U2start.com | 2018 Releases of Note

Here's a thread for us to post about general releases, either upcoming or already out, for the year of 2018. Please use this thread for suggestions, recommendations, things you can't stop listening to, records you may have just bought, etc!

Use the tag RIYL: for "Recommended if you like," and put some other artists next to it so we get a general idea.

So far, my favorites of 2018 are:

Janelle Monae - Dirty Computer

An exemplary pop record with gorgeous arrangement and songwriting, bold lyrics about gender, feminism, and sex - all from one of Prince's most talented protegees. This is an absolute must-listen, if for no other reason than it is a prime example of what is possible in the realm of pop music today.
RIYL: Prince, Solange, Justin Timberlake

Teenage Wrist - Chrome Neon Jesus

A bit heavier rock, more in the post-grunge vein. The prominent low-end in Teenage Wrist's sound plays off of their uncanny ability to write hooks (see: the "woo-hoo" melody that serves as the chorus to stoner-rock anthem "Stoned, Alone") and creates an amazing experience.
RIYL: Nirvana, Third Eye Blind, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World

U.S. Girls - In a Poem Unlimited

It took two full listens for me to wrap my head around exactly what I was hearing. At first I thought it was a bit more avant-garde, experimental pop...but on a late-night drive through the city, taking the scenic route home after a long day...I discovered the true psychedelic funk element to this album.
RIYL: Haim, Nancy Sinatra, Disco music

Young Fathers - Cocoa Sugar

This album speaks for itself. A hip-hop album at its core, Young Fathers lean far harder on rhythm than they do rap & rhyme. A galloping sonic experience through explorations of faith and love, from three 20-something New Yorkers. This is the new TV on the Radio.
RIYL: TV on the Radio, Bon Iver, Blood Orange

MattG

6 years

Since I've changed jobs, I spend a LOT more time at my desk / computer every day. I've been listening almost exclusively to new albums released this year, since I've sort of lost touch with current music over the past year or so.

My goal is to post regularly in this thread to highlight different gems from this year that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Hopefully we all find great new music in this thread from each other!

MattG

6 years

A few new suggestions from the past few weeks of listening.

Leon Bridges - Good Thing

Definite breakthrough for Bridges. Don't miss this one - great smooth soul element to his voice. Takes modern pop songwriting back to the era of Motown with some of these songs. Fantastic artist.

RIYL: Soul-inspired music, modern songwriters.

Neko Case - Hell-On

Everything that Neko does seems to shine, but this collection of songs in particular is thought-provoking. If you can imagine trying to unpack and study a wide range of human emotion while coasting through the country with the top down...that's what this album sounds like.

RIYL: The New Pornographers, Sheryl Crow, Wilco

Iceage - Beyondless

A garage rock band that learned how to swing the drums and up the songwriting/artistry to elevate their sound. They lose none of the intensity and the result is an actually engaging indie rock album.

RIYL: The Black Keys, Cloud Nothings, Garage rock

iTim

6 years

I agree on Leon Bridges, really liking that album.

MattG

6 years

Here's another quick round-up!

Victory - The Broken Instrument

Reminiscent of Norah Jones, but with even more soul and an equally strong crossover-potential, Victory doesn't leave a bum note on her new record. Please do yourselves a favor and enjoy her voice.

RIYL: Norah Jones, Natalie Merchant, contemporary jazz, soul

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - Hope Downs

Indie rock bands are a dime a dozen, but not very often do you get one sounding this fun. There's something about the simplicity of these songs that reminds you what the genre is all about, and highlights just how many bands have tried to reinvent the wheel. RBCF hit the nail right on the head.

RIYL: R.E.M., The Cure, modern indie rock

Snail Mail - Lush

This one is a grower. At first I thought - how many more reverb-laden guitars can we put up with? There are drums on this album, but it comes across as more of a songwriter-and-her-guitar project, which can be tiring.

These songs, however, are stronger than that. I find myself repeatedly drawn back to them, letting this album soundtrack my evenings sitting outside. The only question I keep asking myself is how Lindsey Jordan can write such universal lyrics at 19.

RIYL: Elliot Smith, Julien Baker, Car Seat Headrest

MattG

6 years

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - Hope Downs

SJKamal

6 years

Originally posted by MattG:[image]

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - Hope Downs

[image]

Thanks for recommending this. Given a few songs a listen and Im enjoying it. Seems like a good Summer album. Hoping to give it a full run through later

MattG

6 years

You're welcome! Glad someone has found something enjoyable through this thread.

kris_smith87

6 years

This month has been great for me in terms of the other genres I like. Two new albums from Kanye West as well as a number of features and the Beyoncé and JAY-Z album! Drake is dropping at the end of the month too and there have been some singles I’ve enjoyed from other artists!

This has been a nice distraction too because I was really down about not seeing E+I and I’ve been sort of avoiding the shows.

MattG

6 years

Kanye's projects have been all over the board for me this year. I was extremely into "DAYTONA", the Pusha T album. "Ye", however, just felt like one or two good Kanye songs framed by a shoehorned concept and an un-stomachable public persona. "Kids See Ghosts" fell a little short of the mark for me, too.

However, I have gotten a lot more into some R&B/Hip Hop this year! I really enjoyed the hip-hop/funk fusion of the new Del the Funky Homosapien & Amp Live album, "Gate 13". Smoke DZA's album "The Hustle" was good rap too, as well as Black Milk's "Fever" and Jean Grae & Quelle Chris's "Everything's Fine" (both of the latter leaned a little more toward the experimental)

I will agree June has probably been the strongest month of the year. If you like singer-songwriters, Neko Case and Natalie Prass both know how to weave just enough pop hooks into their craft to make you want to listen over and over again. That soul album I posted about by Victory is also so solid.

kris_smith87

6 years

Originally posted by MattG:Kanye's projects have been all over the board for me this year. I was extremely into "DAYTONA", the Pusha T album. "Ye", however, just felt like one or two good Kanye songs framed by a shoehorned concept and an un-stomachable public persona. "Kids See Ghosts" fell a little short of the mark for me, too.

However, I have gotten a lot more into some R&B/Hip Hop this year! I really enjoyed the hip-hop/funk fusion of the new Del the Funky Homosapien & Amp Live album, "Gate 13". Smoke DZA's album "The Hustle" was good rap too, as well as Black Milk's "Fever" and Jean Grae & Quelle Chris's "Everything's Fine" (both of the latter leaned a little more toward the experimental)

I will agree June has probably been the strongest month of the year. If you like singer-songwriters, Neko Case and Natalie Prass both know how to weave just enough pop hooks into their craft to make you want to listen over and over again. That soul album I posted about by Victory is also so solid.

I actually really like Ye and Kids See Ghosts! Ye is definitely not his best album but I enjoy it and really love All Mine and Ghost Town. Yikes is pretty good too and overall it's a good album...just not great.

Kids See Ghosts was way more uplifting than I thought it would be so I was very pleased with that. Love Freee (or +/- some es), Feel The Love and 4th Dimension.

MattG

6 years

Yikes is one of my summer jams

2018 Releases of Note

what they said

did you know

you

forums

U2start