Top 10 Songs of 2018

In no particular order:

Bad Bad Hats – "Write It On Your Heart"
So happy to see a new album from this band. Kerry Alexander is such a great songwriter; it was hard to choose just one track from Lightning Rod.

Childish Gambino – "This Is America"
Not only a powerful song, but an important one.

Gang of Youths – "Let Me Down Easy"
The irony of this song's title is that the song itself is so uplifting. Leave it to David Le'aupepe to write something honest and heartfelt that leaves you feeling optimistic nonetheless.

Janelle Monáe – "Pynk" (feat. Grimes)
Could have picked anything from Monáe's excellent Dirty Computer. "Is she the GOAT?" The proof is in the work.

Low Cut Connie – "Beverly"
We know that Adam Weiner can write rocking soul stompers; this one showcases Weiner and company's prowess as soulful balladeers.

Mitski – "Nobody"
There's something classic about Mitski's crooning on this one. The chorus invites singing along.

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats – "You Worry Me"
Love the slow burn on this one; the titular line doesn't show up until the driving outro.

Phosphorescent – "New Birth in New England"
Part of a crop of what one may call a neo-Yacht Rock, but I hesitate to use that term because Yacht Rock is typically pegged to a particular time period and its appreciation seems ironic. Our friends at NPR Music have attempted to dub this emerging genre "roséwave" — whatever you call it, it sounds great.

Rayland Baxter – "Casanova"
A super catchy song from summer, the "back to the hole / that I came from" refrain lodges itself in the brain (in a good way).

Rex Orange County – "Loving Is Easy"
Another entrant in the needs-a-name-so-this-will-do roséwave genre (q.v.), a lighthearted song that seems to be about being happy in love, colorfully describing the feeling as being "f****d up."

Honorable Mention

Amanda Shires – "Leave It Alone"
Super catchy tune from Shires' innovative new album, To The Sunset.

Chance the Rapper – "Work Out"
If I missed a chance to go running, this song was my consolation. Chance gives us a song about feeling OK, even when we slip up.

Lord Huron – "Wait By the River"
A gentle and easy-flowing tune evocative of its riparian title and refrain.