Best Albums of 2018

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2018 has been one roller-coaster of a ride. And I am grateful to discover new music (and artists) which helped made this year a more memorable one for me.
Here are my top albums of 2018:

1. Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves
UMG Nashville
Where do I even begin? This album is perfection and I couldn’t be thankful enough to Kacey (my country queen) for giving us the album of the year. It’s a listening experience you’ll enjoy from start to finish.

2. Voicenotes by Charlie Puth
Atlantic Records
After releasing his underwhelming debut album “Nine Track Mind” I never expected much from Charlie Puth. But his second studio album stopped me in my tracks. Voicenotes is Charlie Puth’s best work yet and it has a lot of standout tracks you’ll surely groove in to.

3. Primal Heart by Kimbra
Warner Bros
Golden Echo was good but it was all over the place. In Primal Heart, Kimbra’s voice is the main focus and that’s really all that matters to me. Her voice shines here as it should have been all this time. Kimbra will always have my heart.

4. Someone Out There by Rae Morris
Atlantic Records
There are so many songs from her album that I’ve associated to most of my unforgettable experiences during the first half of 2018. Her album is as solid as it gets, with pristine production and topnotch storytelling.  I cannot wait for her next era!

5. On the Corner Where You Live by The Paper Kites
Nettwerk Records
I’ve just recently discovered this Australian indie band. And I glad I did come upon one of their songs on Youtube. The Paper Kites released 2 beautiful albums this year, one of which blew me away.

On the Corner Where You Live is an album you listen to when you are alone with your own thoughts in the wee hours of the night contemplating and reminiscing on so many things.

6. Sweetener by Ariana Grande

Republic Records
Need I say more? 2018 is Ariana’s year and I am happy for her. In Sweetener, Ariana finally finds her voice while being honest about her struggles with anxieties and trauma while being hopeful and grateful for her many successes.

7. Lush by Snail Mail
Matador Records
Just go listen to the whole album. You can thank me later. By the way my indie heart is so happy because of this discovery. I hope yours will be too once you finish the album.

8. Love is Dead by CHVRCHES
Virgin EMI Records & Goodbye Records
Although Every Open Eye is still their best album to date (IMHO) the synth-pop band did not disappoint with their third studio album.

9. Both Ways by Donovan Woods
Meant Well Inc
Portland, Maine and On The Night You Stay Home introduced me to the Canadian singer-songwriter. Thanks to Spotify for the recommendation! What I love about Both Ways is the poignant storytelling which Donovan Woods masterfully does on each of the album track.

10. Sway by Tove Styrke
Sony
Another great discovery for me this year. Believe you me, Tove Styrke is going to be big! She proves this on her third studio album. It’s one of this year’s best pop albums sitting next to Sweetener and Bloom.

11. Forever Neverland by MØ  
Columbia Records
I’ve been a fan of MØ the first time I heard of her take on Bleachers’ You’re Still A Mystery. It was love at first listen. In her latest offering the Danish electropop artist delivers a body of art that keeps on serving bop after bop after bop. Something that she has been doing ever since.

Honorable Mentions:

Isolation by Kali Uchis
Virgin Records & Universal Music Group

Cinematic by Owl City
Owl City

Bloom by Troye Sivan
EMI Music Australia and Capitol Records
Here are some of the songs I’ve enjoyed this year:
  • Normal by Sasha Sloan
  • Without Me by Halsey
  • Forgotten Love by Aurora
  • High Five by Sigrid
  • I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes) by the 1975
  • Armor by Sara Bareilles
  • Nobody and Two Slow Dancers by Mitski
  • Hey Look Ma, I Made It by Panic! At the Disco
  • One Kiss, Electricity and Kiss and Make Up by Dua Lipa and Black Pink
  • Malibu Nights by LANY
  • In My Head by Maisie Peters
  • Vide Noir and Wait by the River by Lord Huron
  • China Shop by St. Lucia
  • Party for One by Carly Rae Jepsen
  • Middle by Zedd, Grey feat. Maren Morris
  • Ruin My Life by Zara Larsson
  • Movie by Tom Misch
  • New Light by John Mayer
  • Fool by Handsome Ghost
  • Higher and Trigger Bang by Lily Allen
  • Hunger and End of Love by Florence + The Machine
  • Wheel of Misfortune by Wild Nothing
  • Dying Star by Ruston Kelly
  • All the Stars by Kendrick Lamar & SZA
  • Labels by Katelyn Tarver
  • Baby by Clean Bandit feat. Marina and the Diamonds and Luis Fonsi
  • Light On by Maggie Rogers
  • Time by Angelo De Augustine
  • Happy Now by Zedd feat. Elley Duhe
  • Thank u, Next and Imagine by Ariana Grande
  • Nothing More than that and On the Train Ride Home by The Paper Kites


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