Top 25 Albums of 2018

2018 was filled with many memorable music moments. From Kendrick Lamar becoming a Pulitzer Prize winner, Eminem dropping not one but TWO disappointing albums, Kanye's Wyoming sessions, The Yodel Boy, and Cardi B's rise to stardom, there was no shortage of memories from this past year. With that being said, lets sit back and take a look at the albums that I believe were the best of the best from 2018.

25.) Anderson .Paak- Oxnard

One of the more anticipated releases of this year, Anderson .Paak follows up 2016’s Malibu with a fantastic collection of neo-soul infused hip-hop and R&B tracks. The production sounds crisp and tight with Dr. Dre having executive production credits across the whole project. .Paak’s raspy and nasally voice spews clever and witty lines throughout. Also, the star-studded features help add some charm and diversity to the track list. Many of the guests, including Kendrick Lamar and Pusha T, steal the show on their respective tracks. While I still prefer Malibu over this album, it was still one of the best releases this year.

24.) Iglooghost- Clear Tamei & Steel Mogu (EPs)

British producer Seamus Malliagh offers up a set of EP’s consisting of exhausting and in your face electronic music. There is a feeling of sensory overload while listening to these projects that create for an abrupt and abrasive experience. The technical complexity on display here is impressive. Shout out to the track “Black Light Ultra” for sampling the Danny Brown cut, “Ain’t It Funny” as it perfectly exemplifies the madness on display throughout these two EP’s.

23.) Julia Holter- Aviary

One of the more challenging listens I undertook this year. This 90-minute epic has more focus on atmosphere than ear-catching hooks or instrumentation. Holter is showing immense vulnerability on this project as if every track is a new layer of herself being peeled back. Take the time to soak this beautifully delicate album in, it is a rewarding experience.

22.) SOPHIE- OIL OF EVERY PEARL'S UN-INSIDES

Going from painfully defenseless on the opening track “Its Okay To Cry” to sharp and scathing songs like “Ponyboy” and “Faceshopping,” SOPHIE demonstrates incredible versatility and range on this album. The production is consistently innovative and experimental, proving SOPHIE to be one of the more compelling artists to follow as we head into 2019.

21.) Screaming Females- All At Once

New Brunswick, NJ representing here with one of the best modern rock releases of the year. Lyrical topics are associated with a lack of privacy and the effects that encompass the current era of social media. These talking points help to bring a much-needed relevancy into a genre that has been slipping out of the spotlight. Marissa Paternoster is such a badass as she showcases her powerful lyrical performances and guitar work across the album. With catchy hooks and riffs in abundance, this is a mature and well-assembled rock record.

20.) Avantdale Bowling Club- Avantdale Bowling Club

A fusion of contemporary jazz and hip-hop, Australian lyricist Tom Scott has crafted a record that is a self-reflective journey about discovering purpose as we navigate our way through life. The smooth and rhythmic musical atmosphere works really well to compliment the vulnerable nature of the lyrics.

19.) Kali Uchis- Isolation

The production value on this project is insanely high. Kali recruits help from an impressive list of artists including Thundercat, David Sitek, Kevin Parker, and Damon Albarn just to name a few. With such a star-studded cast of collaborators, it is no surprise that the end result was a great achievement in Neo-Soul and R&B. This is one of the best debuts this year and has warranted me to keep a close eye on Kali as we head into the upcoming year.

18.) Cardi B- Invasion Of Privacy

2018 really was the year of Cardi B, and for good reason. Surprising to just about everybody, Cardi dropped a debut album that contained not only stellar production, but also demonstrated her skills and versatility as an artist. Songs like “Money Bag” and “I Like it” helped sound track practically every bar and club this year. And “Ring” featuring Kehlani and “Be Careful” helped showcase Cardi B’s gentler side.

On "Bickenhead" Cardi proclaims, “Spread them asscheeks open, make that pussy crack a smile” Thank you for that imagery Cardi. Poetic lyricism at its finest.

17.) Mitski- Be The Cowboy

A moving indie rock album with Mitski continuing to cater to the emotional crowd through her passionate and heavy vocal performances. The songwriting is phenomenal with diverse instrumentation that prevents the album from feeling stale. Mitski is able to refine and expand upon lots of her strengths that were evident on her last release, Puberty 2. I wish we would hear more Mitski in the mainstream because I think the crossover appeal is 100% there.

