The 20 Best Songs of 2018 ft. Janelle Monáe, John Prine, Childish Gambino, Leon Bridges & more!

Our annual list of the 20 best songs of the year. From Chvrches to The 1975 to John Prine to Childish Gambino, Brandi Carlile, Kacey Musgraves, Janelle Monáe and so much more...here we go!


Chvrches' album Love is Dead was a pop triumph. And this song, something of a throwback, is a wistful, bittersweet standout.



#20 Graffiti - Chvrches



Off her exceptional album By the Way, I Forgive You -- which got a much deserved but surprise Grammy nomination nod -- this is Carlile at her best.

#19 - Every Time I Hear That Song, Brandi Carlile



What is not to like about this rousing, old school song? Great stuff!

#18 A Little Honey, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats



Turn the volume up to 11 on this one and open the windows to bug the neighbours....great straight-up rock song.

#17) That's What Heaven Feels Like, The Dirty Nil




Co-written with a veteran of American wars, this powerful country-folk song expresses the mixed and difficult feelings that many have after they come home from years of brutality and violence. While the video debuted at the end of last year, the album and song were officially released in 2018.

"And they thank me for my service and wave their little flags
They genuflect on Sundays and yes, they'd send us back
But I believe in God and country and in the angels up on high
And in heaven shining down on us through bullet holes in the sky"

#16) Bullet Holes in the Sky, Mary Gauthier



Written by the exceptionally talented Jason Isbell, this terrific song off the superb soundtrack for A Star is Born is lyrically powerful and shows that Bradley Cooper in an alternate universe is a huge country music star!

#15) Maybe It's Time, Bradley Cooper



This hypnotic song lulls you with its tone, length and mesmerizing repetition...perfect with headphones on repeat...over-and-over....

#14 Venice Bitch, Lana Del Ray



Off the nearly perfect album Golden Hour -- which also garnered an unexpected and richly deserved Grammy nomination for Album of the Year -- this is one of her very best songs...and not her last entry on this list.

#13) High Horse, Kacey Musgraves



As far as original mainstream movie songs go...they don't get much better than this! A great duet, a terrific, soaring Broadway style feel...a near certain Oscar winner...

#12 Shallow, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper



A painfully honest, raw, wonderful song. Lindsey Jordan, who is only 19, is going great places...

#11) Pristine, Snail Mail


Dirty Computer is the masterpiece album of 2018...Janelle Monáe has always been incredible, but it is hard to imagine she will top this...here is hoping.

Any number of songs could have made this list, but this one, which is not the last, is an all around standout and embodies the sound and vision of the whole project.

#10) Django Jane, Janelle Monáe



I always had a soft spot for these guys...but this is an almost out-of-nowhere elevation to different level...an intense song that oppressively reminds of the disorientation of our times while providing surprising musical contrasts...a band now to watch...

#9) Love It If We Made It, The 1975




Her second entry on this year's list...the "You can have your space...cowboy" lyric with the pregnant pause is brilliant.

p.s....the guy is clearly a schmuck.

#8) Space Cowboy, Kacey Musgraves



Dream like, hypnotic, nostalgic, a little piece of anxious genius.

#7) Boyish, Japanese Breakfast



I don't care what anyone says, he was the best host of Q to date....and this is a fantastic song off a fantastic album.

#6) The Fool Pt 1, Shad


Wanderer is an incredible album and if I did not have a philosophical rule against putting covers on best of lists her cover of Stay would also be here...

This a great song and a great collaboration.

#5) Woman, Cat Power (feat. Lana Del Rey)

cat power

I can listen to this song three times daily and five times on Sunday!

Just wonderful. Romantic, soaring vocals, touching, heartfelt.

About as good a love song as you will ever hear.

#4) Leon Bridges - Beyond



Disturbing, intense, irreverent, angry, comic...a song for our time.

