Mark Oliver Everett’s 12th Eels album ‘The Deconstruction’ contains everything in its right place, yet the tone is most definitely more optimistic than usual.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s fourth album ‘Sex & Food’ contains much musical progression, but still showcases Ruban Nielson’s unique songcraft.
Trading in hooks for warmer pop textures but retaining the lo-fi feel of their debut, Hinds’ second album ‘I Don’t Run’ is another understated success.
Goat Girl’s self-titled debut album displays huge promise and compelling modern punk bile, but its structure of song sketches lets the band down.
A divisive figure releases what’s likely to be a divisive debut album, but Cardi B’s ‘Invasion Of Privacy’ is undeniably an entertaining listen.
Julian Casablancas’ side-project The Voidz returns with its second LP ‘Virtue’, which transcends its overly long and experimental nature to be a largely enjoyable listen.
Greta Kline’s Frankie Cosmos project goes from strength to strength, and ‘Vessel’ confirms her as one of the finest songwriters of her generation.
Raging with distorted guitars and dripping acidic cynicism at times, but tame and disjointed in others, Cabbage’s debut album ‘Nihilistic Glamour Shots’ is only partly successful.
The Vaccines’ fourth album ‘Combat Sports’, a sleek and focussed effort, sees them reacquire their confidence by returning to first principles.
Refracting the pop and rock psychedelia of the Sixties through the prism of modern songwriting and with soulful delivery, The Shacks have delivered what will surely be regarded as one of the best guitar debuts of 2018.
