Mayday Parade

Best Albums of 2018 – 5 Seconds of Summer, LANY, The Aces, & More

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While 2018 offered up a multitude of mediocre and disappointing albums, a few gems shone through the rough. Here are our best albums of 2018!

Honorable Mentions

  • twenty one pilots – Trench
  • Snail Mail – Lush
  • The Dangerous Summer – The Dangerous Summer
  • Boston Manor – Welcome to the Neighbourhood
  • With Confidence – Love & Loathing
  • Now, Now – Saved
  • The Story So Far – Proper Dose
  • As It Is – The Great Depression
  • Mayday Parade – Sunnyland
  • Trophy Eyes – The American Dream

Let’s get into it…

8. Ryan Beatty – Boy in Jeans

Imagine if Lorde’s Pure Heroine was written instead by a gay boy who is slightly horny and possibly high. Yeah, that would be Ryan Beatty’s debut record Boy in Jeans. Mixing carefree pop with soulful R&B, Ryan Beatty crafts an album that speaks volumes of youth, heartbreak, love, and just having some fun. Standout tracks include “Powerslide,” “Haircut,” “Speed,” and “Flash.” Boy in Jeans will capture listeners of Lorde, Daniel Caesar, and Conan Gray. Click here to listen.

7. Waterparks – Entertainment

Waterparks’ unique blend of pop punk and electronic power pop is expanded upon and further refined on their sophomore effort Entertainment. Entertainment is undoubtedly entertaining between its anthemic choruses, syrupy synth melodies, and crunchy guitar riffs. Standout tracks include “Blonde,” “Not Warriors,” “We Need to Talk,” and “Rare.” Entertainment is bound to please followers of As It Is, Against the Current, and PVRIS. Click here to listen.

6. Florence + the Machine – High As Hope

Florence Welch provides her most personal and vulnerable material to date on Florence + the Machine’s fourth studio album High As Hope. High As Hope is outlined by organic instrumentation, luscious background vocals, and the powerhouse delivery of Welch, but the most compelling aspect of this release is her raw, emotional exposition. Standout tracks include “Hunger,” “Sky Full of Song,” “Patricia,” and “Big God.” High As Hope is sure to attract listeners of Alice Merton, London Grammar, and Lily Allen. Click here to listen.

5. Fickle Friends – You Are Someone Else

The colorful, glistening indie pop rock of Fickle Friends’ You Are Someone Else is entrancing and consistently replayable. The band’s debut record is defined by smooth electropop and scintillating guitar melodies, melding contemporary sounds with a throwback attitude. And gosh, the bass grooves will get stuck in your head for days! Standout tracks include “Glue,” “Brooklyn,” “Say No More,” and “Paris.” You Are Someone Else will appeal to fans of The Aces, Paramore’s After Laughter, and The 1975’s I like it when you sleep. Click here to listen.

4. Charlie Puth – Voicenotes

Charlie Puth has always displayed an element of retrospective influences in his sound, but Voicenotes is a drastic change from his previous outing. Trading doo-wop harmonies and antiquated piano ballads for uptempo ’80s pop rock jams and dark R&B moments, Voicenotes is a multidimensional pop record with plenty to offer to diverse audiences. Standout tracks include “Empty Cups,” “Somebody Told Me,” “BOY,” and “The Way I Am.” Voicenotes will capture listeners of New Edition, Breakbot, and ZAYN. Click here to listen.

3. The Aces – When My Heart Felt Volcanic

The vibrant, shimmery indie pop rock of The Aces’ When My Heart Felt Volcanic is captivating and undeniably fun. This debut full-length is characterized by ’80s-influenced guitar timbre and catchy songwriting, blending the ever-present throwback elements with fresh, modern-day production. Standout tracks include “Just Like That,” “Strong Enough,” “Last One,” and “Lovin’ Is Bible.” When My Heart Felt Volcanic will appeal to fans of Paramore’s After Laughter, Fickle Friends, and Scavenger Hunt. Click here to listen.

2. LANY – Malibu Nights

LANY’s sophomore record Malibu Nights arrives just one year after their self-titled debut but is decisively more improved. Trimming down the album to just 9 tracks, the album feels more cohesive and refined compared to its 16-track predecessor. Malibu Nights shares a tale of heartbreak and confusion, and while not a single song on this record is totally cheerful, you will be shouting along to the upbeat choruses and crying your eyes out to the gut-wrenching piano ballads after just a couple spins. Standout tracks include “Thick and Thin,” “Taking Me Back,” “Let Me Know,” and “Malibu Nights.” Malibu Nights is bound to interest followers of joan, MILKK, and COIN. Click here to listen.

