Best Songs of 2018 – 5 Seconds of Summer, The 1975, twenty one pilots, & More

Well, it’s that time of year again. We get to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of the past year. Right now we’ll run through our top songs of 2018… While this is Alt Columnist, we can’t deny there were some true bops in every genre this year. There’s a bit of everything on this list, from rock to indie to pop punk to singer/songwriter to R&B to electropop. So strap in and enjoy!

Best Songs of 2018

1. “Bulletproof” by DALES
2. “Bad Girls Don’t Cry” by The Night Game
3. “Enough” by Speak Low If You Speak Love
4. “Surveillance” by George Ogilvie
5. “Growing” by Blue Heaven
6. “Drive” by Pale Waves
7. “If You’re Over Me” by Years & Years
8. “Magnetic” by Phillip Phillips
9. “Topanga Lawrence” by Charmer
10. “Cool Out” by Imagine Dragons
11. “Good Kisser” by Lake Street Dive
12. “Pacific Kiss” by MILKK
13. “Again” by Kehlani
14. “Bullet For Your Sweetheart” by Make Out Monday
15. “Bad Machine” by Boston Manor
16. “take you home” by slenderbodies
17. “Sister Cities” by The Wonder Years
18. “Daydream” by The XCERTS
19. “My Life” by The Vamps & New Hope Club
20. “Haircut” by Ryan Beatty
21. “Lash Out” by Alice Merton
22. “Swim” by Fickle Friends
23. “Why” by Shawn Mendes
24. “Babe, Can I Call?” by The Hunna
25. “all the kids are depressed” by Jeremy Zucker
26. “Blonde” by Waterparks
27. “I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)” by The 1975
28. “Sky Full of Song” by Florence + the Machine
29. “Just Like That” by The Aces
30. “James Dean” by The Wrecks
31. “Taking Me Back” by LANY
32. “Voices” by Against the Current
33. “Hair Too Long” by The Vamps
34. “My My My!” by Troye Sivan
35. “Villains” by Mainland
36. “Moving Along” by 5 Seconds of Summer
37. “Misty Mae” by Georgia Fearn
38. “Malibu Nights” by LANY
39. “Before the Sun Goes Down” by The New Respects
40. “Mariners Apartment Complex” by Lana Del Rey
41. “Heaven’s Gate” by Fall Out Boy
42. “You Can Count On Me” by Trophy Eyes
43. “The Overpass” by Panic! at the Disco
44. “stop and stare” by joan
45. “Mad Love” by Honest Men
46. “Youngblood” by 5 Seconds of Summer
47. “That Something” by With Confidence
48. “Daphne Blue” by The Band Camino
49. “Heat Wave” by Snail Mail
50. “Jumpsuit” by twenty one pilots
51. “Not Warriors” by Waterparks
52. “Powerslide” by Ryan Beatty
53. “Best Friend” by 5 Seconds of Summer
54. “Brooklyn” by Fickle Friends
55. “Lovely” by Pinkish Blu
56. “Revolution” by The Wrecks
57. “Hunger” by Florence + the Machine
58. “Lake Effect Kid” by Fall Out Boy
59. “Midnight” by 5 Seconds of Summer
60. “Empty Cups” by Charlie Puth
61. “Thick and Thin” by LANY
62. “Lovin’ Is Bible” by The Aces
63. “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes
64. “Love It If We Made It” by The 1975
65. “Babylon” by 5 Seconds of Summer

Yeah, I’m surprised too. I’m not going to explain every song on this list, but let’s go through a handful of my favorites.

“I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)” is basically if The 1975 made a late ’90s Third Eye Blind song… and it somehow works.

“Bullet For Your Sweetheart” by Make Out Monday is reminiscent of Fall Out Boy’s From Under the Cork Tree, lyrically and musically, which is a welcomed sound.

Speaking of Fall Out Boy, while I consider MANIA to be their most unsatisfactory project to date, “Heaven’s Gate” surprised me with its soulful melodies and organic instrumentation, seemingly harking back to the Folie á Deux era of their career.

Similarly, Panic! at the Disco’s Pray For the Wicked was a disappointing release, but “The Overpass” provided some punch, rhythm, and excitement with gutsy horns, racing percussion, and soaring choruses.

“stop and stare” by joan is an ’80s-inspired indie pop rock jam with warm synths, ethereal atmosphere, and a stellar guitar solo.

“Daphne Blue” by The Band Camino is an undeniable summertime anthem, perfect for a windows-down, volume-up drive.

“Powerslide” by Ryan Beatty is another tune for the summertime, but much more chill and smooth and, uh, suggestive, bound to get stuck in your head with its bouncy melodies and vocal harmonies.

“Lovely” by Pinkish Blu delivers a hazy indie rock vibe through nicely reverb-laden guitar timbres and poignant lyricism.

Fall Out Boy originally released a demo of “Lake Effect Kid” on their 2008 Welcome to the New Administration mixtape, but the song finally got its rightful studio version released this year, a decade later, as a love letter to the band’s hometown of Chicago. This is the Fall Out Boy we’ve been missing.

