By Jenna Dreisenstock
The genre that is experimental music is in constant evolution; a label that can be both instantly recognisable as well as completely and utterly abstract and unable to define. The truest definition of dialectics, as we are constantly re-evaluating the definition for what experimental music truly is; is rather fitting to the literal definition of the word. Essentially, the genre that is experimental is when one is unable define what the genre of the album is, yet at the same time – because one is unable to define that genre, it is instantly labelled as experimental. Which is somewhat hilarious, actually when I word as such.
Anyway, regardless of our personal definitions of what experimental music is, we have put together a list of experimental albums from 2018 that have made us reflect on what exactly the genre can encompass. We have mentioned some fantastic experimental artists in previous lists, so we have made sure to focus on those we have possibly missed out on that definitely deserve your attention.
Here are 15 enchanting experimental must-listen releases from 2018:
altopalo – ‘frozenthere‘
September 12th | Samedi Records
Oneohtrix Point Never – ‘The Station‘ (EP)
July 27th | Warp Records
Julia Holter – ‘Aviary‘
October 26th | Domino Recording Co Ltd
Tim Hecker – ‘Konoyo‘
September 28th | Kranky
Shigeto – ‘Weighted‘ (EP)
28th September | Ghostly International
Trevor Something – ‘ULTRAPARANOIA‘
12th October | In Your Brain LLC
Daedelus – ‘Taut‘
25th May | DOMEOFDOOM
Lori Scacco – ‘Desire Loop‘
July 6th | PLANCHA
Dorian Concept – ‘Nature of Imitation‘
August 3rd | Brainfeeder
CECILIA – ‘Adoration‘
May 4th | Halcyon Veil
ouri – ‘We Share Our Blood‘ (EP)
September 28th | Ghostly International
Binkbeats – ‘Private Matter Previously Unavailable Pt.2‘
January 19th | Self Release
Efrim Manuel Manuk – ‘Pissing Stars‘
February 2nd | Constellation Records
Jlin – ‘Autobiography‘ (Music from Wayne McGregor’s Autobiography)
September 28th | Planet Mu
Puce Mary – ‘The Drought‘
October 5th | PAN
What have been some of your favourite experimental albums from 2018 so far?
Let us know in the comments below!