While we’re only a few months into the new year, 2018 is already proving itself to be a standout year for music. From hip hop to synth-heavy pop music, the first few months of 2018 have already loaded the airwaves with some of the most listenable tunes we’ve heard in years, from new artists to performers we’ve hardly heard from since the 2000s recording new work. Before putting on another lame premade playlist, add these 2018 hits to your listening lineup:
‘Finesse (Remix)’ by Bruno Mars feat. Cardi B: One of the most infectious hits of the past decade, this Bruno Mars hit was already a bop long before ‘Bodak Yellow’ rapper Cardi B added her signature style to it. However, the combination of Bruno’s smooth lyrics and delivery and Cardi’s 90’s-inspired rhymes combine to something greater than the sum of their parts, creating an instant classic that fans of both pop and hip-hop will be listening to for years to come.
‘Heart Beat Here’ by Dashboard Confessional: While Dashboard Confessional is best known for their 2000 emo hit ‘Screaming Infidelities’ and little since then, the band has returned in 2018 with a more mature sound. ‘Heart Beat Here’ is the more mature, pared down love song that fans who have grown up with the band have been waiting for.
‘You Owe Me’ by The Chainsmokers: The Chainsmokers’ path toward total music industry domination shows no signs of stopping in 2018. Hot on the heels of successes like ‘Closer’ and ‘Something Just Like This,’ the EDM-pop duo is back at it again with the latest instalment of their hit parade, ‘You Owe Me.’ While a bit less raucous than some of their big hits in the past, this low-key pop hit is still a fun, danceable hit.
‘Capital Letters’ by Hailee Steinfeld & BloodPop®: ‘Starving’ singer Hailee Steinfeld is back at it in 2018 with yet another perfect pop hit. ‘Capital Letters’ is an artfully-crafted, beat-heavy love song, the perfect summery hit perfect for blasting with the windows down.
‘Hand It Over’ by MGMT: While MGMT’s heyday was in the mid-2000s when their immensely popular ‘Oracular Spectacular’ was released, the band is back at it again in 2018 with new music that’s sure to delight their diehard fans. Their latest hit is ‘Hand it Over,’ a synth-fueled pop tune that harkens back to some of their earlier work, albeit with a slightly trippier ‘70s-inspired vibe.
Whether you’re a fan of pop, R&B, electronic, or hip-hop, 2018 has a single that’s sure to speak to your particular taste and let you jam out at home. Before you give your usual tired playlist another rotation, brighten up your listening habits with these sure-to-be hits.