After listening to several thousand songs released in 2021, whether as stand-alone singles, tracks on 309 EPs or 690 albums, we have settled on our 30 favourites. To create a fairer and tidier list, we allowed only one entry per artist. Although, technically speaking, a “song” is a piece of music that is sung, we have included instrumental pieces in this year’s list. Cover songs are excluded unless they decisively outdo their originals. We have indicated JUNO award winners (JW) and nominees (JN) with postnominals.
Regardless of genre, language, and relative popularity of the artist, below is a list of our 30 favourite Canadian artist songs of 2021 including our Song of the Year!
30
Love Potion
by Ralph (JN)
Ralph and her alien friends from planet Nipply will ensure Earth gets a well stocked supply of its very effective love potion. Not to worry about that. The celebrity crush question is: Whose cup are you going to slip it into? This magnificent dance-pop number, from JUNO-nominated EP Gradience, comes complete with a music video.
29
Xiu
by Yu Su
Opening track from acclaimed album Yellow River Blue, Yu Su’s instrumental electronic piece “Xiu” bounces around with an energy and a drive designed for all things euphoric. It is a silt-in-water anthem that chases after something just out of reach. We get tossed around in the motion of it all, and are grateful.
28
Born to Leave
by Wake Island
From the Yellow River, we head over to Wake Island. We may have been born to leave it, but if this is what it sounds like on there, we are happy to stay. This is the opener and title track of the new wave outfit’s April album. The inclusion of cultural elements makes a good song great, and it reminds us a little of Blancmange.
27
Floeberg
by Mathieu Bourret
For the best in instrumental piano-based pieces, look no farther than Mathieu Bourret. He has those keys flowing like water. Releasing a couple of albums this year, as well as a two-disc compilation of most of his works, Mathieu has been working hard. Our pick for his crowning achievement is “Floeberg” off album Taïga, a volume dedicated to winter.
26
Far Away
by Stacey
One of our most unrecognized talents, Stacey treated us to a work of genius this year in album Saturn Return. Uplifting 70s-inflected dream pop was never really so far away. Take a ride with her on a hot air balloon in the music video for “Far Away,” our favourite entry from the album.
25
Marie Noire
by Constance
“Marie Noire” is a nice slice of alternative rock from one of our 10 best EPs of 2021, Le temple de l’eau. It streams like water from a temple, but sprinkles flakes of spice into the air for a thrilling listening experience.
24
Hailstorm
by Tommy Lunaire
Tommy Lunaire’s super instrumental electronic EP, “Until I Melt,” was named one of CMB’s 10 best of 2021. Track #2, a droopy celebration of synth arpeggios, is for us the standout track. Best enjoyed … during a hailstorm.
23
Première danse
by MoKa
Dynamic duo MoKa puts the Caribbean funk and European swing in the right place, presenting grooves to die for, and all the necessary trimmings to deck the feel-good dance floor everyone needs, including, as the MV suggests, pink gorillas.
22
G.L.I.T.R.
by Nova Rose
Get lost in the rhythm with Nova Rose. The pop ace shook 2021 to its credible foundations as a newcomer, sprinkling glitter to scare away the drab. Her EP is a blast, and this funky number is a highlight. “Just In Case” is also deserving of a mention.
21
My Breath
by Dezza & Dan Soleil
Just about any track from Dezza’s Nova Scotia excursion album could be placed here. He let loose a progressive 19-track disc in the heart of Canadian folk territory and succeeded in spades. We’re going with the breezy dazzle and grunting undercurrents of “My Breath” for its refreshing joy.
20
Late Snack chez Pierrot
by Vincent Roy
Royalty in terms of musical output, Vincent treated us to both an EP and a full-length in 2021, and it was thus difficult to select his finest number. Irresistible in its charm and long-term for mileage, “Late Snack chez Pierrot” is the perfect track for chilling in a brightly-lit posh lounge with your favourite beverage.
19
Printemps, tu m’avais dit
by Loig Morin
Loig Morin, a Francophone in BC, delighted us with this pop-rock, new wave treat from excellent album Printemps. Rich with atmosphere, sophisticated in production, and propelled by driving beats that kick in midway, this thing is simply magnificent.
18
Fog Rolling
by Yehno
Electronic music could well serve as a weather changing machine. While Tommy Lunaire summoned a hailstorm, Yehno gets the fog rolling via his album Tomorrow We’ll Be Here. It thumps along, it hypnotizes, transports, and leaves the listener lost in a nice place.
17
Girl Who Didn’t Care
by Tenille Townes (JW)
It isn’t only the fog that’s on a roll, but also Tenille Townes. Canadian country is finally beginning to seep into US airplay and award galas again, and she is one of the major reasons for that. “Girl Who Didn’t Care” was a big hit at country radio in Canada this year and deservedly so.
16
Situation
by Ruth B. (JW)
From Grande Prairie, Alberta, we swing over to Edmonton and Tenille’s fellow JUNO winner Ruth B., one of our best songwriters. Moments In Between is the name of her 2021 album, and it is crowned by this savoury, addictive number: soft piano chords and tasty beats, carried by a mesmerizing R&B vocal delivery. Glorious!
15
Eventually
by Chiiild
Another earworm instantly likeable is this one. We’re glad that this producer for J. Lo. and Usher decided to begin making his own stuff, because … eventually … it had to happen. Its positive vibes and funky bounce make it a winner.
