It has been a phenomenal year in Independent music and here at American Pancake we have been fortunate to find and share a treasure trove of great sounds from all those bands who are sadly not covered by the Pitchfork Media's of the world. Over the thousands of submissions that have come over the AP electronic desk (and some that have not) this list is the top 110 Favorite Songs of 2018. This list, this post is kind of a compendium to a YouTube video on the AP Channel and an AP Podcast so whether you use this list on it's own or in conjunction with those casts I hope you find some great music that turns you on. I also hope that you share this list as well as the Youtube vid or podcast and (most of all) I hope you support artists that you enjoy as well as local artists in your neck of the woods. Also a special thanks to all the artists / bands (you know who you are) who have reached out to me via email or Instagram with words of encouragement and appreciation.
The list is in NO particular order of importance. You will find a Soundcloud or Bandcamp link as well as a link to the AP post (if there is one). Enjoy!
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Robb Donker VIDEO
1.Conversation by Swine Tax
"Conversation" by Swine Tax pushes all the right post punk pleasure buttons: http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/12/conversation-by-swine-tax-pushes-all.html 2. Don't Be Afraid by So Many Wizards Dream punkers So Many Wizards emotional break through on "Don't Be Afraid" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/dream-punkers-so-many-wizards-emotional.html 3.Restless Sleeper by Lazy Bones Lazy Bones - pulsating bass, shoe gaze haze romance wave of "Restless Sleeper" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/12/lazy-bones-pulsating-bass-shoe-gaze.html 4. Rewind by How Great Were The Robbins How Great Were The Robins and the swirling askew dream pop of "Rewind" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/12/how-great-were-robins-and-swirling.html 5. Petrichor bt Luke De-Sciscio Luke De-Sciscio's intimate orchestrations of sound on "Petrichor" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/12/luke-de-sciscios-intimate.html 6. Castle Pines by Castle Pines The somber "Castle Pines" by Castle Pines, a moving tear stained love letter : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/12/the-somber-castle-pines-by-castle-pines.html 7. Every Living Thing by Young Hunting Young Hunting feeling too much in the complex pop of "Every Living Thing" from the upcoming album "True Believers" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/12/young-hunting-feeling-too-much-in.html 8. Drive by Dead Sullivan Dead Sullivan's album "Season" the matter in the universe many of us have long lost (song DRIVE) : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/dead-sullivans-album-season-matter-in.html 9. Worthy Girl by Kills Birds Kills Birds - feral punk / garage / grunge / psyche rock fury of "Worthy Girl" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/12/kills-birds-feral-punk-garage-grunge.html 10. In Due Time by Spooky Cigarette Spooky Cigarette's blendo / ska / two tone / post punk "In Due Time" as free as spring reverb : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/12/spooky-cigarettes-blendo-ska-two-tone.html 11. Another Life from Girl As Wave Girl As Wave sleep walking dreams on "Another Life" from the EP "Poison Vines and Nectar" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/12/girl-as-wave-sleep-walking-dreams-on.html 12. American by Frog The genre bending alternative rock of Frog and their infectious diatribe "American": http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/12/the-genre-bending-alternative-rock-of.html 13. Fragment Peach by Chives Viria Chives Viria's "Fragment Peach" a beautiful sonic narcotic to stir up your dreams: http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/12/chives-virias-fragment-peach-beautiful.html 14. Until I Found You by Fascinations Grand Chorus Fascinations Grand Chorus - deep injection 100% pure 60's pop sound - "Until I Found You": http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/11/fascinations-grand-chorus-deep.html 15. Lion by Dirt Hand The musical chaos of "LION" by Dirt Hand feel like darkly burning camp fire stories : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/11/the-musical-chaos-of-lion-by-dirt-hand.html 16. Suspicion by Bat Zuppel ALBUM Review - Bat Zuppel - "Mirror /Rorrim" - the psych rock Gods must be smiling : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/11/album-review-bat-zuppel-mirror-rorrim.html 17. In the Dark by The Caracals"In the Dark" debut single by The Caracals - indie rock with surf punk vibes from Orange County : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/02/in-dark-debut-single-by-caracals-indie.html