#3 Childish Gambino - This Is America



The legendary John Prine. Back again with this emotionally devastating song about the opioid crisis, love, longing and loss.

If you have not heard this...and it has not gotten much mainstream play...it is stunning.

#2) Summer's End, John Prine




It is pretty hard to imagine a greater stand alone song this year. With Prince influences, clever lyrical twists, amazing hooks...Monáe strikes in ways both new and familiar.

Stunning.

#1) Make Me Feel - Janelle Monáe 

See also: The 20 Best Songs of 2017 ft. Hurray For The Riff Raff, Arcade Fire, Jay-Z, Jessie Reyez and more!

The 20 Best Songs of 2017 ft. Hurray For The Riff Raff, Arcade Fire, Jay-Z, Jessie Reyez and more!

Our annual list of the 20 best songs of the year. For the first time we have also added two "Honourable Mentions". From Jay-Z to Arcade Fire to Jamila Woods to Jessie Reyez, Hurray For The Riff Raff and so much more...here we go!


Starting the list at #20...great, angst ridden, intense stuff that features the awesome Angel Olsen:

Hamilton Leithauser - Heartstruck (Wild Hunger) ft. Angel Olsen




This is a year unusually heavy with great country songs on the list and at #19 is a terrific song about a very bad day that gets a whole lot better for two people:

Ashley McBryde - A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega



A beautiful song about community, survival and resistance...features the awesome Chance the Rapper (who will make a return appearance on this year's list)...the LSD here does NOT refer to the drug!

#18 Jamila Woods - LSD ft. Chance The Rapper




#17 Joey Bada$$ - Land of the Free

An intense and justly angry song with powerful lyrics and an equally powerful video.




#16 Lady Lamb - Salt

This deeply felt ballad is both sad and affecting. Beautifully written and made compelling all the more by her exceptional vocals.



This is a deeply moving song about the diminishing and undermining of the expectations and confidence of girls and women, objectification and sexism.

Heartbreaking and beautiful, it has largely fallen through the cracks but deserves a wide audience.

#15: "Softball" - Caroline Spence



This song kicks ass...great tune, great lyrics from "You're talkin' to me like a child, Hey I've got news, I'm not a little girl, And no, I won't give you a little twirl" to "I'm like nobody else, so you can just go fuck yourself" which may be the line of the year...

#14 The Regrettes - "Seashore"




#13: Lana Del Rey - Love

Lana Del Rey is back with this terrific tune that manages to be wistful, oddly haunting and even somewhat disturbing in that way that only she can do.




#12 Future Islands - Ran

In a list this year heavy with sad songs, this is another one perfectly realized by this terrific Baltimore trio.


#11 Brandi Carlile - The Mother

A simply stunning song about motherhood and a mother's love for a daughter. It is wise, funny and brought me to tears. Powerful and lovely:

"They’ve still got their morning paper and their coffee and their time
They still enjoy their evenings with the skeptics and their wine
Oh but all the wonders I have seen I will see a second time
From inside of the ages through your eyes

You were not an accident where no one thought it through
The world has stood against us, made us mean to fight for you
And when we chose your name we knew that you’d fight the power, too

You’re nothing short of magical and beautiful to me
I would never hit the big time without you
So they can keep their treasure and their ties to the machine
Cause I am the mother of Evangeline"



As I said at the start this year there are two "Honourable Mentions"...the first is for the incredible video released in 2017 for Elton John's 70s classic Tiny Dancer.

It is almost as if they brought back Robert Altman to direct it, with intersecting stories, multiple narratives and great imagery. Funny, perfectly shot and even at times really sad, it is easily one of the best videos of the year.




The second "Honourable Mention" is for Jay-Z's Moonlight. While not for the song itself (though a Jay-Z song is on this list) it is for the video which is an incredible commentary on media, racism and pop culture. A remarkable take on an iconic episode of a show that many love despite its utter banality, Jay-Z does something here that is both subversive and incisive.

