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| Still from the video for "Let's Make Love" by Brazilian Girls |
Another year has come to an end, and once again I have committed myself to ranking the movies and music that I have discovered in the past 12 months in an effort to create a clear picture in my mind of which have meant most to me. I have decided this year to share two lists in particular, my top ten favorite movies released in 2018 and my top ten favorite albums released in 2018. Feature-length films and albums are the two most important forms or art to me, and newly released movies and music have a particular relevance to the current time period.
As some who know me may have discerned, I have a particular interest in films and music that explore political issues (especially those related to the environment), so this probably comes across in these lists. In both mediums, I've been interested to follow how the current political landscape has been reflected. In the realm of popular films, some of my favorite movies have critically explored such important current issues as climate change (see First Reformed) and the re-resurgence of white nationalism in America (BlacKkKlansman). Within indie rock and indie pop, the genres of music I tend to follow most, there were a number of albums this year that seemed to be responding to current political issues, despite these genres not usually being known for being very political. Some of these albums saw artists taking up a newly pessimistic outlook on society (MGMT's Little Dark Age, Peter Bjorn and John's Darker Days, etc.), while others responded by advocating for love and appreciation of life as a solution for today's problems (Brazilian Girls's Let's Make Love).
Obviously these selections are subjective to my own tastes and interests, but I hope anyone reading this will find some new movies or albums that may have meaning to them. As far as movies go, I've tried to watch as many new films that have relevance to me as I can, although there were plenty I didn't get to see but still need to (primarily If Beale Street Could Talk). In regards to albums, there are many I'm sure I missed, but I tried to listen to the best selection that I could. I haven't listed my favorite songs of the year here, but I've included videos with some of my favorite songs from the albums I've included, most of which are also among my top songs released this year.
The following are my personal favorite movies and albums of the year, ranked from #1 through #10 with #1 being the best. What were your favorites? Let me know.
Favorite New Movie
1. First Reformed
This tense, dark drama follows a minister played by Ethan Hawke who finds himself in a crisis of faith after a tragic event involving an environmental activist he has agreed to council adds to an already tormented personal life. Much of the film focuses on the man's growing concern for the environment (or "creation") in the face of humans' ignorance and inaction on mounting issues like climate change, which is set in motion by his encounter with the activist and his pregnant wife. This in itself makes the film a necessary addition to today's cultural and political landscape, as news about climate change seems to get more dire every month even as government leaders in the highest offices continue to deny or downplay its seriousness. However, writer-director Paul Schrader goes much deeper than this, using current environmental issues only as a backdrop for a probing examination of the duality of hope and despair inherent to human experience. Though it doesn't offer a clear direction forward for the greatest environmental struggle of our time, the film does suggest that if we are to move forward in any productive direction we need morality and hope, two things often in short supply in today's society.
2. Annihilation
Alex Garland's follow up to his masterful 2015 directorial debut Ex Machina is another intelligent and mind-bending science fiction thriller that probes the most basic aspects of human existence. The story, based on the novel by Jeff VanderMeer, follows a biologist played by Natalie Portman who, with a team of four other female scientists, enters a mysterious enclosed area of land where the normal laws of nature seem to not apply to investigate why previous expeditions had all ended up dead. The film channels 2001: A Space Odyssey in its exploration of evolution and its abstract, surreal finale, but perhaps leaves even more unanswered questions for the audience to mull over. But at it's core its an exploration of biology, humanity, and which is more likely to lead to our destruction - other life forms or ourselves.
3. Leave No Trace
This film, Debra Granik's follow up to Winter's Bone, follows the story of a veteran with PTSD (Ben Foster) who has raised his daughter (Thomasin McKenzie) in the wilderness to avoid the triggering anxieties of living in society. When they are discovered and forced to return to civilization by authorities, the two embark on a journey to determine where each of them truly belongs. The film is not only an intimate and compassionate portrait of a relationship between a father and daughter, but is also a subtle exploration of humans' relationship with nature. Just like any relationship between two people, humans' relationship with the environment can be one of dominance on either side, but it's best when the two exist in harmony.
