Album Rating: 2.0

Wait until May, shit's gonna get real. Release schedule is packed

Album Rating: 2.0

Sandwich what are your top picks in May?

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

2018 is beating the shit out of 2017, idk what you’re talking about

Album Rating: 4.0

New Jon Hopkins is gonna be fire

Album Rating: 2.0

Frog Eyes gonna release 2018 AOTY, so that one for sure.



2017 still one of the best years in a while though

Album Rating: 5.0

At this time in 2017 there weren't a ton of gems either, but I don't see anything massive on the horizon for 2018? I'm likely forgetting some stuff, but nothing has me excited in late April the way I was pumped at this same time last year for Fleet Foxes, Lorde, Manchester Orchestra, Broken Social Scene, Gang of Youths, Alt-J, Paramore, et al...(also brand new, but that was a surprise drop)

Album Rating: 2.0

Might just be me, but 2017 was tops right out the gate. Some really great January stuff. This year definitely feels slower, but I think it's building slowly

Album Rating: 2.0

'2018 is beating the shit out of 2017'



Apart from the A.A.L album which is really a compilation I'm not confident anything I've listened to so far deserves over a 4.



The David Byrne and Rolo Tomassi are barely clinging to a 4.5 and the Anna Von H album just doesn't have the repeat play thing going for it - an album I never feel like listening to despite it being fine. I really like the Paddy Hanna album and it's my most played of 2018 but I'd be uncomfortable rating that above a 4.



2017 had loads of great albums in the 4-4.5 range...this year doesn't so far really. The RYM chart so far looks like sh't to me :/



ANOTHER Mount Eerie grief-fest and a Car Seat Headrest retread, a Greenwood soundtrack, MGMT...not inspiring at all.

Album Rating: 2.0

That The Drink (or ********) album is a 4.0, but even that's a rerelease. I've given a few low 4.0s so far so it ain't all bad

Album Rating: 2.0

Top 10 so far:



- A.A.L [4.8] (not strictly a 2018 album)

- David Byrne [4.3]

- Rolo Tomassi [4.3]

- Anna Von H [4.2]

- Paddy Hanna [4.1]

- Protus Opus [4.1]

- The Drink [4.1] (not strictly a 2018 album)

- No Age [4.1]

- Ed Schrader's Music Beat [4.0]

- Hookworms [3.9]



Last year:



- Ciggies After Sex [4.8]

- The National [4.7]

- Destroyer [4.7]

- Dream Syndicate [4.7]

- Kitty [4.7]

- Ariel Pink [4.7]

- Mark Eitzel [4.6]

- Aimee Mann [4.6]

- Fleet Foxes [4.5]

- Flotation Toy Warning [4.5]



Early days but a way to go before it's officially kicking 2017's ass

Album Rating: 5.0

"I don't see anything massive on the horizon for 2018"

To the contrary: I'm excited for Jon Hopkins, Gas, Grouper, Janelle Monae, serpentwithfeet, Deafheaven, DJ Koze, Azealia Banks, Kanye West, Drake... and that's just summer releases!

Album Rating: 5.0

The Republic of Wolves - shrine is my only serious AOTY contender at this time, although it's a strong 4.7/weak 5, so knowing my fairly liberal rating tendencies, at least one record will overtake it by the end of 2018. The next closest is Kacey Musgraves (4.5), but that's more of a melodic, relaxing country album for me than something seriously impressive. The rest of my 4.0+ ratings are typically albums I became infatuated with and reviewed too high initially, and now have come to regret. (I'm really digging Kimbra and A Perfect Circle right now, though).

Album Rating: 5.0

"To the contrary: I'm excited for Jon Hopkins, Gas, Grouper, Janelle Monae, serpentwithfeet, Deafheaven, DJ Koze, Azealia Banks, Kanye West, Drake... and that's just summer releases!"

It's definitely a taste/genre preference thing then, because nothing on that entire list got me the least bit excited.

Album Rating: 2.0

Oneohtrix Point Never is this year's most anticipated release for me but he's such a wildcard/unpredictable artist I could easily not like what he drops this time

Album Rating: 5.0

All the indie rock royalty dropped their albums last year so it's gonna be an off-year for those into the affiliated genres.

It's a crazy year for the pop/rap/r&b crowd: to add to my roundup, we're expecting Carly Rae Jepsen, Robyn, Danny Brown, Blood Orange among others in the fall.

I'm still holding out for new Grimes and Karnivool this year.

Album Rating: 2.0

Last Blood Orange has grown on me a bit since I started just spinning it as a playlist of the 10 best songs...but I just don't see him dropping a classic now. Which is a shame.



Danny Brown, I liked the last one but he won't ever be a 'top 30 of the year' sort of artist for me.

Danny Brown is the worst rapper in modern music.

Album Rating: 5.0

I think you're right Lucid. I'll definitely be down for some CRJ though.

Album Rating: 2.0

A lot of flops/relative flops so far this year already:



- Eels

- Josh Rouse

- Calexico

- Wye Oak

- Manic Street Preachers

- Lucy Dacus

- Ought

- Rhye

- Loma

- Yo La Tengo



I guess that's why I'm a bit disappointed by the year so far more than the lack of great albums