Top Ten Albums of 2018

2018 was one of the most frustrating years for popular music in recent memory. This year saw the complete radio downfall of melody and creativity and saw the rise of over produced, mediocre hip-hop records. Turning on the radio became exhausting after hearing songs like Rockstar by Post Malone, I Like It by Cardi B and Mo Bamba by Sheck Wes over and over again. These songs and artists are fun to dance to in a club, but they aren't exactly musically interesting or lyrically emotional. All that being said, however, 2018 had some hidden gems that didn't get as much airplay as these empty hip-hop tunes, and I think it's time we shed some light on the albums that delivered melodic creativity as well as lyrics that actually speak to the human condition. Without further ado, here are my top ten albums of 2018.

10. Simulation Theory- Muse

Starting with my number 10 pick we have Muse's 8th studio album: Simulation Theory. This album went in and out of my top ten list multiple times battling with Charlie Puth's Voicenotes album (an example of what a pop album should look like in 2018). Ultimately it secured it's slot due to the simple fact that I love Muse and the kind of music they are putting out in today's musical climate. In all honesty this is one of my least favorite Muse albums when compared to their phenomenal catalog, but that says something of the band's talent that this album landed the number ten slot. Simulation Theory shows us a very consistent step in the evolution that Muse has been following for years in that they continue to experiment more and more with pop music. This album is undoubtedly the poppiest of their records and in my opinion that isn't a bad thing! Although I love Muse's "space rock" vibe that they did in their early career, I also love their pop rock music that they demonstrate so perfectly on this album. It is worth noting that this is one of the only albums I've listened to that reaches it's peak in the middle rather than at the beginning or the end with the tracks "Propaganda", "Break it to Me" and "Something Human".

Standout Track: "Something Human"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azAEHCQgcUI.

9. A Star Is Born Soundtrack

If you haven't seen this movie yet... WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Not only is this one of my favorite albums of the year, but the film is in my top 5 movies of the year. This album perfectly captures the beautiful story of a rising pop star who falls in love with a declining country artist and the struggles that fame brings to their relationship. The music is eclectic, beautiful and extremely well written. Lady Gaga delivers some of her most emotionally raw vocals on this album, continually proving to us that she is so much more than a Madonna wannabe. Her delivery is only matched by her songwriting (she wrote much of the music for the movie with other cowriters) which conveys the story with ease while still being listenable out of context. Bradley Cooper shocked us all with his singing voice that seemingly came out of nowhere (I mean seriously is there anything this guy CAN'T do) and his ability to express the rawest of emotions with these newfound vocals astounded me. This album is the true model of what a movie soundtrack should be, including the small snippets of dialogue from the film that lets new listeners know what's happening in the storyline, and reminds seasoned listeners of the heartbreak this movie put us through. Still crying.

Standout Track: "Always Remember Us This Way"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vheNbQlsyU

8. Glory Sound Prep- Jon Bellion

Landing the number 8 slot is Jon Bellion's second full length studio album: Glory Sound Prep. Bellion is one of those artists that really can't be explained and every time I've tried to define his genre, I've given up. In my opinion he is one of the most inspirational artists of the past few years because he is giving us something NEW. His debut studio album: The Human Condition wowed me a few years ago in its ability to totally transcend genre and deliver lyrics that really mattered. His second album continues to do this beautifully and experiments with even more new sounds. Jon Bellion dabbles with pop, hip-hop, R&B and just straight up Rap (one of the only rap artists I can listen to). His song "The Internet" discusses how toxic social media has become for our modern society and he delivers some of my favorite lyrics of the year "Life became dangerous the day we all became famous/No one cares if you're happy, just as long as you claim it". This is only one example of Bellion's lyrical genius and if you find his music hard to grasp, I promise you the lyrics will keep you listening for more.

Standout Track: "The Internet"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W936TWjKZBQ

7. Origins- Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons has been one of my absolute favorite bands since their debut album, Night Visions in 2012 and that has not changed one bit. They shocked me in the late summer when they announced that they were going to be dropping this album since they just released Evolve last year! This album is not as cohesive as Evolve was, but the songs are still fantastic and soon to be radio smashes I'm sure. The front and back halves of the album have songs that really deliver a sampling of every single Imagine Dragons album we've heard, much like John Mayer did in 2017's The Search for Everything, and it is so refreshing to hear them go back to their Origins (ba dum ts). The middle of the album is the most experimental they've ever been and it pays off in ways I can't explain (I'm looking at you "Digital"). The band has this power of transforming their sound in every record they put out while somehow still maintaining a sound that is undeniably their own. If you haven't had a chance to dive into Imagine Dragons' albums, now is as good a time as ever. And when you do, catch one of their live shows because WOW.

Standout Track: "Bad Liar"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a40XLhSUREo

6. Shawn Mendes- Shawn Mendes

I cannot express enough how happy I am that Shawn Mendes decided to save his self-titled album for his third studio effort. Shawn is one of those artists that I have followed since he released his first album, Handwritten in 2015, but something was always missing for me as a listener. He had so much raw talent and had a really solid start as a songwriter, but only his singles really ever stuck with me. BUT. This year he demonstrated undeniable growth and showed the world that he is a force to be reckoned with with this album. That something that was always missing finally clicked for me with this album, and I can finally say that Shawn Mendes has solidified himself in the singer-songwriter community. These songs are masterful. They are catchy, melodically interesting and lyrically creative. Every song speaks to me differently and I can finally sing each song from memory, not just the singles. I knew from the moment he dropped "In My Blood" and "Lost in Japan" back in March that this was going to be his breakthrough album. Both of those songs could not be more different and they are both so incredibly well written and performed. "In My Blood" uses elements of Kings of Leon and "Lost in Japan" has Shawn singing like a young JT. He has really stepped up his game as an artist and I am so excited to see how he continues to grow from here.

