Sadly no best movies of 2018 this year, mainly due to the fact that I am a college attendee who didn't have the time nor $$ to go see tens of films.
But with Spotify, I listened to a plethora of records, and 2018 was filled up to the brim with great records and singles. Like I was shocked. I felt entering 2018 that there was a lack of great records. Sure lot's of singles I add to my playlists, but recent album I actually listen through is rare for me. And then 2018 released great record after another. So much so that I decided to figure out the best of the best.
Some notes here before we go on:
• No more than one song per artist
• Playlist worthiness/listenability: is the album or song in question one I can listen to regularly and enjoy?
When looking at albums, I felt that this note should be added:
While music is subjective to opinion, a record's chances of gaining my admiration go way up if there's a clear coherent artistry or theme throughout and it is executed well. If neither of those apply, consistently great song after another is another way an album gets on the list.
I'm quite aware that many may not agree with this list. If you have your own thoughts, let me know! I'd love to see what others think.
Songs
Honorable Mentions:
I Love Too Much - Spencer Beckstead
Take Me to the Tree - Gabe Paladin
All The Stars - Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA
I Thought About Killing You - Kanye West
Kevin's Heart - J. Cole
I Feel Like I'm Drowning - Two Feet
A Better Man - CHVRCHILL
Sour Diesel - ZAYN
joy. - for KING & COUNTRY
High Hopes - Panic! At The Disco
God's Plan - Drake
SICKO MODE - Travis Scott
Tough to say no to these stellar songs, but alas not everyone makes the cut; they do deserve mention however.
"I Love Too Much" is a heartfelt track by new artist Spencer Beckstead, acting as his first single and should be someone to watch for; ditto for Gabe Paladin, who released his first EP One Desire this past August, which carries a solid five tracks including 21st century's version of a hymn, "Take Me to the Tree." Paladin's in-depth lyrics bring the song high up the list, despite the obvious low-budget, proving he's got the talent to rival the best in the genre, and once he gets a deal of any kind, look out.
"I Feel Like I'm Drowning" acts as the stand out from Two Feet's short but potent 2018 album A 20 Something F*ck, while "A Better Man" nears country territory but also adds indie-pop elements, as newcomer CHVRCHILL pens earnest lyrics, winning you over in the process.
Respected artists for KING & COUNTRY and J. Cole, hit home runs with their releases this year; "joy." breaks past the genre limits normally put on Christian groups, while "Kevin's" lyrics are hot, coming off an album that should be receiving many Grammy's noms - yet it got zero. Skrrt! Of course heavy hitters Drake, Kayne, and Kendrick were at work this year, reminding us of their prowess and cementing their status' as three of the premier writers alive in "God's Plan", "I Thought About Killing You", and "All The Stars."
"High Hopes" is one heck of an anthem as Panic! At The Disco inject Broadway music into their rock roots, creating an epic sound that excites. One Direction alum ZAYN came to play in "Sour Diesel", with powerful vocals and a sexy bass that wins the award for "Best Bass Performance" if there was one in this funk-esque rock song. Of course just barely on the outside looking is the well-produced "SICKO MODE," as Travis Scott tells us why his work ethic is better than any other artist out there...and he makes a compelling case.
Max 12 Songs
These songs owned my year... well more like the second half of the year between their releases and my getting around to listening to all of them. But I can say with confidence that these twelve tracks helped shape my 2018, taking me on a journey. My list looked very different initially, but I did a thorough check these last two weeks, and a couple tracks have changed, helping to round out the list and give it depth.
From an outer-space-like journey, a club dance track, to summer night vibes, and a love ballad of epic proportions, these 12 songs are sure to stick around for days to come.
12. Lost In Japan - Shawn Mendes
Mendes grew up everyone! Yes I enjoy his previous work very much, but his 2018 self-titled record was head and shoulders above the rest, and "Lost In Japan" represents all that. It's R&B, Blues, and Pop mix nicely in this confidently sung track that helps Mendes truly knock one out of the park.
