Ewan Chaos Posted December 27, 2018 Author Posted December 27, 2018 (edited) Another update today weeeee! Letter: H Top Artist: HONNE HONNE are interesting - they’ve never FULLY captivated me on a full release that they’ve done in the past. However, they’ve never really had like… a super bad song done before. Just some meh songs in the past/even with this album. I feel the previous release I liked more than this one, but their first album was SOOO long. Unnecessarily. This is a bit more tidy. Even though I prefer the first half of the record, “Location Unknown (feat. Georgia)” is my favorite track. It’s fairly midtempo, but I think the song is really sweet and the harmonies in the chorus are great. From the “lovey” side of the record, I love the funk of “Me & You” and “Day 1” has been a hit for me ever since it came out. Of the more meh songs, I’d say the last track “Forget Me Not” could be deleted and I wouldn’t care. I used to like “Feels so Good” more, probs to give Anna some props, but I find it kinda cheesy and a touch annoying now. Runner-Up: Harry Hudson Ewan liking country-ish music??? WHAAAAAAT? Honestly, 2018 was the year of me listening to a lot of folk/Americana/country/bluegrass music and LIKING it. Wild. "It's Okay" leans a bit more in pop territory - probably why it's my favorite - but it works really well with the rest of the album & his voice! "Criminal" is great too and very "cowboy showdown" moment. "Kelsey" is a bunch of honkey-tonk FUN. Others Under this Letter: *note bolded artists are other top choices* Artist Top Song Choice Good Songs Meh Songs Random Notes Hayley Kiyoko Curious What I Need, Wanna Be Missed, He'll Never Love Ya, Palm Dreams (ya it's basic whatever eff yall) I was hoping the album would be better but it's not THAT bad & Curious is gay PERFECTION Holly Walker Straight Line Hozier Moment's Silence (Common Tongue) NFWMB Ready for album #2 next yur Edited December 28, 2018 by Ewan Chaos
Pink Matter Posted December 27, 2018 Posted December 27, 2018 Gallant and Gavin Gentleman's been a main stay since the beginning of the year for me and I'm glad I got into Gavin this year (thanks to you of course; Whitney actually debuted in my countdown, maybe you should check it out ) Other G's: Gabriel's single was cute but he can come harder. Mad that he literally only dropped that this year though George Clanton was dope and idc what anyone has to say but the Gorillaz album was slid (sans a few tracks). A big improvement from Humanz. And for FBZ, check this out:
Lazuli Posted December 27, 2018 Posted December 27, 2018 DRAG Gorillaz!!! Grimes better serve in 2019 or I'm gonna get mad
TheWayWeWere Posted December 27, 2018 Posted December 27, 2018 Hayley making mention on your BO she actually snaps with some bops
Tom Vercetti Posted December 27, 2018 Posted December 27, 2018 I completely forgot about Honne this year as I don't actively listen to them anymore out of disinterest Their spotify numbers are pretty impressive by the looks of it. When they did they blow up.
ATRL Moderator Tsareena Posted December 27, 2018 ATRL Moderator Posted December 27, 2018 never checked out Honne. let me try a song I liked Hayley Kiyoko's album... it was cute
Pink Matter Posted December 28, 2018 Posted December 28, 2018 Great gowns at the H's I thought Half Waif was decent and Hatchie was making some waves on a ton of YELs
TayRianaPH Posted December 28, 2018 Posted December 28, 2018 Hi sweetie! Great list so far! ? My Top picks are: Hozier and Hayley Kiyoko See you on my Best Of too.
World Eater Posted December 28, 2018 Posted December 28, 2018 That George Clanton album was so good, one of my favorite discoveries of the year Where's Hatchie tho?
