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)

TOKYO (AP) — The American envoy to the United Nations called Friday for countries armed with atomic weapons to pursue nuclear disarmament as she visited the atomic bomb museum in Nagasaki, Japan.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who became the first U.S. cabinet member to visit Nagasaki, stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy amid a growing nuclear threat in the region.

“We must continue to work together to create an environment for nuclear disarmament. We must continue to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons in every corner of the world,” she said after a tour of the atomic bomb museum.

“For those of us who already have those weapons, we must pursue arms control. We can and must work to ensure that Nagasaki is the last place to ever experience the horror of nuclear weapons,” she added, standing in front of colorful hanging origami cranes, a symbol of peace.

The United States dropped the world’s first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, destroying the city and killing 140,000 people. A second attack three days later on Nagasaki killed 70,000 more people. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II and its nearly half-century of aggression in Asia.

Nagasaki Gov. Kengo Oishi said in a statement that he believed Thomas-Greenfield's visit and her first-person experience at the museum “will be a strong message in promoting momentum of nuclear disarmament for the international society at a time the world faces a severe environment surrounding atomic weapons.”

Oishi said he conveyed to the ambassador the increasingly important role of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in emphasizing the need of nuclear disarmament.

Thomas-Greenfield's visit to Japan comes on the heels of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's official visit to the United States last week and is aimed at deepening Washington's trilateral ties with Tokyo and Seoul. During her visit to South Korea earlier this week, she held talks with South Korean officials, met with defectors from North Korea and visited the demilitarized zone.

The ambassador said the United States is looking into setting up a new mechanism for monitoring North Korea's nuclear weapons program. Russia and China have thwarted U.S.-led efforts to step up U.N. sanctions on North Korea over its ballistic missile testing since 2022, underscoring a deepening divide between permanent Security Council members over Russia’s war on Ukraine.

She said it would be “optimal” to launch the new system next month, though it is uncertain if that is possible.

The U.N. Security Council established a committee to monitor sanctions, and the mandate for its panel of experts to investigate violations had been renewed for 14 years until last month, when Russia vetoed another renewal.

In its most recent report, the panel of experts said it is investigating 58 suspected North Korean cyberattacks between 2017 and 2023 valued at approximately $3 billion, with the money reportedly being used to help fund its weapons development.

The United States, Japan and South Korea have been deepening security ties amid growing tension in the region from North Korea and China.

U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, left, and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, shake hands during a meeting Friday, April 19, 2024, at prime minister's office in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, left, and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, shake hands during a meeting Friday, April 19, 2024, at prime minister's office in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, right, speaks to Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, second right, as they wait for a meeting with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Friday, April 19, 2024, at prime minister's office in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, left, and Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, right, walk to meet Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Friday, April 19, 2024, at prime minister's office in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, left, and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, talk prior to a meeting Friday, April 19, 2024, at prime minister's office in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)

U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, left, and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, prepare to talk during a meeting Friday, April 19, 2024, at prime minister's office in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool)