best of HONESTLY, 2018. - Albums Top 4 + Singles Top 10

[Alldeezy]

Nine Inch Nails

[Bubble Tea]

Not really my kind of music.  A cute best of though.

[madonnas]

OK You know how artists now like to release like half the album before they actually release the album?  The ionnalee album is the WORST example of releasing all the goods before the album so the album release  is just... nothingness.

And the singles she released 2018 weren't even that good besides Work.

So the only new good tracks in 18 were Blazing and Work.  UGH.  Even the TR/ST collab was disappointing and I STAN THEM HARD. 

[TRF.]

 

#100. Lykke Li - "utopia"

(art pop)

from 'so sad so sexy'

 

Most of 'so sad so sexy' is artsy, trap-influenced R&B/pop. "utopia", its final track, is... folky? At least the first part. The second part, for me, is the real highlight of the song. It's a truly emotional pop song, something that does the job of closing the album pretty well.

 

 

 

 

#99. Sharon Van Etten - "Comeback Kid"

(synthpop/alt dance)

from 'Remind Me Tomorrow'

 

If this is not a switch (like [redacted]) then I don't know what is! Going from indie folk-rock to glamorous synthpop is exactly what I didn't expect from her... but Sharon delivered!

 

 

 

#98. Kacey Musgraves - "Space Cowboy"

(contemporary country)

from 'Golden Hour'

 

When I first heard this song, back when it was released as a single... I knew I was destined to stan. Lots of beautiful effects, Kacey's wonderful vocal delivery and songwriter and the space between the words "space" and "cowboy" are so good... there truly are no words.

 

 

 

#97. Nilüfer Yanya - "Thanks 4 Nothing"

(indie pop)

from 'Do You Like Pain? (EP)'

 

I heard lots of people comparing Nilüfer to King Krule and while I kind of see it, to me she's more like, a post-punk-ish Sade. This is the prime example of it, and proof why I like her so much.

 

 

 

#96. Oneohtrix Point Never - "Black Snow"

(art pop/glitch pop/post-industrial)

from 'Age Of'

 

 

 

 

#95. Courtney Barnett - "Need a Little Time"

(indie rock)

from 'Tell Me How You Really Feel'

 

I'm not a Courtney Barnett fan, I don't know if I'll ever be. But with everything she puts out, there's at least one song that strikes me pretty hard. Last time it was "Depreston". This time it's this one. And oh does it hit me.

 

 

 

#94. Azealia Banks - "Anna Wintour"

(garage house)

from ?

 

Her best song since 'Broke With Expensive Taste'. Also probably her only good one since then.

 

 

 

#93. Slayyyter - "bff (feat. Ayesha Erotica)"

(electropop/dance-pop)

from ?

 

There's no reason for this to be as catchy as it is. But I'm glad it is. A real throwback to the Veronicas' era of electroclash with a modern PC Music-ish twist.

 

 

 

 

#92. Kero Kero Bonito - "Make Believe"

(indie pop/synthpop)

from 'Time 'n' Place'

 

One of the most unique tracks of their second album. The synths just... wash over you and the melodies and the production are insane. One of the most beautiful songs they ever made.

 

 

 

#91. Ella Mai - "Boo'd Up"

(contemporary R&B)

from 'Ella Mai'

 

One of the BEST hit songs of 2018. Yes, it's kind of stupid, but I have a hard time thinking of a catchier, happier song to hit the charts so big in 2018 that is as good as this.

 

 

 

[Remmy]

Boo'd Up is a cute one. Listened to Golden Hour late af days ago and Space Cowboy is great  "and the space between the words "space" and "cowboy" are so good... there truly are no words." Yep, same

[Navyofbadgals]

Utopia, Space Cowboy, Anna Wintour and Boo'd Up

[Lazuli]

Utopia, Space Cowboy, Need a Little Time, Boo'd Up  

[World Eater]

utopia was not the tea   I loved Comeback Kid (which was quite unexpected), Space Cowboy, Thanks 4 Nothing, Black Snow (), Need a Little Time (probably the only sing I liked from Courtney's alberm) and Make Believe tho

[madonnas]

I liked the Sharon song but neglected it.  Shame on me!

I liked BFF but it's in the lower rung of Slayyyter songs for me.  I think that Hello Kitty, Alone, I'm High, and Candy are better... and the Xmas song too lmao.  I love that she has a more electroclash vibe to her, it makes her more than a PC Mus tribute act

I love that we all thought Kacey was going to deliver us a spacey sci fi track and then it turns out it "space COMMA cowboy."  That's genius to me!  Still tho it's mid high tier in the album so it won't be on my songs list. 

[Blue Rose]

10 hours ago, TRF. said:

#100. Lykke Li - "utopia"

Yaaasss I love this song so much. I have it in my top70!