16.) Hermit and the Recluse- Orpheus vs. the Sirens

Hermit and the Recluse is a collaborative project between rapper Ka and producer Animoss. On this album, they have assembled ten consistently varied and thought provoking tracks. Ka's constant references to mythic beasts mask a deeper lesson on the perils of gang violence and inner-city perils. On the surface level, this utilization of the Greek Mythology theme might seem self-serving, but it only takes a few listens to realize just how carefully considered these lyrical connections are. Throughout the album, Ka is able to take these ancient anecdotes and connect them to street life and modern-day America.

15.) JID- DiCaprio 2

JID has something to prove on DiCaprio 2. It feels like a much more thought out and animated released when compared to the first DiCaprio mixtape or last years The Never Story. The work on this album helps solidify JID as one of the more talented rappers out right now. While it is easy to point out the obvious influences from his contemporaries, most notably Kendrick Lamar, there is no doubt of the talent he has continued to demonstrate and expand upon with each release.

14.) Superorganism- Superorganism

This debut album from this UK electronic-pop group is innovative and exciting. Led by singer Orono Noguchi, her sweet and beautiful vocal performances sound perfectly layered into the psychedelic and at times chaotic production. The grand and luscious chorus’s help make this album highly hypnotic and listenable. Notably, the breakdown on “Nobody Cares” is utter bliss.

13.) Janelle Monáe- Dirty Computer

With a slightly more accessible approach compared to her previous album's The Electric Lady and ArchAndroid, Dirty Computer is a call to arms for the oppressed members of our society. Janelle told iHeartRadio that she, “sees us as computers. We're downloading, uploading things in our brains, in our hearts, and some of the things that make us unique can be seen as these bugs, and these viruses. And for me, I see all my bugs and viruses as features, as attributes.” This album is about accepting and embracing all our features, our flaws, and to celebrate other, “Dirty Computers who have been pushed to the margins of society.” The production is vibrant and rich with Janelle giving compelling performances one after another. Easily the best pop and R&B record to come out this year.

Volume 1

12.) Black Thought- Streams of Thought, Vol. 1 and 2

These two EP’s are so interconnected and high in quality I decided to group them together. There aren't many MC's left around with the lyrical abilities that Black Thought possess. Streams of Thought Vol. 1 and 2 contain the same poetic depth and wisdom that we have come to expect from the legendary Roots front man. Practically no hooks or clever songwriting are evident here. This is

purely track after track of straight fucking bars. To put it bluntly, society isn't worthy of what Black Thought keeps gifting it.

Volume 2

11.) JPEGMAFIA- Veteran

Veteran is a chaotic and frantic experience due to the angsty and aggressive vocal performances as well as the unpredictable and wild production. The experimental production, done entirely by Peggy himself, is a force to be reckoned with. Utilized samples ranging from Ol’ Dirty Bastard on the song “Real Nega,” and the video game Counter Strike on the song “Thug Tears.” These sounds come from across all mediums and it impressive that Peggy is able to take all these off the wall ideas and turn them into engaging and catchy songs. The rabbit hole that Peggy leads us down is a wild one, and I am happy I’m alive to experience it.

10.) Arctic Monkeys- Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino

In concept, this is a completely ludicrous project. A total departure from anything the Arctic Monkeys have ever released. Ditching guitar leads for synthesizers and vintage pianos to focus on a minimalistic approach to songwriting. This approach allows frontman Alex Turner to steal the show and have his space-age themed lyricism be on full display. While it tonally feels serious, the cryptic and absurd lyrics contradict the tone of the album and practically make it out to be a satire. This conundrum helps to establish a sense of mystery and wonder behind the project. In my opinion, this is exactly the goal Turner set out to accomplish. It is a jarring departure but at the same time still retains a lot of the band’s familiar sounds. This project should be remembered as a risk worth the reward.

9.) Father John Misty- God's Favorite Customer

Following up last year’s grand philosophical epic, Pure Comedy, Josh Tillman takes a step back and begins to gear his effort and attention on his own mental health and weaknesses. Much more honest and heartfelt than previously seen from Tillman, “Does everybody have to be the greatest story ever told?” he questions on the track “Disappointing Diamonds Are The Rarest of Them All.” Other tracks like “Please Don’t Die” and “The Palace” are bleak looks into the mind of a man at his lowest. God’s Favorite Customer is a fascinatingly complex and emotive deconstruction of a man whose head is classically too big for even the biggest of doors.

