2018 end of year lists

A year too late for my liking!

Here we go, my numbers 20-1..

20. Freddie Gibbs, Curren$y & The Alchemist - Fetti

Continuing the theme of short sharp releases, this is another album that Is over and done with in less than 25 minutes. The Alchemist on all the beats with Gibbs and Curren$y sharing the rapping duties. I much prefer Freddie Gibbs flow over Curren$y’s, but again, the mix of both voices work well and the clash of styles keep it constantly flowing. The beats are quite 90’s boom bap, crate digging, influenced, so probably never likely to trouble anything other than the underground, which is obviously where these two rappers reside anyway. I wasn’t that keen on Gibbs other record from earlier in the year, so this was a nice surprise when it was quickly released towards the end of the year.

19. Gwenno – Le Kov

An album sung entirely in Cornish, a language Gwenno grew up speaking but is rapidly declining, inspired by a song from her previous album which was in turn inspired by book set in a dystopian future in which rebels can only operate around the system by speaking in a dead language. Shades of electronica and hmm.. ‘folktronica’, Krautrock rhythms along with some fantastic catchy melodies. It has a gentle laid back fell to the production, lot’s of space between to the instruments. Glad to see this record doing fairly well for her this year as well, saw that she got a few high profile support slots throughout the year. I saw her in quite a small venue when the record first came out, but she’d graduated to the much larger Islington Assembly Hall by the end of the tour, well deserved.

18. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – Sparkle Hard

The customary Malkmus record making my list. He never really goes too far outside of his box, but there’s always enough of a change to keep things interesting and well, the songs are always good. I know I say this every time, but Malkmus is just my heroin, I’ll probably always love what he does. This is definitely stronger album than his previous one, feels like there’s a bit more depth on this one, he comes back with a couple of really beautiful tunes in Middle America and Solid Silk, those sort of cute songs that he seems to be able to create so effortlessly.

17. Daniel Blumberg - Minus

This was a proper ‘grower’ for me, I gave it a listen when it first came out and though it was intriguing, it took me months to go back, but the perseverance paid off and a with a few more listens it started to reveal a lot more. I still feel like there’s more to come from this. I also didn’t realise at first that he was the old singer from Yuck. It’s a very sparse sounding album made by Blumberg with the help of some Jazz players he’d met in TCOTU and you can really tell, the production is what drives the album, the songs are really quite subtle and simple, mostly piano driven, but then augmented with weird jazzy flourishes and dissonant instrumentation. In places it reminds me a little of Talk Talk’s ‘Spirit of Eden’ and a couple of songs sound a bit like Neil Young in piano man mould, especially his voice. I’m glad I came back to it.

16. Kanye West - Ye

I like the fact that Kanye is a complete twat, it seems like this year he has come closer than ever to destroying the adulation of his hardcore fans, most people know he’s a twat, of course, but he seemed to go much further this time. Having said all that he produced five albums this year for himself and others and they were all mostly pretty strong (the Nas one being the weakest..). With Kanye, I also like that I don’t always like his records, I wasn’t at all enamoured by The Life of Pablo the last time out, but there is always interest in what he does. So again, this album is only 7 songs (like the other 4 he produced) and clocks in at under 25 minutes, but this really works in its favour, it’s so lean. This is also definitely a more ‘singy’ than rappy’ album, but I’m fine with that as I don’t think Kanye has a particularly good flow as a rapper and I’m far more interested in him as a beat maker, which is where he excels on here.

15. Various Artists – Speedy Wunderground – Year 3


The second compilation on my list this year. This is a compilation of all the singles released by the label Speedy Wunderground in their third year. This label are based in South TCOTU and they have strong ties with the Windmill in Brixton. Essentially they have an ethos in which they put out a few 7” singles every year from local artist, each single is produced and recorded by Dan Carey (who’s produced Kate Tempest, Goat Girl, Steve Mason, loads of others..) in one day and mixed the next day. The label has put out a load of fantastic singles and this album is a real cracker. It has songs from more established artists like Melt Yourself Down, Warmduscher & Meatraffle and then some stuff from lesser known artists, which I think are the best things on here, especially the songs from JW Ridley and Dewey. Well worth a listen. Subsequent to this release, the label have released two of my favourite singles of the year in Black Midi’s debut, bmbmbm and ‘The Dial’ by Brighton band ‘Squid’. Dan Carey is also producing Black Midi’s debut album due in 2019. Loving everything the label is doing for local musicians.

