Summer 2018 churned out some of the hottest, most played tracks on the airwaves. With a plethora of dropped albums just as school years ended and summer began, we have had plenty to listen to and love.
From Cardi B securing her style, to Charlie Puth becoming a force to be reckoned with and lesser-known BROCKHAMPTON making moves in the music industry, these artists gave listeners a good summer playlist.
Here are the best of the best summer 2018 tunes — tracks that will still be playing well into the fall.
Hailey Stewart | Argonaut
“I Like It” — Cardi B, featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin
Cardi B’s album “Invasion of Privacy” is without a doubt one of the best albums to come out of 2018, and “I Like It” is one of the best songs of the summer. “Bodak Yellow” took the reigns for a while, but “I Like It” quickly swept through and took the top spot. Not everything that comes out near summer can be a summer jam. But, “I Like It” checks all the boxes. With a touch of salsa, trap, rap and pop, this song is unstoppable. The Latin-Caribbean sound in this song just makes listeners think of a warm beach.
At this point, it seems only Cardi B can beat Cardi B.
“Dance to This” — Troye Sivan, featuring Ariana Grande
It was only a matter of time before rising star Troye Sivan and Ariana Grande teamed up to create something so perfect. This track just happened to be perfect for summer.
From two exceptionally upbeat pop artists, you might expect an eccentric and overly bubbly track out of the duo. But, “Dance to This” is more refined, a bit more lowkey.
“Dance to This” is the kind of song to not necessarily dance to, but sway to. The two’s vocals pair perfect and smooth to create a sedated and effortless single.
“Particular Taste” — Shawn Mendes
Shawn Mendes’ newest album is the kind of album you play in the car every drive for over a week without getting bored. Mendes grew up and out of the young pop star phase and found his voice with the album.
Another track that doesn’t scream in your face or boom like a pop anthem, “Particular Taste” has the kind of beat that doesn’t wear out.
“Empty Cups” — Charlie Puth
“Empty Cups” shows off Charlie Puth’s signature sound — a little high pitched melody with a strong beat.
Puth’s newest album, “Voicenotes,” showcases his full range. “Empty Cups” is a flirty and fun track on the somewhat serious album.
Maybe summer songs require talking about the beach or the sun. For Puth, it only requires images of empty solo cups and smooth vocals.
“Work Out” — Chance the Rapper
Chance the Rapper’s newest single has been out for just a short while, but it’s already making waves. It could be that his newest songs dropped rather unexpectedly or that we all just missed his voice, but “Work Out” quickly became a standout this summer.
Listen closely and you’ll hear a story about the rapper’s life.
This track is about transitions and change — a song we’ll be listening to well into the next season.
“Nice for What” — Drake
“Nice for What” might have had a head start by dropping in April, but its triumphs haven’t slowed one bit. Drake pulled out everything we love about Drake — the stardom, the smooth vocals and recurring beat. This song is made to make listeners have a good time.
With a Lauryn Hill interlude halfway through the track, you get the best of the best when it comes to hip-hop.
“1998 Truman” — BROCKHAMPTON
A relatively lesser known rap, pop, alternative, everything group, BROCKHAMPTON only recently released this single. “1998 Truman” is weird — there is no other way to put it. But, BROCKHAMPTON is weird in a good way.