"We stuck in La La Land
Even when we win, we gon' lose"




#10 Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - If We Were Vampires

An unflinching song about loss, aging and death, If We Were Vampires is beautifully written and profoundly haunting and sad.

"If we were vampires and death was a joke
We'd go out on the sidewalk and smoke
And laugh at all the lovers and their plans
I wouldn't feel the need to hold your hand

Maybe time running out is a gift"




#9 Iron & Wine - Call It Dreaming

Beautifully written and performed this is the best thing Iron & Wine has done since Flightless Bird, American Mouth.




An uncompromising look at the end of love...lyrically and musically this is country music at its very best, greatly aided as well by incredibly strong vocals.

#8 Chris Stapleton - Either Way





#7 Benjamin Booker feat. Mavis Staples, “Witness”

Powerful, powerful song that not only sees the return of Booker but also features the exceptional gospel vocals of the iconic Mavis Staples. Packs a hell of an emotional and lyrical punch in under 3 minutes.




#6 May I Have This Dance - Francis and the Lights feat. Chance the Rapper

An incredible song that is bittersweet in the best sense as well as being a duet with a standout middle act from Chance the Rapper that steals the show.



#5 Arcade Fire - Everything Now

Arcade Fire has unequivocally exploded back on to the scene with their new releases that include this deceptively mainstream sounding song that belies underling dark themes. Terrific on every level and not the last Arcade Fire entry on this list.




#4 Jessie Reyez - Great One

A haunting meditation on loss and death this song heralds the arrival of a tremendous new talent. If you have not heard or seen this, prepare to be wowed.



#3 JAY-Z - 4:44

Part mea culpa, part art piece, part social commentary, part existential anthem, Jay-Z's 4:44 is a remarkable song with a stunning video.




#2 Arcade Fire - Creature Comfort

Visceral, challenging, intense and breathtaking...a stunning song that is both a throwback and an announcement while also a devastating piece of social commentary.




#1: Hurray For The Riff Raff - "Pa'lante"

Comrades, Sisters and Brothers, Friends...THIS is the song we have been waiting for and, especially now in this time of great challenges, needed.

A beacon of hope and revolt in the face of darkness.

Anthemic, rousing, revolutionary, sad, despairing, hopeful, it even features a sample of Pedro Pietri’s poem “Puerto Rican Obituary”.

Profoundly moving it is sure to become a leftist anthem:

"From el barrio to el assyeo, ¡Pa’lante!
From Marble Hill to the ghost of Emmett Till, ¡Pa’lante!
To Juan, Miguel, Miradros, Manuel, ¡Pa’lante!
To all who came before, we say, ¡Pa’lante!
To my mother and my father, I say, ¡Pa’lante!
To Julia, and Sylvia, ¡Pa’lante!
To all who had to hide, I say, ¡Pa’lante!
To all who lost their pride, I say, ¡Pa’lante!
To all who had to survive, I say, ¡Pa’lante!
To my brothers, and my sisters, I say, ¡Pa’lante!
¡Pa’lante!
¡Pa’lante!
To all came before, we say, ¡Pa’lante!"

Power to the People!




See also: The Top 20 Songs of 2016 w. Beyonce, Vic Mensa, Drive-By Truckers & more!

See also: The 50 Best Songs of the Decade...So Far -- The Top Ten!

The 50 Best Songs of the Decade...So Far #50 to #31

Happy Holiday Long Weekend!

To celebrate we countdown the  50 Best Songs of the Decade...so far!

Today we do #50 through #31....

Any song from 2010-2015 is eligible...but not songs from this year. (My stupid list....my rules)

So...without any further ado...

#50 Heaven, The Walkmen (2012)

From what I regard as the greatest album of the decade so far....with several songs that will be appearing....

#49 Unbelievers, Vampire Weekend

Pretentious? Yes....but still an amazing song,

#48 Sing, My Chemical Romance



An incredible song with a great video...at first seemingly funny, but actually very sad.

