2018 has been a good year. For me, it’s been jam-packed with new things and experiences. I learned to drive this year and got my first car. I’ve had two amazing holidays, to New Orleans for Mardi Gras back in February and for a week with friends in Portugal. I managed to get one of these blog posts featured in the Sunday Mail. I’ve also been lucky enough to see just about all my favourite bands live this year (LCD Soundsystem, CHVRCHES, The Killers, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Lorde and, for the last time ever, Runrig).
As per usual, music has played a big part in giving my year some sort of soundtrack – proving some extra meaning to some of the best, and worst moments that have gone by.
I don’t often do this, but I think a running theme through this list is that of collaboration – where two artists have come together to make a song that suits them both and is brilliant in its own right. It might be something that’s more common nowadays, but it is noticeable through this list. Another interesting realisation I had was that as far as I can tell all of the songs on this list either are female vocalist only, or have female vocalists as the lead.
Read on to discover the best and brightest songs of 2018 (with a playlist at the end!):
40. Kacey Musgraves – “High Horse”
Kicking off 2018’s list with some spurs is this disco-country special from Kacey Musgraves. Her album “Golden Hour” released back in March is the critics’ choice as number 1 for the year, and it really does show her incredible talent as a genre-spanning singer-songwriter (although for me her best work is still 2015’s Pageant Material).
This tune is a fun and sassy take on people that get too big for their boots, and it manages to take them down while having one of the most enthusiastic and fun songs you’ll hear this year.
39. Cliq – “Wavey” (feat. Alika)
“Wavey” falls squarely into the “hype songs” category as one of the tunes that can kickstart a party or a night out. It’s dark, it’s dancey and it’s designed in such a way that makes it so, so catchy. It has lots of different layers to it, from Alika leading you on throughout the song, the drops that slow themselves down and then a good bass section towards the end.
If you ever need a bit of motivation for a Saturday night, this will set you in the right direction.
38. Hailee Steinfeld & Bloodpop – “Capital Letters”
By no means am I fan of the 50 Shades of Grey films (and I guess not many people are judging from their reviews), but one thing they’ve actually done quite well on is their soundtracks. Each film has had a relatively successful hit come out of the soundtrack. “Capital Letters” follows on this trend, pairing up one of pop’s most underrated singers Hailee Steinfeld with an upcoming producer Bloodpop. It’s simple, it’s cheery and it’s fun – you’ll have “up baby, up we go” stuck in your head for ages after listening to it.
37. Camila Cabello – “She Loves Control” [2017]
With each passing month Camila Cabello’s decision to go it solo and leave Fifth Harmony looks better, as her smash hit album and recurring features have catapulted her to the A-list of modern music. This is one of the more energetic Latin-inspired songs on her album Camila, and shows off her vocal talents as well as having a good beat through it.
36. CHVRCHES – “Graves”
Love is Dead is an album born of the current political climate we live in, and for the first time Lauren Mayberry’s opinions on the wider world come through on songs like this one. References like “bodies washing up on the shore” and “sitting high on your throne and keeping an eye on the door” don’t require Sherlock Holmes to figure out, but all the while the message behind the song is very fun, upbeat and positive, about not giving in to that. I think it’s a very clever way of dealing with more grandiose subjects, and above all it’s just a good song.
35. CHVRCHES – “Get Out”
This was the first track released in advance of Love is Dead, and as such it really did set the expectations from the album, and in many ways it was a rather fitting summary of the album.
Its production is a cut above even the highly-polished Every Open Eye, and the vocals from Lauren Mayberry really are top-notch. It sounds really really good, but the songwriting lets things down a little – with a bit too much repetition.
Overall, I think it does stand out as one of the best on the album, but it’s not as good as it could have been.
34. Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa – “One Kiss”
If you listened to the radio at all this summer you’ll have heard this one from Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa. Harris has been experimenting with lots of different music types over the last few years, and this year he seems to have settled on “90s revival” – and this collaboration is probably his best attempt at capturing the mood he’s going for, and producing a good song out of it.
Dua Lipa’s probably one of the biggest singers in the world right now, and even though it’s a rather “flat” song she delivers one of the catchiest performances to have graced the charts in 2018.
