There’s nothing like discovering a new song. Millions of playlists were filled with tunes from beloved acts and newcomers throughout the past year. These 20 songs helped make 2021 a bit more bearable. You can check out our playlist featuring these 20 songs and more exciting tunes released in 2021 below.

20. Lil Nas X - "Industry Baby (feat. Jack Harlow)"

Following the release of the Diamond-selling track "Old Town Road," Lil Nas X has been proving doubters wrong with a slew of hits at ever turn. "Industry Baby," which features rising rapper Jack Harlow, finds Lil Nas X flipping the "industry plant" term upside-down by declaring themselves an "industry baby."

19. Code Orange - "Out For Blood"

Since the beginning of lockdown, Pittsburgh metalcore outfit Code Orange have been doing their part to make sure fans stayed entertained with a slew of livestreams, and now, they're "Out for Blood" with this blistering cut.

18. Sofia Gillani - "Other Side"

Hailing from London, 14-year-old singer-songwriter Sofia Gillani has been showcasing their remarkable talent with a handle of singles under their belt. Their single "Other Side,” which was released over the summer, proves they have what it takes to be in the same conversation as arena-packing singers such as Adele and Lorde.

17. Kenny Mason - "Play Ball"

Rapper Kenny Mason takes a page out of '90s alternative rock with the cut "Play Ball." The number isn't about shooting some hoops, though; Mason makes it clear to not mess with them or their crew ("This shit can get real, real, on this side/ Don't come around here, here, at night").

16. Peach PRC - "Josh"

Everyone has had that annoying ex who simply can't take the hint. Popular TikTokker Peach PRC used a recent run-in with their ex as inspiration for their new single "Josh." It's safe to say Josh won't be bothering them anymore after hearing this pop banger.

15. Sad Alex - "Until"

When it comes to relationships, Los Angeles singer-songwriter Sad Alex has been through some shit. “Until” finds the singer listing off all the things they did to save their relationship before painfully crooning, “You fucked up my feelings forever.”

14. Lyrics Born - "ANTI"

Anti-Asian hate crimes have been on the rise over the past year, and rapper Lyrics Born and producer Custo had enough of this shit. With "ANTI," Lyrics Born strongly states, "Touch me or my fam, You won't catch Corona, but you'll catch these hands."

13. Alyssa Gengos - "Mechanical Sweetness"

Los Angeles singer-songwriter Alyssa Gengos takes their aggression out on digital relationships with "Mechanical Sweetness," which is the title track from their forthcoming studio album.

12. Sophia Dashing - "Divine"

Rising Atlanta pop singer Sophia Dashing made their presence known in 2021 with a slew of singles, and their track "Divine" is just that: a divine display of dance-pop.

11. Anna Leone - "Still I Wait"

Folk artist Anna Leone offered one of 2021's most heartbreaking tunes with "Still I Wait," which finds the artist dejectedly declaring, "I thought I knew the rules, I thought I knew what I had to do."

10. Sleigh Bells - "Locust Laced"

At first listen, Sleigh Bells' "Locust Laced" can be perceived as a delightful indie-pop tune. When Derek E. Miller's crunchy guitar jumps in, though, the song quickly turns into metal-tinged elation.

9. TRAITRS - "Mouth Poisons"

“Mouth Poisons” from Toronto post-punk act TRAITRS is equally as haunting as is it entrancing. Originally meant to be a fast punk-laced number, “Mouth Poisons” finds vocalist Shawn Tucker opening up with some of their most personal lyrics to date.

8. Bernice - "It's Me, Robin"

Experimental jazz-pop group Bernice asks the burning question "Who are you?" on their track "It's Me, Robin” from their studio album Eau De Bonjourno. Nearly a year since its release, we still don't know the answer.

7. Turnstile - "Holiday"

Hardcore punk act Turnstile has seen a massive rise in their stock thanks to their supercharged album Glow On. The track "Holiday" delivers monstrous grooves with vocalist Brendan Yates seeing the bright side of things during such an intense time in the world ("Too bright to live, too bright to die, I wanna celebrate").

6. Issam Alnajjar - "Hadal Ahbek"

Jordanian singer Issam Alnajjar delivered one of pop music's most charming singles in 2021 with "Hadal Ahbek," which became the first Arabic song to become a viral hit.

5. Lorna Shore - "To The Hellfire"

New Jersey deathcore outfit Lorna Shore left a huge mark in the heavy music scene in 2021 with their hellraising number "To The Hellfire," which is vicious enough to give Lucifer the shivers.

4. Eliza and the Delusionals - "You"

Australian rockers Eliza & The Delusionals wrote the #1 hit for a '90s teen romance comedy with "You." All they have to do is travel back in time to deliver this gem.

3. BLXPLTN - "Black Site"

Electropunk/hip hop juggernauts BLXPLTN returned with their first tune of 2021 with "Black Site." The noisy powerhouse finds TaSzlin Muerte proclaiming, "I think they're gonna hurt me now" over a blazing riff.

2. AViVA - "Melancholy"

Over simple guitar plucks, Australian alt-pop artist AViVA delivers a rough look at depression with “Melancholy.” The song does pack a positive message, though; our horrid times are only temporary.

1. Moodring - "Show Me The Real You"

Featuring members of Attila, Culture Killer, and Cat Company, Moodring greeted 2021 with their debut single "Show Me The Real You," which gives off strong Deftones vibes. We’ve been saying since its release that it would claim the title of “Best Chorus in 2021,” and that remains unchanged.