Pizza Writers' Favorite Albums of 2018 Pt. 2
By Dylan Gray, Sage Larson, Federico Hernandez Nater, Ted Lowenthal, Jack Moore, and Ben Olson
Almost a month ago we here at the Pizza FM writers team published a list of our favorite albums from the previous year, 2018. The result was one of (if not the) longest articles ever published on pizzafm.org. While this may be good for those interesting in longform or list based music journalism, it was certainly a task to read. So rather than drag that article out any longer, we decided to publish a second article with some honorable mentions and other releases not quite fitting for the main list.
Sage's Honorable Mentions (for smaller projects and EPs):
- WARNING EP - SUNMI
- </3 / We - H O N E Y M O A N
- Delmano EP - MUNYA
- Crush EP - Ravyn Lenae
- TOTEP - Kero Kero Bonito
Jack's Very Honorable EPs:
Nothing’s Change - Justus Proffit, Jay Som
This is What Happens When I Try to Relax - Open Mike Eagle
Dylan's Honorable Mention:
Twin Fantasy - Car Seat Headrest
Although technically a re release, this album is also a re work and remaster for the group. The differences and overall quality of the album made it hard to leave off the list. Will Toledo and co. did a great job with this nostalgic reminder of their older work. With melancholy lyrics and encapsulating guitar melodies, this is a must listen, even if you’ve heard the original.
Federico's Top Singles Just Because:
1. “Don’t You Forget About Me” - Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
This track showed up in my Spotify Tastebreakers playlist towards the end. Little did Spotify know that their algorithm would help me find my favorite song of the year. From the choral intro to the crazy guitar solo, that key change, those drums, and just everything about this song, I fell in love. It caught me all by surprise, but in the most uplifting and beautiful way possible. Please address me as Mr. “Don’t You Forget About Me” from now on, we’re getting married in February.
2. “MOOO!” - Doja Cat
My knowledge of this song all started with me sitting in bed and looking at this tweet.
I immediately Googled that phrase, and found the song “MOOO!” Not only was I surprised to find out this song was recorded and produced in one day, but I was very intrigued by the legality of this song later on. It samples another song by a jazz guitarist still under copyright, but besides this had many lyrical callbacks to other songs, ranging from Kelis’s “Milkshake” to Wu Tang Clan’s “CREAM”. Doja Cat’s label cleared the vocal samples but not the instrumental one. So when time came for the label to try to cash in on the viral hype by making an official version, the instrumental (as well as the mooing sound at the beginning) was changed. I’m giving my 2nd place spot to the original version of “MOOO!” That was put on the internet without warning, an interesting blip in the musical world this year. Make no mistake, “MOOO!” is certainly a statement on the copyleft nature of music making. What would this song be without all the references?
This was my summer song for a few days. Now when I listen to the bizarre, but hilarious/catchy lyrics (Doja Cat is beyond clever with them), I think of a warm summer air and a sense of calm. Strange associations for a song like this.
3. “Reel It In” - Aminé
Full disclosure, I’ve ended my show a couple of times by saying “I got the bag” and just playing this song. This song gets me so hyped. If I need to get pumped up before something, this goes on. Aminé said it himself, there is no meaning to it beyond the surface level, but there is no way this doesn’t worm its way into your ear.
4. “Malamente” - Rosalía
Yeah, I talked about this in my album list. But man, something about that idea of premonitions is so alluring lyrically. And, you know, those flamenco claps teamed with that beat just hits me right in the music feels. I really want to see this live someday.
5. “Tieduprightnow” - Parcels
Yes, I know I already talked about this song too, but it’s just so good! Nice, feel good song that warms my soul and makes it feel like summer even if it’s the end of December.
6. “KAYTRANADA_WAITIN_115_BPM” - Kelela
Ok, this is a bit of a stretch to include here, but this remix is worth listening to. Kaytranada puts his sparkle on this song like it’s nobody’s business and changes up the feel. When it hits that second chorus, I appreciate all that buildup.
7. “I Like It” - Cardi B, Bad Bunny, J Balvin
I know it’s mainstream, but hear me out. This big Latin anthem features a Bronxite Dominicana, a Boricua, and a Colombiano. To me, any collaboration of this scale is huge. Seeing Bad Bunny perform it live at Los Dells was a plus. Despacito exploded on US soil at the beginning of the year: look how far Latin music has come into the mainstream in the time since. This is pretty far.
8. “Whipped Cream” - Ari Lennox
It just has a vibe to it, you know? A very “this song is chill and no one can bring you down from the chill cloud” kind of vibe. The lyrics are surprisingly deep, in a good way.
9. “Pineapple” - Karol G
Saw this live at Los Dells too. Karol G of “Mi Cama” fame has this solo thing up her sleeve too. So much of Latin music these days is grounded in collaboration, which is fine. I like collaborations, and Karol G has some good ones. But this is a solo thing, and she makes it known that the forefront of Latin music is where she belongs.
10. “Azukita” - Steve Aoki, Play-N-Skillz, Daddy Yankee, Elvis Crespo
This collaboration sounds like something out of a weird dream. Just the idea of it is very “I had a dream that Elvis Crespo met Steve Aoki and they made a song together,” right? Anyways, it’s real, and it holds its own. Yeah, this is EDM. But it’s also Elvis Crespo. Steve Aoki and Play-N-Skillz create the perfect balance of expectation in their respective genres, and the Daddy Yankee/Elvis Crespo magic just makes this song shine.
Honorable Single Mentions:
- “El Anillo” - Jennifer Lopez
- “Taki Taki” - DJ Snake, Ozuna, Cardi B, Selena Gomez
- “APESH*T” - Beyoncé & Jay-Z
- “Fool Moon” - Anteros
- “Clandestino” - Shakira & Maluma
- “Pa Mi” - Tory Lanez & Ozuna
- “El Plan” - Danny Fornaris, Tito “El Bambino”, Jani Sánchez