11. All These Years - Camila Cabello
I immediately connected with this song. Cabello voices her heartsick emotions well, and is paired perfectly with the warm but doleful sounding guitar in this tale of lost love that still remains despite the lengthy passage of time. In an album full of hits, "All These Years" is a somber song that hits me right in the feels and manages to be "pop" enough where I can listen repeatedly.
10. Love You Anymore - Michael Bublé
Written by remarkable songwriter Charlie Puth, Bublé softly tells us that even though he accidentally says her name, even though he keeps her picture, and even though he's on his knees swearing he would change, it doesn't mean he loves her. Bublé's emotions tell us differently, giving us the underlying thought that him telling us he doesn't may just in fact prove he does. Throw in Puth's nice BGVs and a twangy guitar solo, and you've got Bublé in top form.
9. Still Rolling Stones - Lauren Daigle
Daigle dropped this awesome bomb of a not-technically-a-single-but-its-a-single song on us in August. With powerful vocal pipes to back up her inspiring lyrics, Daigle is a force to be reckoned with in this larger than life track. If I was a tombstone, I'd be running in terror after hearing her storm the graves in triumph.
8. Babylon - 5 Seconds of Summer
And the award for best finale goes to 5sos. Picking one song from Youngblood is not fair. But "Babylon" perfectly encapsulates what 2018's Youngblood is, culminating in this anthem-like song that crashes and burns as fast as it builds while using the famous city Babylon as a metaphor for the quick rise and fall of a hot but tumultuous relationship. Bassist Calum Hood perfectly leads the charge in this epic end to an even more epic album.
7. Beach House - The Chainsmokers
Think summer evenings out in the open with nothing but air as you float. That's where I go. Chill vibes permeate this song as Andrew Taggart sings his heart out, wondering where his loved one is. It resonates with me 100% to my very core and on an album full of playlist worthy tunes, this one sneakily takes the cake.
6. still feel. - half•alive
I definitely feel alive after hearing half•alive's electric performance, as each member gives 110% effort (just watch the video). You can't help but dance by the end of it, celebrating and moving to the groovy beat and charged sound that never seems to die. Each sound is incorporated excellently, bringing "still feel." to a perfect balance of musical tones, genres, and vocals. If half•alive ever had to wonder if we still feel alive or not, I guarantee we sure do now after hearing this titillating song.
5. Empty Cups - Charlie Puth
Puth has really rounded out his music writing talent. Similarly to Younglood, choosing the best song from Voicenotes is tough. His knack for LA city vibes that whisk you away to the clubs and parties is extraordinary. This tightly performed song is my pick for the top track. Infectious, "Empty Cups" will make you yearn for the night lights no matter where you are. If the city life had a salesman, Puth would be the guy, and damn is he good.
4. Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino - Arctic Monkeys
I figured if any song from Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino made the list, it would be "Four Out Of Five" for certain. Well when doing my re-evaluations and listening to my top 100, this one kept climbing. Soon is was nearly at the top. For me, "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino" is the rare titular song that is one of the best. From the futuristic alt-rock sounds, to Turner's hypnotic vocals and lyrics (which have never been better I might add), "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino" proves to us that the Arctic Monkeys hiatus was well worth it, putting together a masterpiece that gets better with each listen.
3. LET YOU BE RIGHT - Meghan Trainor
I get it. I myself am not a Meghan Trainor fan. And this song didn't make me one either. So why do I love this song? Well as Spotify can tell you "LET YOU BE RIGHT" was the most listened to song on my account in 2018. That's right. No other song filled my ears, mind, and soul more than this one. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Lyrically, this song means diddly-squat. But the feels, tones, and coloring. I love it. This jazz-electropop-R&B song is what I need to get away. When I'm driving home, if I need to relax, disappear, or it's been a plain bad day, I hit this song up. I don't just hit it up once. At least five times... or more if my day asks for it.
