CARTER'S TOP 25 ALBUMS OF 2018
The Pusha-T/Drake beef. Weezer's comeback by meme. Kanye's dragon energy with the President. Grimes x Elon Musk. No matter the story, 2018 has been a hell of a year. These are my 25 favorite albums that I'll remember the year by.
25
Travis Scott
Astroworld
Already a respected producer and rapper, Astroworld establishes Travis Scott as a man who isn't playing the trap game, he's making the rules. The druggy, psychedelic beats interweave with Travis' sick flows as the album marches on, elevating the typical trap rhythms on the way. The occasional dips into dirty south rap and the massive guest list help expand the palette as well. If Astroworld is Travis's theme park, you'll want season passes.
24
John Maus
Addendum
Maus' strong recent work continues on Addendum, an aptly named companion piece to last year's Screen Memories. Functioning with the same lo-fi aesthetics as SM, the basslines are catchy and the synthesizers sparkle. Lyrically vague as always, Maus floats through the rhythms on layered, spaced out vocals. Genres like hypnagogic pop might not get much movement, but when albums like this come, they leave their mark.
23
Death Grips
Year of the Snitch
The wild tale of Death Grips continues on their latest full length release, an album that comes closes to attaining the pure kinetic energy of The Money Store. MC Ride's trademark screams duel with the heavy, bellowing drums and the nightmarish production. It all comes out as an oddly catchy, mesmerizing listen, just the type of thing Death Grips are known for.
22
Vince Staples
FM!
Capitalizing on the year of the short hip-hop album, Vince delivers an airtight album focused on skill and flair. The beats are simple and allow Vince to showcase his raw rapping talent. The concept of an album based on a radio show is a fun idea, though it certainly could've been expanded on. Overall it's a quick but satisfying hitter that leaves us ready for more Vince Staples in the near future.
21
Low
Double Negative
Low's sound may be unorthodox to the average rock listener, but no matter your preference you can't help but appreciate the strange beauty on Low's newest album. Lyrics are sparse, and sound is more focused on slow, spaced out rhythms. It's a fascinating listen, and when lyrics to appear, they are vague but interesting enough to warrant listening. It's a unique experience among the 2018 lineup.
20
Snail Mail
Lush
Lush is a remarkably mature record for something made by a 19 year old. Lindsay Jordan's songwriting and singing skills are both beyond her years. Songs that approach topics like teenage love and longing are met with a sense of subtlety and understanding rarely achieved by any age. While it may never wow you in sound or scope, Lush is a consistent performer across the entire album.
19
Kanye West
Ye
No matter your thoughts on Kanye West the person, his talent as a producer cannot be understated. Ye is an intimate look into the frenzied mind of one of music's premiere geniuses, full of stellar samples, slick production and incredible guest spots. Though nowhere near his peak rapping skills, Ye has some of Kanye's best pure singing he's ever done. He may never reach the heights of his past, but new Kanye is still worth your time.
18
Arctic Monkeys
Tranquility Base Hotel
& Casino
Stylistically different than anything the group has done before, TBH&C is nonetheless enthralling for a number of reasons. The throwback lounge sound mixes well with Alex Turner's raspy vocals, even if the delivery is suspect at times. Unorthodox song structures and lyrics about far away space stations, monster trucks and luxury cars turn the record into something of an audio version of a wannabe landmark science fiction film. That's a claim no other album this year (or any year) can make.
17
Pusha-T
Daytona
Pusha-T isn't one to mince his words. Every word on Daytona is precise and measured, and along with Kanye's always stellar production, Push sounds both vintage and cutting edge at the same time. This album also restarted the Drake beef, and without that, we'd never have the pure evisceration of "The Story of Adidon". And could we have ever lived without it?
16
Gorillaz
The Now Now
A refreshing return to form after the bloated mess that was Humanz. The Now Now is a simple synthpop record full of catchy choruses, infectious rhythms and surprisingly dark lyrics. The simplicity and lack of guest spots helps Damon Albarn shine as Gorillaz in a way he hasn't since Plastic Beach.
