AP's top 2018 albums: Janelle Monae, Kacey Musgraves, J Cole

The top 10 albums of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu.

1. Janelle Monae, "Dirty Computer": When Janelle Monae released the masterfully brilliant "The ArchAndroid" in 2010, it was hard to imagine how this futuristic, already-seasoned artist could grow, and where that growth would take her. Enter "Dirty Computer," her third full-length album and another work of genius from one of contemporary music's best entertainers. There are so many ways to describe this stunning album: Honest. Fun. Sexual. Political. Thought-provoking. Empowering. Liberating. And simply put — it's just damn good. Songs like "Crazy, Classic, Life," ''Take a Byte," ''Screwed," ''I Got the Juice" and "Pynk" inject into your bloodstreams and spread a carefree confidence throughout your body, causing you to dance, and dance, and dance some more. It feels like freedom.

2. Kacey Musgraves, "Golden Hour": At its base, Kacey Musgraves' fourth album is a country record. And woven into it are sounds like dance, pop, R&B and other genres. The result is a piercing, soulful album where Musgraves' gliding vocals treat each song like a mini masterpiece. The lyrics are strong and sharp throughout the 13-track album, and each song is touching and beautiful. "Golden Hour" will put a smile on your face, and live inside of your heart.

This combination photo of album covers shows, top row from left, “Dirty Computer” by Janelle Monae, released by Atlantic Records, “Golden Hour” by Kacey Musgraves, released by MCA Nashville, "KOD," by J. Cole, released by DreamvilleRoc NationInterscope Records, “Insecure: Music from the HBO Original Series, Season 3,” performed by various artists, released by RCA, The Kids Are Alright” by Chloe x Halle, released by Parkwood EntertainmentColumbia, and bottom row from left, “Everything Is Love” by The Carters, also released by Parkwood EntertainmentColumbia, “Honey," by Robyn, released by KonichiwaInterscope, "Sweetener," by Ariana Grande and released by Republic, "Chris," by Christine and the Queens, released by Music Because, and "The Radio Winners," by Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear released by Glassnote. (AP Photo)

3. J. Cole, "KOD": At a time when the entertainment world is questioning the relevance of the Grammys, it's hard to take the organization seriously when J. Cole's "KOD" didn't garner a nomination for best rap album. His fifth release, which he mainly produced on his own, is powerful, striking and remarkable, and easily the year's best hip-hop album, and we don't need a Grammy co-sign to confirm that.

4. Various artists, "Insecure: Music from the HBO Original Series, Season 3": There's not much that can hold you over during the months and months of waiting in between seasons of "Insecure," except for the TV show's epic soundtrack. This compilation is a breezy effort that plays smoother than most of the albums released this year. Every song is outstanding — no skipping going on here — and the track list will give a chance to discover some artists you may have never heard before.

5. Chloe x Halle, "The Kids Are Alright": The sister duo Chloe x Halle have beautifully mastered harmonization, and they sound like angels throughout "The Kids Are Alright." The album intro, "Hello Friend," brilliantly transitions into the title track and the rest of the next-level songs, from "Fake" to "Everywhere" to "Happy Without Me," prove there's more to come from the talented Beyonce mentees.

This cover image released by MCA Nashville shows "Golden Hour," by Kacey Musgraves, which is named one of the top ten albums of the year. (MCA Nashville via AP)

6. The Carters, "Everything Is Love": Beyonce's debut rap album was an adventure and further shows that there is probably little she can't do. She shines, alongside Jay-Z, on their first collaborative album that is a mix of Soundcloud rap, alternative R&B and overall amazingness.

7. Robyn, "Honey": Robyn's album is like a tasty dessert, with just the right amount of sweetness.

8. Ariana Grande, "Sweetener": With all her successful singles, Ariana Grande may not come across as an album artist, but that's not accurate. "Sweetener" is her fourth album and her fourth laudable effort, which is a great blend of upbeat jams and pop-R&B ballads.

This cover image released by DreamvilleRoc NationInterscope Records shows "KOD," by J. Cole, named one of the top albums of the year. (DreamvilleRoc NationInterscope Records via AP)

9. Christine and the Queens, "Chris": French singer Christine and the Queens' sophomore album is a pop escapade, with addictive songs like "Comme si," ''Girlfriend," ''Goya Soda" and "Feels so good" worth listening again, again and again.

10. Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear, "The Radio Winners": Harmonizing with family members — done correctly — can feel like an out-of-body experience. The mother-and-son duo Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear know how to do just that, and their latest EP, "The Radio Winners," proves it.

