Author: Matthew Emmons

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If you remember, I made a blog post about what I was looking forward to doing in 2020 and, as you may have guessed, the pandemic put a stop to those plans. For months, we were all stuck at home and isolated from friends and family. During this time, I listened to A LOT of music which is why I wanted to write a feature on my favourite songs of the year! The past year has no doubt been a tumultuous one but the soundtrack was great. Similar to my older top tens, I have added a runner up section which features songs that also deserved recognition but missed out on the top ten. The same rule applies in that there is only one song per artist to make sure that there would be a mix of different genres and artists on the list. Enjoy!

Runner Ups

Dragonball Durag – Thundercat

It’s tempting to write this song off as a joke. I mean, what other song this year has had lyrics as ridiculous as “I may be covered in cat hair but I still smell good” but I think that’s the point. While no doubt being quite instrumentally and vocally well-constructed, Thundercat’s aim is not to take himself too seriously. While he legitimately pines for his love interest in some moments, he frequently injects quirky anecdotal questions and pleas which actually elevate the song beyond a traditional love ballad. He almost seems to undermine the traditional “flexes” different artists use to try to appeal to their love interests by both mentioning his “new whip”, “ice”, “video games”, and “comic books”. Plus, that instrumental is just so dang groovy you can’t help but be swept away. At the end of the day, only Thundercat’s unique vision could produce as equally addictive and ridiculous a song as “Dragonball Durag”.

Hold On (feat. Sheryl Crow, Brandi Carlile, & Natalie Hemby) – Yola & The Highwomen 

As you can probably tell from the list of collaborators and features, this track is a demonstration of country music at its very best. Yola’s southern-bluesy, growly vocals compliment the background harmonies from the other artists so perfectly that it is truly something to behold. The sentiment of the track is also quite special since it’s a comforting, reactionary anthem released in the aftermath of the unjust murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor this past summer. The track reminds listeners to hold on the beautiful things in their life and never let go of their passion to push for a better future. Well said, Yola and friends, well said.

Weird Fishes – Lianne La Havas

Okay, it is my time to confess something: I usually detest cover songs. To me, if something was already perfect or close to, it is better to leave it be. I am now happy to say that Lianne La Havas blew my mind this year with the true possibilities of covering another artist’s work. It pained me not to include this song in my top ten because it truly is something special, so consider this placement actually like a 10.5 in my top ten list. It is seriously that good. Lianne’s arrangement gets under your skin and is infectiously silky. Her vocal performance soars over the sparse production before the soaring finale which honestly rivals the original (which, again, I hate to say because Radiohead are also quite special to me !). Lianne is truly one of the most interesting songwriters in music today but this shows she is just as great even when she’s not singing her own material.

Top Ten

10. The Steps – HAIM

From the jangly guitars that kick off the song, you know you are in for a ride. The Haim sisters cooked up quite a special record this year and I think this song perfectly encapsulates the magic they were able to create. It is sassy, yet, personal, showy, and somehow reserved. The sentiment of fighting for what you want and trying to no avail are also extremely relatable even to the best of us. It especially speaks to the wider frustrations of, as their album title suggests, being women in music. On “The Steps”, HAIM show that they’re able to have a lot of fun while also empowering their female counterparts and creating an infectiously catchy tune that packs a punch.

9. forever – Charli XCX

I cannot think of a song that better encapsulates the COVID-era (if we can address it as such). The hook “I’ll love your forever even when we’re not together”, despite being written before quarantine, became the rallying cry for many this year who were experiencing isolation apart from their loved ones. The experimental and gritty production also further expand on Charli’s capabilities in the PC music realm. The auto-tune on her voice in combination with the aforementioned production also create this sweet-and-sour dynamic that resolves in the chorus in such a beautiful way. I think “forever’ proves that we should never refer to Charli as “the boom clap singer” again. She has effectively shown that she is capable of intimately expressing the longings of an entire culture while still being the pop innovator we know and love.

8. BLACK PARADE – Beyoncé

She has gone by many names over the years, including the well-known and deserved “Queen Bey”. On Juneteenth, she proved to us once again why she holds that title. Filled with many empowering quotable lines like “I can’t forget my history is her story”, “Put your fist up in the air, show black love”, and “Rubber bullets bouncin’ off me/Made a picket sign off your picket fence”, Beyoncé effectively empowered black people all over the world while also addressing the injustices, and subsequent protests, of the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor at the hands of racist police officers and citizens.