4. Sorry to Bother You
This film is not only one of the most "out-there" films you're likely to see from 2018, but also possibly the most necessary and one that covers one of the most important subject matters. The story follows Cassius "Cash" Green (Lakeith Stanfield), an black telemarketer who discovers he can use his "white voice" to become successful and rise through the ranks in the company he works for. When he finds out that the company is actually a front for a larger corporation that makes a profit by recruiting people for unpaid, slave-like labor, Cash is forced to decide between a high salary and joining workers organizing for labor rights. Through surrealist satirical comedy, expertly crafted by rapper and activist Boots Riley, the film articulates something rarely explored in mainstream media: how the capitalist system operates on exploitation of the working class, particularly of minorities. When the activists in the film finally gain a win against the exploitative corporation their victory feels a bit too easy - and a bit too violent. However, the result is a rallying call for workers to organize for radical change that will stick in your mind long after the credits roll.
5. Roma
This slow-moving, observational portrait of a maid (Yalitza Aparicio) and the middle class family she serves over the course of a year in 1970's Mexico is a perfectly captured slice of life taken right from the place and era that writer-director Alfonso Cuarón was raised in. However, the themes presented are universal and eternal. The maid and her family face hardships, tragedy, and occasionally spar amongst each other, but ultimately love and a compassionate bond keep them grounded and able to continue on the road of life.
6. BlacKkKlansman
Spike Lee's latest "joint" will go down as one of his most impactful and timely films in years, telling the inspired-by-real-events story of a black police officer (John David Washington) who uses a white surrogate (Adam Driver) to infiltrate a local branch of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970's. The main purpose of the film is to draw parallels between past activity of the Klan and racial tensions in present day America to show that not only did racism and white nationalist attitudes never disappear but are on the rise, particularly under President Trump. The film accomplishes this in a powerful way, using the trademark politically charged humor and stylishness that only Spike Lee can pull off. I have to point out that some critics, including Boots Riley (see his commentary on the film here), have very fairly criticized the film for being soft on police brutality and portraying police officers as heroes in the fight against racism. This is a problem, but the film does tackle the issue of racist police officers, and though the idea of the police working along side those fighting for justice for blacks may be a dream Lee portrays this as an ideal scenario, not necessarily a common reality. Its one perspective on a complex issue, but one that will have a powerful impact on audiences across the country.
7. A Star Is Born
8. Widows
Steve McQueen's latest is a tense crime drama that combines Oscar-worthy writing and acting with blockbuster thrills. The story revolves around a group of women, led by Viola Davis in a flawless performance, who must pull off a dangerous heist to repay a crime boss after their husbands were killed while committing a robbery. In addition to the engrossing drama and edge-of-your-seat action, the film smartly tackles a broad range of themes including, race, class, government corruption, and misogyny giving it a rare amount of depth for a crime thriller.
9. The Favourite
This comedy tells the story of two women (Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone) competing to win the favor of Queen Anne (Olivia Coleman) in 18th century England. Creating a comedy set in this time period that feels fresh and is funny to audiences today can't be easy, but writers Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara have written something surprisingly hilarious here, while director Yorgos Lanthimos adds his deft touch of artistry and bizarreness to make the film something truly original and fascinating. But at the heart of the film are the three lead actresses, who perfectly capture the power struggle between their characters that often devolves into a childish game almost as ridiculous as the polarized politics of today's society.
10. First Man
You already basically know what you're going to get from a historical drama about the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing. But Damien Chazelle's Neil Armstrong biopic does at least couple things to save itself from becoming a run-of-the-mill hyper-patriotic story about the American space program. First, the cinematography, production design, and score help create an incredibly gritty and true-to-life feel that make you feel like your really watching scenes from 1960's space missions in all their primitive technology precariousness. Second, the film focuses on the human elements behind the moon landing story, from the very real anxieties experienced by astronauts and their families to the personal journey experienced by Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) that has largely gone untold up to this point. It's still a fairly simple story with few surprises, but these elements help make it a great film and a satisfying portrayal of the incredible achievement that was human's first landing on the moon.
