It’s that time of year again!
Here are my top 10 favorite albums of 2018 specifically regarding rock/pop releases.
I will be doing different lists for various genres leading up to the end of the year.
#10)
Teenage Wrist–Chrome Neon Jesus
In few years past, we’ve seen bands emerging from the pop punk/emo scene shifting to a more saturated, empty alt rock sound hoping to gain a spot on TRL a few years too late. I won’t name names, but the LA trio known as Teenage Wrist is one of the few to execute this sound correctly. Chrome Neon Jesus boasts eleven tracks of dreamy, distortion-heavy, alternative rock.
No trends, no gimmicks. Just fun, catchy, nostalgic rock done right.
#09)
TVAM–Psychic Data
UK-based producer, Joe Oxel, breathes new life into the music scene via complete self composition. Oxel’s love for visual art and electronic production converge effortlessly in the artist’s debut LP under the TVAM moniker. It was admittedly more of a challenge than usual to pin point genres and similar artists for Psychic Data as it is one of the most unique records I have heard this year. The eerie synth and guitar dubs serve as a fitting backdrop for Oxel’s haunting vocal performance as he seamlessly integrates atmospheric synth pop, psychrock, post punk, and many other genres into a well-refined melting pot.
#08)
Mae–Multisensory Aesthetic Experience
For those who did not grow up in the alternate universe full of Christian underground emo bands that I did, mae is a Virginia-based indie pop act with emo tendencies that blew the minds of many youth group kids with their 2005 opus The Everglow. Despite the band’s daring, ambitious pursuits following that record, they seemed to fade away from music and relevancy altogether until now.
The group’s fourth LP (and first in 11 years) expands upon some of the electro pop tendencies found in Singularity, but rather than being the straight forward glossy pop record I expected, has plenty of surprising twists and turns found within the songwriting.
#07)
Slow Crush–Aurora
Shoegaze is not the first genre that comes to mind when I think of the legendary catalog presented by Boston’s Deathwish Inc. but Aurora proves to be a comfortable fit regardless. Belgium’s Slow Crush yields listeners a unusually aggressive take on the shoegazing genre utilizing its harsh sounds to craft a very powerful, dark, heavy record. Vocalist Isa Holliday’s fragile, charming melodies glide above and beneath the pummeling layers of distortion in a very efficient way.
#06)
Ruru–Far Out
Ru Quimbo is a Manila-based artist in immediate need of your attention. Her latest release via her Ruru stage-name consists of seven euphoric, thought-provoking tracks guaranteed to win over fans of the current “lofi/chillwave” resurgence. Far Out is a relaxing, feel-good journey through the clever, witty mind of Quimbo. The sounds of jangle pop, jazz, and r&b function harmoniously with the raw, intimate setting provided.
#05)
Vacationer–Mindset
Mindset is the latest effort from Starting Line frontman Kenny Vasoli that crafts tropical sounding, orchestral production similar to that of the Avalanches with upbeat, electronic pop tracks that are guaranteed to make you feel like you are dancing on a beach in the Caribbean.
#04)
Lylo–Post Era
Lylo is a Glaswegian three piece that proudly provides a new boost of flavor to jangley guitar pop. Post Era presents seven tracks of post punk with a funky edge reminiscent of Talking Heads that allows the trio to stand out like a sore thumb in a sea of ’80s post punk revivalists. Layers of synth and complimentary saxophone leads add to the melting pot of musical styles Lylo proudly experiments with including (but not limited to) funk, r&b, and jazz fusion.
#03)
S. Carey–Hundred Acres
Wisconsin native, Sean Carey (S. Carey), is best known as the drummer and backup vocalist of the iconic musical collective Bon Iver. Not many know, however, that Carey crafts music of his own. Hundred Acres proves to be just as-if not-more beautiful than the (at least recent) efforts of his flagship project. The tracks found throughout feature soulful chamber folk brimming with lush atmosphere and complex acoustic guitar-work.
#02)
mewithoutYou–[Untitled]
mewithoutYou is undoubtedly one of the sole bands responsible for birthing my passion for both music and writing alike. I have adored nearly every release they have fired out and 2018 is a wonderful time to be a fan. The Philadelphia-based quintet dropped a surprise untitled EP back in August and followed up with their seventh (also untitled) masterpiece of an LP just a few months later.
Aaron Weiss’ vocal performances remains as emotionally explosive as ever peaking above walls of fuzzy, reverb-soaked riffs. This record doesn’t attempt to be a throwback or a “return to roots.” It illustrates a band that pushes forward and finds new ways to be both creative and innovative.
#01)
The Daysleepers–Creation
It’s always a great feeling to listen to a record for the first time and feel chills run down your spine that remain present until the album concludes. There is a warmth this record provides me that has remain unmatched since its release back in September. Creation is everything a comeback record should be and pushes the boundaries of a sound already established to create something truly magical. This LP is all about atmosphere and combines the fuses and the strongest points of shoegaze with the ambiance of space rock propelling its listener on a voyage deep into the farthest known sectors of the galaxy.