Alright, I've talked in detail about the music I hated in 2018 in detail, but what about the music I liked? Honestly, this was harder to make. I had originally planned for only 10 songs, but there was so much that I loved that I just had to do 20. There was no other way. That just shows you how much great music came from this year. Well, before we get going, here are a couple rules:
1. Only one song per EP or album. There can be more if there are separate albums, but there's none like that on here.
2. No songs that merely charted the highest in 2018; The songs needs to have been RELEASED IN 2018. No singles released in 2017 for 2018 albums.
3. I will either leave a link to the song right below the title and band or below the paragraph. It depends on whether or not Google will let me post it.
With that said, let's get started with the lead single to an album I'm very much anticipating. They came off of a mediocre 2017 release that's generally considered one of their weakest ever releases. Well, while this single was divisive, I couldn't help but love it.
20. Weezer - Can't Knock the Hustle (Pop Rock/Funk)
Well, here's an unpopular opinion; This song rules. The groove is really funky and fun, and while simple, it works perfectly. Rivers Cuomo sounds great vocally on this track as always, even if his lyrics are a little... off at times. This track is one of the few Weezer tracks to feature swearing and it does come off a little weird, but it doesn't bother me for whatever reason. It comes off rather charming, actually. I don't know if this is sarcastic or being real, but I like it for whatever reason. It's definitely not as "dark" as the upcoming Black Album has been teased to be, and while this can be disappointing, I like this new direction. I was tempted to put the follow-up single, Zombie Bastards, on here instead; However, I found this one to be more creative and thought out, while Zombie Bastards, even though I like it, has a bit of a generic pop feel. I do recommend checking that one out too, however. This is already looking better than 2017's mediocre Pacific Daydream. Here's hoping they stick the landing (Also, the music video with Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy is pretty funny).
Zombie Bastards: (I recommend this one too): Weezer - Zombie Bastards - YouTube
This next song is on an album with an interesting concept; It's a metalcore album with each song based on a classic horror movie. It's admittedly a bit cheesy, but that's what makes it so fun.
19. Ice Nine Kills - The Jig Is Up (Metalcore)
Oh, you want heavy homeboy? This is for you. This song and the album as a whole is absolutely terrific. This song is based on Saw, and it delivers on giving that high energy, vicious metal song that it promises. The vocals on this track, both clean and unclean, sound fantastic and add a nice dynamic to the track. The instrumentation is heavy as expected, but it also gives a nice theatrical vibe that fits in extremely well. The lyrics on the album as a whole can be overly cheesy at points, but it works here because it doesn't lean into the cheese quite as much as some of my least favorite cuts on that album. This will be too heavy for some, but it's still well composed and thoroughly engaging throughout.
Well, here's a relatively similar act that just got rather big on the rock scene, due to their cover of Zombie by The Cranberries blowing up and actually reaching the Billboard Hot 100. While I did enjoy their cover quite a bit, it was not the best song off their debut record...
18. Bad Wolves - Officer Down (Groove Metal)
Talk about vicious. While Bad Wolves Disobey was pretty heavy for the most part, the album's closer, Toast to the Ghost, sold me that this band can do amazing things for mainstream metal in the future. However, while that song was my favorite on the record, it was released as the lead single in 2017, so I picked the opener, Officer Down, instead. This song is also vicious and it's a great opener that, just like its closer, proved that this band has maximum potential for greatness. Tommy Vext really shows off his intense screams and his deep, impactful clean vocals and the band gets to show off their skills as well. What really sold me on the song were the surprisingly political lyrics. This talks about cops and their tendency towards gun violence, which doesn't apply to all cops mind you, but it does a great job conveying the message and leaves plenty of room for conversation and research after listening. Thought-provoking music from this genre doesn't come very often, and this was done really well.
Also, Toast to the Ghost, since it's awesome: Toast To The Ghost - YouTube
Okay, let's take a look at a band that was all over my worst lists this year. I really have a dislike for their newer material, which has had few bright spots. However, that does not stop me from putting a song this good on here.
17. Fall Out Boy - Lake Effect Kid (Pop/Rock)
What, a Fall Out Boy song on the best list? How could this happen? Because this song is awesome, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. While M A N I A was a terrible album, the band released the Lake Effect Kid EP, which wasn't perfect, but it did hold this absolute gem of a track. The guitar work is hard-hitting (For Fall Out Boy, that is), the vocals are great, and the hook is killer. It is standard old-school fare for them, but it was needed after the electropop dumpster fire that was M A N I A, and while they did lean into that on the EP, this song itself was a good return to form that made the EP worthwhile. Also, these guys needed a break from me. 3 entries on 2 worst lists? Yeah, this needed to make it.
