2018 has certainly been a hell of a year for music. Here, the Midwest Action staff pulled their favorites from a year characterized by standout creative work to form our Best of 2018 lists. Check out our 15 favorite albums from 2018 below.
Bathing Peach by V.V. Lightbody
When I first heard Bathing Peach, it was described to me as “nap rock.” Seeing as I like both naps and rock separately, I knew it’d be a winning combination. Clean guitars, flutes, and Viv’s gorgeous vocals all coalesce into nine shimmering folk pop tracks. These songs are perfect for a hammock on a breezy summer day, or for when you want to mentally escape to a hammock on a breezy summer day. All in all, a gorgeous solo debut from V.V. Lightbody.
–Alyssa Lee
Seconding Alyssa’s choice, I cannot recommend this album highly enough. Bathing Peach is the musical equivalent of taking a self-love, mental-health day in the middle of a hectic work week. Full of intimate tales and simply gorgeous production, V.V. Lightbody’s debut is a treat to listen to over and over again.
–Dan Jarvis
Terminal Patience by The Voluptuals
Irreverent, glam, experimental, psychedelic, pop, but most of all, pure rock. The rhythms of the lyrics are chock full of pop culture references and have great percussive pop qualities.
–Tina Mead
There’s Always Glimmer by Gia Margaret
Beautifully arranged, genuine bedroom pop that finds magic and truth in the most mundane moments.
–Dale Price
Curtains by Ester
The latest project of Anna Holmquist (The Curls, Night and Gale) is an instant indie-folk masterpiece. This introspective collection of songs was written over a 3 year span and finally released in May of 2018 via Dark Circles Records. Curtains is a brilliant mix of thoughtful songwriting, crystal clear production, and a strong group of collaborators that serves as some of Holmquist’s strongest work to date.
–Dan Jarvis
Black Holes by The Blue Stones
This debut album has been in the works for 7 years between these two Detroit natives. Blues rock at its finest, these guys draw influence from the, Rolling Stones, Black Keys, Led Zepplin, White Stripes, so strap in.
–Neal Zelenak
Hundred Acres by S. Carey
S. Carey’s Hundred Acres is everything I’ve been missing since soft Eau Claires indie came to the forefront of the scene in the 2010s. It’s soft, introspective, and interesting. Hundred Acres boasts beautiful acoustic arrangements and glowing harmonies, and it’s an incredibly gorgeous listen from top to bottom.
–Alyssa Lee
Humanity Pending by Disappearance
Metalcore at its finest. Disappearance is uniquely set up as a band, with two vocalists that each layer their screams and one vocalist who mixes in singing as well. They all allow each other a chance to shine in aspects of each song.
–Guy Smith
Kodakrome S/T by Kodakrome
A great balance of Aggression and melody. Truly Anthemic at points.
–Silas Mishler
Nonsense by A.M. Stations
This heavy yet melodic rock album is hard to lump into one neat genre but it’s got a little something for everyone. The self-recorded album was 3 years in the making and is a diverse mix of punk, post-hardcore, pop, and lo-fi rock. For fans of Sebadoh, Sonic Youth, and loud, heavy guitars.
–Dan Jarvis
Transangelic Exodus by Ezra Furman
Transangelic Exodus tells stories that somehow deliver hope while expressing pain. The music is anthemic, vintage, verging on glam, and completely new.
–Tina Mead
Akinetic by In Tall Buildings
Akinetic is everything I’ve ever wanted in music. Gorgeous harmonies, acoustic rhythms and melodies interspersed between glowing synths and electronic beats, and atmospheric instrumentation all take this album from good to great. In Tall Buildings’ is stripped down indie rock at its absolute apex.
–Alyssa Lee
User Error by sewingneedle
Their finest outing yet. Flirting with math-rock, post-punk, and a lot of genres in between—this Midwestern trio has found a sound that’s dissonant yet jangly, dark yet accessible, and all around a joy to listen to. Fans of ’90s experimental rock a-la Slint, Sonic Youth, and Shudder To Think, will find themselves right at home.
–Dan Jarvis
Room 25 by Noname
No flash, no DJ frills–just rhythm and taste while a compelling story is being told.
–Ashley Mishler
Blowie Pt. 1 by BrBra Bush
Wut? What? Whaaat?! An out of nowhere release that is FUUUUNNNNKKKKIEEEEE. It has a little bit of everything that lifts the spirit and kicks the hang over of living bummer couple years.
–Silas Mishler
Awoooooga by Bash Bang
The sadly short-lived 4-piece super-group—made up of members of Strawberry Jacuzzi, Sheep Numbers, Glad Rags, and more— were able to put out a 22-minute ripper of an album that is damn fun to listen to. Awoooooga is a diverse and quirky, punk-pop masterpiece that showcases the huge amount of talent within this group of local music scene legends.
–Dan Jarvis
Best of 2018
ALBUMS • EPS • SONGS • MUSIC VIDEOS • VINYL RELEASES • CASSETTE RELEASES