Few phrases are more American than “bigger is better.” Franchise restaurants and movies dominate the cultural landscape while streaming services and social media platforms provide infinite content. Yet while consuming massive works of film through television binges has become somewhat common, music remains a medium digested mostly in small chunks. Songs longer than four and a half minutes rarely break the Billboard charts or find their way onto popular playlists. That’s a shame as longer tracks often stand as an artist’s most ambitious, rewarding output.

In the case of 2018, that’s especially true. This year has already seen the release of several massive tracks that are worth every minute of their runtime. Each track mentioned is longer than six minutes and plays out like a short film, navigating structural detours with elegance. Set aside some precious time, kick back and ride the wave.

“Pillar of Truth” by Lucy Dacus

At the heart of rock music lies the blues, and nowhere does that heart hum as vibrantly as in Lucy Dacus’ music. On her debut record, “No Burden,” Dacus staked a claim as “the last of [her] kind” with distorted guitars and intimate vocals that burned with the familiar warmth of beloved local venues. Yet Dacus brings to the sound a voice all her own, and on her excellent new record, “Historian,” her songwriting is more ambitious than ever. Majestic slow-burner “Pillar of Truth,” which is lyrically anchored in the loss of a grandmother, unfurls as a devastating yet forward-looking reflection on family. As Dacus builds towards the track’s apex, she prays, “Lord have mercy on my descendants / for they know not what they do.” No aspect of grief is more overwhelming than the simultaneous need to look forward and back, and “Pillar of Truth” manages to do justice to this ricocheting pain while acknowledging the limitations of a single perspective.

“Beach Life-In-Death” by Car Seat Headrest

Indie-rock songwriter Will Toledo had pumped out five full-length albums in less than two years before he struck gold with “Twin Fantasy.” The lo-fi masterpiece gained a cult following shortly after its release in 2011 due to its striking emotional narratives and ambitious song structures and remained the lynchpin of Toledo’s discography even after his major label debut. This year, he re-recorded the album with a sizable budget and the results are magnificent. Album highlight “Beach Life-In-Death” stands as a 13-minute opus featuring the best of everything Toledo has to offer. Majestically fuzzy guitar riffs propel the song through twisting lyrical conversations, confessions, and shouted declarations of humanity. By the time the track arrives at its final, haunting image, you’ll never want to look away.

Honorable Mentions:

“The Truth, The Glow, The Fall” by Anna von Hausswolff

“If You Talk to Symbol / Hostility Voyeur” by of Montreal

“I Never Dream” by A.A.L (Against All Logic)

“Time” by U.S. Girls