Ashtonâs Top 10 of 2018
On the first day of the new year, letâs look back at some of the best 2018 had to offer!
Know me - The Band Camino
I donât really know what to say other than: This song hit me hard. Something about that odd percussive sound right at the start sent shivers down my spine before the lyrics had a chance to (but those shivers soon followed). Elements such as subtle reverb and harmonies build up the stack of endless reasons for you to love this track, and i guarantee that the more you listen, the more you will find. Spencer Stewart is the featured vocalist on this track (The Band Camino utilizes two vocalists, the other being Jeffery Jordan), and the sheer control he showcases in this track gives it the impact that truly left my head shaken and heart broken.
$20 - Armors/Olivver The Kid ft. Lostboycrow
Take whatever you know about song structure and throw it out your car window while you hit the road and head to Vegas in the dead of night. Armors (Sam Beresford/Olen Kittleson), Olivver The Kid (Bryan Sammis), and Lostboycrow separately are 3 of my favorite artists and songwriters, but together, are a unit that can not be stopped. â$20â is a masterpiece of a lyrical story, wrapped in an almost frantic instrumental, and tied with a bow of ridiculously fabulous vocals from all of the artists involved. There may be nothing more powerful than these 4 men in a room together.
Bambi - Hippo Campus
Hippo Campus has been on my radar for the past 4 or so years, but I really think that this year was theirs. "Bambi" is a frame full of what makes this band as wonderful as they are: covering things such as anxiety, toxic masculinity, love, and loss in a perfect genre-less package of songs. Their last record "Landmark" was an important part of shaping the indie music market, and "Bambi" is leading the pack in changing everything we knew. That being said, I wouldnât be too mad if all we knew was Hippo Campus.
Hourglass Sand - Derek Ted
My heart has not-so secretly belonged to folk music ever since I stumbled upon the boys of Sunroom Recordz & Salon, and i found myself hiding away to listen to this EP from one of said boys more than most this year. âHourglass Sandâ carries a Spring breeze throughout the EP in itâs sometimes bubbly instrumentals, flower petals flourish in Tedâs vocal melodies, and lyrics fall lightly but with reason like April rain from the tops of the clouds.
Wait - Arlie
The debut EP from Nashville sweethearts, Arlie, has left a lofi fuzz lingering over the polished production of this yearâs indie scene. The seriously good music from this band is eclipsed by the whimsical melodies and ridiculously bubbly personalities of each band member, leaving a dreamy, fun feeling with the exit of each track. I canât find a single track from Arlie that doesnât perfectly encapsulate their energy and creativity on this EP. There simply isnât a bad or uninspired track in their collection.
Stereo - Omar Apollo
Throw one of the most gorgeous voices youâll ever hear, some horrible dance moves, and a massive sense of humor into a blender, and out will come Omar Apollo. His debut EP covers a plethora of genres while still maintaining his own unique perspective. More ambient undertones form the base of this release, leaving ample room for Apolloâs singing/rapping to fill your psyche and leave those melodies for days after.
People Floating - Renny Conti
It takes a certain type of soul to bring forth nostalgia over events that transpired thousands of miles away from you. Renny Conti possesses just that type of soul. You will find it flowing effortlessly in and out of his debut record, titled âPeople Floatingâ. This record feels like the bone-chilling warmth of a cloudy night, enveloping you in memories of lighter days while promising a new start once light breaks through again. Stumbling upon this record is one of the highlights of my year.
Carnival - Briston Maroney
More than any other artist this year, Briston Maroney will likely leave my head and heart spinning well into the new year. Borrowing tones from classic Southern blues, âCarnivalâ boasts original, homegrown, and near-holy rock tunes that are almost unheard of in modern music. Iâve found it impossible to stop listening to this EP over the past month- unwillingly (but happily) drowning in the hope and heartbreak that this 5-track collection offers.
The Sound of Your Voice - Nightly
The end of 2016 brought Nightly into the light with their debut EP, âHonestâ, but the end of 2018 has shown us that Nightly /is/ the light with âThe Sound of Your Voiceâ. Elements ranging from acoustic to electronic in this EP show the versatility and inspiration that drive Nightlyâs sound forward with every release. The style of production chosen for most of these tracks beautifully elevates the band- adding depth to their discography and leaving the fans theyâve gained this year wanting more. Nightly successfully split their time between writing and touring this year, and i canât wait to see what they have to show us in 2019 on both of those ends once again.
Welcome Back - Handsome Ghost
This duo was one of the first artists I was introduced to this year, their live show ushering me into their then-unreleased record and surrounding me with music that I will never be able to forget. The juxtaposition between the orchestral arrangements, electronic percussion, and acoustic guitar give Handsome Ghost an edge on every other indie/folk band out there right now, and force this album to standalone in itâs very own genre. Essential tracks from this record like âShallow Cityâ and âbeauty/bendsâ have made it into almost every playlist that Iâve made in 2018 (both for myself and others) and at this rate, will continue to do so into the new year.
Written by Ashton Carr
