TOP 10 ‘SLAYERS’
Top picks are mostly by, for and about women
Pop songs have a power unlike any other type of music. They bring people together. They inspire. They motivate and make you smile. And the best ones — they slay, OK?
Most of the songs that resonated with me this year were by, for and about women in charge. Let my body do the work, work, work. You better play that sax. A little less conversation and a little more touch my body.
Here are my picks for the best pop songs of the year, from big hits to surprise breakouts.
1. “Formation,” Beyoncé:
There was no artist more in control of her powers this year than Beyoncé. Her bracing anthem was a call to action and a celebration of womanhood, blackness and dirty South heritage. The entire world got in line and listened.
2. “Work From Home,” Fifth Harmony:
The “X Factor”-created girl group finally earned a much deserved radio smash with this ode to after-hours, um, responsibilities. The simple repetition of a key word turned it into the year’s biggest earworm. The group’s future now seems up in the air with the recent departure of Camila Cabello. Here’s hoping they can make it work, work, work.
3. “Sax,” Fleur East:
The English singer’s career has yet to catch fire in the U.S. But one listen to “Sax” makes you wonder why. It’s a riff on Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk,” sure, but Fleur East brings her own sass and charm to the hornfueled track. And she’s a fiery live performer.
4. “Into You,” Ariana Grande:
Her appeal was initially a bit mystifying. But Ariana Grande has grown into a solid pop star with a penchant for great singles. “Into You” is a great example, a seductive swirl of electro-pop flourishes and pleading vocals.
5. “Never Be Like You,” Flume:
Australian producer Flume teamed up with Canadian singer Kai for the year’s best DJ/diva collaboration. The vocals and beats intertwine beautifully. It’s like the soundtrack to a sci-fi romance.
6. “Make Me …,” Britney Spears:
The best part of the otherwise underwhelming “Glory” album was this sexy, slowburning track. It cast an alluring new light on Britney Spears, surrounding her with a swirl of R&B-lite production and showcasing a surprisingly emotive vocal performance.
7. “My Church,” Maren Morris:
The song’s retro production and clever wordplay are classified as country. But Arlington’s Maren Morris tapped into a universal feeling with her breakout single: music as religion. The rap superstar got his, and much of the world’s, groove on with this breezy summertime smash. Look up the Bombón/Fat Tony match-up “Dame un Beso” to hear a Houston spin on the same sound.
9. “Love on the Brain,” Rihanna:
Rihanna delivers some of her best vocals on this throwback to doo-wop and ’60s soul. She veers expertly from breathy to rumbling to belting within seconds. A standout among many on her “Anti” album.
10. “Pillowtalk,” Zayn:
He was always the best vocalist in One Direction, so it’s no surprise Zayn was the first to go solo. “Pillowtalk” was the song he needed, a crash of pop and R&B that suits him up as the next Justin Timberlake. joey.guerra@chron.com twitter.com/joeyguerra
8. “One Dance,” Drake: