25 Essential Tracks of 2021
If you’re looking for some new music to listen to, here’s my roundup of the year’s most exceptional releases so far and why I like them:
Jessie Ware, “Please”
Release date: April 23
Jessie Ware’s been a solid favourite of mine since a friend introduced me to her music a few years back. At 36 years, “Please” is the lead single off an upcoming deluxe edition of her fourth album, the 2020 What's Your Pleasure? It’s a stunning post-pandemic disco banger you should check out now (if you haven’t already!).
Self Esteem, “I Do This All The Time”
Release date: April 27
Like everyone else on social media, I’m completely obsessed with Self Esteem’s IDTATT. It’s a beautiful spoken word track I’ve been listening to on repeat since it came out. It’s probably the best song of the year so far. Because, as Rebecca Lucy Taylor (rightly) puts it, all the days that you get to have are big. With songwriting and a self-directed video this good, I can’t wait to see what she does next. At 34 years, she also has a hilarious personality you should totally follow on Instagram.
Little Simz, “Introvert”
Release date: April 21
Little Simz is one of the UK’s most influential rappers… who’s an introvert, actually. Her album GREY Area scooped the award for Best Album at The Ivors last year, so I know her follow-up Sometimes I Might Be Introvert coming out September 3rd will be superb. But don’t take my word for it, check out her latest single “Woman” (featuring Cleo Sol), too.
London Grammar, “Lord It’s A Feeling”
Release date: April 16
“Lord It’s A Feeling” is one of my favourite tracks off London Grammar’s third record Californian Soil which came out in April. It must be the band’s boldest track yet, so give it a listen below.
Tkay Maidza, “Syrup”
Release date: April 7
Tkay Maidza is a 25-year old Adelaide singer and rapper who was born in Zimbabwe. Her bass-heavy banger “Syrup” is one of the best hip-hop singles released so far this year. Tkay is incredibly versatile as an artist and before “Syrup” dropped, she covered Pixies’ 1988 hit song “Where Is My Mind?” which is a must listen, too.
Noha Saré, “Lost”
Release date: April 2
Noha Saré is a 24-year old Amsterdam-based singer and songwriter whose music draws on various genres, including R&B and electro-pop. If her sophomore track “Lost” is anything to go by, I’m already sold on her next single. Watch the video for “Lost” below.
Olivia Rodrigo, “deja vu”
Release date: April 1
Olivia Rodrigo broke the internet back in January with her “drivers license” at only 18 years. Her single “deja vu” though is proof the year’s overnight pop royalty can do rock, too. Her highly anticipated debut album SOUR drops May 21st and it’s not one to miss.
Mustafa, “Ali”
Release date: March 30
Mustafa is a 24-year old Muslim poet and songwriter based in Toronto. “Ali” is the latest single off his upcoming album When Smoke Rises. It’s a beautiful, moving tribute to losing someone you love and the music video is self-directed.
Eliza Shaddad, “Blossom”
Release date: March 23
The folky “Blossom” is a new single by Eliza Shaddad, a critically acclaimed Sudanese-Scottish artist based in Cornwall. Her upcoming sophomore album The Woman You Want is due for release on July 16th and it’s bound to be something special. Enjoy the stunning video for “Blossom” below (and don’t forget to check out her album!).
Jungle, “Keep Moving”
Release date: March 23
“Keep Moving” is a joyous dance-floor soundtrack for the summer. It’s by producer duo Jungle who are back with a new album Loving In Stereo due for release in August.
Ruth Koleva, “Salty”
Release date: March 19
Ruth Koleva is a Bulgarian artist you must know about. Currently based between Sofia and New York City, she describes her sound as electronic-soul-pop. At 31 years, “Salty” is her latest project - a song and video with a conscience helping to shed light on drag and trans representation, which is close to non-existent in media and entertainment in Bulgaria and Eastern Europe.
Kasai, “Drunk Diary, Weed & Liquor”
Release date: March 11
Kasai is a London-based artist recently signed to Dirty Hit. Her single “Drunk Diary, Weed & Liquor” is such an R&B gem! If you like it, it’s worth checking out the rest of her EP Not That Normal, Pt. 1.
Jorja Smith, “Addicted”
Release date: March 10
Two words only: Jorja Smith. Listen to any of her (critically acclaimed) music and you’ll know what I mean. Her latest project Be Right Back also includes the absolutely fire “Burn” and a must listen collaboration with Shaybo on “Bussdown.”
Saweetie (feat. Doja Cat & Stefflon Don), “Best Friend”
Release Date: March 5
Quite simply, this track slaps. I love seeing women collaborate and asking Stefflon Don, one of the UK’s biggest rappers to hop on a “Best Friend” remix is the ultimate power move by team Saweetie and Doja Cat.
