Top 10 Best Songs of the Year (So Far)

In a post-Prince world, pop music needs someone willing and able to push funk back into the spotlight. Working with the legendary musician prior to his untimely passing, Janelle Monáe's enigmatic delivery elevates "Make Me Feel" beyond being a mere homage. Hardly lacking for energy and bolstered by a scintillating synth line that echoes the sensual lyrics, Monáe's single should be able to elicit a smile out of the grumpiest of faces. Tackling themes dealing with bisexuality, "Make Me Feel's" music video also deserves a mention for its fantastic choreography!

If asked to pick 2017's breakthrough artist, there would only be one right answer. Starting the year by landing a feature on Bruno Mars' successful "Finesse," Cardi B Instantly dashed any suggestions that "Bodak Yellow" was just a flash in the pan. Released as the fourth single from the rapper's debut album, "I Like It" is a Latin trap song that makes perfect use of its Pete Rodriguez sample and seems destined to dominate the Summer club scene. Topping the Billboard Hot 100, Cardi B made history by becoming the first female rapper to score two number-one hits.

While rarely described as cheerful, the legendary virtual band's music tends to shine whenever the gloom is replaced with a dash of optimism. A quick follow up to 2017's comeback album, Gorillaz's "Humility" is not only a lot more laid-back than anything on "Humanz " but shows a renewed focus on Damon Albarn's vocals.Benefiting from a fabulous guest feature by jazz guitarist George Benson, "Humility" might lack a memorable hook, but nobody can resist Albarn's vocals over a sprightly tune. If the music video is anything to go by, Jack Black seems to agree.

Home to one of the greatest voices in the business; when Florence Welch sings, we listen. A natural progression from the indie rock band's 2015 album, "Hunger" serves as the perfect calling card for Florence and the Machine. Starting off with a rather subdued beat that instantly highlights Florence's life-altering vocals, "Hunger's" lavish instrumental bides its time before exploding into a rapturous orchestral chorus that compliments the singer's soulful delivery. Technically, "Hunger" could be described as a love song, although the lyrics deal with the resulting emptiness from failing to reciprocate the emotion.

This rock star is here to stay.  After hitting the ground running with 2015's debut single "White Iverson" and reaching the top of the charts with "Rockstar," Post Malone has cornered the market for mellow rap music over a catchy trap beat.Dealing with the struggles of fame and the inability to trust anyone, "Psycho" knows better than to reinvent the wheel; nevertheless, the accessible song showcases a confident artist who is fully in control of their sound. While detractors are unlikely to be impressed, "Psycho" is a quintessential Post Malone track.

Part of being a producer is pinpointing which singer can elevate a beat to another dimension; when it comes to Calvin Harris, the Scottish DJ rarely misses the mark. Jumping on the Dua Lipa hype train, "One Kiss" trades the young English singer's dreamy pop for some good old fashioned house music, but the starlet proves to be more than flexible enough to handle the shift in direction. While the beat sticks close to Harris' signature moody but energetic style, Lipa's magnetic vocals are "One Kiss'" real highlight. 

Pop music always benefits from a dose of positivity; however, after the Manchester Arena bombing, the former Disney superstar would have been forgiven for going in the opposite direction. Introduced with a melancholy beat that implies a ballad is on the way, "No Tears Left to Cry" subverts expectations by transitioning into a full-blown dance anthem that screams strength and resilience. Ariana Grande's soaring vocals continue to put to shame most of the singer's peers, while the triumphant hook manages to be simultaneously familiar and unique. 

Over the span of three minutes, the Canadian musician flirts with trap, pop, and rap elements while handing out wads of cash to random strangers. After five commercially lucrative albums, Drake has condensed the art of hit-making into its most fundamental state. Debuting at number one on the charts and refusing to leave, "God's Plan" is less of a song and more of a victory lap. Whether referring to Drake's melodic singing, the bouncy beat, or the self-congratulatory lyrics; "God's Plan" incorporates everything that pushed the artist to the forefront of popular music.

"Black Panther's" soundtrack could have done much worse than these two superstars. Contributing an entire album worth of tracks, Kendrick Lamar's hot streak extended into 2018 with, arguably, the rapper's most commercial release to date. Slightly short of innovation when contrasted to Lamar's usual output, SZA's towering vocals instill enough personality during the anthemic chorus to promote "All the Stars" into an unmissable track. Commenting on the importance of standing tall when facing adversity, Lamar flows through the verses like a seasoned pro who happens to be the best rapper in the game.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“FRIENDS”
Marshmello & Anne-Marie

“The Middle”
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey

“Drunk in LA”
Beach House

Describing this chart-topping masterpiece as merely a pop song would be a gross understatement. Fusing elements of trap, afrobeat, and gospel; Donald Glover returned to the music scene with Childish Gambino's most ambitious track to date. Paired with the provocative music video that puts silly viral dances against graphic depictions of violence, "This is America" tackles racial stereotypes while examining the entertainment industry's influence on the public. Referencing everything from Jim Crow to the Charleston church shooting, Gambino's "This is America" is 2018 in a nutshell.