My Favorite Albums of 2018 so Far

5. 'High As Hope' by Florence + the Machine

This album just came out a few days ago, and I instantly fell in love with it from the first listen. After a 3-year hiatus, Florence Welch couldn't have made a better comeback than this. In this album, themes of loneliness and personal struggles are very prominent. However, what conquers all of the sadness that's in this album is hope. The songs in the album talk about a range of topics including holding on to people and her sister Grace.

What makes this album very special is the minimalist production that governs it. The production is not overpowering at all, and it is just enough to complement Welch's vocals beautifully. Because of this production, the songs depend on Florence Welch's vocals more than ever. Fortunately, this does not disappoint at all because of her beautiful and wide vocal range. In songs like "Hunger" and "The End of Love," her powerful vocals make you feel the heart and soul of each song. Another song that I loved is "Sky Full of Song," which almost feels like an a capella because of its minimalist and simple production.

In conclusion, High As Hope is a complete album that takes the listener on an adventure through sad and happy emotions. With such powerful vocals and thought out production, this album almost effortlessly works like a charm.

Favorite Songs: "Hunger," "Grace," and "The End of Love"

4. 'Invasion of Privacy' by Cardi B

Just like many others, I was very shocked when the rapper who started with "Bodak Yellow," one of the most popular 2017 songs, emerged with an album that I will appreciate for ages. I would be lying if I said that I did not doubt her, but Cardi B proved me wrong. In this album, Cardi B goes above and beyond to distinguish herself from the rest of the competition. She successfully does so in an album that magically manages to combine powerful rap, vulnerability and banger songs,

What makes this album work is that unlike many others, it is not bloated with fillers. Another great thing is how Cardi B chose the perfect guests to complement her. Some of the guests include rap master Chance the Rapper, vocal powerhouse SZA, and subtle Kehlani.

Invasion of Privacy is a shockingly enjoyable album because we get to hear Cardi B talk about her personal struggles, her journey to success, and her haters while accompanying her songs with beautiful beats and appropriate guests. In an era where most rappers cater to the mainstream audience and produce lackluster albums, Cardi B easily shines and sets standards that her peers have to meet.

Favorite Songs: "Get Up 10," "Best Life," and "I Do"

3. 'Kids See Ghosts' by Kids See Ghosts

In the hip-hop duo's debut album, Kanye West and Kid Cudi shine individually and as a group. The result is an incredibly creative collaborative effort that spotlights their chemistry. In the album, West and Cudi discuss mental health and their recovery from it, personal issues, and moving forward in their lives.

The album certainly feels like a Cudi album more than a West one, but that's perfectly fine because West's production on the album gives the listener a certain joy and excitement. Clocking at only 23 minutes, Kids See Ghosts takes one on a journey through sadness and happiness as it alternates between lyrical tenderness and swagger rap. After it concludes with the melodic "Cudi Montage," it just leaves the listener wanting more.

This album is a part of West's Wyoming project, which had him drop a new album every week over 5 weeks. The effort that he put into these albums has to be appreciated by the public because I'm doubtful that anyone else can do that. Luckily, in works like Kids See Ghosts, Cudi and West prove to us that they are here to stay.

Favorite Songs: "Freeee," "Reborn," and "Cudi Montage"

2. 'Everything Is Love' by The Carters

Leave it to Beyoncé and Jay-Z, billed collectively as The Carters, to drop a surprise album and send social media into a state of frenzy. This album serves as a satisfying conclusion to a trilogy that started with "Lemonade" and "4:44." In this album, Beyoncé and Jay-Z explore their fame and wealth, pay homage to their upbringings, and discuss love and forgiveness.

Jay-Z is just as great as he always is. There is something very unique and fiery about the way he raps and starts his verses, which provides much-needed energy to the songs. However, Beyoncé easily steals the show as she steps out of her comfort zone and ventures to hip-hop. What's great about the album is how it transitions smoothly between bangers and slow songs, and then ends on a lovely note.

Much like everything else they do, 'Everything Is Love' feels like an event and a work of art rather than a mere album. It is a very powerful and incredibly coherent record that tells stories and makes countless historical references as it keeps running. The end result is a pleasing and a beautifully put-together work that serves as a perfect addition to the artists' extensive discography.

Favorite Songs: "Summer," "Apeshit," and "LoveHappy"

1. 'Isolation' by Kali Uchis

My pick for the best album of 2018 so far is the debut by the magnificent Colombian-American artist Kali Uchis. I cannot describe how surprising it is for a debut album to be so great and vibrant. In this album, Kali stacks her songs with high-profile artists such as Tyler, the Creator and Jorja Smith. But ultimately, there is only one person that is going to impress you, and that is Kali Uchis herself.

In Isolation, Kali takes us on an adventurous journey as she flows between vintage pop and R&B and breaks a billion rules on her way from the first song to the last. More importantly, what's eye-opening is how each track stands out on its own. With the support of her Amy Winehouse-like vocals, Kali gets inventive and shows us her invulnerability. However, she leaves it to the last track in the album to reveal her perception of a previous lover as a killer.

Isolation works flawlessly because Kali explores a myriad of different styles and genres (and languages for the matter) with each song. Fortunately, it all feels very natural and the transitions are smooth. Kali achieves by creating a 15-track album that holds its own ground and never loses coherence. The result is an artistic triumph by a rising start that should be noticed by all the music fans.

Favorite Songs: "Miami," "After The Storm," "Dead To Me," "Just A Storm," and "Killer"