Here's a fun idea I had. At the end of November, magazine company Esquire released their 50 best songs of the year. Just ignore the fact that they have chosen their favorite songs before the end of the year for a moment. Will they make another list at the end of the year with completely different songs? Maybe. But, it's to late, I found this one! Anyways, I have never heard most of the songs on the list. So, I listened to every single one of these songs to determine what I thought of them, and whether or not they deserve to be on a list like this. I will review all of them in one sentence. Yes, I am a madman.
All of these songs will be rated on a scale from 1 to 10, and I will list top and bottom 5 songs from the Esquire list at the bottom of this article. This is almost entirely based on my first listens. Some of these might change in the future. This is just my initial reaction towards the songs. I also say "almost" because I have listened to a few of them before. And keep in mind, I will have very unpopular opinions towards some of these songs. This is my own personal opinion, and it should no way affect your personal opinion. And don't take what I say too seriously. This is me trying to have fun. I mean, how much can I cover with one sentence a piece? With that out of the way, let's begin!
Genre: Pop
Score: 5/10
I admire the sentiment, but the delivery is kind of boring.
Genre: Indie Rock
Score: 7/10
If you want some soothing indie rock, then this is for you.
Genre: Art Pop
Score: 7/10
The hook didn't do much for me, but the production more than makes up for it.
Genre: Trap
Score: 5/10
The beat is cool, but I am not a fan of the way he raps.
Genre: Trap
Score: 3/10
You wasted such a beautiful piano sample on this?
Genre: Hip-Hop
Score: 8/10
It says a lot in such a short run time.
Genre: Trap
Score: 4/10
The first half is terrible, but the second half is actually not that bad, so I don't know what to believe.
Genre: Folk Rock
Score: 9/10
It's a fantastic song from a fantastic movie.
Genre: Psychedelic Pop
Score: 6/10
It sounds very pretty, but did it need to be almost 10 minutes long?
10. "Honey" by Robyn
Genre: Pop
Score: 8/10
It's beautiful AND it bops!
Genre: Trap
Score: 3/10
I'd rather just listen to "Rocket Man."
Genre: Alternative
Score: 7/10
It'll probably take a few more listens for it to fully grab me, but this is still a very pretty piano ballad.
Genre: Electronic
Score: 8/10
This song makes me want to dance.
Genre: Alternative
Score: 9/10
Easily one of the most gorgeous and captivating songs I've heard all year.
Genre: Pop
Score: 7/10
This isn't the kind of pop music I normally like to listen to, but I must say, this was very nice.
Genre: Experimental Soul
Score: 6/10
It has a really cool sound palette, but there could have been a better and more explosive payoff.
Genre: Pop
Score: 4/10
I found this beat obnoxious and this song nowhere near as charming as "Honey."
Genre: R&B
Score: 6/10
I like the vibe and the message, but it never reaches anything beyond that.
Genre: Pop Rock
Score: 7/10
The repetitive vocal passage is the only downside to this otherwise great song.
Genre: R&B
Score: 6/10
The production is nice, but the vocals don't do much for me.
Genre: Trap
Score: 7/10
With a name like "Apeshit," I expected nothing less than a banger, and that's exactly what I got.
Genre: R&B
Score: 5/10
This is not the kind of R&B I normally like to listen to, but I see the appeal.
Genre: Pop
Score: 5/10
The production is great, but I cannot stand her singing voice.
Genre: Pop
Score: 2/10
Am I the only person that finds this completely obnoxious?
Genre: Hip Hop
Score: 7/10
The storytelling is the biggest star of this track.
Genre: Hip Hop
Score: 7/10
I imagine Pusha T sent this song to Drake with a box of tissues and a bottle of Aloe Vera.
Genre: Trap
Score: 8/10
Music video aside, this song is a total freaking banger.
Genre: Hip Hop
Score: 5/10
I'm not entirely sure if Rocky knew where he was going with this one.
Genre: Alternative
Score: 9/10
Now THAT is how you build a soundscape to an explosive and grand finish!
Genre: Dream Pop
Score: 6/10
I feel like I would love this song if I were high.
Genre: Trap
Score: 3/10
The beat is the only thing tolerable about this song.
Genre: Pop Rap
Score: 3/10
I'm just not a fan of Drake.
Genre: Indie Rock
Score: 4/10
*yawns*
Genre: Hip Hop
Score: 6/10
It's beautiful beat mostly makes up for its underwhelming Chance feature and abrupt ending.
Genre: Art Pop
Score: 8/10
I was not expecting this song to be as good as it was.
Genre: Indie Rock
Score: 7/10
What a nice little indie tune!
Genre: Indie Rock
Score: 9/10
Indie rock doesn't get much better than this.
Genre: R&B
Score: 9/10
A song so good, you forget it was made for an Apple commercial.
Genre: Soul
Score: 7/10
The soul is there, and the groove is great, but I wish it had more of an impact.
Genre: Country Pop Funk
Score: 6/10
The fusion of genres actually work pretty well here, even if the song is undeniably corny.
Genre: Pop
Score: 7/10
I think, and this is just a shot in the dark here, that this song was influenced by Prince.
Genre: Alternative Rock
Score: 7/10
If you like really fun rock music, then I think you'll enjoy this one.
Genre: Trap
Score: 2/10
Everything about this is so awkward, it hurts.
Genre: Art Pop
Score: 9/10
In a Poem Unlimited is one of my favorite albums of the year, and this song is one of the biggest highlights.
Genre: Alternative
Score: 9/10
How have I never heard of this guy before until now?!?!
Genre: Hip Hop
Score: 5/10
Well... that was interesting.
Genre: Alternative Rock
Score: 8/10
The music itself is good, but the vocals truly make it stand out as a great tune.
Genre: Pop
Score: 6/10
As generic pop goes, this was pretty fun.
Genre: Trap
Score: 4/10
The production is absolutely fantastic... but Migos themselves are on the complete opposite spectrum.
Genre: R&B
Score: 7/10
It's the R&B version of Tyler, the Creator's Flower Boy, and it works like a charm.
TOP 5 BEST (in my opinion)
1. "Heaven's Only Wishful" by MorMor
2. "Lifetime" by Yves Tumor
3. "Rosebud" by U.S. Girls
4. "Til its Over" by Anderson .Paak
5. "Need a Little Time" by Courtney Barnett
HM: "Geyser" by Mitski; "Shallow" by Bradley Cooper & Lady Gaga
TOP 5 WORST (in my opinion)
1. "Immaterial" by SOPHIE (it's the only song on the list that actually gave me a physical headache)
2. "Lifestyle" by SOB x RBE
3. "High (ft. Elton John)" by Young Thug
4. "I Do (ft. SZA)" by Cardi B
5. "Bag Talk" by Joey Purp
HM: "Nice For What" by Drake; "Stargazing" by Travis Scott
My Top 20 songs of the year list is coming soon! Stay tuned!
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