Favorite New Album
1. Let's Make Love - Brazilian Girls
New York City band Brazillian Girls have always been known for their eclectic blend of electronic dance music with a wide array of musical genres. Let's Make Love, their first album since 2008, moves in a more mainstream synth-pop direction, while keeping much of their unique charm, resulting in a brilliant album filled dance-able pop tunes.
Let's Make Love is much more than a collection of super-catchy songs, however. The lyrical themes in the tracks together create something of a loose concept album centered around one bold idea: loving life and the people around you. This may seem basic and generic, but as the band suggests, it's something not done nearly enough in today's society. Some songs explore this lack, such as "Wild Wild Web", a song about how technology disconnects people from each other, or "Impromptu" which targets capitalism as a force creating a society devoid of empathy and meaning. Other songs, such as "Go Out More Often" and title track "Let's Make Love" are anthemic rallying calls for a re-finding of human connection and enjoyment of life. In today's world of intolerance, corporate greed, and mind-numbing technology these might just be the type of radical solutions humanity needs.
Check out the song "Let's Make Love" here:
2. Little Dark Age - MGMT
With MGMT you never know what to expect. After their 2007 album Oracular Spectacular that made them famous with songs like "Kids" and "Electric Feel" they proceeded to release two totally bizarre psychedelic pop albums that sounded like musical acid trips. 2018's Little Dark Age saw the band return to their electronic-infused synth pop roots, with some of their catchiest material yet. As expected, however, they still kept their music weird in the best possible way.
In addition, the lyrics on this album are some of their most relevant to modern society yet. Singer Andrew VanWyngarden admitted to the album being influenced by the band's feelings of dismay following the election of Donald Trump, which is evident in such politically-tinged songs as "Little Dark Age" and "Hand it Over". Other songs have potent elements of social commentary, particularly surrounding the influence of technology on people's lives, such as "TSLAMP" (short for "Time Spent Looking At My Phone"), a song about how constant access to technology consumes people's minds and prevents us from seeing the world around us.
Overall the album is a reflection on the anxieties of modern life, but there is much to enjoy even with its darker elements, as the album is full of shimmering synths, creative production, and catchy tunes. There's even moments of humor and hope on the album, proving that even dark times aren't entirely devoid of light.
Listen to "TSLAMP" here:
3. Darker Days - Peter Bjorn and John
As the similar titles suggest, the Swedish indie pop band's follow up to their more lighthearted and electronic-based 2016 album Breakin' Point is another album that explores feelings of anxiety and despair in modern times. Aside from "Silicon Valley Blues" which expresses fears over corporate data collection, most of the lyrics are fairly unspecific, allowing the listener to imagine their own problems as relating to the meaning of the songs. This limits its political potential, but the band is more concerned here with exploring the darker side of human experience, particularly as contrasted with its lighter side. This point is brought home on the final track "Heaven and Hell" as the lyrics "Learning to draw the line between heaven and hell" are sung. Its a mature album for a group that are now veterans on the indie music scene. It's also a great album musically that plays well from start to finish.
Check out the slow-burning closing track "Heaven and Hell" here:
4. Atomic People for the Dying Star - Toy Cowboy
This is an album by a band from my hometown that I decided to buy on CD after seeing them perform live and being surprised at their talent and originality for a local group. The album more than met my expectations, being a great collection of fervently fun indie rock tunes. The lyrics are rich in surrealism and hyperbole telling stories of rabbits masquerading as snakes and obsessive hair growth (among others things) that veil the albums underlying social and political commentary. It's indie rock for a dying world where selfishness and intolerance run rampant through society. Yet somehow the album is still loads of fun and hard not to dance along to.
Check out the album on Bandcamp here.
5. I'll Be Your Girl - The Decemberists
This is another album that lyrically riffs on the general negative direction society has seemingly been moving in in the Trump era. Songs like "Once In My Life" and "Severed" express general feelings of despair with how things are going, while some songs like "Everything Is Awful" and "We All Die Young" seem to almost joke about how ridiculously bad things are. These make for nice songs for helping you express your political outrage, but the real treat with The Decemberists' eighth album is the new musical directions they explore. Several of the songs on the album see the band moving away from their trademark ornate prog-folk sound to explore 80's inspired synthy soundscapes. This works best on songs like "Cutting Stone" which combine these new musical elements with singer Colin Meloy's typical folk literature inspired, thematically grand lyrics. As a whole, the album feels disjointed and simplistic compared to the ambitious concept-driven records from earlier in their catalog, but their musical evolution here is enough to create a fresh and exciting album that is one of the year's best.