“Midnight” by 5 Seconds of Summer was released as a Japanese bonus track on their latest effort Youngblood, but it’s easily one of the best songs from the record. (Although, as you can tell from their numbers of entries on our list, it’s fairly difficult to say there were many inferior songs on the album to begin with.) “Midnight” is a sultry plea for a deeper relationship with a paramour who only gives their love after midnight, but the tune is so anthemic and gargantuan that the tremendous choruses and celestial atmosphere nearly eclipse the subject matter.

“Empty Cups” by Charlie Puth is a rather similar song, begging a lover to stay, but with more groove and allure… and more scandalous in regards to cheating.

LANY’s “Thick and Thin” employs tasteful simplicity and heartfelt lyrics to craft a refined, exquisitely minimalistic tune deserving of repeated listens and shouted singalongs.

“Lovin’ Is Bible” by The Aces is a fabulous ’80s-influenced tune with some real character. The chorus is undeniably catchy, and the guitar riffs are absolute earcandy.

“Love It If We Made It” by The 1975 is a desperate yet hopeful survey of our world’s current sociopolitical state, and while it is quite anxiety-inducing, it is one of the band’s strongest works to date.

Speaking of anxiety, “In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes is an empowering cry for help, a portrait of persevering through mental health struggles and general challenges of life. Shawn Mendes surprised us with this Kings of Leon-inspired pop rock song, and it’s brought me to tears on multiple occasions.

“Babylon” by 5 Seconds of Summer is a ripping pop rock anthem, characterized by colossal guitar melodies and sky-high choruses. Calum Hood’s moment to shine is an ultimately defining moment for the Aussie band.

That’s our list! Let us know your favorite tunes of the year in the comments down below or tweet at us on Twitter. @AltColumnist

January 2018 Alt Col Picks

A lot of great albums were released in January, so here are our favorite records of the month! (In no particular order.) Want a Spotify playlist? Click here!

• The Dangerous Summer – The Dangerous Summer

The Dangerous Summer returns from their nearly 5-year-long hiatus to unleash their fiery self-titled record, proving they still have the poignancy and musicianship to deliver another outstanding full-length. The Dangerous Summer is intense, emotional, and hard-hitting, both lyrically and musically. Standout tracks include “Fire,” “Ghosts,” and “When I Get Home.” The Dangerous Summer will appeal to fans of The Wonder Years, Sorority Noise, and The Gaslight Anthem. Click here to listen.

• Waterparks – Entertainment

Waterparks’ unique blend of pop punk and electronic power pop is expanded upon and further refined on their sophomore effort Entertainment. Entertainment is undoubtedly entertaining between its anthemic choruses, syrupy synth melodies, and crunchy guitar riffs. Standout tracks include “Blonde,” “Not Warriors,” “We Need to Talk,” and “Rare.” Entertainment is sure to attract followers of As It Is, Against the Current, and PVRIS. Click here to listen.

• Dream Wife – Dream Wife

Raucous guitar work, blazing vocal performances, and punchy lyricism define the debut long-player from the genre-fusing band Dream Wife. Dream Wife amalgamates garage rock, pop, and punk with their riot-inducing songwriting to create a fierce mixture of empowering attitude and kickass stamina. Standout tracks include “Let’s Make Out,” “Hey Heartbreaker,” and “Somebody.” Dream Wife is sure to satisfy followers of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, girlpool, and The Sounds. Click here to listen.

• Tonight Alive – Underworld

Tonight Alive recrudesces with their trademark variety of heavy pop rock and powerful vocals, and Underworld captures their strengths better than ever before. Bombastic anthems and searing slow burners give Underworld diversity, and the real spotlight goes to Jenna McDougall’s stellar choral abilities. Standout tracks include “Disappear (feat. Lynn Gunn of PVRIS),” “Temple,” and “Crack My Heart.” Underworld will capture listeners of Mallory Knox, Deaf Havana, and PVRIS. Click here to listen.

• Phillip Phillips – Collateral

American Idol winner Phillip Phillips cemented himself as one of the few musicians who really “makes it” post-Idol by scoring big radio hits through his authentic brand of folk pop with inflections of rock sprinkled throughout. On Collateral, Phillips flexes his rock edge to the fullest extent and crafts a solid pop rock record bound to interest a wide array of audiences. Standout tracks include “Miles,” “Magnetic,” “My Name,” and “Sand Castles.” Collateral is sure to interest fans of Daughtry, The Fray, and Pearl Jam. Click here to listen.

• EDEN – vertigo

The organic instrumentation combined with electronic elements elevates EDEN’s debut full-length vertigo to exciting and refreshing heights. With catchy synth hooks and mellow acoustic guitar timbres, vertigo offers something new and yet something for everyone on each track. Standout tracks include “gold,” “crash,” “take care,” and “start//end.” vertigo will appeal to listeners of Lauv, gnash, and FAMY. Click here to listen.

