The Best Pop Music of 2018
A look at the best pop music of 2018. From breakout stars to veteran acts, these are the artists that defined the year in pop music.
Introduction
It’s hard to believe that 2018 is already coming to a close. This year has flown by, and it’s been an incredible ride. We’ve seen some amazing new artists emerge, and some of our favorite veterans come back stronger than ever. It’s been a great year for pop music, and we can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store.
In this article, we’ll be counting down our picks for the best pop songs of 2018. We’ll be taking a look at a wide range of songs, from huge hits to underrated gems. So without further ado, let’s get started.
Best Pop Songs of 2018
There were a lot of great pop songs released in 2018. It was hard to narrow it down, but here are our picks for the best pop songs of the year. From catchy tracks to feel-good ballads, 2018 had it all. Let’s take a look at the best pop songs of 2018.
“No Tears Left to Cry” by Ariana Grande
“No Tears Left to Cry” is a song by American singer Ariana Grande. It was released by Republic Records on April 20, 2018, as the lead single from Grande’s upcoming fourth studio album, Sweetener (2018). The song was written by Grande, Savan Kotecha and its producers Max Martin and Ilya Salmanzadeh. “No Tears Left to Cry” is a dance-pop and R&B song with influences of house music, disco and trap. Its lyrics touch on the euphoria following tragedy. It debuted at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became Grande’s tenth top-10 single in the country. Internationally, it peaked at number two in Scotland and number three in Australia and Canada while also reaching the top 10 in many other countries such as Czech Republic, Greece, Malaysia, Slovakia, South Korea and Spain.
“The Middle” by Zedd, Maren Morris, and Grey
“The Middle” is a song by Russian-German record producer Zedd, American country pop singer Maren Morris, and American musical duo Grey. The song was released on January 23, 2018, as the lead single from Zedd’s second studio album, Beautiful Now (2015). “The Middle” is a dance-pop and EDM song with lyrics about self-acceptance. Upon its release, the song was met with positive reviews from music critics, many of whom praised its production and Morris’ vocals. It became a commercial success in the United States and several other countries, reaching number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and becoming Zedd’s highest-charting single as a lead artist. The song also attained top-ten positions in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia and the United Kingdom. An accompanying music video for “The Middle” was directed by Tim Mattia and encouraged body positivity. It depicts Zedd walking around Los Angeles while looking for Morris and Grey in different venues.
“All the Stars” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA
Released as a single from the soundtrack to the Marvel film “Black Panther,” “All the Stars” is a collaboration between Kendrick Lamar and SZA. The track debuted at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number five, making it both artists’ highest-charting single as a lead artist. “All the Stars” was also nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 61st Grammy Awards.
“Havana” by Camila Cabello, Young Thug, and Pharrell
“Havana” is a song recorded by Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello, featuring vocals from American rappers Young Thug and Pharrell Williams. The song was released on August 3, 2017, as the lead single from her self-titled debut studio album. “Havana” peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
“God’s Plan” by Drake
Drake’s “God’s Plan” was one of the biggest hits of 2018, and it’s easy to see why. The song is an ode to giving back, and its positive message is paired with a catchy beat that makes it impossible not to sing along. “God’s Plan” spent 11 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it one of the longest-running No. 1 hits of all time.
Best Pop Albums of 2018
It’s been a great year for pop music! We’ve seen a lot of new artists make their debut, as well as some old favorites come back with new music. Here are our picks for the best pop albums of 2018.
“Sweetener” by Ariana Grande
While “Sweetener” isn’t as chock-full of Top 40 hits as Grande’s previous album, “Dangerous Woman,” it might be her most consistent work to date. Guided by the hand of frequent collaborator Pharrell Williams, who produced and co-wrote almost the entire record, Grande has made an R&B-influenced pop album that’s as sexually liberated as it is emotionally vulnerable. It’s also one of the year’s best examples of Jenga production — every time you think the track is about to topple over from all the moving parts, Williams and co-producer Max Martin find a way to keep everything in place.
“Shawn Mendes” by Shawn Mendes
2018 was a great year for pop music, with new releases from some of the genre’s biggest stars. One of the standout albums of the year was Shawn Mendes’ self-titled effort, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Mendes’ third studio album features the hit singles “In My Blood” and “Lost in Japan,” both of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Shawn Mendes also includes the song “Youth,” which was co-written by Khalid and Julia Michaels.
While Shawn Mendes is primarily a pop album, it also features elements of R&B and hip-hop, thanks to contributions from producers like John Mayer and Teddy Geiger. overall, Shawn Mendes is a well-rounded album that showcases the singer’s versatility and demonstrates his growth as an artist.
“Camila” by Camila Cabello
2018 was a great year for pop music, with many artists releasing catchy and innovative albums. Camila Cabello’s self-titled debut album “Camila” was one of the standouts of the year, blending elements of pop, R&B, and Latin music to create a unique and irresistible sound. The album’s lead single, “Havana,” was an international hit, topping charts in multiple countries. Other standout tracks on the album include “Consequences,” “All These Years,” and “She Loves Control.” “Camila” is a must-listen for any fan of pop music.
“Dua Lipa” by Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa is the self-titled debut studio album by English singer Dua Lipa. It was released on 2 June 2017 by Warner Bros. Records. The album contains the singles “Be the One”, “Hotter than Hell”, “Blow Your Mind (Mwah)”, “No Lie” and “IDGAF”. It also features a duet with Calvin Harris on the song “One Kiss”.
“Reputation” by Taylor Swift
“Reputation” by Taylor Swift is one of the best pop albums of 2018. The album includes the hit singles “Look What You Made Me Do” and “End Game.” “Reputation” is a great album for fans of pop music.
Conclusion
After much deliberation, we have come to our final conclusions about the best pop music of 2018. It was a difficult decision, but after careful consideration, we have decided that the following songs are the best of the year.
“In My Blood” by Shawn Mendes
“No Tears Left to Cry” by Ariana Grande
“All I Wanna Do” by Suga
“Dancing on My Own” by Calum Scott
“IDGAF” by Dua Lipa
“Havana” by Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug
