1. Jason Mraz, “Might as Well Dance”

💿 Know. • 🏷 Atlantic • 🗓 2018

“Love, oh yeah, you’re the best book I’ve read in a while / I don’t just read you for the articles / I read you ‘til my heart is full.” 🎵 “Might as Well Dance” is arguably the best song from 💿 Know.. One of the reasons why “Might as Well Dance” is special is that 🎙Jason Mraz dips into country music.  This record sounds fuses country, singer/songwriter, and folk-pop, while being anchored by a robust bass line.  From the start, this somewhat quirky tune is groovy to the nth degree – there’s an undeniable charm and infectious vibe.  That vibe is fitting given the carefree, tongue-in-cheek lyrics.  Despite being middle-aged, Mraz’s youthfulness shines through as he playfully sings, “Might as well take off our pants, and jacket / Yeah, we’re already fools / So we might as well dance (come on).” Might as Well Dance” is bundles of fun, as well as thoughtfully-penned.

2. Troye Sivan, “Dance to This”

Ft. Ariana Grande

💿 Bloom • 🏷 Capitol • 🗓 2018

“We can just dance to this / Don’t take much to start me / We can just dance to this / Push up on my body, yeah.” 🎵“Dance to This” (💿 Bloom) has a sexy, danceable backdrop and overall sound.  The record possesses an incredible smoothness with its consistent, driving rhythm, subtle pad, and guitar lead on the chorus. In addition to the core sound, there are some other unique production touches, notably the ‘80s nostalgia’ that arrives with the boxy drums of the bridge.  Enough about the production, let’s focus on the stars, shall we?

🎙Troye Sivan blesses the track with super smooth vocals on the first verse.  He does an excellent job of showing his flexibility. He sings in both his low/mid-register as well as giving us a taste of his lighter, upper register. 🎙 Ariana Grande arrives on the second verse, showcasing the sheer beauty, richness, and robustness of her instrument. Superb vocal chemistry between Sivan and Grande is the story on the second chorus. “Dance to This” is a thrilling, well-rounded single and great performance by Sivan and Grande.  The two young artists make an awesome musical pair to say the least.

3. Ghost, “Dance Macabre”

Prequelle • Loma Vista • 2018

“You’ll soon be hearing the chime / Close to midnight.” Thudding kick alone accompanies souped-up guitars at the onset of 🎵“Dance Macabre”, the second single issued by 🎙Ghost in advance of their 2018 album, 💿 Prequelle.  Soon afterward, the groove of the drums expands to incorporate high hat, snare – the full palette of the drums. 🎙Cardinal Copia delivers compelling lead vocals throughout, never impeded by the production work, particularly on the verses.  Notably, on the first verse, piano joins the mix, adding some tenderness and contrast. While the guitars remain the main attraction of the instrumental palette on the chorus, there’s also a hint of shimmering synths. This is clearly reminiscent of 70s/80s hard rock and metal sound, with a hint of dance/disco.  Beyond the backdrop, the chorus is catchy, though but not particularly deep.

“Just wanna be
Wanna bewitch you in the moonlight
Just wanna be
I wanna bewitch you all night.”

Also, worth noting, is the 80s-infused guitar solo and instrumental break section.

4. Panic! At the Disco, “Dancing’s Not a Crime”

Pray for the Wicked • Fueled by Ramen • 2018

“I’m a moon-walker, I’m like MJ up in the clouds / I know it sounds awkward, I’m filthy as charged, filthy as charged.” Only 🎙Brendon Urie and 🎙Panic! At the Disco would deliver such ‘colorful’ lyrics to kick off a record. The record in this case is 🎵“Dancing’s Not a Crime,” which appears on the 2018 album, 💿Pray for the Wicked.  “Dancing’s Not a Crime” maintains the band’s beloved horns that occur within the context of the album.  That said, it feels more contemporary compared to the preceding record, “Roaring 20s.” “Dancing’s Not a Crime” expectedly isn’t particularly deep, but it’s all about love which makes it worth something.

5. DNCE, “Dance”

🎵 “Dance” • 🏷 Republic • 🗓 2018

Like the past music by 🎙DNCE, 🎵“Dance” is fun and infectious to the nth degree.  The production work is slick: rhythmic guitar, a poppy drum groove, and a dash of horns. 🎙Joe Jonas is in full-on, tongue-n-cheek mode, particularly with his multisyllabic treatment of words with far fewer syllables. He’s a total cornball here, but, one can’t help but to be allured, at least to some degree.   In regards to form, there’s lots of section on “Dance.”  Both verses are brief, but ultimately succinct.  Each verse is then followed by a refrain, “And I can’t stop thinking about you,” capped off by key closing lyric, “‘Cause I think I’m falling in love.” The refrain leads into the pre-chorus, arguably the crème de la crème of the “Dance.”

“Don’t go, baby, bye-bye-bye
Tell me that you want me to-ni-ni-night
Oh no, don’t be sh-sh-shy-shy
Tell me that you want me to-ni-ni-night.”

Innuendo is written all over the pre-chorus, and continued on the chorus. It’s silly, but again, catchy and infectious.

“Baby, dance with me
Come on and dance with me
Clap your hands with me
Go to France with me.”

Considering that DNCE stuffs every section that they can possibly think of, there’s also a bridge, intact with some French.  All in all, “Dance” is fun, even if it’s incredibly corny.  It’s not transcendent in the least, but as aforementioned, follows the blueprint of previous hits by DNCE.

6. Michael Ray, “Dancing Forever”

💿 Amos • 🏷 Warner Music Nashville • 🗓 2018

“I could watch you dancin’ forever / Turnin’ those stars into letters / Write your name in the sky / When you laugh, when you cry.” Sigh, how sweet 🎙Michael Ray… and also a bit schmaltzy as well.  In the context of 💿Amos, the sophomore album by the country musician, 🎵 “Dancing Forever” slackens the pace, highlighting Ray’s balladeer strength. He sings well – there’s no dispute whatsoever about that.  That said, the song feels more ‘familiar’ and ‘tried and true’ as opposed to ‘brand-new’ or chocked-full of innovative spirit. Even so, “Dancing Forever” is respectable through and through.

7. Taylor Swift, “Dancing with Our Hands Tied”

💿 Reputation • 🏷 Big Machine • 🗓 2017

“But we were dancing / Dancing with our hands tied, hands tied / Yeah, we were dancing / Like it was the first time, first time.” 🎵“Dancing with Our Hands Tied” is an energetic, fun, well-rounded number from 🎙Taylor Swift.  The subject matter definitely isn’t shocking for Swift, who has written plenty of songs about boys and failed relationships – understatement.  “I’d kiss you as the lights went out / Swaying as the room burned down,” she sings on the bridge, later adding, “I’d hold you as the water rushes in / If I could dance with you again.” Sigh, oh Taylor. Perhaps “Dancing with our Hands Tide” isn’t among the ‘best of the best’ of 💿Reputation, but it’s certainly not too far behind either.

8. Imagine Dragons, “Dancing in the Dark”

💿 Evolve • 🏷 Interscope • 🗓 2017

“If you ever wanna join me baby, I’ll be dancing in the dark.” 🎙 Imagine Dragons conclude 💿 Evolve with the restrained ballad 🎵“Dancing in the Dark.” While it’s not an overt number, “Dancing in the Dark” incorporates an excellent palette of sounds.  As with much of Evolve, there are plenty of vocal effects – it’s a gimmicky performance.  Still, the core of where Imagine Dragons desire to take their music remains easily perceptible.  Lyrically, it lacks complexity – it’s definitely not complicated. Still, 🎙Dan Reynolds gets his point across – individualism and acceptance of ones’ idiosyncrasies and individuality.

“Most days I’m keeping to myself, living in my little bubble
Throwing my weight and moving my body through the sea
You could come join with me
Moving like the weekend
I don’t need nobody.”

9. Drake, “One Dance”

Ft. WizKid & Kyla

💿 Views • 🏷 Cash Money • 🗓 2016

🎙Drake has been dominant for a long time.  While 2018 has seen the rapper/singer land no. 1 hits with 🎵“God’s Plan”, 🎵“Nice for What”, and 🎵“In My Feelings”, back in 2016 he had a pretty big hit with 🎵“One Dance.” Yes, the former Billboard Hot 100 no. 1 hit sounds starkly different from the aforementioned – more of a polarizing, tropical pop-rap/urban contemporary hybrid.  Nonetheless, the once ubiquitous single endears itself after time – “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” “One Dance” isn’t Drake’s masterpiece.  Throughout the course of his career, he’s had better songs.  Nonetheless, it’s an interesting record.

10. Andy Black, “We Don’t Have to Dance”

💿  The Shadow Side • 🏷 Republic • 🗓 2016

“We don’t have to talk / We don’t have to dance / We don’t have to smile / We don’t have to make friends / It’s so nice to meet you / Let’s never meet again / We don’t have to talk / We don’t have to dance.” Good to know #anxious. Anyways, 🎵“We Don’t Have to Dance” is the centerpiece of 🎙Andy Black’s (🎙Black Veil Brides frontman 🎙Andy Biersack) solo debut, 💿The Shadow Side. Besides being a fun, “adrenaline-filled rock cut,” “We Don’t Have to Dance” is meaningful and relatable. Why? According to the musician, the song is about social anxiety.  That explains the awkward situations that the aforementioned chorus raises.

11. Walk the Moon, “Shut Up and Dance”

💿 TALKING IS HARD • 🏷 RCA • 🗓 2014

“Oh, don’t you dare look back / Just keep your eyes on me / I said, ‘You’re holding back’ / She said, ‘Shut up and dance with me’.” Yeah, that chorus was one of the most memorable of 2014, hands down.  Ohio alternative collective 🎙Walk the Moon earned a breakout pop hit with their hella infectious single, 🎵“Shut Up and Dance.”  Take one listen to the song and it’s easy to understand why it totally blew up.  It’s bright and energetic, set in a major key, and simply makes you feel good to listen to it.  🎙Nicholas Petricca is on fire vocally, infusing his personality perfectly.  What more can you say? “Oooooh, shut up and dance with me!”