1. 5 Seconds of Summer – Youngblood

After nearly three years, 5SOS recrudesces to deliver their most experimental and mature record yet. Youngblood is expertly characterized by moody guitar melodies, pensive atmosphere, and stellar vocal performances contributed by all members of the band. Catchy, instantly replayable, and downright interesting, Youngblood is our album of the year. Standout tracks include “Babylon,” “Better Man,” “Midnight,” “Talk Fast,” and “Moving Along,” but every song is amazing! Youngblood will appeal to listeners of All Time Low, The Vamps, Fall Out Boy, and Imagine Dragons. Click here to listen. I mean, was this a surprise to anyone? I literally got a custom necklace made over this album.

 

Let us know your favorite albums of the year in the comments below!

June 2018 Alt Col Picks – 5 Seconds of Summer, Snail Mail, Florence + the Machine, & More

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Plenty of great records were released in June, so here are our favorite albums, EPs, and singles of the month! (In no particular order.) Want a Spotify playlist? Click here!

  • 5 Seconds of Summer – Youngblood

After nearly three years, 5SOS recrudesces to deliver their most experimental and mature record yet. Youngblood is expertly characterized by moody guitar melodies, pensive atmosphere, and stellar vocal performances contributed by  all members of the band. Standout tracks include “Babylon,” “Better Man,” “Midnight,” “Talk Fast,” and “Moving Along,” but every song is amazing! Youngblood will appeal to fans of All Time Low, The Vamps, Fall Out Boy, and Imagine Dragons. Click here to listen.

  • Snail Mail – Lush

At the age of 18, Lindsey Jordan unleashes her debut record Lush, defined by the charming contrast of raucous distorted and smoothly crisp guitar timbres as well as heartfelt lyricism. The earnest verses are ultimately complemented by Jordan’s ardent and undoubtedly commendable vocal displays. Standout tracks include “Heat Wave,” “Pristine,” “Full Control,” and “Let’s Find An Out.” Lush is bound to satisfy followers of Kississippi, Soccer Mommy, and Anna Burch. Click here to listen.

  • Florence + the Machine – High As Hope

Florence Welch provides her most personal and vulnerable material to date on Florence + the Machine’s fourth studio album High As Hope. High As Hope is outlined by organic instrumentation, luscious background vocals, and the powerhouse delivery of Welch, but the most compelling aspect of this release is her raw, emotional exposition. Standout tracks include “Hunger,” “Sky Full of Song,” “Patricia,” and “Big God.” High As Hope is sure to attract listeners of Alice Merton, London Grammar, and Lily Allen. Click here to listen.

  • State Champs – Living Proof

State Champs returns on their third studio LP Living Proof, offering up sticky hooks and hard-hitting guitar tones while maintaining their credibility in the modern pop punk scene. With singalong choruses, fast-paced percussion, and syrupy vocal harmonies, Living Proof is an exhilarating summer record begging for countless replays. Standout tracks include “Dead and Gone,” “Mine Is Gold,” and “Our Time to Go.” Living Proof will interest fans of Neck Deep, Coldfront, and ROAM. Click here to listen.

  • Mayday Parade – Sunnyland

For their sixth studio full-length, Mayday Parade explores tales of heartbreak and emotion while continuing their exceptional rock timbre… and employing the classic unreasonably long song title tactic. Standout tracks include “Piece of Your Heart,” “It’s Hard to Be Religious When Certain People Are Never Incinerated By Bolts of Lightning,” and “Looks Red, Tastes Blue.” Sunnyland will capture followers of Every Avenue, Make Out Monday, and Across the Atlantic. Click here to listen.

  • Father John Misty – God’s Favorite Customer

Josh Tillman exerts his most gut-wrenching songwriting on his fourth long-player God’s Favorite Customer. Between mentions of suicide, marital struggles, and religion, God’s Favorite Customer is a poignant yet mandatory slice of folky singer/songwriter pop. Standout tracks include “Mr. Tillman,” “Disappointing Diamonds Are the Rarest of Them All,” and “God’s Favorite Customer.” God’s Favorite Customer is sure to satisfy listeners of Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes, and Foxygen. Click here to listen.