It ages well....from 2012...

#47 Simple Song, The Shins



A little bit brilliant....a little bit demented...

#46 The Bells, Lowell



It may have been overplayed, but it remains a magnificent song, Powerful and moving.

#45 Someone Like You, Adele



Brandi Carlile....what can you say...

#44 The Things I Regret



What a great song.

#43 Hallelujah, Panic! At The Disco



Hated by many...wrongfully IMO....and this is one of her better songs.

#42 West Coast, Lana Del Rey



Intense brilliance...

#41 Grand Canyon, Timber Timbre



One of the seminal bands of the decade...

#40 Gimmie All Your Love, Alabama Shakes




You know...I fucking hate Coldplay...and yet this is a devastatingly great song

#39 The Scientist, Coldplay




Religion is a hard thing...

#38 Ya Hey, Vampire Weekend



Again...not a fan, but Timberlake's song Mirrors is fantastic and the video is cerebral and moving.

Great, great stuff!!!

#37 Mirrors, Justin Timberlake




Gloriously self-indulgent and sad.

Want to remember what it was like to be teenager...listen to this song.

#36 Youth, Daughter



I love these guys...but in the end this is their great song....

Wistful, sad, operatic.

#35 Miss Atomic Bomb, The Killers




Genius

#34 Make You Better - The Decemberists




#33 Countdown, Beyonce....

She was brilliant always.



I don't care what anyone says....I think he is a great host...and this is a great, great, great song...

#32 Fam Jam, Shad




Last one for now....Miguel is an exceptional talent, and this is a mesmerizingly wonderful song

#31 Coffee, Miguel




See also: 10 Best Songs of 2016...So Far

See also: 20 Best Songs of 2015! A Left Chapter Roundup

20 Best Songs of 2015! A Left Chapter Roundup

2015 is drawing to a close...and the time is at hand for a holiday and New Year roundup of the best songs of the year.

Here are my picks for the Top Twenty.

Here is to holidays, beers, champagne, family...and good music!


#20  Kamikaze - MO

Infectious awesomeness!



#19 Chinatown - Girlpool

Wistful...charming...oddly sad. A great tune.




#18  Greg Holden - Boys in the Street

An truly moving song about homophobia, family and redemption.




#17  Coffee - Miguel

An intense, wild, amazing song.




#16 All Your Favorite Bands - Dawes.

"May all your favorite bands stay together." Indeed.




#15 Love Like Mine - Miami Horror

Take a moment from your day to watch what is easily one of the best videos (and songs) of the year!

Just fantastic. Crazy, weird, bizarre, fixed POV awesomeness!




#14 - Mr. Misunderstood - Eric Church

Not generally a big fan of this guy TBH...but this song owes a lot, in a very good way, to artists like Bob Seger, and has both a terrific message and a great, great old-style country-rock sound.

And..."She turned me on to back porch pick-ups, Jackson Pollock and gin" has to be one of the best rock/country lines in recent memory!




#13 bros - Wolf Alice

Wistful, nostalgic and awesome.




#12  SOB - Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

As good a drinking song...or song about drinking...as I have heard for a very long time!




#11  The Eye - Brandi Carlile

Her latest album is just fantastic...and this may not be her only appearance on this year's list!




#10 - Make Up Your Mind Tonight - Hawksley Workman

For a song that goes on about "this is the way that we relax"...THIS IS THE LEAST RELAXING SONG EVER! Love it...Canadian rock artist Workman is back.




#9  Just Like We Never Said Goodbye - Sophie

Ethereal and haunting.




#8 Pedestrian At Best - Courtney Barnett

This song is like an anxiety attack that just keeps getting worse. A stream of consciousness nightmare of brilliance!




#7 Here - Alessia Cara

This claustrophobic and disturbing song has only grown in my estimation.

And she is an emerging superstar.

