Top 25 Songs of 2018 (So Far...)

Hello once again! It feels like yesterday I was doing this list for 2017, but here we are with 2018's list! I did this a bit earlier this time as there are so many great songs coming out, and I felt an urgent desire to rank them. Hopefully you enjoy reading/listening and making a list of your own. Also, once again, I don't own any of the audio/video content posted. Thanks for reading, and let's get started!

25) Hailu Mergia - Lala Belu

The eponymous track off of Hailu Mergia's latest is an eccentric foray into a genre that doesn't get enough love: World music. There are hints of jazz, fusion, and experimental genres sprinkled throughout this track. It almost feels like a celebration of various genres with the vocal shouts introducing themselves at certain moments in the music. Pure fun to listen to.

24) A Perfect Circle - TalkTalk

The great thing about TalkTalk is that it's a fairly typical song for A Perfect Circle. But that's good! Typical isn't usually all that great, but for a band coming out with its first album in a long time, it's nice to have that familiarity, and the song builds to this explosive chorus. It just feels good to have them back and making music again.

23) First Aid Kit - Rebel Heart

Kicking off First Aid Kit's newest album, Ruins, Rebel Heart is both catchy and alluring. Parts of country and pop mesh with wonderful vocal harmonies to create an infectious tune that turns into this driving conclusion around the 3:50 mark. This shift introduces other instruments to bring this lovely song to a more spirited close. You'll have this one in your head for a while.

22) Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 - Black Times (Feat. Carlos Santana)

Featuring the guitar work of the legendary Carlos Santana, Black Times is a soulful lesson on the importance of recognizing Black History. The guitar licks flowing through the Afrobeat dynamic are pure ear candy, while the deep-rooted message is delivered with the utmost clarity, allowing Black Times to be an important song both instrumentally as well as educationally.

21) Gleb Kolyadin - Insight

The pianist from Iamthemorning has released his own solo effort, and Insight leads off the album in extraordinary fashion. It's challenging, yet accessible at the same time, and always fun to listen to. Gleb surrounds himself with top-notch musicians, including Gavin Harrison, whose drumming is instantly recognizable and fitting for the music presented here. It's a wonderful debut with electronic and fusion elements combined with classical components, giving the record a distinct flavour in the art-progressive genre.

20) Courtney Barnett - Need a Little Time

Courtney Barnett's latest single feels like a refreshing modern take on alternative music, with a twist of grunge thrown in for good measure. It's not too grimy, but it does have a bit of a harder edge, which is awesome to hear. Her voice complements the songwriting flawlessly, which gives Courtney an edge over other alternative artists at the moment.

19) Anderson .Paak - 'Til It's Over

With Malibu, Anderson .Paak proved that he was an artist to watch, with an album of gorgeous R&B/neo-soul/hip-hop songs. Now, he's moving forward, and 'Til It's Over, his newest single, is showing that his music is no fluke. It feels as though he's pushing the boundaries of modern R&B music, if you can even call it that anymore. This is exciting, intoxicating stuff right here. His new album should light up the scene once again later this year.

18) Wye Oak - It Was Not Natural

Wye Oak's second single from their upcoming album has a bit of a sentimental feel to it, with the mid-tempo shuffling allowing Jenn Wasner to cast her line out to those listening intently. Wasner has such a unique singing voice and I always love to hear how she approaches each song. She seems to be in her comfort zone a bit here, but it's still a lovely performance.

17) Anna von Hausswolff - Ugly and Vengeful

I'll warn you now, this song is over 16 minutes long. So, you'll have to be committed to listening to it. All that said, it is a lengthy song which will envelop you, spook you, and make you smile. It's haunting and noisy at times, but quiet and blissful at others. If you like songs that give you a feeling of being surrounded, then this one will be right up your alley.

16) Vince Staples & Yugen Blakrok - Opps

The second song on the Black Panther soundtrack, Opps is a banger. The beat almost has a tribal feeling to it, and it is just powerful. Kendrick Lamar assists with some lyricism of his own on this track, which makes it all the more worthwhile to listen to.

15) Natalie Prass - Short Court Style

For Natalie's second album, it sounds like she's going to tap into a bit more pop/R&B than what was showcased on her debut. Short Court Style is a bouncy pop number that is instantly memorable, with a chorus that gives the listener an opportunity to clap along and have a good time. But really, the whole song inspires good feelings and sing-along moments.

14) Cynic - Humanoid

It's so nice to have new music from Cynic, especially after it seemed like they might be done with new projects. Humanoid takes us in a bit more of a hard-hitting direction than that of their 2014 effort, Kindly Bent To Free Us. It's heavier and more concise, but with that unbelievable instrumentation that has been a Cynic trademark since the band began making music in the late 80's. Let's hope this leads to a new album.

13) Tee Lopes - Egg Reverie Zone

This is a bit of a cheat, as this song comes from a video game soundtrack (Sonic Mania). However, this song is an instrumental delight and insanely playful! It almost feels like an amalgam of Sonic The Hedgehog and Mega Man music blended together, which is fun as hell. It has cool guitar licks to accent the wacky keyboard playing, and the song is just all over the place. However, it comes together splendidly, making this a ton of fun to listen to. You'll be humming along in no time.

12) Shabaka Hutchings - Black Skin, Black Masks

You won't even realize that seven minutes have gone by when you listen to this track by Shabaka Hutchings. Released on the compilation album, We Out Here, which celebrates the contemporary jazz movement in Britain, Black Skin, Black Masks is meaningful contemporary jazz at its best. In fact, I'm going to be doing an article about Shabaka and some of the other British jazz musicians fairly shortly because there are so many artists in that scene that are worth many listens. So stay tuned for that.

