21st century songs we love

So we are into the third decade of the 21st century and there's already a crapload of music that has come out. Some is from artists who started out in the 20th, some is from millennial and Gen Z artists who are just starting out. So what has caught your ear musically in terms of this century?

One 21st century band that has really had me rocking is Walk Off the Earth. They come from Burlington, Ontario, Canada, not far from where I used to live, and have a lively mix of pop, rock, folk, and even ska and reggae in their sound. They've weathered some tough times, losing two members (one died, one quit) in 2019, but have managed to keep things going with three original members and some well-chosen session players.

2015's "Rule The World" was the leadoff single from the band's fourth album and remains one of my favorite Walk Off the Earth tunes to this day.

As some here already know, I have become a huge fan of symphonic metal of late and one of the premier bands in that genre is Nightwish. Ghost Love Score came out in 2004 on their album Once and quickly became one of their most popular concert pieces, appearing on, it seems, every setlist on every tour since. It's a ten minute epic, almost classical in scope and style at times, but still rocks when it needs to. This performance features original lead singer Tarja Turunen, who sang it on the album.

Winnipeg-based singer-songwriter Faouzia has been putting out original songs since she was 17 or so. She is now 21 and her first full album draws near. She often follows up a new release with a "stripped" (ie. acoustic) version. In the case of "Hero", her latest, she went with an orchestral version as a follow-up.

This young lady was born in Germany during the last year of the twentieth century. Sina Döring is just twenty-two years old and yet can cover the greats such as Ringo Starr and Keith Moon. She also plays the guitar and writes her own songs. And showcases young talent on her YouTube Channel. Long may she prosper.

Have they really been away? 😲