The Top 10 Albums of 2018

The albums that kept us thinking, crying, and dancing through 2018.

Written by Afterglow Editorial Staff
Illustrated by Mark Yoder

This year was monumental for music of all genres and styles, so we looked back over the months to pick out our favorite 2018 releases. Disclaimer: unfortunately, this list will only be accurate until Solange drops her newest project. Obviously.

10. Clean - Soccer Mommy

In her debut studio album, Sophie Allison, better known as Soccer Mommy, documents her own young “coolness.” Tired themes of infatuation and romantic frustration find a refreshing new light, whether she’s expressing the desire to be more like a new love’s ex-lover (“Last Girl”) or reflecting on the need to feel genuinely wanted in “Blossom (Wasting All My Time).” Her forthright lyrics backed by distorted guitars and jangly instrumentals let us feel wistful without fear of lameness — Clean is an indie rock project that refuses to disenchant itself. — Matt Iannelli

9. so sad so sexy - Lykke Li

With so sad so sexy, Lykke Li pushes her stylistic boundaries and experiments with harder beats and trap-inspired soundscapes. Standout Rostam-produced track “hard rain” sets the tone for the album and shows Li at her best. The song reaches its peak when her self-sung background vocals loop in, both complementing and resisting the lead vocals as Li argues with herself over her relationship’s end. so sad so sexy cements Lykke Li’s throne as pop’s resident “sad girl” with its chilling portrayal of an unraveling relationship. — Annie Lyons

8. EVERYTHING IS LOVE - The Carters

Following the release of Beyonce’s Lemonade and Jay Z’s 4:44, the world was waiting to see what the music industry’s most iconic couple would do next. The duo certainly delivered with their first ever album together, EVERYTHING IS LOVE. The album’s beauty lies in its ability to cover a wide range of topics, The album covers everything from friendship to black excellence to true love in just nine tracks that reflect the a level of artistry, talent, and confidence that only the Carters could possess. — Delaney Davis

7. ASTROWORLD - Travis Scott

Travis Scott has always been ahead of the curve as a rap trendsetter, but with Astroworld, he transcends the title of rapper and cements his role as a curator. Scott combines a wide array of talent, from Frank Ocean to Tame Impala to Stevie Wonder, to make one cohesive project. This album has something for everyone, but — more importantly — he shows us what it truly means to live life in “Sicko Mode.” — Dylan Keesee

6. Golden Hour - Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves’ latest effort, Golden Hour, changed the definition of what a modern country album can sound like. The production is pristine and expansive, combining traditional country elements with synths and vocoders, for a new sound that Musgraves terms “galactic country.”

Thematically, Musgraves centers the album around the self-reflection a healthy relationship can bring, from the meditative “Slow Burn” to “Butterflies,” which captures the start of something special. There’s no denying it — in 2018, Musgraves brought “yeehaw” to the masses. — Annie Lyons

5. Sweetener - Ariana Grande

During the last year, Ariana Grande has soared higher than even her loftiest vocals, but she has also battled some of her greatest lows. On Sweetener, she details these experiences in a 15-track album overflowing with confidence, introspection, and compassion. More cohesive and mature than her earlier records, Sweetener demonstrates Grande’s gift to distill her highly publicized life into accessible art. Her journey for self-care strikes an emotional chord with diehard fans and casual listeners alike, leaving us all chanting for her next project with a resounding “thank u, next.” — Dallas Killeen

4. Isolation - Kali Uchis

Kali Uchis’ debut album, wrought with dreamily rich beats and driven by reggaetón-infused R&B, solidifies her as a new kind of pop princess. Each track is inherently sensual as Uchis flexes her blithe vocals against biting lyricism, backed by impressively diverse production that ranges anywhere from funk to neo-soul. Subtly touching on themes such as immigration and art appropriation, it is clear that Uchis has much to say about the facades that characterize the world around her — and she’s just getting started. — Zoe Judilla

3. Be the Cowboy - Mitski

Mitski’s emotionally-searing force Be the Cowboy finds power in its celebration of vulnerability. The compilation of various fictional narratives depicts loneliness as it inevitably intertwines with love, glimmering while it breaks your heart. Whether it’s reveling in her own loneliness to a hypnotizing disco ballad or portraying a failing marriage to a joyous rhythm, Mitski shines as she remains resolute in romance. By mastering such fervency and composure, she creates a visceral piece of art and ultimately “becomes the cowboy” by accepting the possibility of riding off into the sunset alone. — Zoe Judilla

2. Room 25 - Noname

With her sophomore album, Noname pokes fun at critics of her poetic singsong style (giggling, “Y’all really thought a b---- couldn’t rap, huh?” on the album’s first track), but beyond that, Room 25 is largely unconcerned with its own reception. Instead, after proving her chops, the Chicago poet-turned-rapper writes directly to the people she loves, praying that she’s made them proud over wistful, bluesy strings and percussion. The album builds upon themes of community from Noname’s debut mixtape Telefone, but expands by focusing in on her self-worth — she emphasizes a demand to be understood, including her talents, shortcomings, and the growth in between. Noname’s music remains a project committed to empathy. — Selome Hailu

1. Dirty Computer - Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe’s 2014 single “Q.U.E.E.N,” declares, “they call us dirty ‘cause we break all your rules down.” With her first musical project in four years, she does just that. Dirty Computer transcends genre to make innovative commentary on race, gender, and sexuality — specifically, that we should use our identities to learn about love. Monáe experiments with rap, rock, funk, and soul, but at its core, this is a pop album. Despite heavy theoretical claims, Dirty Computer keeps things fun and self-assured, teaching everyone on the outskirts of American culture to call out, “I am not America’s nightmare/ I am the American Dream.” — Selome Hailu

Honorable mentions: El Mal Querer by Rosalía, Die Lit by Playboi Carti

These are the gems we’ll be reminiscing over on New Year’s Eve. May 2019 bring us all the overdue projects, surprise drops, and debuts that we deserve!