And now onto my favorite section: the best! It should come as no shock to anyone that the best music to listen to is the type that makes you happy. I personally cannot understand people who only listen to “sad girl music” – not that I don’t see the appeal, but… all the time? Where’s your room for joy?
The only issue I have with singing praises of all my favorite songs is that I tend to repeat myself. “Great song” “This song makes me really happy” “Love the production” Like I can’t think of anything else. Just know I love these songs a lot.
THE BEST (in no particular order)
10. Happiness by The 1975
Bonus points for the DJ Sabrina the Teenage DJ production. The background samples, bouncy production, and Healy’s insufferably British voice make me feel like I’m at a really fun party, full of life and love and, dare I say, happiness. 10 out of 10.
9. Daydreaming by Harry Styles
WE FUCKING LOVE YOU HARRY STYLES… Best choice for a concert opener ever. Genius sample choice (Ain’t We Funkin’ Now by The Brothers Johnson), stunning horns, and his voice sounds better than ever. Again, we fucking love you Harry Styles. 10 out of 10.
8. Run BTS by BTS
Ohhh yeah, baby! BTS are back! …for an anthology. And a couple years hiatus. Oh well, they gave us one of their best songs as a temporary parting gift. Everything about Run BTS is a quintessential BTS song: the flawless rap, vocals, and CHOREOGRAPHY (seriously– check it out!). Whereas ITZY’s Sneakers is a parody of what makes them them, Run BTS is more like a celebration of what makes BTS BTS. 100 out of 10.
7. HEATED by Beyoncé
It was hard not to put the entirety of Renaissance on here. Every song is sheer perfection. However, this song is not on here for the chorus, or the verses; it’s here for the last minute. Sixty plus seconds of the most high energy shouting and fan flaps ever put to audio. Cannot wait for the visuals! Ten ten tens across the board out of 10.
6. Head on Fire by Sigrid & Griff
I’m so, so happy this song exists. I’m so happy for the existence of indie pop girls. Sure, there’s nothing revolutionary about this track, but it’s just so fun to sing along to, or to scream along to in the car. Flawless collab out of 10.
5. Tonight by Phoenix ft. Ezra Koenig
THE PHOENIX HAS RISEN… GOD BLESS THIS SONG!
4. Beg for You by Charli XCX ft. Rina Sawayama
The return of UK garage to the mainstream has been nothing but pleasant with the likes of piri and PinkPantheress, so it was only natural for Charli XCX to step in. Beg for You is a great addition to her already flawless album CRASH, and seeing it live (at Lollapalooza, not to brag haha) was the icing on the cake.
3. At the End of the Day by Wallows
Seldom do sad indie boy songs make me cry, but Wallows successfully made me do the near impossible. 20 out of 10.
2. Impurities by LE SSERAFIM
Red Velvet’s daughters never fail me… Impurities was a hit from the jump, and making this the b-side to the high energy reggaeton bop ANTIFRAGILE was a perfect decision. 100 out of 10.
(Before we get to #1, here’s a small list of honorable mentions:
- The Astronaut by Jin (screaming, crying, throwing up)
- Left & Right by Charlie Puth & Jungkook
- Talk That Talk by TWICE
- Ur Mum by Wet Leg
- Bejeweled by Taylor Swift
- Boy’s a Liar by PinkPantheress
- Yeah Yeah Yeah by BLACKPINK
- Gaslight by INJI
- Change by Djo
- Nonsense by Sabrina Carpenter
- Plan B by Megan Thee Stallion)
And, #1 Tomorrow 2 by Glorilla and Cardi B!
And now for something completely different. Admittedly, I’m not a huge rap person, but there’s something about this song that I find just.. legendary. Cardi B’s verse especially. I just love songs that are all about saying “fuck you” to the haters and celebrating how successful you are. Automatic classic. Two-morrow (200) out of 10.
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