33. Diplo & MØ– “Get It Right”
As far as a winning combination of musicians go, there’s not many more successful than Diplo and MØ. “Lean On” was practically everywhere in 2015, and then “Cold Water” in 2016 was almost as ubiquitous. Again here, on “Get It Right” her vocals float above the rather calming verses, which build into a much more fun and fast-paced drop that inspires a sense of confidence and happiness.
32. Clean Bandit – “Solo” (feat. Demi Lovato)
Ever since they first hit the charts in 2014, Clean Bandit have skewed ever more on to the pop side of music rather than their original electronic style, but I feel with “Solo” they turned back the clock a bit. At it’s core it’s a rather run-of-the-mill song about self-love (ahem), but the production is really good and Demi Lovato is utilised perfectly as a guest singer along with the sound effects in the chorus which definitely helped it stand-out, so much so that it was the most Shazamed song of the year.
31. Avicii – “Silhouettes” [2012]
One of the saddest things to have happened this year was the untimely death of Avicii. I must admit that I hadn’t always been the biggest fan of his music, but his position as a trailblazer for modern dance music is undeniable, and his music always had a very definitive sound that made him stand out from the crowd.
Discovering some of his older classics, this was naturally one of the first ports of call. It’s a song that almost everyone will know, that’s formed the basis of so much Scandi dance music since its release – but even now it still sounds fresh and fun.
30. MK x Jonas Blue x Becky Hill – “Back and Forth”
As always, this MK song is one of the best pure dance songs of the year. He’s enlisted Becky Hill, who you’ll remember from Oliver Helden’s “Gecko (Overdrive” a few years ago, and Jonas Blue, purveyor of very forgettable tunes, to make what is a really fun and simple song.
The lyrics tell a story of a relationship that’s breaking down, but there seems to be something holding them together, as everything sounds rather warm and the drops seem soft and energetic at the same time.
29. Silk City – “Electricity” (feat. Dua Lipa)
In a year of collaboration, this one features three amazing artists coming together – Diplo and Mark Ronson under the moniker of Silk City, accompanied by Dua Lipa.
Calvin Harris has being trying to corner the 90s revival market, even enlisting Dua on “One Kiss” as featured earlier, but this song does the job far better. It’s got a really nice flow throughout the song, not pacing itself too hard as a dance song, but also not taking things too slowly either. Dua Lipa’s vocals are allowed to shine through, while the fantastic production that you’d expect does it’s best to enhance every element of the song.
28. Dynoro & Gigi D’Agostino – “In My Mind”
Taking a dance classic and making another remix of it, Lithuanian DJ Dynoro has done very well with his first major hit. It’s an overwhelmingly dark sound this song has, but it really does work to instil a powerful and ominous sound throughout. The drop’s distinctive melody is still there, and while it’s not as triumphant or as fun as the originals, it really captures the imagination.
27. Camila Cabello – “Never Be the Same” [2017]
Another one from Camila Cabello’s sterling first solo effort, this takes a slower and more emotional look through a relationship, and showcases her vocal range from the rather deep verses to the soaring choruses.
I think this one does a brilliant job of showing a range of emotions as well involved in a relationship, and the chorus showing the depth of feeling and yearning she feels within that. There’s a signature voice crack in the choruses that makes this all the more real, and helps make it the magnificent song it is.
26. Superorganism – “Everybody Wants to Be Famous”
One of my favourite new artists from this year is Superorganism, whose brand of weird electronica sets them apart stylistically but also gives them some tunes that you just wouldn’t find anywhere else. Arguably the most normal of them is “Everybody Wants to Be Famous”, which bubbles along whilst having a sense of angst and drama that still feels so upbeat all the way through.
25. LCD Soundsystem – “i want your love”
LCD Soundsystem made a phenomenal return last year with American Dream, but as good as hearing their new stuff live has been, one of the new highlights of their shows has been their cover of Chic’s classic “I Want Your Love”. Luckily for fans like me, they recorded the tune as part of their Spotify Sessions in September.
Segueing smoothly from one of their finest tunes, “Home”, Nancy Whang takes the lead on this disco-driven love song and nails it perfectly. The classic LCD style of building a song up makes what’s already a good song into one that feels like theirs from the beginning.
24. Ariana Grande – “thank u, next”
Yet again it’s been a rather tumultuous year for Ariana Grande. She’s had to deal with more than her fair share of tragedy in 2017 & 2018, but still she’s managed to increase her profile as probably the pop icon around with her album “Sweetener”.