Well, time to get heavy again. Yes, another metalcore song. Well, there's a reason this is on the list. While I didn't love the album this was on, this slayed absolutely for different reasons.
16. Architects - Hereafter (Metalcore)
Wow. The more I hear this song, the more I love it. While some may choose Royal Beggars or Death is Not Defeat, this song is the one that completely grabbed me. This track lyrically is about the band's guitarist, Tom Searle, who passed away after a battle with cancer. It's about not being able to escape his essence within you, and it's effective, especially when the chorus hits. The guitars thunder on into one of the best riffs of the year, and the bass and drums carry it very well. While the previously mentioned tracks on this record were great, this is the one that grabbed me the most and had me invested from the first few seconds.
Okay, time for more metalcore! Sorry, it was just a great year for this genre. This is from one of the defining acts of metalcore that may have drifted away from it, but they did give us this incredible continuation of their previous work.
15. Underoath - It Has To Start Somewhere (Hard Rock/Metalcore)
If you want some great, heavy music, this is one of the essential tracks of the year. Just. Wow. This song starts off swinging with some killer drumming on behalf of Aaron Gillespie, who completely showed off his talent behind the kit this year. It continues with the electronic elements subtly put in, as well as the great guitar work. Spencer Chamerlain's vocals are vicious and show a surprising amount of emotion, which really made the track for me.
Okay, time for something not metalcore! This is still within the rock genre, and my bias towards it is probably showing right about now. Anyway, this is a surprisingly emotion-driven cut from a man whose more well known for his encouraging, fun music.
14. Andrew W.K. - Total Freedom (Pop Rock/Hard Rock)
If you want a song that you can feel good while listening to while feeling somewhat emotional, this is the song for you. Here, Andrew W.K reflects on times when you didn't care who had "more or less or was cool or not". His vocals are great here and add a wonderful energy to the track, especially in the chorus. The instrumentation is also great, especially the keyboards and piano, which give it that extra emotional spark. Just a really great power ballad.
Okay, time for something NOT ROCK OR METAL! I first heard of this artist through another song that showed up on the lower half of the Hot 100 this year. While that particular song, you should see me in a crown, was a contender for the list and remains one of my favorite tracks of the year, this one just did even more for me.
13. Billie Eilish - when the party's over (Pop/Alternative Pop)
I can see why Billie Eilish has been getting so much attention over the last year; She's got potential, and this song proves it. Her singing is more subtle than most modern pop singers, and she has a unique presence that reminds me of Lorde (For those who read my Melodrama review, you know that's a good thing). The atmosphere of this song is depression, sadness, and subtle rage, which remain effective and entrancing throughout. The background vocals are really pretty, and the lead vocals are all great at capturing this emotion. The production is very subtle, but very good and surprisingly intricate for such a minimalist song. I look forward her debut album, which should be coming out early next year. She released an EP in 2017 that was good, but this is way above basically anything off of that. Definitely check this out.
Okay, back to metal! This really isn't metalcore, although this band has definitely inspired countless rip-offs and inspired other genuinely good bands. After much anticipation, they dropped the lead single to their new album, and boy, is it a banger!
12. Slipknot - All Out Life (Nu-Metal/Thrash Metal)
The band that scared many a overprotective moms in the 2000s, Slipknot returns with a vicious, heavy, and fun single. Every second of this song is amazing front to back; The guitar riffs, the drums, and Corey Taylor's killer vocals. I love the lyrics where Taylor talks about how he's right about "everything I've said", and his vocals sell it completely. This is a pretty standard Slipknot track, but it's a great one!
The Song: All Out Life - YouTube
This next track is somewhat similar to the Slipknot track; It's a band that's been going at it for a while, and it is a standard track for them, but it's a great one. Here we go:
11. Judas Priest - Firepower (Speed Metal/Heavy Metal)
Talk about proving old people can be awesome! Judas Priest have proven, with this track and specifically the album, that they can still make great, old-school metal. It was a rough contest between this one, Lightning Strike, Never the Heroes, and Sea of Red, but I went with this because I feel like the title track represents the album the best. The speed of this track is infectious, and proves these guys can still play fast and not just do it for fun; It makes for a great song. Rob Halford, 66 at the time of recording, still sounds better than most singers one third of his age. The high notes feel effortless and awesome, for lack of a better word. The guitar solos great, the drum and bass work is good, and it's an all out great track. It doesn't build on their discography too much, but it's still an incredible track.
Yay, we've reached the top 10! My 10 favorite songs of the year! These are the tracks I am absolutely addicted to from the moment they came out, and still am to this day.
To start, we have a band that has been shown to be divisive, especially after their debut album dropped. Some say they copied Led Zeppelin, and while I see their complaints and even agree to an extent, you can't deny this is a great song.
10. Greta Van Fleet - Age of Man (Rock)
I didn't love Greta Van Fleet's new album, but this song had me coming back over and over again. Its long, but never wasted 6 minute runtime had me entranced from the first few seconds with the orchestral composition, and Josh Kiszka's more relaxed vocals. The guitar hits, and it adds to a mystical atmosphere, as do the vocals. Then the chorus hit, and I was completely sold. I feel Greta has yet to hit their full potential, as they remain derivative of classic rock bands, but if they evolve and release music this good, I could see them going places.
Well, here comes an artist that's a bit more depressing. His latest album just missed out on making my Top 10 Albums of the Year list, but this song was so good that it just had to make this one.
9. Father John Misty - God's Favorite Costumer (Singer/Songwriter)
This song is just beautiful. I have a problem with Father John Misty's new album; The instrumentals were overly similar. Here, this is somewhat the case, but the lyrics and the vocals are so passionate and emotional that it makes up for it. He sings about how he's turned to God, who he no longer believes in and now, in his time of depression, turns to Him even without belief. The instrumentation is relatively simple, but it's effective in conveying the song's feel. What really sells me on the song, however, is the chorus. Father Misty sings on it with Weyes Blood, who gives the track a haunting vibe that is absolute perfection.
Time to go to a track that's more of a personal preference. This upcoming track comes from a member of a band I owe a lot to. After their lead singer died, Mike Shinoda moved into something great.
8. Mike Shinoda ft. grandson - Running From My Shadow (Hip-Hop/Alternative)
This song is just fire. Pure. Fire. Plain and simple. Mike Shinoda's flow here is as good as ever and while many find his lyrics corny, I have always liked his lyrical style. The chorus is good, although not as good as the verses or the outro, which is hwere this song packs its punch. The bridge builds with grandson's slowly building vocals, which then explode on the outro. Distorted guitar plays while grandson and Mike Shinoda team up perfectly over it. This may not be the best song of the year, but it's one of my favorites. This is called favorite songs of the year, not the best.
Here comes a band that is controversial to the Christian community; No one can seem to agree if they are satanic or not. However, I have seen this band's gimmick as a parody of satanism, as "nameless ghouls" in the band have admitted to being athiest. With that being said, this song rocks.
7. Ghost - Rats (Pop Rock/Metal)
Say what you want about this band's image; What can't be denied is that this band knows how to craft a banger. The lead single off their latest album Prequelle, Rats was number 1 on the Mainstream Rock Chart for 7 weeks straight, and for good reason. The guitar riff that opens this track is absolutely infectious. The vocals kick in and parallels to the black plague are drawn, which is one of the biggest lyrical themes of the record. The chorus sells the entire song, with Tobias Forge/Cardinal Copia's (The character he plays) pronunciation of "Rats" and the "ohs" in the background give the song a distinct 80s feel, which gives the song charm. Just such a fun track from the first few seconds up until the fantastic closing moments.
Surprise! I actually picked a song that made it number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100! If you know anything about me, you know I think most of the song on there is crap. However, this song had a lot to say and did such a good job.
6. Childish Gambino - This Is America (Hip-Hop)
Donald Glover, who you may know from Community or Solo: A Star Wars Story, has had quite a year. He starred as Lando Calrission, got cast in the Lion King remake as Simba, and released the second best rap song of 2018 (You'll see what number one is). This Is America is basically a commentary of being an oppressed black man in America. While I can't personally relate to this (I'm a very "white" guy), this gets across its point very well. While it is a great song on its own, its music video really makes this song something special. I don't listen to this song on its own because of what the music video does to enhance this song. It's without a doubt the best music video of the year and I believe it will be seen as one of the best of all time once all is said and done.
Well, I've had relatively accessible tracks up unto this point. Now, it's time for something a bit more... Weird...
5. Daughters - Satan in the Wait (Experimental/Noise Rock)
You want something bizarre and scary? Check this out. The new Daughters album is one of the most fascinating and easily the most terrifying record of the year. It was between this and the closer Guest House, but this track left more of an impact on me. Satin in the Wait is not an edgy Christian metalcore track about hiding from Satan; Rather, it is about hatred in the world and how it will lead to "This world... Opening up". It describes several people who are ignorant of their hate and selfishness, which is so effective that it's one of the best lyrical tracks of the year, easy. What makes this even better are the vocals, which are really hard-hitting, and the intense and throttling instrumentation. It gets legit freaky in parts, and it adds to the themes of the world coming to an end. Just a jaw-dropping track that's definitely not for everybody, but for fans of experimental music and noise rock, this will 100% satisfy.