A further investigative look into the lyrics of the song also reveal the rich African history that Beyoncé has woven into, not only the song, but the related Black is King Disney+ film. This is all in an effort to begin reclaiming the ancestral heritage stolen from black people during the era of colonization and slavery which she first spoke about on her seminal 2016 visual album Lemonade. Beyoncé has once again shown that she is in a league of her own amongst her contemporaries but she will not let this diminish her ability to connect and empower those at the edges of society and reclaim what is hers.

7. My Future – Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish has surprised many in her relatively short career. Whether it be her horror-inspired imagery and lyricism or her left-field production choices, she never fails to shock. However, I found the understated “My Future” to be her most surprising release yet. Instead of relying innovative soundscapes (which are still great), Billie took a jazz-inspired direction for this single which was the perfect showcase for her often overlooked vocals and harmonies. The switch from the soft instrumental at the midway of the track is also just as shocking as it morphs into something completely different in the most beautiful way. Her declaration of excitement for a future that is wholly her own was also unprecedented and some welcome optimism in the chaotic year that was 2020.

6. Sweeter (feat. Terrance Martin) – Leon Bridges

Leon Bridges’ “Sweeter” was a heart-wrenching reaction to the senseless killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, and vocalized the subsequent feeling shared by black people all over the world whenever these tragedies occur. His hope for a better future while seemingly stuck in a cycle of violent tragedy because of his skin is truly felt in every infliction of his voice and the passionate yet minimal instrumental. The horn that joins him on the final chorus just accentuates the already somber tone and is utterly tear-inducing. Leon Bridges has always been an exceptional songwriter, but he only surpasses his past achievements on the much-needed “Sweeter”.

5. After Hours – The Weekend

“After Hours” is the centerpiece of the record with the same name. The 6-minute epic has a similar structure to “House of Ballons / Glass Table Girls” where the song’s production drastically changes halfway through the track which I think is purposeful. After Hours is the fulfillment of all of the desires that Abel dove headfirst into on his debut which have now left him unsatisfied and broken. Nowhere is this clearer than on this track. Abel’s passionate “Where are you now when I need you most?” is nothing short of heartbreaking and the droning synths that accentuate this section of the song create this uneasy soundscape which is impossible to escape. It’s addictive and dramatic, making it the best fusion of everything Abel has done up until this moment in time.

4. Restored (feat. 1K Phew, Wande & Hulvey) – Lecrae

I guess it is now time for my second confession of this article: I usually detest deluxe edition tracks. If you had have told me a year ago that I would include a song from a deluxe edition in my top 5 of the next year I would have audibly laughed. And yet, here we are. As much as any of the songs from Lecrae’s Restoration could have filled this spot, “Restored” is a collaboration of epic proportions. It is like the “Forever” of Christian rap and I have not stopped listening to it since it came out. Over the four minutes and change run time, Lecrae and co. reel with personal struggles and addictions, financial issues, God’s providence and grace, and their experience of being restored. It’s timely, deeply personal, and features career best verses from Lecrae and his 116 affiliates (See “Said you had fake faith, you’re starting to race bait”, “I see new dimensions like I’m Rick and Morty”, “Haven’t you noticed when we at our lowest is when our prayer life be having some focus?” and “Honda Civic I know God steerin’, in the Lamborghini I know God steerin’”).

3. Bad Friend – Rina Sawayama

Rina Sawayama has had an unbelievable year. I remember when she premiered “Bad Friend” on BBC Radio 1 weeks before the release of her debut album. The song was an honest confessional and, yet, instantly one of the catchy pop tunes of year. This was already after she had released “XS” and “Comme Des Garçons (Like the Boys)” which both could have been in this place on this list. Instead, Rina’s heart-breaking and lush “Bad Friend” became the magnum opus of the album. The song seemed to take on additional meaning this year with lyrics like “so don’t ask me where I’ve been/Been avoiding everything because I’m a bad friend”. Who hasn’t tried to escape the online world and all the awful events this year and ended up neglecting personal relationships while in quarantine? Even if the song did not obtain a special status because of COVID, it is still a testament to Rina’s ability to dominate the pop genre while curating a beautifully, innovative soundscape.