As if that wasn’t enough though, months later she released “thank u, next”, which is a mature and incredibly sympathetic worldview of forgiveness for the people in her life, boiled down into a perfect 3-minute pop song. It’s no wonder that it’s taken on a life of it’s own in pop culture, and been an earworm for just about everyone who’s heard it.
23. Tim Berg – “Seek Bromance” [2010]
Before the name Avicii became one of the most recognised dance artists in the world, the man went by a shortened version of his own name. This initial demo laid the foundations for the style of music that went on to make EDM in his own image, and has a rawness to it that makes it all the more appealing.
Even eight years on, it sounds fresh and contemporary, in a way that almost all of Avicii’s songs do, and that’s why it’s been nice to rediscover this for 2018.
22. Sigala – “Just Got Paid” (feat. Ella Eyre, Meghan Trainor & French Montana)
Payday is arguably the best day of the month, and the feeling of getting off work on the last Friday of the month with your bank account that bit healthier is pretty unbeatable. “Just Got Paid” takes this feeling and adds some brilliantly catchy beats to it, and some suitably twee lyrics that send you off into the night ready to take on the world. This will always be able to pick you up, even if you’re hungover and that payday is still weeks away…
21. Cheat Codes & Little Mix – “Only You”
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I actually quite like Little Mix. This song has the bonus of taking one of their songs and making it seem like a remixed version, with Cheat Codes supplying a more solid EDM rush through it all to make it that bit more interesting.
It ebbs and flows nicely and then the drop is really good, bridging the gap nicely between a pure pop song and one of Cheat Codes’ more dance-orientated ones.
20. Seeb & Dagny – “Drink About”
“Drink About” is a song about trying to let go of someone on your mind, even if it’s impossible, and it does a fantastic job at conveying the emotions behind it all. Dagny is a brilliant singer, and she shows her range of skills here so well between the calmer and rational view of the situation, and the pained and emotional chorus.
Seeb is the DJ behind the song and does really well to accentuate these feelings, giving the drops a more manic feel whilst leaving the verses to drive themselves on. It’s really well-crafted and a great listen.
19. Major Lazer – “Blow That Smoke” (feat. Tove Lo)
Tove Lo is one of my favourite pop singers, with the voice of an angel and the heart of a devil, and this song leaves her squarely in the middle between those two. It’s a “traditional” Major Lazer song, bringing a lovely tropical vibe throughout while also being about weed – but it’s just as radio-friendly in its music as any other from the group.
It didn’t blow up in the way that other songs from Tove Lo’s contemporary MØ have, but it’s in the same ballpark and definitely worth listening to if you’re a fan.
18. Black Honey – “Midnight”
Perhaps not one you’ll have heard, this one was recommended to me by a friend and almost instantly went down as one of the best of the year. It’s got an incredibly futuristic rock feel to it, whilst having synthy undertones and a great vocalist taking you through. I think it’s a song you could play just about anywhere and get a positive reaction, on the radio, in a club or just anywhere.
Having listened to the rest of Black Honey’s debut album, it still stands out as the best of the bunch, and hopefully a sign of more to come.
17. Ariana Grande – “no tears left to cry”
For most of the year this was the flagship Ariana Grande song, as the lead single of her album Sweetener. It largely tells an uplifting story of her bounceback following an incredibly difficult 12 months, and it incorporates equal parts dreamy synths and sassy R&B elements.
All-in-all, it proves how she’s arguably the queen of modern pop music, as she pulls off what could be too emotional a tune with a level of fun that makes it a really endearing and replayable ong.
16. Wolf Alice – “Bros” [2013]
The winners of this year’s Mercury Music Prize, Wolf Alice broke into the mainstream of British music with a couple of their unique indie songs. It also brought back some of their original songs, like this fine song, “Bros”.
Much like “Seek Bromance” earlier in the list, it’s a really lovely song about a friendship full of love, with both spurring each other on and being there for each other through thick and thin. Lead singer Ellie Rowsell sounds amazing throughout the song, conveying each emotion effortlessly and providing the variation over a rather simple riff in the background.
