Heppolo Top Of 2018

[heppolo]

I missed that Grand Blanc release. It might have knocked out Immi from my list.

Nice to see Ex:Re. It didn't make my YE but Romance did.

And big yays for Meg and Eliza.

Thank you, Ex:Re is quite a tricky fruit, I consider it to be quite a front-loaded album, first 5 songs are much better (at least for me)

[heppolo]

#5 iLe - Odio
Country: Puerto Rico
Genre: Latin Alternative, World Music

The song is dedicated to Puerto Rico's struggle for independence. The music video is dedicated to the remembrance of Carlos Soto Arrivi and Arnaldo Dario Rosado.

[youtube:17cr2z1m]z6ZuUplbEOY[/youtube:17cr2z1m]

[heppolo]

#4 Ghostly Kisses - The City Holds My Heart
Country: Canada
Genre: Dream Pop

Angelic voice turns your melancholy up to the very max. This is the highest charting English-language single this year, which means you can turn off now.

[youtube:judfn6mk]Tj149G4DKD8[/youtube:judfn6mk]

[heppolo]

ALBUM CHART (TOP 50 OF 2018)
#2

2. Jonathan Bree - Sleepwalking
Sometimes this record does seem like Jonathan is making a mockery of all the singer-songwriter/baroque pop/60s Yé-yé/Nick Cave-like cliches.

Jonathan Bree - You're So Cool
Jonathan Bree feat. Clara Viñals - Say You Love Me Too
Jonathan Bree - Valentine
Jonathan Bree - Sleepwalking
Jonathan Bree - F**k It
Some weird interview in Russian
[youtube:1m3ttird]48J2zTj6CKI[/youtube:1m3ttird]

[heppolo]

#3 JP Simões - Alvoroço
Country: Portugal
Genre: Alternative, Baroque Pop, Folk

At 2:05 mark something absolutely hectic and psychedelic happens, acting probably as the mid 8 of this very elaborate tale. JP Simões is a hooligan (Alvoroço) indeed and he can twist his vision of folk music as he chooses.

[youtube:ibgblhxs]MolIKr2qSt0[/youtube:ibgblhxs]

[heppolo]

JP Simões - Alvoroço (acoustic version)
[youtube:2ddxo6ub]3QyMVmcGVaI[/youtube:2ddxo6ub]

[heppolo]

#2 Anna Kajander - Sabla Fin
Country: Norway
Genre: Indie Pop, Indie Rock

If somebody wonders to check this list, then it most likely may come off as a joke. Anna sounds like the very early version Kate Nash, but in Norwegian. The music video revives a trippy late 2000s myspace/youtube/yahoo video vlogger aesthetic.

[youtube:7jc0oyx6]Vsr4RweH_4I[/youtube:7jc0oyx6]

[JSparksFan]

"20 Questions" is good!

[heppolo]

"20 Questions" is good!

Thank you, Veronica is a huge star in Sweden, but the rest of her catalogue is in Swedish (still very pop-friendly).

[heppolo]

ALBUM CHART (TOP 50 OF 2018)
#1

1. Kælan Mikla - Nótt eftir nótt
A very dark post-punk/synthpop album with the coldwave-ish vocal. It creates a special atmosphere.


Kælan Mikla feat. Bang Gang - Nótt eftir nótt
Kælan Mikla - Nótt eftir nótt - full album stream


Næturblóm (Live)
[youtube:nbiw6t03]VRgxo8JtTRA[/youtube:nbiw6t03]

[heppolo]

#1 Valeria Stoica - Poate
Country: Moldova
Genre: Indie Pop, Indie Folk

1. ''Poate'' means maybe in Romanian.
2. Valeria Stoica has that ASMR folksy voice and does songs both in English and Romanian.
3. Each of her music videos feels like a coming of age movie.
4. This is one of those ''songs at the end of the world'', that midly depressing, dreamy song that comes last in your jukebox before you decide to keep the curtains shut to not see the apocalypse.

[youtube:2tlo0823]eHGspbK3br0[/youtube:2tlo0823]

If you enjoyed this song, check other Valeria's singles:
Hai Acasa (Gil Dobrica)
Just A Boy
Remember
Distante
Get Back

[Blondini]

Interesting top 5 songs/videos.

I definitely need to check that top album in full. Icelandic?

[heppolo]

Interesting top 5 songs/videos.

I definitely need to check that top album in full. Icelandic?

Yes, it's in icelandic. I think you might find it kinda tame.

[UKMusicLova]

I really enjoyed the vibe of your #1! Definitely need to take some time and check out some others

[heppolo]

I really enjoyed the vibe of your #1! Definitely need to take some time and check out some others

Thank you!
The vibe is definitely nice and feels genuine, Valeria's trying to make it for five years already, but it's not that easy to find her market in a very EDM/pop-rap dominated Romanian-Moldovan showbiz.

[Tansike]

Re: Heppolo Top Of 2018

3. Spurv - Myra

Another entry on your list I think I need to check out. Your description sounds like this is the perfect album for me - I also love its cover!

[heppolo]

3. Spurv - Myra

Another entry on your list I think I need to check out. Your description sounds like this is the perfect album for me - I also love its cover!

It's even available on youtube so you can check it out on any platform.

[heppolo]

Honourable mentions
ALBUMS

Jamie Isaac - (04:30) Idler
Genre: R&B, Nu Jazz, Electronic, Bossa Nova
Slightly too downtempo and laid-back at times.

Jamie Isaac - Maybe
Jamie Isaac - Wings

The Pirouettes - Monopolis
Genre: Electropop, Synthpop
France has recently done a lot to advance the cause of whacky synthpop & electropop.

The Pirouettes - Si léger
The Pirouettes - Ce paradis

Bagarre - Club 12345
Genre: House Music, Synthpop, EDM
Striving for originality in dance music is not easy. You may lose the catchy bits or become a ''style over substance'' example.

Bagarre - Béton armé
Bagarre - Danser seul (ne suffit pas)
Bagarre - Diamant

Jonathan Leandoer127 - Nectar
Genre: Alternative, Lo-Fi
He's better known as Yung Lean, the trap rapper. But this is super different and unexpected.

Jonatan Leandoer127 - Tangerine Warrior (freestyle)
jonatan leandoer127 - Vampire Blues

Kirkis - Kirkis 2
Genre: No Wave, Lo-Fi
This man is an underrated genius. The album is a bit all over the place, but still thrilling as ever.

kirkis - darkroom - NSFW
Kirkis 2 album stream (Bandcamp)

[MisterK]

Like Tansike I don't know any of the tracks here but I will definitely check some of them out. :-D

[heppolo]

Like Tansike I don't know any of the tracks here but I will definitely check some of them out. :-D

Thank you, I hope those won't seem too crazy.