2. Kyoto – Phoebe Bridgers

This was Phoebe’s year and “Kyoto” could have easily taken the top spot on this list. The airy instrumental with the taut drums and gorgeous horns allow Phoebe’s vocals to dominate every part of this track. The instrumental blend of the song actually feels like a perfect summation of all of her previous musical experiences on her first record, the boygenius EP with Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus, and the Better Oblivion Community Complex project with Conor Oberst. 

Over the course of the song, Phoebe comments on being bored on tour and her subsequent FOMO which evolve into grand reflections on her complicated relationship with her father, watching the sunsets in the suburbs, and other memories from her childhood. It perfectly captures one’s stream of consciousness where the simplest things can trigger a flood of disjointed memories. Overall, the song just reflects Phoebe’s uncanny ear for subtle melody and one-of-a-kind songwriting which somehow feels deeply personal, nostalgic, urgent, and flippant all at once.

1. Me & You Together Song – The 1975

Yes, “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)” could have also occupied this spot. Yes, I know it was the favourite among fans and critics alike from their last album. Personally, I think “Me & You Together” actually captures the true spirit of what makes the 1975 so great. It feels truly nostalgic in a way that only the 1975 can capture. The anecdotal lines about crappy carnivals, changing diapers, and rejected offerings of love are at once comedic and picturesque. It feels like a lived experience that I have never had but fondly remember.

No, this song does not encapsulate the crazy year that has been 2020. It was nice to actually have some space that was untainted by the pandemic. It is cautiously optimistic while not being overly complicated. It’s the 1975 knowing exactly who they are and sticking to what makes them one of the most interesting bands in music right now. 

Thanks for reading!

15 min read – Characters: 24337

Over the past few months, I have been furiously listening to countless records from the past decade to try and finalize my list. As it turns out, there were many spectacular albums in the 2010s and it was unbelievably hard to cut it down to only ten albums. As a result, I have included a runner up section which houses albums that narrowly missed the top ten. The rule I made for the top ten was that there could only be one album per artist to make sure that there would be a mix of different genres and artists on the list. Enjoy!

Runner Ups

1989 – Taylor Swift

What happens when you combine pop powerhouses Max Martin and Jack Antonoff with a high-profile singer/songwriter who wants to transition into pop music? It turns out that the result is exactly what you would expect: pure magic. The story is simple: love and life in New York City. However, the journey through it all is soundtracked immaculately. Whether she’s saying goodbye to the haters on “Shake It Off” or being a “nightmare dressed like a daydream” on “Blank Space”, Taylor Swift has never been more infectious.

Every synth is perfectly placed, every vocal the perfect balance of passion and restraint, and she genuinely sounds like she is having the time of her life. As a result, 1989 could easily be a “greatest hits” record for any other pop artist. Songs like “Style”, “Out of the Woods”, and “All You Had To Do Was Stay” could make even the harshest critics tap their toes. There was a lot of initial hesitation for Swift’s pop crossover, but it is no doubt that the result was absolute pop perfection.

IGOR – Tyler, the Creator

Many will likely remember Flower Boy as their favourite Tyler, the Creator record. However, IGOR is still equally as impressive and finds Tyler’s production skills at their most advanced and cohesive to date. He has a way of never creating the same album twice and IGOR is no exception as it veers pretty far from Tyler’s typical hard-rap style into silkier R&B jams. Yes, the album is a breakup album which can, at times, be an oversaturated market. However, Tyler’s lo-fi and layered approach to this concept is one of the most interesting entrances into the category to date.

The radio-ready pop of “EARFQUAKE” and “I THINK” are immediate draws but more experimental R&B cuts like “A BOY IS A GUN”, “GONE, GONE / THANK YOU”, and “ARE WE STILL FRIENDS” pack more than enough punch to propel the album to an epic finish. IGOR also plays strictly by Tyler’s rules which may be the most interesting part of the record. He makes features from Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Solange, slowthai, and Kanye West all sound like another dimension of his established soundscape palette. Tyler may feel like he is the puppet of his love interest but when it comes to music it is clear that he is the puppeteer.

Astoria – Marianas Trench

As a Canadian band, Marianas Trench has long been overlooked by the world at large. In 2011, they were at the height of their career and even started to gain international attention. Suddenly, the lead singer, Josh Ramsay, broke off his engagement, found out his mom had dementia, and ended up in the hospital. This terrible spiral of events caused them to eventually release Astoria four years later. The wait was well worth it.