15. CHVRCHES – “Wonderland”
CHVRCHES new album was a little bit disappointing, not quite hitting the electric highs or emotional lows that were found on their first two efforts, but “Wonderland” comes close. It has a strong energy running through it, that fades away into an ethereal chorus that exposes a fundamental “stick or twist” situation between accepting reality or continuing to dream. Closing out Love is Dead, it is a powerful reminder of the way CHVRCHES can still craft a song.
14. One Bit & Noah Cyrus – “My Way”
Noah Cyrus sounds almost exactly like her older sister Miley. It’s a compliment, and it’s enough to make you do a double-take here. But I think one of the song’s clear messages is that she’s different and trying to do things “My way”, and she does a very good job of being a singer on a dance track that manages to impart plenty of her own feeling on it.
The beat itself underneath is riffed from Mylo’s “Doctor Pressure”, but re-tooled nicely as a modern dance tune. It makes it very catchy, and it’s short, sharp energy rush made it a great song just to fire on throughout the year.
13. Nina Nesbitt – “Loyal To Me”
I’m really glad that Nina Nesbitt is back on the scene, as she is probably one of Scotland’s best vocal talents, and can write a brilliant tune too. This one is very basic, but this acoustic-feeling track is so good because it resonates so clearly. Essentially, it’s a girl-power track about not keeping together with a cheating boyfriend, but it’s written so well to take Nesbitt’s voice to different places throughout the track and giving it many more layers than what you’d initially expect.
12. Banx & Ranx & Ella Eyre – “Answerphone” (feat. Yxng Bane)
Another underrated talent singing about a poor boyfriend, Ella Eyre’s signature raspy voice is in full flow on this track. Banx & Ranx lay down a really good beat that ties in nicely with the themes of the song and lets Ella do her best over it, featuring a nice guest appearance to provide a little relief. On the whole it’s a really well put-together song, and you’ll not tire of listening to it.
11. Cardi B – “Bartier Cardi” (feat. 21 Savage) [2017]
Cardi B has been one of the biggest breakout stars over the last two years, going from a reality/Instagram star to being the hottest (female) rapper in the world right now. She’s genuinely very funny but has got immense talent as well, which have made her the pop culture sensation that she is.
“Bartier Cardi” shows off her darker side, bringing in a dark and dissy feel that isn’t too in line with her character. Being her second hit though, it makes sense for her to show that she has this club in her bag too, and she pulls it off spectacularly. It’s got some of the best flows you’ll hear in rap and is delivered with such confidence that you’d be mistaken for thinking she’s been around for ten years longer than she has been.
10. CNCO & Little Mix – “Reggaetón Lento” [2017]
This one might really be classed as more of a 2017 song, but I only finally relented to it this year. It features a boy-band v girl-band style of old, whilst featuring the almost mandatory Spanish infusion of pop music from this year. It’s remarkably catchy, doing the job of the slow groove that the song’s title suggests, and having a chorus that you can sing along to without speaking a word of Spanish.
Above all that though it’s slightly tongue-in-cheek and definitely very upbeat, so it’s one that even though you’ve heard it thousands of times before on the radio you’ll not fail to perk up when it rolls around again.
9. Riton & Kah-Lo – “Fake ID”
Some artists work together so well that all of their songs turn out to be a hit, think Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne. Riton and Kah-Lo are the same, with UK DJ Riton creating some amazing melodies and Nigerian rapper Kah-Lo providing some brilliant and unique flows over them.
This song was one of my first “car songs”, becoming a staple of my drives to or from work. Its’ unashamedly underground dance style is so good and lends itself really well to repeat plays, and this is definitely one of the most underrated songs of the year chart-wise.
8. M.O – “Bad Vibe” (feat. Lotto Boyzz & Mr Eazi)
Making a return this year, M.O’s “Bad Vibe” shows why their R&B flavoured pop is some of the best around. They only feature on the chorus, but it’s got such a summer vibe and a positive feeling to it that it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
The verses themselves also are built really well to make the most of the choruses, with the simple Latin beat behind it also doing it’s part.
7. Cardi B – “I Like It” (feat. Bad Bunny & J Balvin)
The epitome of this year’s Latin invasion of pop music, this is perhaps Cardi B’s most fun song and one that is so very addictive.
The beat behind it is riffed from a 50s song, and then it’s injected with plenty of bass and then skipped over by one of Cardi’s best flows. She’s full of her signature pomp and self-aggrandisement but also packs in a great chorus that’s always a highlight when featured.
