Wednesday, July 4, 2018

The BEST Albums of 2018 (So Far)

Lists
The 5 WORST Songs of 2018: https://timetofacethemusic.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-worst-songs-of-2018-so-far.html

The 5 WORST Albums of 2018: https://timetofacethemusic.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-worst-albums-of-2018-so-far.html

Upcoming
7/5: The 50 BEST Songs of 2018

2018, like most other years, started slow and got progressively better as the year went by.  January and February weren't too special, March and April were okay, and May and June were when things really hit their stride.  Before we get into the list, I would like to say that some of these albums were kind of polarizing, meaning that some of these albums were hated by many.  This is the part where I warn you that this is my opinion, and you may not like it.  But seriously, it's an opinion.  Don't get mad over something some guy on the internet is saying and let them dictate your music taste.  Anyway, here are my top 10 albums of the first half of 2018.



Honorable Mention: Logic - Bobby Tarantino II

Release Date: March 9

After listening to Everybody, or as I like to call it, I'm Biracial: The Album, I didn't have much hope for Logic.  Of course, that album is his biggest commercial success and even resulted in his first top 5 hit, "1-800-273-8255."  I was holding out hope that the sequel to my favorite post-Under Pressure project would be a little better.  The singles at least gave me something to believe in.  The album actually turned out pretty great.  Yes, there was the general goofy shit like Logic using the Rick and Morty characters for his album intro.  And there was also the part where Logic takes a bit too much influence from other artists ("Wizard of Oz" is a prime example of this).  But like the first Tarantino, it did what it set out to do.  It provided a set of fun songs that show off Logic's skill and provide something accessible for new listeners.  Overall, I thought that this was a return to form for Logic and he should make more projects like this.

Singles
44 More [A great sequel to 44 Bars]
Overnight [Still one of my favorites on here, but the lines about his wife certainly didn't age well]
Everyday - with Marshmello [One of the worst songs I've heard this year]

Best Tracks
Contra
Midnight
Warm It Up

Worst Track
Everyday



10) A$AP Rocky - TESTING

Release Date: May 25

I understand that quite a few people don't like this album.  Experimentation in music is very polarizing.  People either love that you're doing something different or hate that it's not the sound they're used to.  I loved that A$AP Rocky wanted to do different things and not stagnate.  This album was certainly unpredictable because you never knew what sounds A$AP Rocky would try next.  Most of the production is fantastic throughout.  My one gripe is that I'm not a fan of Rocky's melodic sound, but other than that I found this album to be quite enjoyable.

Singles
There were a bunch but none of them made the album.  Thank God.

Best Tracks
A$AP Forever REMIX - feat. Kid Cudi x Moby x T.I.
Praise the Lord (Da Shine) - feat. Skepta
Buck Shots - feat. Playboi Carti x Smooky MarGielaa
Purity - feat. Frank Ocean

Worst Track
CALLDROPS - feat. Kodak Black



9) Playboi Carti - Die Lit

Release Date: May 11

I originally wasn't going to put this album anywhere near this list.  After my first listen, I originally thought that it was okay, not that great but not terrible.  This album got so much better with further listens.  The production was phenomenal and Carti's flow was incredible.  You could just get lost in the atmospheric aesthetic of this album.  It's peak ignorance.  At first, I thought that his debut tape was better, but I found more and more songs to enjoy on this album.  Also, and this has nothing to do with the music, that cover is probably one of the best of this year.  I felt like every song fit it so well.  I'm surprised it wasn't memed into oblivion.

Best Tracks
R.I.P.
Shoota - feat. Lil Uzi Vert
Poke It Out - feat. Nicki Minaj
R.I.P. Fredo (Notice Me) - feat. Young Nudy

Worst Track
Fell In Luv - feat. Bryson Tiller



8) Cardi B - Invasion of Privacy

Release Date: April 6

Almost half of this list is filled with albums that surprised me with how good they were.  This was by far the most surprising of them all.  Cardi B absolutely brings it with her infectious energy and personality.  Her bars weren't bad and she sounded very focused and confident.  Hell, her singing isn't bad either.  Cardi B has proven that she isn't a one-hit wonder and that she's here to stay ("My little 15 minutes lasting long as hell, huh?") and it's pretty much set in stone given that she just earned her second #1 single recently with "I Like It."

Singles
Bodak Yellow [Biting aside, this song is pretty fun and enjoyable]
Bartier Cardi - feat. 21 Savage [Kind of average although 21's part is great]
Be Careful [An interesting track, lyrically, but not really replayable]

Best Tracks
Drip - feat. Migos
I Like It - feat. Bad Bunny x J Balvin
Money Bag
I Do - feat. SZA

Worst Track
She Bad - feat. YG



7) Lil Yachty - Lil Boat 2

Release Date: March 9

Okay, I was wrong.  THIS was the most surprising album of 2018.  And to think that I almost didn't listen to this because Teenage Emotions was so bad.  I absolutely loved this album.  The beats are hard as bricks, just about every feature kills it, and Lil Yachty isn't bad on here at all.  I think his rapping has improved tremendously (he fucking snapped on "COUNT ME IN") and he has less cringy lyrics.  If you were expecting more goofy, melodic tracks like on the first Boat project, you might not like this, but for the ones like me who appreciate his rapping more, you will love this.

