At HighClouds, we are aware of the issues of ranking, reviewing and grading artists.
First, no one can be objective, there’s no truth in music. Then, it can be mentally difficult for artists to accept these insights. We are music fans above all and we never want to hurt anyone. Our goal is only to discover new talents and to bring them to our readers’ ears. We know they don’t always have the time to listen to everything we scan and write about during the year so these lists are just recommendations of what they should first focus on. Nothing more.
We know it’s a shared subjective feeling: 2018 has been another great year for music. We got introduced to fascinating newcomers with strong concepts that prove that albums are certainly not dead yet. Some rising singer-songwriters confirmed their defining style while a few established artists successfully re-recorded their masterpiece or explored challenging new soundscapes. You can find below the 30 albums that made 2018 according to our staff and stay tuned for our usual 100 Tracks of the year list next week.
30) Amen Dunes – Freedom
29) Kadhja Bonet – Childqueen
28) Yves Tumor – Safe in the Hands of Love
27) Whitney Ballen – You’re A Shooting Star, I’m A Sinking Ship
26) Tirzah – Devotion
25) CupcakKe – Eden
24) Rosalía – El Mal Querer
23) Tomberlin – At Weddings
22) Sidney Gish – No Dogs Allowed
21) Ezra Furman – Transangelic Exodus
20) Kali Uchis – Isolation
19) Janelle Monáe – Dirty Computer
18) Frankie Cosmos – Vessel
17) U.S. Girls – In A Poem Unlimited
16) Ariana Grande – Sweetener
15) Ex:Re – Ex:Re
14) Car Seat Headrest – Twin Fantasy
13) Tierra Whack – Whack World
12) IDLES – Joy As An Act of Resistance.
11) illuminaties hoties – Kiss Yr Frenemies
10) Mr Twin Sister – Salt
9) SOPHIE – Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Sides
8) Low – Double Negative
7) noname – Room 25
6) Soccer Mommy – Clean
5) Beach House – 7
4) Robyn – Honey
3) Lucy Dacus – Historian
2) Snail Mail – Lush
1) Mitski – Be The Cowboy
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