Part one
Part three
Part four

This is the second chapter of this megalong year-end list. To be continued tomorrow and I will then link them together for easier browsing.

45. Marie/Lepanto – Tenkiller (Big Legal Mess)

This Marie/Lepanto album came out very early in the year, but managed to keep its charm throughout 2018. It’s a collaboration project between two of my heroes. Will Johnson (Centro-Matic, South San Gabriel, solo etc) and Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster (Water Liars). I’m not sure was this just a one-off side project, but the quality is first-class.

44. Joel Henry Little – Spuyten Duyvil (Life is a Minestrone)

And then something completely different. Spuyten Duyvil is the debut album from NY-based songwriter Joel Henry Little. He operates somewhere between classic pop compositions and broadway musicals and delivers some breathtaking songs at such a young age. This song Arms Akimbo in particular is phenomenal.

43. Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail Lewis – Wild! Wild! Wild! (Bloodshot Records)

Next up is another collaboration. This one is between the folk/bluegrass wizard Robbie Fulks and rock’n’roll queen Linda Gail Lewis. Wild! Wild! Wild is a glorious rock’n’roll meets country extravaganza and listening to is a whole lot fun. Ok, judging by the lyrics, maybe it shouldn’t always be as fun as it is to me. Hardluck Louisiana by Linda Gail Lewis and I Just Lived a Country Song by Robbie Fulks are both among my favourite songs of the year.

42. Adam Remnant – Sourwood (Anyway Records)

The former Southeast Engine frontman Adam Remnant released a gorgeous EP a few years back and now followed with a debut solo album. Sourwood feels very relatable for anyone who has stepped into the adulthood realities and while still being fairly content and appreciative about it all, also has the longing to pursue additional dreams as long as they don’t break that core that matters the most. It’s a true and honest reflection that comes in a shape of a beautiful folk/rock album.

41. Kristina Murray – Southern Ambrosia (Loud Magnolia)

Nashville-based country/americana songwriter Kristina Murray was one of the new finds of the year for me, because somehow I’ve managed to miss her music before. Thankfully I finally did find her music, because Southern Ambrosia is a gorgeous album. I dig both the catchy countrified rock’n’roll songs and the beautiful ballads.

40. JP Harris – Sometimes Dogs Bark at Nothing (Free Dirt Records)

Next up is long time favourite JP Harris from, not so surprisingly, Nashville Tennessee. Carpenter by day, honky tonk hero by night. Sometimes Dogs Bark at Nothing is a damn fine album. Sometimes very moving, sometimes a whole lot of fun and all the time really awesome.

39. Adeline Hotel – Away Together (Ruination Record Co)

Dan Knishkowy (and friends) from New York release music under the name Adeline Hotel. It’s been fun following Adeline Hotel over the years and seeing them getting better and better with each release. That will get difficult from now on, because this reached a really high level on this 2018 album Away Together. It’s lyrically strong and sounds so warm and charming. What a beautiful album.

38. Adrianne Lenker – abysskiss (Saddle Creek)

I think I actually love this solo album from Adrianne Lenker more than the Big Thief albums. Which is a lot said, but there’s something here that really hits me to the core. It’s both vulnerable and powerful. Especially that trio blue and red horses, abyss kiss and what can you say close to the end really floors me.

37. Buffalo Gospel – On the First Bell

Moving to Milwaukee, because Ryan Necci’s magnificent country band Buffalo Gospel dropped a long-waited new album On The First Bell. It doesn’t have anything as great as the single/ep Waiting For The Lights To Go Out, but I can’t blame them for that. After all, it’s probably one of my favourite songs of this current decade. So it’s kind of difficult to live up to that. And yeah, I love this new album too and the band is amazing and criminally unknown. At least, in this corner of the world. Whole catalogue is pure gold. Get on it.

36. Anna St. Louis – If Only There Was a River (Mare/Woodsist)

For the next selection, it’s time to travel to Los Angeles. Anna St. Louis released his proper debut album If Only There Was a River and it’s an exceptional collection of songs. Definitely something rather unique and inspiring in her music.

35. Mitski – Be The Cowboy (Dead Oceans)

This is probably a little unexpected off the chart pick for me. It’s definitely a bit out of my comfort zone, but there’s just no way anyone could deny the greatness of this Mitski album. Definitely deserves all possible hype and I’ve loved seeing it ruling the year-end lists. The whole thing is awesome and then the ending song Two Slow Dancers really does that push us down the stairs routine that I read on some legendary tweet around the time of the release.

34. Sloan – 12 (Yep Roc)

There aren’t many pop records on this list, or melodic rock records or whatever, but hey a site with this name has to include a new Sloan album. Not that I have to do it out of courtesy (and I even wouldn’t do it because of that). These all-time greats are still in wonderful form and 12 is the 12th excellent Sloan album.

