Top 18 Albums of 2018
Booth Boy Productions
Top 18 Albums Of 2018
Generally, this year has been a bit of an odd one for myself as well as quite the rollercoaster. But one thing in particular that has made 2018 so great is the tonnes of amazing music that I've had the pleasure to listen to. My decision to start reviewing most of this new music has only grown throughout the year and has recently allowed me to put what I have learned into a freelance position as a reviewer with music magazine Brightons Finest. But most importantly, it has encouraged me to discover so many new amazing artists. It is most certainly one of the most amazing things to come out of this year.
I must admit that 2018 seemed to get off to a bit of a slow start initially, but it didn't take too long for many incredible albums to come rolling in by the dozens. And eventually, we were blessed with a year whose music even trumps that of 2017!
In celebration of this wonderful year of music, I have decided to create a list of the top 18 albums of 2018. Narrowing down all of the albums I've listened to 18 was an incredibly tricky process and there are a tonne of other albums that I wish could be on here, so don't be disheartened if your favourite isn't on here. It's just my opinion.
On a further note, I should add that I'm not limiting this list to just one genre. Expect to see a variation of genres that include hip-hop, metal, indie pop and more. However, I will not be including soundtracks, EPs or posthumous albums. So records like the Black Panther Soundtrack or The Weekends "My Dear Melancholy" unfortunately won't be seen here.
Before we get to the great 18, here are 5 honourable mentions:
Honourable Mention
ASTROWORLD
by Travis Scott
There is no denying that this album made quite the cultural impact. It is definitely a shining example of how creative and interesting trap can actually be. And while I still find the tracks on this album to be a bit of a mixed bag, it definitely shows a promising future for the rapper.
Honourable Mention
Big Tings
by Skindred
Surprisingly, this album proved to be my proper introduction to the band (despite seeing them play at Reading back in 2016) and would encourage me to see them again at the same festival this year. I found their signature "ragga" style to be far more realised, which makes this album an amazing gateway for new listeners. Its full of triumph and feel good vibes and is over all, a very fun type of heavy album.
Honourable Mention
EX_MACHINA
by Crossfaith
Electro-metal group Crossfaith outdid themselves once again with what might just be one of their most brilliant works to date. With some incredibly infectious sounds and some amazing guest features on this album such as Rou Reynolds and Ho99o9, this was certainly one of the summers many musical highlights.
Honourable Mention
Joy as an Act of Resistance
by IDLES
A fantastic follow up to their last album "Brutalism", this album furthers the bands authentic post-punk sound and is incredibly gripping and engaging. You find yourself feeling the raw fury that the band expresses so well throughout this record and the fact that an album such as this one is only an honourable mention truly goes to show how difficult making this list was.
Honourable Mention
Post Traumatic
by Mike Shinoda
Yet another deserving album, "Post Traumatic" is the story of coping with the loss of LINKIN PARK frontman Chester Bennington told to us by another of the bands members Mike Shinoda. This brilliant piece was teased to us by an EP of the same name that showcased the albums first 3 tracks and between the EP and the full album, we had several more tracks to try out early. It deals with quite a taboo subject incredibly well and was presented beautifully in the Reading festival 2018 live set. It was a pleasure to be part of it.
With the honourable mentions covered, it's now time to go over the absolute cream of the crop; my 18 favourite albums to grace 2018, starting off with number 18...
#18
Time 'n' Place
by Kero Kero Bonito
The second studio album from Kero Kero Bonito and the first that I have heard from the band displays an incredibly innovative sound that is rare to come by even by todays standards. I initially registered it as a bit of a guilty pleasure for just how cute it generally sounds.
Over time however, I learned to appreciate it as more than just a guilty pleasure to the point where it has become one of my favourite 2018 albums. The most similar comparison I can make is that it sounds a little like the Alvvays album "Antisocialites" released last year. but honestly, this album is really one-of-a-kind and I adore it.
#17
Some Rap Songs
by Earl Sweatshirt
The most recent album on this list; "Some Rap Songs" took hardly any time at all to become incredibly appealing. After a near four year wait for the rap artist to make a return after his previous album "I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside: An Album by Earl Sweatshirt" I'd argue that it was most certainly worth it.
With the current state of musical experimentation (especially this year), Earl shows us through this album that he knew he had to push his experimentation even further. The result we got was an abstract masterpiece with some stellar production that will burrow into your memory like a flesh-eating parasite.
This album also scores extra points for being the first ever album I reviewed for Brightons Finest. But it would easily make this list anyway for being one of my favourite works from Earl Sweatshirt to date.
#16
The Spark That Moves
by Cancer Bats
A remarkable improvement upon their previous album "Searching For Zero", "The Spark That Moves" was also one of the first albums in my mind to herald how much of a good year this would be musically. on this record, Canadian hardcore punk group Cancer Bats do exactly what they have been championing since their formation; making hard-hitting, unrelenting and utterly enjoyable heavy bangers!
Going back to how this album has improved upon the last, there is a far better sound quality on this record that allows its sound to revert back to being comparable to "Dead Set On Living" (one of my favourite Cancer Bats records). But I feel that this album had what it takes to at least rival my current favourite and could even potentially replace it in the near future.
#15
Sovereign Nose Of Your Arrogant Face
by Scallops Hotel
This was the first album of 2018 that I chose to review and was the perfect way to ease into 2018. While I hadn't heard of the artist beforehand, I was instantly captivated by the abstract yet stripped-back sound that this album offered.
I honestly wouldn't be surprised if this album was one of the inspirations behind Earl Sweatshirts "Some Rap Songs" as this essentially follows a similar style in terms of production. Despite all of this albums technical oddities however, it perfectly captures a chilled and almost lavish vibe that makes it a fabulous album to kick back and relax to.
#14
Errorzone
by Vein
Ever since hearing the albums first teaser track "Virus://Vibrance" I knew that this band will go a long way. This album had received quite a positive reception from many metal-heads and reviewers. And quite frankly, they deserve every bit of positive feedback.
There are clear influences of Code Orange on this album, so if you're a fan of them, I insist you check these guys out. But what makes this album stand as such an innovative one is the elements that they choose to mix with their relentless heaviness. The drumming on many of the tracks feels almost Drum 'n' Bass inspired and adds an extra layer of adrenaline to this already intense album. The insanity of it all is often broken up by more melodic segments as well which gives the album a lot more coherence and a bit more accessibility.
This is an incredible debut from a very promising group. I am very excited to see where they go next.
#13
Self-titled
by Jake Shears
Moving on to a much less intense album but no less appealing. Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears starts his solo career off on an all-time high with this fantastic self-titled album.
There is a strong sense of a whimsical and enchanting atmosphere to the whole thing with Shears seemingly maturing his sound to make him more comparable to somebody like Elton John rather than his ex band.
There are plenty of anthems on this album to keep you hooked such as "Big Bushy Mustache" and "Creep City" as well as some more mellow tunes such as "All for What" and "The Bruiser". But most notably, this album has a very special place in my heart for helping me discover a little more about myself, and you can't really put a price on that kind of sentiment. This is just a fabulous album and I hope that we get another record like this one in the coming years.
#12
Room 25
by Noname
This latest release from rap artist Noname conveys an incredibly warm and summer-like atmosphere while offering a wide variation of different productions to make every track stand out. It almost has this kind of nostalgic quality that makes it a bit more difficult for me to justify why I love this album so much but it simply makes me feel good listening to it.
I remember giving this album a listen during a time where finding new albums to review became a little bit more difficult. But I fondly remember how I managed to fall involve with the album the further I was into it until its beautiful and grand finale in the form of the albums last track "no name". Theres a level of sassiness in the lyrics as well which gave this album some real character. But above all else, its simply a beautiful album to listen to.
#11
Flow State
by Tash Sultana
Speaking of beautiful albums, This latest release from Tash Sultana is absolutely gorgeous! This is especially true in terms of Tash's own vocal talent. I love the way that her amazing vocals are blended in with some amazingly groovy and psychedelic instrumental compositions and ultimately this all makes the album very spiritual in a way.
While I would've put "Flow State" even higher on the list if there weren't as many tracks that felt like they overstayed their welcome a little, the tracks that are enjoyable from this album are near godly! In particular I absolutely love both "Murder to the Mind" and "Mystik" among many others. And in my mind, they are more than enough for this album to qualify as one of the best.
#10
Harlan & Alondra
by Buddy
I love this album for similar reasons to Nonames "Room 25". But the main reasons that I've placed this one higher on the list is that this one came first and this one was undoubtedly my summer jam album and what I would call the "Flower Boy" of 2018.
Considering that this is the first full-length album from Buddy, he has done a remarkable job in terms of having a solid idea of where he wants to take his music. With possible influences from Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg, was it really any wonder that this alum was going to be a marvellous one to listen to through the summer? This album will certainly be one that I fondly remember from this year.
#9
Negro Swan
by Blood Orange
It was quite a close call between this album and the last, but "Negro Swan" won me over just a little more for having much more of an impactful atmosphere throughout.
As well as having many songs that are funky as hell and including vocals that rival Princes, the album from beginning to end feels like quite a journey with the album giving off this vibe mainly conveyed by the regular sound clips that connect the album to many modern and relevant social issues in a sense. It was inevitable that this album would stand as a very prominent one in 2018.
All context and themes aside, many of the albums tracks make for incredibly atmospheric and ambient pieces and make this album incredibly enjoyable as well as highly immersive.
#8
MASTERS OF THE SUN vol.1
by The Black Eyed Peas
Its hard to argue that this album didn't exceed everybody's expectations. I was already blown away by the albums first teaser track "RING THE ALARM Pt.1 Pt.2 Pt.3" but didn't realise that an entire album like this would be on the way.
Taking a detour away from the Peas' late 2000's phase of more electro-pop/dance music, the first album that the group had released in around 8 years reverts back to the days of "Elephunk" with tracks that most definitely revolve more around soulful jazzy hip-hop.
Minus Fergie, the remaining three (and a new female vocalist) return to doing what made me love the Peas so much when growing up, and with this I pray that they carry on working on music like this.
