100 Best Songs of 2018 (1 Viewer)

[Northern Voice]

9. Courtney Barnett - Nameless, Faceless

You didn't think the list was finishing without more Courtney Barnett did you? Best lyricist in the world right now, this one takes words from internet trolls and turns them on their end.

 

[Northern Voice]

8. Parquet Courts - Freebird II

First, they have the balls to call a song Freebird II, second it's better than the original Freebird. It's all singalong chorus and fake crowd noise and it's terrific.

 

[Northern Voice]

7. Kurt Vile - Loading Zones

I get a major Tom Petty vibe from Kurt Vile, if anyone is going to fill the massive void he’s left in terms of that amazing voice that is part Southern drawl and part just smoked a whole bunch of pot, it’s Kurt Vile IMO. And he has the songwriting abilities to back it up, even if this song is literally about not wanting to pay for parking.

 

[Northern Voice]

6. U.S. Girls - Pearly Gates

It's a female fronted indie rock song and it manages to at times sound like Warren G's 'Regulators'. It is definitely a song of the times lyrically, but that's not why it's great, it's so well produced with a ton going on in baking vocals, samples, etc... 

 

[Northern Voice]

5. Hop Along - Not Abel

I’m not sure what it is I love so much about this song. It definitely has a unique structure and Frances Quinlan has a very unique voice. It starts slow and builds and builds which is always one of my favourite qualities in a song, then it comes to a full stop and the second half is even better. It's almost theatrical.

 

[Northern Voice]

4. Mitski - Why Didn't You Stop Me?

It’s hard to pick a favourite song from this year’s Mitski album, that’s why there are several on this list and why her album will be near the top of my albums of the year. Ultimately the dark synths in this song win out over the other options.

 

[Northern Voice]

3. Lucy Dacus - Night Shift

If you count the two boygenius tunes, this is technically her third song on this list as well. This one builds and builds until it’s all high notes and fuzzy guitars. It’s brilliant and extremely my thing.

 

[Northern Voice]

2. Father John Misty - Mr. Tillman

An amazing piano ballad that tells a great (apparently true) story in a fun way. I think he's picked up the mantle as guy who writes terrific songs that touch on excess and mental health while also sounding really good and easy to sing along with.

 

[Northern Voice]

1. IDLES - Danny Nedelko

Look, I'm as surprised as you are, okay? But this is my number one and it's not particularly close. Guy with a heavy English accent speak/sings/yells a very political song (pro-immigration) over massive punk guitars and drums as it slowly falls apart into some sort of European soccer chant. Except somehow even better than that sounds – yeah… this won’t be for everyone. YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH.. EY EY EY EY.. DANNY NEDELKO!!!

 

[JZilla]

I don't think I have the capacity to discover any more new pop this year.. but I've got a novo-sized 2018 playlist thanks to participating in the two song drafts

merry xmas you filthy animal

 

[El Floppo]

while we obviuosly aren't in lockstep with our music, I love that you did this. listened to every track, gave some likes and loves. liked a couple of brand new things for me- much appreciated!

but you obviously forgot about no-brainer top 10 Death Will Bring Change.

 

[El Floppo]

1. IDLES - Danny Nedelko

Look, I'm as surprised as you are, okay? But this is my number one and it's not particularly close. Guy with a heavy English accent speak/sings/yells a very political song (pro-immigration) over massive punk guitars and drums as it slowly falls apart into some sort of European soccer chant. Except somehow even better than that sounds – yeah… this won’t be for everyone. YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH.. EY EY EY EY.. DANNY NEDELKO!!!

given what you've ranked- some things I kinda expected to see up there...

 buke and gase

city calm down

 

[Ilov80s]

Great list with lots of tunes I dig. Especially like the Mitski songs and Pearly Gates is fantastic. My only complaint is the narrowness of styles- could be called 100 best rock/indie songs. Fun list and there are plenty of songs I need to check out.

 

[Northern Voice]

Thanks for checking it out

 

[Northern Voice]

given what you've ranked- some things I kinda expected to see up there...

city calm down

I like this album but it washes over me a bit and I don't know what my standout song from it would be. 

 

[El Floppo]

I like this album but it washes over me a bit and I don't know what my standout song from it would be. 

fair assessment.

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

I appreciate the viewpoints, gives me a chance to open my mind and discover.

I am totally the wrong guy for this thread as in my opinion, the best songs to listen to in 2018 are still the ones that were released between Motown era 1959 and the southern fried rock days of 1979.