2018 in Music

As the year draws to a close almost every paper, magazine or website bombards you with lists that summarize, rank or rate this year's events. Because of this, and partly because the amount of posts has been lacking lately (mea culpa), I've decided to come up with my own summary. Of course it's a difficult, if not impossible, task to make an overview that justifies all released music this year. Therefore I've made a list of the artists and songs, covering different genres, that shaped my year. Enjoy '2018 in Music' and here's to a very musical 2019!!!

Hardstyle: Headhunterz

Admittedly, I haven't listened to much hardstyle this year. The genre just doesn't grip me as much as it used to anymore. There was however one album that did get my attention: 'The Return of Headhunterz'. It's a fitting title since Headhunterz' last hardstyle work dated from 2012.

The album is filled with the euphoric hardstyle bangers one might expect from this legend. No One Can Stop Us Now, Destiny and Path of the Hunter (based on the traditional Japanese song Sakura) are all equally impressive. My favourite song from the album however is Rescue Me, which is mainly due to the entrancing vocals of Lauren Nicole Walker

Ska punk: Leningrad

In March I stumbled across a Russian band called Leningrad and as you could read in my post I was very enthusiastic about them. Since I wrote that blog the band has continued to release a string of hits. Not Paris, Ju-Ju, Tsoy and Gold all have their own characteristic style both in sound and video. Out of all the artists I've discovered this year they're probably my favourite. Every time they release a song I can't wait for their next mini-story.

J-Pop: Reol

Believe it or not but 2018 was also the year I finally joined Spotify. Of course I had checked it out previously, but back then their library was far from complete and I felt it wasn't worth making an account for. However after my free month of Spotify premium this year I was sold. Their library now contained most of my favourite artists and discovering music was now so much easier. Case in point: Reol. Her high-pitched voice might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I absolutely love her unique way of singing. Her songs have both rock (End and SAIREN) and electronic (Saisaki and Violent White)  influences.

Reggaeton: Mau y Ricky

As summer started to approach my focus shifted to the Latin part of the world. Besides Sofia Reyes 1, 2, 3 (see post) the song I found myself playing most was the remix of Mau y Ricky's Mi Mala. The song itself is perfect for the hot summer weather but it also introduced me to a whole array of Latin artists and songs: Karol G (Mi Cama), Becky G (Sin Pijama), Leslie Grace (Duroy Suave) and last but least Lali (Sin Querer Queriendo).

Powermetal: Powerwolf

Another recommendation from Spotify, no doubt based on my love for symphonic and power metal, came in the form of Powerwolf. This German metal band is characterised by their gothic sound which makes heavy use of organs and choirs. Songs usually include werewolves, vampires or other dark fairytales fused with religious aspects. In combination with the raw voice of lead singer Atilla Dorn this all leads to very epic sounding songs like: Fire & Forgive, Demons Are A Girl's Best Friend and Killers With The Cross.

  

K-pop: Red Velvet

Long time readers of my blog might know that I've been a K-pop fan for years now. So much in fact even that this year I decided to pay a visit to the country that sparked the K-wave: South Korea. From the moment I set foot in Korea's capital Seoul it was clear that there was no escaping K-pop. In districts like Myeongdong and Gangnam stores blast K-pop through their speakers, sell K-pop merchandise and K-pop stars advertise everything from beverages to circle lenses. One of my favourite groups, that I actually had the pleasure of seeing perform live, is Red Velvet. The group, that even did a show in North Korea, combines a cute and bubbly image (Power Up) with a more mature and sexy one (Bad Boy).

Blues rock: Greta van Fleet

One band that really exploded into fame this year was Greta van Fleet. Many of my friends named them as their favourite festival act (as described in this post). Their enthusiasm was so infectious that I decided to pay Greta van Fleet a visit myself, together with my brother.  Their concert was held in October shortly after the release of their first full-length album 'Anthem of the Peaceful Army'. And while their performance was absolutely great their new work contained some more mellow songs, which weren't really to my liking. The song When the Curtain Falls however is one of my new favourites.

Hip hop: GRAY

Every country has their own talent shows on TV. Programs like Idols, The Voice and ... Got Talent in which "new stars are born". Usually I don't watch these shows because they don't produce the kind of artists I'm interested in. One exception I make for the Korean show 'Show Me The Money'. A hip hop talent show, believe it or not. This year the top six candidates performed a song together created by one of Korea's best hip hop producers: GRAY. It's a great song but apparently GRAY thought he could improve it, so he invited some other hip hop artists to feature on the track. The result is the 20 minute long 119 remix featuring not six, not ten, but 51 different artists!!! If you ever needed an introduction to the Korean hip hop scene this is it.

Other favourites

Arctic Monkeys - Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino (Indie rock)

BLACKPINK - DDU-DU DDU-DU (K-Pop)

TheFatRat - MAYDAY feat. Laura Brehm (Electronic)

Jvcki Wai - Enchanted Propaganda (Hip hop)

m-flo - No Question (J-Pop)