Mitski won’t drop her new album Be The Cowboy until August 17th, but she has shared another new track off the album titled “Nobody,” and it’s a moody track that speaks on loneliness and solitude, but at the same time it’s an encouragement to dance your loneliness away. You can listen to the track as well as watch the music video below:
It feels like New Year’s was just yesterday. How are we halfway done with the year already? Well, time flew by because this has been a very consistent year for new music. With releases left and right, we had much variety to choose from to soundtrack our lives. I can list over 30 albums that were solid releases, but everyone loves a top ten. Here are the ten best albums of 2018 so far.
10. Artist: SOPHIE
Album: Oil Of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides
Genre: Electronic/Avant-Pop
After a string of fascinating singles that offered an alternative to the redundant “Electronic” music that has become stale over the years, British producer SOPHIE has finally released her debut solo album Oil Of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides, and this album is filled with disorienting beats, sporadic metallic sounding noises, and at times quite disturbing soundscapes, and it’s all brilliantly produced, offering atmosphere and an otherworldly back drop for the chaotic but catchy as Hell instrumentation. The majority of this album’s vocals are handled by Montréal singer Cecile Believe, who offers both sexy and angelic fervor that grounds the chaotic nature of SOPHIE’s production. SOPHIE even provides lead vocals on the tender and delicate opening track that simply but profoundly encourages us to give in to emotion. “It’s okay to cry,” she says, but if you’re inclined to shed tears, they will most likely be tears of joy after hearing how invigorating this album is.
9. Artist: KIDS SEE GHOSTS
Album: KIDS SEE GHOSTS
Genre: Hip Hop/Alternative Hip Hop
Despite the inconsistency of the recent 5 album series of Kanye produced albums, this string of music did spawn a couple of gems, and the best album of them all without a doubt is the new Kanye West and Kid Cudi collaboration album KIDS SEE GHOSTS. This is the best both artists have sounded in awhile. The production is Psychedelic, it’s innovative, and it’s foray into abrasion finally perfects what Kanye was going for on albums such as Yeezus and The Life Of Pablo. Lyrically both artists speak about their struggles with mental illness, but they sound like they are in a spot now where they have prevailed over those struggles.
8. Artist: Tropical Fuck Storm
Album: A Laughing Death In Meatspace
Genre: Pysch-Rock/Post-Punk
Quite possibly the most bizarre Rock album of the year so far. Australian Supergroup “Tropical Fuck Storm’s” debut album A Laughing Death In Meatspace is zany, it’s dark, and a little cartoonish, and it’s so damn addictive. The Noisy instrumentation packed with buzzsaw synth bass and sinister guitars reflects the chaotic nature of the lyrics, lyrics that often tackle social and political commentary. This album is a soundtrack to the circus of a country the U.S. has become.
7. Artist: MGMT
Album: Little Dark Age
Genre: Synth-Pop/Psychedelic-Pop
Following the frequent waning of acclaim for not living up to the radio hit status of their breakout singles “Kids” and “Electric Feel,” the future of “MGMT” became uncertain, but after a much needed break that rejuvenated the band, “MGMT” returned this year with the stellar Little Dark Age. This album finds the band going back in a “Pop” direction, but this time they do it in their own terms without sacrificing their Experimental desires. This album draws a lot from 80’s “Synth-Pop,” and the anachronistic nature of the music is enthralling.
6. Artist: U.S. Girls
Album: In A Poem Unlimited
Genre: Art Pop/ Art Rock
Canada based musician Meghan Remy knew exactly what she was doing when she adopted the “U.S. Girls” moniker ten years ago. Though she currently resides in Canada, Remy is from the U.S. and she knows firsthand what women have to deal with in this country. Her new album In A Poem Unlimited vividly paints dark pictures of misogyny and domestic abuse, and it is a necessary raising of awareness. The “Art Pop” and “Art Rock” heavy instrumentation adds catchy and at times psychedelic contrast to the album’s darker themes, and the result is a compelling Pop album that isn’t afraid to be brutally honest.
5. Artist: Parquet Courts
Album: Wide Awake!
