2018 was a great year for music that was full of surprises in a variety of genres. Various emerging artists appeared with fascinating debut records, yet even some well-respected artists fell flat with their releases. From J. Cole to Troye Sivan to Marian Hill, there are many albums worth talking about. Unfortunately, 2018 saw the loss of many music artists such as Mac Miller, Avicii, XXXTentacion, Aretha Franklin and many others. Though we mourn the loss of great artists, it is important to remember the art that they blessed the music industry with for the time they were alive.
The music industry is always evolving, and last year there were definitely quite a few highlights. Without further ado, these are the best albums of 2018.
1. Trench by Twenty One Pilots
Trench is Twenty One Pilots’ best project so far, without a doubt. The production is the most crisp and concise fans have heard from the duo in years. Many of the instrumentals remain minimalistic, which is an aesthetic they had not introduced a lot until this record. After waiting three years, this album was surely not a disappointment. For more on the album, check out my review for this album here.
Best Tracks:Neon Gravestones, Nico And The Niners, Cut My Lip, Bandito
2. KOD by J. Cole
This is some of J. Cole’s best work to date. Cole’s career has progressed in the opposite direction of many other modern hip-hop artists today. Instead of “selling out” and making music that has little depth as many have been accused of over the years, his musical themes have actually shifted from more surface level subject matter into more emotional and conceptual topics. Just upon first listen, it’s clear that the album definitely has replay value. When compared to 2014 Forest Hills Drive, J. Cole’s most popular and well received album, it seems very different in terms of both production and themes. Though KOD also has a lot of songs that could easily be played on the radio, it is a more serious listen. This exceeded my expectations, and it is good to see J. Cole sticking to the core characteristics that make him a great artist. Can’t wait to see what Cole does in 2019.
Best tracks:Kevin’s Heart, 1985, Window Pain, Motiv8
3. Swimming by Mac Miller
Swimming is just smooth. That’s the perfect word to describe it. The trap beats from Mac’s 2013 album Watching Movies with the Sound Off and the soulful r&b vibe of his tracks such as “Weekend (ft. Miguel)” and “My Favorite Part (ft. Ariana Grande)” combine together to create this masterpiece. Mac clearly had matured greatly by the release of Swimming, as this album reached emotional depths that were not even hinted at earlier in his career. This is the most insight listeners get into his mind, and it’s truly beautiful. Rest in Peace, Mac. Your greatness will be missed.
Best Tracks: Hurt Feelings, Jet Fuel, What’s the Use?, Ladders
4. Bloom by Troye Sivan
Troye Sivan outdid himself with Bloom. His 2015 debut Blue Neighbourhood didn’t impress most pop listeners, but Troye changed their minds with Bloom being one of the best pop albums of 2018. 2018 music releases showed a lot of artists maturing, and Troye is no exception to this. This album is perfect for a long drive with friends in the summer. Many of the tracks are just the epitome of joy, while others have more melancholy undertones. The blend of the these themes make this his best work to date.
Best Tracks: Lucky Strike, What A Heavenly Way To Die, Plum, Seventeen
5. beerbongs & bentleys by Post Malone
Post Malone was a name on the charts all through 2018. He’s made some big steps since White Iverson topped the charts years ago. The production on this album is impressive, and the features are perfect complements to it. The features from 21 Savage, Ty Dolla $ign, and Swae Lee are some of the strongest tracks on the album.The record has an incredibly pleasing amount of more chill, laid back tracks and party hits. He’s becoming more versatile in his style; I hope to see more of this versatility shine this year as well.
Best Tracks: Spoil My Night, Blame It On Me, Rockstar, 92 Explorer
6. Lost & Found by Jorja Smith
Jorja Smith’s debut album Lost & Found is soulful, jazzy r&b at its finest. Each track on this record introduces a timeless melody from Jorja and effortless production that combines keyboard, bass, subtle guitar riffs, and a few stringed instruments here and there. Her unique sound has clear influences from classic r&b artists such as Alicia Keys and Amy Winehouse, yet she still manages to infuse her own take on their rhythms and melodies. This is one of my favorite r&b albums of all time already.
Best Tracks: Teenage Fantasy, February 3rd, On Your Own
7. BALLADS1 by Joji
Joji’s first album In Tongues felt like he was holding back something, but BALLADS1 reveals it all. It’s definitely still just as sad, but luckily for listeners there is a release from this emotional tension with fun tracks like “No Fun” and “Can’t Get Over You (ft. Clams Casino)”. Trippie Redd makes a surprise appearance on the album, and although it seemed like the collaboration might be a bit off, their very different voices melded well together. For more info on this album, check out my review of it here.
Best Tracks: Slow Dancing in the Dark, Test Drive, Yeah Right, Attention
8. Unusual by Marian Hill
There was always something that set Marian Hill apart from other artists in the electronic music scene. The duo’s debut album, ACT ONE, introduced us to the dark production they have become known for. Samantha Gongol’s vocals have a sultry element that never goes stale. Marian Hill’s iconic sharp use of those vocals is still very present here, as her vocal clips chime in and out during the choruses through the use of a midi keyboard. Much of the electronic music today is weighed down by synth-heavy, crowded production, but the record’s instrumentation remains sparse and minimal. Their saxophonist collaborator, Steve Davit, also make a few appearances that make the album drift away from the conformities of modern electronic music. I was able to see them live last summer at Firefly Music Festival, and I was very impressed.
