Weirdo Music Forever’s Top 20 Tracks of 2021
The approach of a new year means it is time yet again for us here at WMF to look back at some of the new music releases that had the most profound impact on our lives during the past twelve months. Continued global challenges and hardships notwithstanding, 2021 has also been a remarkable era for exciting new music, and that’s something for which we are profoundly grateful here at WMF. As is our annual tradition, we’ve compiled not simply a list of the track titles and links, but also exclusive information related to those creative works directly from the artists themselves.
As always, it is our honor to formally recognize these twenty gems with you here, and each and every one of them represents some of the most impactful music we’ve encountered over the last year. We hope our compilation’s numeric order* is interpreted in that spirit, and within the context of a flowing playlist. This 2021 collection is composed of music that stands on its own merits, more culturally valuable than any attempt at ranking could ever accurately capture.
As in past years, the purpose of our annual list is not to quantify or critique, but rather to present a playlist that works independently as a fun and important audible document, representing a year of music we feel warrants recognition and celebration. And with this customary preamble concluded, we hope you enjoy these standout tracks that encapsulate what has been a fiercely challenging year, but also one offering much-needed inspiration and creation.
1. “Something About You” Eyedress, featuring Dent May
We can’t even think about this past year of great music without mentioning Eyedress and acknowledging how monumental the past several months have been for his music and career. Justly-deserved after years of persistence and unwavering loyalty to his vision, 2021 has been a huge one for Eyedress, and we’re definitely here for it.
“Something About You” from his album Mulholland Drive (via Lex Records) captured our ears and hearts immediately, and we had the pleasure of speaking with both Eyedress and Dent May about the highlight release earlier this year. For our list here, Eyedress shared the following exclusive insights into “Something About You”:
“The motivation for ‘Something About You’ was my wife Elvia and the pressure I felt during the pandemic as I just had my first son and the future for the music industry at the time just felt so uncertain. I guess that’s why I put so much energy into making it the best that I can. The label even doubted the song and didn’t really think it was all that, so when it went viral it felt so good to be right because my gut is always right.”
2. “Marigold” Riki
Riki has been on our minds and playlists all year long, and with good reason — we think she’s absolutely one of the most formidable talents on the scene these days. Anyone wary that Riki would struggle to match her stellar eponymous 2020 debut is surely able to put those doubt aside now that Dais Records has released her brilliant follow-up, Gold. Riki shared this about the album’s first single, “Marigold”, which immediately became a fixture in our lives this year:
“‘Marigold’ is a dialogue of lovers who see no wrong in one another. The lyrics are inspired by the melody which struck me as sweet and driving with a little melancholic undertone. That hint of melancholy speaks of the lovers' passion, it is contradictory in delicacy and strength, balance and vehemence — something that is not quite tangible and therefore just out of reach.”
3. “Zeros” Desire
“Zeros” became a fast favorite of ours early in the year, and remains one of the tracks in heaviest rotation here at WMF HQ. One of four tracks on this year’s list from iconic label Italians Do It Better, it stands out not only as an individual top track, but also as a superb example of the label’s consistently superb work. When we spoke with Megan Louise earlier this year and asked about “Zeros”, she shared the following with us:
"We played 'Zeros' at Webster Hall in 2010, and it was called 'Mr. Midnight'. So ‘Mr. Midnight’ became 'Zeros' over time. We continually write, write, write, and feel like the best part of the writing process is giving the track time to breathe. There’s just so much [that can happen] in-between different takes, or moments. Or you get frustrated, having heard something so many times that you don’t see it anymore, so you [take] a step back, and revisit it. 'Mr. Midnight' was always such a special song – and one of my favorites – but it just was never quite right. It evolved into 'Zeros', and we’re super happy with it.”
4. “Leave Me Out” N8NOFACE
N8NOFACE is the embodiment of persistence and individuality, and hence has a special place in our hearts here at WMF. Long a legend in underground circles, 2021 brought exponential growth to N8NOFACE’s audience thanks to a barrage of no-holds-barred shows, impressive new recordings, and his unique brand of all-too-rare authenticity. “Leave Me Out” from 2021’s Demos and Demons Vol. 1 showcases everything we love about the music of N8NOFACE, and he graciously gave us these insights into the the stellar track:
“‘Leave Me Out’ is a song I wrote about wanting something out of your life but so scared to let it go. Not letting it go, then blaming it for being here. I had just bought my monologue synth and wanted to make an 80s inspired dance track but have the lyrics dark or about something. Not just have it be a dance track. But more, at least to me.”
