1 Jan 2022

The Sampler: Best Standalone Singles of 2021

From The Sampler, 12:00 pm on 1 January 2022

Tony Stamp looks back at some of his favourite singles of 2021 - specifically, ones that didn't appear on any albums. Te reo Māori psychedelia, dance floor bangers, and even a few Christmas songs were grist for the mill.

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He Ōrite by Troy Kingi and The Nudge

Troy Kingi teamed up with Te Whanganui-a-Tara band the Nudge and Mu from Fat Freddy’s Drop, to deliver a te reo Māori psych jam that came about from the Te Māngai Pāho initiative, which encourages collaboration between te reo speakers and non-speakers.

Breaking Point by Nayana Iz

There’s been an abundance of excellent nu soul coming from London for a long time, and one notable example this year was an artist called Nayana IZ, who despite being twenty told ID last year said she feels "100,000 years old". There's certainly plenty of gravitas in her song ‘Breaking Point’, which begins with solemn and spine-tingling singing, before a beat kicks in and she shows she’s equally adept at rap.

Old Peel by Aldous Harding

Standalone single 'Old Peel' appeared out of the blue, a song focused on its jaunty groove, with Harding keeping on an even keel throughout. Despite the lack of any real chorus, I thought it was one of her best.

The video was co-directed by Harding and the prolific Martin Sagadin, who appears fronting her band, before she makes an amusing cameo near the end.

I Don't Know What To Get You For Christmas (Do I Really Love You​?​) by Hans Pucket

Hans Pucket have been relatively quiet the last few years, but they released a new single for Christmas 2021, with singer Oli Devlin saying it came about from a challenge he set himself during lockdown - “write some honest Xmas songs that aren’t crap”. It features some strong archetypal songwriting, so strong in fact that when I read its title the song begins to play in my head.

Christmas is for lovers, ghosts & children by Billy Nomates

Meanwhile back in the UK Billy Nomates also released a Christmas song, with proceeds going to a homeless charity in her hometown of Bristol. It'a an accomplished bit of jangly indie electro pop, featuring the usual swagger with a side of heartfelt sentiment.

Burnt Orange by Elkka

One song this year engaged my hips like no other. It was by a London-based DJ called Elkka (real name Emma Kirby), who made a track containing micro rhythms and a sassy two chord bop that seemed synced to my internal clock.

Big Mike by Dbldbl

Three exponents of Aotearoa's alternative hip hop scene joined forces on the track ‘Big Mike’, led by DblDbl, the rap project of Liam Dargaville, with guest bars from Paloma Schneiderman AKA PollyHill,and LVJ. It’s a cocktail of wordplay and attitude that keeps changing up flows and approaches at it progresses, with Dbldbl remaining an amiable presence throughout.

Summer Sun by Fanfickk

One-woman electro pop outfit Fanfickk first drew my attention with a rowdy song called ‘Pity Party’, the video for which saw her asleep in various public spots in Rotorua. ‘Summer Sun’ was her best yet: contemplative and accomplished, her voice alternating between pathos and lethargy.

Feel Nothing by Amen Dunes and Sleaford Mods

New York songwriter Damon McMahon collaborated with UK electro-punks Sleaford Mods on this nostalglic bop, his slightly sneering voice wandering a busy rhythm while atmospheric synths swell throughout.

You Can Do It by Caribou

One song that captured the spirit of 2021 came courtesy of Canadian producer Dan Snaith, who makes music as Caribou, and felt aimed squarely at anyone having a hard time, (basically everyone). The repetition of the title over and over might irritate at first, but the way it’s subsumed into a swelling feel-good chord progression works magic, as does the accompanying video: slow motion footage of dogs being happy.