Honourable Mentions of 2018

2018 has been a great year for music and these are the songs that just didn't quite make it onto the list proper. I highly recommend listening to these songs regardless and the full list of all my favourite songs from throughout the year is on a playlist on Deezer.

Always | Above & Beyond

Whilst the album was quite mediocre and unexceptional in places, this was one song that stuck with me throughout the year. Whether you listen to the original or the Club Mix doesn't bother me, they're both excellent and surprisingly emotional songs.

Panic Room | Au/Ra, Camelphat

I was so pleased with this song gaining some traction here in the UK as it is a fantastic dance song and Au/Ra's vocals are full of potential. I can't wait to see what 2019 brings for her. 

Couldn't Give It Away | Bad Sounds

This band is one I have high expectations of in the future, especially because of how much I enjoy this song off of their pretty good debut album. The synths build up such a great atmosphere in this one, I wouldn't miss it for the world. 

Gatekeeper Julie | Capital Cities

The duo's second album has been anticipated for years and the majority of it disappointed me but this song in particular stood out as something rich, important and wonderfully funny! 

The Echo Of The World | Cloud Nothings

This band may not be for everyone but this song should satisfy anyone that enjoys dark, grungy post-punk and indie rock. I love the huge build to the song and just the epic aggression of the final section, both instrumentally and vocally.

Heartache | Dead Ceremony

This is a phenomenal indie pop and perhaps slightly trip-hop influenced jem that I am so pleased to have heard. The beat and melody on this are just perfect and the chorus is exceptional. 

Look Back | Diplo, DRAM

It's worth listening to this simply because of DRAM's vocal performance. Honestly it's astounding and puts Diplo's retro production, as cool as it is, to shame. 

All The Stars | Kendrick Lamar, SZA

Similarly to the last pick the main reason to hear this is SZA's beautiful hook, although I do appreciate the Flume sample in the production and Kendrick's verses are okay. 

Reborn | Kids See Ghosts

Honestly this almost made it into my Top 50 Songs Of The Year but it fell just short. In my opinion this is the standout on a grandiose and interesting album with some of Kanye and Kid Cudi's best work ever. 

Light Mind | Miracle

I adore how dark and fun this song is and paired with the music video it's just phenomenal. This may be the best song on his album "The Strife Of Love In A Dream" but I still recommend you give that a listen. 

God Break Down The Door | Nine Inch Nails

The band are clearly no longer in their prime but to deliver a song this great this many years into their career? I love all the production and detail in this song, even if the mid section is slightly lacking. 

Tieduprightnow | Parcels

By no means the best song on their album but an exceptional piece of synth-funk music nontheless. This band have quickly become a favourite of mine and this might be the perfect song to get someone into them. 

If You Know You Know | Pusha T

Once this song really gets going it enthralls! For this to be the kick-off to Pusha T's incredible album "Daytona" is just perfect. If there is one thing Kanye should be proud of this year it's the production on this song. Well done Kanye, now maybe take a long rest because you need it. 

Fast Slow Disco | St. Vincent 

She's had a great year and for me this song has been the highlight. This is vastly superior to the original and can only be described as a success. St. Vincent aka Annie Clarke has been consistent at delivering great music and this might be her poppiest yet. 

One Last Night On This Earth | Sundara Karma

Ok, can I just confess my love for this band right now? They may have pulled a pretty drastic change from indie rock to Bowie-inspired piano-driven art rock but they have stayed amazing and given me so much to look forward to with their upcoming album "Ulfilas' Alphabet".

Nightclub | The Vaccines

I've seen people that have described The Vaccines' latest album as a "modern classic" but I disagree. I find it inconsistent and underwhelming overall but there are definitely standout moments, this song being one of them. If those guitars were brought forward into the mix this could easily have been in my Top 50...

Cheetah Tongue | The Wombats

This is up there as one of this band's best. The psychedelic tones add so much flavour and make it really genuinely interesting, whilst most of the rest of the album fails to impress me. I want this to be the sound The Wombats progress with, not the bland synthpop they've been delivering for the last 7 years.

My My My! | Troye Sivan

For me this was the moment I got excited about what Troye could give us in terms of pop music you'd actually want to hear. This song was the beginning and the best of the real Troye in my opinion and I'm pleased with his album too, even if it's not something I often choose to listen to. Good work, let's hope he keeps it up.

Chlorine | Twenty Øne Piløts

The more I hear this song the more I want to hear it over and over again. The beat changes, the amazing lyrics.. This song is fire. At times a slow burning fire but still definitely a fire.