While 2020 was obviously not a great year, music is one thing that brought positivity during the darkness and helped bring people together through the still going hard times.
As 2021 has just begun, people all over the world are hoping for better, and musicians are already providing glorious art to start off the new year in a bright light.
Here are four of my favorite singles of the new year so far, all of which are paired with official music videos too:
“Best Friend” ft. Doja Cat by Saweetie - These two women of hip-hop came together to collaborate on an amazing bop about a great friendship. The visual starts with King Bach talking to the girls poolside while they have a seemingly telepathic conversation about him being a “fake woke misogynist.” After telling him to leave them alone, they get into the fun song. The wide variety of lavish clothing and hair choices these stunning beauty’s chose brings unique style and more entertainment. Once the track ends, the two jump nude together off of a cliff, showing more of their eccentricity and just how close their relationship really is. This single is a great start to the new year, and a song in which both its words and feels will create a timeless hit.
“drivers license” by Olivia Rodrigo - From Disney’s “Bizaardvark,” this young star has taken a shot at music and listeners are not disappointed. The track is a sad, but meaningful heartbreak anthem, that while having a teenager vibe, still embodies hurt like anyone knows it. The video captures Rodrigo closely, both driving and walking, clearly distraught. While there is room for growth, Rodrigo’s beautiful voice and heartfelt lyrics demonstrate great potential. I am definitely anticipating future works of wonder from the musician, and I’m sure if you check out this song, you will too.
“Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd - While this song was released on his 2020 After Hours album, the video continues the storyline and took watchers by surprise due to The Weeknd’s new face. At the American Music Awards, The Weeknd’s face was bandaged after being demolished in “After Hours” short film , seeming to be a precursor to this visual, where his face is brand new. While this story was methodical and came with much preparation, fans were worried all of this was real, which luckily is false. Still, his dedication shows how talented the artist truly is. From the rawness of his words to the honest story and surreal visuals, The Weeknd is not falling off anytime soon. His genius shines through all of his releases, and his start to 2021 was surely a great one.
“Anyone” by Justin Bieber - This pop-star was super young when he blew up and has been through ups and downs in the public eye for the past decade. His new music seems to be a return to innocence and true emotional vulnerability, bringing fans three singles as of late. Newest track “Anyone,” is an expression of his love for wife Hailey Baldwin, who is played by famous actress Zoey Deutch in the Youtube video. Additionally, Bieber had every one of his tattoos removed with make-up for this visual, as he was portraying “Rocky,” in a boxing match too. This release shows that anyone can get back on the right track mentally, a perfect message for a new year filled with hope.
From different genres to different moods and styles, the first week of the new year served music fanatics with some amazing songs, albums, and music videos. Still, there is much more to look forward to in 2021, both musically and all-around. Check out all four of these releases and let us know what you are loving most and looking forward to in the new year!
