My Top 10 Songs of 2021 kicked off the “Recess” format for posts on The Geek Locker, and I would be remise if I didn’t revisit this topic moving into the future, particularly because it is fun to write about. For the first half of this year, I forced myself to pick all new songs, which turned out to be easier than expected. Again, very few of these songs actually released in 2022, but they still crack my top songs of the year… so far…
1. Mess, Noah Kahan
My partner recently told me that she thinks that Noah Kahan essentially writes music specifically for me, and I don’t yet have any intelligence to suggest otherwise. His music definitely reflects elements of the nostalgia and relationship that I have with New England and home.
Favorite city in New England: Boston, MA (runner-up Portland, ME)
2. Move Me, Half•Alive
I think Move Me placed so high for me in part because I love the creativity of the music video. Half•Alive has consistently great music videos.
Favorite Lyric:
“I found my path, is that enough?
While I was gettin’ used to what I thought was love
You made me laugh, I came undone
’Cause all I had was not enough”
3. Better, Michigander
I loved this song when I first heard it, and in full transparency, I completely forgot to include it on my 2021 top 10. However, I didn’t see the music video until February, which made me enjoy the song even more, so I don’t feel bad about including it here.
Least favorite bird: Gander
4. Golden, Hippo Campus
This is just a very good song that I’ve played on repeat far too many times this year.
Favorite band-producing midwest state: Minnesota
5. Maine, Noah Kahan
See song #1— I’m very excited for his new album. In the past few years, I’ve come to associate Maine with short vacations alongside friends, so I think the impact of this song has grown over time for me.
Favorite lyric:
“You don’t hate the summers
You’re just afraid of the space
Asking strangers for answers
To forget what they say”
Recess 022