Music of the Month: December 2018

It’s my birthday!!! Yes, that’s right I share a birthday with none other than Lord Voldemort himself. It’s… pretty sweet.

Anyway, so I know yesterday I said my Best TV Shows of 2018 post was going to be my last post of the year, but I really don’t want to drag 2018 into 2019. Plus, I’m really bored and won’t be going out until later so… yeah.

December wasn’t a big month for music. At least, not new music. I spent most of the month filled with nostalgia, listening to old favorites and some of the year’s best albums. But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t any notable music.

So, let’s talk a little bit about the songs and artists that really made my December:

“Nothing Breaks Like a Heart (feat. Miley Cyrus)” by Mark Ronson: This song is everything Younger Now should’ve been. It’s a brilliant pop-country crossover into which Cyrus puts her whole heart and soul. She’s back, baby!
“My Own Thing” by Chance the Rapper and Joey Purp: This song just makes me happy. It’s light-hearted and fun. For a feel-good anthem, look no further than this party of a song.
“Nick Miller” by Kat Saul: I bet you didn’t know you needed a pop song about a character from New Girl sung by a quirky (or quirkier, as it were) Gwen Stefani. But this song is absolutely necessary. Kat Saul is right and she should say it.
“Bad Ideas” by Tessa Violet: A light pop jam, this song is about wanting to start a relationship even though you know it’s probably a bad idea. Violet sounds earnest and really sells the narrative.
“Anyways” by Arctic Monkeys: This is a B-side to the latest single from Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino. It maintains that same vibe of a marijuana high in space.
“Drunk on Halloween” by Wallows: I meant to put this song on last month’s list, but forget. With vivid lyrics and detailed storytelling, this song is yet more proof that Wallows is a vastly underrated band.
“Eastside (featuring Halsey & Khalid)” by benny blanco: This song was a grower for me. I’ve heard it described as a better, more effective “Closer” and I agree. It’s wistfully performed and expertly produced.
“forget her” by girl in red: Yay! More gay indie music!
“Can’t Knock the Hustle” by Weezer: Objectively, this song is dumb. But it’s a fun kind of dumb I can’t help but enjoy. This upcoming album may actually be good.
“imagine” by Ariana Grande: This song is better than “thank u, next” for one reason: the whistle tones. It’s also lyrically fantastic. Grande longs for a relationship including the simple things, but her boyfriend seems more interested in showing her off and having sex. Somehow, this song is both simple and complex.
“Love Will Have Its Sacrifices” by Soles: It’s the theme song of Carmilla. What more do you need?
“Wrapped Up” by Natalie Portman from the Vox Lux Soundtrack: I don’t know anything about this movie, but I am fascinated by this song. There’s just something about it. I didn’t even know Natalie Portman could sing.
“Friday I’m in Love (The Cure Cover)” by Phoebe Bridgers: Bridgers has turned this song into a ballad and it strangely works. It emphasizes the romance and emotion.
“Tim McGraw (Taylor Swift Cover)” by Maggie Rogers: Dare I say, this cover is better than the original? Because it is. This is how you make a cover song your own.
“Shining Star,” “Sad,” “Don’t Get Any Closer,” and “Grace” by Bebe Rexha: “Shining Star” takes inspiration from Latin music, but the dark themes sap it of its sensuality. This enhances the message beautifully. “Sad” is upbeat and relatable. “Don’t Get Any Closer” is haunting, truly embodying the fear of getting close to someone. “Grace” is an earnest ballad that questions how to break up with someone gracefully.
Saweetie: This month, I’ve been listening to Saweetie’s album/EP and the other singles she’s released. Her delivery is impeccable. She pulls off brag rap in an endearing way. Her beats are straight fire. Saweetie knows what she deserves and won’t settle for less. This is the sort of bad bitch attitude we should be promoting. Hey, there’s a reason High Maintenance made my Best Albums of 2018 list.
Paramore: I’ve loved Paramore for almost ten years, but I go through phases where I don’t listen to them much. After a long Para-drought, I felt the need to listen to them again. I’m really glad I did because it reminded me how much I love them and why. Paramore is a fantastic band and definitely one of my favorites.

What music were you into in December? Let me know in the comments! Happy New Year!

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