The music critics of The New York Times share their picks for the best songs of the year.
1. Rihanna featuring Drake “Work” (Roc Nation/Westbury Road) The year’s ultimate earworm: nagging, insinuating and then irresistible, with a chorus for an era that demands relentless productivity.
2. Paul Simon “Wristband” (Concord) A backstage anecdote swings its way toward thoughts of privilege and income inequality.
https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/nytarts/playlist/53TCrAXk5IhEvI9iXKe3Ob
3. Alicia Keys “In Common” (RCA) Taking her voice down to a near-whisper, Ms. Keys rides a programmed Latin beat into a “messed-up” romance.
4. Bonnie Raitt “The Ones We Couldn’t Be” (Redwing) In a plainspoken ballad that goes straight to the heart, Ms. Raitt distills an essence of grown-up regret.
5. Solange featuring Sampha“Don’t Touch My Hair” (Saint/Columbia) Quiet and steely, Solange patiently explains how a look is a statement.
6. Anderson.Paak“Celebrate” (Steel Wool/Obe) A pep talk for modest expectations grounds itself in 1960s soul.
7. John Legend featuring Brittany Howard“Darkness and Light” (Columbia) Opposites explode in a ballad about unstoppable desire.
8. Blood Orange“Augustine” (Domino) A determined beat and an uplifting melody carry thoughts of faith, family, martyrdom and loss.
9. iLe“Caníbal” (Sony Music Latin) Ileana Cabra, who has sung with Calle 13, goes dramatically retro, complete with string section, to equate unrequited love and cannibalism.
10. Kanye West featuring The-Dream, Kelly Price, Kirk Franklin and Chance the Rapper“Ultralight Beam” (Def Jam) Mr. West and guests offer up prayers and affirmations in a track that compresses a gospel service for hip-hop impact.
To read the entire article click here: New York Times