Top 25 Albums of 2018
While 2018 was undoubtedly a stellar year for the music world full of unique and interesting albums, the sheer quantity of record released across the entire spectrum of genres inevitably leads to some not getting the attention they deserve. There are only so many hours in the day, and most people simply do not have the time to listen to all the mainstream releases of a given year, let alone to search for the more obscure, underground gems. So for those with better things to do with their time than wade through the mire of mediocrity, below is a short list of some of 2018's best offerings that rose above the rest.
#25: Julia Holter - Aviary
A sprawling, ambient opus of art pop splendor, Julia Holter's latest work could not be called accessible or concise. What Aviary offers, for those willing to sit through an hour and a half of strange, ethereal music is an experience without parallel in the sea of its contemporaries. At times it drags, and at times its experimental nature serves to distract from the better moments on here. Yet it would be inaccurate to say that every track, good or bad, is integral to the whole, and the whole is definitely worthy of its praise.
#24: Current 93 - The Light is Leaving Us All
When experiencing a project by David Tibet (the man behind Current 93), calling it music feels not entirely correct. Listening to The Light Is Leaving Us All is more akin to hearing well-written poetry on top of a healthy mix of folk sounds and erratic noises; a blend not everyone can stomach. Much of the value to be found here is in Tibet's incredibly evocative 'lyrics' and themes paired with his eerily mesmerizing delivery. In many ways, what is present here is less than musical but, in its mystique, also something much more.
#23: J.I.D - DiCaprio 2
Ever since he dropped The Never Story in 2017, J.I.D's name has been on the lips of many, either due to that album's high quality for a relative newcomer or from (somewhat justified) comparisons to rap superstar Kendrick Lamar. But where that record was deliberate and careful, DiCaprio 2 is boastful, self-confident, and an utterly fun listen despite being just as lyrical and impressive as its predecessor. DiCaprio 2 has its share of missteps, but when this album is on point, it's easy to see why J.I.D is one of the hottest up-and-comers around.
#22: Beach House - 7
As interesting and innovative as Beach House have been on much of their work in the past decade, their sound does occasionally tread close to feeling repetitive, all their songs fusing into one uniform mass of dream pop. 7 is not only a worthy successor to the band's best works, but also has room for elements of psychedelia and shoegaze to shake up their formula somewhat. Perhaps Beach House will never again reach the heights of Teen Dream or Bloom, but if their efforts to do so produce more albums as good as this, then their endeavors will not be in vain.
#21: Anna von Hausswolff - Dead Magic
'Hauntingly beautiful' is the only phrase that comes to mind when attempting to describe Dead Magic, but to be fair this is far from an easy album to comprehend. Anna has channeled her many, many talents into a work that, unlike in the past, feels as though its scale is on par with her ambition. The vocals, lyrics, and atmosphere are all impeccable, but the ways in which organ playing mixes with ambient and experimental rock sounds are what set this album apart. Obtuse and difficult, certainly, but also magical in its own way.
#20: SOPHIE - OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES
One of the most eccentric and innovative producers alive, SOPHIE has at long last put some of her finest work together into a debut album. OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES is not the most accessible listen, to be sure, but inside each unconventional track is a bass-heavy, synthetic glimpse into a realm of unhinged groove. While the few vocals present here are not always on par with the production, and some songs may take their gimmicks one step too far, this record is still a strangely beautiful and impressive listen from front to back.
#19: MGMT - Little Dark Age
Little Dark Age is undeniably one of the most well put together synth pop albums in recent memory, but what makes MGMT's latest venture even more notable is just how catchy it is. The first two-thirds of this album are unbelievably airtight, alternating the mood between groovy and haunting yet never sacrificing the casual appeal, and boasting well-written lyrics to boot. It's likely MGMT will be remembered by most for their previous hit singles, but for those that dig further, this album is well worth one's time.
#18: City Girl - Neon Impasse
Lo-fi instrumental hip-hop, being a relatively new genre with its roots in Internet culture, has yet to gain the respect many would argue its most talented artists deserve. But if any producer could hope to craft something polished and beautiful enough to gain the esteem of the public, it will likely be City Girl. The second of three albums released in 2018, Neon Impasse is a graceful blend of the sounds typical of the genre and City Girl's trademark experimentation and flair. With so much of it going over incredibly well, this album marks another important step towards the genre's growing relevance.