If you couldn’t already tell from the Goonies-inspired title, the band drew on the music and culture of their childhood to tell of one of the band’s darkest periods. The 17-track magnum opus follows through the emotional pain of Josh’s last four years through the addictive pop of “Burning Up”, heartbreak of “Dearly Departed”, “Wildfire”, and “Forget Me Not”, and the Toto-inspired highlight “Who Do You Love”. The band ventures into uncharted instrumental, vocal, and conceptual territory, with every track striking gold. Complete with sweeping instrumentals, stunning synths, Queen-esque harmonies, and orchestral interludes, Astoria is truly a blockbuster that any true music fan would not want to miss.

Top Ten

10. Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves’ old soul brought her success within the country music community fairly quickly. Her plucky guitar and traditional country sound was one that would never go out of style and could continue to be successful. With the release of Golden Hour, Kacey decided to instead become an innovator instead of an imitator by swapping out her old style for techniques common in pop and hip/hop communities.It is no wonder that some found it difficult to view Golden Hour as a country album as Kacey’s vocals seem relatively polished and the ragged, plucky nature of most modern country songs is entirely absent.

Everything seems to shine on the record as Kacey takes an inventive approach to country clichés such as on the songs “High Horse”, “Space Cowboy” and “Velvet Elvis”. She’s not singing about beer, tractors, short skirts, or honky tonks. Instead, Kacey tells the story of her own hardships and loneliness while assuring listeners that “It’ll all be alright”. It’s a relatable and intimate experience that seems to drift through the air like a light breeze on a summer’s day.

Golden Hour marks a mature turning point for Kacey Musgraves and unlocks a world of possibilities for her future sound. Every track is expertly written and produced to a near-perfect degree. She’s never sounded more convincing and beautiful than on songs like “Butterflies”, “Mother”, and “Rainbow”. It’s pristinely polished, bravely innovative, beautifully intimate, all the while showcasing the true possibilities of breaking genre boundaries and making something you believe in.

9. Blonde – Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean received, or rather, commanded everyone’s attention with the release of Channel Orange near the beginning of the decade. From then on, fans were eagerly awaiting his next record, tentatively titled Boys Don’t Cry. After many delays and much disappointment from fans, Frank Ocean returned on one fateful night in August of 2016. He dropped two albums over that weekend, one being the visual album Endless to fulfill his prior commitment to his old label. The other was the critically applauded and experimental Blonde.

On this record, Frank traded out the R&B-pop fusion of “Thinking Bout You” and “Forrest Gump” for postmodern ambience and R&B. The swaying “Nights” follows a similar two part structure to “Pyramids” but seems much more airy and fluid. The stacked instrumentals on songs such as “Pink + White”, “Pretty Sweet”, and “Futura Free” seem to almost drown out Frank Ocean, as if he has become nothing other than another layer in much larger sonic mural. However, songs like “Ivy”, “Solo”, “Self Control”, “White Ferrari”, and “Godspeed” find Frank singing over very minimal production and pack enough emotional punch to make Arnold Schwarzenegger break down.

The album also features guest writing credits and vocals from high profile artists like Paul McCartney and Beyoncé which is a testament to how well-respected Frank is within the music community. Both Channel Orange and Blonde are legendary within their own right but differ so much on almost every level imaginable making Frank Ocean one of the most fascinating artists currently working in music. However, Blonde is truly one-of-a-kind and is a record that will go down in history as a marvel of the imaginative possibilities of recording technology and artistry.

8. To Pimp a Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar

It is no doubt that Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest artists to emerge during the decade. His poetic style and extremely sophisticated approach to hip/hop and storytelling has gained him a lot of attention, many accolades, and even scholarly courses dedicated to analyzing his works. To Pimp A Butterfly, however, is Kendrick Lamar at his creative peak and even inspired David Bowie for the direction of his final album, Blackstar.

Kendrick Lamar broadens his focus on this record to discuss the construction of the African-American identity, institutionalization, police brutality, and black pride. For an album prominently focused on race, Kendrick draws on typically African-American dominated music styles such as hip/hop, jazz, and R&B. It’s a beautiful culmination of African-American art and influence led by one of hip/hops most imaginative MCs.

Kendrick uses the practice of pimping as a metaphor for the treatment of African-Americans throughout history. He also uses the idea of a cocooned caterpillar and a butterfly to talk about self-image and institutionalization within black communities. The wit and relevancy of each of Kendrick’s verses on this record is a work of literary genius. Tracks like “These Walls”, “u”, “For Sale (Interlude)”, “How Much A Dollar Cost”, and “Complexion (A Zulu Love)”, “i”, and “Mortal Man” demonstrate this to a degree unparalleled by any of his contemporaries.