 

#6 Brownlow - Lapsley

A reflection in part, apparently, on rave culture, it is also an intense piece of song writing and of almost existential self-criticism. "I set the deal straight".




#5 Infamous - Basia Bulat

This is a terrific song from a great Toronto artist. Her music just keeps getting better...and this should be one of 2016's better albums.




#4 - The Things I Regret - Brandi Carlile

Such a great song from the best overall album of 2015. And so full of the angst of regret...that very worst of feelings.




#3 Gimme All Your Love - Alabama Shakes

This song gives me goosebumps. Incredible vocals, a simmering and explosive tone, that incredible part where they switch it up...just amazing.

Turn it up to eleven and disturb the neighbours! Put it on repeat.

Fantastic.




#2  Her Mercy - Glen Hansard

WHAT A GREAT SONG THIS IS!!! Shows the influence of Van Morrison and folks like Jackson Browne...inspiring and stirring.

By one of the great singer-songwriters alive today.




#1  Sunday Candy - Chance the Rapper, "Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment"

This song is such a joyous, wonderful, uplifting and amazing ode. Everything about it makes you want to sing and dance (if I could do either I would!!!).

A love song about his grandma...and a love song generally. Hearing it makes me want to open the front door and yell "I love you all" to the world!

The video, which was done as a single live take...is something to be enjoyed and savoured.

There is not one ounce of anger, cynicism or ugliness here.

Just perfect.




See you all next year!

(For a link to my Top 20 Countdown from 2014 see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjhmKvCuC84&list=PLphgIImJtvdFTHqMPONstFRjKPw8ZNdOY)

See also: 10 Best Songs of 2015...so far!

See also: 5 Great Songs for International Workers' Day! Featuring Paul Robeson, Billy Bragg, The Red Army Choir & more

10 Best Songs of 2015...so far!

We are halfway through 2015...and the time is at hand for a holiday (if you are Canadian) roundup of the best songs so far this year.

Here are my picks for the Top Ten. Look for a Top 20 Roundup in December.

Here is to holidays, beers, BBQ...and good music!

#10 Still Want You - Brandon Flowers

I love this guy. He could sing the phonebook and brighten up my day!




#9 Chinatown - Girlpool

Wistful...charming...oddly sad. A great tune.



#8 FourFiveSeconds - Rihanna And Kanye West And Paul McCartney

All three of these artists have ample numbers of haters...which is good enough for me! Earnest, catchy, great vocals...good stuff!



#7 Here - Alessia Cara

Great, great song. Kind of disturbing...really powerful.



#6 Love Like This - Miami Horror

Take a moment from your holiday to watch what is THE BEST VIDEO OF THE YEAR!!!!

Just fantastic. Crazy, weird, bizarre, fixed POV awesomeness!



#5 Pedestrian At Best - Courtney Barnett

This song is like an anxiety attack that just keeps getting worse. A stream of consciousness nightmare of brilliance!

#4 Make Up Your Mind Tonight - Hawksley Workman

For a song that goes on about "this is the way that we relax"...THIS IS THE LEAST RELAXING SONG EVER! Love it...Canadian rock artist Workman is back.

#3 The Eye - Brandi Carlile

This is a lovely song. Brandi Carlile is awesome.



#2 Brownlow - Lapsley

The top two are basically a tie for me. I find this one hypnotic and amazing...absolutely love it.

A reflection in part, apparently, on rave culture, it is also an intense piece of song writing and of almost existential self-criticism. "I set the deal straight".



#1 Gimme All Your Love - Alabama Shakes

This song gives me goosebumps. Incredible vocals, a simmering and explosive tone, that incredible part where they switch it up...just amazing.

Turn it up to eleven and disturb the neighbours! Put it on repeat.

Fantastic.




To check out a playlist of my Top 20 for 2014 see: Michael Laxer's Top 20 1014

Did I miss a great song? Link to it in the comments!