WDTA and I Would Like are amazing songs! and of course my favorite from this set is My Way!
love that song so much, Calvin singing definitely better than TIWYCF!
Sing Me To Sleep didn't do anything for me and I was a huge fan of Faded!
It's been quite a crazy year for me and a lot has happened. I did an internship that lead to a full time job offer post-graduation, took some of the hardest two semesters in college, met some amazing people and best friends I hold close to me now, continued loving my family through thick and thin, and worked my ass off. I was always running around. But that doesn't mean I ever stopped listening to and loving the music that came out. This is the music that I went to whether I was stressed, just wanted to have fun, or just liked what I heard come through the speakers. It defined my 2016, and I did the best I could to put that into a Top 100 favorite songs list.
100-91
100 Bruno Mars - Versace On the Floor
I didn't really connect with Bruno's first two albums at all and knew they weren't much for me. Honestly, only two songs I still used from him prior to the new album were Locked Out of Heaven & When I Was Your Man. While I was, not surprisingly, not into 24K Magic the album, I did, for whatever reason, like Versace On the Floor. I actually normally hated 90's ballads that sound like this, but I think what I like about this is the vocals mostly. He sounds the best he's ever sounded and smooth. I find this song chill and it's probably one of the most enjoyable songs he's released in a while. I can see it becoming very annoying if it becomes overplayed but I will take it for what it is for now: a good modern throwback and easy-listen.
99 Kanye West - Famous (feat. Rihanna)
Where does one even start with Kanye anymore? He is personally a disaster at this point, and his music in general has suffered for it. I was disappointed with The Life of Pablo. However, I use the word BOP here because as much as I tried to hate this song, it really goes off after the choruses. While the lyrics are an absolute mess, it does get you pumped. I don't have a lot more to say on this choice besides that it is a major guilty pleasure bop. TBH it was one night after hearing this at the club I was like, "yeah this goes off" haha.
98 MØ - Final Song
This is a GOOD song. But I wouldn't use any word more than good and I feel this is just MØ trying to get a nice hit for herself following her recent burst in hype. It is definitely good for what it is, though. Spoiler alert: she has another entry as a lead artist later on for a better single from this year. The reason this is low is because I haven't played it much at all recently. My main criticism is it offers nothing new: its very run-of-the-mill.
97 Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha - In the Name of Love
I kind of just say what I said for Final Song: this is good but overall unremarkable. Once I burn out of this (which is already happening), I will probably barely play this in 2017 onwards. The intro with Bebe's first verse is definitely my favorite part, but the breakdown can be a little jarring in certain settings/states of mind if you're not prepared for it. I do enjoy it most of the time and am glad for its success.
96 Mike Perry - The Ocean (feat. Shy Martin)
This is very on-trend with 2016 and its not highly notable either. But it's a great song to play while, for example, you're in the shower or something and it comes on in the background. While pop music shouldn't settle for being background music, I don't think anyone is calling this song avant garde or anything. It's light and happy and feel good, which is all I could ask for.
95 Jon Bellion - Woke the **** Up
I love how straightforward this song's lyrics are. Jon's albums was one of my most surprising finds this year and it has several really good offerings. He shows a ton of promise in general. Sidenote: he is the guy who co-wrote Trumpets with Jason Derulo (the lyrics of that are a mess but it's well-produced, Trumpets is NOT a good indication of his lyrics lol). One of Jon's best attributes is being able to convey true emotion and being 100% honest even if that means being extremely vulnerable. Also, this lyric: "we live in an ae where everything is staged, where all we do is fake our feelings" I love. Check this one out!
94 Tory Lanez - LUV
I have funny stories about this song coming on while I was drunk, but I digress. I absolutely love the production and Tory Lanez did a nice job of owning the beat with a nice flow. This song is a nice fusion of pop, R&B & hip-hop and I really enjoy it. I don't think it's super original per-say, and it reminds me very much so of Drake, but I honestly don't care. Tory needs to keep working with Benny Blanco & Cashmere Cat and should keep doing more pop-leaning stuff. Its his most memorable music.
