As Part 2 for this year, here’s my distilled list of favorite songs from 2018. There’s one track I left off the list that absolutely deserves recognition. Childish Cambino’s “This Is America” should probably be on top of everyone’s list but I wasn’t sure what I could say about it that hadn’t already been written much more eloquently and its certainly had plenty of media attention already. So, with that notable exception, I tried to capture the individual tracks I played the most and the songs that kept getting stuck in my head on repeat.
Favorite Songs of 2018
1. “Danny Nedelko,” IDLES – Sounding as if it were a lost track from the late 70’s second wave of punk, this is a quintessential masterpiece of the genre. But just like the best punk, this song punches directly through to the frustrations of the moment – populism gone awry, Brexit and Trump inspired hate.
2. “Bad Bad News,” Leon Bridges – In a year that’s been filled with dark, depressing news, things have often seemed overwhelming, like there’s no point in looking forward. Then comes a badass groove and Bridges’ smooth as silk vocals like a miracle cure.
3. “What a Time to Be Alive,” Superchunk – The title may be tongue-in-cheek but Superchunk has made a track (and corresponding album) that’s energizing at the same time it’s calling out all the B.S.
4. “Suburbia,” Press Club – A straightforward garage rock anthem from Down Under that I kept singing in my head all year.
5. “Nina Cried Power,” Hozier feat. Mavis Staples – Anthemic rock gospel that sounds like a modern remake of a 60’s protest song.
6. “Over Rainbows and Rainier,” Damien Jurado – Jurado’s gentle, quiet wish for salvation and a better future. Something to soothe the heart.
7. “Everybody Wants to Be Famous,” Superorganism – Like a quirky nursery rhyme turned into EDM. This is infectious alt-pop poking fun at society (and itself).
8. “Peach Scone,” Hobo Johnson – Frank Lopes Jr. oozes goofy charisma like the slightly spassy art geek kid in class who may not have been popular but you couldn’t help rooting for.
9. “Happy Man,” Jungle – Have you lost your swagger? Need to add a little strut to your walk? Here you go.
10. “Love It If We Made It,” The 1975 – Filled with 80’s influences (am I the only one reminded of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and even a bit of R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World As We Know It”?) it’s the driving rhythm and a simple urgency in the chorus that make this track undeniably catchy.
Not More Music Crap? 