Here’s the songs I’ve enjoyed the most in 2018. I couldn’t bear to drop one for a Top 10, so I’ve gone for 11! Here’s the Spotify playlist, and my notes are below.
After the Storm – Kali Uchis feat. Tyler the Creator & Bootsy Collins
If only every multi-artist collaboration was as superb as this. Practically perfect in every way.
In My View – Young Fathers
I don’t have a clue what genre this song is. It sounds like – the best of Young Fathers!
Four out of Five – Arctic Monkeys
Alex Turner has come a long way, from pool halls in Rotherham, to a well-reviewed taqueria on the moon (called The Information Action Ratio). This is loungey and Beatlesy and I know all the words, and I don’t care if that’s pure sad.
Make Me Feel – Janelle Monae
There was some questionable and arguably exploitative “Prince worked on it” chat surrounding Janelle Monae’s new album, and it may or may not be accurate. But this is an absolute cracker which the pint-sized pervy genius would have been proud to call his own.
Souk Eye – Gorillaz
Damon Albarn and Simian Mobile Disco’s James Ford created a mid-tempo, latin-electro, bossa-nova, marvellous-melody.
Danny Nedelko – Idles
A pro-immigration anthem which references Freddie Mercury, Mo Farah and also the Geddy Lee bit in Stereo by Pavement. What’s not to like?
Rose in Harlem – Teyana Taylor
Kicks off with an absolutely delicious Stylistics sample and builds magnificently.
Life is Golden – Suede
The Blue Hour was deliberately written to defy being cherry-picked for Spotify, but sorry chaps – one of the songs had to make my list.
Tenderness – Parquet Courts
I’m very late to this band’s party – what a brilliant tune.
Nobody – Mitski
“Venus, planet of love/Was destroyed by global warming“, sings Mitski as late St Vincent meets early Bjork in a lovely song.
I/m not here [missing face] – The Twilight Sad
Nobody does great slabs of melody and sledgehammer guitars like these guys. You can tell they’re enjoying it as they break it down – then build back up again.