Standout Track: "In My Blood"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36tggrpRoTI

5. Sweetener- Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande is perhaps the most talked about pop artist in all of 2018. That being said she's the only pop artist that has consistently stayed relevant this year with her incredible output. Ariana had one hell of a year and it's so incredible to see her working so hard and releasing so much music despite all of her hardships. Since its release in August, Sweetener has been Ariana's most polarizing album to date. There are those who love it and those who hate it. Clearly by its number 5 spot you can see that I LOVE this album. It is wildly different from anything else she has released in the past because it shows us a much more subdued and stripped down side of the pop star. I think fans who were disappointed with this album were expecting a rehash of 2016's Dangerous Woman and that is not what they got. In order to UNDERSTAND the beauty of this album you have to step outside of her past discography and embrace the work for what it is and the artistic direction she's headed in. It is so raw and artistically inspiring, but fans have to give it multiple listens and not give up on it just because it doesn't sound like "Into You". This is her most mature and cohesive album to date and I am here for it. I can't wait to see what Ariana Grande has in store for 2019 and for that I say, thank u, next.

Standout Track: "No Tears Left To Cry" (my personal favorite song of 2018)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffxKSjUwKdU

4. Dirty Computer- Janelle Monáe

Speaking of giving albums multiple listens, Dirty Computer is an album that I immediately discredited after one listen earlier this year when it was released. I was OBSESSED with the lead single "Make Me Feel" back in February, so when I came to find out the rest of the album didn't quite follow that same formula, I was extremely disappointed. Jump forward to earlier this month, I decided to give it another listen due to its Grammy nomination for Album of the Year and was shocked by my initial lack of faith. Listening a second time with a more open mind allowed me to really experience the album for what it is: a beautiful, important work of art by an inspirational and revolutionary artist. The music is a pop and R&B hybrid that has an infectious sound you can vibe to. The lyrics of this album make enormous strides for women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community. Janelle Monáe describes in detail what her America looks like in her album closer "Americans" and it is one of love and acceptance.

"Until women can get equal pay for equal work This is not my America Until same gender loving people can be who they are This is not my America Until black people can come home from a police stop Without being shot in the head This is not my America Until poor whites can get a shot at being successful This is not my America"

This is an extremely important album for all listeners and it is one of my most highly recommended of the year.

Standout Track: "Django Jane"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTjQq5rMlEY

3. Bloom- Troye Sivan

While we're on the topic of making strides for the LGBTQ community, I present to you my third favorite album of the year: Bloom. This is one of the first pieces of art I've experienced that talks about gay love in a completely normalized way, as it should. Troye Sivan very bravely discusses his love, crushes and relationships with boys in the exact same way the media has portrayed straight relationships since the beginning. The title track is extremely intimate and normalizes speaking about the most vulnerable part of a gay relationship, but you may never know unless you dissect his beautiful poetry. It is an album that could very easily fly under the radar, but for the LGBTQ community, it is monumental. Aside from the lyrical content, Troye's music is the definition of vibey. This is the kind of music you can turn on and just lay on your bed and listen to. It is a stunningly beautiful electro pop that sucks listeners in and keeps them wanting more. His voice is soothing and calm and it will make you feel the same.

Standout Track: "My My My"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5TqNsr6YuQ

2. Trench- Twenty One Pilots

Welcome to Trench. Twenty One Pilots' 4th studio album very easily lands its rightful spot as my second favorite album of the year, not just because they are one of my favorite bands, not just because this album is extremely musically interesting, but because of the elaborate storytelling Tyler and Josh utilize on this album. Trench tells the story of Clancy, a depressed character who is trapped in the city of Dema, which is guarded by the 9 Bishops that represent depression itself ("Nico and the Niners"). The Banditos are a group of brave characters who's mission is to rescue the remaining victims of Dema and bring them to the safe haven that is Trench. All of this is symbolism for depression and how it can trap you and suffocate you, but with will power and the help of others it is possible for everyone to get to Trench. The music on this album is unlike anything TØP has created before. It is a complete step away from the pop influence that we heard on Blurryface and a step in the direction of... well I don't know how to define genres anymore. Each song brings something brand new and each listen brings new details that you missed from the time before. It is a masterpiece of an album and will go down in history as some of their finest work.

Standout Track: "Neon Gravestones"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MeQ9rA2Ifg

1. Golden Hour- Kacey Musgraves

We've finally come to my number one album of 2018: Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a notorious country music hater. I never grew up listening to it and I have always found the country "twang" annoying, and the country lyrics too repetitive. So earlier this year, Golden Hour threw me for a loop when I discovered what good country music can be. Not to be dramatic but this album transcends music. It very quickly became so much more than album to me; it became a life experience. It describes such specific parts of the human condition that I didn't even know you could put into words. Kacey so eloquently writes lyrics that will hit you in the gut and make you cry from their shear beauty. Her music will lull you into a dreamy world that you never want to leave. As I write this I don't quite know how to put this all into words, and it must sound ludicrous to those who haven't given this album a listen. But I promise when you press play on "Slow Burn" for the first time, you will know immediately what I mean. This album is everything that the pop music in 2018 was not. this album transcends music. It very quickly became so much more than album to me; it became a life experience. It describes such specific parts of the human condition that I didn't even know you could put into words. Kacey so eloquently writes lyrics that will hit you in the gut and make you cry from their shear beauty. Her music will lull you into a dreamy world that you never want to leave. The consensus around the country is that this IS the album of the year, but for me it will go down as one of my favorite albums of all time.

Standout Track: "Love Is A Wild Thing"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZNHHgiNO3I