14. Wand - Perfume

I’m cheating a bit with this one as it’s technically an EP, but at 34 minutes, it’s longer than a lot of the other records on the list and it definitely feels more like and album. They toured it like that as well. This is their strongest record since Golem in 2015. I liked Plum from last year, but it was very understated, and a bit more spacious and experimental, they essentially changed their sound up and it felt like they were still feeling around with a new sound. This sounds so much more confident and concise, there is nothing excessive on the record even when the songs start sprawling a bit, they’re interesting and not gratuitous. There are also a couple of cracking indie pop tunes on here, so I’m throwing it into my list because I loved it!

13. Terry – I’m Terry

Terry! Not sure what more to say about Terry, they’re just great fun. There isn’t an ounce of pretence in what they do and they just continue to knock off great lo-fi indie pop song after indie pop song. There isn’t that much difference between any of their three albums, it’s all pretty similar, but this sounds a bit fuller. This is the first album they’ve recorded with a proper engineer and not by themselves and you can tell the difference, it sounds like they’ve spent a bit more time with this one.

12. Jerry Paper – Like A Baby

I know next to nothing about this bloke, I just saw the artwork and that it was being released on Stone’s Throw so thought I’d give it a go. It’s understated and I just found myself going back to it loads. I don’t really know how you’d really describe the music accurately, I suppose it has elements of neo-soul, shades of electronica with psychedelic and hazy production values. Has that sort of claustrophobic production feel which I love. The guy looks like a complete geek and he shouldn’t really be making this sort of music, but I suppose that’s modern music for you. With the Stone’s Throw connection, it reminds me a little bit of Mayor Hawthorne, but with more interesting production and stronger songs.

11. Pill – Soft Hell

Second proper album from this NY based art punk band and definitely feels like a step forward from their previous album. Aggressive post punk vibes, blending some of the dissonance of Sonic Youth but often driven by strong bass lines and drum accompaniments and then moments of sprawling sax here and there. Remind me a little of the band Priests, but more aggressive. The record starts and ends aggressively and with strong songs, the pace drops a little in the middle and at first it felt a little jarring, but a few more listens in it started to feel more natural and the drop in pace allows the record to breathe.

10. Pusha T – Daytona

The second of Kanye’s five produced albums to make my list and this is the best of the lot (The Teyana Taylor record just missed out!). It hasn’t been a proper vintage year in Hip-Hop for me, but this is my favourite of the year. Kanye really delivering with the beats on this, and unlike his record, rapping is the driving delivery throughout, as, obviously Pusha T is a far better rapper than Kanye, so they’re playing to their strengths and the record works so well for it. At only seven songs and 21 minutes, it flies by, as you would expect, but Kanye seemed to kick start a trend in shorter records this year, as all of the five he produced were seven songs and around a similar length. I’ve always felt that hip-hop can often suffer from lack of quality control, quantity over quality and albums get bogged down in needless fodder, so I’ve enjoyed these clutch of hip-hop records taking the cue and trimming some of the fat. This record especially feels so lean. From the moment you look at the artwork and then the beat drops in ‘If you know, you know’ against Pusha’s slightly off kilter rhyming, you know this is gonna be a banger of a record.

9. Amber Arcades – European Heartbreak

This was a genuine surprise for me this year, the second album from Dutch based Amber Arcades, she had released her debut album a couple of years ago, a light and breezy Indie pop record, which was ok, if not a bit unremarkable, so I didn’t have great hopes for a new album, but the first couple of singles released were really good and once the album was released, it was evident that the whole record was equally as strong. The production is fantastic, the songs have moved a little away from indie pop into a more mature ‘Americana’ sound with some lush arrangements throughout. Production wise it has an early 70’s feel to it, I’m thinking Van Morrison, a little Stonesy that sort of thing. It’s been a bit of a theme through my list, but you can tell there has been such a big jump from the previous album to this one, the songs are really strong and it sounds like so much more care and time has been taken with the arrangements and nuances of the production.

