This year was weird for music, we had some really great new artists but we also had some… not so great. Nevertheless, some brilliant albums were release last year so here’s a round up of my favourite!
Staying at Tamara’s – George Ezra
Ahh George Ezra. He really can’t do wrong and he’s stuck to his guns with his style, refusing to give in to commercialised pop like his guitar-playing predecessors (sorry Ed Sheeran…). The great thing about this album is that every song is a winner for me and they all sound unique. My stand out track has to be Hold My Girl – it’s powerful, catchy and just an all-round brilliant song and Shotgun which, albeit wildly overplayed, remains a song of the year for me and many others. Seeing him live should be a treat becuase all these songs have great sing-a-long potential and should sound amazing in an arena.
Tales from the Backseat – The Academic
For an indie band, these guys are really underrated. I saw them live in 2015 when they supported Circa Waves when they were just kids roughly my age. I looked them up straight away because they bought an uplifting energy to the crowd with their super catchy riffs which this album really showcase in songs like I Feel It Too and Why Can’t We Be Friends? The stand out track for me however, is Different because it’s fast paced and just a really great indie song that is, well… different to this already packed genre. Bear Claws is another example of their talent and their attempt to stand-out in the overcrowded genre, which for me did work as they have an authenticity which I really admire.
I Met You When I Was 18 (The Playlist) – Lauv
I stumbled across Lauv through his monster of a pop tune I Like Me Better which is truly didn’t get the recognition it deserves. Writing and producing this album himself, it really is a perfect example of the potential of pop music. His voice really is something else, being able to reach a variety of ranges and emotions which can be felt throughout the whole album, particularly in Reforget. Easy Love is the song that really caught my attention because it’s so easy on the ears and just a great listen. I definitely feel like this will be his year as there’s a gap in the market for an artist like Lauv.
Love Is Dead – CHVRCHES
Whilst this isn’t the best thing CHVRCHES have put out, it it has allowed Lauren to stretch her vocal range that the two previous albums haven’t. The album still has the classic CHVRCHES sound with a sprinkle more pop highlighted in songs like Graves and Heaven/ Hell but there’s really nothing wrong with that as they are well-crafted pop songs. It’s full of anthems that I’ve had the pleasure of hearing live – Graffiti being one of them and I may even go on to say this may be one of their best songs. If they keep going in this direction, though they may just piss off some fans on the way, they have a good chance of hitting the mainstream market.
iridescence – BROCKHAMPTON
Ok so I am a huge fan of Brockahmpton and whilst I must admit, compared to the Saturation trilogy released prior to this, it is a little disappointing. However, compared to other albums out there, it still stands out. It’s fresh, different and keeps you on your toes with the transitions within the tracks from member to member and since the departure of Ameer from the band, its really given Joba the chance to shine and it shows. The stand out track here has to be J’ouvert because its just so powerful and each member has their moment to shine. I also really like that Bearface is being used a lot more than in their previous albums because his voice is something else though I do miss his solo closing the album.
Negro Swan – Blood Orange
Blood Orange never fails to disappoint. This album is raw with emotion and personality, nevermind the brilliant guest stars. The whole album is joy to listen to and is thoughtfully panned out, with Charcoal Baby being my favourite from the album. The melodies all merge together beautifully and it’s the sort of album that you just want to play whilst driving at 3am – Dagenham Dream fits this perfectly. I really can’t fault this album and recommend if you take anything from this post, it’s to listen to this gem.
A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships – The 1975
Despite being release just in time to fit in with 2018, this is the album of 2018. In what seems like an ode to Radiohead’s OK Computer, the 1975 have really set the bar for concept albums through exploration of different genres. The almost garage like How to Draw/ Pentogram and the crooner ballad don’t work on paper yet fit so well on the album. Deespite this, it also sounds like the most 1975 record that the 1975 have put out and It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You) shows this. By far the best track, not just from the album but from their whole discography even, has to be Love It If We Made It. It’s just so powerful and hold such as strong message that is sounds more like an anthem of this generation rather than just another indie song.
So there we have it, my favourite albums of 2018. I really hope 2019 delivers just as well with the likes of Lana Del Rey, the rumoured Frank Ocean album and The 1975’s 2/3 trio of albums.
Jessie.
Jessie's Music Blog 