93 TWENTY ØNE PILØTS - Heathens
I really didn't expect the Suicide Squad soundtrack to have a lot of really good songs, but it did. There are several more coming up on the countdown actually. Heathens is a little slow for me, and I'm honestly sick of it, but it makes a very worthy addition to the 21P discography and its a nice darker sibling to Stressed Out. Its crazy catchy and the lyrics fit the movie absolutely perfect. I'm excited for their next album.
92 CL - Lifted
Scooter is really trying with this girl, but unfortunately she just doesn't seem to be taking off in the US. Nonetheless, I'll enjoy her music for myself. This is such a good debut single in my opinion and really shows off her unique style. She pulls off something that would seem farfetched (an asian girl rapping and singing) PERFECTLY and it would so refreshing to have someone like her smash. Her and Diplo are a match made in heaven.
91 PARTYNEXTDOOR - Come & See Me (feat. Drake)
Another slower, more chill entry, and this song reminds me of the old Drake which is probably why I find myself enjoying it a lot. PND holds his own on the song though, and I can tell him and Drake really feed off of each other positively. Not a lot happens in this song, but I do get lost in its lyrics and the sparse, regretful beat about a broken relationship. It's simple and evokes emotion out of me, so I had to include it.
90-81
90 James Arthur - Say You Won't Let Go
So not gonna lie, my first reaction to this song was "oh great, another douche making a sweet lil acoustic vanilla hit". However, I couldn't help but warm up to this as I heard it more and I actually think it's a sweet, well-made song. It's a sound we've heard so much before, but he follows the formula well and comes out with a nice addition to the bunch. I'd be perfectly fine hearing this a lot in 2017, which I kinda expect to happen in early 2017. The emotion is what gets to me here and makes up for lack of originality. He sounds sincere.
89 FRENSHIP & Emily Warren - Capsize
I don't play this one much now, which is one of the reasons it's so low, but I did play it fairly frequently over the summer. Like The Ocean, it's uber-trendy and I'm not surprised it didn't take off in the US - it doesn't particularly have a lot of character to it. What it does have is a catchy hook (oh my god and the chorus) and a beat that makes me want to drink a margarita on the beach. My description to The Ocean pretty much applies here as well, but I like Capsize a little better.
88 Calvin Harris - My Way
This definitely is far from my favorite Calvin single (he made up for it this year in other ways *hint hint*), and my initial reaction was pretty terrible, but I can't lie I loved hearing this while out and it's very easy to put on repeat without even realizing it. So it grew on me. It's very basic in the sense that he has done much better solo tracks and this feels a bit watered down, but I found myself enjoying this more once I got comparisons out of my mind and started just blindly listening to it on its own merit. If there were a little more to the lyrics and not so much repetition, this probably would've ended up in/near my Top 50. I do like the breakdown a lot and like Capsize, it makes want to go to the beach.
87 Charlie Puth - We Don't Talk Anymore (feat. Selena Gomez)
If I'd made this list like 5-6 months ago, this would also probably be much higher, but honestly I have gotten pretty tired of it. This is easily the best song Charlie's ever done, nonetheless, and it is (imo) the only good thing his debut album had to offer. This is more of the direction he should look onto in the future. Selena was a perfect choice to add onto the track and she adds her now-signature whispery vocals onto the second verse to respond to Charlie's first over their relationship woes. It was a very nice surprise coming from him and I am glad this turned out to be the biggest hit of the era. Very much overplayed, though. And in certain moods, it can be a bit boring - for example it played at a party once and the vibe just kinda lowered.
86 D.R.A.M- Broccoli (feat. Lil Yachty)
This song is really funny. Another one I totally hated for months until it just kinda clicked one day randomly. I can still see why it annoys the heck out of some people, but it just sounds so joyous and celebratory I couldn't resist haha. The real win here is the sense of humor that comes through the entire song from start to finish, and even further made weirder with the random ass video. This is probably one of the oddest songs on my entire list but I guess that's what made it a Top 5 smash. I def have some drunk memories with this one in particular because where I live lives for songs like this.