 

10 hours ago, TRF. said:

#98. Kacey Musgraves - "Space Cowboy"

Probably my 2nd fave Kacey song  

 

10 hours ago, TRF. said:

#91. Ella Mai - "Boo'd Up"

Great song. A little overrated by the GP

[Vilppu]

you can have your space... cowboy

 

 

boo'd up and make believe are good too

[potent]

Boo’d Up such a great song, I really wish more people placed it in their lists!

 

Space Cowboy is amazing too  

[TRF.]

 

#50.

Rico Nasty – Nasty

Genre: Hardcore Hip Hop, Trap Rap

Pop Rap, Experimental Hip Hop 

Country: USA || Label: Atlantic

 

It’s hard to find an album with more energy and personality as Rico Nasty’s major label debut, ‘Nasty’, and it didn’t come out of nowhere. Rico’s mixtapes always built to something bigger, with their combination of poppy, bouncy beats and her raspy voice, but with singles like “Smack a Bitch”, “Trust Issues” or “Rage”, it was clear that her strength as a rapper/performer is most obvious when she is at her most abrasive. And ‘Nasty’ exploits this strength to the fullest – this release has her most loud, energetic and chaotic songs to date, with stellar beats courtesy of people like Kenny Beats or Tay Keith. All of it is tied up by Rico’s tight flow, her extremely catchy hooks and playful, badass lyrics. It’s a really diverse, fun and unique collection coming from one of the biggest rising stars in rap music, that set her apart from all of her contemporaries, putting her on a lane of her own.

 

LISTEN

Highlights: “Countin’ Up”, “Trust Issues”, “In the Air” (feat. Blockboy JB), “Ice Cream”, “Oreo”, “Won’t Change”, “Life Back”, “Rage”

You’ll like it if you like: Lil Wayne, Playboi Carti, JPEGMAFIA, Tommy Genesis, Kodie Shane, Nicki Minaj’s most hardcore tracks

 

 

#49.

Kelly Moran – Ultraviolet

Genre: Post-Minimalism, Electroacoustic

Progressive Electronic, Ambient, Impressionism

Country: USA || Label: Warp

 

Kelly Moran is a pianist, producer and composer from New York, who has put out wonderful experimental music in the past few years and became a member of Oneohtrix Point Never’s live touring band for his latest album, ‘Age Of.’ ‘Ultraviolet’ is her first album under the iconic label Warp and is probably her best release to date. This album, just like several of her compositions, is based around prepared piano. However, her music in this record is mostly improvised, then transcribed and edited, and the result does sound like something else. Aside from it being “avant-garde”, ‘Ultraviolet’ is not an easy record to describe – yes, it has elements from minimalism or classical music, as well as ambient or electronic music, but it is also a very unique thing even within those genres. Beautiful arrangements, great production, a wonderful listening experience on its own, really.

 

LISTEN

Highlights: “Autowave”, “Helix”, “Nereid”, “In Parallel”, “Radian”

You’ll like it if you like: Meredith Monk, Park Jiha, John Cage, Oneohtrix Point Never, Max Richter, Tim Hecker

 

 

#48.

Kareem Lotfy – QTT10

Genre: Ambient

Glitch, Sound Collage, Field Recordings

Country: Egypt || Label: Quiet Time

 

Egyptian artist Kareem Lotfy had a very important year, I would say. Last year, his track "Fresh" was featured as the opening track of PAN's extremely great ambient compilation 'mono no aware', which gained a lot of critical acclaim. And in this June, it turns out that this very same track was sampled by none other than Kanye West, on 'ye''s opening track. While, yeah, it turned out to be an unauthorized sample which ended up getting deleted, it makes sense that this would've happened. Kareem's music is simply gorgeous, with production that feels as simple as it is detailed, and 'QTT10', his debut for New York label Quiet Time is proof of that. 'QTT10' continues on the same path "Fr3sh" did, it is ambient music that, despite functioning well as such on its own, it manages to be packed with several samples, glitches or field recordings, while remaining light and accessible. One of the most unique releases in the genre this year.

 

LISTEN

Highlights: “Asmar”, "Sundial Radio", "Chromosome", "GTO", "Equilibrium"

You’ll like it if you like: the 'mono no aware' compilation, Aphex Twin's ambient works, Huerco S., William Basinski

 

 

#47.

Playboi Carti – Die Lit

Genre: Trap Rap, Cloud Rap

Pop Rap, Experimental Hip Hop

Country: USA || Label: Interscope

 

Playboi Carti's debut mixtape was promising, it featured hits like "Magnolia" or "wokeuplikethis", two of the most important rap songs of 2017. And this potential is more than fulfilled in his proper debut 'Die Lit'. With catchy hooks upon catchy hooks as well as lots of killer lines, Playboi Carti proves that he is one of the greatest out there right now. Not to mention his production, mostly courtesy of Pi'erre Bourne and great features from Lil Uzi Vert, Skepta or Chief Keef. As it is 19 tracks/almost an hour long, this is dangerously close to being way too much, but it thankfully doesn't overstay its welcome. Even if this is not your kind of stuff, you sure have to admit that this record is what "dying lit" feels like.

