News

f I had to put together a list of my favourite things to do in life, making EOTY lists would probably be up there at number 3 or 4. This is because 1) I fucking love making lists and 2) I live a very sad life. Here’s what I listened to (A LOT according to that Spotify year wrap thing) in 2018.
 

Top 10 albums 2018

1. Spanish Love Songs – Schmaltz

This is the only spot in my list that I was sure about when I started typing all of this. Spanish Love Songs wrote an album that works from front to back. Not only does it flow like albums did before the whole music industry became single-centric, but ironically enough every song (except maybe Nuevo) could also work very well as a single. The only thing topping ‘Schmaltz’ as an album this year was watching Spanish Love Songs play ‘Schmaltz’ in full live. Fight me (respectfully) if you disagree.

2. The Dangerous Summer – The Dangerous Summer

I’m a sucker for big cinematic sounding albums. The same reason I loved Manchester Orchestra’s 2017 release ‘A Black Mile To The Surface’, is why I love this album so much: big, bombastic songs. Most underrated album of the year maybe, everyone should give it a listen.

3. Muncie Girls – Fixed Ideals

Muncie Girls has been consistently putting out good releases since forever. Just when I think they’ll probably won’t top their previous release, they come back and do just that. The song Jeremy on their latest album ‘Fixed Ideals’ might even be my favourite song they’ve ever written.

4. Press Club – Late Teens

Every year I discover one or two new bands that completely blow me away. Press Club won me over with their debut album ‘Late Teens’. Massive songs carried by Natalie Foster massive voice. (Sucker for the vague hint of Springsteen in it.)

5. Drug Church – Cheer

Drug Church’s Cheer is a wild ride from front to back and I can’t wait to see what kind of energy goes into these songs when playing them live. Their venue show here in Antwerp is already on my top shows of 2019 list. Only downside is they’ll never have a song title as cool as ‘Reading YouTube Comments’ ever again.

6. Restorations – LP5000

It doesn’t make sense to me that bands like The Foo Fighters or Muse are still headlining festivals while there’s bands like Restorations ready to take over. Look up perfect band in the dictionary and I’m pretty sure Restorations will pop up.

7. Idles – Joy as an Act of Resistance

People are labeling Idles the most important band of the moment and that’s very fair. They are one of those rare punk acts still breaking through into the mainstream and we need that kind of visibility more than ever. For the message first, for the future of the genre second.

8. Turnstile – Generator

2018 could’ve been the year that I got bored with hardcore, Turnstile made sure that didn’t happen. ‘Time & Space’ is such an interesting / multi-layered album. This is one of those classic albums people will still be enjoying en-masse over a decade from today.

9. Camp Cope – How to Socialise & Make Friends

I still have to find a Georgia Maq song that I don’t like (or even just dislike a little bit). The Opener might also be my favourite song of the year.

10. Tiny Moving Parts – Swell

I had a lot of albums going in and out of this list but none of them stuck with me the way ‘Swell’ did. Tiny Moving Parts are amazing musicians and songwriters and I want to give this album a higher spot but THERE IS NO MORE ROOM!!

Top 3 EPs of 2018

1. Boygenius – Boygenius

Boygenius might be the most perfect super group that will ever exist and I just feel #blessed that I’m alive to witness it. We need a Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker full length in 2019 or I’m throwing a small to medium sized tantrum.

2. Goodbye Blue Monday – Misery-Punk Ruined My Life

If Off With Their Heads were able to write even sadder songs than they already do and suddenly became Scottish they would sound something like this. Also award for best video 2k18.

3. McCafferty / Heart Attack Man – Split EP

I’m going to be honest, the songs on this split might not be my favourite songs released by either band. BUT I discovered both McCafferty AND Heart Attack Man in 2018 and its wild to find two new bands this fucking good on one split. SO. MANY. JAMS.