2018.5

As we end the first half of the year and fully embrace summer, I share my annual list of my favorite releases from the first half of 2018.

Julie Byrne played National Sawdust

Stadiums & Shrines celebrated the release of their compilation album Dreams, out via Cascine, by hosting a party at National Sawdust featuring a headlining set by Julie Byrne.

Broken Social Scene played SummerStage

In honor of Canada Day, Broken Social Scene descended upon New York's Central Park for a fantastic free show under a scorching summer blaze.

Slowdive played House of Vans

Slowdive came to Brooklyn's House of Vans as part of the venue's free summer series and the band's first east coast visit of 2018.

Kamasi Washington - The Choice EP

Last week, Kamasi Washington dropped his excellent new album Heaven and Earth. Along with the double-album, he has also surprised released a new EP titled The Choice.

Arroyo Seco 2018

In recent years, smaller festivals have been popping up over the summer across the country to compete with destination mega-players like Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza. Arroyo Seco in California is one such event that draws mainly on nostalgia in lieu of rising sensations. Fittingly, I went with my dad for the ultimate father-son rock experience.

Grizzly Bear and Spoon played Prospect Park

Grizzly Bear and Spoon brought their fantastic co-headlining tour to Brooklyn's Prospect Park as part of the annual BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival that has now taken place at the bandshell for over forty years.

Deafheaven - "Canary Yellow"

Following the epic "Honeycomb," Deafheaven have shared the second single from their upcoming record Ordinary Corrupt Human Love out July 13 via ANTI-.

Spiritualized - "I'm Your Man"

Spiritualized are back! Jason Pierce has announced And Nothing Hurt, the group's first new record since 2012, and it's out September 4.

Nothing - Zero Day

Philly Shoegazers Nothing have announced a new record. Dance on the Blacktop is the follow-up to 2016's Tired of Tomorrow and is out August 24 via Relapse.