Additionally, Kendrick does not bow to genre pressures and focuses more on substance and concept than making every track a “head-banger”. The impact of the content hits a lot harder than many of the beats on the record as a result which is extremely inventive and interesting to follow. To Pimp A Butterfly finds Kendrick Lamar at the top of his game with respect to every aspect of the record and is no doubt one of the most relevant and inventive records to be released within the last 20 years.

7. The Life of Pablo – Kanye West

Not many artists could make an album like The Life of Pablo work. If anyone could though, it would be Kanye West. On the surface, The Life of Pablo feels very much like the rough, unfinished cover art and perhaps that’s the beauty of it. The stunning “Ultralight Beam” and instant earworms like “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1”, “Famous”, “Waves”, and “Fade” are immediate crowd pleasers. But some of the deeper cuts like “FML”, “Real Friends”, and “Saint Pablo” really propel the album through the narrative Kanye has constructed, or rather, lived.

This album is one of contradictions and juxtaposition. As an illustration, there are features from both Chris Brown and Rihanna which, considering Chris’ past abuse of Rihanna, would be in quite poor taste on any other album. Yet, on The Life of Pablo it seems right at home. The controversial Taylor Swift lyric and the lyric about bleached – well – y’know all follow the gospel-infused opening track “Ultralight Beam” which features a prayer for those who feel they’ve “gone too far” from none other than Kirk Franklin. This constant imbalance between the spiritual and secular has not only been extremely popular in gospel music throughout its history but also within Kanye’s own life.

Kanye’s honesty and braggadocious persona create a dazzling and autobiographical experience. By the time the second half of the record comes around it’s no surprise that Kanye is struggling with his identity, faith, and family, as expressed by tracks like “Real Friends” and “Wolves”. It is clear that although Kanye wants to focus on the highlights and perks of the fame and women in his life, he cannot move past the feeling that he is stuck in a fantasy much darker than he ever imagined. Musically, Pablo features a multitude of samples, artists, and production styles. For example, “No More Parties in LA” has more of a vintage rap feel which contrasts with the gospel feel of the first two tracks and the experimental nature of “FML”.

Overall, The Life of Pablo is very hard to discuss in such few words as this. It is an album that is quite literally always evolving as Kanye continued uploading new versions of the songs after the album’s initial release. It is a sprawling journey through multiple genres and stories, until Kanye’s facade cracks on the stunning finale “Saint Pablo” which finds Kanye wrestling once again with his faith and family. The Pablo referred to in the title is the Biblical figure Paul, who was converted to Christianity after initially oppressing Christians. Once described as “a gospel album with a lot of swearing” The Life of Pablo may not be the gospel revival that would come later in Kanye’s career, but it is an essential first step.

6. Lemonade – Beyoncé

The sparse, vocal-heavy opening track “Pray You Catch Me” makes it clear: this is no ordinary Beyoncé record, or record in general. This is a journey. Over the albums twelve tracks, Beyoncé discusses jealousy, infidelity, anger, heartbreak, and finally healing, restoration, and forgiveness. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough there’s the truck-rattling Black Lives Matter anthem ‘Formation’ to top it all off at the end. However, this is not Sasha Fierce or the flawless persona from her self-titled album. This is the journey of one of the most buzzworthy artists of the decade at one of her darkest moments. Beyoncé has never been more vulnerable and yet it seems that in her weakness, she has also never been stronger.

The music itself expresses her internal strife as it hops between numerous genres such as reggae, rock, country, pop, hip/hop, and more. Beyoncé not only experiments in this uncharted territory but effortless nails every one and, dare I say, even improves on some. The heartbreaking ‘Sandcastles’, explosive ‘Don’t Hurt Yourself’, and the thumping ‘Daddy Lessons’ are among the albums many highlights. Everything Beyoncé does on this record comes with a twist, one only Queen Bey herself could add to the “lemons” she’d been handed.

Perhaps what is most impressive about this album though was its ability to dominate the conversation in 2016, a year already full of critically acclaimed releases from the likes of Frank Ocean, her sister Solange, and Kanye West. It was Lemonade’s year and everyone knew it. That’s what made Adele’s acknowledgement of this even more bittersweet when she had beat Beyoncé at the subsequent Grammy awards for Album of the Year. Nevertheless,Lemonade will continue to dominate the conversation and forever be remembered as a groundbreaking moment in musical history.