St. Vincent, “Pay Your Way In Pain”
Release date: March 4
Taken from her sixth studio album, Daddy’s Home, “Pay Your Way In Pain” is so very cool and quirky from St. Vincent. At 38 years, she’s inimitable - a phenomenal guitar-player you must add to your playlist, then go see her on tour.
girl in red, “Serotonin”
Release date: March 3
girl in red is the project of 22-year old queer artist Marie Ulven from Norway. Her debut album if i could make it go quiet has scored some phenomenal chart positions around the world, proving you don’t need major label infrastructure to be an international artist (big shoutout to the AWAL team for that!). Lead single “Serotonin” is co-produced by FINNEAS and it’ll blow you away. So much so that even Taylor Swift posted about it. I guess it’s a world in red after all!
Japanese Breakfast, “Be Sweet”
Release date: March 2
“Be Sweet” is the debut single off of Japanese Breakfast’s upcoming album Jubilee out June 4th. There’s just something about it being so joyous and 80s, and the accompanying video is self-directed.
Rodrigo y Gabriela, “Street Fighter Mas”
Release date: February 18
“Street Fighter Mas” is a track by jazz musician Kamasi Washington. It’s been reimagined by Rodrigo y Gabriela as a stripped down performance with just two guitars, as part of their latest release The Jazz EP. If they’re ever in your area, you should book to see them live, they’re a phenomenal guitar duo and the EP also features covers of Snarky Puppy's "Lingus" and Astor Piazzolla's "Oblivion."
Dua Lipa, '“We’re Good”
Release date: February 11
“We’re Good” is the lead single from the Moonlight Edition of Dua Lipa’s sophomore album, Future Nostalgia. Released at the start of lockdown, it’s one of the most talked about records of the past year and it won her the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, as well as the Brit Award for British Album of the Year. “We’re Good” sounds markedly different from the rest of the tracks on Future Nostalgia and I still can’t figure out what that (catchy) melody sounds like, anyone?
Jacob Banks, “Parade”
Release date: February 10
“Parade” is a powerful protest song released by Nigerian-born British singer-songwriter Jacob Banks. Inspired by the recent Black Lives Matter protests, it’s the lead single off his latest project For My Friends which was recorded during lockdown.
Hayley Williams, “My Limb”
Release date: February 5
“My Limb” is a new single by Paramore’s Hayley Williams off her surprise album FLOWERS for VASES / descansos. It’s her best track yet she released into the world by hand delivering it to fan Cary Buttler based in Nashville who later tweeted: “Did hayley williams drive to your house and drop off a candle and a cd with her new song on it or are you having a normal night.”
FKA Twigs, Headie One, Fred again.., “Don’t Judge Me”
Release date: January 26
“Don’t Judge Me” is a collaboration between London-based singer-songwriter FKA Twigs, rapper Headie One and producer Fred again... It began as “Judge Me,” an interlude on Fred again.. and Headie One’s 2020 collaborative mixtape Gang. As you will see from the video below, it’s another compelling illustration of Black oppression.
Billie Eilish, ROSALÍA, “Lo Vas A Olvidar”
Release date: January 21
“Lo Vas A Olvidar” is a moody collaboration between queen of emo pop Billie Eilish and flamenco star ROSALÍA - two of my favourite artists right now. As with all songs of Billie, it’s produced by her older brother FINNEAS. I’m a huge fan of his work as producer and “Your Power” - which has made headlines as the lead single off her highly anticipated sophomore album Happier Than Ever - is the latest testament to that.
Noga Erez, “End of the Road”
Release date: January 13
Noga Erez is a singer-songwriter and producer. Her sophomore album KIDS, which among others addresses the theme of tension in her native Israel, is well worth listening to in its entirety. “End of the Road” is my favourite track on the record and the video is just as cool as the song.
Anthony Anaxagorou, Cerys Matthews, Hidden Orchestra, “Once I Had an Acceptance Speech”
Release date: January 8
Anthony Anaxagorou is a poet, writer, publisher and educator, and someone I had the privilege to meet in person a couple of years back. Anthony’s best known for his poem Once I Had an Acceptance Speech and this track - as the whole of the We Come the Sun album composed by Cerys Matthews with Hidden Orchestra - combines poetry with music. It’s spoken word elevated and I recommend listening to the entire record which features 10 poets: MA.MOYO, Raymond Antrobus, Lemn Sissay, Liz Berry, Anthony Anaxagorou, Adam Horovitz, Cia Mangat, Imtiaz Dharker, Kim Moore and Kayo Chingonyi.