8. Ty Segall & White Fence – Joy

The second Ty record on my list and this one seemed to universally ignored, even by hardcore Ty fans, which I think is a real shame, because I’ve loved it from first play and it’s an album that I’ve constantly played since it came out. I can sort of see why people would be a little nonplussed about it, it is a particularly ‘stylised’ record. Ty and Time Presley have definitely gone for a specific sound and style, a 60’s psychedelic pop record in all intents a purposes. But I love how the songs all sort of merge into each other and actually feel like small little segments making up a larger picture. Sort of reminds me of early Zappa or even something like Trout Mask Replica, not so much in song arrangements, but how the album is structured. I also love the way the record is recorded and mixed, the drums and guitars sound gorgeous throughout. This will be an overlooked album in his oeuvre, which is a shame, it probably doesn’t help that it was one of six albums he’s been involved with this year, but hopefully with time, people will revisit it outside of this sphere and enjoy it.

7. Sauna Youth – Deaths

The bands third proper album, but a band I’ve really fallen in love with this year. Actually got into their previous album at the start of the year which had been released on Upset the Rhythm a couple of years back, so was great to spend some time with that and then wait for the new album. The albums are actually quite similar, what they do is pretty straight forward, but they do it well. Aggressive, driving, lo-fi, indie punk. Choppy and dissonant guitars that can get very loud or sit at the back of the mix and let the drums and bass the work. They also have an ear for a killer hook or melody so you get a great mix of some more aggressive and discordant songs and then they’ll drop a handful of hooky indie pop bangers which gives a great energy to the whole record.

6. Insecure Men – Insecure Men

It’s kitschy as fuck, and it’s such a fine line to tow when you’re straddling it, but often those records that teeter on those lines end up being fantastic and I think this is where this one falls. Insecure Men are Saul from Fat Whites and Ben from Childhood, but from what I’ve read the songs are mostly written by Saul and the words by Lias from Fat Whites, it was apparently intended to be the next Fat Whites record, but Saul ended up doing this instead. So yeah, on paper it’s like Casio keyboard and drum machine songs with calypso vibes throughout, which should be shit, but it’s really not. Weird and skewered calypso kitsch pop songs about Gary Glitter, Cliff Richard & Gerry Adams are not to scoffed at and this album and the songs have stayed with me all year since I first saw them play in January.

5. Kali Uchis – Isolation

It’s such a fun record and her personality just shines throughout. I first heard of her following her appearance on Tyler, The Creator’s album last year and then he released the single After The Storm, which is an absolute beast of tune, but when I first heard the record, that was the only song that really sounded like that, and you realise that she’s explores so many different avenues throughout the album, to her total credit. She worked with so many different people on the album, that you really feel like you’re meandering through a pop landscape. There are straight r’n’b soul songs, hip hop tinged bits, latino stuff, pure pop bangers, psychedelic rock infused elements and with production from all sorts of people, Brockhampton, BadBadNotGood, Damon Albarn, Kevin Parker, Thundercat among others.. A real mish mash. She also doesn’t have a particularly gut busting soul voice, but she uses he voice really well and plays to the strengths of the songs, sort of reminds me a little of the way Solange used her voice on her last record. Interested to see where she goes from here as it feels like she’s right on the cusp of stardom, she definitely has the personality for it. My only gripe was I didn’t get to see her live this year,

4. Ty Segall – Freedom’s Goblin

Albums 4-2 on my list have all been pretty interchangeable all year for me, this could have been at number two on my list on another day. The third and final appearance from Ty on my list and his first release (of six) from this year and released all the way back in January and was an absolute monster from first listen. A proper double album, this is how they should be done! It feels like a best of Ty Segal, it delves into bits of all of this style and what he does. It has songs that sound like Black Sabbath and Alice Cooper, songs that sound like the Beatles, Radiohead, Neil Young & T-Rex. It has a cover of Hot Chocolate! Ty has definitely found himself heading into more comfortable rock mode on his last few solo records, but he does it so well, he can write great standard songs when he wishes and his production values have improved greatly, probably helps working with Albini on this and his last one. This does the thing that all great double albums do, it doesn’t feel as long as it actually is, even though it ends with two lengthy jams, one of which is just a Crazy Horse pastiche of one of his own songs. Fair play to him because it’s clearly a hard skill to create a great double album, but he’s pulled it off with ease. A shame he was so shit live.
3. Goat Girl – Goat Girl

