Top 20 Singles of 2018

Top 20 Singles of 2018

If you don't see a track on this list that you loved, be sure to check out the playlist below to see over 300 tracks that I enjoyed over 2018.

With so many fantastic albums released this year, we also got some stellar singles. Therefore, I will continue list week by giving to you my top 20 singles of 2018.

Disclaimer: Only one track per album/artist, there will be multiple genres of music covered here and its just my opinion.

To show how tricky it was to narrow down all of the singles I enjoyed over the year, here are ten honourable mentions in no particular order:

"Alive" by Skindred
"Big Bushy Mustache" by Jake Shears

"Colossus" by IDLES

"Headwound" by Cancer Bats

"Make Believe" by Kero Kero Bonito

"Noid" by Yves Tumor

"Red Water" by Earl Sweatshirt

"Sedans" by Scallops Hotel

&

"Sicko Mode" by Travis Scott

I will now cut to the chase to present my top 20 tracks of 2018. If you wish to listen to any of these tracks, they can be found on the Spotify playlist above.

#20

Orlando

by Blood Orange

from Negro Swan

Blood Oranges "Negro Swan" was an incredible and empowering album, but the arguable highlight for me was its first track. "Orlando" did an amazing job of easing us into the atmosphere of the album while also being incredibly smooth, soulful and ambient.

The mellow funk melody it has mixed with the rolling rhythm make this the perfect track to walk home to as the sun goes down. This track is just a complete heart-warmer.

#19

Fight Fire With Fire (feat. Ho99o9)

by The Prodigy

from No Tourists

I never really considered a collaboration between rave giants The Prodigy and Hardcore innovators Ho99o9 before hearing this track, but boy oh boy if it isn't a match made in heaven!

The dynamic nature of both artists seem to fuse together so well on this track to make an utterly wretched hyper-industrial sound that absolutely blew me away. To say that this song is badass is an understatement to say the least. Undoubtedly the highlight of an already marvellous effort from The Prodigy.

#18

Shine

by Buddy

from Harlan & Alondra

It was an extremely close call between the first track "Real Life S**t" and the final track "Shine". At the very last minute, I chose to go with "Shine" as I much prefer the more melodic vocals and triumphant production.

It felt amazing to listen to this track in the warm summer sun and really helped me understand how this song represents Buddy's rise to popularity and couldn't help but feel as optimistic as he tustve been when recording this remarkable number.

#17

MANTRA

by Bring Me The Horizon

teaser track for the upcoming album "amo"

One of UK's most prominent heavy bands "Bring Me The Horizon" seem to have taken their music in an incredibly different yet very promising direction.

The first track to tease their album "amo" set to be released in January 2019, "MANTRA" delivers a completely refreshing and exciting sound that feel a lot more accessible and a tonne more catchy than their earlier music (which seemed to only get less and less heavy as the band went on). But this album conveyed a different type of dynamic energy that took me a while to properly get used to. But once I did, it became one of 2018's best tracks.

#16

Moon

by Turnstile

from Time & Space

Hardcore punk group Turnstile impressed me once again with their latest album. And while there are many tracks from here that I love, none really stood out as much as "Moon"

The main reason for this song being unique is the switch up in vocalists, trading the screams of Brendan Yates to the singing of Turnstiles bassist Franz Lyons. The coolness and smoother nature of his voice juxtaposed very nicely with the thrashing of guitars that make up the track. "Moon" is definitely one of the more accessible Turnstile tracks and definitely one of this album's highlights.

#15

Come Back Baby

by Pusha-T

from Daytona

Just before the Summer time began, we were graced from the amazing album "Daytona" made by Pusha-T (with some production assistance from Kanye West).

While I love the album for how flashy it is with Pusha-T's very showoff lyricisms and hard-hitting productions, my favourite track on there has to be "Come Back Baby". Not only is the sampling, mixing and all other production elements top-notch, its minimal enough to really let Pusha-T's bars take the focus with its brilliantly simplistic bass-boosted rhythm.

#14
Running From My Shadow (feat. grandson)
by Mike Shinoda
from Post Traumatic

It was quite the late decision to put this on here but considering just how much Mike Shinodas "Post Traumatic" became such a 2018 staple, I had to include one of the tracks on here.

After going over my favourite tracks once again, I remembered just how epic I found the sound of "Running From My Shadow". With an unrelenting rhythm to add an extra dynamic to Shinodas quickly delivered bars and an absolutely stunning chorus, the whole thing is topped off by an explosive final instrumental. It was an absolute joy to listen to this track both recorded and live.


#13
Adam & Eve
by Nas
from NASIR

What I love so much about this track is just simply how the production and the rhythm make it so engaging and so enjoyable to listen to.

