Mind Equals Blown
  • Music
  • Film/TV
  • Fast Five
  • Rank ‘Em
  • 3 Of The Week
  • Photos
EOTY Lists, MEB Ranks 0

Top Albums of 2018 So Far

By Jacob Testa @bobsheiskawy · On July 6, 2018


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!

MOTY BAR-BREAK

Listen On Spotify
MOTY BAR-BREAKMore By Jacob
Jacob Testa
Punchline
LION

MOTY BAR-BREAK

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.

Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify

Most-Anticipated: Lucy Rose – Something’s Changing

MOTY BAR-BREAK

Listen On Spotify
MOTY BAR-BREAKMore By Christina
Christina Troitino
Pusha T
Daytona

MOTY BAR-BREAK

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.

Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify

Most-Anticipated: Dirty Projectors – Lamp Lit Prose

MOTY BAR-BREAK

Listen On Spotify
MOTY BAR-BREAKMore By Nick
Nick Niedzielski
Kacey Musgraves
Golden Hour

MOTY BAR-BREAK

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.

Listen On SpotifyListen on Spotify Listen On SpotifyListen On Spotify

Most-Anticipated: Death Cab For Cutie – Thank You For Today

MOTY BAR-BREAK

Listen On Spotify
MOTY BAR-BREAKMore By Tim
Tim Dodderidge
The Wonder Years
Sister Cities

MOTY BAR-BREAK

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.

Listen On Spotify Listen On SpotifyListen On Spotify Listen On Spotify

Most-Anticipated: Silent Planet – TBA

MOTY BAR-BREAK

Listen On Spotify
MOTY BAR-BREAKMore By Adit
Adit Ahmed
Kacey Musgraves
Golden Hour

MOTY BAR-BREAK

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.

Listen On Spotify Listen On SpotifyListen On Spotify Listen On Spotify

Most-Anticipated: Deafheaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love

MOTY BAR-BREAK

Listen On Spotify
MOTY BAR-BREAKMore By Zach
Zach Silva
Hop Along
Bark Your Head Off, Dog

MOTY BAR-BREAK

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.

Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify

Most-Anticipated: Vampire Weekend – TBA

MOTY BAR-BREAK

Listen On Spotify
MOTY BAR-BREAKMore By Sam
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.

Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify

Most-Anticipated: Lauren Duski – Costume Party

MOTY BAR-BREAK

Listen On Spotify
MOTY BAR-BREAKMore From Jessica
Jessica Tyler
Culture Abuse
Bay Dream

MOTY BAR-BREAK

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.

Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify

Most-Anticipated: Death Cab For Cutie – Thank You For Today

MOTY BAR-BREAK

Listen On Spotify
MOTY BAR-BREAKMore From Julie
Julie Giffin
Kali Uchis
Isolation

MOTY BAR-BREAK

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.

Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify

Most-Anticipated: Nicki Minaj – Queen

MOTY BAR-BREAK

Listen On Spotify
MOTY BAR-BREAKMore From Kristyn
Kristyn Shannon
State Champs
Living Proof

MOTY BAR-BREAK

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.

Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify Listen On Spotify

Most-Anticipated: With Confidence – Love And Loathing

MOTY BAR-BREAK

Featured Image Credit: Phillip Cosores (Hop Along), Andy Johnson (Jeff Rosenstock), Billboard (Kacey Musgraves)

Share Tweet

Jacob Testa

Old guy, lurker, best beard on staff. Graduate of Washington & Jefferson College and William & Mary Law School. I work at Bard College and spend most of my free time either listening to or making music. When I'm not doing that, I read things, watch things, and go on reasonably long walks. I like everything from Sufjan Stevens to Every Time I Die, but Modest Mouse is the best.

You Might Also Like

  • EOTY Lists

    Julie’s Top In 2018

  • EOTY Lists

    Adit’s Top In 2018

  • EOTY Lists

    Tim’s Top In 2018

No Comments

Share Your Thoughts With Us! Cancel reply

Music

  • Rank ‘Em: Arctic Monkeys’ 6 Most Defining Tracks

    December 6, 2019
  • Fast Five: December 2, 2019

    December 1, 2019
  • What Made Kelly Clarkson’s Breakaway a Pop Landmark

    November 26, 2019
  • Fast Five: November 25, 2019

    November 24, 2019
  • In MAGDALENE, FKA twigs Creates an Alien Character That Is Incredibly Human

    November 22, 2019

Film

  • With Finding Jack, The Future of CGI Has Arrived

    November 20, 2019
  • DC Continues Its Success of Indie Casting

    November 6, 2019
  • HBO’s Watchmen Is a Fascinating Alteration of Contemporary America

    November 5, 2019
  • 5 A24 Horror Films Perfect for Halloween

    October 29, 2019
  • The Lighthouse Is Robert Eggers’ Unique Brand of Nightmare

    October 25, 2019

Photos

  • Transcending with Illenium

    November 26, 2019
  • KC Bundled Up for Sweater Weather with The Neighbourhood

    November 20, 2019
  • Dreaming of a Plain White T’s Christmas

    November 19, 2019
  • That’s a Wrap: October 2019 Show Galleries

    November 4, 2019
  • Claud, The Sideline Star, Performs an Unforgettable Set in Washington, D.C.

    October 31, 2019
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Press Kit

Subscribe & Follow

Follow @mindequalsblown
Follow on Instagram
Follow on rss
© 2016 Mind Equals Blown All rights reserved.

© 2013 Solo Pine Designs, Inc. All rights reserved.