33. Amanda Shires – To The Sunset (Silver Knife Records)

Next up is the wonderful new Amanda Shires album To The Sunset. Kinda difficult to chain this to any specific genre, but in the end that’s rather pointless anyway and this would bust right through them if I tried it. So let’s just celebrate this wonderful album. Why isn’t this any higher on the list though? Beats me.

32. Caleb Caudle – Crushed Coins (Cornelius Chapel Records)

It looks like this latest Caleb Caudle album Crushed Coins has been temporarily taken away at least from the Finnish Spotify. Which might mean that there is a Europe release coming in 2019 to go with his tour here or something. Nevertheless, I have the backer download so I will definitely include this on the list. Caleb Caudle is a magnificent americana songwriter from North Carolina and this again a really beautiful record from him. Shame that the Stockholm date seem to fall mid-week, so can’t even dream of going there to catch the concert.

31. Turner Cody – The Duke of Decline (Boy Scout Recordings)

One of my favorite songwriters and storytellers, Turner Cody from New York can close the second chapter in this way too long list. Maybe Turner still hasn’t written his masterwork where every song is a winner. But it don’t really matter as long as every album has a 5 or so fantastic songs. Such a special talent and another one that is way too unknown at least in this corner of the world.

Part two
Part three
Part four

What a year it has been. I really struggled putting this list together, because there’s just so much great music. I get that you think picking 60 might be a little bit silly, but I feel like it could have been twice as long without any drop in quality. I had to leave out so many great albums and every cut broke my heart. Making of the weekly playlist sure changed my listening habits, because I tried to at least quickly listen all interesting albums every week to find songs for the list. That’s why I also fell for even more albums than during previous years. I will have even bigger struggles next year, if I keep it up for a full year. Now I started it in the summer. Let’s see if I manage to do it every week for a full year. At the moment, it still feels fun to do it every week, even though I’m not really sure does anyone actually listen to it (other than myself on my work commute).

That’s enough of pointless rambling and it’s time to get on with the list. It almost feels like I should make another pop list, because this will be pretty heavy on folk/americana/country. Again the order is pretty insignificant. It’s just 60 great albums that mattered to me during the year 2018. Music is life, not a competition.

Note: Twain’s masterwork Rare Feeling was my #3 last year, so it’s not included this year even though BB*Island released it in Europe during 2018.

Top 60 Albums of the Year 2018:

60. Scott Hirsch – Lost Time Behind the Moon (Scissor Tail Records)

We shall begin our year end journey with the absolute latest entry to the list. This Scott Hirsch album came out a week ago and therefore I haven’t spent a whole lot of time with it yet. Nevertheless, it’s already clear that it has to be on the list and could also be way up, if I had listened to it more. The numbering isn’t all that important, so I just drop this here on the last spot. Scott Hirsch is a former Hiss Golden Messenger member, but is nowadays making his own music. Add a little cosmic american groove to your life and introduce your heart to this album. I already love this song so much.

59. Mariel Buckley – Driving in the Dark

One of the new finds of the year was Canadian songwriter Mariel Buckley. Her album Driving in the Dark is full of beautiful country songs delivered with grit and honesty.

58. Jerry David DeCicca – Time The Teacher (Impossible Ark)

Jerry David DeCicca from Bulverde, TX delivered two really good albums this year. It’s pretty much a coin flip, which one makes the list. Tonight the light, gentle charm of Time the Teacher takes slight edge over its classic rock brother Burning Daylight. I fully recommend investigating both of these fine albums.

57. Jake Nicoll – Stone Arch

This album lives in a land unknown to everyday stress. Listening to it is almost meditative and resting on its shoulders is a perfect way to ease into the night. Jake Nicoll and Kira Sheppard created a really beautiful stripped-down album. Just two lovely voices with a guitar and a harp, but sometimes that’s everything I need.

56. Riley Pinkerton – Nothing Ever Is

Next up is Riley Pinkerton from New York and her captivating debut full-length Nothing Ever Is. Maybe some more consistently great albums didn’t make the cut, but there’s 4-5 songs on this album that I love madly and therefore this has to be on the list.

55. John Cathal O’Brien – These Borders

Staying in NY for the next selection. John Cathal O’Brien is Irish-born, but he currently lives in New York. His latest album These Borders is mesmerizing collection of haunting and melancholic folk songs.

54. Anna Burch – Quit the Curse (Polyvinyl)

Moving on to Detroit to meet up with Anna Burch and her magnificent debut album Quit the Curse. It reminds me a bit of Rose Melberg, The Softies and all that greatness. This is something that I maybe don’t listen to that much these days, but thankfully sometimes I still see the light.

