10 Best Albums of 2018

Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Power 105.1

10 Best Albums of 2018

Across the board, 2018 was the Year of the Woman — and the world of music was no exception. Yes, Drake singlehandedly dominated streaming services, but his erratic double album, Scorpion, was far too long. Super Bowl headliner Justin Timberlake’s Man of the Woods was a massive misstep, and onetime rap titan Eminem’s Kamikaze was, well, disappointingly homophobic. Luckily, Kacey Musgraves, Janelle Monáe and Cardi B turned out to be this year’s saving graces. See the full list of Us Weekly’s 10 best albums of 2018 below!

Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Power 105.1

10 Best Albums of 2018

Across the board, 2018 was the Year of the Woman — and the world of music was no exception. Yes, Drake singlehandedly dominated streaming services, but his erratic double album, Scorpion, was far too long. Super Bowl headliner Justin Timberlake’s Man of the Woods was a massive misstep, and onetime rap titan Eminem’s Kamikaze was, well, disappointingly homophobic. Luckily, Kacey Musgraves, Janelle Monáe and Cardi B turned out to be this year’s saving graces. See the full list of Us Weekly’s 10 best albums of 2018 below!

Credit:

10. Kanye West and Kid Cudi, Kids See Ghosts

The hip-hop duo’s close friendship is evident on their psychedelic collaborative project. As two of music’s great masterminds, West and Cudi test the boundaries of rap while searching for light in the darkness. The standout “Reborn” finds them bonding over mental health struggles, with Cudi repeatedly crooning what might just be the most important message of 2018: “Keep movin’ forward.”

Credit:

9. J Balvin, Vibras

The Colombian artist’s Spanish-language disc, which dropped on the heels of “Despacito”‘s success, redefines mainstream music with smooth, dance-heavy production. It’s a perfect party playlist from front to back. Not to mention, the reggaeton single “Mi Gente” became an international success even before Beyoncé hopped on the remix. Now that is impressive.

Credit:

8. Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Everything Is Love

After years of rumors, the Carters finally unleashed a joint project and reminded everyone that love conquers all. The superstar couple’s frenzy-inducing follow-up to Lemonade and 4:44 is a stunning body of work that documents the revitalization of their 10-year marriage. As Queen Bey puts it, “We’re flawed, but we’re still perfect for each other.”

Credit:

7. Camila Cabello, Camila

On her versatile solo debut, the former Fifth Harmony singer perfects the sound of independence and brings her creative ambitions to life. She effortlessly floats between English and Spanish on the tropical “Inside Out,” and finds herself face-to-face with heartbreak on the tender ballad “Consequences.” And who could forget “Havana”? If it isn’t still stuck in your head, you’re doing something wrong.

Credit:

6. Noname, Room 25

Chance the Rapper’s collaborator and Chicago compatriot transforms music into art on her poetic continuation of 2016’s Telefone. This time around, the up-and-comer narrates the latest chapter of her journey and breaks down who she has become: a smart, confident free spirit who is equally hilarious and self-aware.

Credit:

5. Robyn, Honey

The Swede’s dance-floor days are behind her. For much of her first record in eight years, Robyn ditches the thumping synths that made her a cult favorite in exchange for a more experimental and understated vibe. Saying goodbye to her anthems of yesteryear may feel like a gut-wrenching breakup, but Honey awaits with open arms.

Credit:

4. Charlie Puth, Voicenotes

The pop prodigy came out of left field with his ultra-confident, detail-oriented second effort, annihilating any worries about a dreaded sophomore slump. Grown-up grooves “Attention” and “Slow It Down” are enticing to say the least, but Puth’s R&B flair truly shines while trading verses with Kehlani on their surefire duet, “Done for Me.”

Credit:

3. Cardi B, Invasion of Privacy

Strip clubs and Love & Hip Hop: New York brought her fame, but irresistible jams “Bodak Yellow,” “I Like It” and “Bickenhead” catapulted the Bronx rapper to superstardom when packaged together on her triumphant debut. (Sure, her hilariously candid personality helped a bit too.) So much for being a one-hit wonder, right?

Credit:

2. Janelle Monáe, Dirty Computer

The musical visionary’s rebellious concept album is a masterpiece for the marginalized. Over the funkiest of beats, she celebrates gender, race, sexuality and self-love — and does it with ease. With sound bites from Stevie Wonder and Beach Boy Brian Wilson, this one was destined to be a hit.

Credit:

1. Kacey Musgraves, Golden Hour

The Texas-bred country singer admittedly tripped on acid while crafting her genre-bending fourth LP — and, oh, did it help. Her poignant, “happy and sad at the same time” songwriting is some of the strongest the industry has seen in years. From her clever kiss-off “Space Cowboy” to the spellbinding “High Horse,” this is one hour we wish would never end.

Honorable Mentions: Swimming by Mac Miller, Be the Cowboy by Mitski, Astroworld by Travis Scott, Restoration: Reimagining the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin by Various Artists and A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships by The 1975.