18. P.J.R by Hydromag Hydromag cuts a beautifully sad deep groove eulogy on "P.J.R": http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/11/hydromag-cuts-beautifully-sad-deep.html 19. Everybody Wants To Take You For A Ride by Frederick The Younger Frederick The Younger's sonic Polaroid on the hazy muted love of "Everybody Wants To Take You For A Ride" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/11/frederick-youngers-sonic-polaroid-on.html 20. Persuasions To Enjoy (featuring Shaool and Kala) by Barry Wilson MusicBarry Wilson Music- "Persuasions To Enjoy" (Featuring Shaool and Kala) - lush groovy jazz, neo soul, funk, hip hop explosion : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/11/barry-wilson-music-persuasions-to-enjoy.html 21. Waves by Coattails Coattails out of Austin, Texas trip fed psychedelia on "Waves" feels so beautifully heavy : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/11/coattails-out-of-austin-texas-trip-fed.html 22. Outside by Felines Danish band Felines and the dreamy punk doo wop sway of "Outside" from their EP "Saying It Twice Makes It Real" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/10/danish-band-felines-and-dreamy-punk-doo.html 23. Endless Destinations bt Squatcho Squatcho - and the cinematic "Endless Destinations" from their upcoming album "Out Of Place" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/10/squatcho-and-cinematic-endless.html 24. Bear The Waves by Stray Fossa "Bear The Waves" by Stray Fossa is a dreamy indie rock song best listened to in the shower : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/10/bear-waves-by-stray-fossa-is-dreamy.html 25. Black Hole Fusion by Lukka "Black Hole Fusion" by New York based artist, musician, composer Lukka is a shifting dreamy puzzle of a song : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/10/black-hole-fusion-by-new-york-based.html 26. Hot Stuff by Toledo TOLEDO - title song off of debut EP "Hot Stuff" when that one person means the universe to you : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/10/toledo-title-song-off-of-debut-ep-hot.html 27. Albatross by The Magic Lantern London's The Magic Lantern and the beautifully wrought "Albatross" moves in magical ways : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/10/londons-magic-lantern-and-beautifully.html 28. Dying In The South by Commander Keen Southern post punk by Commander Keen - pummels you into submission on "Dying In The South": http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/southern-post-punk-by-commander-keen.html 29. Destination Wedding by Bike Thiefs Bike Thiefs pounds in your head like punk Pop Rocks on "Destination Wedding" :http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/bike-thiefs-pounds-in-your-head-like.html
30. A Work of Reflection In The Age of Mechanical Sentimentalism by Valid LightValid Light - dense folk rock reflections on "A Work Of Reflection in the Age of Mechanical Sentimentalism" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/valid-light-dense-folk-rock-reflections.html 31. Fear On The Rise by The Memoirs The Memoirs from Nottingham (UK) and the plush but raw alt rock sound on "Fear On The Rise" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/the-memoirs-from-nottingham-uk-and.html 32. Spectacle by Pocket Rockets East L.A.'s the Pocket Rockets turn out and up on their new single "SPECTACLE" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/east-las-pocket-rockets-turn-out-and-up.html 33. Jungle by Jeen Canada's Jeen- and the post punk goodness of "Jungle" from the album "Gift Shop" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/canadas-jeen-and-post-punk-goodness-of.html 34. Mary Don't Bury Me by Dominy Dominy and the country tinged indie rocker "Mary Don't Bury Me" is infectious: http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/dominy-and-country-tinged-indie-rocker.html 35. Never Finds You by The Washboard Abs The Washboard Abs' broken hearted dreamy lullaby "Never Finds You" :http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/the-washboard-abs-broken-hearted-dreamy.html
36. Love Kills by Coyle GirelliCoyle Girelli - creates a surreal tortured love ballad on "Love Kills" and it kills : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/coyle-girelli-creates-surreal-tortured.html 37. Disconnect but Imcompletely by I,Aeronaut The 5 track EP by I, Aeronaut - "All Those Bright Natures Adorned In Our Prime" is as unique as it is beautiful. Like a stunning musical cyborg. : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/the-5-track-ep-by-i-aeronaut-all-those.html 38. All You Sad Boys by United Ghosts United Ghosts push big buttons on "All You Sad Boys" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/united-ghosts-push-big-buttons-on-all.html 39. Hairdresser by Gentle Ivanhoe Death Skulls Gentle Ivanhoe Death Skulls reverb washed dreams on "Hairdresser": http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/gentle-ivanhoe-death-skulls-reverb.html 40. Everything by M.A.D. Go M.A.D. for the fever dreamy "Everything": http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/go-mad-for-fever-dreamy-everything.html 41. How Will Our Hero Get Out Of This One by Fins
"How Will Our Hero Get Out Of This One" by Fins is a silky smooth pop concoction : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/how-will-our-hero-get-out-of-this-one.html 42. Hemoglobin by He Arrived By Helicopter He Arrived By Helicopter spins on art rock axes on "Hemoglobin" from "The Shiny Hostel" album : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/he-arrived-by-helicopter-spins-on-art.html 43. Have My Back by Kyson Kyson and the blendo tropical punk pop aesthetic of "Have My Back" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/kyson-and-blendo-tropical-punk-pop.html 44. Clear Sky by Dream Phases The pure and pristine art rock / pop psychedelia of Dream Phases and "Clear Skies": http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/the-pure-and-pristine-art-rock-pop.html 45. When She's High by Tully & Mei
Tully & Mei - spartan hip hop, pop rock explosion of "When She's High" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/12/tully-mei-spartan-hip-hop-pop-rock.html 46. Speed Of Wine by Paper Cameras Paper Cameras - post punk bliss "Speed Of Wine" is the tonic for what ails you : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/09/paper-cameras-post-punk-bliss-speed-of.html
