It’s brutal out there, and that’s why, more than ever, we needed the consoling and prodding pleasures of popular music to help everything make sense in here. [Stage direction: taps chest, knowingly.] ...

As we emerged from the harsh year of 2020, 2021 became—while still in recovery— a year to break free. While the entertainment industry was getting back in full swing, more and more music came to us as ...

The song by Doja Cat, featuring SZA, also won an American Music Award (collaboration of the year) and an MTV Video Music Award for best collaboration. “Kiss Me More” even surpassed Brandy and Monica’s ...

As normal came back into view in 2021 — then seemed to slip away again — great songs arrived from places we could predict and places we never thought to look. Here are The Times music staff’s picks ...

2021 boasted a variety of musical gems, from hit debuts to a 10-minute version of an old classic. The year also saw dud releases from artists like DaBaby, Walker Hayes, and Jesy Nelson. The five best ...

Before Taemin left for his military service, one of music’s most dynamic performers left us with an absolute smash. “Advice” builds on the success of 2020 singles “Criminal” and “Idea,” further ...

Olivia called it right and exact this year: God, it’s brutal out here. But tough times call for tough tunes, and these tunes delivered, in an absurdly abundant year for music. These are my 25 favorite ...

We ranked the year’s 50 best albums earlier this month, and now it’s time to dig into the 50 best songs. Putting a list like this together is never an easy task, but in a year like 2021, when so many ...