This 2021 year, was a very prolific year for a lot of artists and for the music industry. Many musical releases punctuated this year. The difficult year that was 2020 gave a new breath to the music, many are the artists who have exceeded themselves musically, and to have pushed the boundaries of musical production. So we will see these musical releases, whether albums or singles (mostly pop, And of course the productions i know).
2021 Singles
Save Your Tears (Remix) - The Weekend, Ariana Grande
This remix of save your tears marks the third musical collaboration between The weekend and Ariana Grande. Save your tears brings a retro disco atmosphere, updated, or blend the voices of the weekend and Ariana Grande, with a perfect vocal technique. Since the beginning of 2020, and with this song, once again, the Weeknd proves that he knows how to bring back the disco and the funk genres to our time, while mixing them with some pop influences.
This remix has reached the (coveted) number one spot on the top 100 songs in the US. The live version, has nothing to envy to the studio version, as we could see during the performance of The Weeknd and Ariana grande at iheart radio music awards 2021.
Song: Save Your Tears (Remix), Artist: The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Release date: 23/04/2021, Album: After Hours (Deluxe), Label: XO, Republic, Genre: Pop, RnB, Synth-pop.
My Universe - BTS, Coldplay
The song, My universe, mixes very well the universes of the K-pop group BTS, and the British group Coldplay. This song creates an airy and exquisite atmosphere, with a dream pop inspiration. And this, thanks to a graceful pop melody and beautiful lyrics, wrote in Korean and English.
Everything is very well orchestrated around this song. The title represents absolutely well the song, ditto for the cover of the single which brings a very inspired and inspiring iconography. The video clip also brings a very interesting universe. This song proves that the year 2021 was very rewarding for the music industry.
Song: My Universe, Artist: BTS, Coldplay, Release date: , Album: Music of the Spheres, Label: Parlophone, Atlantic, Genre: Pop, K-pop, Synth-pop.
Cold Heart - Dua Lipa, Elton John
This Bold song, marks a turning point in the respective careers of the two artists, an affirmation for one and a return for the other. We navigate here in an ethereal spell, in a universe based on the melodies of synthesizers and drums, and sculpted by the warm and powerful voices of Dua Lipa and Elton John.
An interesting fact in this song is that Elton john sampled his own songs like "Rocket Man", "Sacrifice" or "Kiss the Bride".
A feeling of déjà vu, in something totally new. This opposition between past and present, makes us fall into a dichotomy of feelings. the quintessence of this dichotomy is gracefully highlighted by the fact that "Cold Heart" was released in the middle of a warm Summer.
Song: Cold Heart, Artist: Dua Lipa, Elton John, Release date: 13/08/2021 , Album: The Lockdown Sessions, Label: Emi, Mercury, Genre: Disco, Pop.
Money - Lisa
Some scientific studies have shown that the impact of the events of 2020 has created a need to dance more and more present in people's minds in general. And the very danceable atmosphere of this song translates, I think, very well this need. Lisa, also known for being part of the band Blackpink, brings us in a bold and proud song, with a choreography just like the song that carries it. For this reason, it was named best choreography of the year 2021. How to miss the incredible success that this song has had, especially on social media since its release.
Song: Money, Artist: Lisa, Release date: 10/09/2021 , Album: Lalisa, Label: The Black Label, Genre: K-pop, Hip-hop.
Love Nwantiti - Ckay
Yes, I know, this song is from 2019, but it had its place in this article, because its success took place this year. Seriously, who could have missed this song, it was everywhere, to my delight. A song with a rhythm both sweet and dancing, which has managed to make a place in the world by entering the charts of many countries, and ranking number one in a dozen countries around the world. The original version is a delight, but the acoustic version is exquisite, in my opinion.
Song: Love Nwantiti, Artist: Ckay, Release date: 29/08/2019, Album: Ckay The First (EP), Label: Chocolate City, Genre: Afrobeat.
Stay - Justin Bieber, The Kid Laroi
How to talk about the year 2021 musically, without talking about Stay by Justin Bieber and The Kid Laroi?
