Top 25 Records of 2018
This hasn't been the best year for music, at least compared to the last few. There were plenty of very good albums though, and one classic: the new Toby Driver, a highlight of the decade in my opinion. Only one more year until best of the decade lists! That will be exciting. Also I just discovered Beach House and am getting into their new one currently, so it's an honorable mention at the end. I haven't listened to all of it yet. |
| 26 |  | Beach House
7
*Honorable mention* I still need to hear more of this, enjoying it and probably around 7/10 rating. |
| 25 |  | Riverside
Wasteland
Some very good tracks here, particularly the ballads. Some meandering stuff though. |
| 24 |  | David Byrne
American Utopia
Quirky and fun, but not much replay value. |
| 23 |  | Let's Eat Grandma
I'm All Ears
I liked this more as it went along. Great atmosphere. |
| 22 |  | Arctic Monkeys
Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino
This divided their fanbase, and while flawed, it's a very good record and their best since Humbug. First four tracks are excellent. |
| 21 |  | Hammock
Universalis
Enjoyable ambient/shoegaze |
| 20 |  | Okkervil River
In The Rainbow Rain
Enjoyable indie rock |
| 19 |  | Submotion Orchestra
Kites
Samey but good. |
| 18 |  | The Pineapple Thief
Dissolution
This band keeps improving. Good on them. |
| 17 |  | Gazpacho
Soyuz
A bit derivative of their other work, but still very good. |
| 16 |  | Gorillaz
The Now Now
Fun synthpop with melancholic vibes. Big step-up from Humanz. |
| 15 |  | Dead Can Dance
Dionysus
Occult/nature vibes from one of the best music acts of the past few decades. |
| 14 |  | Melody's Echo Chamber
Bon Voyage
Wacky psych trip. |
| 13 |  | A Perfect Circle
Eat the Elephant
This grew off me a bit, but still great. Feathers is one of their best. |
| 12 |  | Many Rooms
There is a Presence Here
Minimalist, vulnerable singer/songwriter ambient. |
| 11 |  | Rolo Tomassi
Time Will Die And Love Will Bury It
Very enjoyable, genre-bending release. |
| 10 |  | Deafheaven
Ordinary Corrupt Human Love
Their lightest release, and one of their best imo |
| 9 |  | Oneohtrix Point Never
Age Of
Weird electronic |
| 8 |  | S. Carey
Hundred Acres
Beautiful, pastoral vibes |
| 7 |  | Grouper
Grid of Points
Sad ambient, very distant and ghostly. |
| 6 |  | Thom Yorke
Suspiria
One of the finest soundtracks and films of the year. His best solo record. |
| 5 |  | Jon Hopkins
Singularity
Ethereal EDM/ambient |
| 4 |  | Sylvaine
Atoms Aligned, Coming Undone
Expands on the debut for wonderful results. |
| 3 |  | Vennart
To Cure A Blizzard Upon A Plastic Sea
Reminiscent of Oceansize, a winner. |
| 2 |  | Big Red Machine
Big Red Machine
Great collab of Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and Aaron Dessner from The National. A synthesis of the most recent Bon Iver and National albums. |
| 1 |  | Toby Driver
They Are the Shield
One of his best, solo or with a band. The lush string arrangements are captivating and the atmosphere is engrossing, similar to early Kayo Dot records. |
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