HiT Picks #3: Favorite SONGS Heard in 2021

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

by Elisa Zuckerberg, Founder of HearItThere

I recently started diving into a book called “Listen to This” written by Alex Ross who is a music critic for The New Yorker. The author starts off with this statement, “Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.” He attributes the quote to Martin Mull, Steve Martin or Elvis Costello. He’s not quite sure who actually said it, but Ross is trying to make a point. He argues that it’s not to describe a sound per se – notes, chords, etc., but to describe the human being or “the creator” of the music.

“The abiding question of what music means to its creators and its listeners on the most elemental level. How a powerful personality can imprint itself on an inherently abstract medium.” – Alex Ross

I am not a creator of music, but certainly one who listens, watches (the musicians) and tries to find personal meaning or a connection with even if the music genre is one that I’m less inclined to listen to. I know when something moves me or captures my attention. Perhaps that’s what Alex Ross was referring to.

With this in mind I considered my 2021 HiT Picks.

It’s not surprising how my listening habits have changed since I began promoting local live music. In the past I had my “go to” albums and artists when selected, depending on my mood. All were all carefully categorized in my iTunes Library and accessible at a touch of a button. Typically, I’d allow the playlist to go to shuffle. From Genesis to New Order to Gorillaz and on the other spectrum, artists like The Indigo Girls and James Taylor, also Louis Armstrong and Bach – all good in my book. Keeping my eyes and ears open and staying closer to home since the inception of HearItThere, I have also found music and specifically, certain songs, that have brought great meaning to me.

These are just a sampling of the artists I listened to in 2021. Many of these may be new to you, while you might reconsider another listen of those more familiar.

Local (Hudson Valley/NY Metro/CT) Artists:

Light Warriors “One” (2020) – the message is meaningful and one that I wholeheartedly endorse. The melody is catchy and you find yourself singing along – feeling the vibe of “oneness.”

KJ Denhert – “So the Story Goes” (2019) I love chatting with Urban-Folk artist KJ Denhert. She’s a beloved Hudson Valley celebrity and for good reason.

Christine Chanel feat. Dan Zlotnick Happier (2021) I adore Christine’s songwriting and her luscious voice. This song was obviously personal and I can feel her pain while listening. Love the beautiful harmonies and instrumentation with Dan Zlotnick.

International Orange “Keep the Blue Side Up” (2019) – I.O. guitarist David Phelps wrote this song for his dad who was an airline pilot. It refers to the cockpit instrument that shows if the plane is flying right side up. It’s blue, and his dad’s favorite expression was”Keep The Blue Side Up”. Listen to this cool tune and go on the journey with International Orange.

GOLD ERIS – “Big Man” (2019) GOLD ERIS is an original music project created by Thomas Oliverio. This story doesn’t end well for the author, but Thomas assures me he got through it. Great song! Correction by the songwriter: “Towards the very end of the song, I start to talk about how I’ll be tough myself and know that that person who I fell for is all alone in the end. So technically the story does end well!”

Annalyse & Ryan – “Singing with Angels” (2021) This Beacon-based duo are truly special. They wrote this song as a tribute to John Prine after he passed away in 2020.

Allison Leah – “We Can Still Sing” (2020) lives in Nashville but grew up in Westchester, NY. Written at the beginning of the COVID-19. Allison Leah’s words give me a hopeful feeling every time I listen to this beautiful song.

George Mallas – “God and my Girlfriend” (2018) A crowd favorite – honest and heartfelt songwriting. Everytime I listen to George perform is live, I watch the audience’s reaction. They’re waiting for Mallas to complete a repeated phrase. “I turn to “God and my girlfriend, God and my girlfriend… the rest just have something to sell… but God and my girlfriend… the rest can all go to….”

Open book “Go” (2006) Both visually scrumptious and poetic. Michele and Rick’s crafty and elegant guitar arrangements and vocal harmonies make this song one of my favorites.

Neil Alexander with his group X Ensemble – “Convergence Series A” (2021) Neil “Nail” Alexander’s brilliant original composition in 5 movements: Check out the entire performance that took place in Newburgh, N.Y. in the Fall 2021.

Dan Zlotnick – “Fingerprints” (2020) Beautiful and heartfelt song written for his wife Melissa for their wedding day.

Honorable Artist Mention: Samara Joy – This 21 year old native New Yorker is winner of the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. I can listen to her sing all day.

Internationally known artists:

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros – “No Love Likes Yours” (2016) I LOVE their entire album called PersonA, but this is my favorite cut. The melody lifts me. It is joyful and energizing track.

The Decemberists “January Hymn” (2011) from the album “The Queen is Dead” Also, “June Hymn” from the same album. Colin Meloy, the band’s principal songwriter, paints pictures with his poetic and beautiful lyrics, harmonies and gorgeous melodies.

St. Vincent “Digital Witness” (2014) St. Vincent’s music is unique and her sound instantly recognizable. St. Vincent challenges the listener. Her music combines both dissonant sounds and catchy melodies. This song was the first of hers that captivated me and every time I listen to it, I discover I hear something different.

Los Lobos – “Kiko and the Lavender Moon” (2010) It’s an oldie, but my go-to when I want to hear a song that takes me out of my head – dreamlike and mystical. I love the unique instrumentation and uniqueness of this composition. Although most people associate them with the cover “La Bamba”, there’s so much more to this band.

I probably listened to a lot of The Indigo Girls in 2021 as well.

Find most of these songs on the “HiT Picks #3 Spotify Playlist”