11) Hollie Cook - Stay Alive

Here's a genre I haven't been in touch with too much: Reggae! But this is so cool to listen to, it almost feels like it's spacey, or cosmic in a way. At the same time, it's melodic, deliberate, and jazzy. You could easily chill out to this song, or you could get up and dance. I don't see how anyone could listen to this song and not like it. I seem giddy just talking about it. It has everything going for it, including the cartoony/psychedelic artwork that accompanies the music as the cover art. It also features in the video down below!

10) Joe Armon-Jones - Starting Today

Like Shabaka Hutchings, Joe Armon-Jones is part of the booming contemporary jazz scene in Britain. And much like Shabaka's offering on my list, this song goes by in no time, even with its 9-minute length. However, this longer tune has lyrics and is an uplifting, energetic example of free-flowing jazz. The instrumentation on this track is sublime, combining soulful expression and technical brilliance. I cannot wait to hear what the rest of this album has to offer.

9) Soccer Mommy - Your Dog

I just heard about this album a few days ago. After hearing one song (Your Dog), I was absolutely hooked. This is the best kind of alternative music. No bullshit, catchy, and simple, with a little bit of attitude thrown in. But not too much! Its simplicity is not a knock either. You hear the guitar lick that opens the song and it is instantly stuck in your head. Not to mention the bass, which is chunky as hell. It's delicious. This band has already made quite an impression on me, making me check out the album immediately after hearing this song.

8) Natalia Lafourcade - Danza De Gardenias

Natalia's new work goes right into traditional Latino folk music, and it is absolutely lovely. I've always enjoyed this kind of music, but Natalia makes it even more enticing, and makes me want to dance along, which is always quite an achievement in itself! I have no idea what she's saying or how she's saying it, but her new Musas albums have been rooted in the celebration of traditional Mexican music, which is a bit of a refreshing change of pace!

7) Sirintip - Wolves

This track is heavenly and it's from an album that wasn't even on my radar this year. It possesses a subtle electronic expression while the vocals take over. And they really take over. Her voice is incredibly soothing, and the vocal passages are perfectly strewn across the soundscape. Wolves is a hauntingly beautiful song with a variety of textures sprinkled throughout each passage. This song is proof that not all electronic music needs to substitute substance for flashiness.

6) Judas Priest - Traitors Gate

My favourite metal entry on my list is from the fiery (heh) new Judas Priest album, Firepower. Traitors Gate is Judas Priest at their absolute best. Great riffs, amazing lead guitar wizardry, and vocals that soar above and beyond what you'd expect from a man in his 60's. Throw in some great production and you have yourselves an excellent metal track from an excellent album.

5) Charlotte Day Wilson - Let You Down

Oh, Charlotte. This woman is unbelievable. Her first EP, CDW, was a breath of fresh air for me. She combined elements of pop, electronic, gospel, and soul, all in one sweet package. On Let You Down, from her second EP, Charlotte goes even further with this sound, changing up some of the production approaches and delivering something even more memorable. Her voice continuously sends chills up and down my spine, and I don't get chills that often. I can't say enough about this gal. I just wish she had a full-length album on the way. Hopefully someday. Go check her out!

4) Neko Case - Hell-On

Neko is finally back with solo songs! Hell-On feels like Neko's take on a fairy tale, but with her own twisted lyricism. However, I mean that in a nice way. The song has a floaty quality to it, not unlike something in a musical, with Neko's vocals providing that stable equilibrium throughout. I adore the production on this song as well. There's something about how her and her band sound that makes the song feel quite organic and natural, which is always going to get a stamp of approval from yours truly.

3) Janelle Monáe - Django Jane

This song is vicious, and I mean that in the best way possible. Janelle unleashes a song full of confidence, with sharp lyrics and imagery. Seriously, just listen to the lyrics closely and you'll be smiling from ear to ear before the song is over. The hard beat is almost sinister as the song doesn't relent for over three minutes. This is one of those songs where the music and the video go perfectly together to compel the audience and give them something unforgettable. If this is the direction Janelle is going in, then I am strapping myself in for a hell of a ride when her new album drops in April. I just hope the whole album has this kind of ferocity to it.

2) Kimbra - Human

What? Kimbra isn't number one on the list?! For anyone who knows me, this would be a shock. I have no doubts that she'll be releasing one of the best albums of the year with Primal Heart. However, she narrowly gets beaten on this list, and I mean narrowly. Human is an incredibly vulnerable song about human expression and true emotion under the shroud of uncertainty. It has a wacky beat, and that wackiness intertwines with genuine sincerity and hymn-like flourishes. Just like Janelle Monáe, Kimbra's music and visuals come together wonderfully, something that has always been a bit of a trademark with her. Plus, who can go wrong with TWO Kimbras in one video?!

1) U.S. Girls - Rosebud

Meg Remy and co. have produced one of the most addictive songs that I have ever heard. The evolution from a noise project to this kind of songwriting is marvelous, The staccato strings and calm guitar chords create a constant push and pull of tension and easiness throughout. Meg knows the perfect approach when singing, either complementing the guitars or matching the zig-zag of the strings. Meanwhile, the beat is just as catchy, acting as more than simply a backbone for the song. I'm not sure if any other song will come along and oust this as my number one, but I'm looking forward to finding out. In the meantime, check out the new U.S. Girls album, because it's full of terrific songs!

And there you have it, folks! My top 25 songs of 2018 as of the beginning of April! I'm sure many will have their own lists and completely disagree with mine. But hey, that's music for ya. It's always fun to discuss and see which artists are enjoyed by others. Hope you enjoyed reading!