For me, 2018 was a blur, and seemed to pass faster than any other year before. Was it the politics? Was it work? Friends and Family? No idea. In all honesty, I had a hard time keeping up with all the new releases. Seemed like the kings and queens released the major stuff in 2017, which left a void for the up-and-comers to fill. This was refreshing, but took some effort to seek out the new jams. It’s a pretty eclectic list below, and I hope you’ll find some new favorites.
In terms of the music culture, I saw more acts coming to Colorado than ever before. It may be the city, the legalizations, or the fact that bands need to tour now more than ever. This list is important to me for two reasons: sharing “new” music with others and sharing the band’s website. Sure, you can stream with the best of them, but pay the dues and purchase a physical item directly from the band. Here’s an interesting fact: To date, Peter Frampton received a whopping $1,700 for 55 million streams of “Baby I Love Your Way”!
There is some phenomenal talent out there and in today’s time of instant-gratification, we seem to take the talent for granted. 2019 Resolution: consciously support the music you like.
Music is pretty special and we all need it, especially the musicians for their livelihood! Enjoy my list below, and feel free to post any artists that didn’t make the 2018 list.
In no particular order—and note that each artist name links to their website, and each album cover links to their music somewhere:
Heaven and Earth
Young Turks
Jazz
Double Rainbow
Flightless Records
Freak Folk
Cocoa Sugar
Ninja Tune
Art Rap
Some Rap Songs
Columbia
Jazz Rap
Little Dark Age
Columbia
Synth Pop
Dirty Computer
Atlantic
Pop
Lush
Matador
Indie Folk
7
Sub Pop
Synth Pop
God’s Favorite Customer
Sub Pop
Indie Folk
WARM
dBpm Records
Indie Folk
The Horizon Just Laughed
Secretly Canadian
Indie Folk
The Hex
Secretly Canadian
Indie Folk
Astroworld
Cactus Jack
Rap
Origami Harvest
Blue Note
Jazz
Sparkle Hard
Matador
Alt Rock
Hive Mind
Columbia
R&B/Soul
Scorpion
Young Money Entertainment
Hip-Hop
Smote Reverser
Castle Face Records
Garage Rock
Con Todo El Mundo
Night Time Stories
Jazz
A Laughing Death In Meatspace
Mistletone
Alternative Rock
From The Dirt
Dirt Tech Reck
Dance/Electronic
Not All Heroes Wear Capes
Republic Records
Hip-Hop
Thank You for Today
Atlantic
Alternative Rock
Fudge Sandwich
In The Red Records
Garage Rock
Bottle It In
Matador
Indie Folk
American Utopia
Nonesuch Records
Alternative
Tell Me How You Really Feel
Milk Records
Indie Folk
Bad Witch
The Null Corporation
Industrial Rock
Weed Garden
Sub Pop
Indie Folk
Songs of Love and Horror
Drag City
Indie Folk
Oxnard
Aftermath Records
Hip-Hop
There’s a Riot Going On
Matador
Alternative
Virtue
Cult Records
Industrial Punk
The Now Now
Parlophone
Alternative
Space Gun
GBV Inc.
Indie Rock
Wide Awake!
Rough Trade
Indie Rock
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Tearing at the Seams
Stax
Rock
Parcels
Kitsune Musique
Alternative Pop
Go To School
4AD
Alternative Pop
Chris Dave and the Drumhedz
Blue Note
Jazz
Transangelic Exodus
Bella Union
Alternative
Suspiria
XL Recordings
Dance/Alternative
Collapse
Warp
Electronic
For Ever
XL Recordings
Dance/Electronic
Babble
Flightless Records
Garage Rock
Can’t Wake Up
Dualtone Music Group, Inc.
Indie Country/Folk
Good Thing
Columbia
R&B/Soul
Manual de Jaleo
El Volcán Música
Flamenco
The Sciences
Third Man Records
Sludge Rock
Now Only
P.W. Elverum & Sun, Ltd.
Indie Folk