#17: U.S. Girls - In A Poem Unlimited
An incredibly underrated Toronto-based artist, Meghan Remy has been releasing music as U.S. Girls for over a decade, noticeably improving with every release. In A Poem Unlimited is an incredibly compelling art pop album, boasting powerful production and thoughtful verses on nearly every track. While the jazzy yet psychedelic instrumentals will hook listeners in, it is the mix of anger and self-assurance with which Remy sings about politics, injustice, and more that will keep them spellbound for a long time afterwards.
#16: Yves Tumor - Safe In The Hands of Love
'Unusual' or 'unorthodox' might be the most fitting descriptors of the latest Yves Tumor album, but just as apt would be 'creative'. Safe In The Hands of Love is an immensely enjoyable and psychedelic industrial album, equal parts abrasive and yet oddly catchy due to the consistently stellar production, particularly the drum beats. Though the vocal performances are often grating, and the sounds occasionally too overwhelming, as a whole this record is easily a standout listen among its contemporaries.
#15: Pusha T - DAYTONA
DAYTONA is simply one of the most consistent and to-the-point rap releases of the year (and possibly the decade). Seven tracks, each crafted under the genius of Kanye West, over which Pusha spits incredibly lyrical and incredibly hard verses with little to no filler in between. There's no grand concept here, and not every moment goes over as well as the high points here, but as it stands, this album is undeniably a triumph.
#14: Kanye West - ye
This album is a mess, honestly. But it's at least as interesting as Kanye West's last mess of an record, The Life of Pablo, and noticeably more consistent. For every bad lyric, under-produced beat, and cringeworthy sentiment present here, there is more than enough talent oozing out of Kanye's befuddled (and apparently bipolar) brain to plug any holes created. Short, sweet, and perplexing might have been all that Kanye could manage from the place he was in, but somehow, this record ends up as compelling as it is divisive.
#13: Deafhaven - Ordinary Corrupt Human Love
Perhaps it is unfit to speak on this record while being far from an expert on any subgenre of metal, including the post-metal in which Deafhaven have made their name. What is evident even to the untrained ear is that this album is something special. The screamed vocals over shredding guitar lines, the more melodic ideas structured around ambient strumming, and especially the piano-based ballad sections are all nothing short of stunning. Even when their attempts occasionally feel aggravating or even somewhat boring, Deafhaven keeps the listener gripped tightly in their hand, waiting for the next expertly performed movement.
#12: Low - Double Negative
Honestly, this record more than anything is a testament to the talent of a band that can produce something this stunning so late into their career. The first two tracks are somewhat unremarkable, but after that the listener is treated to an odyssey of ambient, dreamy glitch pop. Double Negative has more than its share of noisy highs, atmospheric lows, and everything in between using the full spectrum of a seasoned and acclaimed group's ingenuity and ability.
#11: Car Seat Headrest - Twin Fantasy
This re-recorded version of Will Toledo's 2011 lo-fi sleeper hit is somehow just as powerful as its laptop-mic inception. It was astonishing that one person working alone with cheap equipment could produce something this utterly stellar, and while time has stolen the element of surprise somewhat, this record is still every bit as magical as it was back then. Even with a full band working to reproduce the original digital instrumentals, Twin Fantasy still feels as intimate as an indie rock album could ever hope to be.
#10: Death Grips - Year Of The Snitch
Death Grips continues with this album to make music for Death Grips fans, and Year Of The Snitch isn't likely to create converts out of those who find their style annoying to listen to. But the ingenious mix of experimental rock and industrial hip-hop found here makes for more than a worthy addition to the band's library. For the time being at least, Death Grips continue to prove just how strange yet stunning hip-hop (and music in general) can be pushed.
#9: Clarence Clarity - THINK: PEACE
To say THINK: PEACE is consciously trying for a more accessible experience may read like a condemnation, but in reality it is anything but. The clever ways in which this album creates such memorable synth grooves is a testament to both the talent and the progression of an artist who, in such a short span of time, has created and now refined his own unique sound. But that fact that it's such an incredibly catchy glitch pop record is nice, too.
#8: Polyphia - New Levels New Devils
It may be unreasonable to laud Polyphia too much for making ‘the best math rock album of the year’ considering how few people even meddle in that genre. Still, New Levels New Devils is inspiring in how it shows where this niche area of rock music can further be pushed. It’s unclear how much of that potential will be realized, from either the band or the genre as a whole, but for now it is still easy to appreciate what we have in front of us. And for what it is, this album is too damn enjoyable to just be ignored.