 

LISTEN

Highlights: “Long Time", "R.I.P.", "Lean 4 Real" (feat. Skepta), "Shoota" (feat. Lil Uzi Vert), "Poke It Out" (feat. Nicki Minaj), "Fell in Luv" (feat. Bryson Tiller), "Foreign", "Mileage" (feat. Chief Keef), "R.I.P. Fredo" (feat. Young Nudy)

You’ll like it if you like: Lil Uzi Vert, Chief Keef, A$AP Rocky, Denzel Curry, Young Thug

 

 

#46.

Gazelle Twin – Pastoral

Genre: Art Pop, Post-Industrial, Electronic

Electro-Industrial, Power Noise, Dark Ambient, Industrial Techno

Country: UK || Label: Anti-Ghost Moon Ray

 

"Ironic comedy" as a response to political turmoil is not something unheard of, especially nowadays, in the age where a left-leaning person making a joke on social media regarding, say, Donald Trump or Brexit automatically equates to irony, no matter what the punchline of the joke actually is. But it is even rarer to find humor that accurately portrays how messed up things are, how actually chaotic the world we live in is. Elizabeth Bernholz a.k.a. Gazelle Twin seems to try that out. 'Pastoral' is most definitely not a comedy record, but it definitely takes a very ironic, in-your-face, kind of... fun approach to modern society, taking the role of a "Jester", dressed in sports clothing and with a mask that obscures its face. But even without the whole conceptual background, the music can and does stand out on its own, which alternates between abrasive, noisy electro-industrial, dreamy art-pop and dark ambient sounds, that make what is probably Gazelle Twin's most interesting record to date.

 

LISTEN

Highlights: “Better In My Day", "Little Lambs", "Old Thorn", "Dieu et mon droit", "Mongrel", "Tea Rooms", "Hobby Horse", "Sunny Stories"

You’ll like it if you like: Fever Ray, Nine Inch Nails, Skinny Puppy, Björk, Holly Herndon

[Wicked]

Kareem/Kelly sounds like my kinda music. Yay for Playboi but damn my fave off the album wasn't listed. Rico would be better if she wasn't screaming, great set. I'm so conflicted on Gazelle Twin because I hate Fever Ray but like everyone else listed.

 

Slayyyter released good stuff!! I included Boo'd Up on my list when it actually came out (iirc) so seeing it on 2018 lists is so odd lmao but it is a good track. The sad part is she can't sing it live; if you're not Mimi who could actually sing the song lives at one point leave the studio magic at home.

[Eeveelution]

Anna Wintour and Comeback Kid.  I like Nilufer though neither of her singles this year captivated me as much as Baby Luv.

 

Gazelle Twin seems interesting, I should get into her.

[World Eater]

I feel like we're two of maybe ten people who care about Kareem Lotfy

Nasty and Ultraviolet

[madonnas]

Die Lit and Nasty,   They deserved more!

I wanna hear the Gazelle twin album now lol.  I knew of its existence but I didn't even bother even tho I liked her previous stuff

[Pink Matter]

Some interesting choices  

Songs: Of the acts I'm familiar with, I felt there were better songs they released. Boo'd Up is my **** though!

Albums: I have Rico Nasty's album on queue so I'll definitely get to that at some point. Die Lit was kinda overrated though  I expected much more from what people told me. I wish I could articulate what I didn't like but I listened to it once months ago lol

[TRF.]

On 12/21/2018 at 2:35 PM, madonnas said:

I liked the Sharon song but neglected it.  Shame on me!

I liked BFF but it's in the lower rung of Slayyyter songs for me.  I think that Hello Kitty, Alone, I'm High, and Candy are better... and the Xmas song too lmao.  I love that she has a more electroclash vibe to her, it makes her more than a PC Mus tribute act

I love that we all thought Kacey was going to deliver us a spacey sci fi track and then it turns out it "space COMMA cowboy."  That's genius to me!  Still tho it's mid high tier in the album so it won't be on my songs list. 

omfg Hello Kitty is lowkey my least fave Slayyyter sing (behind Pl*tform Sh*es)

 

9 hours ago, Wicked said:

Kareem/Kelly sounds like my kinda music. Yay for Playboi but damn my fave off the album wasn't listed. Rico would be better if she wasn't screaming, great set. I'm so conflicted on Gazelle Twin because I hate Fever Ray but like everyone else listed.

 

2 hours ago, madonnas said:

Die Lit and Nasty,   They deserved more!