5. “Change” Anika
It’s been over a decade since Anika last released an album, so to say we’ve been anticipating new music for a while now from this talented artist is an understatement. Fortunately for us — and Anika fans around the globe — 2021 album Change is everything we could have hoped for and more. The album’s title track caught our attention and hearts at once, and Anika shared these new exclusive thoughts with us about the poignant standout track:
“Last year I found myself in a situation that felt utterly shit. In these moments it can feel like there is no way out. It was confusing to see a majority of people vote for things like Brexit and Trump. It didn’t make sense. The only thing that got me through is seeing that things can change, situations, people can change. But only if they themselves want to. That’s a hard lesson to learn.
This is a hopeful song for a moment in time that seems endless, a light at the end of a dark tunnel. It’s time to make the changes we want to see and setup what we want to be next. It’s more important now than ever, when all these sneaky things are going on, as all the lights are turned off. The things that unite us are more than those that divide us.”
6. "0010110” Taraka
Familiar with Taraka Larson through her earlier work in sibling duo Prince Rama, we were curious and excited to hear what a solo release might sound like. Track “0010110” from debut Taraka album Welcome to Paradise Lost demonstrated beyond any doubt that the artist is a force to be reckoned with in 2021 and beyond, and it swiftly became a standout single for us here at WMF. We were delighted to receive this detailed background to “0010110” from Taraka:
Remember that moment in The Matrix when Keaunu Reeves' computer addressed him and said "Wake up, Neo?" The first time I stumbled across the 0010110 sequence felt kind of like that.
I first stumbled down the 0010110 rabbit hole when my friend Tim Koh sent me a link to a seemingly innocuous YouTube video a few years ago. The video was lo-tech and featured a glitchy computer generated voice claiming to be transmitting from an off-planet source. At first I was amused, then intrigued, then horrified as the voice started recounting shockingly accurate details about my life and revealing answers to secrets I had disclosed to no one.
I felt like it wasn't just a video I was listening to, but a future version of myself talking to me via some glitch in the algorithm disguised as a cheap lo-tech Youtube video. To make it weirder, unexplainable coincidences, synchronicities, and psychic phenomena started happening that all felt connected back to the 0010110 sequence somehow. 0010110 became like a riddle, a puzzle, or a mantra of sorts for me, and the more I repeated it, the more I felt like I was no longer just going through the motions of life, but participating in a video game of sorts. I wrote the ‘0010110’ song as a hymn to binary code.
Phillip K. Dick (whom I share a birthday with— another synchronicity!) talked about the concept of a Vast Active Living Intelligence System in VALIS... some vague holographic telepathic network we can tap into that extends beyond space or time. Like a telepathic internet of sorts. The concept is left deliberately vague, as are the origins of the 0010110 sequence, because I think we are supposed to follow the breadcrumbs and figure out the rest of the game for ourselves. Part of me sometimes wonders if (hypothetically) we are living in a giant ‘video game’ simulation of sorts made up of binary code, there must also exist a passcode to exit the game as well. Maybe I am totally full of shit, but 0010110 seems to be one such cheat code to exit the matrix and tap into a more post-logical magical system of operations. And if you don't believe me, try listening to it over and over and see what happens.”
7. “I Mean Well” DāM-FunK
DāM-FunK is the embodiment of so many of the qualities we profoundly value here at WMF: Individuality, indefatigable pursuit of an artistic vision without regard to fickle trends, and premium placement on positive energy. DāM’s “I Mean Well” captures this positive zeitgeist perfectly, and the track has been a go-to around WMF HQ whenever a centering recalibration was called for during these challenging times.
Though available previously as a release via an earlier iteration, it was this year’s inclusion on album Above The Fray which called our attention to this gem — the sole instrumental on this year’s Top Tracks list. DāM graciously shared the following illuminating new information about “I Mean Well”:
“‘I Mean Well’ is a song that I made in my bedroom studio one warm weekend afternoon. I didn’t have a place for the song for a bit. But, I knew it was something I felt was special. A personal favorite. Intentionally left instrumental. When choosing the last song for my 2021 project Above The Fray, this was the song decided on. Made perfect sense, based on where I was at via completion of the project. Little known fact: It was first submitted 2 Mac Miller. He heard it & wanted the track. Unfortunately, he ascended before being able 2 do something with this particular song. So, here it is: ‘I Mean Well’; from the Above The Fray all instrumental album, for everyone in the universe.”
8. “I do ok alone” Zzzahara
Zzzahara has put their stamp on 2021 in a big way via their continued work with Eyedress, The Simps, and their own solo releases. Single “I do ok alone” has been a staple here at WMF HQ since we first heard it back in February, and an obvious inclusion on this year’s list. Zzzahara shared these new and exclusive thoughts on the highlight track:
“Earlier in the year, around January, there was a pop musician that I was ‘sort of’ involved with at the time. I remember she made a remark about not needing or that I was easily disposable and that's when my independence got fired up. I just said I'd had enough and decided to write ‘I do ok alone’. I knew Valentine's Day was around the corner so I thought it would be satirical to write an anti-Valentine's Day song. The pop musician that I had wrote the song about had also released a song about me prior to ‘I do ok alone’ and used my name publicly, so I guess I can say this song was a rebuttal. I was just dissing her co-dependency and pettiness towards me haha. I think we could all really love ourselves a whole lot more than we think!”