2. Nico And The Niners - Twenty One Pilots
Like Youngblood and Voicenotes, picking a song from Trench was nearly impossible. "Nico and the Niners" displays everything this perfect album has to offer as Twenty One Pilots put on a masterclass in writing, performance, production, and all that jazz. Carrying an upbeat sound that draws you in, Nico's enthralling lyrics and cryptic tones will take you and suck all of your brain power, while it’s abundance of sounds bleed you dry, leaving you for dead, but inevitably, you come back dying for more. We go high, we go low, we go around, and we go through this courier that opens us up to the real world that is, Trench.
1. When All the Stars Have Died - Kris Allen
To quote myself:
"This is it. Kris Allen's ninth symphony. His Mona Lisa. His Sistine Chapel...the song is indescribable. Transcendent. Ingenious. Absolute. Matchless."
"When All the Stars Have Died" has everything I could ever ask for in a song: from the intimacy to the grand sound of genre mixings and, of course, Kris's vocal range help put this song in a place of it's own. It's impossible to label. And nor should we try to. We should leave it alone at the top where no song will ever come close to reaching the heights "When All The Stars Have Died" has already reached in it's young life.
Albums
12. KOD - J. Cole
KOD takes an assortment of genres and sounds, but it's all cohesive and Cole lyrics prove he may be one of the best poets alive.
"ATM" is a slick beat that looks at Cole's relationship to money and it's effect on his family and communities, while "FRIENDS" tackles the issues of drug use and why they are problematic. "Window Pain (Outro)" mellow's things down a bit as Cole contemplate's life, threading religious themes into the lyrics and its eventual end. The album's crowning moment is, of course, "Kevin's Heart" which on the surface is about Kevin Hart and his well documented affair, but deep within, takes a look at Cole's own heart, cheating, and the theme repeated throughout KOD: choose wisely.
KOD is fire, and Cole's savagery and contemplative lyrics fan that flame. In a climate where our country is in its biggest divide, Cole is unabashed as he goes for the throat in this record that deserves its many Grammy noms and should win Best Rap Album...
Oh wait. KOD didn't get a single nomination. Y'all stupid.
11. A 20 Something F*ck - Two Feet
Wow. What a debut. Short, sweet, and smart. Two Feet, aka Bill Dess, brings a menacing mood in his first record, a nice contrast to the usually happy pop songs playing. Dess's husky and dark vocals are underrated, while his other voice is what we truly remember: his melodic and hypnotizing guitar playing, which steals every song in this jazz infused electro-pop album incorporating elements of blues. "I Feel Like I'm Drowning" is the record's best song overall while "Hurt People" is lyrically sound with Dess's best guitar voicing and "You Say" has a dream inducing feel that's hard not to love.
Dess perfectly meshes each of 20 Something's eight songs into a cohesive stroke of genius, flowing between each piece in ways most other records would only dream of. This is Dess's first record, and to say I'm pumped for whatever he has in store next is an understatement.
10. Look Up Child - Lauren Daigle
It kills me to have Look Up Child at tenth, but that is the result of great records this year.
Daigle greatly improves upon her debut album How Can It Be, though much of this can be attributed to the higher budget (though this is not to knock on Daigle's writing abilities). Look Up Child is grander than How Can It Be, but is also more rounded, adding gospel elements alongside strings to back Daigle's inspiring songs. Daigle's vocals are the main attraction here however, warranting a listen to from anyone. She starts off the album with a bang in "Still Rolling Stones" which happens to be the best. But don't worry, it's not all downhill after that. But instead, it seems that Daigle's cords get stronger with each song, as does the writing. Tracks like "Love Like This," "Losing My Religion," and "Rebel Heart" show her maturing lyrics. "Everything," is reflective on God's love, while "You Say" is nearly the best song on the album. Daigle finishes strong with "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus," which is the best version of the hymn to date.
What holds this album together is Daigle's fabulous singing voice, keeping the listener engaged all throughout Look Up Child's 51 minute runtime. The record is one of the best produced albums of the year, winning multiple Grammy's in the process, and they're well earned. Kudos to Diagle and company.