5. A Seat at the Table – Solange

Beyoncé always seemed to outshine her sister. She was in a massively popular girl group and became one of the biggest popstars on the planet. Solange, on the other hand, was involved in an infamous elevator incident with her sister’s husband which was more publicized than her entire career up to that point. However, the release of A Seat at the Table would change everything.

Not only is A Seat at the Table an important record conceptually but it often relies on minimalistic production and simple melodies to sustain all 21 tracks. This pays off in a way that only Solange could orchestrate. Whether she’s talking about self-care, lost loves, or her struggles as an African-American woman in modern day America, she does so with exceptional grace. Sonically, the record is very cohesive. Every track seamlessly transitions into the next making it more of an experience than a compilation of songs. It is clear that Solange’s knowledge as an artist goes far beyond songwriting as every aspect of the record is utterly flawless.

The interludes throughout the album also provide more interesting windows into the African-American experience during segregation and the present day. Not only are they entertaining and informative, they feel essential to the album’s success by tying every aspect of Solange’s story to her identity and heritage. At one point, one of the featured guests denounces “reverse racism” by providing such a simplistic explanation of why black pride is integral to society that a child could understand. This conversation should not have to be had in our society and yet it has never been more important. It is a true testament as to why we need more diverse voices in Hollywood and the music industry. Solange successfully commands an exceptionally moving album lyrically and instrumentally and spreads love and empowerment to black communities throughout the world in a way that has never felt more authentic and relevant.

4. Beyond Control – Kings Kaleidoscope

“But still this faith I hold/is my reality” is the bold proclamation that comes within the final minutes of this album. And when it does come, it feels as if it’s been ripped right from midst of an intensely personal and difficult journey. Although the Christian hope in Jesus is at the center of this album, it’s not all sunny skies and rainbows. Tracks such as “Most of It”, “Gone”, and the cleverly titled “Lost?” all follow along on Kings’ faith journey of learning to be okay with what they cannot control and gaining dominance over their fears. However, this all occurs before their breakdown at the end of the album revealing that this is no hero’s journey but instead one of continual wrestling, praising, pain, and growth.

Instrumentally, the album follows a rather optimistically jazzy flow, with hints of subtle samples and layers throughout for the first half. The interlude titled “Friendship” is just the band messing around with melodies in the studio capturing the kindred spirit that lies behind most of the tracks. In the second half of the album, the band falls into more stripped back sonic textures as they wrestle more with their fears and insecurities. Even the closing song “Trackless Sea” is rather mellow until a rather chaotic praise snippet bursts forth after a brief moment of silence revealing their cycle of emotions and return to praise.

Still, it is an album that deals with pain as much as it does praise such as on the controversial track A Prayer which features the line “where the fear is f—-ing violent” taken from the lead singer’s journal while suffering with severe anxiety. The industrial instrumentals sound as if they’re scraping along the ground, weary from a long battle. In the same breath it asks “Jesus where are you?/Am I still beside you?” while affirming and finding comfort in His death and resurrection. Kings Kaleidoscope prove time and time again that they are not afraid of the tough questions but at the same time are okay with not knowing all the answers. It is a uniquely human album that delights in the trials and triumphs of faith and the human condition, all the while accepting that it is truly beyond our control.

3. Coloring Book – Chance the Rapper

It has been said that good things always happen in threes. For Chance the Rapper, this meant three beloved mixtapes, the Holy Spirit, and his iconic three hats to commemorate all of this. Coloring Book marks the third entry in his mixtape trilogy and swept Chance into the mainstream. The success of this mixtape even caused the Grammys to change their qualification policy to allow albums exclusively available on streaming platforms to be able to be nominated for awards. Perhaps it was poetic that this allowed Chance to also win three Grammys for Coloring Book.

But Chance would attribute this much luck and success also to God as Coloring Book finds him boldly expressing his faith across a plethora of expertly produced and addictive gospel beats. Coloring Book practically perfected the gospel-rap fusion that had been started by artists like Kirk Franklin and Kanye West. Every single song feels as if it’s been lived in and grown for a significant period of time. Take the mellow “Summer Friends” a tribute to those relationships that only exist for a short period in one’s life. The Francis and the Lights feature is perfect, Chance’s verses are witty and feel like a confessional instead of a rap. Even Jeremih’s feature blends perfectly into the sonic landscape of the song. Each track follows this pattern of expertly selected guest vocals, fitting verses from Chance, and joyous instrumentals.

