Express Reviews 2018: Album of The Year

As 2018 draws gently to a close and ‘Best of 2018’ lists are published across the country, we at the University Express thought that we would get in on the action. We asked our editors, contributors, and photographers and our friends at Motley Magazine to give us their own personal highlights of the year that was.

In this issue, we delve into the world of music to discuss some of the albums our writers most enjoyed throughout 2018. With releases from Drake, Ariana Grande,Idles, Post Malone, Kacey Musgraves and Kanye West coming in the first half of 2018 alone, it's clear that this has been a very good year for music of all genres. 2018 also saw the final releases from Mac Miller and xxxtentacion following their untimely deaths, and the arrival of the Jay-Z/Beyoncé album we've all been waiting for in the form of EVERYTHING IS LOVE. Here is what our writers made of the musical mosaic that was 2018.Black Panther: Official Soundtrack - Various ArtistsNow I'm not the biggest fan of hip hop/rap however earlier this year when Black Panther hit the big screen I was introduced a whole new world of music. From Kendrick Lamar to SZA I have a lot to be grateful to Black Panther for.Dan Webb, Entertainment Editor (Motley Magazine)Petite Amie - Juliette Armanet

Juliette Armanet's debut album is fresh, thoughtful, and incredibly charming. It is a very strong start to what promises to be an incredible career. The song 'L'Amour en Solitaire' in particular is wonderful in the literal sense of the word, and it also contains bops such as 'L'Indien'.

Lucas Brun, Editor-In-Chief (Motley Magazine) 

Kids See Ghosts - Kids See Ghosts Cudi and Kanye bring out the absolute best aspects of each other as artists. The amount of versatility and emotional range they packed into twenty minutes of music here is absolutely insane. "Feel The Love" was my top listened to track on Spotify for 2018, and honestly, try to listen to that shit without feeling like you could smash through a cinder block with your bare hands.Fergal Smiddy, Features Editor (University Express)Wyvern Lingo - Wyvern LingoThis trio brings something completely new to the Irish music scene, from the amazing blend of voices, to their 90's rnb vibes and sincere lyrics - it's an album that just screams badass to me and one I never get bored listening to!Rían Browne O'Neill, Sexpress Editor (University Express)Remain in Light - Angélique KidjoOkay, so being a Talking Heads’ enthusiast, I was delighted to discover that Angélique Kidjo has done a complete cover of their 1980 album. Kidjo is an absolute boss, (seriously, look her up) and the album is a slice of unabashed joy, with the West African influences of the original being brought full circle.Holly McGrath, Designer (University Express)Joy As An Act of Resistance - IDLES

IDLES are the best band I’ve come across in years and they’re only getting better and better. They’re doing something that no one else is doing. Banging tunes and stellar lyrics to boot.

 Caoimhe Coleman, Music Editor (University Express)

? - XXXtentacionX's last album before his death, again isn't as good as his first, but proves he is much more than the mumble rapper people have him pegged as. Stand out Tracks include Numb and the soulful SAD! and prove that X could actually sing.Joe Cunningham, Film & TV Editor (University Express)Baby Driver Volume 2: The Score for A Score

That film score was arguably the greatest ever and I didn't think that they could improve it in any way. But they did. So props to them.

Cian McGrath, Gaming Editor (University Express)