So why no posts? The typical answer that any blogger who started last decade will tell you: life.
Life has blessed me in many ways since I last posted, but it has changed in such a way that it's forced me to adapt in a way that I have yet to accomplish.
I don't see myself posting regularly in the future, although the thought is nice. It's too hard to predict when I'll bring an idea to fruition. The good news is that I still have ideas and I hope to share them more often than I have in the past few years.
I still host my radio show, Noteworthy at UIC Radio on Mondays from 6PM-8PM CT, so if you would like a reliable, steady source for what I'm listening to or some of my ideas, that's your best bet. The radio show also has its own Facebook and Twitter.
I never stopped coming up with ideas about music and I still started on year-end lists for 2016 and 2017. I would like to finish them at some point because it's going to bug me until I do, but I can't guarantee anything. I have no idea when the next time I'll pop up on here will be. I'll definitely do my 2019 lists, and if I've learned any lessons, it should be released in a more timely manner.
All I know is that I was frustrated that I hadn't posted a list in two years and it nagged me. I was simply determined to rectify that for 2018.
The actual list itself was done around late December/early January, but I'm just now getting around to posting it. Yes, it's going on April and I'm not going to let that be an excuse.
Perhaps fewer excuses and more ideas would do me some good.
Top 50 Albums of 2018
- Saba – Care For Me
- Beach House - 7
- Noname – Room 25
- Tirzah – Devotion
- The Beths – Future Me Hates Me
- Tune-yards – I Can Feel You Creep Into My Private Life
- Robyn – Honey
- Young Fathers – Cocoa Sugar
- Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel
- Meshell Ndegeocello – Ventriloquism
- Reason – There You Have It
- Nao - Saturn
- Tom Misch - Geography
- Mac Miller – Swimming
- Kali Uchis – Isolation
- Janelle Monae – Dirty Computer
- Cornelia Murr - Man On My Mind
- Pusha T – Daytona
- Nipsey Hussle – Victory Lap
- DJ Koze – Knock Knock
- Royce da 5’9” - The Book of Ryan
- Anna Calvi - Hunter
- Black Panther: The Album
- Arin Ray – Platinum Fire
- Snail Mail - Lush
- J.I.D. -DiCaprio 2
- Mitski – Be The Cowboy
- The Internet – Hive Mind
- Jon Hopkins - Singularity
- Ariana Grande – Sweetener
- Lucy Dacus - Historian
- Tash Sultana – Flow State
- Jean Grae & Quelle Chris – Everything's Fine
- J. Cole – KOD
- St. Beauty – Running To The Sun
- Travis Scott – Astroworld
- Jeff Rosenstock - Post-
- Kadhja Bonet - Childqueen
- Eleanor Friedberger – Rebound
- Vince Staples – FM!
- Fatima - And Yet It's All Love
- NoMBe – They Might’ve Even Loved Me
- Tracey Thorn – Record
- Hop Along – Bark Your Head Off, Dog
- Earl Sweatshirt - Some Rap Songs
- Soccer Mommy - Clean
- Esperanza Spalding – 12 Little Spells
- Smerz – Have Fun
- Cardi B – Invasion of Privacy
- U.S. Girls – In A Poem Unlimited
Top 250 Singles of 2018
- Kanye West feat. Kid Cudi, PARTYNEXTDOOR and 070 Shake – Ghost Town
- Janelle Monae feat. Grimes – Pynk
- Jessie Reyez - Sola
- Radiant Children – Go Left
- Pusha T - If You Know You Know
- Ariana Grande – get well soon
- Cassie – Don't Play It Safe
- A$AP Rocky feat. Moby – A$AP Forever
- Jonny Greenwood – House of Woodcock
- J. Cole – ATM
- Xander feat. Malik Elijah - askmeificare
- Janelle Monae – Make Me Feel
- Pusha T – The Story of Adidon
- Madison McFerrin - Insane
- Kacey Musgraves – High Horse
- Drake – Nice For What
- Janelle Monae – Django Jane
- Jessie Reyez – Apple Juice
- Ari Lennox – Whipped Cream
- Coco O. Bled For You
- Mac Miller – Small Worlds
- Anderson .Paak - ‘Til It’s Over
- Halsey feat. Big Sean & Stefflon Don – Alone
- Low - Disarray
- Anderson .Paak - Bubblin’
- Hatchie – Sure
- D.R.A.M. - Best Hugs
- Khalid feat. Swae Lee – The Ways
- Cornelia Murr – Man On My Mind
- Anderson .Paak feat. Kendrick Lamar – Tints
- The 1975 – Sincerity Is Scary
- Snail Mail – Heat Wave
- Gucci Mane feat. Kodak Black & Bruno Mars – Wake Up In The Sky
- Vanessa Zamora – Al Fondo de Mi
- Drake – God's Plan
- DJ Esco & Future feat. Nas – Walk Thru
- Brandi Carlile – The Joke
- N*E*R*D feat. Kendrick Lamar – Don't Don't Do It
- Doja Cat – Mooo!