The first band in ages that I’ve properly followed through from first single onwards and it was great to see the sound grow over that period with every new single they released. Seemed to take forever for the record to come out, but they were obviously taking their time and making sure the release was right. They left a couple of great songs from the early singles as well, which I thought was quite ballsy. For such a young band, I think the record has a maturity to it, would have been easy for them to toss of 10 song album with the catchier songs, but they mixed it up by leaving off or reworking some of the live favourites to fit with the feel of the album. I understand they recorded both sides straight through live and then overdubbed straight through as well, working with producer Dan Carey, which does lend a different feel to it. I just like the sounds they produce, it’s a little nonchalant, a little sleazy and though I’m certainly not the demographic for the album or it’s lyrics, their intriguing enough to keep interest. I also love the interplay of the lead guitarist, she has a really unique style and plays with her fingers and not a pick which is quite odd for a lead guitarist, but I love her snakey guitar lines that weave throughout the songs. Still feel like a bit of a nonce going to see them live with their army of 18 year old fans, but fuck it, good music is good music!

2. U.S Girls – In a Poem Unlimited


I first got into her when I shazamed a song Bob Nastanovich was DJing at a gig and it turned out to be a song from her previous record and, although that record was enjoyable, this album really hit me from first listen in a big way. I remember my first listen through just being hit with how strong the first half of the album is, it’s packed full of pop/disco bangers. The record I definitely a side step from some of her previous work, which was definitely a little more abstract and this is definitely catchy and hooky pop music, which is just so infectious. I suppose the production is certainly more sophisticated or mature than your average pop song and the arrangements are fantastic throughout. It also takes a bit of a listen, bit lyrically it’s fantastic and some of the themes are brutally honest and biting, M.A.H for instance being an honest song about being let down and deceived by Obama, which in a time when every artist (sans Kanye) is bashing Trump and aggrandising Obama and his politics, is quite a bold move. It’s an album that’s equal parts catchy, fun, bold and daring all in one go and it just floats along and I find myself constantly being sucked right into it.

1. Parquet Courts – Wide Awake!


This has been my number since probably my second listen through, it’s an absolute beast of a record and the best thing they’ve ever done. I’ve loved almost everything they’ve ever done (the Monastic Living EP can piss off..) and this just feels like a band at the peak of their powers, taking everything they’ve learned so far and throwing everything at it. It feels like such a collected piece of work, opening with Total Football is a like a call to arms and a statement of intent all rolled into one, I love records that open with real defining songs. Bringing Dangermouse on board to produce appears to have been a stroke of genius now and though his influences isn’t swamped all over the record, the fact that such emphasis is placed on the rhythm section can’t be a coincidence and the mixing is the best of any record they’ve done. The whole thing just sounds so much fuller and bigger but maintaining their minimal reverb ethos. The record also benefits well from it’s pacing, Andrew Savages song’s tending to be the punchier and punkier songs with more classical rock influences and these are offset against Austin Brown’s more reflective and sombre songs. There isn’t a dud on the whole record, every song has it’s place. In recent years so much has been said about how guitar bands are dead and how Hip Hop is where the real angry and politically awake music is being made and there is certainly some truth to that especially as those words are usually espoused by mainstream voices, but the political language on this record is so ‘on point’ and aggressive that it’s a shame that stuff like this isn’t reaching a wider audience. If there is a more poignant and prescient indictment of modern society than a song like Tenderness, which is the perfect closer, I’d love to hear it. A wonderful record from a wonderful band.

great work kev. always really enjoy reading your write ups and there's a few albums there i now want to check out.

Excellent stuff Kev.

I've gotta admit, this year was the first time I've ever had enough of the soapbox. Not to be overly dramatic but I logged on a few times a while back ago after not checking for 4 or 5 days and all I could see was posts about UKIP and worse of all, tennis. I thought about ditching my account and just moving to twitter or something. This thread has restored my faith in this place. Suppose it didn't help that there was no Oasis related release this year, despite most people not caring about them much anymore it's always when Liam or Dwayne is up to something that this place is busiest & usually best.

