Posted December 14th 2018
MV’s top album and picks of 2018!
With 2018 almost coming to an end, the team here at Melting Vinyl decided to compile a list of our top 5 albums and top 5 gigs of the past 12 months. From folk-tronica to hip hop, festivals to intimate pub shows, it’s quite the list plus we share a few of our top tips for next year too!
Anna Moulson
Top 5 Albums of 2018:
Low: Double Negative
“The cool older brothers and sister of indie have changed their style, they don’t need to change, but they have managed to get away with vocoder and electronics to great effect.”
Lucy Dacus: Historian
“An amazing vocalist, spine tingling in fact, with every track bring a new story from her world, each brilliant in their own way.”
Baxter Dury and Etienne de Crécy and Delilah Holliday: B.E.D.
“What a great marriage of an English man/woman and French man, I love BD and his suave under belly of stories and music.”
TVAM – Psychic Data
“A great warm electronic journey from a semi electronica/semi indie artists, up the north!”
Our Girl: Stranger Today
“Blissed out indie, reminiscence of an indie 90’s sound, with soaring girl vocals, an album to loose yourself in.”
Top 5 Gigs of 2018:
Hanya w/ The Lucid Dream at The Green Door Store in November – fantastic female fronted artists, with a great sense of mood and skill
Resina at the The Church of Annunciation in September – a very talented female cello player on the Fatcat print label, the show was eerie and beautiful at the same time, all among a backdrop of the stunning Church.
Gwenno at the Rialto in March – is this pop is it psych? I couldn’t decide both maybe, cleverly having something in there for both the musos and those who like a darn good pop tune
Rival Consoles at the Green Door Store in July – out there electronic, with one foot in the club and the other in the live world, blinding!
Snapped Ankles at This is Psych at Folkestone Quarterhouse in April – bonkers human/trees, with weird beats and a party attitude not to be missed!
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Kevin Tindell
Top 5 Albums of 2018:
Elvis Costello & The Imposters – Look Now
Parquet Courts – Wide Awake!
Teleman – Family of Aliens
J Mascis – Elastic Days
Tunng – Songs You Make at Night
Top 5 Gigs of 2018:
The Great Escape – Various venues
Jose Gonzalez with The String Theory – Brighton Dome
Tunng – Komedia
Haley – Rialto Theatre
Courtney Barnett – Brighton Dome
Shows in 2019:
J Mascis at Concorde 2 – Jan
Low at St Georges Church – Jan
Mutations Festival – Feb
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Kurtis Hall
Top 5 Albums of 2018:
Noname – Room 25
“The brightest star in hip hop right now. Mixing soul and future rap to make the prettiest hip hop album in years”
Solo Project – “PANIC ATTACKS ARE REAL!!! (and so are monsters)
“Channelling Bon Iver and phoebe Bridgers he’s the best thing to come out of Cyprus since haloumi, and nowhere near as squeaky”
No Age – Snares like a haircut
“A blanket of noise with an incredible monotonous beat running through it”
Mitski – Be the cowboy
“Easily the best pop album of the year, Mitski’s personality really shines through on this album, All style, all substance.
Mount Eerie – Now Only
“Death certainly remains real as Phil struggles with grief. Once again he invites us along for the ride. Not to be listened to lightly”
Top 5 Gigs of 2019:
Red Deer People – The Hope – The last show of my favourite local band. It was emotional to say the least.
Yo La Tengo – Komedia – More of a stand up routine than a gig. Warm and funny with some absolute bangers to boot.
John Hopkins – Brixton Academy – Can’t remember most of it but what I do remember was ace!
Crows / abattoir blues / ditz – the Richmond – Two amazing local bands with one of the best live bands in the country. A brilliant way to spend halloween!
Viagra boys / desire / Human leather – the pipeline – A crazy night all round. Ended up covered in sweat and bruises 10/10.
Shows in 2019:
“The old man in me is so excited to see Bob Dylan and Neil Young in Hyde park. Ulrich Schnuass at St Luke’s is also sure to be quite the experience.”
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Anna Marko
Top 5 Albums of 2018:
Connan Mockasin – Jassbusters
Ty Segall – Freedom’s Goblin
Ty Segall – Fudge Sandwich
Donny Benet – the Don
Tyler The Creator – Music Inspired by Illumination & Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
Top 5 Gigs of 2018:
Perfume Genius – The Old Market
Ty Segall – Concorde 2
Moses Sumney
LCD Soundsystem
Khruangbin – Concorde 2
Shows in 2019:
“I’m looking forward to all the festivals next year like: Lewes Psych Fest, OFF festival, Field Day London and The Great Escape!”