- Courtney Barnett – City Looks Pretty
- Dean – instagram
- Jessie Reyez feat. JRM – Imported
- Rosehardt & Space People – Electric Slide (In Ya DMs)
- Nipsey Hussle feat. YG – Last Time I Checc’d
- Hatchie - Sleep
- Moonchild - The List
- serpentwithfeet – bless ur heart
- Hoodboi feat. Tkay Maizda – Glide
- Bruno Mars feat. Cardi B – Finesse (Remix)
- St. Beauty – Caught
- Charlie Puth feat. Boyz II Men – If You Leave Me Now
- Sunflower Bean – Twentytwo
- The Internet – Roll (Burbank Funk)
- Rich The Kid – Plug Walk
- Ella Mai – Boo'd Up
- Childish Gambino – This Is America
- Swizz Beatz feat. Lil Wayne – Pistol On My Side (P.O.M.S.)
- Laura Jean – Girls on the TV
- Japanese Breakfast – Boyish
- Phony Ppl – Way Too Far
- The Weeknd feat. Kendrick Lamar – Pray For Me
- John Mayer – New Light
- Ariana Grande – No Tears Left To Cry
- Vic Mensa & Valee – Dim Sum
- Years & Years - Sanctify
- Kanye West feat. Lil Pump – I Love It
- Car Seat Headrest – Beach Life-in-Death
- Jean Grae & Quelle Chris – My Contribution To This Scam
- audiobooks – Dance Your Life Away
- Noname feat. Saba & Smino - Ace
- MorMor – Whatever Comes To Mind
- Gender Roles – Plastic
- Drake – Duppy Freestyle
- Radiant Children – Life's A Bitch
- Leikeli47 – Roll Call
- Westside Gunn feat. Anderson .Paak - Wrestlemania 20
- Jay Rock feat. Kendrick Lamar - Win
- Riton feat. Kah-Lo & Mr. Eazi – Catching Feelings
- Me’shell Ndegeocello – Sometimes It Snows In April
- Blocboy JB feat. Drake – Look Alive
- Rina Sawayama – Valentine (What's It Gonna Be?)
- Channel Tres – Topdown
- Mitski – Nobody
- Courtney Barnett – Need A Little Time
- Valee feat. Pusha T – Miami
- Samana – Beneath The Ice
- Post Malone feat. Ty Dolla $ign – Psycho
- Black Eyed Peas – Street Livin'
- D.R.A.M. - WWYD?
- Arin Ray – Skeemin'
- The Carters – APESHIT
- Tracey Thorn - Queen
- Hop Along – Prior Things
- Leon Bridges – Bad Bad News
- Saweetie feat. Kehlani – ICY GRL (Bae Mix)
- Jade Bird – Lottery
- The Beths - Future Me Hates Me
- JGrrey – Don't Fade
- Saba – Life
- Young Fathers – Border Girl
- Jessie Reyez – Body Count
- Cam O’bi feat. Smino – Tenderheaded
- Lady Gaga – I'll Never Love Again
- Sun June – Discotheque
- Ashley Monroe – Hands On You
- Kadhja Bonet – Delphine
- Denzel Curry feat. Twelve’len and Goldlink – Black Balloons
- Cardi B feat. 21 Savage – Bartier Cardi
- Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Hunnybee
- Ash – Confessions In The Pool
- Tom Misch feat. Loyle Carner – Water Baby
- MorMor –Heaven's Only Wishful
- 1010 Benja SL – Wind Up Space
- Troye Sivan – My My My!