9. Shawn Mendes - Shawn Mendes
Shawn Mendes' aptly self-titled album improves greatly on his previous records, as his swagger, charm, and sensual singing carry an album that calls out his inner John Mayer, Ed Sheeran, and Jason Mraz. While his highest points aren't nearly as polished as the aforementioned songwriters, Mendes' record is still better than most pop writers working today.
Tracks "Queen" and "Youth," to name a couple, are solid and worth listening to when going through the entire record, but not playlist worthy. Songs like "When You're Ready," "Mutual," and "Fallin' All In You" are very much playlist worthy, whole A-list songs include "Why" and "Where Were You In The Morning."
"In My Blood" sees Mendes cries out into the open for help and "Lost In Japan" is Mendes at his best, combing soft electric sounds and a jet-black sounding guitar sleeking it's way through while paired with Mendes' brilliant vocals.
Unlike his previous albums, Mendes incorporates more jazz and R&B, with a coffee house vibe that makes the album soft, easy, and relaxing. I thoroughly enjoyed Mendes' rhythms, melodic guitar, and his stronger more mature vocals. The album has some variety, but not too much, keeping a coherent sound that Mendes goes for and it works (most of the time).
8. ❤️ (Love) - Michael Bublé
Bublé is one of my all time favorite artists. But he had begun to fall off. From embarrassing Christmas performances, a lackluster album in Nobody But Me, to a horribly sad situation (his three year old son had cancer from 2016-18) that shook Bublé's life, I wasn't sure he'd ever recover. He even admits now he considered quitting.
Well ladies and gents, after a cancer free son (hallelujah), a weight loss/getting in shape, a greater sense of maturity, and a new perspective on life, Bublé is back and better than ever.
Love purposefully feels like a compilation record. Each song stands on its own, telling their own stories. Sharpness and enthusiasm ooze from the orchestra as Bublé goes back to his jazz and big band roots, belting out hits such as "I Get a Kick Out of You," "Such a Night," and "When You're Smiling." Luckily, both Bublé and the band don't sit tight with happy upbeat classics, bringing France home in "La vie en rose," going dark in "My Funny Valentine," and hitting each note softly in "When You're Not Here." Bublé doesn't completely forgo the pop/contemporary side of things, giving us the two best tracks in "Forever Now" and "Love You Anymore." The former holds heavy emotional meaning, as Bublé writes of his eternal love to and for his children while bringing in the big guns for "Love You Anymore," Bublé teams up with Charile Puth for Love's best song.
Love sees Bublé rounding into '07 form with a twist: his obvious fatherhood shows, as he no longer sounds like the brash and cocky crooner of old, but instead exudes a wisdom, strength, and sensitivity through each song. Its an album that wins with every song, and the effort and heart Bublé puts into it doesn't go unnoticed.
7. Burn The Ships - for KING & COUNTRY
Music is like cheeseburgers and sushi, according to Joel Smallbone.
"You can either make a cheeseburger of a song or sushi," grinned Smallbone in an interview with Billboard. "The cheeseburger you can consume and be like, 'This is awesome!'...with sushi you've got the chopsticks. You've got to slow down...music is similar and hopefully our music [is] sushi to the listener. There's nothing wrong with either."
The Smallbone brothers' third effort, Burn The Ships, may just be a perfect blend of both food-like songs in that each one is accessible and radio ready, but the deeper meanings of the lyrics tell resonant stories that become more powerful with each listen. Mixing pop sounds with gospel chorus's, Burn The Ships doesn't hold back, and unlike Mendes, each song is playlist worthy. A similar sound pumps blood into each song, giving a life that connects them, but they also vary in sound, range, and purpose. "joy." is the radio song that won't go away (sound), "Burn The Ships" is a stellar, rounded track that holds lyrical depth (range), and "Hold Her" is a personal favorite as the brothers sing of their loved ones (purpose).
With a perfect 11 song long track list, the album gets better with every play through, thus cementing a fact: this Aussie duo is here to stay.
6. Sick Boy - The Chainsmokers
These boys are firing on all cylinders this year. While the album (and the duo) polarized fans and critics alike, I fall on the "I love Sick Boy" side of things.
