FEATURE: Prime Cuts: 2018’s Ten Finest Tracks

FEATURE:

 

 

Prime Cuts

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IN THIS PHOTO: Kendrick Lamar and SZA (who collaborated on one of this year’s biggest tracks, All the Stars)/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images

2018’s Ten Finest Tracks

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BECAUSE we are almost at the end of 2018...

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IN THIS PHOTO: Christine and the Queens’ (Héloïse Letissier) stunning single, Girlfriend (ft. Dâm-Funk), is a typically excellent offering from her acclaimed album, Chris/PHOTO CREDIT: Jamie Morgan  

it is the time when many are collating their favourite albums and singles. There is a lot of activity and, whilst there is some consensus, there are some surprises to be found - and it shows what a variety has been provided this year. I have already decided my favourite albums of 2018 but the tracks side of things has been harder! Whilst I agree with a lot of articles regarding the best tracks of the year; there are a couple that have not been included that warrant fonder appreciation. I have kept it to a lean ten as to focus down and not get too carried away – and it was really hard to hone my selections down. Here are some truly awesome songs that show what 2018 has been all about: its variation, passion and strength. I wonder, given the brilliant songs that have arrived this year, whether next year...

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IN THIS PHOTO: IDLES (whose year-defining album, Joy as an Act of Resistance, boasts such fierce treasures as Danny Nedelko)/PHOTO CREDIT: Heather McCutcheon for Loud and Quiet  

CAN match its fantastic example.

ALL OTHER IMAGES/PHOTOS: Getty Images

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Childish GambinoThis Is America

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Release Date: 5th May, 2018

Labels: mcDJ; RCA

Writers: Donald Glover and Ludwig Göransson 

Genres: Trap/Afrobeat

Robyn Honey

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Release Date: 26th September, 2018

Label: Konichiwa

Writers: Robyn, Klas Åhlund and Markus Jägerstedt

Genre: Pop

IDLESDanny Nedelko

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Release Date: 5th June, 2018

Label: Partisan  

Writer: Joe Talbot

Genre: Post-Punk

Let’s Eat Grandma Hot Pink

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Release Date: 30th January, 2018

Label: Transgressive Records

Writers: Jenny Hollingworth, Rosa Walton; SOPHIE and Faris Badwan

Genres: Avant-Pop/Synth-Pop

Kacey MusgravesHigh Horse

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Release Date: 25th June, 2018

Label: MCA Nashville

Writers: Kacey Musgraves, Trent Dabbs and Tommy English

Genre: Country-Pop

Arctic MonkeysTranquility Base Hotel & Casino

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Release Date: 23rd July, 2018

Label: Domino

Writer:  Alex Turner

Genres: Lounge-Pop/Space-Pop

Christine and the Queens (ft. Dâm-Funk) - Girlfriend

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Release Date: 17th May, 2018

Label: Because

Writers:  Héloïse Letissier (Christine and the Queens) and Dâm-Funk

Genres: Pop-Funk/Pop

Billie MartenMice

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Release Date: 9th September, 2018

Labels: Chess Club; RCA Victor

Writer: Billie Marten

Genres: Folk/Singer-Songwriter

Kendrick Lamar & SZA - All the Stars

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Release Date: 4th January, 2018

Labels: Top Dawg; Aftermath; Interscope

Writers:  Kendrick Duckworth, Mark Spears; Al Shuckburgh, Solána Rowe and Anthony Tiffith

Genres: Hip-Hop/Rap

Janelle Monáe Make Me Feel

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Release Date: 22nd February, 2018

Labels: Wondaland; Bad Boy; Atlantic

Writers:  Janelle Monáe, Mattias Larsson; Robin Fredriksson, Justin Tranter and Julia Michaels

Genres: Pop/Hip-Hop/Funk