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)
