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Top 89

Top 89 of 2018: Mac Wilson, host

The Current's Staff Picks of 2018
The Current's Staff Picks of 2018Luke Mills | MPR

by Mac Wilson

December 04, 2018

1. Lake Street Dive – "Good Kisser"
If I had to pick one song as the representative for the Current in 2018, this easily tops my list.

2. Childish Gambino – "This Is America"
If I had to pick one song as the representative for the United States in 2018, this easily tops my list.

3. CHVRCHES – "Get Out"
The recipient of this year's Creature Comfort Award for Best Great Song From A Disappointing Album.

4. Mitski – "Geyser"
One of the marvels of Mitski's Be the Cowboy was the multi-segmented layers of depth in such short songs, best epitomized by the colossal opening track.

5. Courtney Barnett – "Nameless, Faceless"
Courtney Barnett identified and encapsulated the undercurrents of violence – notably against women – in our society.

6. Beach House – "Lemon Glow"
Beach House kept doing Beach House things.

7. Now, Now – "MJ"
This was the nostalgia jam of the summer.

8. Sharon Van Etten – "Comeback Kid"
I'd ordinarily file this with the 2019 songs, because the record comes out later in the winter, but a great song is a great song.

9. Leon Bridges – "Beyond"
Bridges successfully rolled all of Side 1 of Moondance into a single song, and made an instant classic.

10. Rex Orange County – "Loving Is Easy"
I don't know much about Rex Orange County's background or context, but this song was a complete delight to hear over and over again.