  • Ghost – Prequelle

After internal issues and lineup changes within the band, Ghost presents an epic, theatrical rock/metal record, constituted by holy grandiosity and nuanced technicality. With spectacular musicianship and riveting libretto, Prequelle is an undeniable masterpiece. Standout tracks include “Rats,” “Dance Macabre,” “Miasma,” and “Helvetesfönster.” Prequelle will appeal to followers of Testament, Mastodon, and King Diamond. Click here to listen.

  • Blue Heaven – Volume One

Through shimmery guitar riffs, fervent vocal performances, and intimate lyricism, Blue Heaven’s debut studio record, aptly titled Volume One, is an album worth turning the volume all the way up for. The dreamy sound of Volume One is hypnotic and entrancing, bound to keep you coming back for repeated listens. Standout tracks include “Growing,” “Goodthings,” “Shade,” and “Second Guessing.” Volume One will attract fans of Pinkish Blu, Better Off, and Anarbor. Click here to listen.

  • Homesafe – One

After a string of EPs and singles, Homesafe finally issues their debut full-length titled One. Homesafe, the side project of Knuckle Puck bassist Ryan Rumchaks, delivers an animated pop punk record filled to the brim with pulse-quickening drumming, shredding guitars, and rampant energy. Standout tracks include “Run,” “Vanilla-Scented Laser Beams,” “Sideways Sleeper,” and “Say Something.” One will capture followers of Like Pacific, Knuckle Puck, and Moose Blood. Click here to listen.

  • Brendon Urie – Pray For the Wicked

After the inconsistent Death of a Bachelor, Brendon Urie returns on Pray For the Wicked, another over-polished, squeaky clean pop record with frustratingly thin instrumentation, painfully braggadocious lyricism, and overall messy writing. Standout tracks include “The Overpass” and “(F*ck a) Silver Lining.” Pray For the Wicked will interest listeners of, like, Fall Out Boy. Click here to listen.

Click here to read our album review of Death of a Bachelor.

MORE GREAT ALBUMS

  • Mike Shinoda – Post Traumatic

Standout tracks include “Crossing a Line,” “Running From My Shadow (ft. grandson),” and “Over Again.” Post Traumatic is for fans of Linkin Park, Fort Minor, and Hollywood Undead. Click here to listen.

  • Colour Me Wednesday – Counting Pennies In the Afterlife

Standout tracks include “Disown,” “Boyfriend’s Car,” and “Sunriser.” Counting Pennies In the Afterlife is for fans of Camp Cope, Remember Sports, and Dream Nails. Click here to listen.

  • This Wild Life – Petaluma

Standout tracks include “Catie Rae,” “Hold You Here,” and “Headfirst.” Petaluma is for fans of Chase Huglin, Casey Bolles, and Coffee Eyes. Click here to listen.

  • Georgia Fearn – Perfect on Paper

Standout tracks include “Misty Mae,” “L’Amour,” and “Emptiness.” Perfect on Paper is for fans of Catey Shaw, Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas, and Caroline Rose. Click here to listen.

  • Conformist – Lifestyle Revised

Standout tracks include “Nothing Important Happened Today (Abridged),” “Art Colony (Abridged),” and “Trust Exercises (Man Without Country Remix).” Lifestyle Revised is for fans of Clone Quartet, DAMPFBAHN!, and Lucid Debate. Click here to listen.

  • Dance Gavin Dance – Artificial Selection

Standout tracks include “Suspended In This Disaster,” “Midnight Crusade,” and “Son of Robot.” Artificial Selection is for fans of Saosin, blessthefall, and The Word Alive. Click here to listen.

  • Nine Inch Nails – Bad Witch

Standout tracks include “God Break Down the Door,” “Ahead of Ourselves,” and “Over and Out.” Bad Witch is for fans of Skinny Puppy, Puscifer, and White Zombie. Click here to listen.

  • Tancred – Nightstand

Standout tracks include “Reviews,” “Queen of New York,” and “Something Else.” Nightstand is for fans of Now, Now, Ratboys, and Kississippi. Click here to listen.

  • Wild Moccasins – Look Together

Standout tracks include “Boyish Wave,” “Longtime Listener,” and “Seven to One.” Look Together is for fans of Buxton, Grandchildren, and Caroline Rose. Click here to listen.

  • Bullet For My Valentine – Gravity

Standout tracks include “Over It,” “Letting You Go,” and “The Very Last Time.” Gravity is for fans of As I Lay Dying, Avenged Sevenfold, and Escape the Fate. Click here to listen.