Chainsmokers take a unique approach to releasing an album: release one song every month. It makes sense since it feels like a compilation album, so each song got its time to shine. Chainsmokers got darker with tracks such as "Sick Boy" and "Everybody Hates Me", but keep signature EDM-heavy hits like "Siren" and "Save Yourself," along with hopeless romantic songs such as "This Feeling," "Beach House," and "Hope." "You Owe Me" is a stark departure from the typical Chainsmokers... then again, this entire album is a major change in the duo's identity - a good change at that.
Despite the episodic feel, Sick Boy works well when put together, something the duo struggled with mightily on their debut album Memories...Do Not Open. It's not as cohesive as some of the other albums, but with hit after hit working as well as it does, it's quite astounding.
5. Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino; Arctic Monkeys
Tranquility was bar none my favorite journey to go on in 2018. The foreign, outer space experimental sounds are what keep this concept album together, telling us of the world that is this weird but cool hotel I wish I could stay at.
Sure, Alex Turner and co. get a little too ambitious at times, but they take each turn and surprise in stride, evolving into one of the best alt-rock bands this generation has ever seen. From the light but potent bass, the starry organs and keys, to the pointed guitar voicing, Arctic Monkeys create an experience on par with later Beatles records. Some aren't happy with this "out there" direction, but the transition from typical alt-rock of the 2000's is both fabulous and, honestly, a long time coming. Yes, if you listen to "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" and compare that with "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino" (the best song on Tranquility) you wouldn't even think it was the same artist. Even Turner's voice has evolved, becoming a weird, lazy, and hypnotic sound that doesn't care what anyone thinks of it.
I can honestly say I haven't heard anything *quite* like this record. It lingers in your mind long after you're done listening, entering your dreams and altering your world like a drug. My outlook on life may have even been altered (albeit slightly) after listening to this. And with each listen, I fall more in love with Tranqulity's euphoric sound.
4. Camila - Camila Cabello
Of all the albums here, I listened to Camila last... and yet it came out on January 12th.
I'll be honest. Most of the young pop artists don't mesh well with my music tastes. Sure a song here, song there. I have them on my playlists. But a singular pure pop artist I love? Almost never.
"Havana" was one of my favorite songs of 2017. I think many would agree with me. "Havana's" #1 Billboard 100 placement, #4 Billboard 100 year end placement, and - get this - its #334 Billboard ALL TIME placement speaks for itself. But I never thought to give Camila a chance.
I finally decided to give Camila Cabello's debut work, Camila, a try. And man oh man was I impressed. Each song tackles no new territory in terms of subject matter - love and relationships etc. But Camila fuses Cabello's South American roots into the album, elevating the experience. More so, Cabello has seemingly 10 different voices, as she sings each song with the slightest subtlety, keeping things interesting and showing her smarts as a performer. Becoming vulnerable in the piano-driven "Consequences" and honest in "Real Friends," Cabello's voice elude an openness and airy sense; contrasting that is her confident, intrepid attitude in "Into It" and "Inside Out." Fleshing out the record with one of pop's finest in "Never Be The Same" and the contritely mellow guitar song, "All These Years," Camila satisfied me from start to finish. Its one of three pop albums this year that hooked from the get go and felt alive to me.
3. Voicenotes - Charlie Puth
Puth can now be considered a premiere writer, producer, and an overall heavy hitter with this colorful and mellow record. A tribute to the night lights of LA, Voicenotes has arguably the best melodies of any album from 2018, taking mere seconds for me to fall completely in to this summer record.
Puth is known for writing his songs within a flash-like ten minutes, and brilliantly creates one hook, line, and sinker after another as dream-like night sounds (paired with Puth's passionate vocals) elevate Voicenotes to highs rarely seen in pop. While many of his lyrics could be seen as two dimensional, its obvious Puth isn't trying to be the next Shakespeare of song writing. Instead, Puth takes commonplace themes (broken relationships, club life, and trudging through life) and puts them to some of the catchiest and most appealing progressions, bass lines, and melodies in recent memory; songs like "How Long," "Attention," and "Empty Cups" best represent these aspects (though every track is superb) bringing a sense of continuity to the album. The cherry on top is that, like a perfect marriage, Puth chooses and matches his three featured artists with songs that show off their strengths in "If You Leave Me Now," "Done For Me," and "Change."
