Best albums of 2018 so far
Halfway through the year, and it's been a pretty weak one so far. For sure a bunch of great records, but nothing that could compete with the best 5-10 of last year. Feel free to recommend me anything I might like, I know there's some stuff I still need to check out. |
| 20 |  | Tiny Moving Parts
Swell
7.8/10
best tracks: smooth it out, caution |
| 19 |  | Dearist
Sonder
7.8/10
Great UK pop punk/alternative rock. A lot more focused than most modern pop punk, lots of energy.
best tracks: shame, beaches |
| 18 |  | Gulfer
Dog Bless
7.8/10
best tracks: secret stuff, fading |
| 17 |  | Many Rooms
There is a Presence Here
7.8/10
I can't quite put my finger on this album but I like it. Could get higher or lower on this list by the end of the year.
best tracks: the nothing, nonbeing |
| 16 |  | When We Land
Introvert's Plight
7.8/10
best tracks: kicking & screaming, wait |
| 15 |  | Johan
Pull Up
7.8/10
I'll never stop pushing the Johan-agenda. Fantastic Dutch indie rock band.
best tracks: books & tv, anyone got a clue? |
| 14 |  | Between the Buried and Me
Automata I
7.8/10
best tracks: condemned to the gallows, yellow eyes |
| 13 |  | Senses Fail
If There Is Light, It Will Find You
8/10
best tracks: elevator to the gallows, t/t |
| 12 |  | Beach House
7
8/10
Has the potential to get higher on this list in the future.
best tracks: l'inconnue, dive |
| 11 |  | Rolo Tomassi
Time Will Die And Love Will Bury It
8/10
best tracks: the hollow hour, aftermath |
| 10 |  | The Dangerous Summer
The Dangerous Summer
8/10
Just some solid pop punk/alt rock, with 'This Is Life' and the last few songs taking it to the next level.
best tracks: this is life, infinite |
| 9 |  | Hot Mulligan
Pilot
8.3/10
One of the 'nicest' pop punk albums of the year. This band just seems so.. lovely. The music is great too, lots of catchy stuff with heartfelt vocals.
best tracks: how do you know it's not armadillo shells, i hate the gooey disk |
| 8 |  | Teenage Wrist
Chrome Neon Jesus
8.5/10
Heavier shoegaze/dreamy grunge/whatever you want to call it is right up my alley.
best tracks: chrome neon jesus, stoned alone |
| 7 |  | Spanish Love Songs
Schmaltz
8.5/10
This cures my annual need for a new Menzingers record.
best tracks: buffalo buffalo, aloha |
| 6 |  | The Summer Kills
Last Night We Became Swans
8.5/10
A rather overlooked album. Hammock teaming up with Matthew Ryan is simply gorgeous.
best tracks: summer kills, new year's day |
| 5 |  | The Wonder Years
Sister Cities
8.5/10
Another great album by The Wonder Years, personally really glad they're going the alt rock route. It might not have as much replay value as previous records, but it's definitely fantastic whenever I do listen to it.
best tracks: it must get lonely, raining in kyoto |
| 4 |  | Typhoon (USA-OR)
Offerings
8.5/10
An incredible concept backed by expansive, intricate indie folk. The fact that I got the CD for pay-what-you-want at their show is pretty cool as well.
best tracks: empiricist, rorschach |
| 3 |  | The Republic of Wolves
Shrine
8.8/10
Simply a great rock album. Has a lot of memorable moments with just enough variation to warrant repeated listens.
best tracks: birdless cage, colored out |
| 2 |  | Heavy Things
Glimpse
8.8/10
This album combines catchy pop punk with the melancholy of indie rock and I love it. It's pretty clearly flawed, but the lyrics speak to me on such a (simplistic) personal level that I probably like this a bit too much.
best tracks: missing out, tangent |
| 1 |  | Hop Along
Bark Your Head Off, Dog
8.8/10
Quite an obvious one. This album just has so much to dig into, making every repeated listen very rewarding.
best tracks: one that suits me, somewhere a judge |
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