Best Tracks: Subtle Thing, Don’t Miss You, Differently
9. Self-titled by Shawn Mendes
Many are usually surprised to see huge stadium acts such as Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, or Shawn Mendes have one of the best albums of the year; but, with this album, Shawn has proven himself as different from the other artists similar to him. He managed to mix mass mainstream appeal with acoustic guitar driven r&b songs. There are only two features, Julia Michaels and Khalid, whose soft voices match the vibe of the album perfectly. There are plenty of catch riffs, addicting melodies, and pleasant harmonies that make you want to play this album on repeat. This is a huge step in the right direction for Shawn, away from the more cookie-cutter pop music he was making in his previous two studio albums.
Best Tracks: Lost in Japan, Youth, Particular Taste, Why, Mutual
10. summer, by Jeremy Zucker
Though just a short 5-song EP, summer, by Jeremy Zucker deserves to be on this list simply due to the fascinatingly catchy minimalist tracks on it. “comethru” was the single of 2018 that gave Zucker a lot of popularity on streaming platforms such as Spotify. With such a concise EP sitting at just 18 minutes, he manages to show his range of ballads, upbeat pop hits, and everything in the middle. Still a relatively new artist, Jeremy probably has many more musical skills up his sleeve that he has yet to show the world. He most likely working on his second full-length LP to be released later this year, and I’m convinced every song he releases is better than the last.
Best Tracks: thinking 2 much, comethru, selfish
11. East Atlanta Love Letter by 6LACK
Two years ago, 6LACK released his debut studio album FREE 6LACK, which contained his breakthrough hit “PRBLMS”. In 2018, he returned with East Atlanta Love Letter. This album could be compared to the early work of The Weeknd, as it has a similar alternative-r&b vibe. The album is very dark, the type of sounds you’d want to hear on a late night drive. There is a lot of emotional intimacy throughout the record that is paired with minimal beats to aid in helping the vocals and lyrics stand out. The features from Future, Khalid, and Offset only complement his voice even more. I hope to see more experimentation from 6LACK in terms of production and subject matter in the future; but, for now, his first two studio albums will more than suffice.
Best Tracks: Let Her Go, Disconnect, Switch, East Atlanta Love Letter
12. Nation of Two by Vance Joy
Most know Vance Joy’s iconic radio hit “Riptide,” but not nearly as many have heard his 2018 release Nation of Two. He is definitely one of the best indie folk singer-songwriters currently because of his voice and intricate acoustic guitar hooks that are present on nearly every track of his. The reason this album is on this list is not only just due to the instrumentation on it, but also the lyrics. Vance Joy seems to be at the prime of his song-writing, as each song on this album feels either nostalgic, joyous, hopeful, or sad – alll emotions that, although sometimes very complicated, everyone has felt at some point or another that he seems to portray with ease. He maintains the accessibility of a standard indie album with other niche characteristics that make it stand out. Vance Joy has stuck to his roots and only made them stronger.
Best Tracks: Call If You Need Me, I’m With You, Crashing Into You
13. A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships by the 1975
The 1975’s music defies the norms of all genres. It blurs the lines between radio pop and alternative rock, two genres that seem fairly distant from each other until you listen to one of their albums. A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships was one of my most anticipated albums of 2018, since they are one of my favorite bands of all time. It took a few listens to get used to the new ambient slowness of a few of the tracks on the album, but it eventually became a natural, pleasing listen. The 1975 even included some elements on trap in the track “I Like America and America Likes Me,” with the hi-hat rolls featured in most Top-40 rap today. Though not their best album, it showed an immense amount of creativity and experimentation. There is a prevalence of religious and political commentary on the record as well, which makes it more of a sophisticated listen than their first two albums. Track 9, “The Man Who Married A Robot / Love Theme” tells the story of a man who falls in love with the internet and provides a commentary on the internet’s role in society and relationships. It is narrated by the male British version of Siri, a fun twist on normal storytelling delivery in their music. The album is full of surprises and is worth listening to in full.
Best Tracks: Mine, Love It If We Made It, Give Yourself A Try, TOOTIME
14. Bobby Tarantino II by Logic
Bobby Tarantino II by Logic is such a fun listen. The production is polished and complex. Though Logic has gradually become more pop-influenced as his career progresses, it is actually quite enjoyable. He’s known for tackling controversial topics in very blunt ways, after his hit song that discussed suicide, “1-800-273-8255”. That side of Logic is a great one, but that was for his previous album Everyday. The Bobby Tarantino albums are songs to get you riled up and excited. He’s taken some clear inspiration from artists like Travis Scott, Drake, and J. Cole and continues to build on his unique take on hip-hop, resulting into the great record that is Bobby Tarantino II.
Best Tracks: Everyday, Boomtrap Protocol, Midnight, 44 More
15. Some Rap Songs by Earl Sweatshirt
Earl Sweatshirt released one of the best rap albums of 2018. The title, Some Rap Songs, definitely does not do the album justice. The murky production is sample-driven and fascinating which lets the poetry Earl is rapping truly shine. This album has the style of several underground hip-hop artists, but he has the unrelenting confidence that they lack. Some Rap Songs managed to be experimental, yet cohesive. This is not his best work, as his previous releases still shine above this album; however, all of Earl Sweatshirt’s music is worth a high rating, so that isn’t saying much.
Best Tracks:Nowhere2go, December 24, Shattered Dreams
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