This cover image released by RCA shows "Insecure: Music from the HBO Original Series, Season 3," by various artists, which is named one of the top ten albums of the year. (RCA via AP)

This cover image released by Parkwood EntertainmentColumbia shows "The Kids Are Alright," by Chloe x Halle, which is named one of the top ten albums of the year. (Parkwood EntertainmentColumbia via AP)

This cover image released by Roc NationParkwood Entertainment shows "Everything is Love," by The Carters, which is named one of the top ten albums of the year. (Roc NationParkwood Entertainment via AP)

This cover image released by KonishiwaInterscope shows "Honey," by Robyn, which is named one of the top ten albums of the year. (KonichiwaInterscope via AP)

This cover image released by Republic shows "Sweetener," by Ariana Grande, which is named one of the top ten albums of the year. (Republic via AP)

This cover image released by Because Music shows "Chris," by Christine and the Queens, which is named one of the top ten albums of the year. (Because Music via AP)

This cover image released by Glassnote shows "The Radio Winners," by Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, which is named one of the top ten albums of the year. (Glassnote via AP)

Veteran U.S. pilot Kaillie Humphries Armbruster got her second two-woman World Cup bobsled win of the season on Sunday, shortly before German star Francesco Friedrich's streak of 48 consecutive medal-winning finishes on the circuit came to an end.

Humphries Armbruster teamed with Jasmine Jones to win by the slimmest of margins in bobsled — one one-hundredth of a second. They finished two runs at St. Moritz, Switzerland, in 2 minutes, 18.40 seconds, while the Swiss team of Melanie Hasler and Nadja Pasternack was second in 2:18.41.

Laura Nolte and Leonie Kluwig of Germany were third in 2:18.43. The 0.03-second margin between the three medal-winning sleds was the closest in a World Cup race since 0.02 seconds separated the top three finishers in a two-man race at Whistler, Canada, on Jan. 23, 2016.

It was the 32nd World Cup win for Humphries Armbruster and the first for Jones.

"I knew that Kaillie and I could do it with fast pushes and a great drive,” Jones said.

Kaysha Love and Emily Renna were eighth for the U.S. in the two-woman race, while Elana Meyers Taylor and rookie bobsledder Jadin O'Brien — a national champion in track at Notre Dame — were 10th.

In the four-man race, Friedrich drove his sled to a sixth-place finish — his lowest in a World Cup two- or four-man event since January 2023. He had 19 golds, 22 silvers and seven bronzes in that 48-race streak since; one of those golds was later taken away following sanctions against a German brakeman.

Instead, it was Adam Ammour of Germany driving to the win — the first four-man victory of his career. Johannes Lochner of Germany drove to second and Michael Vogt of Switzerland was third.

Frank Del Duca was 16th for the U.S., which will unveil its Olympic teams for the Milan Cortina Games next week.

USA Luge's women's doubles team of Chevonne Forgan and Sophia Kirkby are going to the Olympics. The Milan Cortina Games will be the first to include women's doubles as a medal event.

Only 11 sleds are going to the Olympics in women's doubles, primarily the top-ranked sled from each competing nation. That means the U.S. team of Maya Chan and Sophia Gordon — a contending sled all season with more than enough standings points to qualify — likely won't compete at the Olympics, unless some nations decline their spot in the Milan Cortina field.

Also Olympics-bound for the U.S.: the men's doubles teams of Marcus Mueller and Ansel Haugsjaa, plus 2022 Olympians Zack DiGregorio and Sean Hollander.

The team will be unveiled by USA Luge on Monday and likely to be officially nominated by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee later this week.

In a World Cup women's doubles race at Winterberg, Germany, on Sunday, Jessica Degenhardt and Cheyenne Rosenthal from the host nation won in 1:26.710, followed by Selina Egle and Lara Kipp of Austria and Dajana Eitberger and Magdalena Matschina of Germany.

Germany also won the men's doubles World Cup race, with Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt prevailing in 1:25.599. Austria took silver and bronze; Thomas Steu and Wolfgang Kindl were second, Juri Gatt and Riccardo Schoepf were third.

Mueller and Haugsjaa were the top U.S. men's doubles sled, placing 10th.

Germany finished off a sweep of the day with a win in the team relay, with Austria second and Italy third. The U.S. was fourth.

Luge: World Cup men’s singles, women's singles Saturday at Oberhof, Germany.

Bobsled: World Cup monobob, two-man races Saturday at Altenberg, Germany.

Skeleton: Men’s, women’s and mixed World Cup races on Friday at Altenberg.

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Austria's Selina Egle and Lara Michaela Kipp race through the ice channel, during the Women's doubles 1st run, at the Luge World Cup, in Winterberg, Germany, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (David Inderlied/dpa via AP)

Juri Thomas Gatt, left, and Riccardo Schöpf of Austria celebrate their third place in the doubles men competition of the Luge World Cup in Winterberg, Germany, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (David Inderlied/dpa via AP)

Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt of Germany celebrate their victory in the doubles men competition of the Luge World Cup in Winterberg, Germany, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (David Inderlied/dpa via AP)

Kaillie Armbruster Humphries of the USA in action, during the Women's Mono-Bob World Cup, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (Mayk Wendt/Keystone via AP)

Kaillie Armbruster Humphries/Jasmine Jones o thef USA in action during the Women's 2-Bob World Cup, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Mayk Wendt/Keystone via AP)