#7: Anderson .Paak - Oxnard
Despite all its fresh ideas and star-studded cast, many will likely evaluate Oxnard as ‘worse than Malibu‘ and latch onto that opinion as a condemnation of this new direction. Ignoring the incredibly high bar that view sets, to judge this album on its own merits is to appreciate what is one of the most ambitious rap albums of the year. To meld his sound with so many hip-hop elements this effortlessly is a feat to behold, certainly, and Anderson .Paak proves once again why he is one of the most talented and exciting artists alive today.
#6: Avantdale Bowling Club - Avantdale Bowling Club
‘Modal jazz’ and ‘New Zealand rapper’ are not concepts which move records, even if jazz rap wasn’t as unpopular as it is. It is practically a crime that Tom Scott’s vision and inventiveness will likely never translate into a platinum album or mainstream success. But Scott no doubt understands this, and it feels like he’ll be alright, one way or another. Avantdale Bowling Club is a testament to the wisdom and drive of a man who has seen a lot in his short existence, a monument that will live on long past his time. There may never be another blend of modal jazz and hip-hop ever (let alone one this good), but life is short, so it’s important to appreciate what you have.
#5: A.A.L. (Against All Logic) - 2012-2017
As inviting as this album is after getting past its stranger idiosyncrasies, it would be misleading to call it the kind of house music that gets popular enough to ever actually be played at a club or rave. Even without the extended track times and occasional bouts of screaming, Nicolas Jaar’s work will likely always be relegated to this fate without major concessions in his sound, ultimately defeating its purpose. But 2012-2017 feels more than anything like a collage of Jaar’s most passionate works, innovative and exciting yet never seeming unapproachable. Whether a music snob or a more casual listener, this is the house album to remember.
#4: Parquet Courts - Wide Awake!
Those who lament the death of rock music must eventually come to terms with the fact that no genre can remain both popular and innovative forever; still, that does not mean the experimenting must stop. Every track on Wide Awake! could merit a full, in-depth discussion of the lyrics, the vocal style, the production and musicianship, and how it subtly pays tribute to its many influences. For all that they push post-punk and art punk forward, Parquet Courts also demonstrate just how good a genre can be even after its popularity has long since decayed. Rock music is dead; long live rock music!
#3: Hermit and the Recluse - Orpheus vs. the Sirens
Ka has never been the type to make anything resembling accessible music, and he probably never will be. But it's honestly refreshing to hear an MC that writes lyrics that are this intricate, that demand your full attention and force you to reckon with anything and everything he's saying. That may be too much to ask of some people, unfortunately. But if that sounds condescending, it's only because Ka is so damn talented that his music is almost always worth the time and effort. That being said, Animoss and his contributions may have been a much-needed change of pace, and the result is another testament to Ka's lyrical genius, and one of the best rap albums of the year.
#2: KIDS SEE GHOSTS - KIDS SEE GHOSTS
When Kanye seemed to be in a dark, hopeless place back in 2008, his solution was to hole up in Honolulu to work with some of the most talented musicians alive, an effort which ultimately produced one of the most acclaimed hip-hop albums of the decade. Maybe it was too ambitious to expect something of that level from his musical sessions in Wyoming. But then again, this album's background does somewhat recall that of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in how it channels Kanye's negative experiences into painfully honest art. This time around, his hardships manifested themselves in a work that is as reserved as that album is flamboyant. But KIDS SEE GHOSTS, while as short as it is stunning, is still a masterpiece in its own right.
#1: Denzel Curry - TA13OO
On its own merits, TA13OO is a triumph, a twisted and masterful picture into the mind of a rapper consumed by the worst of the music industry’s evils and yet utterly confidant in his ability to succeed. But more than that, it demonstrates Denzel’s blatant talent to all those who deny hip-hop’s artistry in the face of a new wave of independent rappers. To be fair, his highly aggressive style lacks the universal appeal or artists like Travis Scott or Future, and genre purists may be turned off by its underground style and the occasional flubbed line. Still, it’s not just that Curry is able to shrug off his critics; he’s more than ready to destroy them himself, if this album somehow has left any of them alive.