47. Infinite Other by The Fourth WallThe Fourth Wall - sonic reflections on "Infinite Other":http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/the-fourth-wall-sonic-reflections-on.html
48. Big Blue Sky by Holly Redford JonesSway under Holly Redford Jones' "Big Blue Sky" and feel the love:http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/sway-under-holly-redford-jones-big-blue.html
49. Jellyfish by GalapaghostCasey Chandler's solo project as Galapaghost goes electronic on "Sootie" - hear the single "Jellyfish":http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/casey-chandlers-solo-project-as.html
50. Patiently 4 U by Ceramic AnimalCeramic Animal and their "CTF" sound on "Patiently 4 U" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/ceramic-animal-and-their-ctf-sound-on.html
51. Flower Parts by Comprador
Comprador- galaxy building on "Flower Parts" from the Double LP - "Downstream" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/comprador-galaxy-building-on-flower.html 52. Love Love Love by Beta Waves Beta Waves out of Dundee, Scotland and the addictive "Love Love Love" : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/beta-waves-out-of-dundee-scotland-and.html 53. American Dream by Crooked Teeth "American Dream" by Crooked Teeth casts a dark and light reflection : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/american-dream-by-crooked-teeth-casts.html 54. Party by Wet Leather New York's Wet Leather and the audaciously cagey "Party": http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/new-yorks-wet-leather-and-audaciously.html 55. Pink Thoughts by Topographies "Pink Thoughts" by the Bay Area's Topographies is so many things. : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/pink-thoughts-by-bay-areas-topographies.html 56. XO by Calan Mai Calan Mai's "XO" is a chill piece of wanderlust with Polaroid experiences : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/calan-mais-xo-is-chill-piece-of.html 57. 10/6 by Meggie Brown "10/6" by the dangerously enticing Meggie Brown feels like feral punk rock (London) : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/106-by-dangerously-enticing-meggie.html 58. So It Is Ever by Django Haskins Django Haskins' dark evocative "So It Is Ever" from the album "Shadowlawn": http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/django-haskins-dark-evocative-so-it-is.html 59. Party by Jesse Rosenthal Singer-songwriter Jesse Rosenthal changes emotional shapes on the track "Party Dress":http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/singer-songwriter-jesse-rosenthal.html
60. Pillos N Rillos by Couch JacketsIf you lived in Central Arkansas what kind of music would you make? Couch Jackets - trippy ride on "Pillos N Rillos":http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/if-you-lived-in-central-arkansas-what.html
61. BR-EA-THE by Grymm "BR-EA-THE" by Brighton indie grunge hybrid Grymm is dark and foreboding rock : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/12/br-ea-by-brighton-indie-grunge-hybrid.html
62. Endless Idle by Dead PaintersDead Painters' title track "Endless Idle" from their full length that drops TODAY feels like a hand written letter set to music :http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/dead-painters-title-track-endless-idle.html
63. Dandelion by Jesse Jo StarkJesse Jo Stark's hyper reality of "Dandelion":http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/jesse-jo-starks-hyper-reality-of.html
64. Liz Taylor by SharkmuffinSharkmuffin's "glam grunge" and classic punk brevity on the track "Liz Taylor":http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/sharkmuffins-glam-grunge-and-classic.html
65. Your Sun by MoontwinMoontwin - the official video for "Your Sun" - barbed wire and blooming flowers exist together:http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/mootwin-official-video-for-your-sun.html
66. Something Green by New MeNEW ME- Look for their 7 Inch- hear the trippy pop sound of "Something Green":http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/08/new-me-look-for-their-7-inch-hear.html
67. Downhill Calendar by The ChewersThe Chewers - the driven off a cliff industrial art punk poetry of "Downhill Calendar" needs to be in your musical library - : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/07/the-chewers-driven-off-cliff-industrial.html
68. A Portrait Of Grace by Humble DigsHumble Digs - labor of love "A Portrait Of Grace" trippy blended impressions in a 150 year old farmhouse (track Shame) : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/07/humble-digs-labor-of-love-portrait-of.html
69. Country by RacomaRacoma's Self Titled album feels organically deep- steep in the tracks "Country" and "Howl" and then love the rest:http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/07/racomas-self-titled-album-feels.html
70. Boy by FalasiesFalaises - transient "Boy" has dangerous edges :http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/07/falaises-transient-boy-has-dangerous.html
71. Unfair by Deleo"Unfair" by French Indie rock duo Deleo buried and unburied passion : http://www.americanpancake.com/2018/07/unfair-by-french-indie-rock-duo-deleo.html
72. Behind The Walls by Neo & NeoNeo&Neo's "Behind The Walls" casts ethereal images in your mind:
76. The Way We Collide by The Boy Jones The Boy Jones- "The Way We Collide" emotionally rich :
79. Helado by Rudy De AndaRudy De Anda stirs it up in "Helado":
