Best Songs of 2018 – Part 3

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By m_x_ 23 Oct 2018, 7:51am

We continue to explore some of the best songs released this year and look back at the highlights between July and September.

If you were too busy enjoying the summer to keep on top of the hectic music schedule, now is your chance to catch up and discover new songs by some of the most exciting artists. If you haven't done so already, make sure to check Best Songs of 2018 – Part 1 here and Best Songs of 2018 – Part 2 here. And as always, don't forget to track the music you listen to by scrobbling!

Mitski – Nobody

After teasing her new album Be The Cowboy with lead single 'Geyser', Japanese-American singer-songwriter Mitski delivers an intoxicating anthem for the lonely, a song that could be described as 'disco for sad people' and that has been given the Last.fm tag 'sad disco' as a result!

Charli XCX - Focus

Charli XCX shows no sign of stopping her mission to deliver daring hybrid pop tunes in 2018. This time, her adventurous pop journey takes us to blissful territories with 'Focus'.

Deafheaven - You Without End

Deafheaven never seem to disappoint with each new release and took their musical prowesses to new heights with their new album 'Ordinary Corrupt Human Love'. The more subtle melodies of the opening track introduce a new direction for a band that is resolved to not let music genres define them or limit their powerful creative abilities.

Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

Arctic Monkey's new album title track and second single manages to pleasantly intrigue the fans while catching the attention of a larger audience and introducing a somewhat strange but new and exciting era for the band.

Blood Orange - Charcoal Baby

'Charcoal Baby' is the stunning funky and smooth first single from Blood Orange's new groundbreaking album Negro Swan. It comes together with a must-watch split-screen music video showing Dev Hynes performing at two distinctive family gatherings.

Tim Hecker - This Life

'This Life' is the tragic and haunting first single from Tim Hecker' new record Konoyo, an album inspired by "conversations with a recently deceased friend about negative space and a sense of music's increasingly banal density."

Robyn - Missing U

After a long absence, Robyn is back with the thrilling 'Missing U' and delivers what her fans have long been waiting for: a melancholic dance floor anthem for the broken-hearted.

Aphex Twin - T69 Collapse

Richard D. James has made his grand come back with the hypnotic single 'T69 Collapse', blending a classic Aphex Twin sound together with a more dissonant and exhilarating electronic mayhem. The astonishing result is enhanced by a mind-bending video.

Low - Disarray

With 'Double Negative', Low have released what is already considered by many as one of their best records. 'Disarray' is the closing song that was precisely crafted and incorporates minimalist vocals together with a pulsing rhythm that gives it an industrial texture.

Courtney Barnett - Charity

As the lyrics say, everything's amazing with Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett! Are you listening?

Blood Orange - Saint

Another song by Blood Orange, because his new album Negro Swan is that good! 'Saint' and its music video deliver angelic melodies and touching, soulful vocals together with a sweet and laid-back attitude.

Yves Tumor - Licking an Orchid

Instead of releasing more of the same haunting lo-fi experimental music found on 'Serpent Music', Yves Tumor delivered the unexpected on his Warp debut by focusing on new sounds and melodies, crafting music that is even more engaging and catchy.

HEALTH - MASS GRAVE

Behind its grim song title, 'MASS GRAVE' hides the contribution of Soccer Mommy's gracefully soft vocals and the production of Corin Roddick (Purity Ring). The result is more subdued than anything found on HEALTH's last album DEATH MAGIC released in 2015.

Kero Kero Bonito - Make Believe

With its sweet vocals, its catchy rhythm and reflective lyrics, KKB's new song 'Make Believe' will make you daydream and make you lose touch with reality for 3 minutes.

Lana Del Rey - Venice Bitch

At nearly 10 minutes, 'Venice Bitch' is the longest song Lana Del Rey has ever released and one of her most minimalist too. The song is pretty unique and the culmination of what made Lana who she is; a combination that will leave you dreaming, feeling nostalgic and hypnotised. The singer has the natural ability to captivate her audience with her whispery vocals.