The first set of 2018's top tracks have already been revealed. Songs from Celine Dion, Rita Ora, Saara Aalto, Kim Petras and Troye Sivan were deserving of inclusion. For the next ten masterpieces, the drag supermodel of the world, a Texas rock band, and yet another Eurovision 2018 finalist each impress in their own unique ways! Enjoy!
Honorable Mentions:
"GIMME! GIMME! GIMME! (A Man After Midnight)" by Cher: a cover of the ABBA's 1979 staple, recognized by U.S. pop fans from Madonna's "Hung Up", details a lonely woman fantasizing about a romantic encounter clouded in darkness. Cher puts her own vocal spin on the new rendition, complete with trademark vocoder, as she compares her love life with the false portrayal of Hollywood's storybook ending.
"Sincerely Yours" by Kylie Minogue: off her 14th studio album Golden, highlight "Sincerely Yours" can certainly get repetitive at times, but written as a love letter to her fan base provides priceless sentiment that carries the track to mid-tempo pop ballad heights. "Wouldn't give it all away, 'cause we weathered that storm and the pouring rain, when I need a little love, you show it", she opens.
#40. "Hey Sis, It's Christmas" by RuPaul
RuPaul always knows how to make the holiday season a bit more festive. The rambunctious "Hey Sis, It's Christmas", off the drag legend's latest album, lights up the holiday dance floor with trap influences and a fierce flow from Mama Ru. "Boom, bright, Christmas, white, reindeers pulling that sleigh tonight, don that apparel so gay, that's right, all Santa's elves be giving me life," she chants on the first verse, before a pre-chorus of perfection rolls through and changes the tone and direction for the better. It's the mix of genre influences, the sharp change in progression, that will have listeners daydreaming of sugarplum fairies long after Christmas comes and goes.
#39. "Pink Champagne" by Steve Grand
Though it may seem independent country/pop artist Steve Grand has halted promotion for sophomore album Not The End of Me, he shouldn't forget about "Pink Champagne". The mid-tempo ballad details Grand's struggle with alcoholism, the pain it came with, and his eventual path toward sobriety. "In those days I would black out daily, just to numb myself from all the crazy, even if for just temporary, these blogs are ripping me apart again," he sings on the second verse. Though complete with a radio-ready chorus, the effort forces the artist to reminisce on the grim past, becoming a sarcastic celebration to those rooting for his demise.
#38. "No Tears Left to Cry" by Ariana Grande
Dance/pop banger “No Tears Left to Cry” was introduced as an 80s-inspired pop ballad that quickly morphed into an uptempo dancefloor anthem and found Ariana Grande picking up the pieces to push forward. On the surface, the track appeared directed toward a lover, but the Manchester concert victims are still in Grande’s thoughts and heart. Though her vocal prowess is still front and center, much of the attention is paid to both the energy and underlying message of the effort. Lyrical content is kept to a very bare minimum, but sentiment remains intact, alluding to the therapeutic process she endured following last year’s unfortunate events.
#37. "I'm A Mess" by Bebe Rexha
In 2018, following numerous successful songwriting credits, and a hair color change, Bebe Rexha finally got her chance to shine. Yes, her biggest hit will likely forever be "Meant to Be" feat. Florida Georgia Line. However, Rexha took a sharp turn from country for "I'm A Mess", a pop/R&B Top 40 solo hit. Co-written by Justin Tranter and featuring a clever interpolation of "Bitch" by Meredith Brooks, the track handles the realization of accepting and celebrating one's imperfections and insecurities instead of letting them weight heavy. It does so with an infectious backing beat and a chorus that remains lodged in the listener's head.
#36. "Sober" by Demi Lovato
In between collaborations with Cheat Codes, Jax Jones, Luis Fonsi, Christina Aguilera, and Clean Bandit this year, did pop vocal powerhouse Demi Lovato ever find time to really check in on herself?
The heartbreaking and revealing "Sober" highlighted the artist's personal struggles with alcohol/drug addiction and bipolar disorder. For six years, the artist voiced pride in her newfound sobriety, encouraging others that betterment is possible. However, the stirring ballad shed dim light on a relapse, spiraling her into darkness once again. The piano-driven ballad conveyed a somber message of someone desperately seeking help and advice. The end result is a narrative and personal plea for forgiveness.
#35. "Masochist" by Christina Aguilera
Leaked in demo form prior to the release of eighth studio album Liberation, highlight "Masochist" found Aguilera feeling she's only good enough for a second-rate relationship. The artist tragically sings of still desiring a man who finds joy in her pain and tears. "I get all my pleasure in your bedroom, in your arms, you get all your pleasure from my torture, from my harm," she sings of realization on the second verse. Yet still, the artist admitted to not being able to walk away from the dysfunction anytime soon. The track showcased Aguilera's show-stopping vocal abilities, only getting better with time, as she admits to moments of weakness.
#34. "Hair Body Face" by Lady Gaga
As Ally makes a drastic career change and ventures into the world of pop music in A Star Is Born, “Hair Body Face” becomes the epitome of her songwriting skills and ear for good hooks, but also becomes slightly problematic. The track has been compared to Gaga’s older, R&B-influenced demos, a genre Gaga has not ventured into in quite some time. Ignoring her naysayers, Ally is fully content as long as she remains perfect in her lover’s eyes. Sensuality encompassed the vocal performance as clever imagery highlights both the acknowledgement of trouble in paradise and the fulfillment of keeping one’s faithful promise to another.
#33. "I'll Do Me, You Do You" by Blue October
The brash bluntness of the songwriting displayed on “I’ll Do Me, You Do You”, paired with mid-tempo production, creates a surreal environment for one of the most authentic relationship clap backs ever to thrive. Most individuals deal with self-destructive tendencies during post-breakup aftermath yet Justin Furstenfeld and Blue October seem to have found strength in the deterioration of the highlighted relationship. The frontman has now found beauty in his reflection, provoking an ex with greatness they will never be able to witness. "We ain't gonna get back together, I don't give a shit who you are, I'm never gonna feel like I am nothing, so I'm never gonna be your star," he sings.
#32. "Honey" by Robyn
Fans waited impatiently for years. Swedish singer-songwriter Robyn delivered in 2018. Second album single and title track “Honey” is structured and produced similarly to its preceding tracks, encompassing listeners with a soothing vibe as Robyn sings of desire, intimacy and sexual tension. The artist’s hypnotic vocals paired with a subdued dance beat provides fans with the closer link to past projects and current influences. “At the heart of some kind of flower, stuck in glitter, strands of saliva, won't you get me right where the hurt is?,” she begs on the first verse. The finished product is intoxicating, using a beat that listeners could get lost in for eternity, and not really care.
#31. "Fuego" by Eleni Foureira
In 2018, Greek artist Eleni Foureira represented the country of Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest. And though she narrowly lost the title to Israel's clucking darling, Foureira's song entry "Fuego" was the true star of the competition (go find video of the live finale performance). A confident and fierce dance/pop anthem, the artist sings of being straightforward and authentic when it comes to her romantic advances and overall persona. "Take me in, take a breath, ain't no hidden agenda, what you see is what you get," she sings on the second verse. Though built around a repetitive chorus, the track succeeded thanks to intriguing production and convincing energy.
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