January, 2019. Time to sit back and take a knowing look at the year gone by, the year done with, the year 2018. After consulting the likes of Pitchfork, Paste Magazine, Consequence of Sound, Gorilla vs. Bear, and a nice write-up by Brooklyn Vegan, including Barack Obama’s top list, and after considering the releases by household names including, but by no means being limited to, Beach House, Blood Orange, Kurt Vile, Robyn, Lykke Li, Janelle Monae, a Black-Panther-laden Kendrick Lamar, and Kamasi Washington, here goes Team Poule’s list of who steered the rusty old ship of 2018 through the muddy waters.
In no particular order, and alongside handy Spotify links, these are some of the kickers, that will keep shining in 2019.
The Mauskovic Dance Band – Down In The Basement EP | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Technically not an album, but this piece – along with a second EP – brought so much joy to Poule headquarters, powered by Afro-Caribbean rhythms and space-disco | Out on the great Soundway Records | Spotify
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Vendredi Sur Mer – Marée Basse | Geneva, Switzerland | Also, technically a release of late-2017 but one that unleashed its full potential in the heatwave of European summer, and still shines bright in winter. Total banger of an album. Or EP? | Released by the infamous Profil de Face and produced in cooperation with the mad Lewis Ofman | Spotify
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Clara Luciani – Sainte Victoire | Martigues, France | Being a former member of the eclectic La Femme, she released her solo debut in April. A grand electric guitar-driven spin of French chansons, one of a kind, and one that includes a french lyrics cover of Metronomy’s trademark track The Bay. | Out on Universal France’s elusive Initial Artist Services | Spotify
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Sea Moya – Falmenta | Mannheim, Germany | A wonderfully diverse album, carrying the sense of seclusion of Italy’s Falmenta, where most of the song were written. The talented trio showcases its mad handling of melodies and harmonies, a distinct sense for tempo and finding the right words at the right time. | Released via the mad Majestic Casual | Spotify
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Domenique Dumont – Miniatures De Auto Rhythm | Riga, Latvia and Paris, France | The mysterious duo out of Latvia collaborated with an unnamed French artist for their second release here, a pointed tropically-fused sling shot of an album, with the crashing opener attached below. | Out on the great Antinote in Paris | Spotify
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Palace Winter – Nowadays | Copenhagen, Denmark | The charming group’s second LP has been a constant companion at Team Poule headquarters. Between ballads and booming anthems, Nowadays neatly showcased the ensembles many talents from song writing to precise production. Golden boy. | Out via the great Tambourhinoceros in Copenhagen | Spotify
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MillionYoung – Rare Form | Miami, Florida | His fourth studio album, and first in five years, still flying high on those 2011 vibes, a perfect joy for those remembering the days of MySpace top friends list, Hipster Runoff, Carles would approve. | Pressed via the infamous Mishu Records | Spotify
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Freedom Fry – Classic | Los Angeles, California | The kicking duo out France and the US finally dropped their debut album last year, after years of suspense. The diverse LP serves as a lovely folky ode to days spent under the skies minding your own business. | Out via LA’s stellar Caveman Arts Society | Spotify
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MUNYA – North Hatley / Delmano | Montreal, Canada | Munya released not one but two outstanding EP last year, all part of a trilogy with the final installment expected in Spring. A great folky guitar-led twist topped with soothing French vocals, a joy to listen to all year round. | Both out via Gorilla vs. Bear’s brilliant Luminelle Recordings | Spotify
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Anemone – Baby Only You & I | Montreal, Canada | It’s just a short EP with not even a handful of tracks, but they really got the engine revving. Her debut full length will be out in February, one to watch. | Released on Gorilla vs. Bear’s brilliant Luminelle Recordings | Spotify
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Dijf Sanders – Java | Gent, Belgium | With most of the songs and sounds having been recorded on a field trip through Indonesia, Java turned out to be a brilliantly layered and masterfully structured folky roller coaster of an album. A great listen. | Out via the great W.E.R.F. Records | Spotify
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Yuno – Moodie | Jacksonville, Florida | Great vibes and times served by Yuno on his latest, striking riffs, the distinct vocals, all perfectly layered into a summer breeze of an EP. | Out on the infamous Sub Pop | Spotify
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Luster – Luster | Copenhagen, Denmark | Straight forward indie rock with that special poppy swing to it and on-point production. A go-to album to listen to on the road as well as on your average Wednesday night. | Out on Animal Farm | Spotify