The old-school piano melody not only gave the song a more authentic and more unique quality, but it also reminds me fondly of that sort of seaside city atmosphere, making it a perfect track for a Brightonite like myself. Not to mention that the bars seemed to be delivered with the flow in mind and ultimately gives us a track with near perfect chemistry.


#12
Tenderness
by Parquet Courts
from Wide Awake!

Speaking of tracks that flow brilliantly, "Tenderness" by Parquet Courts is certainly no exception.

After a mixture of upbeat and chaotic tracks and more mellow and slower ones, it was a brilliant move on their part to finish the album off with a incredibly funky and merry song.

With all of the tracks little quirks such as saloon style piano and vocals inspired by drag queen Divine, along with just how good the song makes me feel every time I listen to it, "Tenderness" is more than deserving to be on here.

#11

Blood

by Breaking Benjamin

from Ember

While "Ember" as an album was only OK in my eyes, there was one track in particular that stuck with me for the remainder of the year. "Blood" absolutely champions the channeling of emotions through the songs aggressive melody and highly melodic vocals.

What I love most about this track is the twangy bass strings and the gorgeous harmonies that really give the song a heavy and unrelenting exterior with a touch of beauty.

The chorus in particular is absolutely infectious and definitely helped this track become my unrivalled favourite song from Breaking Benjamin.


#10
RING THE ALARM pt.1 pt.2 pt.3
by The Black Eyed Peas
from MASTERS OF THE SUN VOL.1

When the latest full-length album by The Black Eyed Peas was released, there were tonnes of songs on there that easily could've made the list. I was initially juggling "CONSTANT pt.1 pt.2", "DOPENESS" and "ALL AROUND THE WORLD" but then I realised that the most impactful track had to be the very first one I heard, that track being the first teaser track of the album; "RING THE ALARM pt.1 pt.2 pt.3".

The unorthodox title of the track actually makes sense as the beat of the track is chopped up into three main segments. The first being an incredibly energetic and rebellious sounding production that feels very reminiscent of the groups earlier music followed up by a production with a similar pace but a more ambient melody and finished off with a completely different and highly jazzy groove.

this song is one of 2018's highlight for being the one to defy all of my low expectations that I had developed towards the band over recent years, and it's fair to say that they've won me back with the help of this banger.


#9
Virus://Vibrance
by Vein
from Errorzone

I have praised the album "Errorzone" on my top albums list for its insane energy and its innovative rhythms. But no other track conveys this better that "Virus://Vibrance"

This track seriously isn't for the faint of heart; it's absolutely mental! The first teaser track of Veins fantastic debut record will get your heart racing with unrelenting guitar thrashing, deeply heavy bass, explosive vocals and fantastic drum 'n' bass style drumming al combined to make one of the most adrenaline-filled tracks I have heard in a long time.


#8
Mystik (Album Mix)
by Tash Sultans
from Flow State

I only wrote this as the album mix as I had only heard of "Mystik" through the full album from Tash Sultana "Flow State".

Upon the initial listen of this album, my favourite tracks were between this one and "Murder To The Mind", but "Mystik" eventually came out on top as the clear favourite with its wondrous and adventurous atmosphere the song created.

Beginning with a smooth and indulgent slow rhythm amplified by Tash's spellbinding vocals, an awesome guitar riff and some very pretty string plucks, where this track really shines is towards the end when the existing melody fades out to give way to the most awesome bass riff I've heard this year which then explodes into a psychedelic dance masterpiece which I can never help but feel pure joy from.


#7
APESHIT
by The Carters
from EVERYTHING IS LOVE

The collaborative release from Jay-Z and Beyonce could've definitely been better. However, there was always one track that outshone the rest and that track was of course "APESHIT"

It's a fitting title in my mind as it is the only thing I could imagine a crowd going when this track comes on live. The primary track to herald the surprise drop of the album; "APESHIT" was made even more effective thanks to the incredible music video that was made for the track.

The production of this thing is just this completely badass and surreal melody that stays consistent throughout the track and perfectly compliments Beyonce's sassy vocals as well as Jay-Z's awesome rap verse. Its the perfect song to showcase just how untouchable the couple are and is the perfect track to get hyped up to.

#6

Royal Beggars
by Architects
from Holy Hell

It goes without saying that the latest album from Brighton's own metal core giants Architects deserves every shred of success it has received by fans and critics alike.

I was not necessarily anxious but still a little curious as to how different the band would sound after the passing of a very important member, Tom Searle. But it was confirmed in my mind that the band have been able to pull through and go all-out with the second teaser track of the album "Royal Beggars".

Arguably one of the most emotional and powerful tracks on an album that already has both those things in spades, "Royal Beggars" is my clear favourite of the album. Any song that can leave you with a lump in your throat the way that this track did to me deserved to be recognised as an impactful song. I just remember listening to this track for the first time in absolute awe, and thats the absolute best you could ask from Architects.