  • Convictions – Hope For the Broken

Standout tracks include “Deceptive Heart,” “Voices (They Want Me Dead),” and “Divided.” Hope For the Broken is for fans of Dayseeker, Kingdom of Giants, and Thousand Below. Click here to listen.

  • Modern Maps – hope you’re happy.

Standout tracks include “Nightfall,” “Autopilot,” and “Heatwave.” hope you’re happy. is for fans of Sink the Ship, LIMBS, and Slaves. Click here to listen.

  • Like A Storm – Catacombs

Standout tracks include “The Devil Inside,” “Until the Day I Die,” and “The Bitterness.” Catacombs is for fans of Smash Into Pieces, Rains, and Under the Flood. Click here to listen.

  • Natalie Prass – The Future and the Past

Standout tracks include “Short Court Style,” “The Fire,” and “Lost.” The Future and the Past is for fans of Anna Burch, Lucy Dacus, and Caroline Rose. Click here to listen.

  • American Aquarium – Things Change

Standout tracks include “Work Conquers All,” “One Day At a Time,” and “The World Is On Fire.” Things Change is for fans of Cory Branan, Drive-By Truckers, and Jason Eady. Click here to listen.

  • Alex Dingley – Beat the Babble

Standout tracks include “Lovely Life to Leave,” “After the Laughter,” and “I Don’t Ever.” Beat the Babble is for fans of Rayland Baxter, The Kin, and Tobias Jesso, Jr. Click here to listen.

  • Lillye – Evolve

Standout tracks include “Run,” “Brittle Glass,” and “Chained.” Evolve is for fans of Age of Taurus, Forbidden Seasons, and Wayfarer. Click here to listen.

  • Ethereal Delusions – Reformation

Standout tracks include “Pluto,” “Beauty Beyond the Chaos,” and “Shadow of Death.” Reformation is for fans of The Foxholes, A Hope For the Future, and Primorph. Click here to listen.

 

Extended Plays

  • MILKK – If You’re Reading This, I Love You

Standout tracks include “Leaving” and “Secret’s Out.” If You’re Reading This, I Love You is for fans of LANY, The 1975, and The Japanese House. Click here to listen.

  • Calpurnia – Scout

Standout tracks include “City Boy” and “Louie.” Scout is for fans of The Walters, Wallows, and Twin Peaks. Click here to listen.

  • Spiritual Cramp – Police State

Standout tracks include “I Feel Bad Bein’ Me” and “Blood Clot.” Police State is for fans of Fiddlehead, Big Bite, and Praise. Click here to listen.

  • The Get Up Kids – Kicker

Standout tracks include “Better This Way” and “I’m Sorry.” Kicker is for fans of Saves the Day, The New Amsterdams, and Reggie and the Full Effect. Click here to listen.

  • Betty Who – Betty, Pt. 1

Standout tracks include “Taste” and “Ignore Me.” Betty, Pt. 1 is for fans of Troye Sivan, flor, and Broods. Click here to listen.

  • Protomartyr – Consolation

Standout tracks include “Wheel of Fortune (ft. Kelley Deal)” and “Same Face In a Different Mirror.” Consolation is for fans of Preoccupations, Iceage, and Ought. Click here to listen.

  • Local Tourists – Adrift

Standout tracks include “Tango Loco” and “The Architect.” Adrift is for fans of Glass Towers, Finish Ticket, and Mutemath. Click here to listen.

  • DNCE – People to People

Standout tracks include “TV In the Morning” and “Lose My Cool.” People to People is for fans of Maroon 5, Hey Violet, and Olly Murs. Click here to listen.

  • Days Like These – State of Growth

Standout tracks include “Weak” and “Give Up, Give Out.” State of Growth is for fans of Face Value, Detour North, and Far Too Young. Click here to listen.

  • Bussieres – Sunny Side Up

Standout tracks include “Prestige Worldwide” and “Baxter.” Sunny Side Up is for fans of Curbside, Hate It Too, and Thousand Oaks. Click here to listen.

 

Featured SingleS

Let us know what you think of June’s releases down in the comments below!

Our Alt Col Picks are curated lists of the best albums and EPs for each month! We keep a schedule of upcoming releases and pick our favorite ones at the end of the month, giving them a spotlight here and on Twitter. To be featured in one of our lists, hit us up on our contact page or Twitter, though nothing is guaranteed. (We rarely make exceptions to include past releases, so if your album came out in June, we might be hesitant to include it in July or August, for instance.)