Voicenotes is one of the more well produced albums I've heard in a while, as Puth constructs flowing R&B rhythms and colorfully mixed pop sounds; to think that Puth had most of the control regarding the albums creation shows us his growth as an artist. Strung and tied together in a sense that's both tight but open and non-constrictive, Voicenotes is the epitome of great pop and I'll go the extra mile to say this: its the only perfect pop record.
2. Youngblood - 5 Seconds of Summer
Not a fan of boy bands. Just isn't my style typically. Well when multiple friends told me to check out "Moving Along" by 5 Seconds of Summer because I should learn the bass line for it (I play bass), I was reluctant to say the least. I always knew who they were and didn't ever give them the time of day. And when listening to their older stuff...I was right not to.
But I was totally digging the song recommended by my friends. It wasn't boy bandish. But now a sophisticated rock-pop band incorporating smart lyrics and good musical chemistry with each other. Next thing I knew I was jamming out to Youngblood, and despite its 16 long track list, it flew by and I knew it would be a contender for one of my favorite records. The order and choices made for each song is great - even the album cover just fits the pictures and colors I imagine when listening to each song. The group approaches each song with care and there's something for everyone. You want simple but sad? "Lie To Me" is for you. Oh you like dark, sinister, and edgy? "Valentine" will scratch those itches for you. "Better Man," Why Won't You Love Me," and "Ghost Of You" bring a sense of exposure and reflection to the record. Classic radio-esque hits like "Youngblood" and "Want You Back" hit all the right notes to be enjoyed by most anyone while "If Walls Could Talk" and "Empty Wallets" deliver nice fast paced melodies that will stay in your head.
Youngblood has fantastic vocals from all the members who perform their roles with excellency rarely seen from artists this young. You can tell they wanted to shed their previous persona. But unlike many other artists, 5sos doesn't "go dark" alongside the other aspects people normally mistake maturing musically for. Instead Youngblood is just...well...BETTER. They've grown up but they are still the same four guys. They haven't put down the past, or tried to shove it under the carpet, but instead progressed from it, and from their cocoons (aka boyish appeal), have emerged confident, strong, and ready to take any audience by storm.
1. Trench - Twenty One Pilots
Trench wipes the floor with every record out there in 2018. A skilled, masterful stroke of genius from track to track, frontman Tyler Joseph pens maybe his best poetry to date. Creating a concept album that immerses you in the fictional world of Trench and DEMA as we follow the war between Nico and the Niners (bishops who tyrannically control the city) and the Banditos (the secret rebellion). But of course, like all their music, its all a metaphor as TOP continues speaking to issues of insecurity, faith, and suicide to name a few.
Trench breaks from traditional music, cooking up a breath of fresh air that takes you for one heck of a ride. Hitting the ground running in the rock heavy "Jumpsuit" that is borderline screamo but perfectly sung by Joseph, we then take it back a step for the rest of the album. In the past, TOP would start at a level 10, and then stay there. Its great, but tiring on the ears. The musical diversity over the course of the next 13 tracks, however, is engaging and meaty, going from alternative rock, hip hop, pop rock, R&B, reggae, electropop, rap rock, and pop, with elements of jazz thrown in for kicks and giggles.
The themes and lyrical presence of Joseph makes Trench more than great music, but instead, revolutionary art that isn't rivaled by any one working. While most artists conform to their lanes, ensuring they remain loved, Twenty One Pilots continue to play outside the lines drawn by pop culture in this record, acting as the 21st century's version of the Beatles in music and Bob Dylan in writing.
Edible but heavy and rich in taste and flavor, Trench delivers a masterclass in all aspects of music; it stays with you and envelops your mind, breaking it down and putting it back together in a liberating way.
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