Sincerely, 2016

2017 was a good year in music, which made creating the countdown a challenge. Although some songs were released in 2016, they still made an impact for more than a year. Here are the following ten picks for 2017, from 2016.

You make it hard for a boy like that to go on...

10 Kaytranada ft Syd - You’re The One

Release Date: September 27, 2016

First saw the video on MuchMusic (did you know they still play music?) The whole feel of the song is a good time, and puts you at ease. Not exactly the music heard on radio, but am glad to have found this artist now than never. And the vocals provided by Syd? Keep them coming, can't get enough of her.

09 Iñigo Pascual - Dahil Sa'yo


Release Date: October 7, 2016

When your parents watch too much Filipino, and actually watch the screen for once. Iñigo Pascual is quite the heartthrob, showing interest in a comedic dance with a 1950s feel. A fun song that gets the girls swooning over him, it's the cookie-cutter Pop star formula that works across all nations.

08 Childish Gambino - Redbone


Release Date: November 17, 2016

I will admit that this song was strange at first. Not knowing much of Childish Gambino, I did not expect a single like this one. A real surprise to 2017, it's one of the most chilled songs that I have heard in a long time. A well-done experiment from Donald Glover.

07 Jessie Reyez - Figures


Release Date: August 24, 2016

Unexpected songs tend to make the biggest impact. Take this debut single from Jessie Reyez, she made a simple ballad filled with questions in her sultry voice. The end result is a song so brilliant, that it deserved to gain attention, even a year later. I hope to see big things from this up and coming artist.

06 The Weeknd - Secrets


Release Date: November 25, 2016

The beginnings of a video game, that leads into one fantastic voyage. Abel Tesfaye created a song that's pure dreamscape mode, knowing that the deepest and darkest of secrets are safe in this realm. What ever inspired The Weeknd to make such a song, please keep it coming.

05 Santigold - Chasing Shadows


Release Date: January 14, 2016

Listening to a mashup, a friend recognized a sample of Santigold in the song, and recommended a few songs to listen from her. Looking into this song, I admit that her style is unique. A mellow song, all much enjoyable. Perhaps I shall look more into the US artist.

04 Jax Jones ft Raye - You Don’t Know Me


Release Date: December 9, 2016

The quintessential Dance track that was missing from 2017, with all of the spunk included. Sounds like an older song, but brought back to life with the aid of Raye. Add in a video that is filled with all of the attitude, and you've got one tune that is worthy to reign supreme. Sweet and sour, but all child's play done right.

03 DVBBS & CMC$ ft Gia Koka - Not Going Home


Release Date: November 18, 2016

A song of the summer, and it always felt fresh. This Canadian EDM band made this uplifting Dance track, which can bring anyone's day up. Instrumental break downs are the key component to the song, feels like a wonderful hymn, all for love, without saying the word. One excellent song from DVBBS.

02 Bebe Rexha - I Got You


Release Date: October 28, 2016

You may have heard this artist many times throughout 2016, she was pretty much in every song. Now with this single as a lead artist, she outperforms her previous efforts in a song about having each other's back. It's a steady and heavy beat, and I hope that Bleta Rexha will continue to progress as an artist

01 Porter Robinson & Madeon - Shelter

Release Date: August 11, 2016

One of the best songs that I found from 2017, and it's a worldwide collaboration. Take an American DJ, collaborate with a brilliant French DJ Madeon, and finish it off with a Japanese animation video - it's pure bliss. The song shows a comfort and sadness, and provides all these mixed emotions that brings a satisfaction to the listener. Here's to the perfect song from 2016, for 2017.