ATRL Moderator madonnas Posted December 28, 2018 ATRL Moderator Posted December 28, 2018 HONNE is kinda.... I want to like them more, though I do like their style their melodies/arrangements leave me hanging. Yeah as others have said, GET INTO HATCHIE, LIKE NOW, LIKE NOW NOW
Ewan Chaos Posted December 31, 2018 Author Posted December 31, 2018 (edited) Hoping to have more consistency with updates now that I'm back home! Here we go. Also I forgot yall were gonna drag me for Hatchie lmao. Letter: I Top Artist: The Internet I saw these legends live last month when I was on vacation (at a place that literally looked like an Aztec temple) and they were awesome! I think I'm under the general thought that Ego Death was was a better record, but I still really like Hive Mind & it still holds up imo. This album is full of jams and I wouldn't say that I have a least favorite track at all. "Come Over" has to come out on top, especially for the fact that Syd gets a full song (like usual), but the the dudes get the second quarter of the song and it's a cool alternative "come over" story that contrasts Syd's. "Look What U Started" is one I like too since I love nasty **** you songs about people, especially slower songs. They didn't do it live tho so it went down a tiny bit in my ranking. "It Gets Better (With Time)" is great too - I love a song with that kind of content and it doesn't seem forced or try-hard. Other good contenders are "Roll (Burbank Funk)" because, duh the funk, and Syd steps out of the spotlight for a bit. "Stay the Night" is very sexy. And then I also love the smitten vibes on "Wanna Be". Runner-Up: I'm With Her The album cover and the fact that it's 3 women gave me HAIM teas, but you listen to the album and it's more folk/country vibes. The band name is funny too given that it isn't created on the whole Hilary Clinton thing. My favorite song is "Overland" because it is just so good and name drops San Francisco so hell yeah. Other good picks are "Game to Lose", "Pangaea", "I-89", & "Waitsfield". Others Under this Letter: *note bolded artists are other top choices* Artist Top Song Choice Good Songs Meh Songs Random Notes ionnalee TEMPLE Mmmm I listened to this once and then never again Edited December 31, 2018 by Ewan Chaos
Ewan Chaos Posted December 31, 2018 Author Posted December 31, 2018 Gabriel is AMAZING but I didn't expect album #2 this year already. Maybe next year!! On 12/26/2018 at 12:00 PM, Eeveelution said: Great gowns for the Gs We Appreciate Power is a messy bop tho. Okay I love Gallant & Gavin but that is great shade on my G picks On 12/26/2018 at 2:16 PM, Vilppu said: did not care for gallant's stuff this year gorillaz album was trash but i had decent fun with it live Oh I can see it being better live. It's just Humanz was, while not amazing, definitely better On 12/26/2018 at 8:43 PM, Lazuli said: DRAG Gorillaz!!! Grimes better serve in 2019 or I'm gonna get mad I feel she will but youregonnahavetowaitandseebritney.gif On 12/26/2018 at 9:55 AM, TheWayWeWere said: Grimes already making list WAP slays On 12/27/2018 at 12:27 PM, TheWayWeWere said: Hayley making mention on your BO she actually snaps with some bops Yes agreed with Hayley! On 12/27/2018 at 12:54 PM, Tom Vercetti said: I completely forgot about Honne this year as I don't actively listen to them anymore out of disinterest Their spotify numbers are pretty impressive by the looks of it. When they did they blow up. You kinda got me into HONNE like 3 years ago LOL but I feel it. I really have no clue about the Spotify numbers... I play a song for a casual music listener and they seem to already know it. Maybe it's playlist payola idk. On 12/27/2018 at 1:00 PM, Tsareena said: never checked out Honne. let me try a song I liked Hayley Kiyoko's album... it was cute You MAY kinda like some HONNE. Location Unknown at