He talks about his family, his faith, and his friends with a level of optimism that is unheard of. With the world seeming so dark at times, this record shines like a light. It would be impossible to not burst out in a grin while hearing tracks like “All We Got”, “No Problem”, “Angels”, and “Finish Line/Drown”. The fact that this record is only a “mixtape” is also stunning. No wonder Chance sings “it seems like blessings keep falling in my lap” because Coloring Book feels heaven-sent.

2. A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships – The 1975

To think that at the beginning of the decade The 1975 had not even released their debut album is mind boggling. Their progress from small indie band to politically-charged, arena rock icons has been a fascinating journey to follow. While their first two albums seemed to overstay their welcome, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships feels shockingly relevant and mature.

The instrumental, sonic, and lyrical styles have not changed but have been injected with more substance and wisdom than on their previous efforts. Every track is addictive and seems carefully chosen. Even the partially ambient detours à la “The Man Who Married a Robot/Love Theme” and “How To Draw/Petrichor” both fill necessary holes in the album’s narrative while being some of the most beautiful moments on the whole record. The paranoid and spastic nature of “Give Yourself a Try”, “I Like America and America Likes Me”, and “Love It If We Made It” is infectious and highlight the fears that many hold with our access to such a vast amount of information, good and bad. But the thought put into this record goes far beyond the vocal performance and instrumental landscapes. “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)”, “Be My Mistake”, and “I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)” all shed a strikingly honest and personal light on drug addiction, infidelity, and suicide respectively. Each song seems to showcase another new example of how technology is mediating our relationships with both things and people.

It is a message that has previously been explored by various artists throughout music history, most famously Radiohead. However, The 1975 take it to the next level by using modern recording technology like auto tune to showcase the mechanization of our humanity and even use a gospel number to discuss our fears of being sincere with one another. The message is not only one that is continually important but also one that is necessary for anyone alive right now.

1. Melodrama – Lorde

Clocking in at 11 tracks and just over 40 minutes, Melodrama is a testament to every great thing about pop music. In the time between this album and Pure Heroine, Lorde had grown up, won a Grammy, and lost a significant relationship. The highs and lows of her experience are showcased here and form the basis of the record. So yes, Melodrama is a breakup album. It is a coming-of-age album. It is a pop album. But it is also so much more than that.

The opener “Green Light” is a peculiar track as it violently switches from minimalistic opening chords to a proper pop song courtesy of Jack Antonoff. The tone grows darker with the whisper-pop and heavy synth vibes from “Sober” and “Homemade Dynamite”. Suddenly it clicks: the album is set at a house party. What better place for a teenager to contemplate their life?

Every song that follows is a new dimension of heartbreak that draws you close and rips you open. The production is beautiful and cohesive, each track oozing into one another while still feeling intimate. It is clear that Lorde has never been in more command of her craft. By the time “Perfect Places” rolls around, Lorde has felt deep pain and regret, acknowledged her romanticism of the past, and realized her true self-worth. She is now free to return to the party while remembering that nothing is ever truly perfect in this life.

This album does not succeed by having a large persona or grandiose production. Rather, it retreats into the corners of your brain and feels like a heartfelt letter from a close friend. Lorde puts her entire soul into every breathy note and synth and focuses more on the quality than the quantity. Emotions are amplified and every track sticks the landing. Her journey back to being whole is one that is melodramatic but captures the deeply human truths about self-image, growing up, getting your heart broken, and putting the pieces back together again.

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Over the past decade, there has been a multitude of fantastic songs which made it extremely difficult to narrow the list down to only ten! Because of this, I have added a runner up section which features songs that also deserved recognition but missed out on the top ten. The rule I made for the top ten was that there could only be one song per artist to make sure that there would be a mix of different genres and artists on the list. Enjoy!

Runner Ups

Love on the Brain – Rihanna

Who would’ve ever thought Rihanna would release a retro, doo-wop love song? As it turns out, her extremely passionate and expressive vocals over the vintage chords created one of the best songs in her entire catalogue.

Thinkin Bout You – Frank Ocean

Before this, Frank Ocean was just another member of the rap collective Odd Future. “Thinkin Bout You” showed off Frank’s impressive range and revealed his show-stopping songwriting to the world.

