HENDON’s Top 10 Albums of 2018
It’s been one of the best years for music in recent memory, so let’s take a trip down memory lane and recall who was the cream of the crop.
It’s that time of the year. All your favourite blogs try to tell you which music you should have loved and make you feel like your taste is shit if you don’t rate the same tunes as them.
Well, this list isn’t like that so here’s a disclaimer: These are our Top 10 albums of 2018. You should check them out because they’re all amazing, but if they aren’t your wave, that’s cool too.
10. The Most Electrifying — SWIDT
True to its name, this project from Onehunga kings SWIDT had us buzzing. Ever since they burst on to the scene, the Stoneyhunga boys have been bringing a flair to Aotearoa hip-hop that hasn’t been seen since the likes of Savage or Scribe. This project features hard-hitters like Who Run It, alongside the most important mental health track of the year No Emotions In The Wild.
9. Kids See Ghosts— Kids See Ghosts
Fans have known that Kanye West and Kid Cudi were the perfect duo since 2008. Ten years later they finally got their wish for a full project in the incredible Kids See Ghosts. Neither artist is praised as a technically gifted singer or rapper, but their strengths fit like a snug puzzle piece on this album. They offer a full package, and tracks like 4th Dimension with its ridiculous sample, or Feel The Love with it’s stomping drums personify this.
8. TA13OO — Denzel Curry
He carved out his own lane in the chaotic Soundcloud rap landscape but on TA13OO, Denzel Curry displays considerable versatility as he channels the pain and confusion of youth. With this project, Curry cemented himself as a legitimate storyteller and conceptual artist. It had arguably the coolest arc of a rap album in 2018, and tracks like Clout Cobain and Black Balloons are a testament to that.
7. Swimming — Mac Miller
Firstly, R.I.P. Malcolm, an artist who was finally coming into his own with his last two albums. Swimming is the jewel atop his extensive discography. Mac Miller sings deftly about heartbreak and his mental state, capturing his resignation without turning sadness into a spectacle. Tracks like 2009 and Self Care will continue to help kids love themselves for years to come.
6. Personal Best — Chelsea Jade
She’s the unintentional pop princess coming for Lorde’s crown in a big way. Personal Best wasn’t just Chelsea’s best, we believe it was the best pop album of 2018. At the very least it had the pop record of the year in Laugh It Off. Listen too for tracks like Ride or Cry — putting a beautiful twist on the classic ride or die, and Low Brow — about the crushing, unrequited love we’ve all felt at some point in our lives.
5. K.T.S.E.— Teyana Taylor
Her sound can only be described as modernist soul. Combine that with the best ‘Old Kanye’ beats of 2018 and it’s tough to overlook this album. There’s something brilliant about the shorter G.O.O.D. Music records that worked wonderfully in favour of Taylor, with no skippable track on K.T.S.E. to be found. The beautiful Gonna Love Me and haunting Rose In Harlem are the crowning moments on this project.
4. Astroworld — Travis Scott
The biggest mainstream success on this list, Astroworld earns the #4 spot as a beautifully messy team effort. The sound of this album was all over the place in the best way possible, taking listeners on the incredible rollercoaster ride they get to experience at the live shows. Sicko Mode was arguably the biggest song this year in terms of cultural influence, and the list of features combined with eccentric production and crazy flows, place Astroworld in our top 5.
3. Daytona — Pusha T
It gathered more mainstream attention due to its controversial album cover and Drake lines, but Daytona was the best pure hip-hop album of the year. Pusha T drips with authenticity and swagger, delivering the smoothest flows and genius wordplay throughout. Opening track If You Know You Know hasn’t left our playlists all year.
2. Avantdale Bowling Club — Avantdale Bowling Club
The greatest hip-hop artist New Zealand has ever seen, Tom Scott’s move firmly into jazz/rap territory was him really finding his truth as a musician. Avantdale Bowling Club has some of the rawest and heart-wrenchingly honest moments on a record this year, combined with simply beautiful classical musical moments. Lead single Years Gone By is a stroke of lyrical brilliance and a great introduction to the sound if you’ve never experienced it before.
- Iridescence — Brockhampton
The best boyband since One Direction top our list this year! Iridescence excelled in every category that makes a great album; production, storytelling, lyricism, creativity, passion and experimentalism. The group went through a hellish 12 months in the lead up to this album's release but came out the other side with an excellent project. On Weight, Kevin Abstract has one of the most important verses of 2018, and Tonya would qualify highly on any ‘Songs of the Year’ list.
Honourable Mentions:
Ballads1 — Joji
Irene — Medasin
Negro Swan — Blood Orange
Melo & Blues — MeloDownz (NZ)
Ye — Kanye West
Future Me Hates Me — The Beths (NZ)
Dark — SG Lewis
Shake That Skinny Ass All The Way To Zygertron — Troy Kingi (NZ)
Glory Sound Prep — Jon Bellion
? — XXXTentacion