9. “Blossom” Glüme
Glüme is another artist who made an exceptionally profound impression on us throughout 2021. Last year saw the release of a series of standout singles and videos, and Italians Do It Better released Glüme debut album The Internet this year. All the above made such an impact on us that we were eager to document a detailed conversation with Glüme earlier this year, and the interview was a strong standout for us in 2021.
Glüme shared the following new and exclusive background to “Blossom”, which is a highlight not only within the context of her stellar debut album, but also within the broader context of this year’s most exciting new music:
“When I wrote ‘Blossom’ it was pouring rain in Los Angeles and I had just gotten my heart broken the night before. I thought a guy I had known for 12 years was moving to Los Angeles to be with me - he talked of marrying me. I came to find out from his wife he was separated from that he had a long term girlfriend in New York I didn’t know about. I remembered that day the first boy that ever asked me out when I was 13 started with a marriage proposal. This trend continued throughout dating but it was always a line. My most recent Hinge date was some 40 year old French guy getting down on one knee to propose right there in La Poubelle. I felt like someone had taped a sign on my back that said marry me instead of kick me but just as much of a joke. It became less funny once I found out I had heart disease and having a baby would be hard. I felt the clock ticking, I could almost hear it. I got out my MS2000 and cried while it rained and wrote ‘Blossom’”.
10. “Fountain of Youth” Farah
Farah is an artist we find ourselves speaking about and recommending over and over again to anyone who will listen. A rare talent who consistently piques our curiosity thanks to her authentic and unique vision, we are always eager to hear what Farah has to say through her art. Track “Fountain of Youth” is classic Farah in every way, and she kindly shared the following thoughts about this treasure with us:
“For the song ‘Fountain of Youth’ I think of breakups and where does the love go? It just moves to another time and place. A fictional world where it lives forever like the fountain of youth. And if your loved one ghosts you it's as if you disappear instead of the feelings. Which just transfer to the next one that is the one. The beauty is in the forgetting. It's necessary to get over the hurt of breakups. It's the tragic end of a love story that is the same love story for every person told again and again for eternity.”
11. “Rated Z” Escape-ism
Ian Svenonius and Escape-ism are perennial faves here at WMF for a host of reasons — In addition to Ian’s past storied body of work (Nation of Ulysses, The Make-Up ,Chain and the Gang, etc.) the music and film work of Ian Svenonius and Alexandra Cabral have constituted some of the most remarkable live, filmed, and recorded creations we’ve experienced in recent years, all adding up to make an inedible impression on us. Chock-full of signature raw and irreverent individuality, “Rated Z” encapsulates everything we love about Escape-ism, and has become an unofficial inspirational anthem around WMF HQ. Ian shared this with WMF about “Rated Z”:
“The underground is occupied by squares and corporate drones. Its time for us to dig beneath the underground. To RATED Z — what no one can see — a new rating system for the unspeakable, unseeable, the truly taboo.”
12. “Victim Mentality” Talvi
Though known to us previously through her work as one half of Prince Innocence, Talvi’s 2021 single “Victim Mentality” is both her own solo debut as well as her debut on a WMF year-end list. Talvi shared these thoughts with us about her poignant debut, “Victim Mentality”:
“When I wrote the song 'Victim Mentality' I wanted to capture that particular moment of pure feeling but infuse it with a little self awareness. The lyrics are some of the most simple and devoid of metaphor I have ever written. I wanted them to be sweet and simple like a country song.
It was sonically inspired by the song 'Undertow' by Ivy and I think it has that same feel of slow waves crashing on a beach.”
13. “Symmetry“ Juno Francis & Alejandro Molinari
Yet another excellent artist from the formidable Italians Do It Better roster, Juno Francis quite simply has a knack for making irresistible music. Capable of creating the kind of new tracks that sound so good you have to double check they are in fact not a familiar classic, the Berlin-based duo has of late been releasing some of the catchiest music out there. This year’s “Symmetry” from Juno Francis and Alejandro Molinari was an obvious pick for our top tracks collection, and Juno Francis share the following with WMF about the gem:
“Alejandro Molinari and Juno Francis rise from the ashes again in an Italo Disco inferno. A story of a divine affair in a paradise setting. The synths were recorded in the studio of legendary producer Breakbot and the video in the infamous kinky KitKat club. Vogueing was a big inspiration for us while making the video.”