Genre: Indie Rock/Post-Punk
Wide Awake! is a necessary title for “Parquet Courts’” new album, seeing as how it tackles very relevant issues such as the desensitization that has developed in this country when it comes to tragic issues such as gun violence and racism, but instead of giving into nihilism like most of their contemporaries, the band encourages optimism and they realize that unity is the key tool to defeat these dire times, and with “Post-Punk” heavy instrumentation that also flirts with genres such as “Dub” and “Indie Rock,” they definitely get their point across.
4. Artist: The Voidz
Album: Virtue
Genre: Experimental/Art Rock/Art Pop
It’s official. Julian Casablancas cares a Hell of a lot more about his newer band “The Voidz” than he does “The Strokes,” and you know what? That’s okay. His desire to experiment is being fulfilled. The new album from “The Voidz” titled Virtue is a chaotic but infectious odyssey that incorporates elements from various genres. You never know what sound is coming after the preceding track, and though this album is incohesive at times, it’s damn intriguing with it’s bizarre melding of genres and existentialist lyrics.
3. Artist: Father John Misty
Album: God’s Favorite Customer
Genre: Indie Folk/Indie Rock
What happens when “Indie Folk’s” sharpest songwriter forces himself to live in solitude at a hotel for a month? Well, we get a compelling album of course. Joshua Tillman A.K.A. Father John Misty followed up last year’s masterpiece Pure Comedy with a deeply personal and unsparing album titled God’s Favorite Customer this year, and it is an album filled with melancholy ballads that unlike Pure Comedy, looks inward most of the time. It’s revealing of the singer/songwriter’s personal thoughts, but at the same time maintain’s his signature wit.
2. Artist: JPEGMAFIA
Album: Veteran
Genre: Hip Hop/Experimental Hip Hop
Hip Hop for the most part has been underwhelming this year, but Baltimore rapper and producer JPEGMAFIA isn’t going to let Hip Hop completely fall into the hands of the countless mumble or druggy “Trap” rappers. His latest album Veteran is far from escapist “Rap.” He projects the flaws and ignorance of this country on this album and calls out racists and misogynists with utter contempt. He pushes for equality but he encourages us to fight back instead of turning the other cheek, and with unique production highly experimental in nature, this is the most innovative Hip Hop album of the year so far.
1. Artist: Janelle Monáe
Album: Dirty Computer
Genre: Pop/R&B/Hip Hop
So far this year there hasn’t been a better crafted or more intoxicating album than Janelle Monáe’s Dirty Computer. This album hits all the right notes. It’s catchy, it’s artistic, and it features meaningful lyrical content. It’s an album that encourages self-acceptance, and at the same time it’s not afraid to be vulnerable. Monáe’s confident delivery shape shifts from singing to rapping throughout the album, and her sexy and confident delivery uplifts those who have had to face hardships in their lives. Though it’s main theme is female empowerment, this album invites everyone of all genders, sexual orientations, and all races to her celebration of self-acceptance.
Written By: Steven Sandoval
Date: 06/24/18
Gorillaz will release their new album The Now Now next week, and the animated band have dropped quite a bit of singles promoting the album. Now they have released yet another track off the upcoming album, and this one features Snoop Dogg and “House” producer Jamie Principle. You can watch the video for the new track “Hollywood” below:
Metalcore band “Code Orange” without a doubt released one of the most forward thinking Metal albums last year titled Forever, which gained them critical acclaim and even a Grammy nomination for the album’s title track. Now the band have released a new 3 track E.P. titled The Hurt Will Go On, which also features “Slipknot’s” Corey Taylor on the track “The Hunt.” The E.P. is available on all streaming platforms.
