The Top 30 Albums Of 2018 (So Far)

We’ve taken a vote around The Music’s offices and compiled our top 30 albums of the year so far. But hey, we’re democratic folk around here and we know better than most how subjective these lists can be, so let us know what we have missed and you might see them in the big one at the end of the year.

Dive in as Lauren Baxter, Daniel Cribb, Cyclone, Donald Finlayson, Andrew Mast and Sam Wall share the reasons why you need to head down to your local record store and add these to your collection.

Alice Ivy - I'm Dreaming

While sounding as fresh as a (new) daisy (age), Melbourne's Alice Ivy also recalls the sample-mad days of late '90s chilltronica (Bent, Lemon Jelly, The Avalanches). But better!

Her long-playing debut taps into her live performance energy and exploits an impressive array of guests: E^ST, Bertie Blackman, RaRa. There are very few musical contemporaries currently in Ivy's league.

"A coherent, hallucinogenic whole." - Tim Kroenert

AM

Camp Cope - How To Socialise & Make Friends

It seems poignant timing that as I write this blurb, the music media in Australia are engaged in an important conversation, fighting against violence against women.

This album reminds us of the important part we all have to play in ending a toxic culture and the importance of speaking up against everyday injustices.  

“It's the combination of melodic bass lines, raw vocals that evoke a deep emotional response, honest, powerful lyrics and authentic storytelling.” - Madelyn Tait

LB

Car Seat Headrest - Twin Fantasy (Face To Face)

At first glance 'record technically first self-released in 2011' might look out of place on a ‘best of 2018’ album list. We’ve mentioned before that remaking Twin Fantasy seemed like an odd choice for Will Toledo at all, considering the neat transition from Bandcamp darling to major label artist he made with 2016’s Teens sets.

Of course, neither of those opinions stand up to the reality of Toledo’s revised vision, Twin Fantasy (Face To Face). The dude conceived a grand opus and, however beloved the results, had to make do with a 19-year-old bedroom producer’s best efforts instead. Returning with the experience of a grown wunderkind, he’s repainted all the exhilarating feeling and wounded lyricism that made it a cult classic to the scale he initially imagined.

“Like all of Toledo's best work highbrow, almost existential sentiments abound - like he's trying to get to the bottom of life's conundrums through the medium of rock'n'roll, a noble endeavour indeed.” - Steve Bell

SW

Cardi B - Invasion Of Privacy

The Bronx's Cardi B (aka Belcalis Almanzar) brings sassy punchlines, smart rhymes and confessional lyricism to her hotly anticipated debut, Invasion Of Privacy — defying those who deemed her a flash-in-the-pan with the trap Bodak Yellow (and presumably every hit single since). Almanzar's ballsy personality comes through on Invasion… as she reflects on life, love and feminist empowerment.

Binderella shows a sharp self-awareness (Get Up 10). But she also flexes her skills as a rapper and storyteller (besides, her familiarity with '90s hip hop impresses). Almanzar holds her own against guests like Migos, Chance The Rapper and SZA. Inevitably, Invasion… is big on her trademark 'gangsta bitch' bangers.

Yet she gets groovy on the Kehlani-featuring R&B jam Ring — one of several songs alluding to romantic neglect and infidelity. And Almanzar revels in her Latin roots on the salsa-trap I Like It (with Bad Bunny and J Balvin). A homegirl's manifesto.

C

Confidence Man - Confident Music For Confident People 

If you haven’t had a chance to see these guys live — hoo boy, you are missing out. Led by Janet Planet and Sugar Bones, the album at its core is just shiny, feel-good pop music that you can’t help but boogie too. Get down from your ivory tower and stop trying to fight it. Embrace the confidence…man.

“Too loose, too supposedly inauthentic for some, Confidence Man have, to date, proved ingeniously resourceful in their fight against conventionality.” - Christopher H James

LB

Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel

2017 saw Barnett releasing a neat little collaboration album, Lotta Sea Lice, with professional guitar wizard Kurt Vile. And while it was a nice little project and all, we’re glad that Melbourne’s favourite rambler has returned with another great album of her own, Tell Me How You Really Feel. It’s a work chock full of typical Courtney-isms like rhyming “meditation” with “medication” all while channelling the spirit of slacker rock through her bendy guitar playing. Fans of The Breeders will be thrilled to know that she’s brought a certain pair of twin sisters along for the ride too.

“Courtney Barnett's work is delicious - and this album another musical feast.” – Liz Giuffre

DF

Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird - Electric Brown 

Inviting but spacey, a combo that’s at times comfortably disorientating, Electric Brown is about as spot on a name as you’ll see on a release this year.

Cousin Tony’s debut LP feels like sinking deep into a warm ‘70s lounge set and looking at the stars through rose-tinted retrofuture glasses. Frontman Lachy Rose called it the crystallisation of the band’s previous ideas and efforts, “Not in a way that is perfect, just in a way that is unique”. From bouncing kosmische synths to duelling space rock licks, it’s definitely one of a kind.

“It sounds like an album for 2018 audiences that was written and recorded in 1973. No mean feat.” - Rod Whitfield

SW

Ghost – Prequelle

Prequelle signals a slick and melodic return to form for Swedish heavyhitters Ghost, with their fourth album seeing them do away with the masked shtick many fans had become sick off.

The LP channels a wealth of different elements — from '80s rock vibes to dark and sombre undertones and even a saxophone solo at one point — all while staying true to the measured riffs and soaring vocals fans originally fell in love with. Frontman Tobias Forge is on-point from opener Ashes too, proving once again he is a “compelling vocalist who can manipulate emotions with a simple shift in his voice and whose lyrics are delightfully subversive”.

“Some in the metal community might baulk at the commercial lunge Ghost make with this record, but these songs will bury themselves in your mind. Trust us, you'll have this one on repeat for months to come.” – Mark Hebblewhite

DC

Florence & The Machine – High As Hope

Oh Florence. Beautiful, heartbroken Florence. Intensely personal from the opening chords, with this, the fourth offering from Welch and her machine, we are invited down the rabbithole into life post-heartbreak.

It’s majestic. It’s worldly. It’s rip-your-clothes-off-and-run-through-a-field-opening-your-arms-to-the-heavens.

“Rivers of her tears flow through High As Hope, Florence + The Machine's fourth studio album, and the listener gets a sense that there's still a lot of healing to be done before Welch feels whole again.” - Bryget Chrisfield

LB

Flowertruck - Mostly Sunny

If you haven’t already, grab a soda pop and find yourself a spot in the glorious winter sun to feast your ears on this gorgeous debut from Flowertruck.

With a stage demeanour reminiscent of ‘70s David Byrne, frontman Charles Rushworth croons over sunshiney guitars in his own brand of nonchalance that never falls into apathy.

"Clear, confident and considerately paced, Mostly Sunny is the start of a bright future." - Nic Addenbrook

LB

Gurrumul - Djarimirri

In a time when Indigenous languages and cultures are increasingly vulnerable, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu’s fusion of traditional Yolngu songs and chants with rich orchestral arrangements creates such a harmonious and deeply affecting whole that it actually feels revolutionary in its beauty.

Although friends and collaborators have already said more than we ever could about the lasting legacy of the Arnhem Land singer and his bittersweet final statement, it’s a more than worthy last album from a true Australian icon.

”Such a fully formed and joyous album released posthumously makes for truly bittersweet listening." - Guido Farnell

SW

High Tension – Purge

Having mastered thrash punk on previous efforts, Melbourne rockers High Tension take a heavier turn with album number three, injecting a healthy dose of metal into their already chaotic and hypnotic sound.

Thrash and alt-metal lay the foundations for vocalist Karina Utomo to unleash a scorching rebuke of the Indonesian anti-communist purge of the 1960s.

Greater emphasis has been placed on song structure, with tighter rhythm sections, bigger riffs and overall better production.

“High Tension sound like they entered a fugue state while recording this. Purge is miles ahead of Bully, itself a fine take on modern hardcore…It's inspired, it's exhausting, it's exhilarating.” - Matt MacMaster

DC

Hockey Dad - Blend Inn

With venues already selling out in anticipation of their upcoming tour, it’s time to get in the Hockey Dad van if you haven’t already.

Exploring far beyond the limits of their original indie-rock/surf-rock styling on latest album Blend Inn, the new approach has clearly been a successful one given that lead single Homely Feeling nabbed spot #54 on triple j’s Hottest 100. Their lyrical style has certainly grown up a bit, but the big choruses and punky guitar chords remain, thank goodness.

“[Blend Inn] will probably prove to be a pivotal moment looking back at the end of a hopefully long road for them as a band.” – Matt MacMaster

DF

J Cole - KOD

Alongside Kendrick Lamar, J Cole epitomises classic hip hop lyricism and social commentary amid an era of 'Lil' cloud rappers preoccupied with nihilistic interior narratives. His sombre – and, at 50 minutes, economic – fifth album, KOD emanates from a post-industrial America increasingly dependent on prescription pills like Xanax and beholden to materialism, social media and toxic behaviours. Indeed, the title is an acronym for alternatively "Kids On Drugs", "King OverDosed" or "Kill Our Demons".

Though signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation, Cole has consistently asserted his autonomy. He serves as both MC and producer. On KOD, Cole again adheres to a jazz-hop aesthetic, but the title-track (and first single) is post-trap. Crucially, he continues to disavow features — the sole guest here his alter-ego kiLL edward. As such, KOD is uncompromising — and unflashy. Cole shares some wise ideas to achieve US equality via tax reform in BRACKETS. He directly dissects a culture of drug abuse on the powerful FRIENDS. But, most significantly, Cole counsels those Lil rappers (notably Lil Pump) in 1985 (Intro To The Fall Off) — sampling Kanye West's early We Don't Care.

C

Jack White - Boarding House Reach

Dividing fans and critics alike with his third experimental solo offering, rock music troubadour, Jack White gives a nod to rock'n'roll history and to the world's non-binary nature with Boarding House Reach and that means it gets the big tick from us.

“We’ve always considered Jack White to be a separated-at-birth contender for Johnny Depp’s Willy Wonka and this collection of songs is as phantasmagorical as Roald Dahl's fictional character.” - Bryget Chrisfield

LB

Janelle Monae – Dirty Computer

Celebrating “creation, self-love, sexuality, and pussy power!”, with ​Dirty Computer Janelle Monae has released a record that unites us all through its harmonically lush and unabashed ownership of the ‘other’.

The album rejoices in the audible power of inclusivity behind a veil of youthful pop liberation. Sign us up. 

LB

Kali Uchis - Isolation

The Colombian-American singer/songwriter Kali Uchis (aka Karly-Marina Loaiza) has the cult debut of early 2018 in Isolation. The '60s music buff flips jazzy lounge music, putting the #boss into bossa nova with Isolation's intro Body Language.

But she also experiments with neo-soul, tropical cabaret and shoegazey breakbeat. Loaiza's curatorial flair is astonishing — the credits for Isolation revealing names such as The Internet's Steve Lacy, Gorillaz' Damon Albarn and Tame Impala's Kevin Parker (on the psych-soul groove Tomorrow). Loaiza duets with another 'It' soulstress in Jorja Smith on the dubhall Tyrant, produced by Top Dawg Entertainment's Sounwave. 

After The Storm is humid, hip hop soul with BADBADNOTGOOD, Loaiza's longtime cohort Tyler, The Creator, and funk great Bootsy Collins.

C

Kamasi Washington - Heaven And Earth

After releasing the sprawling, three-disc monster that was The Epic in 2015, it’s understandable that Kasmasi Washington felt like taking it easy for a while.

After all, playing the sax really does take it out of ya. Finally returning this year with Heaven And Earth, the album’s eclectic mix of spiritual explorations and post-bop is another excellent offering from this modern giant of jazz. It’s a double album too, so he’s definitely not showing any signs of slowing down.

“While jazz fans will be delighted, curious listeners are also likely to find Heaven And Earth to be richly rewarding.” – MJ O’Neill

DF

Luca Brasi – Stay

There’s a relatability about Aussie punk rockers Luca Brasi that makes every record they release so charming and infectious.

But album number four for the Tassie legends signals a change of pace; while it’s still loaded with “contagiously feel good bangers”, things become more personal for frontman Tyler Richardson, and you can really hear it in the tone of his voice, which takes Stay to the next level.

“It's a well thought out, stunningly produced album that's certainly hard to fault.” – Keira Leonard

DC

Marlon Williams - Make Way For Love

If art is expression, Marlon Williams is doing it right when he croons, “Too late, too late to tell you I’m gonna build a world around you”. It’s truly rare to see a broken heart so completely revealed for inspection. Throughout Make Way For Love Williams is mournful, threatening, lost, beseeching — importantly never sinking to self-pity — and his pure, choir-honed tenor is the perfect vessel to carry the weight. 

And if you’re ever in the need to shed a tear or two, devastating duet Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore — with Aldous Harding, another talented NZ singer-songwriter and the album’s inspiration — is better than mace.

“Williams places himself front and centre as he struggles to make sense of the end of a deep and resonating relationship, and reconcile his new future with now-redundant hopes and expectations.” - Steve Bell

SW

Neko Case - Hell-On

Talk about a comeback. It's been five long years since the last solo album from The New Pornographer vocalist but we think it’s certainly been worth the wait. Hell-On features an incredible range of guests and admirers from Mark Lanegan to k.d. lang, but ultimately it’s the voice and songwriting of Case that makes this album what it is.

Produced by Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn & John (best known for that whistling song), Hell-On is well worth a listen for anyone who enjoys a bit of quality soundscapes and storytelling in their music.

“This heartfelt work should put Case back on the radar and possibly attract a few new fans to boot.” – Christopher H James

DF

Ocean Alley - Chiaroscuro

Why do the coolest albums always have the weirdest names? Named after the artistic technique of blending light and darkness, these surfy fellas are making all the right kinds of waves with their uniquely surfy brand of psychedelic reggae rock. Latest album Chiaroscuro is no exception.

Hazy yet sharply written tunes like She’s Always Right, Happy Sad and The Comedown are bound to appeal both to sesh-heads and straight edge folk who appreciate a good melody and wicked guitar pedals.

“This work explores both light and shade. In a confident step forward, Ocean Alley have crafted a seamless blend of the two within their constantly evolving melting pot of psychedelic and surf rock.” – Emma Salisbury

DF

press club - late teens

It doesn’t get any more local than the debut record from Press Club. Conceptualised, written and rehearsed within the confines of a Brunswick garage, recorded in Abbotsford and then independently released, it’s a record like Late Teens which makes us proud to call this city our own.

Lead singer Natalie Foster guides the listener through 11 energetic yet heartbreaking tracks all set to the rhythm of speedy punk rock. The lead single, Headwreck, is a particular favourite of ours.

“It would be easy to pigeonhole the group to a fast-moving punk act, but right from the start, Late Teens proves that there's a whole lot more to Press Club.” - Jessica Dale

DF

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – Hope Downs

What a strange thought after the hype surrounding them that Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever have only just released a debut album.

With Hope Downs we get 10 guitar-laden and ear-worming rock songs, that yearn for the yesteryear of The Cure, Television and R.E.M and yet remarkably still bring a refreshingly new brand of alternative rock onto the scene.

"Overseas influences grace the mix... But it's a defiantly Australian sound they're taking to the world via their Sub Pop Alliance." - Steve Bell

LB

ruby boots - don’t talk about it

To say that Ruby Boots has been smashing it lately is a gross understatement. With lead singles, It’s So Cruel and Don’t Talk About It smashing the charts of Spotify and Apple Music, we were understandably excited for her the release of her latest LP. Needless to say, we were not disappointed.

With plenty of crackling garage rock tunes and acoustic numbers on offer, Don’t Talk About It features some notable nods to some of the leading lady’s earliest influences like Janis Joplin, T Rex and Nirvana.

“Overall the album ranges from tender and vulnerable to fierce and unapologetically assertive, deserving of every accolade it is sure to receive. To be listened to often and repeatedly.” – Lukas Murphy

DF

Ryan Downey - Running

Lushly produced with Luluc’s Steve Hassett, Ryan Downey’s Running is cheeky without overstepping, chameleonic without feeling disingenuous, lavish but not pretentious. It’s pop, it’s rock, it’s folk, and it’s also turning heads.

Downey’s been one of Melbourne’s better-kept secrets for some time now, a confusing situation for anyone who’d actually come across his silky baritone out in the wild. We’ll have to put it down to an early name change (he performed under Venice Music) and the broken arm that led to a sublime but mostly ignored a cappella album. Whatever smoke screen the singer-songwriter was wrapped up in he’s out in the open now.

“His alt-folk core has been augmented with pop and rock, the trusty nylon strings from his Venice Music days backed up by dirtier jabs of electric guitar and skittering 808s.” - Sam Wall

SW

Stonefield - Far From Earth

Stoner-rock fans just can’t get enough, can they? It seems like every other week “that” one friend in your group will send another Kyuss or Black Sabbath knock-off record your way. Thankfully, the music on Far From Earth by Stonefield is far from derivative.

A fuzzy LP of crunchy guitars and chugging riffs from four Victorian sisters, we think this one will be the album to finally push these ladies into the big time.

“Still inspired by the sounds of the '70s, Far From Earth is less psychedelic than Stonefield's previous efforts, rooted in the traditional heavy-rock and prog world of that decade.” – Tobias Handke

DF

Superorganism – Superorganism 

This eight-piece, synth-pop collective is the closest thing pop music has come to world music in a little while.

With smatterings of J-pop, classic British indie and Brooklyn rock, the album walks listeners hand-in-hand across a curious landscape of samples and sound effects that leave us wondering — why is that song still in our head?!

LB

Various Artists - Black Panther: The Album

Love or hate Marvel’s rapidly expanding cinematic universe, the cultural significance of this year’s Black Panther film is undeniable. The long overdue trip to Wakanda was elevated with Kendrick Lamar producing and curating its soundtrack, in a time where more weight is being given to music when it comes to film and TV.

Since the beginning of the year, we’ve seen a surge of soundtracks top the Aussie charts, including The Greatest Showman debuting at #1, while Moana, Pitch Perfect 3 and more cracked the top 10 and shows like Netflix’s The End Of The Fucking World are being praised for their playlists.

“Black Panther: The Album signals a new chapter of artistry and innovation.” - Cyclone

DC

West Thebarton – Different Beings Being Different

After years spent building a solid reputation as West Thebarton Brothel Party, this seven-piece of rowdy pub-rockers may have trimmed their name on their latest album, Different Beings Being Different, but thankfully for us, the rest of the good stuff has been left intact. Emotionally charged, lyrically punchy and with a wall of sound behind them, suburban punters who enjoy belting out a big chorus will find a lot to love on this one.

“On top of catchy singles Stuck On You, Moving Out and Bible Camp, there's real depth on display, with tracks such as Gough, Reasons and On The Hill proving equally immediate.” – Steve Bell

DF