It’s July now, which means we’re halfway through another year of music. Check out what the MEB staff has kept on repeat over the first part of 2018 and what we’re still anticipating for the rest of the year! You can click any of the art to hear its album, and staff photos link to staff pages for if you share similar tastes with a writer and want to see more of what they’re into. Let us know in the comments if you agree with our picks or if we missed anything!
Click to listen along as you read!
Jacob Testa
Punchline
LION
On the title track to 2015’s Thrilled, Steve Soboslai sings the line “Don’t be a nostalgia act.” It’s safe to say that Punchline kept that idea in the front of their minds with LION. There’s a sense of urgency, or maybe presence, on this record that makes it feel like right now. They manage to explore a wide range of sounds without losing any cohesion, and songs like “Friend From The Future,” “Darkest Dark,” and “Can’t Tell What Is Real” are as strong as any they’ve released. No need for nostalgia when you’re still making great music.
Most-Anticipated: Lucy Rose – Something’s Changing
Christina Troitino
Pusha T
Daytona
It goes without saying that King Push ignited a cultural wildfire with this release. As one of the albums produced by Kanye West in his Wyoming Sessions, this is King Push at his finest, including strong beats and cutting lyrics. But it’s hard to separate the album from its controversies, including, but not limited to, his beef with Drake on “Infared,” which called out his potential ghostwriting and led to the subsequent track “The Story of Adidon,” which alleged that Drake has a secret child.
Most-Anticipated: Dirty Projectors – Lamp Lit Prose
Nick Niedzielski
Kacey Musgraves
Golden Hour
Golden Hour so succinctly wraps brain-burrowing hooks in an effortlessly breezy package. The entire album has a glow about it, utilizing a wide array of sounds and influences that push it beyond the country sphere. It is a perfect album front to back, completely enveloping the listener in its world and never relenting for even a moment.
Most-Anticipated: Death Cab For Cutie – Thank You For Today
Tim Dodderidge
The Wonder Years
Sister Cities
Once on top of the pop-punk world, The Wonder Years has progressed into a more widely encompassing — and fully immersive — rock sound on Sister Cities. The turn highlights Dan Campbell’s struggles on the road, with him and the rest of the band sculpting a dark masterpiece across a grey, tattered canvas. From weighty build-ups in “Pyramids of Salt” to somber reflections in “Flowers Where Your Face Should Be,” the group’s maturity is on full display — and it’s a sight to behold.
Most-Anticipated: Silent Planet – TBA
Adit Ahmed
Kacey Musgraves
Golden Hour
I’ve been on the Kacey train since the beginning. While people like me have been committed to her stellar songcraft, the country community has been vaguely indifferent. On Golden Hour, Musgraves shuns the country establishment and focuses on what she does best: writing good songs. She looks to pop, disco, and traditional country in new and exciting ways, talking about womanhood, love, and progressive themes in a more emboldened way, and gives us a knockout record with universal appeal.
Most-Anticipated: Deafheaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love
Zach Silva
Hop Along
Bark Your Head Off, Dog
Hop Along’s new record Bark Your Head Off, Dog, follow-up to their vault into popularity in Painted Shut, is a lesson in songwriting. Frances Quinlan’s stories and observations come to life through her signature vocal performances (seriously, a voice like none other) and elevate this album beyond any indie rock records from recent memory.
Most-Anticipated: Vampire Weekend – TBA
Sam Bodnar
Shinedown
ATTENTION ATTENTION
Shinedown’s latest album flaunts a classic rock side to the group with “Get Up,” “Creatures,” and “Monsters.” Lead vocalist Brent Smith is a complete powerhouse with unlimited potential alongside his band. The lyrics and original and meaningful, while the music is high energy and way beyond the rock groups of today.
Most-Anticipated: Lauren Duski – Costume Party
Jessica Tyler
Culture Abuse
Bay Dream
Bay Dream is the perfect summer album. It’s carefree and fun, but doesn’t lose any of the realness Culture Abuse always delivers. Their music makes you want to dance and sing along, and Bay Dream is no exception. The album is more refined than their debut, Peach, and carries a slightly cleaner sound, but still packs a punch and provides a perfect summer soundtrack.
Most-Anticipated: Death Cab For Cutie – Thank You For Today
Julie Giffin
Kali Uchis
Isolation
Isolation is the debut album from the Colombian-American singer and songwriter. The album is incredibly well-crafted and genre-defying, ranging from pop to funk to R&B. Songs like “Flight 22,” “Miami,” and “Tyrant” most notably tackle subject matters such as being an immigrant and striving for stardom. The features on this album include some of my other favorite artists such as Steve Lacy, Jorja Smith, and Tyler, The Creator.
Most-Anticipated: Nicki Minaj – Queen
Kristyn Shannon
State Champs
Living Proof
Living Proof is one of those albums that never loses its kick from start to finish. The energy is uplifting with lyrics that are basically meant to be Instagram captions – good on you for knowing your target audience. State Champs is reinventing the term “pop-punk” and is most definitely taking it to greater lengths. I have zero shame in the fact that I haven’t stopped listening to this album since it came out and I don’t see that fact lessening any time soon with Warped Tour around the corner.
Most-Anticipated: With Confidence – Love And Loathing
Featured Image Credit: Phillip Cosores (Hop Along), Andy Johnson (Jeff Rosenstock), Billboard (Kacey Musgraves)
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