Something You Said’s top albums of 2018
It’s been another awesome 12 months of music. Here are the albums that have stood out, as voted for by our team of contributors:
1. SHAME – Songs of Praise
Songs of Praise offers sharp lyrics and venomous vocals, delivered via thrilling post-punk with nuances, gothic edges and inventive tangents. This stunning debut album announced Shame on the scene and the live shows that followed confirmed them as the best new band in the UK right now. If you aren’t a fan yet, you soon will be.
2. FATHER JOHN MISTY – God’s Favourite Customer
God’s Favorite Customer seems, initially, like a clear continuation of the familiar path that FJM’s music has successfully trodden over the past few years. However, to delve deeper into this album is to find Josh Tillman at his most vulnerable. This is a record which hits its heights, ironically, when Tillman is at his lowest and, ultimately, God’s Favorite Customer is the sound of Father John Misty letting his mask slip.
3. ROBYN – Honey
The eighth studio album by Swedish singer was long-awaited – it’s her first in eight years – and drops the listener slap-bang in the middle of the club. Welcome back, Robyn. Oh how we’ve missed you.
4. ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER – Hope Downs
The brooding native Melbournians’ low rumbling, but perpetually quickening, rise to repute has culminated in one of the most exciting, beautiful debuts albums to be launched this year.
5. COURTNEY BARNETT – Tell Me How You Really Feel
For truthful and unpretentious storytelling, there are few contemporary artists who can match Barnett’s witty and observational take on life, as this second album illustrates.
6. SOCCER MOMMY – Clean
Sophie Allison’s debut long-player is a raw honest, beautiful collection of songs, all of which demand many repeat listenings.
7. CONFIDENCE MAN – Confident Music For Confident People
If you’re a fan of pop, synth, funk and dance, this album is for you. Not only are the lyrics a narration of seemingly self-assured people but the beats are also incredibly valiant. And those two elements combined? You’ll feel like you’re invincible.
8. NATALIE PRASS – Clean The Future and The Past
This is a really pleasing, funk-filled collection of soft fierceness, the same soft fierceness of a lady who’s learned life’s lessons the hard way but who’s evolved into a stronger creature because of them.
9. SONS OF KEMET – Your Queen Is A Reptile
Righteous, ferocious and absolutely vital. This is jazz filtered through dancehall, grime and 30 years of underground UK dance music. The most exciting record released this year.
10. THE GOON SAX – We’re Not Talking
The Brisbane band returned with their charming brand of woozy, off-kilter indie and their truthful tales of life and love.
Previous winners:
2017: LCD SOUNDSYSTEM – AMERICAN DREAM
2016: DAVID BOWIE – BLACKSTAR
2015: SUFJAN STEVENS – CARRIE & LOWELL
2014: FIRST AID KIT – STAY GOLD
2013: KIRIN J CALLINAN – EMBRACISM