Listen to "Cutting Stone" here:
6. Tell Me How You Really Feel - Courtney Barnett
"City Looks Pretty", a song about seeing the beauty in the world after a depressive episode that halfway through morphs from a fired-up rock number to a lazy, contemplative jam, is one that I particularly love and is probably my favorite song of the year. Check out the video for the song here:
7. Quiet River of Dust Vol 1 - Richard Reed Parry
Best known as a core member of the indie rock band Arcade Fire, this is Richard Reed Parry's first proper solo album. Having focused much of his side project work on more classical-oriented music this is also his first solo collection of songs to be more in the alternative rock vein and to feature him singing lead vocals. As the solo albums released by other members of Arcade Fire have always been fascinating and brilliant, I was not surprised that this album is no different.
Quiet River of Dust Vol 1 (the first half to be released of a two volume collection) is a spiritual album of sorts. The seven tracks of folk-inspired art rock music share transcendental visions of nature guiding life and of becoming one with the natural world, and move like an ever flowing river, peaceful and slow moving at times and forceful and quick at others. It's an album rich in depth and mystery, and one that proves Parry a great artist in his own right.
Listen the stunning penultimate track on the album, "I Was In The World (Was The World in Me)", here:
8. There's A Riot Going On - Yo La Tengo
The veteran indie rockers' fifteenth studio album is a sprawling 64-minutes of low-key rock songs, instrumentals, and soft ballads. The album's title, likely a nod to the 1971 Sly and the Family Stone album There's a Riot Goin On, contrasts ironically with the relatively chilled out nature of its songs, suggesting an attempt by the band to create serenity in turbulent times. While the non-traditional structure of many of these songs at times makes them feel a bit lazily produced or unfinished, something about the band's endearing charm allows them to get away with it. Despite being on the indie music scene since the 80's, Yo La Tengo are still creating intriguing and varied albums and maintaining the same artistry and coolness that has characterized their music since the beginning. This album, while not their best ever, is a testament to that consistency.
Listen to my favorite song from the album, "Shades of Blue", here.
9. Virtue - The Voidz
When the Voidz, Julian Casablancas's experimental rock outfit, released their first album Tyranny in 2014 it was met with mixed responses from critics and fans, I think who just couldn't take how weird it was. But to some people, like me, the epic, aggressively political, 62-minute-long record, featuring songs that melded alternative rock, hard rock, and experimental rock, was an indisputable masterpiece. Despite this, The Voidz wanted to create something more accessible to make their brand of artistically-oriented rock music more available to the masses. This resulted in their second album, Virtue, being generally more toned-down, the songs being more streamlined with more electronic-pop influences, and the lyrics being less directly political. For me this was a bit of a disappointment, and the album didn't have nearly the same impact on me as Tyranny did. That being said, Virtue still makes my top ten list for 2018, as it is still filled with interesting and cool songs, some of which recall the politically charged art rock found on their first album. And if the band have picked up a few new fans with the new direction on this album, that can't be a bad thing either.
Check out my favorite song from Virtue, "QYURRYUS", here:
10. Bright to Death - Film School
When I first discovered the California band Film School in the early 2010's I fell in love with their style of rock music that blended shoegaze elements with synthy flourishes and great melodies. However, the band was inactive at the time and I wasn't sure if I'd ever see a release from them again. That all changed a couple years ago with the release of a new EP and the announcement of their return. This year they released Bright to Death, their first album since 2010. Though not the greatest of their work, this album is a strong return for the band, containing eleven tracks of hazy noise pop that recalls some of their more upbeat previous work. It's more of a refinement of their sound than a bold leap in a new direction, but the album makes for a great listen and contains enough good material to satisfy fans both old and new.
Check out the fantastic video for my favorite song from the album, "Don't Send My Love", here: