Hearing a song can immediately transport us back to an exact moment and feeling in visceral and vivid ways a calendar never could.

Through the ups and the downs, of which 2016 offered more than its share, Baltimore artists released singles, online-only projects and physical albums that reflected the polarizing, unpredictable times.

Regardless of how we consume music in the future, the songs themselves will live on, a fact that feels indelibly comforting.

Consider the tracks below, all made by Baltimore artists, the songs we needed most this year — presented in no particular order:

??? Lor Scoota, “Panda (Remix)” (self-released): After Lor Scoota, a popular and promising West Baltimore rapper, was shot and killed in June at the age of 23, fans of all ages danced outside Wylie Funeral Home to Scoota's remix of this rap-radio hit. Outside of Baltimore, “Panda” is the breakout single from motormouth rapper Desiigner, but here, it's wholly, and rightfully, Scoota's.

???Great American Canyon Band, “Only You Remain” (Six Degrees Records)

???Abdu Ali, “Did Dat” (self-released)

???Lower Dens, “Real Thing” (Ribbon): Warmth emanates from this lush, synthesizer-driven ballad. Here's hoping it's a clue to where songwriter and singer Jana Hunter is headed on the follow-up to 2015's “Escape From Evil.”

???FMG Ball, “Cut Throat Money” (self-released)

???:3lON, “Many Moons” (Nina Pop Records)

???YBS Skola, “Gettin' Money” (self-released)

???Matmos, “Ultimate Care II Excerpt Eight” (Thrill Jockey): Technically, Matmos' latest album is a single, 38-minute track composed entirely of sounds made from the washing machine inside M.C. Schmidt and Drew Daniel's Charles Village basement. But for those in search of a preview, the album is broken up into nine parts on Spotify, and this portion marks the most danceable entry point.

???YGG Tay, “No No No” (self-released)

???Joy Postell, “Consciousness” (self-released)

???Peals, “Punk Migration” (Friends Records): As an instrumental duo, William Cashion (bassist of Future Islands) and Bruce Willen (formerly bassist of the post-punk act Double Dagger) released “Honey,” their second album, in September. This soothing, meditative standout features James Iha, former guitarist of the Smashing Pumpkins.

???Tate Kobang, “Chirp Chirp” (300)

???Moss of Aura, “Don't” (Friends Records)

???Dooley, Tlow & Lor Roger, “CIT4DT” (self-released): This viral track (which stands for “Choppa in the Trunk 4 Donald Trump”) from three young jokesters is a potent mixture of absurd threats, playground snapping and LOL-defiance. Each campaign season gets the protest song it deserves.

???Other Colors, “You Know the One” (Friends Records)

???JPEGMAFIA, “2015 Was a Great Year” (Deathbomb Arc)

???Hands Up!, “Free (feat. Miz Jaxxxn)” (Space is the Place Records): The new duo of Mighty Mark and Michael J.R. shows where the sound of Baltimore club music is headed. The juxtaposition of the chunky 808 kick drum and Miz Jaxxxn's soulful vocals could be the most glorious combination of the year.

???Young Moose, “What You Know (feat. Gwen Raheem)” (self-released)

???Blacksage, “Slow It Down” (Friends Records)

???TT the Artist, “Queen” (feat. La Mu Dey) (Zoo on Mars Entertainment): “Queen of the Beat,” which TT the Artist considers her debut album, deftly showed why she's not to be boxed into labels. “Queen” represents the album's take-what's-mine attitude best, with TT asserting her rightful place with a swagger reminiscent of Missy Elliott: “Don't call me a bitch, you can call me a queen.”

???President Davo, “Pardon Me” (self-released): A handful of tracks from this talented rapper could have landed here (check out “Woke Up and “Myself”), but “Pardon Me” best showcases Davo's knack for crafting verses and hooks that are as catchy as they are sturdy. He barely raps above a whisper, but there's never any doubt who's in command.

???Martina Lynch, “Laugh in Ya Face” (self-released): The “first lady” of Young Moose's Out the Mud clique first caught listeners' attention with a scene-stealing turn on “No SunShine,” a heartfelt response to Freddie Gray's death. But here, the young MC proves she can chest-puff with the best Baltimore has to offer.

???Romantic States, “Take My Hand and Run” (Nebraskan Coast)

???Dan Deacon, “Change Your Life (You Can Do It)” (Domino Recording Co.): Cliched or not, Dan Deacon's digitized mantra affirms the human need to take control and push forward. It's an unrelenting message of hope and encouragement to propel us into the new year.

wesley.case@baltsun.com

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