With a year filled with many albums that I was excited to listen to, it was difficult to leave 2018 with songs that I loved so I ended up making my top 20 songs of 2018.

20. Test Drive – Joji

After his album “Ballads 1” was released, this song wasn’t my favorite at first but it began to grow on me and became one of the few songs that I loved from Japanese singer-songwriter Joji’s album. Music video directed by James Defina, different symbols are seen in the video as it tells the story of a person that is getting away from a relationship. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEBS2jbZce4)

19. Don’t give it to me – Loco and Hwasa (Mamamoo)

After the single was released, I was a bit doubtful that it would fit the music genre that I tend to like but with Loco’s rap and Hwasa’s soft voice, the song was no doubt a good mix of two talented artists. The song tells the story of the weird feelings between a guy and a girl and as this song was released in 2018, it deserves to be on the top songs of 2018. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB6kViGA3rY)

18. Lovely – Billie Eilish and Khalid

Seventeen-year-old Billie Eilish and 20-year-old Khalid released alternative/indie single “Lovely” as part of the soundtrack for show 13 Reasons Why. Both Eilish and Khalid’s voices have a soft touch to it that it combines well for the song while trying to get the message out for the TV show. As the music video has both Eilish and Khalid walking around and singing, the light blue cinematic view and editing is a beauty. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Pl8CzNzCw)

17. This is America – Childish Gambino

From the hidden meaning of the music video and the meaning of the lyrics, Childish Gambino’s track “This is America” was sure one of the top 2018 songs that described world problems through music. This pop song ended up in number one on the Hot 100 for Billboard and was no doubt, a good song. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYOjWnS4cMY)

16. Midsummer Madness – 88Rising

While trying to represent Asian culture within America’s music industry, with the release of 88Rising’s album “Head in the Clouds” it was able to prove with its partly English and Chinese lyrics the diversity and influence that music can apply to different places and enter the Billboard 200 lists. “Midsummer Madness” makes any day into a summer day with the cool summer vibes that this song has. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPSoNx1gyQ4)

15. Left to Right – Marteen

After opening for Kehlani’s tour in 2017 and Dua Lipa’s fall 2017 tour, R&B singer-songwriter Marteen released NOTHANKYOU. with single “Left to Right.” With this first debut single “Sriracha” that personally wasn’t my favorite, after releasing “Left to Right” I loved the rhythm of the cool pop that this song turned out to be. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdRzgxL7GOg)

14. comethru – Jeremy Zucker

While spending summer by himself writing music, New Jersey-born Jeremy Zucker wrote “comethru” as based on his thoughts and personal situation.  Zucker’s calm and sweet voice enhances the three-minute song making the pop song into a song to listen to whenever and wherever. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO2viLEW-1A)

13. Head in the Clouds – Joji

“Head in the Clouds” became a hit on July 20 after 88Rising’s album was released. The album entered at position 76 in the Billboard 200 charts. 88Rising is a record label with 12 artists in total featuring one of my favorites, Rich Brian. After the release of the “Head in the Clouds” album, it was no doubt that this song was going to be one of my favorites of 2018.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmfxQHo_Fy4)

12. Imagine – Ariana Grande

From the hit for the music video for “thank u, next” with over 260 million views, Ariana Grande released “Imagine” on Dec. 14. The sweetness of her voice makes this song feels magical and the 3 minutes enjoyable.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTK8JNEN68Q)  

11. Youngblood – 5 Seconds of Summer

Electropop song “Youngblood” by 5 Seconds of Summer was released on May 22, as part of their album “Youngblood” The album became a hit as it was in the Billboard 200 list, and although this wasn’t the only album I have liked of Australian boy group 5 Seconds of Summer, it was one that I didn’t expect to have some of my favorite songs of 2018.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RJSbO8UZVY)

10. El Farsante (Remix) – Ozuna x Romeo Santos

Growing up, there were many hits that were played in my house that Romeo Santos sang such as “Obsesion.” On Jan. 30 “El Farsante” by Ozuna x Romeo Santos was released and it was no wonder that this would be a top hit in 2018.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfWkmURBNv8)

9. Zone – 3Racha

Back in 2017, hip hop group 3Racha features members CB97, SpearB, and J.One released their first mixtape “J:2017:Mixtape”. On Sept. 8  the Stray Kids channel released a performance of “Zone” of 3Racha. Although this isn’t one of my favorites of 3Racha of all time (which is Cloud 9 and NXT 2 U), this is the best song 3Racha released in 2018 from the lyrics to the video. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW-jSV1P8WQ)

8. Jumpsuit – Twenty One Pilots

After their fourth album, “Blurryface” was charting billboard lists and had some of my favorites, the release of their alternative/indie album “Trench” on Oct. 5  was a surprise as they did not disappoint again. As throughout the “Jumpsuit” music video, it tells a story that engages the viewers to watch a story but also enjoy the rock song. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOUBW8bkjQ4)

7. Thunderclouds – LSD feat Sia, Diplo and Labrinth

The dreamlike world of the video with dancer Maddie Ziegler and directed by Ernest Desumbila features the charming voices multiple artists that seemed the one of the greatest collaboration of 2018. The dance-pop music video was released on Aug. 30  and entered lists throughout the entire world. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg1BljLu9YY)

6. Beautiful feat. Camila Cabello – Bazzi

After Bazzi’s hit release “Mine”, Bazzi released “Beautiful” featuring Camila Cabello on April 20. “Beautiful” is possibly one of the best collaborations in 2018 with the pleasant voices that it includes of American singer-songwriter Bazzi and Cuban-American singer-songwriter Cabello. As the song became well known across the world, it ended up on the lists of Billboard awards for the deserving lovely song. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk1hv6h7O1Y)

5. Dime si te acuerdas – Bad Bunny

Latin trap and reggaeton singer Bad Bunny released single “Dime si te acuerdas” in 2018. Although this isn’t the only song that I enjoy by Bad Bunny, it was one of the few songs by him that turned out to be my favorite in 2018 from the rhythm of the music that I enjoyed.

(https://open.spotify.com/track/49VSioK272TASR4r9vRTuP)

4. History – Rich Brian

Indonesian rapper made his viral debut back in February 2016 with “Dat Stick” and released a track for the 88Rising “Head in the clouds” album titled “History” on Oct. 10. Although the video isn’t one of my favorites, this song was one of the best in 2018 from the lyrics to the beat of the music. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DrNC-xQcGs)

3. My Pace – Stray Kids

South Korean boy group Stray Kids, created by JYP Entertainment released “My Pace” on Aug. 6. Throughout the song, and the fun dance with motivating lyrics “Such comparison is meaningless, don’t do that. You just have to go on your own way,”  gives the hip hop album a way to connect with the generation with comparisons. Although this wasn’t the only song that Stray Kids released this year, it was my favorite. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pok5yDw77uM)

2. Call out my name – The Weeknd

Singles from R&B soul and Electropop album “My Dear Melancholy” made Billboard hot 100 charts back in April 2018. The blue cinematic beauty of the video features The Weeknd walking through streets in California while singing the song. Although the song and the video was a perfect mix, it was not the best song of 2018 but deserves to be in second place.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4ZoCHID9GI)

1. SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK- Joji

A personal favorite of mine, that I believed was the best song of 2018 is “SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK” produced by Joji and Patrick Wimberly. Japanese singer-songwriter Joji released R&B/soul album, “Ballads 1”, back on Oct. 26. Joji’s vocals enhance the three minutes making every second worth your time with this sweet R&B song. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xwmensMDn0)

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