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 7 favorite cassettes from 2018 below.
Already Dead VIII Compilation (Already Dead Tapes and Records)
The tape label to end all tape labels has released their latest compilation featuring favorites from their massive catalog and new artists alike. The Atlanta, Brooklyn, Chicago, Detroit, & Kalamazoo based label has cultivated a truly tight-nit family of artists for almost 10 years now. This compilation has a little something for music fans of all kinds from ambient instrumentals to heavy experimental rock jams and plenty in between.
–Dan Jarvis
Splendor Dysphoria by SuperKnova (Worry Records)
In addition to being a damn good album, SuperKnova’s cassette is strawberry scented. I’m not sure how the hell Worry Records worked that out, but it’s the perfect, light compliment to an album about gender and identity.
-Alyssa Lee
Dumb Dora by Swimsuit Addition (Midwest Action)
The swan song for one of Chicago’s finest rock bands. We may be biased having released this album ourselves last spring, but we think most listeners will agree with us when we say Dumb Dora features some of the band’s strongest music to date. On top of being a killer punk rock album from start to finish, the overall package is simply gorgeous. Featuring illustrations by local artist Brett Manning, a full-color lyric book, and an accompanying comic book made by singer/guitarist Jen Dot, Dumb Dora has quickly become one of our favorite tapes of the year.
–Dan Jarvis
Bike Cops by Bike Cops (Jurassic Pop)
Released by Jurassic Pop on a translucent royal blue tape, Bike Cops are back in their first physical release since 2014’s Close Cover Strike Gently. That blue cassette holds jangly, dreamy psych pop tracks from one of Chicago’s finest quintets. Each song clocks in at around four minutes–pretty on par for a psych-leaning outfit. You’re gonna love “Green River.”
–Alyssa Lee
Restroy by Restroy (1980 Records)
An amazing group of musicians came together to produce this gorgeous jazz album that pushes the envelope of what modern jazz sounds like. Led by bassist Christopher Dammann and featuring legendary drummer Avreeyal Ra (who has performed with Sun Ra Arkestra, Fontella Bass, Pharoah Sanders, and more) this semi-improvised, semi-composed album is a beautiful mix of traditional jazz, modern synthesizers, ring modulators, and abstract noise.
–Dan Jarvis
Cockeyed by Bev Rage & The Drinks (Midwest Action)
The slime green cassette with googly eyes is a perfect analog for the weirdo queer punk it contains.
–Dale Price
Electric Grass by Junegrass (Eye Vybe Records)
This jazzy kraut-rock album came out via our favorite mind-blowing psychedelic label Eye Vybe Records over the summer. These instrumentals shift back and forth from groovy guitar boogies to slow-burning organ and saxophone jams. This tape is gorgeous all around and a treat for the ears.
–Dan Jarvis
Best of 2018
ALBUMS • EPS • SONGS • MUSIC VIDEOS • VINYL RELEASES • CASSETTE RELEASES
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