53. T. Hardy Morris – Dude, The Obscure (New West Records)

Even though I liked it, I wasn’t a super fan of the previous T.Hardy Morris album. This new album Dude, The Obscure is right up my alley. I really dig the sort of hauntingly beautiful side of his music and there’s a lot of that here. So damn good.

52. The Other Years – The Other Years (No Quarter)

The Other Years are Anna Krippenstapel and Heather Summers from Louisville, Kentucky. Their self-titled debut album has beautiful lead vocals, surrounded by lovely harmonies and accompanied by fiddle, banjo and guitar. Old-timey vibe, brand new love. The song Talkeetna is incredible.

51. Nap Eyes – I’m Bad Now (Paradise of Bachelors / You’ve Changed Records)

Canadian Nap Eyes continues to write unique, literate and blissfully weird indie rock songs. Not always the catchiest and might need a few spins, but eventually these songs will find a home in your heart.

50. Aaron Lee Tasjan – Karma For Cheap (New West Records)

Aaron Lee Tasjan delivers again. This time he has written a damn enjoyable rock album. A bit of 70s, glam, psych and Petty and a whole lot of greatness.

49. Harrison Whitford – Afraid of Everything

Harrison Whitford has played a lot with Phoebe Bridgers, but he also quietly released a remarkable album called Afraid of Everything. I actually found him thanks to that guy above him, Aaron Lee Tasjan. The album is definitely sad and almost devastating, but it’s never an issue for me. My moderate happiness is built on devastatingly sad songs.

48. John R. Miller & The Engine Lights – The Trouble You Follow (Emperor)

Next one comes from West Virginia where John R. Miller & The Engine Lights gave birth to a beautiful country folk album The Trouble You Follow. Red Eyes is such a magnificent song. Well they all are.

47. I’m Kingfisher – Transit (Fading Trails)

The lone Nordic selection on this list comes from Swedish I’m Kingfisher. I caught a small part of his set at STHLM Americana and loved it so much that I knew I had to buy this album. The opening song What Good Would Loving Do Me Now? is one of the songs of the year. If you dig the Molina and Jurado songbooks for example, give this album a spin. Of course nobody is that good, but this guy is still pretty damn good.

46. Philippe Bronchtein – Me and the Moon

Closing the first chapter of this year end list is Philippe Bronchtein. If the name doesn’t bring a bell, he used to operate under the moniker Hip Hatchet. Philippe relocated from Portland to Nashville and self-released a beautiful new folk album Me and the Moon. The highlight of the new album for me is this beautiful title song about the road-weary life of a musician.

Another day, another end of the year list. This time it’s the EPs of the year. There were so many great ones that I expanded this to top 20. I’m really scared how long my albums of the year list is going to be. Anyway, here are my favourite EPs of the Year 2018. I hope I didn’t forget anything important. I’m always scared of that (and I did and it was one of the really important ones, Gladie, so now there’s actually 21 EPs on this). Again, there is some kind of order, but it’s not that important and I didn’t spend ages thinking is this better than that one etc. That’s all nonsense. So if you flip it over, it’s pretty much just as good. Music is life, not a competition.

20. Wes Allen – Funny Thing

I would have so many excellent choices for this last spot, but let’s go with the recent crush Wes Allen. I just stumbled upon this Toronto-based songwriter a few weeks ago and I’m very fond of this EP. So lovely.

19. Kent Eugene Goolsby – Every Way But Easy

Next up is Kent Eugene Goolsby from Nashville who continues where his band The Only Sons left off some years ago and delivers some gorgeous countrified rock.

18. Hermina Jean – Hot Grey

This one might be a bit more obscure pick. Hermina Jean is a songwriter from Montana who might still be fairly unknown. Not for long though, if she keeps on writing music as powerful as this.

17. Waxahatchee – Great Thunder (Merge Records)

While Hermina Jean might be a bit unknown, Waxahatchee doesn’t need an introduction. Her new Great Thunder EP is very stripped-down, but still dazzlingly beautiful.

16. Blue Wilson – Younger (Forged Artifacts)

This lovely bedroom pop/folk EP from Blue Wilson has been one of my last music crushes of the year. I need to dig deeper into that Forged Artifacts label, because I’ve really loved this and the Mr. Husband album during the past month.

15. Sera Cahoone – The Flora String Sessions (Lady Muleskinner Records)

Beautiful versions of some classics from Sera Cahoone’s song vault. Might demand a higher place, if I had not been familiar with these songs in some shape or form. Still absolutely beautiful and inspiring.

14. William Matheny – Moon Over Kenova (Misra Records)

The best part of William Matheny’s year was the release of the magnificent Christian Name single late in the year. However, this Moon Over Kenova EP is also pretty damn good and a great companion piece to his 2017 album Strange Constellations.

13. M G Boulter + The Froe – Blood Moon EP (Hudson Records)

Something beautiful from the UK as well. Folk singer-songwriter M G Boulter teamed up with string quartet The Froe and released a captivating EP Blood Moon.

12. Joan Shelley – Rivers and Vessels (No Quarter)

A stunning covers EP from Joan Shelley. Just by thinking of the quality of the music, it could well be in the top three. Somehow I just don’t value Cover EPs as much as originals on these silly lists. Nevertheless, I absolutely love Joan Shelley’s music and singing (and I love the whole Shelley household. The instagram sensation Dwight again brought so much joy to my year).

11. Little Star – Waltzing with Tears in My Eye (Good Cheer Records)

This EP is actually my introduction to Little Star and one of my new year resolutions needs to be introducing my heart to the Little Star discography. This is so damn good. Especially the first two songs. Oh my.

10. Nickel & Rose – Americana

Next up is the roots duo Nickel & Rose from Milwaukee. Carl Nichols and Johanna Rose share the lead vocal duties and sing powerful and thought-provoking songs in beautiful harmony.

9. Fables – Portraits (Second Hand Records)

A small step to New Zealand to find Fables and their debut EP Portraits. Especially How To Be Comfortable and All The Pretty Horses are so brilliant, but everything else works too.

8. Shonna Tucker – Dreams Of Mine

This new Shonna Tucker EP Dreams Of Mine came out of the blue. I had not heard anything before it was out, but these are the kind of surprises that I love. Extremely good stuff.

7. Evan Cheadle – Chasing Shadows (Big White Cloud)

Besides being a member of The Deep Dark Woods, Evan Cheadle also writes and releases his own music. Chasing Shadows EP is his latest release and it’s a magnificent combination of psych folk, country blues and baroque pop. Timeless and enchangtingly beautiful.

6. Ian Noe – Off this Mountaintop (Silver and Gold Recordings)

This is actually late December 2017 release, but I don’t have the heart to leave it out (and well Leuven Letters by Courtney Marie Andrews was even once my EP of the year, even though it did not come out that year). Anyway, Ian Noe is a fabulous songwriters based on this EP and few youtube clips I’ve seen and I can’t wait to hear full-length album. Especially the title track of this EP is pure gold.

5. Julie Arsenault – Mom Rock

Toronto-based songwriter Julie Arsenault was on this list last year and will be next year (well if I still have a blog and she releases music during the year). Her new EP Mom Rock came out very late in the year, but instantly won my heart over. This transparently feminist EP is powerful and moving.

4. Boygenius – Boygenius (Matador)

A collaboration between some of the finest current songwriters. Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker have released stunning music on their own and everyone knew that this was going to be special even before hearing one single note.

4. Gladie – Everyone is Talking But You

Major catastrophe. How could I miss Gladie. I’m sure I had put the cover on this draft, but somehow it wasn’t and then I just wrote the piece, published it and then noticed there’s no Gladie. Monumental mistake. I love this indie rock EP from Philadelphia-based Gladie and the opening track 20/20 is a contender for the song of the year. I don’t want to change the numbering, so Gladie can be tied 4th together with Boygenius and rest can stay were they were. There’s just now 21 EPs on the list.

3. Jim Bryson – Tired of Waiting (Coax Records)

Canadian singer-songwriter Jim Bryson is a long time favourite of mine and this new EP Tired of Waiting is another winner. Oh well, maybe not a winner, because it looks like it’s on the third place. But you get my drift, it’s an awesome EP.

2. The Weather Station & Jennifer Castle – Collaboration #3 (Paradise of Bachelors)

This is not really an EP. It’s just a collaboration single with two a-sides, but hey this is my blog so I can bend the rules. And I love this so much that I wanted to put it on some list. Two of Canada’s finest songwriters The Weather Station and Jennifer Castle together. What else could one possibly want?

1. Haley Heynderickx & Max Garcia Conover – Among Horses III (Son Canciones)

These first two were equally important and I love both madly. In the end it felt a bit more suited if the EP of the year was well actually an EP. Therefore the EP of the year award goes to Among Horses III, which is a collaboration between Haley Heynderickx and Max Garcia Conover. These two songwriters spent seven days on a farm in Spain and wrote and recorded this gorgeous EP during their stay among the horses. It sure has been a year of Haley Heynderickx for me, because she will also be really high on the forthcoming album and songs of the year lists. However, this one is not just about Haley. Max Garcia Conover also delivers some excellent songs for this EP of the year.