85 Travi$ Scott - Goosebumps (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
I did not expect to like this at all, but unlike some others on this list, this one was pretty instant. There's just something about the chorus and beat that instantly hooked me way more than any other Travi$ Scott song ever has. Kendrick's verse is okay but I actually prefer Travi$' parts. His autotune droning actually sounds... nice here? I just like the whole vibe and think if i recommended anyone try out one Travi$ song, it would be this one. This is the most accessible song to pop fans he's done to date.
84 Alan Walker - Sing Me to Sleep (feat. Iselin Solheim)
This is a blatant Faded Pt II, but in a lot of ways I actually like this one a little better. It has a bit more of an emotional punch for me personally, and IsELLIEn voice conveys more sorrow/longing than I think she did on the first one. I'm not sure how this did worldwide, but not even Faded took off in the US: which, while not surprising, is disappointing nonetheless. Sleep is one I would definitely recommend for people who like the current trendy sound of pop music, as I feel like this one might be a little more overlooked than others on my list.
83 Jon Bellion - Guillotine (feat. Travis Mendes)
Second Jon entry on the list. Despite what I initially thought, no the featured artist is not Travi$ Scott. I'm not quite sure who Travis is, but I think he did the background vocals in the bridge and other parts of the song. This is the song that got me to start taking Jon a little more seriously than when I overlooked him prior. The pre-chorus is kinda spectacular, and the bum-be-bin-bum reminds me fondly of something I've heard in the past (but not quite sure what it is). He has one of the better voices in male pop music currently and this song showcases it well.
82 Bruno Mars - 24K Magic
Last entry from Bruno this year. My other friend who follows music will hate me for including this in my YE Hot 100 haha. But not gonna lie - I do kind of enjoy this song. It's not super original, and Bruno does come off looking like a douche (it worked in Uptown Funk but it's too much here), but I do love the production and I like the explosion of energy it has. It's literally Uptown Funk with a 90's twist, but the production is the best thing this track has going for it. It's very rough around the edges for a Bruno lead, but it was my favorite from his new album anyway.
81 Zara Larsson - I Would Like
I wish the chorus was more than just a breakdown, but she sounds pretty nice here and I think we need more uptempo club songs with a faster pace to smash right now. But apparently this is not even a US single, so. Zara's singles have been pretty on point this year but I'm getting nervous they're still not releasing her album. This song does well to tide me over, though. It sounds very European so not surprised it is slaying there.
80 Galantis - Pillow Fight
Galantis has been one of my favorite EDM artists of 2016, and I've liked all of their single releases this year. This is probably the newest song on my entire countdown... I think it literally came out like a week or two ago. I hope it can take off in the future and join No Money as a hit from their upcoming era. It's so euphoric and pure EDM pop perfection. I can't even imagine how excited i would get to hear this out. It's ranked lower because I preferred other Galantis tracks this year too.
79 Kanye West - Fade (feat. Ty Dolla $ign & Post Malone)
Last Kanye entry on my list and honestly Kanye is barely in this song, so it doesn't even really feel like a Kanye song. Ty Dolla $ign is the reason this is as good as it is, and Post Malone's random verse makes a nice autotuned addition as well. Like Famous, this is probably one of Kanye's weakest singles. but it bops really undeniably hard. The video is also AMAZING. I honestly didn't even begin liking this until after Teyana's excellent visuals.
78 Zara Larsson - Ain't My Fault
Zara's final entry on my YE countdown. This girl is objectively good and talented, bit something about her is kind of faceless and not that interesting at the same time so I'm not totally surprised she hasn't taken off. Nonetheless, I do like what she releases, and Ain't M Fault was the strongest release she has offered to date imo. The production sounds kind of 2014-dated with the horns and urban/Dark Horse kinda sound, but that doesn't mean it isn't done well. The main plus she is serving confidence, attitude, and fierceness. She has a lot of potential, but needs more up-to-date material. In 2014, this would've been a Top 3 for her.