14
Coffee
by Megan Nash (JN)
Coffee drinkers around the world, unite! Saskatchewan’s Megan Nash has the tune to caffeinate your life. With roots into prairie soil, a cool guitar riff, and hearty vocal delivery, this one’s a keeper.
13
Scorpio Season
by Charlotte Cardin (JN)
JUNO nominee Charlotte Cardin’s popularity just keeps on growing, with a solid fanbase around the world for her ace singer-songwriter tunes. “Scorpio Season” pays homage to the autumn and musically embodies characteristics of those with the zodiac sign: loyal, smart, shrewd and stoic.
12
Serenade of Water
by Men I Trust
This Canadian dreampop trio keeps on getting better and now has the backing of enthusiasts all around the planet. A number of tracks from its stupendous 2021 album could be put in this slot: “Sugar” and “Tree Among Shrubs” in particular. We’ll settle on getting our ears pleasantly soaked by “Serenade of Water”.
11
Blush
by Gold & Youth
It took several years for Toronto/Vancouver new wave group Gold & Youth to churn out a new album, and it’s a fine one. The swaggering navigation of “Blush” could serve as an anthem for the “in a world” guy who narrates movie trailers. It’s a world where human behaviour often does make us blush, it’s so embarrassing, with its operation “talk the talk” among other peculiarities.
THE TOP TEN
10
You Are the City
by Michaela Slinger
Vancouver’s Michaela Slinger dropped her debut album in 2021, Panorama. It’s incredibly good: inspired writing behind slick tunes carried by her silky but sturdy vocal talent. It was a toss-up between the dreamy “Make You Sad” and hazy “You Are the City” for our 10th favourite Canadian artist tune of the year. We settle on the latter for its uniqueness and stately mood.
9
Ailleurs
by Vanessa Borduas
From our EP of the year, Vanessa Borduas paints portraits of people with a notes brush in a grace and adeptness that echoes the peace-giving proclivities of Bob Ross. “Ailleurs” claps along to swirly keyboards and plucky guitars, and all is daubed to perfection by her beautiful voice.
8
Stasis
by Kaisaku
Our top instrumental track of the year belongs to the enigmatic figure of Kaisaku. “Stasis” is an ambient masterpiece. Envision wind through rusted pipes by the sea, the sun glittering on the surf, as birds flutter down in a lush purple haze. Ethereal, intense, and glorious.
7
Push It Down
by Taylor Janzen
The USA’s Japanese Breakfast seemed to get all the credit for decimating the year in indie pop but it is Winnipeg’s Taylor Janzen who made things even better with her infectious song “Push It Down”. Taylor’s voice is downright beautiful. The song hits a homer of a climactic chorus, contains an instantly catchy melody, and dazzles with electronic bells and whistles. This one’s a winner on all fronts.
6
Next 2 You
by Rochelle Jordan
Rochelle Jordan made many a year-end list, and deservedly so. The spacey keys, clockwork percussion, and spicy pulses of “Next 2 You” is one of many highlights from her rich chillout album Play with the Changes. Both playful and determined, focused and airy, this is the sort of tune that will send you to some dimension with an illudium Q-36 explosive space modulator.
5
Apoca-lips En El Desierto
by Millimetrik
We may not be able to pronounce the title, but this EDM extravaganza from Millimetrik, off first-rate album Sun-Drenched, is something to be immortalized. Featuring Liana, it is three minutes and forty-one seconds of the most memorable summer of your life, an instant classic.
4
Best Part of Me
by Madison Olds
When it comes to global pop music, British Columbian women really do it best. Madison Olds makes it look easy, and she deserves a place in BC royalty, especially with her radio hit “Best Part of Me”. It’s a helluva catchy song, and there’s probably nothing else in this world that will put a smile on your face as quickly.
3
Juste une fois (tous les jours)
by Valérie Lahaie
Speaking of catchy tunes, Valérie Lahaie, knows the tricks of the trade, as “Juste une fois (tous les jours)” demonstrates. It’s off her EP Australia. Listen to this one … just once every day, and you’ll be as snug as a bug.
2
North Star
by Tyler Shaw (JN)
Coquitlam, BC’s Tyler Shaw is a JUNO nominated recording artist who has scored nine charting singles to date with six of them receiving gold/platinum certifications. Heralding his eponymous third studio album, song “North Star”, is a guitar-based ditty that had us stargazing northward all year long.
Canadian Music Blog’s
2021 Song of the Year
In 2021, Bieber, Drake, and The Weeknd and their muscular teams were all polishing their electromagnets ensuring not a drop of attention was lost. And, while they are all legitimately adept at crafting scrumptious tunes, the musical playing field strikes us as big enough for many more aces to be invited up to the plate to knock the ball out of the park, and, that’s exactly what a certain teen prodigy has done, particularly on the 7th day of the week.
Luxurious, unique vocals that straddle the kingdoms of both pop and R&B, being discovered by Jonathan Simkin and subsequently signed by 604 Records, astonishingly good song-writing skills, and working with a talented team all come to fruition in this song off her debut album Elevator Music. Penned by herself plus Jared Manierka and Louise Burns, it is a kaleidoscope of moods, a refreshing dip into downtempo cool, a diversion into cheeky ecstasy, and a soothing balm taken from the panacean sea. Canadian Music Blog declares “Sunday” by Molly Annelle as 2021’s Song of the Year.
Canadian Music Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.