Top 8 of 2018: Underrated Songs

Pratika Katiyar, Team Leader
January 7, 2019

For those of you that know me, my job as a human being is to find obscure songs and bring them to justice. Not only am I a music junkie, I live for songs that I can discover months before they even play on the radio. Now, 2018 has been a wild year for music: there have been songs that have been played for months, and some that still haven’t been recognized. But, it’s not too late! This list is perfect for all tastes in music, and it is filled to the brim with underrated songs that should be played more often. So, go and get lost, the music will help you find your way.

MIA- Bad Bunny ft. Drake

For a song that features Drake, MIA is surprisingly underrated. The whole song is in Spanish, but even if you don’t speak or understand the language, the tune is so catchy you’ll find yourself dancing anyways. With songs like these, I get excited because I know Spanish, and the way that the artists sing the lyrics only adds to the mesmerizing tune. After you listen to this song, you’ll be wanting to throw a fiesta.

Rewind- G-Eazy ft. Anthony Russo

We all need a little bit more G-Eazy in our lives, and this song is perfect for those who like rap, pop, or both. Anthony Russo, a musician on the rise, adds his vocals to blend perfectly with the fire that G-Eazy spits out. The collaboration of G-Eazy and Russo goes hand in hand with the beat, which has just the right tempo to match both artists. Oh, and the fact that G-Eazy says “Good vibes only” in the song only makes me love it more.

What I Need- Hayley Kiyoko ft. Kehlani

This song is the highlight of “20GAYTEEN”, a term coined by the lesbian pop princess herself, Hayley Kiyoko. Her songs, including ones such as “Curious”and “Sleepover” deserve equally as much attention as mainstream pop. Once you press play, you’ll fall in love and feel compelled to listen to the rest of her debut album Expectations, which is a masterpiece. In this particular piece, Kehlani adds her light vocals to contrast the bold ones of Kiyoko, making this one of the best collaborations of 2018.

Babylon- 5 Seconds of Summer

Everyone’s heard of Youngblood, which has been playing on the radio since the beginning of the summer. Yet, the song Babylon is one that is often overlooked from 5SOS’ third studio album. Luckily, I’m here, because how can a list of songs made by me be complete without an underrated 5SOS song? Babylon discusses a dramatic breakup, and the song just makes me downright ugly cry. I like to think of this song as one of the best on the album, even better than Youngblood. That’s right, I said it.

Strangers Again- Against the Current

Against the Current is a pop rock band that’s definitely on the rise, with a handful of singles released in 2018. This bop was one I stumbled upon in a Youtube rabbit hole, not that I regret it. The lyrics are so bittersweet and powerful, they send chills down my spine. When Chrissy Costanza, the lead singer, sings the chorus with her bold voice, as tacky as it sounds I almost feel as if she’s giving me a private concert. Overall, the song gives off a tumblr-esque vibe, and makes for a very aesthetic music video.

Talk- Why Don’t We

I can’t quite count the number of times I’ve listened to this song, and the number of times I’ve danced to it is even more. The changes in tempo match the change in voices of the individual band members, and the message the song portrays is even better. Now I know what you’re thinking, that Why Don’t We is just another boy band. Well, plot twist, I love 5SOS and Why Don’t We is nothing like them. The members of Why Don’t We each bring something different to the table, and this shines through in “Talk”. The pre-chorus and chorus are uplifting and guaranteed to turn any frown to a smile.

You Remind Me- Gryffin ft. Stanaj

This song is infectious, and I’m not just saying that to grasp your attention. The lyrics flow like a waterfall, and once you listen to it, you can’t stop yourself from putting it on repeat. The mellow beat is perfect for a dance party, and though several people are unaware about Gryffin, I’m here to tell you he’s one of the best EDM artists ever. He is able to hit your feelings through the power of instrumentals and make you feel emotions that you never thought you would be able to feel. You’ll be glad you listened to this song when he’s all over the radio in 2019, so you can finally say you heard him first.

Start Again- OneRepublic ft. Logic from the 13 Reasons Why Soundtrack

13 Reasons Why Season 2 was released in 2018, breaking the internet for a period of time with controversy and questions. Whether or not you enjoy the show, you can’t deny the soundtrack is the perfect addendum to the show. Now, we’ve all heard of “Back To You” by Selena Gomez, but “Start Again” is somehow lost in the mix. The song is short and sweet, with Logic’s poetic verse hitting right in the feels. I love how perfectly the lyrics go with the theme of 13 Reasons Why, but the music is a nice change of pace from the slower songs in the soundtrack. The versatility of the song makes it the perfect addition to any playlist.