77 Galantis & Hook N Sling - Love On Me
Galantis' second entry in my Top 100. This and Pillow Fight have a similar kind of vibe, but Love On Me edges it out just a bit because it has a stronger hook and a more memorable/melodic breakdown. The first few seconds of this song alone are really strong and immediately pulled me in on first listen. It was a good direct follow-up to No Money and fans of that song will also like this. Galantis aren't exactly ones to go out of their comfort zone, but I don't need them to.
76 NEIKED - Sexual (feat. Dyo)
This girl's vocals on this track are one of my favorites on any track this year. She sounds stellar. I love the chill vibe and outright confidence of this song. I feel like it samples something in the back of my mind? Anyway I don't have a lot to say on this one except that I love it and how outrightly in your face sexual it is. Rihanna could've made this a Top 5 hit. IDK how it did worldwide, but this probably has like no chance to hit it off in the US.
The lyrics to this are kinda corny but once you get past that, it's all good fun. Hailee's vocals are probably my favorite part of it, especially the first verse, but the breakdown is fun as well. This at least sounds different than your run-of-the-mill Zedd song. This one is a blast at the club which made it fair choice for my #75 pick. We are now done onto the second quarter of my countdown!
74 Shawn Mendes - Treat You Better
So back in this time last year, I actually didn't like Shawn and thought Stitches was kind of annoying. I have started to take him more seriously now and even gave Stitches a second chance, which I actually like now. Treat You Better was one of the safest lead singles of the year and is essentially Stitches 2.0, but I don't think Shawn is exactly in a career state to take a risk so...? In terms of AC-leaning pop smashes this year, this is one of the better ones. I've learned to look out for Shawn's future music now, and this song served as a nice bridge between the old and new phase of his music career.
73 Ariana Grande - Dangerous Woman
This single was one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. I was pretty underwhelmed at first and it is kind of slow, but the more you listen to it, the more you hear the little things: like the excellent production and booming bass, the background vocals, and just how catchy it is. This got a huge reaction when I played it for friends sometimes. I thought this would flop the first time I heard it (and I loathed the album cover that came with it but I even like that now). However, it grew on me A LOT and I can say it's a nice addition to her discography. Far from her best single, though.
72 Clean Bandit - Tears (feat. Louisa Johnson)
I live for Clean Bandit's songs like this that serve fast-paced dancepop drama. If you know Extraordinary from their first album, this song reminds me a lot of that one. Louisa sounds great here, and I'd never heard of her before this song came out. But she has quite a nice voice! My favorite part of this is the whole beginning where it's mostly just her voice and then all of the sudden, the beat really kicks in and the track gets going. This is a typical Clean Bandit offering but it will not disappoint fans at all. This is not their last entry [/spoiler since there's only one other option).
71 Cheat Codes & Kriss Kross Amsterdam - Sex
So I called NEIKED's Sexual in your face sexy before, but now turn that one up 100 degrees and later into foreplay and you have this song. Damn this song has lyrics that will make you blush if you play it around certain people. I first heard this song while getting my hair shampoo'ed after a haircut and I was like "damn this sounds really cool" but then I heard the lyrics and was shocked they were playing it at a hair salon lmao. Anyway, I looked it up after and I bopped for like a week straight. I don't play it a lot now, and the lyrics are def not the strongpoint, but it does sound sexy from a production standpoint. And the breakdown is glorious. This one is for the party playlist.
Pillow Fight and Love On Me! stan for Galantis
Ain't My Fault is amazing! and I'm not a pervert but "Sex" and "Sexual" are masterpieces love both songs to death!
It's been quite a crazy year for me and a lot has happened. I did an internship that lead to a full time job offer post-graduation, took some of the hardest two semesters in college, met some amazing people and best friends I hold close to me now, continued loving my family through thick and thin, and worked my ass off. I was always running around. But that doesn't mean I ever stopped listening to and loving the music that came out. This is the music that I went to whether I was stressed, just wanted to have fun, or just liked what I heard come through the speakers. It defined my 2016, and I did the best I could to put that into a Top 100 favorite songs list.