Royals – Lorde

“Royals” was meant to be a song given out for free but ended up winning Song of the Year at the Grammys. On this song, Max Martin told Lorde to switch the chorus and the prechorus. Thankfully, she didn’t listen and ended up defying the traditional song structure of pop music to give listeners a taste of her unique approach to songwriting and storytelling.

Top Ten

10. No Tears Left to Cry – Ariana Grande

After the attack at her show in Manchester, Ariana Grande took a much-needed hiatus. Her triumphant comeback was marked by the release of “No Tears Left to Cry” which combined Ariana’s angelic vocals with a beautiful, heavenly soundscape. Instead of being stuck in regret, depression, and fear, she chose to look past those things and encourage the legions of fans who still believed in her.

9. Run Away With Me – Carly Rae Jepsen

It would be a shame for Carly Rae Jepsen to be remembered only for her diamond hit “Call Me Maybe”. “Run Away With Me” allowed her refined abilities as a pop songwriter to take center stage. Complete with blazing saxophones and a gargantuan chorus, “Run Away With Me” is four minutes of pure pop bliss.

8. Love On Top – Beyoncé

If Beyoncé has not convinced you by the end of this song that she is one of the most talented performers of this generation then you need to hit replay. The multiple key changes, flawless vocals runs, and fitting instrumentals are a testament to how Beyoncé takes every aspect of her music to the max.

7. Summer Friends – Chance the Rapper ft. Jeremih & Francis and the Lights

This song is absolutely gorgeous as each element successfully communicates Chance’s nostalgia and desire to return to the summer. His verses are some of his best yet and the soundscape created by Francis and the Lights’ vocals, synths, and other various textures that would fit in at an arcade feel like the audio equivalent of watching a sunset.

6. A Prayer – Kings Kaleidoscope

The controversy surrounding this song almost overshadowed its greatness. Almost. It sounds tortured, rough, and raw before breaking out into a response to the lead singer’s questions of God during his severe anxiety. The passionate “I love you” near the end is one of the few musical moments that never fails to send chills down the spine.

5. Teenage Dream – Katy Perry

When I think of the quintessential 2010s pop song, “Teenage Dream” always comes to mind. The minimalistic instrumentals of the verses seem fitting before the immaculately constructed and sugar sweet hook. At the time, this song and the album of the same name dominated the radio and will continue to be a truly iconic moment in pop history.

4. All Too Well – Taylor Swift

For every gigantic hit single, there are many other songs in Taylor’s discography that reveal her talent and versatility as a songwriter. “All Too Well” is one of those songs. The song itself feels more like a scrapbook than a ballad and walks the listener through the history of a relationship. It focuses on the little moments such as a lost scarf, dancing in the kitchen, and running red lights which make the song feel lived-in rather than fabricated for profit. It’s raw and breathtakingly beautiful.

3. Track 10 – Charli XCX

The production choices alone on this song are constantly surprising and perplexing. The song at its core would be good enough to go toe-to-toe with whatever Max Martin has worked on this decade. But Charli is not interested in a good melody, she wants to manufacture an entire sonic soundscape. This song seems to constantly evolve throughout its 5 minutes runtime and is unlike any other song out there. The chaotic synths, swirling distortion, and pitch-shifted vocals create an atmosphere that showcases how far ahead Charli is among her contemporaries.

2. All of the Lights – Kanye West

It would be foolish to think that, despite his many controversies, Kanye West has not had an enormous impact on the sounds of this decade. “All of the Lights” finds Kanye at an all time high in terms of production, flow, and creative decisions. His choice to involve Rihanna, Fergie, and Elton John (among others) on the track would seem fantastical to most other artists but all of their contributions blend so well into the atmosphere Kanye has created. Upon its release, it showcased the mountainous possibilities for rap music and inspired countless artists for years to come.

1. Love It If We Made It – The 1975

When selecting which song would be number one of the decade the choice to me was fairly obvious. The ideal choice would be one that captured the true spirit of the decade and featured a memorable vocal performance, flawless instrumentals, and impactful lyrics. There is no other song I can think of that not only fulfills these criteria but exceeds them at every turn. The instrumental layers and subtle harmonies on the chorus make for one of the most beautifully anthemic musical moments of all time. Lyrically the song focuses on the sheer amount of good and bad information/news that we are presented with while hoping we’ll “make it” through the challenges left by the failures of modernity. It’s thoughtful, challenging, and unbelievably euphoric.

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