This would be higher up on the list if it weren’t for Bad Bunny & J Balvin being so monotone and frankly uninteresting compared to Cardi, but nonetheless it’s still a bop.
6. Hailee Steinfeld & Alesso – “Let Me Go” (feat. Florida Georgia Line & watt) [2017]
Speaking of cultural fusion, this song features one of Sweden’s top DJs, the world’s upcoming pop singer, and country’s upcoming bands and manages to fit them all on a brilliant song.
The lyrics to this one are delivered in a really heartfelt way about trying to leave someone on a good note, and it’s underscored by a really nice and simple guitar-based verses before a soaring chorus from Alesso with voices singing over the top.
The whole song probably shouldn’t work as well as it does, but it is phenomenal, and one that’s been on repeat for most of the year.
5. Avicii – “What Would I Change It To?” (feat. AlunaGeorge) [2017]
The final Avicii entry on the list is also one from his final release last year. In his return EP, he made a collaboration that made the charts, but the best song was his one with AlunaGeorge. This is an incredibly moving song, about self-acceptance in the face of despair, and one that I felt captured a sort of positive message to take despite the tragic circumstances of Avicii’s death this year. One that’s going to stay with me for a while.
4. Sigala & Paloma Faith – “Lullaby”
There’s no dance artist like Sigala that can manages to make every song full of happiness and have it still be perfect for the dancefloor. “Lullaby” is a masterclass in dance music writing, with the choruses stringing you along perfectly with a lot of rhythm, the breakdowns having you sing along, and then the drop leaving you with a grin on your face.
Paloma Faith is actually one of the best singers around for these types of songs, as she proved years ago when she teamed up with Sigma for “Changing”. Here there’s a nice balance of using her voice and then hiding it away behind the beat, before culminating with bringing the two together. It manages to tell a story with the music that is refreshing and makes for an incredible tune.
3. Riton & Kah-Lo – “Up & Down”
This year’s match made in heaven, this song has been super addictive and a masterclass in how to build a dance song for a club. It’s repetitive enough to get the gist of quickly, it’s got some fun lyrics that flow brilliantly and then it’s got a fun and dancey chorus.
It’s simplicity itself, but it’s made for an excellent song that I couldn’t get enough of hearing, make it a staple of pretty much every music listening session I’ve had since its release.
2. Sigrid – “Strangers” [2017]
Young Scandinavian pop stars are a dime a dozen, but there’s something special about Sigrid. Even at a young age she’s writing and singing some of the best pop hits out there, and pulling it off with a whimsy and energy that’s magnetic. It’s impossible not to smile when listening to one of her songs.
“Strangers” is the pinnacle of her career so far, marrying a killer beat with an almost nursery rhyme verse structure that makes it irresistibly catchy. The breakdowns are so memorable, it’s got rather deep lyrics behind it all (“falling head over heels / for something that ain’t real” rings true for everyone at some point) and then it all builds to a fantastic finale.
1. Cardi B – “Bodak Yellow” [2017]
Quite often it can be a single song that launches a career into the stratosphere, and changes the face of a part of music as we know it. “Mr Brightside” still makes the charts in the UK as the triumph of indie pop as it introduced us to The Killers, “Levels” by Avicii more recently made EDM the staple of modern music that it is today. “Bodak Yellow” has done the same by reinventing our relationship with rap music.
Throughout the song it’s a tour-de-force of self-promotion, doing what rappers have always done. But Cardi B is so effortless in her execution and threatening with her words that she seems like a seasoned pro rather than an Instagram reality star making her first real strides in the game. Right from the off she’s at the throat of everyone else, and no matter when you hear it first you’re going to pay attention.
But whilst it can be quite a harsh song at times, it’s packed with a sense of humour as well. Within the tight rhymes there’s many lines that’ll trip you up and make you laugh.
The last song to hit this sort of level was Azealia Banks’ “212”, and while that is still one of my favourite songs, she never really quite captured that feeling in her songs again. With a string of hits under her belt even after “Bodak Yellow”, though, I think Cardi B’s story will be different.
So for another year, that’s that! Thanks very much for reading and until next year, when there’ll also be a list for my favourite songs for the decade, have a great time!
If you’d like to listen to all the songs above in the form of a Spotify playlist, you can find that below: