I was all over the place musically in 2018, re-exploring Latin R&B, Burt Bacharach and psychedelic soul, but still finding time for Cardi B and Drake. As usual, there's no rhyme or reason to this list -- just the best remembered disks that offered the most enduring pleasure.
There's A Riot Going On
Yo La Tengo
With a title cribbed from Sly Stone, this is YLT at their dreamy best, creating the honeyed psychedelic sounds that made "Summer Sun" so irresistible fifteen years ago. Kaplan, Hubley and McNew manage to distill all the rock music that has mattered since the Velvet Underground on "For You Too," proving once again that quiet is the new loud.
Hive Mind
The Internet
It's possible that I actually listened to too much vintage R&B in 2018: Ashford and Simpson, Curtis and Aretha were spinning constantly at my house until stuttering bass lines invaded my dreams. But when I was looking for a really fresh groove, I found it in The Internet's trip-y universe. You'll hear why on "Look What You Started."
Negro Swan
Blood Orange
Dev Hynes continues to dazzle with his personal, confessional and danceable creations. The magic trick on Negro Swan is how Hynes takes all the tropes of the genre and makes something stunningly new. One word for you: "Orlando."
Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton John
Juliana Hatfield
Did I enjoy this so much because it was such a brilliantly goofy idea? Maybe these songs were way better than I remembered? Did I unfairly diss ONJ when she was everywhere on the radio? Nah, it's just that Hatfield's so good at slightly roughing up these pop gems without putting her tongue in her cheek. (And for the record, I HAVE ever been mellow.)
Dirty Computer
Janelle Monae
Prince may be two years gone, but his protege is alive and well, showing what she learned from the Purple One. This is Monae without the concepts and the characters, strutting her sassy stuff on the corner of Rock and Rap. Roll down the window and turn up "Make Me Feel."
Ask Me Anything-EP
Neil Frances
Frances was the "never heard of 'em" opening act for Poolside this summer when we stumbled in at the end of his set. There he was, channeling Janet Jackson in all her "Rhythm Nation" glory and the sound of my summer was set. See if you can't get a contact high from "Dumb Love."
Springsteen on Broadway
Bruce Springsteen
Catching his Broadway gig was worth every penny for the guy's crystalline self-awareness, acting chops and storytelling genius. The songs weren't bad either. I left raving about a Pulitzer prize, which isn't a crazy idea. "Growing Up" was where it started for me.
Golden Hour
Kacey Musgraves
Musgrave's Golden Hour is a revelation. With a voice like a young Emmylou and a songwriting talent that crosses Carole King with Taylor Swift, she produces country pop that deliver that peaceful, easy feeling without making you stupid. I hope she's around for a long, long time to make songs as captivating as "Golden Hour."
Ventriloquism
Meshell Ndegeocello
The minor, pre-hip-hop classics of the 80's and 90's get a second look from Ndegeocello, the criminally overlooked bassist who's been making incredible music since Madonna signed her in '93. Only she could treat TLC's "Waterfalls" so reverently.
Head Over Heels
Chromeo
Okay, so it's a completely derivative stew of Bruno Mars, Nile Rogers and Prince. I dare you to stand still when "Bad Decision" comes on. Dropped the bomb on me.
Singles coming, too.
There's A Riot Going On
Yo La Tengo
With a title cribbed from Sly Stone, this is YLT at their dreamy best, creating the honeyed psychedelic sounds that made "Summer Sun" so irresistible fifteen years ago. Kaplan, Hubley and McNew manage to distill all the rock music that has mattered since the Velvet Underground on "For You Too," proving once again that quiet is the new loud.
Hive Mind
The Internet
It's possible that I actually listened to too much vintage R&B in 2018: Ashford and Simpson, Curtis and Aretha were spinning constantly at my house until stuttering bass lines invaded my dreams. But when I was looking for a really fresh groove, I found it in The Internet's trip-y universe. You'll hear why on "Look What You Started."
Negro Swan
Blood Orange
Dev Hynes continues to dazzle with his personal, confessional and danceable creations. The magic trick on Negro Swan is how Hynes takes all the tropes of the genre and makes something stunningly new. One word for you: "Orlando."
Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton John
Juliana Hatfield
Did I enjoy this so much because it was such a brilliantly goofy idea? Maybe these songs were way better than I remembered? Did I unfairly diss ONJ when she was everywhere on the radio? Nah, it's just that Hatfield's so good at slightly roughing up these pop gems without putting her tongue in her cheek. (And for the record, I HAVE ever been mellow.)
Dirty Computer
Janelle Monae
Prince may be two years gone, but his protege is alive and well, showing what she learned from the Purple One. This is Monae without the concepts and the characters, strutting her sassy stuff on the corner of Rock and Rap. Roll down the window and turn up "Make Me Feel."
Ask Me Anything-EP
Neil Frances
Frances was the "never heard of 'em" opening act for Poolside this summer when we stumbled in at the end of his set. There he was, channeling Janet Jackson in all her "Rhythm Nation" glory and the sound of my summer was set. See if you can't get a contact high from "Dumb Love."
Springsteen on Broadway
Bruce Springsteen
Catching his Broadway gig was worth every penny for the guy's crystalline self-awareness, acting chops and storytelling genius. The songs weren't bad either. I left raving about a Pulitzer prize, which isn't a crazy idea. "Growing Up" was where it started for me.
Golden Hour
Kacey Musgraves
Musgrave's Golden Hour is a revelation. With a voice like a young Emmylou and a songwriting talent that crosses Carole King with Taylor Swift, she produces country pop that deliver that peaceful, easy feeling without making you stupid. I hope she's around for a long, long time to make songs as captivating as "Golden Hour."
Ventriloquism
Meshell Ndegeocello
The minor, pre-hip-hop classics of the 80's and 90's get a second look from Ndegeocello, the criminally overlooked bassist who's been making incredible music since Madonna signed her in '93. Only she could treat TLC's "Waterfalls" so reverently.
Chromeo
Okay, so it's a completely derivative stew of Bruno Mars, Nile Rogers and Prince. I dare you to stand still when "Bad Decision" comes on. Dropped the bomb on me.
Singles coming, too.
