Here’s the best music of 2018, according to Popdust staff:

Janelle Monáe – PYNK [Official Video]youtu.be

Pynk, by Janelle Monae

Chosen by Rebecca Linde, Staff Writer

I have a notoriously plebeian taste in music, and get major anxiety trying to keep up with what everyone seems to be listening to, so I’m just going to go with “Pynk,” because anything that gives us an image of Tessa Thompson popping through Janelle Monae’s vagina-shaped legs can’t possibly be bad.

Amber Run – Hazewww.youtube.com

Amber Run

Chosen by Meg Hanson, Staff Writer

I’m offended if you haven’t heard of Amber Run, three blokes from Nottingham and gods of doleful indie pop. Their 2018 EP The Assembly needs to played in dark winters while swaddled in blue velvet. In particular, “Heaven Is a Place” should be the soundtrack of your next commute home from a shitty day at work that makes you question your life choices. Best of the best from Amber Run, though, is “Haze.” Listen on repeat until you hate it—by then you won’t be able to stop.

This writer has already waxed poetic about the goods on Amber Run. Here is her self-promotional link.

Rainbow Kitten Surprise – Fever Pitch [Official Video]www.youtube.com

Rainbow Kitten Surprise

Chosen by Brooke Johnson, Assistant Editor

So…the band is called Rainbow Kitten Surprise. I know, I’m sorry, but try to look past it for the briefest moment and listen to their 2018 album, How To: Friend, Love, Freefall. RKS — as the initiated refer to them to avoid embarrassment — offer an original sound that’s hard to come by in today’s wash of electro-pop and synthesizers. Start with “Painkillers” and then move on to “Fever Pitch,” at that point, if you aren’t sold on the virtues of this weird little band, well, just go back to Ariana Grande and leave the rest of us alone.

Acid Dad – Marine (Official Video)youtu.be

Acid Dad

Chosen by Matt Clibanoff, Editorial Lead

Acid Dad sort of sounds like if the Clash took a hit of DMT and, instead of enjoying the ride, started wildly punching their hallucinations. Or maybe they’re just a mellower version of Jay Reatard. It’s impossible to say really. Either way, if the thing that brings punk back is adding chorus effects and some soft-psych production, I’m here for it. The music is ugly. The musicians are ugly. The lyrics are ugly. Vaughn Hunt’s voice is emotionally detached and soul-deadening. I love this band.

Bonus: The 2018 Popdust Music Awards

Song Most Easily Appropriated by a Duane Reade Cashier:thank u, next by Ariana Grande

Song Title that Doubles as a Sarcastic Phrase About Every Decision Made by the Current Administration:This Is America by Childish Gambino

Proof that Eminem Still Thinks Using Curse Words is Edgy:Kamikazee

Absolutely, Definitely, Maybe Not About The Offset:Be Careful by Cardi B

Song Title that Had Us Craving Chinese Food: Stir Fry by Migos

Artist Whose Name Makes Her Sound Like a CW Star: Kasey Musgraves

Most Uncomfortably Self-Aware Music Video:New Light by John Mayer

Best Prince Impression:Make Me Feel by Janelle Monae

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Popdust’s Best of 2018: TV

Popdust’s Best of 2018: Movies