Another year has come and gone! Here is the music that defined every month of 2021 for me.
January
"happiness"- Taylor Swift (evermore)
Now with evermore being out for over a month I’ve had the time to get acquainted with it properly. Happiness is one of the songs I couldn’t stop listening to, even though it’s arguably the second most heartbreaking song on the record. It brought about a sense of closure for me, in terms of the last year. It helped me to make peace with the not-so-great things that happened in my personal life.
February
"Blame Game"- Beach Bunny (Blame Game EP)
I absolutely fell in love with the Blame Game EP when it came out in January, so it’s no surprise I continued listening to it in February. It’s title track has definitely been a favorite of mine. To me, it’s the empowerment anthem I didn’t know I needed.
"Guest Room"- Future Teens (Deliberately Alive EP)
Future Teens announced new music was on the horizon and I was ecstatic! However I didn’t expect The debut single, “Guest Room” to have such an effect on me. As a girl in her early 20s, it’s everything I needed to hear. The song discusses becoming an adult and dealing with the anxieties that come with life. You’ll see that when Amy Hoffman (vocals, guitar) opens the song up with “I don’t even have a guest room yet/how can I expect to die like that” and then sings “not insured for the help that I need” in the second verse. It’s the kind of song that you’ll think is fun and up-beat until you read the lyrics. Then you’ll see how it’s something more. That’s evident in the bridge when Hoffman sings about their own mortality.
March
"Bizarre Affection"- Future Teens (Deliberately Alive EP)
I have fallen in love with this ep. considering I have been a fan of future teens for a while this is no surprise to me. This song I’ve really gravitated towards. I joke and say it’s because Amy Hoffman (vocals, guitar) mentions Connecticut. But truly I think it’s the lines in the final verse when Hoffman sings “I remember now/ how bizarre affection felt/ when I couldn’t normalize forgiving myself.” I’d argue that these lines are some of the most powerful Future Teens has ever written.
April
"Chinese Satellite"- Phoebe Bridgers (Punisher)
The lines “running in circles pretending to be myself stuck out to me with this song. Somewhere between March and April life got a little overwhelming. Maybe it’s because my semester is winding down. Maybe it’s because the world is reopening at whiplash speed. Whatever the cause is, I resonated with these lyrics.
May
"Fish Fry"- Slaughter Beach, Dog (Birdie)
I revisited this album in May and I was drawn to this track. I think it has to do with the vocals in the chorus. I’ve always loved how distant it sounds as Jake Ewald sings “Delaware where or where are we.”
June
"Overwhelming"- Bugsy (Single)
Trying to be an adult while the world recovers from a pandemic. Not something anyone would choose to experience. But considering I have no choice but to go forward, this song definitely helped me when it was rough (fin)
"And now I’m Nothing"- The Wonder Years (Suburbia I’ve Given You All And Now I’m Nothing)
“Suburbia stop pushing/ I know what I’m doing” replayed in my head throughout june. Again, a song to help me manage attempting to be an adult. It feels when you take one step forward, you take three more back. And when you’re trying really hard it can be defeating.
July
“I Think He Knows”- Taylor Swift (Lover)
This month was full of re-discovery. I took the time to revisit two albums and remembered how good they really are. Lover was first up. I had been meaning to go back to this album and I am so glad I did. It brought me back to a simpler time. By that I mean to a time before the pandemic. I forgot how well the songs flowed together. Most of all I forgot how “I Think He Knows” makes you want to get up and dance!
“Fourth of July”- Fall Out Boy (American Beauty/American Psycho)
The rediscovery didn’t end there. Fall Out Boy’s American Beauty/ American Psycho was next. I had played their song “Fourth of July” during my radio show since the holiday was coming up. After than I went in head first into the Fall Out Boy universe yet again. It was nice, nostalgic but still enjoyable today. Sometimes I forget how they were my entry into the music scene I know and love now.
August
"Re-up"- A Will Away (Single)
I love a Will away, and I was very excited to hear they’re releasing new music. I listened to this single a lot when it came out because it’s new!
September
"honey"- Halsey (If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power)
As soon as If I Can’t Have Love I Want Power came out it was one of the only albums I listened to. Every time I was in the car I then it on. Honey is one that definitely stood out. It’s upbeat, fun and can put you in a good mood
October
"You asked for this"- Halsey (If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power)
In October If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power was still on repeat. But this track I felt understood me. The entire song discusses changes, the fear of them and eventually accepting them. As someone in her senior year of college I understand those things very well.
November
"marjorie"- Taylor Swift (evermore)
I lost someone very close to me and it felt like this song understood me better than anything. It gave me the comfort I needed.
"All Too Well (10 minute Version)" - Taylor Swift (Red Taylor’s Version)
It’s the version we’ve all been waiting for. I love it. The way the song builds and has taken on a new and separate life from the version originally put on Red is so interesting to hear. Also hearing this song after my relationship just ended definitely gave it a different perspective than I know it could’ve if I had still been in that relationship. Once again, Miss Swift gave me the comfort I needed.
December
"Christmas Caller"- Beach Bunny (Single)
This song is a new one, which explains why I played it so often this month. It probably is fair to mention it’s something I could possibly relate to, just getting out of a relationship. However, beyond my personal connections it’s a good song and can definitely get you in the spirit of the holidays if you don’t want to hear the classics.