14. “Pattern 26“ Donzii
We are exceptionally grateful that Donzii has entered our world, and have been quick to recommend them when asked about exciting emerging artists. After falling in love with tracks like “Sand” and “Burn”, we were thrilled when Donzii released the unrelenting “Pattern 26” single ahead of their debut album. Jenna Balfe shared this with with us about “Pattern 26”:
"When Dennis first showed me the drums and apreggiated keys for this song, I immediately saw the image of a giant wooden wheel in flames tearing through the idyllic landscape featured in a scene from Michael Radford's version of 1984. The song for me imagines a sort of sexy proletariat in a factory marching to lunch in lines, lurching with their hips forward and mouths agape. They appear to be falling in line, but just enough to get fed, we don't get to see what really is going on. Which could be the last rebellion before the apocalypse."
15. “Powered Up” Cobra Man
Cobra Man has already justifiably amassed an astonishingly fervent audience for their self-styled “L.A. Power Disco”, but we can’t shake the feeling that 2022 is going to see this dynamic duo achieve even greater success going forward. This year’s single “Powered Up” only adds to our premonition that huge things await Cobra Man, and Andy shared the following with us about this epic release:
“We’re really proud of ‘Powered Up’. We felt like we finally hit our mark of making a new era of music for bar brawls and hockey fights. It’s the first song I fully produced for Cobra Man and felt like we defined the LA Power Disco style genre we've dreamed of.”
16. “Dream House” Kraków Loves Adana
We’ve admired Kraków Loves Adana for some time now, and 2021 is the second consecutive appearance by the Hamburg-based project on our year-end Top Tracks list (last year’s “Darker Darkness” earned KLA a spot on our Top 20 Tracks of 2020 compilation). Deniz shared the following with us about the 2021 standout single, “Dream House”:
"My best songs often emerge in a short period of time - ‘Dream House’ is one of them. It is the byproduct of a daydream, stepping out into the unknown while leaving a piece of myself behind.“
17. “Sunshine” Korine
We were fortunate enough to catch a live performance by Philadelphia duo Korine in Los Angeles this year when they opened on tour for Small Black. The stellar set confirmed what we already intuited — this project is something special. Following 2020 album The Night We Raise, the duo released single “Sunshine” earlier this year. Korine’s Morgy Ramone gave the following insights into “Sunshine”:
“‘Sunshine’ was made almost by accident with an instrumental meant for something else entirely. Someone who exudes positivity but underneath is always seething. I think that’s where the spirit of the song lies—positivity, in a mocking anti-social kind of way.”
18. “Thinking Type” Justus Proffit
With its remarkably skillful songwriting and excellent vocal and instrumental contributions, Justus Profit’s 2021 album Speedstar is absolutely one of our most-recommended albums this year. Choosing a favorite from the album was a daunting task, but we ultimately selected “Thinking Type” as a jumping off point for the uninitiated. We asked Justus for a bit of background to “Thinking Type”, and he had this say about the fantastic single:
“‘Thinking Type’ is a song about the leaches in life, the soul suckers. I’ve had my share of them and so I figure I write a song about it. I was really inspired by The Lemondheads’ ‘Car Button Cloth’ for this song. I like hearing indie style songs with a country twang.”
19. “Frankenstein” Emerson Snowe
Emerson Snowe is no stranger to WMF, and also earned a place on our Top Tracks list back in 2019. This year’s uniquely catchy “Frankenstein” scored a well-deserved spot on our year-end playlist, and Emerson Snowe offered this background to the highlight single:
“I honestly didn't think much of the song at all, I think since it was all written and recorded within 25 minutes or so, it was only after a few friends said they liked it that I began properly listening back to it. The vocals were written on a whim, just hitting record and then just seeing what words I would say. Looking back now I guess there is something there within the lyrics that really did show my headspace of that time. I guess I just couldn't feel anything while it was happening. The song is definitely very simple.”
20. “Favorite Color Gold” JINX!
“Favorite Color Gold” knocked us for s loop — so much so that we specifically sat down and spoke with Jonah Paz earlier this year about it, and were lucky enough to premiere the standout track. Jonah kindly circled back with the following info about “Favorite Color Gold” for our end-of-year list:
"‘Favorite Color Gold’ is about being the best in the world. It's not about having a daydream or a hope to be the best in the world one day, but it's about having confidence and acceptance that I'm already that. It's not some sort of hippie manifestation bullshit, it's just knowing the truth. Hopefully people will listen to this song and feel the same way about themselves, while also agreeing with me that Jinx! is the best band in the world.”
Once again, we extend heartfelt gratitude to all the artists represented on this list not only for their unique and valued artistic contributions, but also for sharing these exclusive new insights. As always, profound thanks to you who visit our list and continue to support, appreciate, and spread the word about this music and WMF. Happy listening, and a happy new year to you all!
*That said, we have enjoyed listening to the list in this order — the same order in which it appears in the WMF 2021 Top Tracks Spotify playlist. While you’re there, feel free to visit and follow our ever-updating WMF Faves Playlist.