Anne-Marie gives me such strong white Rihanna teas, but I mean look at my avatar, that's not really a bad thing to me. This song has a certain attitude and bite to it that I absolutely love and she sounds like an in-control woman who won't stand up for any ********. I'm not totally surprised this didn't take off because Anne-Marie herself needs to work on being a more captivating persona, but she does have a lovely voice that really slays on pop songs with attitude and anger. Hopefully 2017 has good things in store for her.
69 Kygo - Raging (feat. Kodaline)
In a year full of tropical house, a trend that Kygo was way ahead of the curve on (at least from my limited perspective), I can't make my year-end without mentioning some of the excellent offerings that came from his album released early in the year. Raging was an immediate highlight and has kind of a folk edge that is refreshing for this type of song. The breakdown is totally euphoric and it's insanely catchy. This is one that instantly puts me in a good mood and when I'm down, I turn it on. I am disappointed Kygo has not had a proper hit in the US: this could've been one of them.
68 Travi$ Scott & Young Thug - Pick Up the Phone (feat. Quavo)
WHAT. A. BOP. I'm not a big fan of either Travi$ or Young Thug, so I was kinda shocked when I found myself wanting to put this song on repeat and on repeat some more. The production is lively, fun, and a blast. It was one of the better hip hop hits of this year tbh and has easily one of the best hooks. Young Thug's verse is even good! Travi$ and him play off each other pretty nice and their vibes really mesh together to make this work. It's clear they wanted to come for chart blood when they made it and I think it worked!
67 The Chainsmokers - All We Know (feat. Phoebe Ryan)
This wasn't exactly the most exciting song they could've released so soon during Closer's still going-on chart massacre, as it has a bit of similar vibe, but this is a song you learn to appreciate looking at it on its own. It sounds more depressing than Closer, and Phoebe's voice is the embodiment of someone with regret about a relationship. This isn't a song you "bop" to, it's more of a listen and observe and vibe out kinda pop song. They released this WAY too soon and thus it was very overlooked and judged early.
66 Panic! At the Disco - Death of Bachelor
I haven't loved a Panic! At the Disco song this much since I Write Sins Not Tragedies 10 years ago. So I guess it's fitting on that song's 10th year, they find a way to randomly make their way onto my playlists repeatedly yet again. I absolutely stan for his vocals on this track and the way he combined traditional sinatra-esque vocals with a more hip pop beat. I find it fascinating and a risk that paid off pretty well. The lyrical concept of the track is also pretty cool and creative to think about. I'm a huge fan of this and am still lowkey hoping it debuts on the Hot 100.
65 Fergie - M.I.L.F. $
This song is an amazing mess, and everything I wanted in a Fergie comeback single. And that is without even mentioning the perfect music video that came along with it. Why this flopped is beyond me. It's an extremely silly and kinda stupid track, but it's very tongue-in-cheek and it has so much personality (unlike Life Goes On). I love how unapologetic she is about her age, where she's at, and how confident she is. Judging by its underperformance, this song polarized a lot of people, but I was one of the few who purchased it and don't ever regret it!
64 ZAYN & Taylor Swift - I Don't Wanna Live Forever
The collab that no one expected and no one knew that they wanted. This track is probably one of the best on which Taylor has ever sounded. ZAYN's style of singing here is kind of grating at first, but it doesn't bother me now and I've actually grown to kind of mimic it when I listen myself. So catchiness achieved I guess. Taylor is the one who really elevates this to pop ballad greatness, however, and I find it pretty great Taylor ****ing Swift is on the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack. Whoda thought? ZAYN's album is also underrated as hell, so thanks Taylor for taking him out of one hit wonder status.
