FEATURE:
Prime Cuts
IN THIS PHOTO: Kendrick Lamar and SZA (who collaborated on one of this year’s biggest tracks, All the Stars)/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
2018’s Ten Finest Tracks
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BECAUSE we are almost at the end of 2018...
IN THIS PHOTO: Christine and the Queens’ (Héloïse Letissier) stunning single, Girlfriend (ft. Dâm-Funk), is a typically excellent offering from her acclaimed album, Chris/PHOTO CREDIT: Jamie Morgan
it is the time when many are collating their favourite albums and singles. There is a lot of activity and, whilst there is some consensus, there are some surprises to be found - and it shows what a variety has been provided this year. I have already decided my favourite albums of 2018 but the tracks side of things has been harder! Whilst I agree with a lot of articles regarding the best tracks of the year; there are a couple that have not been included that warrant fonder appreciation. I have kept it to a lean ten as to focus down and not get too carried away – and it was really hard to hone my selections down. Here are some truly awesome songs that show what 2018 has been all about: its variation, passion and strength. I wonder, given the brilliant songs that have arrived this year, whether next year...
IN THIS PHOTO: IDLES (whose year-defining album, Joy as an Act of Resistance, boasts such fierce treasures as Danny Nedelko)/PHOTO CREDIT: Heather McCutcheon for Loud and Quiet
CAN match its fantastic example.
ALL OTHER IMAGES/PHOTOS: Getty Images
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Childish Gambino – This Is America
Release Date: 5th May, 2018
Labels: mcDJ; RCA
Writers: Donald Glover and Ludwig Göransson
Genres: Trap/Afrobeat
Robyn – Honey
Release Date: 26th September, 2018
Label: Konichiwa
Writers: Robyn, Klas Åhlund and Markus Jägerstedt
Genre: Pop
IDLES – Danny Nedelko
Release Date: 5th June, 2018
Label: Partisan
Writer: Joe Talbot
Genre: Post-Punk
Let’s Eat Grandma – Hot Pink
Release Date: 30th January, 2018
Label: Transgressive Records
Writers: Jenny Hollingworth, Rosa Walton; SOPHIE and Faris Badwan
Genres: Avant-Pop/Synth-Pop
Kacey Musgraves – High Horse
Release Date: 25th June, 2018
Label: MCA Nashville
Writers: Kacey Musgraves, Trent Dabbs and Tommy English
Genre: Country-Pop
Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
Release Date: 23rd July, 2018
Label: Domino
Writer: Alex Turner
Genres: Lounge-Pop/Space-Pop
Christine and the Queens (ft. Dâm-Funk) - Girlfriend
Release Date: 17th May, 2018
Label: Because
Writers: Héloïse Letissier (Christine and the Queens) and Dâm-Funk
Genres: Pop-Funk/Pop
Billie Marten – Mice
Release Date: 9th September, 2018
Labels: Chess Club; RCA Victor
Writer: Billie Marten
Genres: Folk/Singer-Songwriter
Kendrick Lamar & SZA - All the Stars
Release Date: 4th January, 2018
Labels: Top Dawg; Aftermath; Interscope
Writers: Kendrick Duckworth, Mark Spears; Al Shuckburgh, Solána Rowe and Anthony Tiffith
Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap
Janelle Monáe – Make Me Feel
Release Date: 22nd February, 2018
Labels: Wondaland; Bad Boy; Atlantic
Writers: Janelle Monáe, Mattias Larsson; Robin Fredriksson, Justin Tranter and Julia Michaels
Genres: Pop/Hip-Hop/Funk