#7
Oxnard
by Anderson .Paak
In my mind, "Oxnard" continues the legacy of traditional Hip-Hop while also moving the subgenera of music forward, the same way that Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp A Butterfly" did in 2015.
Speaking of Kendrick, I was introduced to .Paak after listening to "Bloody Waters" off of the Black Panther Soundtrack alongside Kendrick Lamar. Seen as I enjoyed that track very much, I was glad to see .Paak release a full album this year as well.
But honestly any song on this album could beat "Bloody Waters" as the versatility of this guy really shines through on "Oxnard" throw in Dr Dre for some production assistance and some fantastic features, including Lamar returning the favour on the track "Tints" and you have a recipe for success!
#6
Holy Hell
by Architects
This album is on this list not only for being an incredibly personal and powerful experience, but also because the remaining members of the band did a wonderful job in creating this album and making a crucial comeback since the untimely passing of Tom Searle.
In celebration and in memory of Tom, this album was conceived. But "Holy Hell" also revolves heavily around the feeling of grief and overcoming it by letting it shape you into a better person.
With this, the album is packed with a tonne of emotion and listeners should be able to feel every strand of it. To say that this album is powerful doesn't even scrape the surface.
#5
Parquet Courts
Wide Awake!
in terms of sheer catchiness, this album is arguably at the tip top of 2018 in that category. I never listened to Parquet Courts before this, but after I finished listening to this album, I was completely on board!
This album is both incredibly merry at points and incredibly angry in others. As well as this, theres a level of authenticity that really makes the album a lovable one, not to mention accessible.
It actually surprised me when I found out that Parquet Courts weren't a British band as with this album at least, it conveys an English sort of spirit just as well as Artic Monkeys did this year with the Americanisms this year of "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino", but I know which album I prefer by a milestone!
#4
Self-titled
by Serol Serol
Easily one of the most underrated albums this year, the debut full-length record from the Welsh electro-pop duo of Serol Serol gives us an atmosphere of astrological proportions. Its like the musical equivalent to drifting in space, watching a beautiful nebula such as the one on the album cover drift by.
Serol Serol use their experimentation to their advantage to create some of the most beautiful and tranquil music I've heard this year. So beautiful in-fact that not even my lack of understanding towards the Welsh lyrics could stop me from fully immersing myself into this cosmic pool of electric indulgence.
#3
Shape The Future
by Nightmares On Wax
The spirituality and grandeur of this album is absolutely unmatched! Not to mention just how diverse the tracks on this album are. Every single track on this album is remarkably unique not only in comparison to each other but to any other 2018 album as well.
"Shape The Future" is indie pop paradise and I have had the pleasure of listening to it throughput the year and cementing it in my memory as one of 2018's defining albums.
Its an essential album for people who love many different forms of music thanks to the previously mentioned diversity and cultural mixture this album has. This album will not bore you for a single second.
The majority of the tracks also have a very steady and brilliantly executed level of progression which allows listeners to ease into and immerse themselves into each of them.
But what really makes this album special is indeed its spirituality. It genuinely feels like all the amazing feelings the world gets from listening to all different sorts of music, all coming together on this one record.
#2
Self-titled
by KIDS SEE GHOSTS
Theres no denying that Kanye West has had a very bumpy year with many highs and lows (well...mostly lows) but one of his best moments has got to be his collaboration with Kid Cudi to create the alias of KIDS SEE GHOSTS.
This album takes Hip-hop to a place where we have never seen it before, and it wasn't until this that I started to believe Kanye's ambitions to become a "rock star". The time of year this album was released also helped it become one of my summer-jam albums.
While understanding that this album is only 7 tracks long, there isn't one of those seven tracks that I dislike. tracks such as "Freeee (Ghost Town pt.2)" tie in very nicely with Kanye's solo album "Ye" which was released not too long before this one.
While I wish that Kanye justified the message of the album a lot more following its release, it is still a very empowering message nonetheless. It shows us a far more positive and triumphant side o the artist and it was good to see. Judging by the popularity of this record, another record from these two is sure to exist soon, but i hope we get to hear it sooner rather than later as this album has certainly left me longing for more.
And finally. The moment you have all been waiting for.
My favourite album of the entire year is...
#1
Reverence
by Parkway Drive
Now this album really is something else. Not only does it convey the feelings of grief just as well as Architects did with "Holy Hell", they took it even further by giving it an incredibly divine atmosphere.
There were several passings of relatives between the members of Parkway Drive, which became the fuel to the fire that helped the band forge this absolute masterpiece. They display the feeling one would feel following such passing including sorrow, powerlessness and rage so perfectly that it connected with me instantly.
But what makes this album so powerful musically is how they have combined their signature heavy sound with a range of orchestral instruments with the result being a godly composition that not only pulls at the heart strings but will leave you breathless.
The sheer awe (or more fittingly the sheer reverence) that I felt towards this album confirmed in my mind that this year would be a special one musically. Because with an album like this, 2018 had already won me over!
I would definitely encourage you to share with people what your favourite tracks of 2018 were. Heres to 2019 and whatever albums lay ahead.
Thank you for reading
Booth Boy
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