This was originally posted to my Facebook account on January 28, 2018.

[NOTE: This tradition started in 2017 when I decided to start tracking all of the new bands, artists, and musicians I had listened to for the first time that year. I thought it would be a fun metric to keep track of and look at as a kind of Year-End Review. Even as I write this, there isn't really a consistent format for this, but I think that just adds to the charm of it (for lack of a better word.) My original thought was to just post these to Facebook so friends who wanted to could keep up with my tradition as they wished, but now I'll be putting these here on my own website.]

I thought I'd try something where I list out all of the bands or artists I've discovered this past year that I really liked. This is kind of a reflection for me as well as a recommendation for anyone interested.

7) Alice Glass (Post-Industrial(?))
Alice Glass used to be the vocalist for Crystal Castles until she left the band in 2014. She put out an EP in 2017 as a solo artist and I really like it. If you want some dark sounding club music you'd hear in The Crow or The Matrix, check her out.
Try listening to: "Without Love"

6) Echo and the Bunnymen (Rock)
I first heard their song "Killing Moon" in Donnie Darko. They came up again in an interview with a Nameless Ghoul from Ghost where he sang the praises of their album Ocean Rain. Seriously, listen to that album. I've never heard an album that quite sounds like it.
Try listening to: "Silver"

5) Zero 7 (Downbeat)
This is one of the projects Sia was a part of before she broke out as a pop artist. They have a very nice sound that is great for if you want something to calm down with.
Try listening to: "In The Waiting Line"

4) Death Grips (Experimental Hip Hop)
All jokes and memes aside, I actually like Death Grips. They have a very aggressive, primal sound with their glitchy, abbrasive instrumentals that is very interesting to me.
Try listening to: "Takyon (Death Yon)"

3) Suicide Silence (Deathcore)
I'm a little late with them, I know, but after finally listening to The Black Crown, I can say that that album is one of my all time favorites.
Try listening to: "O.C.D."

2) Kendrick Lamar (Rap)
I now understand what the hype was about. Lyrically and in flow, Kendrick is fantastic, and the instrumentals are super interesting as well. Good Kid, M.A.D [sic] City is now one of my all-time favorite albums.
Try listening to: "Swimming Pools (Drank)"

1) Crystal Castles (Electronic)
Going between glittery, trippy beats that you'd expect to hear in an Opium den to glitchy, mind-numbing rave beats, Crystal Castles is really weird and I love it. They are the one band that I can feel my brain going numb when I listen to their music.
Try Listening to: (Chill) "Empathy"
(Weird) "Baptism"

Honorable Mentions:
- Ula Ruth (Pop-Rock)
- The Dresden Dolls (Cabaret Pop)
- Joji (R&B-Hop?)
- The Birthday Massacre (Goth Metal)
- Ryu Fukui (Jazz)



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