63 Skrillex & Rick Ross - Purple Lamborghini
I'm kind of shocked myself how much I love this, but it's so balls to the wall in your face and the production is ****ing insane. Rick Ross says... Rick Ross stuff about being tough and braggadocious but it just kinda works and was a really refreshing surprise to come from a movie soundtrack, no less. This song embodies why the Suicide Squad soundtrack was my favorite movie soundtrack of 2016. Listen to this for the first time on a nice pair of headphones and try not to go off on that breakdown.
62 Jon Bellion - All Time Low
Jon's final entry. I first heard this song in the car and I had no idea who this was or what this song was or pretty much anything about Jon. This was back in July and they said it was a new song they were testing out to see if people liked it. So kinda cool that's it actually really taken off now! I think ATL has a lot of character, individuality, and great self-deprecating humor in it that shows off Jon's songwriting capabilities. It sounds so bright and happy but really it's about Jon being a total MESS. Not to mention those melodies in this song... irresistible. This remains my favorite Jon song to date.
61 Kygo - Carry Me (feat. Julia Michaels)
I can't remember for sure, but I think this is Kygo's highest entry on my list. I was excited to see Julia's name, as she is one of my favorite songwriters of the past few years. She did not disappoint and she has a great voice herself! Her voice also sounds like exactly what I would've pictured it to sound like based on the way she writes her song. This particular song is hypnotic and pulls you in with a wave of calmness and ease. It sounds like what a paradise would sound like to me. Will be on my next beach playlist. I hope Julia's 2017 single is killer.
It's been quite a crazy year for me and a lot has happened. I did an internship that lead to a full time job offer post-graduation, took some of the hardest two semesters in college, met some amazing people and best friends I hold close to me now, continued loving my family through thick and thin, and worked my ass off. I was always running around. But that doesn't mean I ever stopped listening to and loving the music that came out. This is the music that I went to whether I was stressed, just wanted to have fun, or just liked what I heard come through the speakers. It defined my 2016, and I did the best I could to put that into a Top 100 favorite songs list.
I like for similar reasons I liked the prior 2 songs mentioned in the countdown already, but No Money is the strongest of the bunch and deserves to be ranked the highest. It was also, not surprisingly, the most successful and the lead. Hearing this in a club is a really great experience and just playing it when you're down can cheer you up even a little. It's a pick-me-up kinda pop song with a strong sense of identity and signature sound from Galantis as usual. These type of QUALITY feel good songs are kind of lacking on radio nowadays, especially from new artists.
59 Fifth Harmony - All In My Head (Flex) [feat. Fetty Wap]
This should've been a bigger hit, but it got overshadowed by Work from Home so it makes sense why it was kinda overlooked. But it is still easily one of their best, most fun songs. It came out in the summer and this was easily one of the defining songs of my summer 2016. Especially on the way to work when I was dreaming about the beach. The one negative? Fetty Wap's verse is near indecipherable and gets annoying af. I'm convinced he's part of the reason this song didn't reach its potential. He doesn't manage to ruin it completely, though. Summer personified in an easy, breezy bop, more or less.
58 Fais - Hey (feat. Afrojack)
I'm not sure how well known this song is or not, but I kind of stumbled onto it on accident while browsing spotify EDM songs one day and it just came up unexpectedly. I quite liked what I heard. The singer on the track is very folky and serves sort of Avicii vibes in that sense, but the beat is most definitely not very Avicii-like. The production is actually pretty understated, and Afrojack lets the guy's vocals take the lead up until the breakdown. It's more of a smooth rather than a hardhitting dance breakdown, but honestly, it kind of helps with the replayability in the long run. Check this one out if you haven't yet.
57 gnash & olivia o'brien - i hate u i love u
Definitely one of the most polarizing songs of 2016. Someone made a thread about this song recently and I was kind of surprised at the number of people who absolutely ****ing hate it. Though, to be honest, I would also hate this track if it wasn't for olivia o'brien's vocal contribution. She really makes this song and adds a vulnerability/tone that simply wouldn't be there otherwise. gnash's lyrics kind of make him look like an ass, but I relate to this because I know couples that actually go through stuff like this song is talking about. It's actually pretty realistic and captures the sadness of a volatile relationship.
