The first half of 2018 is over. And so far,we’ve been blessed by the music gods with some amazing album releases from our favorite artists. Let’s talk about the best albums the 2018 music scene has to offer.
So far, 2018 has given us everything our ears could ask for. From Cardi B’s lyrical bloody shoes to Janelle Monae’s futuristic funk, many albums released this year seems so worthy of praise. And in a time when physical album sales are declining, some releases still manage to defy the odds and make milllions in sales. From pop, country, and r&b to the more inventive genres of techno funk, we’ve got you covered. Read ahead for our collection of the best albums of 2018.
Pop
The usually upbeat songs that we can’t get out of our heads take different flavors this 2018. From artsy albums of up-and-coming artists to the already-familiar tunes of our favorite pop singers, here are our picks for best pop albums.
5. Shawn Mendes – Shawn Mendes
At the age of 19, Shawn Mendes is seeing more success than anyone could in a lifetime. With two previous top albums under his belt, the Canadia crooner released his self-entitled album, Shawn Mendes. The album contains 19 songs that shy away from his typical theme of relationship woes. Instead, Shawn filled this album with bold, guitar-heavy anthems with a more personal touch in his lyrics. If soul-pop is your thing, Shawn Mendes should be on your playlist.
4. Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves delights listeners with an album that is positive, beautiful, and light. This singer-songwriter sets herself apart from more sociopolitically-inclined singers of her generation. Instead, Kacey brings us an album filled with poetic lyrics in easy listening tunes. Golden Hour seems to be the perfect album to listen to on a long, spontaneous roadtrip.
3. Camila – Camila Cabello
No one has had a more dramatic 2017 than Camila Cabello. After a very public split from her band, Fifth Harmony, she had the most to prove the world. Launching a solo album after leaving a band can be unimaginably nerve-wracking. But whatever anxiety might have Camila felt, we imagine it all evaporated in thin air. Her album Camila, is one of the most commercially successful releases of 2018. Her song Havana in particular, can be heard everywhere across the world.
2. Twentytwo in Blue – Sunflower Bean
Twentytwo in Blue offers a more alternative-indie-rock spin contrary to the ultra-pop albums in this list. However, it manages to stay lovable, fresh, and candid. For a first cross-over album, the Brooklyn-based band’s 11-song record finally landed the trio on the pop scene radar. All in all, Twentytwo in Blue is an all-around must-buy with amazing performances and well-crafted songs.
1. Palo Santo – Years & Years
If you've pre-ordered Palo Santo you can now access the ticket pre-sale for our US shows !! Quick get yours nowww xox pic.twitter.com/T2AgIqncPV
— Years & Years (@yearsandyears) May 23, 2018
London-based synth-pop group Years & Years takes away the top spot in our list with their latest and most successful album yet. Palo Santo defies pop trends with tracks filled with religious imagery and the fickleness of the human desire. Anyone familiar with the band may be used to their tropical-house Top 40 theme, but Palo Santo may as well be the farthest reinvention of Years & Years. Nevertheless, change isn’t always a bad thing.
Country
Let’s talk about whiskey, the back of a Chevy truck, and cowboy boots. Country music is still the biggest genre in the country and this 2018, we’re getting more or less a bit of the same familiar music themes that feel like home. These are our top picks for the best country albums of the year.
5. Rearview Town – Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean is always a sure-seller whenever he comes up with something new. And this year is no difference. With his eighth studio album, Rearview Town, we get the Jason Aldean that plays repeatedly on our truck radio. Love and heartache continues to be Jason’s most prevalent theme. “Better at Being Who I am” and “Drowns the Whiskey” in particular, are already climbing the country music charts.
4. Dan + Shay – Dan + Shay
Seemingly coming out of nowhere is country duo Dan + Shay with their eponymous album. But they have actually quiety been racking up country hits like “From The Ground Up” and “How Not To” since 2014. And while other country acts continue to produce loud and spunky music, Dan + Shay presents a much softer vibe that will sound good on your radio on a rainy day. Songs like “Speechless” and “What Keeps You Up At Night” are particular hitters on the charts.
3. Girl Going Nowhere – Ashley McBryde
Girl Going Nowhere is perhaps, a strong favorite of country music fans everywhere. Ashley McBryde‘s major label debut is the perfect epitome of everything country music stands for – it touches your heart, soothes your ears, and makes you feel heard. This 11-song album encaptulates a woman’s vulnerability, and is both truly relatable and stunning. Ashley McBryde is someone to look out for.
2. Seasons Change – Scott McCreery
The last time you might have heard about Scott McCreery was when he was crowned victor of popular reality TV show, American Idol. And after a lukewarm reception of the release of his first single, Scott was dropped by his record label and he was left wondering what to do next. But the country crowd-favorite has made quite a comeback with his album, Seasons Change. The lead single, “Five More Minutes,” is a definite hit.
1. Hallelujah Nights – LANCO
excited to announce our debut album #HallelujahNights | available 1.19.18
watch more ➟ https://t.co/EyteY5pVOj pic.twitter.com/OHeTIvMMQl
— LANCO (@LancoMusic) November 27, 2017
No one who follows this band is surprised at the success of their debut album, Hallelujah Nights. Afterall, their hit song “Greatest Love Story” catapulted the band to the limelight. Lanco’s album contains 11 tracks filled with beautiful songs in pop-country format. “Born To Love You,” “We Do,” and “Troublemaker” in particular are the best songs on the album. Those who ever doubted LANCO’s staying power are obviously regretting their words now.
R&B/Hiphop
Deep bass, sensual beats, and bold lyrics, we all have our own R&B and Hiphop playlists somewhere. Here are the best albums of 2018 so far.
5. KOD – J. Cole
The world of rap is ruthless, critical, and definitely cuthtroat. And we are all aware of this because only the toughest and the most talented has managed to stay on top of the rap scene. J. Cole proves yet again that he is never going to budge. In his album, KOD, he does what he does best and we are all eating it up. With catchy and far-from boring tunes like “ATM”, KOD is one of the best this year.
4. Victory Lap – Nipsey Hussle
Nipsy Hussle is a relatively newcomer in the hiphop scene but he sure is trying to make some noise. He refers to his 14-track album as a celebration of his evolution from an indie-rapper to a signed artist who is ready to shake things up. Victory Lap contains some major collaborations including “Dedication” featuring Kendrick Lamar and “Young Ni—” with Diddy.
3. Light of Mine – Kyle
Kyle’s Light of Mine is a refreshing anecdote of male nerdiness and awkwardness in a sea of the sexually ridden R&B genre. It tells tales of someone who doesn’t always get the chicks, and someone who isn’t necessarily cool. And not only does it deliver with a witty lyrical, the beats are also as smooth and as soothing as you would expect from the young singer.
2. Invasion of Privacy – Cardi B
You really didn’t think we’d leave out Cardi B on this list, did you? Invasion of Privacy is afterall, probably one of the most commercially and critically successful hiphop album by a femail rapper this 2018. Cardi B has never been shy about beating her haters and naysayers, and this album is certainly made with the intention of shutting them up. Invasion of Privacy is bold as brass and exactly what you would expect from our favorite Bronx beauty.
1. Daytona – Pusha T
Now let’s talk about the meaning of the coined phrase “much-anticipated.” Because we are pretty sure that Pusha T’s Daytona fits the bill to a T. After almost 4 years of skips and scraps with his album release, Pusha T finally came out with an arguably flawless rap album. The rapper is surely brave for releasing an album just shy of seven tracks, with no room for fillers or mishaps. Whether or not you’ve been waiting for this album, you’re surely in for a treat.