The national anthem of this kiss. They also bring in the little things, with lyrics like, “Never liked your mother, so I guess she was blocked.”
9. Coco Jones, “ICU”
Right from the opening line, Coco Jones’ “ICU” is like an out-of-body experience thanks to her deep and rich vocals. It’s like traveling to the smoothest R&B oasis. And if she continues like this, we’ll be called the breakout star of Bel-Airspin-off of the hit TV series of the 90s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airfresh princess of R&B.
ten. Durand Bernarr, “Mango Butter”
Bad bitch forward. Press play and jump.
Honorable mentions: Because of the way we mostly listen to music these days – streaming services and TikTok – what sounds like “new” music may not be new at all. A year or so after their release, older songs continue to trend, and this list is dedicated to tunes that have been on my mind this year but were released before 2022.
— Tems, “Replay” (2021)
— VanJess featuring Lucky Daye, “Slow Down” (2021)
— Alex Isley, Lucky Daye, Masego and Jack Dine, “Good & Much [Remix]” (2021)
— Tems featuring Brent Faiyaz, “Found” (2021)
— Tems, “Freedom of Mind” (2020)
— Tems, “Damage” (2020)
— Tems, “Interference” (2020)
– Chris Brown, “Under the Influence” (2019)
— Tems, “Looku Looku” (2019)
– Tems, “Try Me” (2019)