I wanna hear the Gazelle twin album now lol.  I knew of its existence but I didn't even bother even tho I liked her previous stuff

how come you don't like Fever Ray???  anyway... y'all you should absolutely listen to Gazelle Twin!

 

4 hours ago, World Eater said:

I feel like we're two of maybe ten people who care about Kareem Lotfy

Maybe he's too ahead of time for some people...

[Tom Vercetti]

gr8 to see die lit. 

Pastoral definitely reminded me of Fever Ray from the vocals alone. 

[Uncatena]

Make Believe, a highlight

 

that Kelly album was boring and uninspired tbh, sue me

 

Pastroal is THAT girl

 

[theblackestday]

Rico was done dirtee  I was hoping to be more engaged to Ultraviolet but it was still pretty great! I meant to check out Kareem Lofty's album but never got around to it; his Turn to Dust remix is kinda the peak of ambient music when you think about it, huh?

Pastoral

[TRF.]

 

 

#90. Allie X - "Girl of the Year"

(electropop/synthpop/dance-pop)

from 'Super Sunset (EP)'

 

This is probably the most hyperactive Allie X song since "Prime". The synth melodies in the song are wonderful and every single hook in the song is near perfect. Also the lyrics and everything about this song just kinda feels so... urgent? idk how to describe it but it works so so so well.

 

 

 

 

#89. Bali Baby - "Amber Alert"

(trap rap)

from 'RESURRECTION'

 

Bali Baby released a lot of music in 2018, but nothing hooked me as much as this track did. She rides the beat so effortlessly and she has bars upon bars. She did!

 

 

 

 

 

 

#88. Aseul - "Always with You"

(electropop/synthpop)

from 'Asibo (EP)'

 

Kinda sad that outside of people with some knowledge of the Korean indie scene aren't familiar with Aseul, because lots of her music is great. Especially this song, which is fantastic, ethereal synthpop that any fan of the genre would instantly love.

 

 

 

 

#87. Amnesia Scanner - "AS Too Wrong"

(deconstructed club)

from 'Another Life'

 

̴͔̭̹͙̼͆͝͝Ả̸͙̭̑̑ ̸̜̻̍̒S̶͈̮̤͙̩̾̾C̷̢̛͍͍̘̞͛͐̉̑A̸̡͎̘͊̒N̶̳͍̯͎̔̃͑͝N̶͇̥̭̅I̸̫͂̇Ň̶̰̣G̸͚̻͗͂͌͑̚ ̴̟̟̒̽̉Ť̷̛͉̮͚̏̑͆O̶͎̻̓̃Ḑ̷̡͇͕̯̑̑̊͂Ã̷̘̇Ŷ̶̨͇̺͝

 

 

 

#86. U.S. Girls - "Pearly Gates"

(art pop/psych pop)

from 'In a Poem Unlimited'

 

Oof, Meg Remy a.k.a. U.S. Girls kind of absolutely snapped this year didn't she? This is one of the highlights of her album, even if at first I was too slow to get it. But I did! The instrumental is fantastic, so are vocal harmonies and the hook, but even more is the whole story behind the song. If you can read the lyrics/information about it, please do so.

 

 

 

 

#85. Taylor Swift - "Delicate"

(electropop)

from 'reputation'

 

Okay yes I still think 'reputation' is absolute total generic unlistenable garbage but this song is... definitely not that. This is probably one of Taylor's most intimate and perfect songs. The vocoder is a nice touch too. Don't @ me!

 

 

 

#84. J Balvin - "Ambiente"

(reggaeton)

from 'Vibras'

 

It's rare to find a reggaeton song that puts its focus in the "reggae" aspect of its music, but this does, and does it well. The production is crazy and the song itself is extremely catchy. Talento solamente!

 

 

 

 

#83. Natalie Prass - "Short Court Style"

(dance-pop/pop soul)

from 'The Future and the Past'

 

Oof this 80's-influenced serve! I wasn't expecting this of all things from her but I loved it! It kinda sounds like a VH1-ified version of Mariah Carey's "Fantasy", which I'm always down for. Hope she does more dance-y stuff on her next album too.

 

 

 

#82. Hatchie - "Sugar and Spice"

(dream pop/shoegaze)

from 'Sugar and Spice'

 

She really is putting the "pop" in dream pop, huh?

 

 

 

#81. Mary Lattimore - "Hello from the Edge of the Earth"

(ambient/chamber folk)

from 'Hundreds of Days'

 

Shout out to falling asleep while listening to music AND crying!

 

 

 

 

[Remmy]

Girl of the Year  I thought it was just simply good at first (which, for Allie's standards, means it's a bit disappointing) but I love it now.

Delicate  Can't agree with those rep views but I can't @ you for anything else in this writeup!

Still need to check out Hatchie at some point - shoegaze... what an interesting genre name

[JGibson]

Delicate ❤️