15
Kacey Musgraves
Golden Hour
While it can be painfully juvenile in the songwriting department, Golden Hour more than makes up for that with an incredible sense of atmosphere across 13 country pop songs. The instrumentation is incredibly lush, and dives into vocoder vocals and tender piano ballads add layers of beauty to the songs. Kacey's passionate voice, though lyrically simple, carries you through one of the most simply pleasing albums you'll hear all year.
14
Idles
Joy as an Act of Resistance
An absolutely pummeling collection of punk songs. Idles wear their emotions on their sleeves, delivering brash tunes about hot political topics like toxic masculinity and immigration. Though the subject matter bogs down lesser groups, Idles turn these complex issues into passionate punk anthems. You'll end up jamming and thinking together. Punk as never been so catchy!
13
MGMT
Little Dark Age
MGMT's skills at writing synth laden hits has never been in doubt, but never before had they turned that into a great album. Until now! LDA's tunes range from silly nonsensical jammers to thoughtful critiques on technology and our current political climate. No matter the subject matter, MGMT's knack for making catchy synthpop is on full display here, and it is gloriously fun.
12
Mitski
Be the Cowboy
Mitski's newest is a bold indie rock album that showcases Mitski as one of the premiere voices in her genre. Every song is pinpoint lyrically and sonically, ranging from huge rock numbers to smaller, emotional ballads. Mitski's voice is special, and when matched up to the production here, it works absolute wonders. She's going to be a defining voice for a long time to come.
11
Kali Uchis
Isolation
An album that takes inspiration from a variety of places, Isolation nevertheless remains catchy throughout. Neo soul, funk, lounge pop, and hip hop are a few of the genres Kali toys with, resulting in a diverse collection of joyous pop songs. Guest features are all on point as well. Kali's voice is unique among her peers, melding in perfectly with old and new sounds. It's a good sign for the future of pop.
10
Confidence Man
Confident Music for
Confident People
Nowhere else in 2018 will you find a more fun dance music experience than on Confident Music for Confident People. Confidence Man has mastered the art of the fun dance song, delivering hit after hit of lyrically simple but ridiculously fun bangers. While no wordsmiths like their influencers (LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, etc.), that isn't Confidence Man's game. All they want you do to is dance, and believe me, that's all you're gonna want to do.
9
Janelle Monáe
Dirty Computer
Dirty Computer is a gloriously fun statement on sex, love and self empowerment. Janelle adds disco and R&B influence together to create catchy pop tunes. Ever the poet, Janelle's lyrics can be dark but never for long, flipping between groovy jams and powerfully rapped verses. The instrumentals here are some of the best you'll hear all year. She's a multi-talented artist, and her talents all shine on Dirty Computer.
8
The 1975
A Brief Inquiry Into
Online Relationships
It's big, it's pretentious, and it's imperfect as hell, and yet you can't ignore the achievement in style, scope, and concept the 1975 have come up with. Indie pop, jazz, electropop and more morph into catchy tunes and heartfelt ballads. Lyrics about social and relationship anxieties in the internet age are delivered with love and sincerity. Anyone with a pulse can relate to what the 1975 sings about here. Though it may not be the ultimate statement on the internet age the band wants it to be, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships is nonetheless an impressive, demanding achievement.
7
cupcakKe
Ephorize
On Ephorize, cupcakKe delivers a highlight reel of her best qualities. It's full of fun, fire raps alongside exotic production choices. The lyrics are raunchy and hilarious, but beyond them you'll find a rapper oozing with skill. Genres like latin pop, trap, and synthpop keep the beats fun and constantly engaging. Ephorize is a statement album, and if cupcakKe keeps improving her craft, we're in
for one hell of a ride.
6
Parquet Courts
Wide Awake!