Death Grips will release their new album Year of the Snitch this Friday, and the band have released an unsettling and quite confusing music video for one of the many singles off the upcoming album titled “Shitshow.” You can watch the video below:
Following Ameer Vann’s departure from the group due to recent allegations of sexual misconduct, the future was unclear for “BROCKHAMPTON,” but now it is clear that the boys are back and ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives. The group debuted a new track titled “Tonya” live on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” and it will appear on their upcoming album The Best Years of Our Lives. No release date yet, but it’s most likely just around the corner. You can watch the live performance below:
Father John Misty released his fantastic new album God’s Favorite Customer earlier this month, and one of the standout tracks off the album is without a doubt the beautiful title track featuring Weyes Blood. Now there is a music video to accompany the track, and it is directed by Tillman’s wife Emma Tillman. You can watch the video below:
Artist: Protomartyr
EP: Consolation
Genre: Post-Punk/Indie Rock/Gothic Rock
On the heels of their brilliant album Relatives In Descent, Detroit Post-Punk band Protomartyr’s new E.P. Consolation solidifies their leading status in the Post-Punk world. This four track E.P. is just a little over 14 minutes in length, but the band astonishingly displays their growth in that short amount of time. Releasing an E.P. less than a year after a well received full-length album is a daring move considering that these tracks could have sounded like leftovers or a rushed attempt to remain in music nerd conversation, but that’s never been Protomartyr’s bag. In fact, this E.P. takes on a life of it’s own. Though the band is experimenting within the realm of the “Protomartyr” sound, the band still continues to add new life and innovation to their music. The most prominent display of this is on the final two tracks “Wheel of Fortune” and “You Always Win.” The first two tracks “Wait” and “Same Face In A Different Mirror” have all the signature qualities we love about the band. The mesmerizing guitars, the infectious bass grooves that draw from the best elements of Post-Punk or Gothic Rock, the percussion that goes in it’s own direction but somehow fits perfectly with what the rest of the band is doing, and the lyricism that is descriptive but very open for interpretation, it’s all there, but the final tracks offer what might be a glimpse of Protomartyr’s future sound. Kelley Deal of “The Breeders” contributes backing vocals that perfectly set a somber mood, and the incorporation of viola, cello, and bass clarinet add melodic beauty to the beautifully raw instrumentation. Though grandiose in presentation, a track like “Wheel of Fortune” finds the band remaining humble but at the same time putting importance on the lyrical content and vocal delivery. The gruff vocal style of lead singer Joe Casey forces you to pay close attention to the lyrics as he rants and rambles intelligently like a well-read drunk on a bar stool. It’s quite impressive that an E.P. just 14 minutes in length has so much to unpack, and if the band continues to work with other musicians then we’re in for some forward thinking music that can transcend genre trappings.
Written By: Steven Sandoval
Date: 06/16/18
Post-Punk band “Protomartyr” will release their new E.P. Consolation tomorrow, and the band have shared the closing track off the E.P. titled “You Always Win.” Like their previous single “Wheel of Fortune,” this track features Kelley Deal of “The Breeders.” You can listen to the track below:
Artist: KIDS SEE GHOSTS
Album: KIDS SEE GHOSTS
Genre: Hip Hop/Alternative Hip Hop
Rating: 8/10
Considering the fact that both Kanye West and Kid Cudi changed the landscape of Hip Hop and set the foundation for Hip Hop in the 2010’s together, it’s surprising that the two are barely teaming up for a collab album now, but in a way, no other time seems more perfect for this to happen than right now. We’re near the end of this decade, and under the name “KIDS SEE GHOSTS” Kanye and Cudi have released an album that solidifies the impact the two have had in the music world. This is album number three in this recent string of Kanye produced albums, and following the mediocre disappointment that was Ye, this album puts Kanye right back on the cutting edge, and it sure is nice to hear Cudi’s return. With well crafted and imaginative production, the two sound more rejuvenated than ever. The beats are what Kanye strived to do on The Life of Pablo, but this time around they’re more unique and… you know…. finished, and with lyrical themes involving self-acceptance, self doubt, and overcoming mental illness, this album is the inspirational impact Ye should have been. I’m sure the two had their beloved fans in mind when creating this album, but it’s evident that the two absolutely had to make this album to exorcise their demons. Everything from the explosive Pusha-T featuring opener “Feel The Love” that erupts with Man’s Not Hot-esque “brrrraaa ka ka kas” to the emotional Kurt Cobain sampling closer “Cudi Montage,” this is a forward thinking album that incorporates new musical elements, but also features everything we love about Kanye and Cudi. One can only hope that the two continue to make incredible music like this under the “KIDS SEE GHOSTS” name.
Written By: Steven Sandoval
Date: 06/10/18
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