{"id":1868,"date":"2018-12-19T14:36:50","date_gmt":"2018-12-19T19:36:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/?p=1868"},"modified":"2018-12-19T14:37:53","modified_gmt":"2018-12-19T19:37:53","slug":"favorite-music-of-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/2018\/12\/19\/favorite-music-of-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"favorite music of 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Thus Owls \u2013 <em>The Mountain That We Live Upon<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Top billing goes to the stark, incantatory, incandescent fourth album by this Quebec duo. Singer Erika Angell is the most exciting and committed vocalist I heard all year.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Thus Owls - Future\/Past (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/o1Jx7xMtaJs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jonathan Wilson \u2013 <em>Rare Birds<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Producer to the indie stars and dude who looks like Jesus achieves a stirring, cinematic scale with his latest batch of Laurel Canyon paeans.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Jonathan Wilson - &quot;Sunset Blvd&quot; [Official Music Video]\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nu4oAwLKZek?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Szun Waves \u2013 <em>New Hymn To Freedom<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Three UK instrumental improvisers transport adventurous listener to outer and inner space simultaneously. Is this jazz? A personal inspiration for <a href=\"http:\/\/mostserenecongress.com\">my own improvisational trio<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Szun Waves - Constellation (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GNEmFHrdNdA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Kamasi Washington \u2013 <em>Heaven and Earth<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Now <i>this<\/i> is jazz. Washington\u2019s big band (including vocal choirs, electric organ, and percussion) vibrates powerfully with the African diaspora\u2019s suffering and emancipation.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kamasi Washington - Street Fighter Mas\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LdyabrdFMC8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Caroline Rose \u2013 <em>Loner<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Such a fun, fresh voice. Crafting sharp hooks, getting an engaging sound from a basic rock combo, and telling witty, relatable stories will never get old.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Caroline Rose - &quot;Jeannie Becomes A Mom&quot; [Official Video]\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1bx8QdYj0Pg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Ex \u2013 <em>27 Passports<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>What is this \u201ctrends\u201d of which you speak? 40 years in, these Dutch anarchists plow ahead with their jagged postpunk din, circular African rhythms, and reportage from the global periphery.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Ex - Soon All Cities\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dzFUjOksyME?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cauldron \u2013 <em>New Gods<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After my 9-year-old son said \u201cplay that again\u201d upon first listen, these metal revivalists\u2019 credible Dokken took over our travel soccer warm-up playlist and earned their place on my end-of-year list.<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/youtu.be\/jBNKUSaQ7_I<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Julia Holter \u2013 <em>Aviary<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Five albums in, I remain in awe of Julia Holter\u2019s artistry. Her melodies will always have a foot in beauty, but it\u2019s exciting to hear her art music turn weird and at times bracing again.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Julia Holter - I Shall Love 2 (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/k5uwPaCvbhA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Kacey Musgraves \u2013 <em>Golden Hour<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>She may not be today\u2019s Nashville sound, but we can dream. My Wednesday night cover band spent many hours breaking down \u201cSlow Burn.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kacey Musgraves - Slow Burn (Live On SNL)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IS6fWkZkrFc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Kurt Vile \u2013 <em>Bottle It In<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Dude returns once again with a new album that advances his sad stoner trad-rock just a smidgen from his last one, and I\u2019m all in.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kurt Vile - Bassackwards\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pOFWHty4XFQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Hellenes \u2013 <em>I Love You All The Animals<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Rain Parade were my touchstone for Los Angeles\u2019s 1980s \u201cpaisley underground,\u201d so I was gassed to find this consistently pleasing album by their distinctive guitarist and vocalist Matt Piucci.<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/youtu.be\/JhK5-ue52lk<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Messa \u2013 <em>Feast For Water<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Adding a Fender Rhodes electric piano moves this Italian scarlet doom metal band into a whole new, sexy league.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MESSA &quot;Leah&quot; Official videoclip 2018\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zH5FXUpFLcA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>gobbinjr \u2013 <em>ocala wick<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>My 12-year-old daughter packed this goofy indie-folk album for summer camp. \u201cFake Bitch\u201d should prepare her for a few issues she\u2019ll encounter in the next ten years.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"gobbinjr - &quot;fake bitch&quot; (official music video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Uux2Gv9I7h4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Beths \u2013 <em>Future Me Hates Me<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m highly immune to high-energy guitar pop (which too often is code for pop-punk), but wow did these New Zealand kids bring the motherf&#8211;kin\u2019 hooks.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Beths - &quot;Future Me Hates Me&quot; (official music video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iVImwSb4EYU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Khruangbin \u2013 <em>Con Todo El Mundo<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Houston trio spices their R&amp;B instrumentals with Thai funk, middle eastern riffs, and a little Texano soul. This record never failed to sound great.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Khruangbin - Maria Tambi\u00e9n (Official Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7hlGqj3ImQI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever \u2013 <em>Hope Downs<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Melbourne remains Australia rock city! Behind the relentless beat, I hear the poetic lyricism of forebears the Go-Betweens and the Triffids.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - An Air Conditioned Man [LYRIC VIDEO]\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pK2usB-nCwc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>High On Fire \u2013 <em>Electric Messiah<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s easy to take these metal cavemen for granted. <em>DON\u2019T<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"High On Fire - Electric Messiah\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/op9E1fhyV2Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Breeders \u2013 <em>All Nerve<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s easy to take these alt-rock cavewomen for granted. <em>DON\u2019T<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Breeders - Spacewoman (Official Video, directed by Richard Ayoade))\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oVk4xRdD5MA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Warm Drag \u2013 <em>Warm Drag<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sex and drugs and rock and roll (and cheap-sounding drum machines) really are all their brains and bodies need.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"WARM DRAG - &quot;Cave Crawl&quot;\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SeQ1OZLQ0TI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Exploded View \u2013 <em>Obey<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Berlin-Mexico City unit discarded a member and some of their earlier electro-crash, intuiting a post-night (sunnier?), post-depressing (optimistic?) sound.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Exploded View - Sleepers (Official Music Video)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/C6SXE9R67Wg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thus Owls \u2013 The Mountain That We Live Upon Top billing goes to the stark, incantatory, incandescent fourth album by this Quebec duo. Singer Erika Angell is the most exciting and committed vocalist I heard all year. &nbsp; Jonathan Wilson \u2013 Rare Birds Producer to the indie stars and dude who looks like Jesus achieves a stirring, cinematic scale with his latest batch of Laurel Canyon paeans. &nbsp; Szun Waves \u2013 New Hymn To Freedom Three UK instrumental improvisers transport adventurous listener to outer and inner space simultaneously. Is this jazz? A personal inspiration for my own improvisational trio. &nbsp; Kamasi Washington \u2013 Heaven and Earth Now this is jazz. Washington\u2019s big band (including vocal choirs, electric organ, and percussion) vibrates powerfully with the African diaspora\u2019s suffering and emancipation. &nbsp; Caroline Rose \u2013 Loner Such a fun, fresh voice. Crafting sharp hooks, getting an engaging sound from a basic rock combo, and telling witty, relatable stories will never get old. &nbsp; The Ex \u2013 27 Passports What is this \u201ctrends\u201d of which you speak? 40 years in, these Dutch anarchists plow ahead with their jagged postpunk din, circular African rhythms, and reportage from the global periphery. &nbsp; Cauldron \u2013 New [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":308,"featured_media":1869,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[43659],"class_list":["post-1868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-music-criticism"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1868","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/308"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1868"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1868\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1871,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1868\/revisions\/1871"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1869"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1868"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1868"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pages.vassar.edu\/musicalurbanism\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1868"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}