56 Ariana Grande - Sometimes
I have a feeling this won't end up being released as a single, but I think it would do pretty decently, actually. It would be a perfect springtime smash, as I think it has that kinda peaceful, hopeful vibe I would want from songs in that season. It has a nice beat to give it more "bump" than other more folk-y kinda pop songs (calling it folk is a major stretch but idk how else to describe it), and the bridge is pretty damn awesome. Definitely one of the highlights of Dangerous Woman.
55 Beyoncé - All Night
God, this album is still a Tidal exclusive? Well, I'm glad this song was randomly released as a single so it got some unexpected shine. Was kind of surprised Diplo produced it, proving once again he is truly one of the best and most versatile producers we have in the industry today. Something about this song is hypnotic, alluring, and gives the otherwise angry and revealing Lemonade a hopeful look into the future. This is probably the most genuinely emotional she's sounded on a track in a long while, too. This would make for a cool grammy performance.
54 Alicia Keys - In Common
This song was snubbed in nearly every way in 2016 - not on the album, flopped terribly, boring video. It just couldn't win. Regardless, this is easily her best song since Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart, and it might even be a little better? It was kind of unexpected for Alicia to deliver a slay at this point, but she really came out of the blue with this one. It sounds very Drake-esque and maybe a feature would've made it a smash for her. I'm disappointed she didn't vouch for this gem harder but at least it got released at all, I guess.
53 Beyoncé - Daddy Lessons
The performance YT video was the only half decent one I could find, but it's not the version of the song I prefer. The original was a nice new sound for a Bey song and well done in the southern country-blues vibe. It's possibly the vocal highlight of Lemonade and she sounds really powerful. I absolutely love the guitars and feel like it actually tells a pretty good story and gives more insight into Bey's growing up with her (in?)famous father. Critics of the CMA performance were probably pressed Bey overshadowed everyone else and sounded better than The Dixie Chicks #oop
52 Shakira - Chantaje (feat. Maluma)
My favorite Shakira song since Hips Don't Lie, not even an exaggeration. This song just bops to a ridiculous degree and has a such a sexy, mysterious vibe that's addictive. It fits Shakira and Maluma perfectly and highlights why they're so successful. This song proves Shakira is still ready to come for blood and prove she's not going anywhere. Totally embarrasses her 2014 material. America is probably not ready for this spanish bop since we ignore songs not in english (a shame).
51 Rae Sremmurd - Black Beatles (feat. Gucci Mane)
I hated this when it first started smashing, but it really does get very good as soon as you get used to how different it is from their first album's material. The beat is very space-y and the chorus is one that only becomes catchy af once you get used to it. I thought it was a non-event chorus at first until I heard it more. Rae Sremmurd in general is one of the best hip hop acts of recent years, so I was willing to try to let their material grow on me. This is much better than most of other urban material cluttering the Hot 100 right now.
My favorite Shawn Mendes song to date. It's one of his most mature-sounding outputs and sounds very nice for someone who is only 18. It kinda shows how much he is capable of in the future with continued artistic growth. It seems to be taking off now, which is good at least. I'm definitely a casual fan of Shawn at this point and wish him success in the future! This is his last entry.
49 Kehlani - Gangsta
So I'm not the biggest fan of Kehlani in general and haven't been too impressed with her or her material personally, but Gangsta was definitely an exception and became my second favorite song from the Suicide Squad soundtrack. The scene it's in for the movie is probably one of the best of the entire messy thing, too. It's a pretty dark song if you actually pay attention to the lyrics. Kehlani pulls it off very well, and imo this has more identity than most of her other tracks. More Gangsta-esque songs on SSS, please.
48 Astrid S - Hurts So Good
This song makes me sad in a way as it's pretty relatable to a current situation I'm facing. I've been binging on it a bit. Astrid is currently basically unknown, and she can be overlooked as one of those girls we don't know who sing on DJ's songs, but I'm glad she got to keep this for herself and really shine her. The beat/production is sparse and on-trend and kind of exactly what I'd want from a moody 2016 pop song. The chorus is glorious, and the hey-na-nas are anthemic.
