Vic Galloway's Best Albums of 2018
The album… surviving as a viable concept, despite ongoing talk of its tragic demise. I still don’t think there’s a better showcase for an artist’s work. But what makes a good one – well for me it’s personal taste. My personal taste is diverse and inclusive so this list of 50 contains indie, rock, punk, soul, hip-hop, electronic, acoustic and global flavours. And for the first time since compiling these lists… one band has done the triple-whammy of seizing best album, track and LIVE act – . Well done to them - enjoy at your leisure!
Albums of the year:
1. – Cocoa Sugar (Ninja Tune)
Then in alphabetical order:
- – Jellies (Heavenly)
- – Fire behind the curtain (Song, By Toad)
- – Here lies the body (Rock Action)
- – Radio Highlife (Brownswood)
- - 3 Chevrons (Invada)
- - Massive Aggressive (Good Gear)
- – Tell me how you really feel (Milk!)
- – Marble Skies (Because)
- – Sum of all your parts (Easy Life)
- – Open Here (Memphis Industries)
- – Suilven (Finiflex)
- – The year dot (Lost Map)
- – Always Ascending (Domino)
- – Istikrarli Hayal Hakikattir (Glitterbeat)
- – Le Kov (Heavenly)
- – Vessel of Love (Merge)
- – Temet (City Slang)
- – Diverse Part 2 (Ramrock)
- – From when I wake the want is (Rock Action)
- – Volume 4 (Unknown Capability)
- – Floating Features (Hardly Art)
- – Self-titled (Sub Pop)
- – Double Negative (Sub Pop)
- – Post Era (El Rancho)
- – Loud Patterns (Secretly Canadian)
- – Dance Music (Physical Education)
- – Grindshow (Vineland)
- – Smote Reverser (Castle Face)
- – Wide Awake (Rough Trade)
- – Insula (Hyperdub)
- – All these people are me (A Modern way)
- – Oil of every pearl’s un-insides (Transgressive)
- – Soul Searchin’ Volume 1 (SFSB)
- – Sounds (Chute)
- – On Top (Agitated)
- – Sparkle Hard (Domino)
- – Quit Now (Nice Swan)
- – Evil Spirits (Spinefarm)
- – Silver Dollar Moment (Heavenly)
- – Could it be different? (Slumberland)
- – Self Titled (Merge)
- – Time & Space (Roadrunner)
- – Freedom’s Goblin (Drag City)
- – Ancient Lights (Tru Thoughts)
- – Sex & Food (Jagjaguwar)
- – The more I sleep, The less I dream (Big Scary Monsters)
- – Performance (City Slang)
- – The louder I call, The faster It Runs (Merge)
- – A Ghost, A Beast (Song, By Toad)
Plenty more superb titles were released this year of course; please don’t get upset if your own personal favourite isn’t in there – remember this is my humble selection. More than anything, I hope you find some inspiration within.
Track of the Year:
Young Fathers – Toy
Compilation album:
(Triassic Tusk)
LIVE Act of the Year:
Young Fathers
Merry Christmas, Happy Hogmanay – and all the best for 2019!
Cheers,
Vic xxx