#5
Gannwyd Seren
by Serol Serol
from their self-titled album

Serol Serol's self-titled debut album put me in an absolute trance from start to finish, so it was a little difficult to decide on a clear highlight. But the obvious choice eventually came clear.

"Gannwyd Seren" makes for a marvellous introduction to the album for the way it begins being almost inaudible before exploding into a wondrous and gorgeous mixture of strings and synth. The sheer indulgence I still feel from this track alone is the reason it is so high up on this list. I can affiliate it with all of my best moments of the year thanks to how the warmth and colourful nature of this beautiful piece take me there.


#4
King's Dead
by Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future and James Blake
from the Black Panther Soundtrack

This track definitely deserves recognition for not only being the first rack of 2018 that I instantly liked, but also still appealing after being meme'd the hell out of not once but twice!

Even after the "La De Da De Da" meme and the "Then I freaked it" memes i could still take this song seriously because it is a seriously good song.

The combined efforts of Kendrick Lamar, Future, Jay Rock and James Blake created the best song on the soundtrack and a banger with an unwavering quality that I have been able to enjoy through the entirety of 2018.

#3

Feel The Love (feat Pusha-T)
by KIDS SEE GHOSTS
from their self-titled album

I think that the "KIDS SEE GHOSTS" album is absolutely revolutionary! Kanye West and Kid Cudi both did a remarkable job and evidently put a tonne of time, effort and creativity into this project. And while the albums fourth track "Freeee (Ghost Town Pt.2)" was a clear favourite of mine during the initial days after the albums release, I found the first track "Feel The Love" grow on me more and more.

Not only did I relish Kanye West, Pusha-T and Kid Cudi all on one track, but this track defies any sort of genre really. You could argue that it's mainly a rap song because of Pusha-T's verses mainly, but in my mind it really is one of the most unique songs of the year and I can really see this one pushing the boundaries of music further forward.

The final thing that makes this track so appealing is when you consider the idea of the "Wyoming Trilogy" which consisted of Pusha-T's "Daytona" Kanye Wests own album "ye" and "KIDS SEE GHOSTS" the fact that the main three artists of this trilogy all come together in this track about finally feeling love (especially after the gloomier nature of "ye"), it seems like a track that offers some resolve to how Kanye's been currently feeling, or at least that's what I believed until his uncanny antics returned and he started dressing up as a giant water bottle. But nonetheless, this is a legendary song.

#2

Shape The Future

by Nightmares On Wax

from Shape The Future

The grandeur and high level of spiritual atmosphere from this remarkable album's title track is nothing less than stunning.

I should firstly start off with how excellent the progression of this track is, the main melody of the song is so immersive and so indulgent that its very hard to consciously notice the subtle changes that are constantly being added to the track.

It has atmosphere in spades, reminding me of being in a grand city watching every little change occur.

Its empowering, with a message that lets the listener know that they have the power to change anything and "shape the future".

It's sound is vast, with an instrumentation that is so diverse and abundant that the whole track feels orchestrated.

It's sentimental, accompanying me on all of the best memories of 2018.

It just feels incredible to listen to and actually feels as if your spirit is being replenished by the sheer power of music. I've expressed on my top albums list just how wonderfully this album come across as a pure celebration of all different types of music. But despite only being number three on the album, the title track is where I feel most that it all comes together.

#1

Prey

by Parkway Drive

from Reverence

Even as I write this, I'm still unsure about placing "Prey" above other tracks such as "Wishing Wells" and "Chronos", but one thing i knew for sure was that I needed to put a song from Parkway Drive's "Reverence" as number 1.

While "Wishing Wells" was the first teaser track to be released and perfectly conveyed the feeling of grief induced rage and "Chronos" so poetically dressed the inevitability of death and leaving a lump in my throat with its beautiful instrumental conclusion, I ultimately decided to go with prey for being the most energetic and most awesome sounding of the bunch.

While the track definitely stays true to the theme of grief and loss, describing how we are all prone to sorrow, it is still one that can be enjoyed and looked at in a more positive light.

The brilliant rolling rhythm helps it fit into what people describe as a "pirate metal" sort of vibe, with the unrelenting melody reminding one of conquering a deadly sea storm.

There is still also a tonne of emotion threaded into the track, with the vocals from Winston McCall being very dramatic and engaging. The instrumentation (even the cowbell) works incredibly well in creating this encouraging atmosphere of powering through your inner demons.

I also adore the masterfully created buildup heralded by echoing drums and deep raspy vocals which then progress into an epic riff and finally explodes into full dynamic overdrive.

But most importantly, its an absolute tune and one that I will be enjoying for years to come.

So there you have it, my favourite 2018 albums. As I have previously mentioned, feel free to explore the playlist where you can listen to these tracks, discover more tracks or potentially find your favourites. the joy of music is that it can be shared.

Thank you for reading

Booth Boy