47 ZAYN - Drunk
His album is underrated, and this is probably the most underrated album track on the entire thing. Would've made a nice single had he not given up on the era after Like I Would flopped gloriously, but it just wasn't meant to happen. Regardless, he sounds really great and I love the Pr&b he is serving. Another one of those songs I can relate to pretty easily. The "wasted every night..." section is my favorite, followed by the hook "drunk all summmerrr". It's a good one if you like ZAYN's vulnerable side.
46 Ariana Grande - Let Me Love You (feat. Lil Wayne)
I was originally gonna put OneRepublic's Kids at #46, but I have gotten sick of that song and am over it, so I decided to replace it with this as of... 10 minutes ago. I re-listened to it yesterday and was wondering why tf I didn't include it in the first album. I was proud of Ariana after this because she's never pulled off sexy R&B quite this well before. I've never heard another white girl slay an R&B sex jam like this. She sounds absolutely amazing. And contrary to atrl opinion, I think Lil Wayne's verse is a great addition to the song and he fits rather well. It was nice to hear his first good feature in a while... he's really kind of disappeared lately. Further proof Ari is THE best new pop girl of the 2010s.
45 Major Lazer - Cold Water (feat. Justin Bieber & MØ)
Ed Sheeran's writing style is all over this track, but I'm glad his vocals aren't on it because Bieber has been sounding EXCELLENT on this DJ-led tracks this year. I was obsessed with this when it first came out, and while it got kind of old as of now, I still quite enjoy it from time and time and it's fun. MØ's part is useless and I would've either Justin got a bridge or like a cool breakdown or something. Her part is kind of jarring and ruins the mood a bit imo. The rest of the track bumps and then it just slows to a halt. Otherwise, this is general one of the best big debuts of last year.
44 Nathan Goshen - Thinking About It (Let It Go) [NVR Remix]
Stumbled upon this on accident and was pretty instantly enamored with it. I'm not sure who this dude is, but I hope I hear his voice on some more tracks because he has a voice that I love. And a voice I feel that is missing of its type on pop radio. The production is a mix of guitar and EDM and captures a kind of sorrowful, but summery/(bitter?)sweet vibe. It's also the perfect vibe, chill, and reflect song I like from time to time. This is one you probably don't know, so check it out!
I have a very mixed opinion of M5's material now, and I used to really love them. They've watered themselves down dramatically. I LOATHED this song for like a month and to be fair, it is very derivative, basic, and shows how unoriginal they've gotten. But, to be honest... it does kinda SLAY? Dare I say? It sounds pretty excellent on a nice pair of headphones. I actually probably prefer this over most of V. So this song is kind of a cruel irony for me: I love it, but it's also a sign of how at a loss of identity they are. But, I can't help but like it. I really tried not to. But sometimes the music is what ends up mattering in the end if you can look past the artist making it.
42 AlunaGeorge - I'm In Control (feat. Popcaan)
The year of dancehall pop cannot go without mentioning one of its most understated contributions from pop wallflowers AlunaGeorge. This song GOES OFF. Aluna sounds confident, sexy, and, fittingly, totally in control alongside George's production. Popcaan's verse is nice and adds some nice flavor to a song that is obviously close to his genre. I wanted this to take off as a hit, but it'll probably end up being my favorite AlunaGeorge song to date. And I do hear it while I'm out.
41 Bryson Tiller - Let Me Explain
T R A P S O U L is one of the best debut albums of the past 2 years and really fulfilled a lot of my R&B cravings for the year. While TS was full of "turn-up" productions, Let Me Explain is noticeably more spacey and understated and doesn't have quite the same vibe. It's more traditionally R&B than its predecessor, and more spacey/relaxed than most of his other week. There's no trap here, which is actually kind of nice and I'm glad maybe he will steer away from that in 2017. Trap is becoming overplayed to ridiculous levels. Bryson's album is one of my most anticipated of the upcoming year.