Best Tracks
COUNT ME IN
she ready - feat. PnB Rock
BABY DADDY - feat. Lil Pump x Offset
66 - feat. Trippie Redd

Worst Track
FWM



6) Rae Sremmurd - SR3MM

Please note that I'm not talking about all three discs of the triple album, just the first one.
Release Date: May 4

Rae Sremmurd has become one of my favorite modern hip-hop acts.  This duo has undeniable chemistry.  All they do is put out banger after banger and cannot miss.  Combining their energy with stellar production from Mike WiLL Made-It makes for an incredible hit-making formula.  This album may not have gained as much mainstream success as the previous 2 (27 tracks must have been a huge turn-off), but I think the first disc is their best album as a duo.  I could even find something to enjoy from the weaker tracks.  I wish there were more tracks on this first disc because only 5 new tracks after 4 singles are just not enough.

Singles
Perplexing Pegasus [A really good track]
T'd Up [I like the production from Metro Boomin and I like the hook quite a bit]
Powerglide - feat. Juicy J [Their best single holy shit this slaps.  Although it could be a little shorter]
CLOSE - feat. Travis Scott [Kind of underwhelming but isn't that bad with further listening]

Best Tracks
Up In My Cocina
Buckets - feat. Future
"42"
Rock N Roll Hall of Fame

Worst Track
Bedtime Stories - feat. The Weeknd



5) J. Cole - KOD

Release Date: April 20

J. Cole's latest release has some of his best storytelling and lyricism yet.  Even though J. Cole is possibly pro-cancer, he's at least anti-drug addiction.  In addition, he also touches on subjects like falling for strangers on the internet, financial irresponsibility, doing taxes, and the path that trendy rappers are currently on.  What I like most about this album is that it manages to get its messages across in a way that doesn't sound obnoxious.  Also, that cover is pretty fucking cool.

Best Tracks
KOD
Photograph
ATM
1985 (Intro to "The Fall Off")

Worst Track
FRIENDS - feat. kiLL edward (J. Cole with vocal effects)



4) Drake - Scorpion

Release Date: June 29

I'm sorry.  I won't be joining the hate train for this album.  This record is amazing.  Sure, it's a bit long, but the 90 minutes go by very quickly.  There aren't as many standouts but this project felt more consistent and more focused than his previous 2 efforts.  The production is stellar throughout and Drake continues to provide some nice flows and infectious melodies.  I feel like he could have handled his responses to Pusha T a little better but I'm at least glad that he's owning up to taking the loss.

Singles
God's Plan [One of Drake's catchiest singles to date]
Nice For What [Great sample usage and messages]
I'm Upset [...that this song exists]

Best Tracks
Nonstop
Emotionless
Talk Up - feat. Jay-Z
Summer Games
Jaded
Blue Tint

Worst Track(s)
I'm Upset
Ratchet Happy Birthday [IT'S YOUR BRRRRRR]



3) Various Artists - Black Panther: The Album (Music From and Inspired By)

Release Date: February 9

Kendrick Lamar and Top Dawg Entertainment put together what may be one of the greatest movie soundtracks of all time.  None of these tracks felt phoned in whatsoever.  The production, which has some influence from African tribal music, is incredible.  This album turned out way better than I expected given that I wasn't high on the singles beforehand.  There really isn't a bad song on this one.

Singles
Kendrick Lamar feat. SZA - All the Stars [Meh]
Jay Rock feat. Kendrick Lamar x Future x James Blake - King's Dead [Damn good song.  LADIDADIDA]
Kendrick Lamar feat. The Weeknd - Pray For Me [Sounds like Starboy except it's not nearly as memorable or good]

Best Tracks
ScHoolboy Q feat. 2 Chainz x Saudi - X
Khalid feat. Swae Lee - The Ways
Vince Staples feat. Yugen Blakrok - Opps
SOB X RBE - Paramedic!

Worst Track
Zacari feat. Babes Wodumo - Redemption



2) Kids See Ghosts (Kanye West x Kid Cudi) - KIDS SEE GHOSTS

Release Date: June 8

Kanye West and Kid Cudi always have great chemistry, and their first album together lived up to every bit of the hype and more.  The production from Kanye was great.  Kid Cudi's rapping, humming, and moaning are better than ever.  He practically stole the show here.  Even when you're sober this album feels incredibly trippy.  It feels very tight-knit at 7 tracks and leaves no room for filler.  This album is such a vibe.

Best Tracks
Fire
4th Dimension - feat. Louis Prima
Reborn

Worst Track
Feel the Love - feat. Pusha T



1) Pusha T - DAYTONA

Review: https://timetofacethemusic.blogspot.com/2018/05/review-pusha-t-daytona.html (Apologies for the picture not showing up.  This was before I knew where to get good pictures of album covers - Genius.com)
Release Date: May 25

The first of an incredible 5 album streak from Kanye is the best one by far.  Pusha's lyrics and flows hit very hard and sound amazing.  Kanye provides Pusha the best beats he's ever raped over.  The features all did a great job.  Pusha just didn't hold back on this album.  I'm glad this album exists because without it, we wouldn't get one of the greatest diss tracks of all time (The Story of Addidon).

Best Tracks
If You Know You Know
The Games We Play
Santeria - feat. 070 Shake
What Would Meek Do? - feat. Kanye West

Worst Track
Hard Piano - feat. Rick Ross x The World Famous Tony Williams


And that concludes my best albums list.  Tomorrow, I will conclude my lists with the 50 best songs of the half-year.
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