Also, I'm really glad this year is over so I can get back to listening to old shit as from the Summer onwards I found it relentless with new releases I wanted to hear. I think next year I might scale back my listening of new stuff a tiny bit. I'll still continue to look for new stuff that excites me but I think I need to be a bit more picky rather than attempting to listen to anything & everything that sounds half decent.

Agree about scaling back on new releases, I also felt the pressure and felt relieved when the list was done and the releases stopped appearing.

About the soapy, well, same old tbh. Just if you leave, wait until I release my magnum opus and last ever recording next week...

Plus is that sound I hear that of the points-counting-torch I'm passing to Fuzzzzy?

Just got to hold it together for one more year to see us through to the end of decade lists.

BARNY... GET THE CALCULATOR!

Still on course to have my list in tonight; about 15 write-ups to do.

Before I get into my list (50 - 11; still workinf on) a couple of things:

Five albums I enjoyed outside of the Top 50 
BRMC - Wrong Creatures

Caroline Rose - LONER

Interpol - Marauder

Lucy Dacus - Historian

Manic Street Preachers - Resistance is Futile


Five albums I was disappointed with
Cabbage - Nihilistic Glamour Shots

Eels - The Deconstruction

Jungle - Forever

Suede - The Blue Hour

The Coral - Move Through The Dawn



Now, onto the list itself...




50. Corrosion of Conformity - No Cross, No Crown

Not quite sure how I stumbled across this but I've enjoyed it a lot this year. They've been around since the mid-80s and are said to be heavily influenced by the likes of Sabbath & Maiden. It's essentially stoner metal with some big, thick sludgey guitars and squealing metal solos. It can be a bit bluesy in places, too. It's just a big, powerful album that really gets me pumped.



49. Sons of Kemet - Your Queen Is A Reptile

This album was my first time hearing this lot. I love the way they fuse together the different styles and genres seemingly with ease and with a great payoff. Not sure where else you could got to hear African/Carribean jazz with vocals that give everything a grimey, British tinge.



48. Ezra Furman - Transangelic Exodus

I've always liked Ezra Furman well enough but I've never really got into his albums that much and more been a fan of the odd tracks here and there. This is terrifice though. It's got an absolutely bonkers story and the whole thing just feels really cinematic to me. I also like how it's sequenced and the whole thing just flows really well. It's a fun album.



47. Blood Orange - Negro Swan

The production on this is just sooooo nice. A really rich and warm sound to everything. Musically, it's a beautifully chilled out and blissful affair. It's a really nice contrast when taking into account the subject matter of the album.



46. Gwenno - Le Kov

Only found out this week she was in The Pipettes (I still love We Are The Pipettes) and it came as quite the surprise because this sounds nothing like The Pipettes. Sure, it's all in Cornish but the melodies and overall sound of the album kept me coming back to this. It's really weird because it feels bleak but lovely at the same time.



45. MGMT - Little Dark Age

Big 80s vibes on this. Full of big poppy synth tracks with infectious hooks. It's not the MGMT that I prefer but I can't deny that this album is a very enjoyable listen and very infectious.



44. Django Django - Marble Skies

A total splicing together of genres and styles, and pretty ambitious. But, I reckon it works really well. A much poppier record then their last 2, I think this is better than Born Under Saturn but probably not as good as their debut.



43. MIEN - MIEN

Straight-up psych rock that I'm always a fan of. There is quite a lot of variety on show here, from late 60s sounding psychedelia to stuff that sounds inspired by kraut rock.



42. Kanye West - Ye

I didn't bother much with Life Of Pablo but at only 23 minutes, I thought I'd give this a go, and I'm glad I did. Production is wonderful and the album never out stays its welcome.



41. Milk For The Angry - Make Like An Animal

Found this lot on Bandcamp when I was going through a phase of trying to only listen to stuff I'd never heard before. I guess it's psych rock with a bit of 90s grunge thrown in for good measure. It's a lot of fun and I just feel there is a good energy to this record.



40. Father John Misty - God's Favourite Customer

I'm pretty sure that Josh Tillman is a pretentious prick, but, I just can't help enjoying his work. Neat arrangements, clever hooks and witty lyrics galore here.



