My Favourite Albums of 2018 Thus Far...
Usually, I'll try to rank my favourites in these lists. However, I'm having a tough time placing these albums in order of how I prefer one over the other. So, I'm going to list my favourite records for the first half of the year in no particular order! Nice to not have that burden for a change of pace. Either way, hope you enjoy!
Kimbra - Primal Heart
How can I not start off the list with one of my most anticipated albums of the year? And really, it delivers. Many times over. This is Kimbra at her most raw, her most emotional, and her most vulnerable. Primal Heart is sincerity. It's authentic. Many albums tackle the human condition, but it's not easy to depict core human emotions and make that soulful connection to the listener at the same time. This is probably as effective an album as you can get when trying to understand a person's emotional journey (someone I don't even know) at one particular time, and that's quite an achievement for an album.
Kimbra has a knack for burrowing sounds and nuances deep into songs which tend to surface the more you listen to her work. It's fascinating to listen to Primal Heart and hear these flourishes come to the forefront when you familiarize yourself with these tunes. Whether they are minor vocal touches or subtle muted guitars, everything has a purpose, and all of it will end up hitting you in different ways. Of course, that's the influence of the band and producers as well, but Kimbra has always deliberately done this with her projects. As a result, you feel the songs that much more. And for an album brimming with emotional aspects, feeling the album is what you truly need.
Ghost - Prequelle
I've always been a sucker for operatic and theatrical rock/metal groups when they do things wholeheartedly. Whether it's King Diamond/Mercyful Fate, Alice Cooper, and now Ghost, delivering a more visionary experience can always be thrilling, even if a little over-the-top at times. With their newest effort, Prequelle, Ghost deliver one earworm after another with a collection of bombastic pop-rock and metal. Every song on this album is addictive and memorable, including the two instrumental cuts on the album, Miasma and Helvetesfönster. I've always loved when a rock band could incorporate such dramatic elements and make things as catchy as possible. It's not as easy to truly pull off as one might think, and Ghost pull it off flawlessly with this eerie, macabre, but also playful, masterpiece.
Mary Lattimore - Hundreds of Days
This is one of those special albums in which you simply get lost in every single one of its many soundscapes. Lattimore creates beautiful pieces with electronic loops, a variety of instrumental work, and, of course, her harp playing, which is gorgeous throughout. Beyond the wonderful, ambient textures, there is an intensity to each song. Everything on Hundreds of Days feels like it builds, constructing an album of evolving sounds. I love that this album feels as though it has a sense of purpose with every composition, constantly engaging the listener and pulling them in. Even if you're not a fan of ambient music of any kind, just give this one a chance. It is an absolute work of art.
U.S. Girls - In A Poem Unlimited
This indie-pop, disco-flavoured, and wacky album is one of my most enjoyable listening experiences of the year thus far. It also includes my overall favourite song of the year in Rosebud, with its smooth verses and zig-zag string arrangements. Not to mention the intense vocal interplay within the song itself. The album also tackles quite a bit of serious subject matter through an exciting backdrop, which makes it all the more intriguing to dive into. What I enjoy most about this album is that it has a huge sound. There's more of a band element and the production allows everything to shine through, whether it's in a more soothing or a more aggressive background. The whole album just pops out and grabs you, and that's one of the best experiences you can have with music.
Gang Gang Dance - Kazuashita
This album is a bit all over the place. There are experimental passages, electro-pop flashes, and exploratory shoegaze elements all over this album. It can be easy to sing along with and so smooth at certain moments, but then turn that all around and create something totally different. What I love about Kazuashita is that it has a variety of bouncy moments, which make the album quite playful and, at times, even funky. It can be a little disorienting on first listen, but it is a rewarding experience the more you dig in and get used to the various twists and turns.
First Aid Kit - Ruins
Who would think that a duo from Sweden would be able to write and perform classic Americana-inspired music so flawlessly? And it's not even sheer mimicry. This may be Americana-style music, but it is quite original, fun, and inspiring. Ruins is pure joy to listen to. The lyricism is relatable, the vocal harmonies are out-of-this-world good, and the songwriting is absolutely gorgeous to explore. I also appreciate how warm the production feels on this album. The sound envelops you and takes you in to bring a genuine feel to all of the music presented here. I can also hear a bit of a Stevie Nicks influence on quite a few of these tracks, which is always fun for me, as I'm a huge fan of hers. But the influences aren't taking over the whole album. They're subtle nods, along with top-tier musicianship, vocal passages, and exquisite songwriting. Coming back with an album of this caliber after taking a short hiatus is a stunning achievement.
Soccer Mommy - Clean
Soccer Mommy's Clean is a dazzling alternative record with an insane amount of hooks and crafty songwriting. There's a fuzzy sound with the guitars and a wonderfully chunky low end, allowing each song to make a lasting impression. Less is certainly more with this album, and it lives up to its name with quite a "clean" sound. It's terrific to see a new, up-and-coming band produce this kind of album, with some of the catchiest material you'll hear all year. On top of that, the songs are thought-provoking and each song has this airy quality, almost making you feel like you're dreaming of these melodies. It's pretty cool!
Judas Priest - Firepower
A blistering effort from one of the genre's best bands, Firepower is what a modern metal album should be. It's in-your-face with great production, wonderful performances, and tight songwriting. Rob Halford's vocals are worth the price of admission alone, considering he's getting closer to 70 years of age. He gives his all on these tracks, and it's refreshing as hell. I saw these guys back in March, and the album is no fluke. They rip these songs, and their older hits, as if they are still in their prime. This album honestly feels like an instant metal classic to me. And for a band that's in their fifth decade, that's pretty damned impressive.
Hana Vu - How Many Times Have You Driven By
This genre-bending release is one of the most thrilling albums I've heard so far this year. It has such an organic sound for a varied blend of songs. There is something so smooth about this album, and it feels quite textured, despite having what feels to be a somewhat minimalist approach on many of the tracks. It almost feels as if it's meant to contradict itself in terms of how it's supposed to sound, but it all just works and comes together splendidly. It feels like this short album has almost everything incorporated into it. It has indie-pop, hip-hop-inspired pop, alternative, etc., all wrapped into one work. The production on each track brings it all home. I adore the sound of this project. It all has a deep, thoughtful sound which enhances the experience and makes it feel fresh each time you listen to it. Quite a pleasant surprise!
Various Artists - We Out Here
The British new wave jazz scene has been constantly enthralling me for the past few years, especially with the output of Shabaka Hutchings. These artists have given us one jazz gem after another, and on We Out Here, we're treated to a compilation of sorts from various contemporary jazz artists. This isn't your regular jazz album. We get a selection of smooth jazz, electronically fused jazz, fusion work, free-form, etc. And it's all brilliantly showcased on one of my favourite records of the year. Alongside the aforementioned Hutchings, you get greats such as Nubya Garcia, Joe Armon-Jones, Maisha, etc. And if this album isn't awesome enough, it also allows you to go beyond and discover the other works by these artists. You really can't go wrong with these selections and the blossoming jazz scene you'll discover along the way.
Altın Gün - On
To be quite honest, I don't really know how to describe this band's sound. Officially, they're classified as a Turkish psych-folk band who come from Amsterdam. Honestly, that's interesting enough for me already. I stumbled upon a live video of them performing songs from their debut album, and I was pretty blown away by them. I'll post the video down below. They bring a bit of an exotic sound to Turkish folk songs, incorporating their own elements in a blend of energetic instrumentals and funky arrangements. The album itself is packed with fun, danceable moments.