This particular cut was hard to pick. The album this track was on had so many great cuts, but it had to come down to the track that really hooked me on this band.
4. IDLES - Danny Nedelko (Punk)
Look no further, punk lovers; You have one of your songs of the year. This track is not just a great punk track, but a great pro-immigration anthem. The instrumentation is punchy in all the right ways, the vocals take a bit to get used to, but are awesome, and it's extremely quotable, as IDLES in general is. Lines like "He's made of bones... He's made of you, he's made of me, UNITY!" and "My blood brother's Freddie Mercury, a Nigerian mother of three" remain quotable, but also convey the song's message on immigration. You know what? Don't just check this song out; Check out the entire album. It's the best punk album of the decade.
You know what? It's time to unveil the best rap song of the year. What could have ever topped This Is America?
3. Kids See Ghosts - Cudi Montage
Probably one of the most emotional hip-hop tracks I've ever heard. This collaboration between Kanye West and Kid Cudi was an album that I thought would hate, but ended up loving front to back, and the album's closer got me the most. It makes use of a Kurt Cobain sample in his home recording Burn the Rain, with an added subtle beat in the background, which leads to a dark and moody atmosphere as first Cudi and then Kanye rap over. Cudi appears to be talking about more personal struggles, as he does on much of the record, but this is probably the best representation of it on here because of what the sample adds to it. Kanye seems to be talking about violence and how it affects families, a topic done justice. It all culminates in Kanye and Cudi singing separate lines that blend together beautifully. If you love rap, this is a track you just can't miss.
Time for another long, experimental track, like Daughters. However, this perhaps is even more experimental and weird...
2. Deafheaven - Glint (Post-Rock/Shoegaze/Black Metal)
Clocking in just shy of 11 minutes, this is by far the longest track on this list. However, every second is rewarding. This one isn't so much about the lyrics, but rather how the composition makes you feel. These musicians are extremely talented at making you feel so much at one time, and this works. Just from ten minutes of composition, I was entranced is feelings of happiness, sadness, and anger, often all at the same time. The screamed vocals found throughout invoke so much with this indescribable band. I'm having a hard time talking about this song and band because they are so different from anything I've heard before. All I can say is check out this track and if you like it, check out the entire Ordinary Corrupt Human Love album. It's well worth your time.
Well, here we are; Number one. Well, let's go through a couple "honorable mentions" first. Check these out as well.
Muse - Thought Contagion (Pop Rock/Electrorock)
Really fun track and one of my favorite singles of the year. I just preferred the songs on this list personally and I didn't care for the album this was on.
Estrons - Lilac (Punk/Pop)
Great punk track with pop influence, and I really liked the album as well. If you're into punk, check this out. Really upset this didn't make the list. Consider this number 21.
Deaf Havana - Sinner (Pop)
I always have a pop jam as one of my favorite songs of the year. This year, this was it. I didn't put it on the list because there were a few other tracks I preferred over it.
Okay, time for number one. This song has never gotten old, despite dozens of listens. Every note, every word, everything is just perfect for my tastes. Here we go... Number one is...
1. A Perfect Circle - So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish (Pop/Rock)
If you've gotten into a conversation about music released this year with me, you know how much I love this song. If you don't, well, I have no problem still talking about it. A Perfect Circle has never done a song like this; An infectious, fun pop/rock song, but here, they did it. Or so it seemed. If you dig deeper and pay attention to the lyrics, They describe us wasting "Every second dime" and they call out celebrities lost over the last couple of years, and how we're losing time. The music helps with this theme by playing towards our unawareness through a melody which seems relatively simple and fun, which is what we all want in the end; A simple life. This is honestly a genius song that I enjoyed for both this deeper meaning and being a great piece of pop/rock, because even without the meaning, it's got a great melody and stellar guitar work from Billy Howerdel. Maynard James Keenan's vocals are not as impressive as some of his other performances even on this album, but they work, because they're not going for overly flashy, but rather for pop, and it works surprisingly well (I bet you wouldn't guess the guy who sang a song called Prison Sex would sing something like this). This song just speaks to me on so many levels; I agree with much of what's being said, and the rhythm keeps it really fun to listen to in a twisted sort of way. It's become one of my all-time favorite songs, not just my favorite song of the year; It's perfect. Just. Perfect.
Okay, that's the list proper wrapped. I hope you enjoyed and I gave you some good song suggestions. Not all of these are for everyone, but for who these are for, some of these are amazing. Anyway, have a Merry Christmas! Bye.
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