39. Goat Girl - Goat Girl

Liked the singles I'd heard but the album didn't really click until about a month ago. Sort of like a sinister, slightly gotheic female Libertines in that it's all a little bit ramshackle with the feeling things could fall apart at any second.



38. Cloud Nothings - Last Building Burning

I was very late "getting" Cloud Nothings but I'm a big fan now. Their last album seemed a little bit too cleanly produced compared to the rest of their stuff. That clean production is still here but they've really cranked things up here and it all feels a bit more ferocious, which is a good things.



37. Death Grips - Year Of The Snitch

I didn't really pay much attention to Death Grips after The Money Store. I heard Black Paint and loved it so thought I'd check out their latest one, and I'm glad I did. I'm still not really sure what Death Grips are but this is psychotic, heavy and hypnotic and it's pretty damn good.



36. Carpenter Brut - Leather Teeth

I decided to give this a listen just because I loved the album cover so much. It's a real mixed bag in terms of genre and styles and isn't as focused as other records. Yes, there's still horror inspired synthwave throughout but it's still quite eclectic from one track to another so it keeps things interesting.



35. Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

This was a bit of a grower for me. At first I thought it was just okay with some nice production but with repeated listens it really started to get under my skin a bit. I like the concept and I admire them for trying something like this because it might've alienates a lot of the casual fans. They could have easily churned out AM Part Deux and played it safe .



34. The James Hunter Six - Whatever It Takes

Nothing too fancy or groundbreaking hear, just a bunch of catchy, well-produced, well-played blues/soul tracks. These blokes obviously love what they do and love what they play and it really shines through on this.



33. Beechwood - Songs From The Land of Nod

An indie rock record with big nods to late 80s/early 90s alt rock in places. I also get a bit of a Velvet Underground and Jesus Mary Chain vibe from some of the tracks. There's a lot to like here, including a scuzzy cover of The Kinks' I'm Not Like Everybody Else



32. Alkaline Trio - Is This Thing Cursed?

I've said if before but I have a real soft spot for this kind of American rock, and IMO, not many bands do it better than Alkaline Trio, as demonstrated here. As expected, this jam-packed full of crunchy guitars, melodies and big hooks.



31. Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids - An Angel Fell

Cosmic Afro-jazz that is also a bit avant garde. What's not to like? Clearly not for everyone, mind. A lad at work asked me for some suggestions of stuff to listen to and I put him onto this. After about 2 days he asked me if I was taking the piss.



30. Ryler Walker - Deadman Glance

Thought I'd check this out after seeing JP say how much he was looking forward to it because he loves Ryley Walker. Glad I did as it's a lovely record full of laid back and hazy sort of folkish jazz. Nice.



29. Post Animal - When I Think Of You In A Castle

Psychadelic rock that somehow manages to mix prog with power pop, and make it work!



28. Spiritualized - And Nothing Hurt

This just felt like classic Spiritualized from top to bottom. There's nothing new here but I don't care because this is the kind of Spiritualized sound that I absolutely adore, and it's done wonderfully and without sounding exhaustative or lazy.



27. Albert Hammond Jr - Francis Trouble

Went into this with zero expectation. The last thing I'd heard from solo Albert Hammond Jr was his debut album which I liked well enough. After 1 listen, I thought it was great. Jam-packed full of irresitable hooks and melodies make this a really fun little record.



26. Janelle Monae - Dirty Computer

Never really got on the Janelle Monae train but I had to check out Dirty Computer after hearing Make Me Feel, and I'm glad I did. The tracks jump from genre to genre without it being to jarring, but it still manages to feel like a well sequenced album rather than just a collection of tunes.



25. Jack White - Boarding House Reach

Lots of weirdness and experimentation, especially when compared to what we're used of hearing from Jack White. Gotta give him some credit for trying something a little bit different. Don't think I was a fan after 1 listen but it really grew on me the more I listened to it.



24. U.S. Girls - In A Poem Unlimited

This was my first time hearing her/them, and what an introduction. Full of catchy and infectious disco spliced pop tunes. As Kev says, they are very mature sounding songs with very clever arrangements, and there is a lot of ambition on show.



23. The Orielles - Silver Dollar Moment

Bright, dazzling and shimmering production. It's a really vibrant record and there is a certain warmth to the sound of it all. They definitely sound like a band who are having a good time doing what they do.



