Press Pause And Hit Play: The Best New Songs You Missed In 2021

Updated Jan. 21 at 1 p.m. ET.

It can be hard to keep pace with life's restless forward motion – chores and news, friends and family, work and play. At the very least, let us help you find some new music via Press Pause, a regularly updated playlist keeping track of new songs deemed absolutely essential by the NPR Music staff.

Just like the 2020 edition, you'll find R&B, reggaeton, rock, country, Americana, punk, pop, hip-hop and whatever else helps frame the days ahead, or simply helps you to take a breather.

Stream this playlist via Spotify or Apple Music.

Press Pause Tracklist

Added Jan. 21

• Olivia Rodrigo, "drivers license"
• Jazmine Sullivan (feat. Anderson .Paak), "Price Tags"
• Jhay Cortez & Myke Towers, "Los Bo"
• Vagabon (feat. Courtney Barnett), "Reason to Believe"
• The Weather Station, "Atlantic"
• Anna B Savage, "Baby Grand"
• Joy Oladokun (feat. Jensen McRae), "wish you the best"
• Wild Pink, "Oversharers Anonymous"
• C. Tangana & Toquinho, "Comerte Entera"
• Willie Jones, "American Dream"
• Noga Erez, "End of the Road"
• Sun June, "Everything I Had"
• Hailey Whitters (feat. Little Big Town), "Fillin' My Cup"
• Pale Waves, "Easy"
• Ebhoni, "Hit This"
• AceMo, "Aquarium Date"
• Run The Jewels (feat. Mexican Institute Of Sound & Santa Fe Klan), "Ooh La La (Mexican Institute Of Sound Remix)"
• Th1rt3eN, "Cult 45"
• Dj Jahmar (feat. Josh David Barrett), "This Feeling (Love Original)"
• Matthew E. White & Lonnie Holley, "This Here Jungle of Moderness/Composition 14"
• Flo Milli, "Roaring 20s"
• Alfa Mist, "Run Outs"
• Julien Baker, "Hardline"
• Adult Mom, "Sober"
• Hand Habits, "4th of July"
• Jillette Johnson, "Forgive Her"
• Pom Poko, "Andrew"
• Middle Kids, "Questions"
• Renée Reed, "Fast One"
• A Winged Victory for the Sullen, "So That the City Can Begin to Exist"
• Monolord, "I'm Staying Home"

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.