50 – These Days by Rudimental featuring Dan Caplen, Jess Glynne and Macklemore
Who would have thought that Macklemore would sit atop the charts again? I didn’t. He has Rudimental and Jess Glynne to thank for it. The positive vibes that “These Days” exude are how I’d imagine I’d react to the end of my relationships. But I know the reality is far from this idea. Nevertheless, the song is a nice tune to reminisce about people that have come in and out of my life and an anthem for ones that will.
49 – Love Lies by Khalid featuring Normani
I have not seen the movie Love, Simon. If the soundtrack is representative of the quality of the film, then I’m down to watch it once I get the time. For now, I have to settle for the declaration of commitment between Khalid and Normani. The R&B tune is characteristically Khalid, similar to the sound he had on American Teen. That is to say, I have no clue what the musical identity of Normani outside of Fifth Harmony is.
48 – The Good Side by Troye Sivan
“The Good Side” is the song I wish wrote. Or at the very least, words that I have experienced. As the person always left behind and last to catch up, music gave me the luxury to get an insight on the “winner” of the break-up and a chance to play that role. Liking a song I’ve never personally experienced shouldn’t be strange. Music is more than its words. And even those words need not be my reality for me to appreciate them.
47 – Sicko Mode by Travis Scott featuring Drake
Rappers singing about their superiority in comparison to their peers is getting a bit boring. But when you listen to Drake and Travis Scott go on about being on sicko mode to slay the competition, the sentiment comes across as genuine. Maybe the verses and the beat help in giving off that energy. Most importantly, the work ethics they speak of in the track, as well as in real life, is a reality I admire and I relate to.
46 – New Light by John Mayer
Just like Kanye West, I consider John Mayer a genius but a douchebag. To be fair, the pop singer is far more salvageable. Speaking of which, he’s writing a song about potentially being seen in a new light and requesting for second chances. And I’m just a sucker for that. Beyond the words though, since The Search for Everything, John Mayer has been my go to artist for music that is fit for a lazy, laidback and relaxed Sunday.
45 – Lazy Boy by Franz Ferdinand
I would never have given this single a listen if I hadn’t attended a Franz Ferdinand concert. I have no regrets. No song has spoken to my core as strong as “Lazy Boy” has. The track is literally about getting up and then deciding not to. And that is delivered with conviction and an unapologetic attitude I have come to love since “Do You Want To”. It’s an anthem that can start a revolution. Okay. That’s a bit much but the single is on fire.
44 – Missing U by Robyn
21 years ago, Robyn released “Show Me Love”. Since my taste gravitate towards mainstream music, I didn’t hear from her again until 2010’s “Dancing on My Own”. That track solidified her status as an artist the public and the critics respect. And that’s the difficulty Robyn will face – any output she does from now on will get compared to that. Just the same, “Missing U” is an amazing effort on its own and deserves to be recognised.
43 – Always Remember Us This Way by Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga fell out of the public’s good graces and now she’s back in it again. All she had to do was sing and make it about the music. “Always Remember Us This Way” is a solid addition to her huge catalog. While dance tunes are top of mind, her discography contains amazing ballads that should be acknowledged. This single is no surprise considering she was behind two similarly sentimental hits – “Speechless” and “You and I”.
42 – When You Die by MGMT
MGMT’s “When You Die” is as morbid as the title sounds. There’s no sugarcoating there. And if I was being completely honest with myself, there’s that gruesome side in me that relates to the song’s subject matter. I guess a light touch and an upbeat delivery helps make the topic easier to sing about. In fact, the beat is so infectious that I almost forget the song is dark as hell.
41 – It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You) by the 1975
I would never know the pain that people recovering from drug addiction experience. Even though the beat is uplifting and metaphors are in place, the struggle to get past the situation is clear in the 1975’s “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)”. Why do geniuses like Matthew Healy have to end up in these conditions? For now, I am appreciating the brilliance of their art and how therapeutic the album must be for the band.
Playlist
One Man Anthem 