Punchy guitars, stylish flair and passionate lead vocals pepper this excellent art/dance rock album. Socially conscious lyrics about general distaste with the world are thoughtful and never preachy. Songs flow into one another like magic, and the rhythms range from high energy to spacey, all excellent. At the top of their game, Parquet Courts are in their rhythm as much as their excellent songs are.
5
Spiritualized
And Nothing Hurt
Jason Pierce's potentially final effort as Spiritualized is a magnificent, moving album. He comes from the point of a veteran, beyond the spaced out, drug induced stupors of past efforts, and it results in songs that are wise beyond their years. Symphonic arrangements build into incredible finishes, with lyrics that range from poignantly sweet to stoic heartache. If this is the final Spiritualized album, it's going to be celebrated as a masterful album in the genre Pierce has helped define.
4
Beach House
7
On their 7th LP, Beach House show no signs of slowing down. Their signature dream pop aesthetic is still intact, and now the band adds influences like shoegaze and garage rock to make their sound even more cutting edge. Fuzzy guitars, popping synthesizers and Victoria LeGrande's hypnotic vocals create intoxicating melodies that are as mysterious as they are beautiful. It's an album you can breeze through but come back to find new grooves and intricacies later. No matter the year, a Beach House release is a must listen, and 7 keeps that truth intact.
3
Let's Eat Grandma
I'm All Ears
A staggering synthpop record, Let's Eat Grandma's I'm All Ears is full of breathtaking moments from start to finish. The teenage duo's takes on electronic pop turns into songs that are grimy, intense, cutesy and grand. Interludes carry you through these catchy songs, creating an incredible sense of flow. The album closers are 11 minute odysseys that start small and end in an explosion of synths and guitars. It all comes together to be an unforgettable album by a duo whom you'd least expect it from.
2
Kids See Ghosts
Kids See Ghosts
Kanye and Kid Cudi's long awaited collab is a kinetic, powerful statement on mental health and positivity. Short but never slight, the songs fuse rap and rock like no one else ever has before. Booming drums and psychedelic guitars back the excellent rapping and singing from both Kanye and Cudi. Cudi sounds cosmic, better than ever before, singing like a man who's been reborn. Kanye sounds vintage, like a man doing his best and wants you to do as well. It's an absolute must listen, a unique experience that'll make you feel the love over and over again.
1
Kero Kero Bonito
Time 'n' Place
To say KKB's sophomore effort is an evolution is an understatement. Time 'n' Place is a transformative record, an LP that cements KKB as one of the premiere voices in indie pop. By melding garage rock with Japanese influenced synthpop, the band has created something entirely unique. Sarah Bonito's trademark airy vocals are complemented by fuzzy guitars straight out of a 90's Weezer album. The odd mix of sound turns out to be a match made in heaven, as every song is catchy and forward thinking. Lyrically the album delves into the joy and pain of nostalgia, and these feelings are relatable to any listener. Sarah's delivers poignant lyric after poignant lyric, and every track is meaningful in a different way. It's an amazing album that warrants many return listens, allowing you to continue to uncover the wonders that KKB has bestowed upon us.
The Full List
1. Kero Kero Bonito - Time 'n' Place
2. Kids See Ghosts - Kids See Ghosts
3. Let's Eat Grandma - I'm All Ears
4. Beach House - 7
5. Spiritualized - And Nothing Hurt
6. Parquet Courts - Wide Awake!
7. cupcakKe - Ephorize
8. The 1975 - A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships
9. Janelle Monáe - Dirty Computer
10. Confidence Man - Confident Music for Confident People
11. Kali Uchis - Isolation
12. Mitski - Be the Cowboy
13. MGMT - Little Dark Age
14. Idles - Joy as an Act of Resistance
15. Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour
16. Gorillaz - The Now Now
17. Pusha-T - DAYTONA
18. Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
19. Kanye West - Ye
20. Snail Mail - Lush
21. Low - Double Negative
22. Vince Staples - FM!
23. Death Grips - Year of the Snitch
24. John Maus - Addendum
25. Travis Scott - Astroworld