22. Kali Uchis - Isolation

Absolutely rammed full of pop magic and disco bangers that are flavoured with sounds from jazz to R&B to funk, and a lot more in between. It all flows surprisingly well considering how varied it all is but I guess it's Kali herself who is acting as the glue to hold it all together.



21. Young Fathers - Cocoa Sugar

Probably their best album for me. It's defnintely their most accessible but not the point where they lose any of their originality or spark. I just think it's all a little bit more melodic but also quite a lot more soulful.



20. Boy Azooga - 1, 2, Kung Fu

Very groovy and danceable. The playing of the band is pretty tight and I'm a big fan of the production, too; it's sonically very pleasing.



19. The Goon Sax - We're Not Talking

A more mature and slightly fuller sound for the follow-up to their excellent debut. It's still got everything great about The Goon Sax but it all feels a bit more ambitious.



18. Gruff Rhys - Bablesberg

After a couple of listens, I was kind of unsure about this. Frontier Man was obviously great but it all felt a bit samey. Of course, it eventually clicked and I realised what a great fucking record this is, probably my 2nd favourite Gruff album behind Hotel Shampoo.



17. Ty Segall - Freedom's Goblin

An absolute MONSTER of an album both in scope and length but it's never boring. Ty touches on so many different styles throughout this record that it could risk just sounding pastiche and tired, but it doesn't. It's got a fantastic energy to it and somehow passes you by pretty fast considering how long it is.



16. Amen Dunes - Freedom

Another album which took me a good few listens to fully appreciate. At first, it was the vibrato in his voice I found a bit off putting but I've grew to appreciate that; it adds a classical, almost spooky vibe to some of the tracks. I get the War On Drugs comparisons to some degree but I think this feels a little more authentic.



15. Gaz Coombs - Worlds Strongest Man

One of the big surprises of the year for me. I like some of his other solo singles well enough but never fully appreciated any of his albums. One thing I really love is the diversity from track-to-track, and how he's clearly wanting to push the boundries of his sound. Again, sonically, it's one of the most pleasing albums of the year with it's rich landscpaes.



14. Iceage - Beyondless

Never thought I'd be one to be impressed by an almost-gothic punk band but there is just something about this album that I really fucking love. It's virile and tenacious and chaotic, and just, at least lyrically, gloomy and wierd.



13. Hayley Heyndrickx - I need to start a garden

A delicate little record. It's beauty is really in it's simplicity. Some gorgeous guitar playing and her voice is just absolutely like honey.



12. John Grant - Love Is Magic

Really didn't like his last album at all so went into this not sure what to expect to find he'd churned out another beauty. Back to the electro sound that I love from John Grant but this time real heavy on the 80s synth. HEAPS of fun.



11. Jeff Rosenstock - POST-

Think this was the first new thing I heard in 2018 and I kept coming back to it. Vocally, it's really raw and it's just real visceral outpouring of emotion with big, crunchy guitars and big hooks.

glad to see ryley walker make your list tucker. you checked out his earlier work? the primrose green lp was the one that seemed to go down best on here. it's a bit less jazzy and more british folk influenced.

The covers record was really nice too, although I haven't heard the original.

10. Beak> - >>>

Never been into Portishead and apparently this lot are led by their drummer. Anyway, I stumbled upon this around mid-October and was was fascinated by it. It's a really minimalist sounding album with not a ton going in instrumentally but it's somehow just really captivating and attention grabbing.



9. Kamasi Washington - Heaven & Earth

Another brilliant piece from Kamasi Washington. A little shorter but still long as fuck, I listened to this quite a lot while I was in San Francisco last year. It seemed the perfect soundtrack for walking around during the day when I had time to kill.



8. Bill Ryder-Jones - Yawn

DIdn't instantly love this but with repeated listens it creeps into your psyche. It's all very somber and laid back and feels like waking up from a dream and reflecting on everything that happened in it. ANd just generally, it's one of those albums that puts me in quite a reflective mood when I put it on. It really is quite beautiful.



7. Soccer Mommy - Clean

Best produced album of the year for me. So so good. Instrumentally, everything is clear and crisp but without sounding overproduced, and there is room for each part of the music to breathe but melt into the other bits. Vocally, everything remains very honest and real. It's a great contrast.



6. Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel

More introspective and mature then her debut but no less excellent. There isn't much for me to say here other than Courtney has absolutely nailed it yet again. You can hear that she's growing as a songwriter and I cannot wait to here what she'll sound like an album number 3.



5. BODEGA - Endless Scroll

Punchy and deadpan art-rock/post-punk that sits somewhere between Parqet Courts & LCD Soundsystem. Lyrically, its funny and clever but not the point where you feel they're being smart arses. There is a very Parquet Courts feel to them and hopefully they will follow the same trajectory as them.



4. Car Seat Headrest - Twin Fantasy

It's a long as fuck album for the genre but it never gets tiring, or I don't feel like I need to skip tracks. It's weird because like a couple of my favourite albums this year, this feels more grown up and mature than his last 2 released despite it being written BEFORE Teens of Denial & Teens of Style. Perhaps it's the production that makes it feel more mature, though I don't have a frame of reference 'cos this only version of Twin Fantasy I've heard. Still, it's a staggering album from one of the most talented songsmiths of our generation.



3. IDLES - Joy As An Act of Resistance

Their first album didn't interest me in the slightest. I tried it once or twice and I just wasn't feeling it. I decided to give their new one a go because I'd seen a few people raving about it, and I'm glad I did 'cos it's an absolute ripper. I see people calling them fake or phonys for acting like their a punk band, but really, who cares? They've got an album full of absolute barnstorming tunes (and one total heartbreaker) so does it really matter that much? For me, it definitely doesn't. The first 4 tracks is probably one of the most impressive run of tracks from any album this year.



2. The Go! Team - Semicircle

Ah, The Go! Team. Absolutely one of my favourite bands because there is really nobody like them. I've liked everything they've done but I felt that on Rolling Blackouts & The Scene Between, they kind of lost the magic of the first 2 records. Still bloody good albums, but there was just something lacking. Semicircle 100% finds that magic again and is probably my 2nd favourite album of theirs now, behind Thunder, Lightning, Strike and JUST in front of Proof of Youth. It's absolute magic from start to finish.



1. Parquet Courts - Wide Awake

Ever since I heard this, I didn't think anything would top it, and nothing has. I was pretty late to the Parquet Courts party but was mad excited for this, especially after hearing Almost Had To Start A Fight/In & Out of Patience. There really isn't a weak moment on this record and I'd struggle to pick a favourite track. It's without a doubt the most varied album they've released. Yes, there's the classic sounding Parquet Courts tracks but then there is stuff which sounds totally unlike we've ever heard Parquet Courts (Freebird II, Back To Earth, Wide Awake) Production of the whole thing is on the money and it all sounds glorious sonically, and the album flows effortlessly. What an album.

Great work Tucker.

Interesting to see the Go Team record getting plenty of love still on the Soapy. I've never disliked anything they've ever done, but they did certainly lose their lustre for me a while back. I did try with the new album and went to see them live for the first time in a while, but the album just didn't click.

Couple more observations, I could not get along with both the Bodega and Car Seat Headrest albums, I really liked the first single Bodega put out and went to see them play a tiny gig in TCOTU which was OK, but I could not get the Parquet Courts vibe out of my head, it just sounds too similar. I did come back to it a few times and it never clicked. I was thinking that perhaps if Parquet Courts hadn't released such a brilliant album that dominated my listening this year, it might have clicked for me, I dunno.

And the CSH album, I wasn't keen on the original version and felt the same with the new one, weird, because I absolutely adore the previous two records, perhaps one day i'll have that moment when it just works, but for now, I'm just more interested in hearing something new from him/them.

Also, keep meaning to check out that Beak album as I generally love whatever Geoff Barrow does and Portishead's Third is a modern masterpiece (you should check that oot), thanks for the reminder!

Checking out Third as we speak.  Will have to go back over from here and check out the rest of Portishead's stuff as well as the other 2 albums from Beak.

Great work TommyTux. Enjoyed reading that

Parquet Courts look to have won this by a landslide that is unthinkable since Barny's records began!

Yes, that Beak> album is lovely.

So since no-one else has indicated that they're doing a list, should we say that's it? Or end of the week just in case?