8.) Denzel Curry- TA13OO

I cannot deny that I did not listen to his last album, Imperial. I originally thought Denzel Curry was a joke after his song “Ultimate” made its way throughout the Vine wave around the same time. This is far from the truth though as TA13OO contains some of the catchiest and exciting songs of the year. The album is split into three acts denoted by “Light”, “Gray”, and “Dark” which symbolically represent the cynical and bleak progression of the record. Tracks like “Sumo” and “Super Saiyan Superman” are straight infectious allowing Curry to present himself with a powerful youthful energy. The unrelenting energy and consistency evident on this album make me excited for the creative direction Denzel Curry decides to take his next project.

7.) IDLES- Joy as an Act of Resistance

Epic. Jagged. Roaring. Political. Aggressive. These are all words I would use to accurately describe the best post-punk album of the year. The lyrics center around the themes of toxic masculinity and the grief lead singer Joe Talbot has experienced throughout his life. Songs like “Samaritans” and “June” shed light on the these life experiences haunting Talbot such as the emotional turmoil brought upon by his stillborn daughter. Despite the lyrical themes, this album feels uplifting and optimistic. Instead of saying, “feel bad for us” it creates a sense of comradery with its listeners, and is a rallying cry that screams, “life sucks; let’s get through this shit show together.”

6.) Against All Logic- 2012-2017

While not the most creative or innovative deep house album I have listened to this year, each track on this record is focused and shows a clear sense of direction and progression. This sense of direction helps make all these songs feel warm and inviting. Every hi-hat, kick drum and vocal sample feels so meticulously placed that it is impossible to not vibe along and enjoy the joyful nature this album radiates. Try listening to “Some Kind of Game” or “Know You” and be in a bad mood, it is just not possible.

5.) Saba- CARE FOR ME

A deeply personal album focusing on Saba’s internal struggles. His bitter view on life is showcased through laid-back production and impressive flows. Saba’s storytelling abilities are reminiscent of what makes old J. Cole so appealing. Focusing on topics ranging from police brutality, life in Chicago, and most notably, the murder of his cousin and friend John Walt, this record hits heavy and leaves an impact even after repeat listens.

4.) Pusha T- DAYTONA

King Push returns with his entirely Kanye produced album, DAYTONA. Following up 2015’s Darkest Before the Dawn, this shorter album is perfectly fit for an artist like Push. He has always been more of a quality over quantity type of lyricist and that is exactly what is evident across these seven tracks. The bars hit hard and the beats hits even harder. The first drop on “If You Know You Know” sets the tone for the rest of the project and the gas never lets off. Out of the “Summer of Kanye” albums, DAYTONA is the best of the best and ALMOST the best hip hop release this year as well.

3.) Parquet Courts- Wide Awake!

One of the most potent, and not to mention fun, rock protest albums in recent memory. Every track is filled with killer riffs, punchy percussion, and danceable grooves. The performances are so lively and energetic which really allow producer Danger Mouses’s omnipresence to be known as he was an integral part of this album’s creation. The high octane tone of the record is unmatched and makes each listen better and better. The lyrical topics are rooted in social and political grievances which help Wide Awake! feel timely and relevant in our current political climate. Overall, just a phenomenal indie rock album and one of the best that 2018 had to offer.

2.) The Voidz- Virtue

Julian Casablancas and crew have created the best experimental rock album of 2018. While I thoroughly enjoyed The Voidz last release, Tyranny, this album takes the foundation on the last project and refines it into a more streamlined and intriguing listening experience. Lyrically, this album is highly political with Julian touching upon the concepts of hating the mainstream, as well as his disdain for corporations and higher government. The lyrics establish a dream world where his major influence, Ariel Pink, would be topping the charts and nihilism would be a required societal belief. Tracks range from distortion heavy rangers like “Pyramid of Bones” to more introspective and melancholic songs such as “Permanent High School” and “Pointlessness.” Every song is multiphasic with many elements being seamlessly fused together. It sounds, modern, retro, and futuristic all at the same time.

1.) Earl Sweatshirt- Some Rap Songs

Some Rap Songs is a comprehensive look into the psyche of Thebe Kgositsile. It is a raw exploration of mental illness and mourning; poetically describing the emotions that encompass some of our darkest thoughts. Earl is able to encapsulate this experience into 15 raw and concentrated tracks. While the songs are short, they are not lacking in content. Each cut on this project is dense and layered with details that demand repeat listens. In my opinion, this is the album I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside wanted to be. While Earl’s last effort is incredible in its own right, this is Earl at his most bleak and defenseless. Some Rap Songs is not only my album of 2018, but a masterpiece in abstract hip-hop and a record that will be looked at as a benchmark in the genre for years to come.