least. On 12/26/2018 at 7:49 PM, Pink Matter said: Gallant and Gavin Gentleman's been a main stay since the beginning of the year for me and I'm glad I got into Gavin this year (thanks to you of course; Whitney actually debuted in my countdown, maybe you should check it out ) Other G's: Gabriel's single was cute but he can come harder. Mad that he literally only dropped that this year though George Clanton was dope and idc what anyone has to say but the Gorillaz album was slid (sans a few tracks). A big improvement from Humanz. And for FBZ, check this out: On 12/27/2018 at 7:03 PM, Pink Matter said: Great gowns at the H's I thought Half Waif was decent and Hatchie was making some waves on a ton of YELs I REALLY need to comment on your Best Of I'm sorry That is the first thing I will do after posting this. But yes we both share TASTE. I like Humanz more actually! But I def appreciate the differences between the two. I like that song! Dude on the bottom is serving DRAM with his goofy smile Just gave Keep It Out a listen and I LOVED it let me check them out more. On 12/28/2018 at 5:07 AM, TayRianaPH said: Hi sweetie! Great list so far! ? My Top picks are: Hozier and Hayley Kiyoko See you on my Best Of too. Will check out your Best Of! On 12/28/2018 at 6:21 AM, World Eater said: That George Clanton album was so good, one of my favorite discoveries of the year Where's Hatchie tho? George >>> legend. Idk ha @ Hatchie (yes yes I will check her out) On 12/28/2018 at 6:46 AM, theblackestday said: No Hatchie no list! Yes yes I will get around to it! On 12/26/2018 at 11:54 AM, madonnas said: I hope Gavin becomes a thing. I've enjoyed her songs since 2015 and WE NEED AN album. You listened to the Gorillaz album? Proud of you. Glad you like WAP. It's messy but I still stan. She will give us a great album regardless. On 12/28/2018 at 11:59 AM, madonnas said: HONNE is kinda.... I want to like them more, though I do like their style their melodies/arrangements leave me hanging. Yeah as others have said, GET INTO HATCHIE, LIKE NOW, LIKE NOW NOW I KNEW you had taste regarding Gavin. Really hoping for 2019 for the full album. WAP messy, yes, but GOOD. Honestly you are right about HONNE. I didn't really expect you to like them at all really.
ATRL Moderator madonnas Posted December 31, 2018 ATRL Moderator Posted December 31, 2018 Poor I'm With Her, their stage name is forever tarnished and associated with the 2016 election I like Come Over but I didn't really give it many listens, same with Burbank Funk. I kinda regret it. Poor Ionna Lee, she could have had it all but she ruined it by not making her album good enough.
Pink Matter Posted January 2, 2019 Posted January 2, 2019 Glad you're checking for FBZ! OT: The Internet I think the general consensus (on here) is Ego Death>Hive Mind but I agree that Hive Mind still holds up well! I_don't_know_ha.gif at ionnalee Another I artist I got into this year was Iglooghost. They dropped some solid IDM EPs.
Ewan Chaos Posted January 4, 2019 Author Posted January 4, 2019 Really just gonna try to power through the rest of this! The next 3 letters contain my favorite musicians of the year. Letter: J Top Artist: Janelle Monáe I am sick and tired of seeing everyone trying to MASSEDUCTION this album & glad that the critics aren't letting that happen. Yes, The Archandroid is a better record, but Dirty Computer is ****ing great. I see why people would be over it as a whole after about a year, but I mean I was over The Electric Lady much quicker sooooo. Shame that she didn't get any hits from this record tho. I basically have a top 2 for this, but I'll say that my number 1 will be "Screwed (feat. Zoe Kravitz)" in all its 5 minute glory. That FUUUUNKY bass, Zoe's part, the sexy-but-also-we're-****ed lyrics, the sexy breakdown and spoken word parts at the end, the fact that "Let's get screwed, I don't care" is what she was saying in "Django Jane" and not "Let's get squado", love it all. "Make Me Feel" is THAT bisexual anthem so let's celebrate that forever. And "Don't Judge Me" is a perfect part three to the Say You'll Go-Dorothy Dandridge Eyes-Don't Judge Me slow and unappreciated jams. The opening is iconic imo cuz I always think of the kiss in the film and I'm also the sweeping violins towards the end are heavenly. "Take a Byte" is sexy and clever so you have to love that one. "PYNK" is an awesome way to celebrate being a woman in all aspects - and the added verse from the film is great. There really aren't any songs that I don't like - EXCEPT "Dull, Drab Existence" which is basically a watered down & more boring/corny version of "Screwed". Sorry to all that like that one. Runner-Up: Jukebox the Ghost These guys came out of nowhere on my radar and coincidentally I just bought a concert ticket to see them in March (WOO). Apparently they've been around a while?? Wild. I heard "Everybody's Lonely" sometime and was obsessed with it (and still am, hence it being at the top of my listing). I also pretty immediately got into the opening track "Jumpstarted" because it starts down then UP then down then UP then ends on a down. "Fred Astaire" is another BOP with fun handclaps in the chorus. And one last to pick would be "Diane". Check them out! Others Under this Letter: *note bolded artists are other top choices* Artist Top Song Choice Good Songs Meh Songs Random Notes Jack White Over and Over and Over Not his best! Jade Bird Lottery Love Has All Been Done Before, Uh-Huh Saw her live - her upcoming album is going to be perfection Jake Shears Big Bushy Mustache S.O.B., Good Friends Jayce/JP Clark In the Car Jeff Tweedy Some Birds Jess Glynne Hate/Love 123, I'll Be There The album was **** but I'm obsessed with these 3 songs! Jessie Ware Overtime Random, I've been listening to her podcast a lot this year and I quite like it LOL JMSN Sunshine Got 2 B Erotic, Explicit, Levy Really good album - not his best but def some of his best songs Joan As Police Woman Tell Me Sexy bop Johnny Balik Honey Jon Bellion Cautionary Tale JT, Blu Jordan Max Sick & Tired Jorja Smith Lost & Found OK album Joy Williams The Trouble With Wanting Canary Is she releasing an album? Joyce Manor Think I'm Still in Love With You Julia Holter I Shall Love 2 I Shall Never Listen to this Long Album Again (but it's good) 2 Justin Timberlake Man of the Woods Midnight Summer Jam BAD album & I quite like JT
Lazuli Posted January 4, 2019 Posted January 4, 2019 The Internet delivered even though it wasn't necessarily better than Ego Death! Janelle
Vilppu Posted January 4, 2019 Posted January 4, 2019 crazy, classic, life and screwed are equally lifeless and boring x any janelle praise is fine by me tho don't get me wrong. when i came back to electric lady after DC dropped, i found it much nicer than i remembered so hopefully her next album has the same effect on DC I Shall Say Your Julia's Random Note Is 100% Correct 2
ATRL Moderator madonnas Posted January 4, 2019 ATRL Moderator Posted January 4, 2019 I approve of your DC picks, mostly. Screwed is so silly lyrically that it works. I wanted to listen to Joan the Police Woman album but never got around to it. Not Aviary getting dragged by everyone for its length Jessie Ware has a podcast. What's it about?
Pink Matter Posted January 6, 2019 Posted January 6, 2019 Yass at the Janelle praise The complete 180 people did on DC was not the tea but it will be vindicated in the end! Glad JMSN and Jake Shears got a shoutout too!
Tom Vercetti Posted January 10, 2019 Posted January 10, 2019 The top J choice was a given And those top 2 are stellar. Wish I liked Julia's and JMSN's more. The latter peaked with his self titled album and since then couldn't hold up.