- Riton feat. Kah-Lo – Fake ID
- Let's Eat Grandma – Hot Pink
- Lucy Dacus – Night Shift
- Twist - Venus
- Wafia – I’m Good
- Gender Roles – About Her
- Free Nationals feat. Daniel Caesar & Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Beauty & Essex
- HONNE feat. Tom Misch – Me & You
- Soccer Mommy - Cool
- Nicki Minaj – Barbie Dreams
- Saba – Busy
- Zilo – Keep Up Wimmi
- Boosie – Webbie I Remember
- Young M.A. - Praktice
- Valee feat. Jeremih – Womp Womp
- Phoebe Ryan feat. Tove Lo – Heart Attack
- SG Lewis feat. AlunaGeorge - Hurting
- Cardi B feat. Bad Bunny & J. Balvin – I Like It
- Jade Novah – Next To You
- Beulahbelle – You Only Live Twice (Living Room Version)
- Ebony Bones – No Black In The Union Jack
- Gabrielle Aplin – My Mistake
- Tomberlin – I'm Not Scared
- J. Cole – Album of the Year - Freestyle
- PREP feat. DEAN – Cold Fire
- 88Rising feat. Blocboy JB – Peach Jam
- Confidence Man – Out The Window
- The 1975 – TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME
- Okay Kaya – IUD
- The 1975 – Love It If We Made It
- Radiant Children – Tryin'
- The Regrettes – Back In Your Head
- Richard Reed Parry – Song of Wood
- Cardi B – Money
- Moaning Lisa – Comfortable
- Daphne & Celeste – Alarms
- Gorillaz feat. George Benson – Humility
- L8LOOMER - < 3
- Bas feat. J. Cole – Tribe
- H.E.R. - Focus
- Janelle Monae – I Like That
- CHVRCHES – Never Say Die
- Speedy Ortiz – Lean In When I Suffer
- Reason – The Soul
- Gallant – Gentleman
- Eleanor Friedberger – Make Me A Song
- Royce da 5’9” feat. Eminem & King Green - Caterpillar
- Beach House - Alien
- Raveena – Honey
- Amber Mark – High On Your Love
- Carrie Underwood – Cry Pretty
- Kyle Craft – The Rager
- H.E.R. feat. Bryson Tiller – Could've Been
- Jenny Hval - Spells
- Mariah Carey – With You
- Simmy - Umahalela
- Ebhoni – Opps
- Kylie Minogue - Dancing
- Kadhja Bonet – Mother Maybe
- Joyner Lucas & Chris Brown – Stranger Things
- Chance The Rapper – I Might Need Security
- Machine Gun Kelly – Rap Devil
- Benin City – Double or Nothing
- Deerhunter – Death in Midsummer
- 6ix9ine feat. Nicki Minaj – FEFE (Remix)
- Barrie – Tal Uno
- Jean Grae & Quelle Chris – Gold Purple Orange
- Tash Sultana – Free Mind
- Lil Baby feat. Drake – Yes, Indeed
- NAO – Another Lifetime
- Bazzi feat. Camilla Cabello – Beautiful
- Leon Thomas feat. Buddy – Favorite
- Lil Wayne – Dedicate
- Mahalia – Surprise Me
- Carly Jepsen – Party For One
- Lykke Li – Hard Rain
- Lizzo – Boys
- YG feat. 2 Chainz, Big Sean and Nicki Minaj – Big Bank
- Wiley feat. Scratchy and D Double E – Bar
- Trouble & Mike WiLL Made-It feat. Drake – Bring It Back
- Charly Bliss – Heaven
- Leon Bridges – Beyond
- Kendrick Lamar feat. SZA – All The Stars
- Rhye – Count To Five
- Sylvan Esso – There Are Many Ways To Say I Love You
- Jay Rock feat. Kendrick Lamar, Future, and James Blake – King’s Dead
- Azealia Banks – Movin' On Up (Coco’s Song, Love Beats Rhymes)
- Nilufer Yanya – Baby Luv
- Travis Scott feat. Drake – Sicko Mode
- Your Smith – The Spot
- Tyler the Creator feat. A$AP Rocky – Potato Salad
- Chloe x Halle feat. Joey Bada$$ - Happy Without Me
- Shawn Mendes feat. Zedd – Lost In Japan (Remix)
- Ilham feat. Arin Ray - Cycle of Games
- Mothers – Pink and Blue
- Julia Holter – I Shall Love 2
- Eminem feat. Joyner Lucas – Lucky You
- Kandace Springs – 6 8
- Brian Fallon – If Your Prayers Don’t Get To Heaven
- Janet Jackson feat. Daddy Yankee – Made For Now
- Jay Som –Pirouette
- Dilly Dally - Doom
- CASISDEAD – Pat Earrings
- Gavin Turek – WHITNEY
- Dilly Dally - Marijuana
- Sheck Wes – Mo Bamba
- Lou Phelps feat. Jazz Cartier – Come Inside (Kaytranada Edit)
- Joseph Chilliams feat. Saba – Unfriendly Black Hotties
- Trippie Redd feat. Travis Scott – Dark Knight Dummo
- Riton feat. Kah-Lo – Ginger
- Cazzu - Chapiadora
- Royce da 5’9” feat. J. Cole – Boblo Boat
- DJ Koze – Pick Up
- Aloe Blacc – Brooklyn In The Summer
- Tres Oui - Séance
- Cardi B – Be Careful
- SOB X RBE – Anti Social
- Robyn – Honey
- Chloe x Halle – Grown
- JID feat. BJ The Chicago Kid - Skrawberries
- Tangents – Swells Under Tito
- Diana Gordon – Wolverine
- Hatchie – Bad Guy
- Miya Folick – Stock Image
- Kimbra – Version Of Me
- Natalie Prass – Short Court Style
- Towkio feat. Teddy Jackson – Symphony
- NEIKED feat. Miriam Bryant – How Did I Find You
- The Go! Team – The Only Thing New Is U Finding Out About It
- Craig David feat. Goldlink – Live In The Moment
- JD. Reid feat. Katy B – Call Your Bluff
- Buddy – Trouble On Central
- T.I. feat. Meek Mill – Jefe
- Victoria Monet – The Glow
- Field Music – Time In Joy
- Soleima – Low Life