January 1, 2019
Favorite Albums of 2018
These are my favorite albums of 2018. Not all of them were released in 2018, but they are ones I discovered in 2018 and really enjoyed listening to.
Every year it feels like music is becoming less important, harder to find physically, but easier to listen to online. It’s also easier than ever to support artists creating music. Please support the artists by listening via a legal streaming service or (gasp) purchasing digitally or physically.
Full disclosure: Purchasing any of the music using the links below will give a small percentage of the sale to my wife, who is a full time artist.
11. Cedric Burnside - Benton County Relic
This was the only Blues album I listened to this year that I felt deserved any mention. Burnside gives a powerful blues performance. Mississippi Hill Country Blues at it’s best. Spooky good.
Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
10. Christopher Cross - Take Me As I Am
This came out at the tail end of 2017, but I started 2018 listening to it regularly. The songs are beautifully arranged and feel like they were meant to be instrumentals. You probably wouldn’t notice that if you’re just listening casually. Cross’s lyrics and smooth voice give them balance. Each song feels a lot like poetry or even haiku wrapped in his signature AOR sound.
Listen: Apple Music | Not available on Spotify
9. Judas Priest - Firepower
Admittedly, I’ve never really been into Judas Priest although I do enjoy metal. The best thing about streaming music services is the ability to try out music without any fear. That’s how this album landed on this years list.
Even though I enjoyed Rob Halford’s year 2000 solo album, ‘Halford’, I’ve never really given Priest a listen. More importantly, I wanted to hear if 60 plus year old metal heads could still rock! This album proves that age doesn’t matter when it comes to metal. Firepower brings the head banging in spades! A sonic metal masterpiece.
Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
8. Hans Zimmer & Benjamin Wallfisch - Blade Runner 2049 Soundtrack
I don’t care what anyone else thought about this movie, I really enjoyed it. Zimmer & Wallfisch managed to create an entirely new and modern soundtrack, but also keep the sound and feel from the original Blade Runner. A wonderful, atmospheric, retro-synth landscape.
Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
Buy: iTunes | Amazon
7. THREE1989 - JET BLUE - EP
If you haven’t watched the cult sensation that is Netflix’s Terrace House - Opening New Doors, this choice may not make much sense. It’s through the show that I found this album.
THREE1989’s lead singer and songwriter, Shohei Uemura was featured as a cast mate on the show and wrote some of the songs on the EP during his stint. I really enjoy the smooth sound that THREE1989 created which I find is very similar to the J-Rock group “Suchmos”, especially their album, ‘The Bay’.
Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
Buy: iTunes | Amazon
6. Le Matos - Summer of 84
I love that you can follow other users on Apple Music and see what they’re listening to. This feature has opened the door to discovering a lot of good music. “Summer of 84” is one of them. Thanks Federico Viticci!
Le Matos is an electronica duo that nail the 80’s synth sounds that I loved so much when I was a teen. ‘Summer of 84’ is the soundtrack for an indie 80’s style movie of the same name. If you enjoy the synth sounds of Jan Hammer, John Carpenter and Tangerine Dream, give this a spin.
Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
Buy: iTunes | Amazon
5. Mark Knopfler - Down The Road Wherever
Mark Knopfler, former member of the band Dire Straits has been putting out solo albums at a fairly consistent pace, roughly 15-20 new songs every 3 years. While I’ve enjoyed his past efforts, I’m always hoping that his next album will be a little more upbeat or have a little more energy to them. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t expect him to whip out another ‘Sultans of Swing’ or ‘Money for Nothing’, but I have always wished he would punch out some rock, just one more time…
I was pleasantly surprised with his latest album ‘Down The Road Wherever’ as I felt some of the tunes had a bit more energy… dare I say, an actual spark to them? Knopfler’s ability to lyrically create a character, mood and story is deftly displayed throughout the songs in this collection. With his tasteful guitar licks and familiar weathered voice, this one has become my favorite of all of his solo albums.
Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
Buy: iTunes | Amazon
4. Khruangbin - Con Todo El Mundo
This is another happy discovery that was made while reading an interview where a guitarist discussed what he was listening to at the moment. They had some great suggestions, but this one landed on my favorites list.
Khruangbin, which means “flying engine” or “aeroplane” in Thai, is a musical trio from Houston, Texas. Their music crosses the boundaries of psychedelia, world music, soul and dub. They have the sound and the look to go with it. To see what I mean, check out their performance on Pitchfork presents.
Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
Buy: iTunes | Amazon
3. Utada Hikaru - 初恋 (Hatsukoi)
For anyone that doesn’t know, Utada Hikaru’s 1999 debut album “First Love” was released when she was 16 years old. It eventually became Japan’s best-selling album of all time, with over eleven million units worldwide. Many also know her for writing and producing the theme songs for Square Enix and Disney’s video game series Kingdom Hearts.
20 years later, she’s still making music and growing as an artist. Hatsukoi, which literally means ‘First Love’, is her 8th album and it’s release coincided to the commemorations of her 20th Anniversary as an artist in Japan.
This is an album that I can put on endless repeat and enjoy it from start to finish. I heard the song ‘Anata’ while vacationing in Japan and couldn’t get it out of my head. Such a great hook! Of course, I purchased the single as soon as it was released.
I was so fortunate to be able to see her in a rare concert performance while in Japan this past year. She performed most of this album and a lot of her hits. As a long time fan, it was really a dream come true.
Listen: Apple Music | Spotify Buy: iTunes | Amazon
2. Japanese Breakfast - Soft Sounds from Another Planet
I first heard Japanese Breakfast when the video for ‘Road Head’ showed up on YouTube one night. Japanese Breakfast is the solo project of singer, songwriter Michelle Zauner, who is actually part Korean, not Japanese.
This album is a deep dive of sounds and textures that I can get lost in. Check out ‘Diving Woman’ and ‘Machinist’ to get an idea of what I mean. A favorite with headphones on a long flight.
Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
Buy: iTunes | Amazon
1. 新しい学校のリーダーズ [Atarashii Gakkou no Leaders] - マエナラワナイ [Maenarawanai]
Atarashii Gakkou no Leaders are a Japanese dance and vocal performance group. I first saw them perform at an event called Moshi Moshi Fest in 2016. Out of all of the acts we saw during the event, they had the best songs and had the most energy on stage. I’ve been a fan ever since.
With their debut album, they eschewed their J-pop idol sound and went with an eclectic range of genres including Showa-era, Electronic Jazz, Acid Jazz and Jazz Rock. It’s kinda hard to classify the music they’re making. It almost feels like they are breaking new ground, but it also sounds familiar somehow.
My favorite track is the smooth sounding ‘zzz’ featuring Mizyu on lead vocals. A really high energy, fun album that got me through a lot of 2018!
Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
Buy: iTunes | Amazon
Moar Music: City Pop!
I really got into the genre called City Pop this year. Here are some titles I can whole heartedly recommend. Unfortunately, many of these are not available on streaming services so I bought them at Tower Records while in Japan. Yes, believe it or not, Tower Records still exists!
Toshiki Kadomatsu - Sea is a Lady Listen: Youtube Buy: Amazon
Mariya Takeuchi - Variety Listen: YouTube | Buy: Amazon
Tatsuro Yamashita - Big Wave 30th Anniversary Listen: YouTube Buy: Amazon
Even MOAR Music: Electronic and Ambient
If you’re into electronic and ambient music, here are some picks that I enjoyed in 2018.
Octo Octa - Where are we Going? Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
Astronautica - Death Valley Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
Jorgen Kjellgren - Short Commute 1 EP Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
Jorgen Kjellgren - Short Commute 2 EP Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
Steve Hauschildt - Dissolvi Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
Chrome Sparks - Chrome Sparks Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
Keita Sano - Ōtotsu Listen: Apple Music | Spotify
Kllo - Backwater Listen: Apple Music | Spotify Jim Campilongo & Honeyfingers — Last Night Jim Campilongo & Honeyfingers — Last Night