Artists' rankings

Popmuzik 2018: Danny Wilkerson's rankings

by Danny Wilkerson

There were so many amazing releases in 2018. LOTS of Power Pop (which I love!).

I purchaseda substantial amount ( and wide variety ) of music this last year, however, I was super busy promoting the release of my own record “ Wilkerson”, so unfortunately, I only got to hear a fraction of them. Instead of creating a best of Power Pop list, I tried to share some interesting choices from some different genres. Here are just a few of the standouts. 10 releases of 2018 in no particular that I have really enjoyed.

There were so many fantastic releases in 2018. A lot of them power-pop (a genre I love!).

I bought a considerable (and quite varied) amount of music over the past year, but I was very busy promoting the release of my record 'Wilkerson', so unfortunately I only managed to listen to a fraction of it. Instead of putting together a list of the best power-pop albums, I tried to share a few interesting picks from different genres.

Here are just a few of the most original: 10 releases from 2018 with no particular order of preference.

Bill Lloyd – Working the Long Game.

Bill Lloyd has delivered what may be his best album yet. A tremendous album full of great songs beautifully performed and recorded. Bill wrote each one with the who’s who of co-writers. I never thought he would top “Set To Pop”…then I heard this record. Wow!!!

Bill Lloyd has released what might be his best album yet. A massive record, packed with great songs beautifully performed and recorded. Bill wrote every song with various co-writers (Freddy Johnston and Graham Gouldman among others, ed.. I never thought he was the top of the pop game… then I heard this record. Wow!

Lemon Twigs – Go To School.

Double record set that takes a few listen to get into as it is quite ambitous, but once you do, it’s so much fun. I tell my friends to start with side 3 (it’s my fave side and one listen and you will know what I mean!) then start over with side one and listen all the way through.

A double album that takes a few listens to really appreciate, since it's quite complex and ambitious, but once it clicks, it's so much fun. I tell my friends to start with side 3 (it's my favorite side, and once you hear it you'll immediately get what I mean!) Then go back to side 1 and listen all the way through.

Dawes – Passwords.

Love the writing from this band. Just listen to “Crack the Code”. Beautiful simple but powerful lyrics sung over such a moving track. This is one of my favorite songs released in 2018. The whole album is really good but that one track is worth the price of admission to me.

I love the way this band writes songs. Just listen to "Crack The Code". Gorgeous lyrics, simple but powerful, sung over such a moving melody. This is one of my favorite songs released in 2018. The whole album is really good, but that track alone is worth my seal of approval.

Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour.

This was released as a country record? The track “Slow Burn” reminds a little of the feel of Beck’s “Morning Phases” record as far as the mood or feel. It’s just a great record to put on and relax. It just feels good.

Was this actually released as a country record? The track "Slow Burn" reminds me a bit of some of the feel of the "Morning Phases" by Beck" record, both in terms of atmosphere and vibe. It's just a great album to put on in the background and unwind to. It makes me feel good.

St. Vincent – MassEducation.

I really enjoyed 2017’sMasseductionalbum. Super creative artist.Upbeat fun.( think Talking Heads, but she is totally original ). This is a stripped down version of that record… just Annie Clark’s vocals and Thomas Bartlett on piano. It’s beautiful and haunting.

I really loved the 2017 album "Masseduction". A super-creative artist. Very fun (it makes you think of the Talking Heads, but it's totally original). This is a stripped-down version of that record… just Annie Clark's voice and Thomas Bartlett on piano. It's beautiful and unsettling.

Prince – Piano & A Microphone 1983.

Always been a fan of Prince’s music. This album is like being in a nice hotel bar with Prince at the piano playing one long ad-libed medley and having fun with it. It’s a very short record but definitely recommended.

I've always been a fan of Prince's music. This album is like being in a nice hotel bar with Prince at the piano playing one long medley improvising and having fun. It's a very short record, but definitely recommended.

Elvis Costello &The Imposters – Look Now.

I have always loved Elvis Costello. In my opinion, this is one of his best releases in years. Includes collaborations with Burt Bacharach and Carole King. From “My Aim Is True” to this year’s “Look Now” Costello’s quantity, quality and variety of output is astonishing.

I've always loved Elvis Costello. In my opinion, this is one of his best releases in many years. It includes collaborations with Burt Bacharach e Carole King. From "My Aim Is True" to this year's "Look Now", the quantity, quality and variety of Costello's discography are astonishing.

Roger Joseph Manning Jr–Glamping.

So excited to have a new Roger Joseph Manning Jr release! Itsa short 4 song EP but all 4 songs are great melodic tunes with amazing vocal arrangements.

I'm so excited about the new release from Roger Joseph Manning Jr! It's a short 4-song EP, but all four boast great melodies, with incredible vocal arrangements.

Berlin Music Ensemble – The Film Scores and Original Orchestral Music of George Martin.

Beautiful lush arrangements. I originally purchased it for all the “Yellow Submarine” instrumental tracks and “Live and Let Die” but there is so much more to enjoy on this double vinyl set.

Enchanting, lush arrangements. I originally bought it for all the instrumental tracks from “Yellow Submarine” and “Live And Let Die”, but there's so much more to enjoy on this double vinyl set.

Clark Twain – Life Is Wonderful.

Debut release. Thirteen cleverly written positive pop tunes. Very Nice.

Debut release. Thirteen cleverly written, upbeat pop tunes. Very nice.

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12/11/2025

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This article is an English translation of the original Italian text by Danny Wilkerson, published on OndaRock.it. It was translated with the help of artificial intelligence, under the editorial responsibility of OndaRock's editor-in-chief, Claudio Fabretti.

Read the original in Italian · About the English edition

Danny Wilkerson on OndaRock

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Danny Wilkerson Wilkerson

Discography

Bill Lloyd - Working the Long Game
Lemon Twigs - Go To School
Dawes - Passwords
Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour
St. Vincent - MassEducation
Prince - Piano & A Microphone 1983
Elvis Costello &The Imposters - Look Now
Roger Joseph Manning Jr - Glamping
Berlin Music Ensemble - The Film Scores and Original Orchestral Music of George Martin
Clark Twain - Life Is Wonderful