16 JANUARY 5�12, 2022 SOUND CHECK WHAT’S PLAYING AROUND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AP Top Songs of 2021 include ‘Peaches,’ ‘drivers license’ The Associated Press ere are fi ve of the best songs of the year, as selected by Associated Press entertainment journalists. H ‘PEACHES,’ JUSTIN BIEBER, featuring DANIEL CAESAR and GIVEON Justin Bieber was not happy with the Recording Academy last year when his “Changes” album was categorized as pop rather than R&B. But “Peaches,” featur- ing Daniel Caesar and Giveon from this year’s “Justice” album, not only doubled down on the R&B sound, but became one of music’s most dominant songs, debuting at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and topping the global charts. It’s a feel good, two-step- ping record that was needed as the coronavirus pandemic still forced much of the world to stay home. — Gary Gerard Hamilton ‘DRIVERS LICENSE,’ OLIVIA RODRIGO Anyone who’s ever had their heart broken will feel how 18-year-old Olivia Rodrigo feels on this aching Grammy-nomi- nated hit: “You said forever, now I drive alone past your street.” The power ballad broke the Spotify record for most one-day streams for a non-holiday song and spent eight consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. — Mark Kennedy ‘INDUSTRY BABY,’ LIL NAS X AND JACK HARLOW “Industry Baby” was one of the biggest hits of 2021 and for good reason. The track is the 22-year-old rapper’s victory lap AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File Olivia Rodrigo performs at the American Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. after having one of the most talked-about music videos of the year with “Montero” and having 11 songs from his new LP make Billboard’s Hot 100. — Ragan Clark ‘HURRICANE,’ KANYE WEST, THE WEEKND AND LIL BABY Kanye West’s “DONDA” made waves with several gems, but the most standout track that created the perfect storm was “Hur- ricane,” featuring The Weeknd and Lil Baby. With stellar produc- tion, the trio off er diff erent per- spectives of overcoming their own storms on the holy hip-hop track. — Jonathan Landrum Jr. ‘SEROTONIN,’ GIRL IN RED The opening track of the debut album from girl in red, a Norwegian alt-pop singer- songwriter, pulses along a frenetic pace that refl ects the impulsive thoughts of a mind unable to rest. It’s a raw, unfl inching inner look at that uncontrollable id part of our personalities. — Kristin M. Hall NOW AVAILABLE! Delivery to La Grande and Baker City medicinal patients twice a week (Tues and Wed.) starting on September the 21st. Order must be submitted by 11 am pst the day of delivery. SKIP THE LINE, SHOP ONLINE Burntriverfarms.com 541-200-6699 1055 NW Washington Ave. Ontario OR License: 050 1003704D5A3 Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. For use only by adults twenty-one years of age and older. Keep out of reach of children.