It is the anthem of 2021. A song that succeeds in creating a very special atmosphere, Thanks to a synth-pop sound, which creates this musical bubble. The clip is also very well done, and fits particularly well with the song. By the way, little fun fact, Charlie Puth co-produced and co-wrote this song.
To sum up, for me it's the iconic song of 2020.
Song: Stay, Artist: The Kid Laroi, Justin Bieber, Release date: 09/07/2021, Album: Love 3: Over You, Label: Grade A, Columbia, Genre: Pop, Synth-pop, Dream pop.
2021 Album
30 - Adele
After 6 years of absence, Adele made her comeback with the album 30 last November. It is an epitome of what 21st century English pop is all about. This album addresses many of the experiences that Adele experienced during her 6 year hiatus. The songwriting takes us into many different worlds, highlighted by Adele's powerful vocals. 30 reached number one place in more than 20 countries, and became the best selling album worldwide in 2021. Personally, my favorite song on the album is the lead single, Easy On Me. I really like this song which is very calm but also very powerful at the same time.
Album: 30, Artist: Adèle, Release date: 19/11/2021, Label: Columbia, Melted Stone, Genre: Pop.
K.O - Danna Paola
After showing her acting skills on Netflix, Danna Paola comes back to the roots, in the music industry, with the album K.O. An album that mixes dance rhythms and ballads, in a very interesting and inspiring Latin pop universe. Danna Paola shows all the strength of her vocal technique, especially on the song Amor Ordinario. This album includes several collaborations with other musical artists including Aitana and Sebastian Yatra.
I really enjoyed this album, especially the songs No Bailes Sola and Amor Ordinario.
Album: K.O, Artist: Danna Paola, Release date: 13/01/2021, Label: Universal Music Mexico, Genre: Latin pop.
Equals - Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran signed his big comeback in 2021, thanks to an album with a smooth and danceable tempo. This is not Ed Sheeran's usual style, but it was a purposeful choice to deliver a more upbeat vibe for the post quarantine era . It really shows how 2020 has impacted the music industry and the artists. My favorite song is the lead single, bad habits, I find it very rhythmic, but in an ethereal way. Proof that it was a good choice of lead single, the song reached the number one place in about 20 countries around the world.
Album: Equals, Artist: Ed Sheeran, Release date: 29/10/2021, Label: Asylum, Atlantic, Genre: Pop.
Justice - Justin Bieber
It's been a busy year musically for Justin Bieber, between the worldwide success of stay, and the release of his album justice. As for the song stay, the album gathers various influences and sounds. A record mixing pop, Dream pop and Rnb. And on which a dozen artists are invited to share songs.
This album, was placed number one in a dozen countries around the world.
My favorite song on this album is Peaches featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon.
Album: Justice, Artist: Justin Bieber, Release date: 19/03/2021, Label: Def Jam, RBMG, SB Projects, Schoolboy, Genre: Pop, RnB, Dream pop.
Sour - Olivia Rodrigo
This is the musical phenomenon of 2021, Sour By Olivia Rodrigo.
Olivia Rodrigo with her first album sets the trend for Pop Rock. These Pop, Rock and Alternative influences, drop us in a universe Sometimes soft, sometimes powerful, more globally as the title states, a SOUR musical universe.
This album contains one of the biggest musical Release of these last years: drivers Licence.
This song was a global success on social networks during 2021, and still is in 2022. The anthem of the new generation.
On this album, my favorite song is Good 4 U. An empowering song, with a video that I love. (But i do love Driver Licence as well).
🎵 Red lights, stop signs...🎵
Album: Sour, Artist: Olivia Rodrigo, Release date: 05/21/2021, Label: Geffen, Genre: Pop, Pop rock, Alternative pop.
Here we are, the end of this article. I had a lot of fun writing it.
I know, a lot of the songs and albums listed, are well known, but I hope you still discovered some new songs.
Tell me your impressions and your favorite releases of the 2021s!
-Mahdi