• The Academic – Tales From the Backseat

Colorful guitar melodies and vibrant production melds with passionate lyricism and infectious vocal hooks to craft The Academic’s indie rock freshman release Tales From the Backseat. Tales has a youthful attitude about it, offering up carefree anthems ready for summer drives with the windows down. Standout tracks include “Different,” “Bear Claws,” and “Fake ID.” Tales From the Backseat is bound to attract listeners of Walk the Moon, Grouplove, and WATERS. Click here to listen.

• BØRNS – Blue Madonna

Smooth electro-pop artist BØRNS cultivates another outstanding record filled to the brim with energy and style. Blue Madonna showcases the singer exercising his slick falsetto and pop sensibility in a daydreamy soundscape composed of electrifying synths and saccharine guitar work. Standout tracks include “Faded Heart,” “God Save Our Young Blood,” and “Sweet Dreams.” Blue Madonna will capture fans of Saint Motel, Broods, and MisterWives. Click here to listen.

---

MORE GREAT ALBUMS

• Fall Out Boy – M A  N   I    A

Standout tracks include “The Last of the Real Ones,” “Heaven’s Gate,” and “Hold Me Tight or Don’t.” M A  N   I    A is for fans of Panic! at the Disco, Set It Off, and New Politics. Click here to listen.

• Tiny Moving Parts – Swell

Standout tracks include “Caution,” “Applause,” and “Wildfire.” Swell is for fans of Seaway, Modern Baseball, and Knuckle Puck. Click here to listen.

• Porches – The House

Standout tracks include “Find Me,” “W Longing,” and “Leave the House.” The House is for fans of LANY, Wild Ones, and Heart of Gold. Click here to listen.

• Super Whatevr – Never Nothing

Standout tracks include “For You,” “Telelelevision,” and “Bloomfield.” Never Nothing is for fans of The Technicolors, Vinyl Theatre, and Catfish & the Bottlemen. Click here to listen.

• Speak Low If You Speak Love – Nearsighted

Standout tracks include “Enough,” “Contrasting Colors,” and “Cannot Have It All.” Nearsighted is for fans of The Middle Ground, Hussey, and Faces Like Flint. Click here to listen.

• First Aid Kit – Ruins

Standout tracks include “Fireworks,” “It’s a Shame,” and “Ruins.” Ruins is for fans of Great Lake Swimmers, The Head and the Heart, and Chris DuPont. Click here to listen.

• Into the Great Divide – Into the Great Divide

Standout tracks include “Chapter 4: Tests & Enemies,” “Chapter 5: Challenge Accepted,” and “Chapter 2: A Call to Adventure.” Into the Great Divide is for fans of Saor, Kauan, and Nechochwen. Click here to listen.

• Anderson East – Encore

Standout tracks include “All On My Mind,” “Girlfriend,” and “Cabinet Door.” Encore is for fans of St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Muddy Magnolias, and Hozier. Click here to listen.

• Young Dreams – Waves 2 You

Standout tracks include “Wildwind,” “My Brain On Love,” and “Somebody Else.” Waves 2 You is for fans of Passion Pit, Mutemath, and Bloody Beach. Click here to listen.

• Moon Taxi – Let the Record Play

Standout tracks include “Two High,” “Not Too Late,” and “Keep Me Coming.” Let the Record Play is for fans of The Colourist, COIN, and The Mowgli’s. Click here to listen.

• Django Django – Marble Skies

Standout tracks include “Beam Me Up,” “Tic Tac Toe,” and “Marble Skies.” Marble Skies is for fans of Young Dreams, Franz Ferdinand, and Chairlift. Click here to listen.

• Of Mice & Men – Defy

Standout tracks include “Defy,” “Back to Me,” and “Warzone.”  Defy is for fans of Crown the Empire, Memphis May Fire, and We As Human. Click here to listen.

• They Might Be Giants – I Like Fun

Standout tracks include “I Left My Body,” “Let’s Get This Over With,” and “Push Back the Hands.” I Like Fun is for fans of The Long Winters, Ok Go, and The Mountain Goats. Click here to listen.

• Cane Hill – Too Far Gone

Standout tracks include “Lord of Flies,” “Too Far Gone,” and “It Follows.” Too Far Gone is for fans of Beartooth, Sworn In, and Of Mice & Men. Click here to listen.

 

---

Extended Plays

• Zoology – Bloom

Chill, guitar-driven indie pop. (DEFINITELY worth your time.) Standout tracks include “100°,” “Portland,” and “Waterfalls.” Bloom is for fans of pineview, Petit Biscuit, and Anna of the North. Click here to listen.

• The Neighbourhood – To Imagine

Standout tracks include “Scary Love” and “Compass.” To Imagine is for fans of Lauv, LANY, and, like, blackbear…? Click here to listen.

• Lizzy Farrall – All I Said Was Never Heard

Standout tracks include “Broken Toy“ and “Better With.” All I Said Was Never Heard is for fans of Gardenhead, Julien Baker, and The Accidentals. Click here to listen.

• Persei – 117 Whatever Street

Standout tracks include “Sanity“ and “Mess.” 117 Whatever Street is for fans of Welman, LEDGES, and First Time In Color. Click here to listen.

---

Let us know what you think of January’s releases down in the comments below!