Ewan Chaos Posted January 11, 2019 Author Posted January 11, 2019 Still need to hurry and FINISH THIS. Sorry guys for lagging & not being as present in other Best Ofs, gonna try to think of a way to possibly speed this up (maybe after the Ms or something). Letter: K Top Artist: Kimbra I hate yall for paying her dust because this album is great. First of all, I got to see her live twice this year and she was amazing both times. With the electronic show in February she was so energetic and fun and all the new songs sounded great (I think the highlight was either Black Sky transitioning into Human/Human as a whole, or Sweet Relief). With the stripped back show in December she was soooo captivating. Her voice is really powerful, and her song choices were super interesting but very well reimagined. I also met her after the acoustic show & she was lovely! So let me discuss the music. It's really hard to pick a favorite song because it really does change every day, but I have to ultimately go with "Human" since it's been a bop and a half since January. I love the contrast of her voice being very grounded and from the heart to the electronic bloop blaps in the background. And you can even tell Robin had his hat in this song with the little "trumpet-not-trumpet" towards the end of the song. It's ****ing LIT live too, so. I feel obligated to give "Hi Def (Reimagined)" a shout-out too as my favorite from the Reimagined EP, since the original track is awesome and it sounds great stripped down (though "Black Sky" had the most improvement going acoustic). A SUPER underrated track & one that I almost picked as my top pick is "Recovery." You know, I can see why people don't love it because ti stays at the same level throughout the song, but I love the syncopation of the "boom-clap" (buy on iTunes). It's so satisfying to me, and she sounds really good (and I love the lyrics, I wish you guys would stop TRASHING this song). Vows throwback "Past Love" is also lovely - great melody and production on this one. She kills it live at the reimagined shows. "Right Direction" is a beautiful track that gives me "Belong" vibes (her song with Fyfe) and an awesome string section towards the end (why didn't she do this song live????). "Version of Me" is a gorgeous, haunting (at least the original version), and honest track that gets me a little emotional. All versions of the song are lovely (the original, the electronic live, the one with Dawn, the one she did at the acoustic gig). I totally understand why most people pick this as their favorite. "Lightyears" is a bop. I would talk about Everybody Knows and Top of the World (one of her ****ing best songs ever) but they came out last year SO. The only song that I don't understand the hype about is "Like They Do on the TV." It's a nice little jam that kinda comes and goes, but I find it weird that it's so highly ranked on other people's Best Ofs. Oh well. This explanation should make it clear that I probably would have picked Kimbra as my top musician of the year LOL! Runner-Up: Kali Uchis Saw her live this year and she KIIIILLLED IT. Kali was an unexpected love from me. I wasn't really into that EP, but when "After the Storm" came out in January, I was HOOKED. But also pissed because an album wasn't announced yet. Once Isolation was eventually released in April, I became a huge fan. My other highlights of this album are "In My Dreams" mainly because it literally sounds like "Such Great Heights" with its springy production (it literally sounds like it came from like 2001 or whenever that song came out). I love the lyrical content in "Your Teeth in My Neck" and I actually think the little xylophone bit in the chorus is POSSIBLY my favorite part of the record. "Dead to Me" is not only a bop, but is also a non-cheesy way to say that you don't care about someone. I always read this as a song to an ex-friend, but I guess it could be about a lover. Second Runner-Up: Kacey Musgraves I had to include her as a second runner up because GOD what an album. The lyricism and the genre combination works perfectly. "Butterflies" is so underrated imo. I know it was kind of a single, but I never see people talk about it. The melody in the chorus literally makes my heart flicker. Without going into too much depth since I know you guys will do it for me, I also love "Lonely Weekend", the very underrated "Velvet Elvis", "High Horse", "Happy & Sad", "Oh What a World", and "Space Cowboy". Others Under this Letter: *note bolded artists are other top choices* Artist Top Song Choice Good Songs Meh Songs Random Notes Kaskade Tight Keiynan Lonsdale Preach Kero Kero Bonito Make Believe Only Acting Lovely record Khalid Vertigo KIDS SEE GHOSTS Kids See Ghosts Kiesza Phantom Of The Dance Floor A BOP Knocks, The Big Bills (feat. Big Boi) Goodbyes, Feeling Myself, Limo, Retrograded, Brazilian Soul Legends - not as good as 55 but I appreciate the more "hip-hop" influence here
MP2K Posted January 14, 2019 Posted January 14, 2019 See... Kimbra, Kali, Janelle, The Internet... all did that.
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