Ackerman's list of 2018 favorites (and favorite 2018 film writing, podcasts & blu-ray releases!) is available here. It's really wonderful. I'm looking forward to catching up with and discovering!
I'm surprised how much I like a John Mayer song, but alas, "New Light" is tuneful and slickly-produced (those little drumclaps). Knowingly a tad corny but sincere as well.
The reliably clever Kacey Musgraves' single of sunshiny daytime disco and crystal-clear country twang was a bright spot in the year. The imagery of lyrics is in real lockstep with the sound itself. I wish more country artists were as adventurous as her.
Revolutionary tune and video package from Childish Gambino. The song has elements of farce, tonal shifts and booming trap--sonically and lyrically enveloping issues of racism and racial identity.
A tune, co-written by Damon Albarn (one of his best songs in years) that bridges between escapisim and reality, delivered with complexity and yearning by Kali Uchis.