The 1975 Tops Billboard’s List of Best Rock Albums Released in 2018

Matt Healy of The 1975 in concert
Matt Healy of The 1975 in concert. Photo by Pete Summers/REX/Shutterstock (8961613n)

Critics at the prestigious Billboard magazine recently made their picks for the best rock albums released in 2018, and the no. 1 spot didn’t really come as a surprise. The 1975 was one of the buzzed-about alternative bands of the year, and they topped this list with their third studio album.

A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships was released on November 30 to rave reviews and gave us several hit singles, including “Give Yourself a Try” and “Sincerity Is Scary.” It’s been barely a month since this album hit the shelves, but the band is already working on their follow-up.

Notes On A Conditional Form is scheduled for 31 May 2019 release and frontman Matty Healy said it contains some of the best lyrics he’s ever written. He admitted it’s a bit scary to release two albums back to back, but they’re doing it anyway!

“My only fear is that because I’ve put this umbrella over both albums, they’ll be perceived as intrinsically connected. But that was never my intention. I’m just making records. I’ve gotta always want to be making my masterpiece. Otherwise, what’s the point?” said Healy.

The 1975 might’ve dropped the most exciting rock album of the year, but it wasn’t the only one worth the listen. Mitski took the no. 2 spot with Be the Cowboy, while indie band Foxing finished third thanks to their latest album Nearer My God.

Billboard Critics’ Picks – Top 10 Rock Albums of 2018

  1. The 1975, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships
  2. Mitski, Be the Cowboy
  3. Foxing, Nearer My God
  4. Twenty One Pilots, Trench
  5. Snail Mail, Lush
  6. Turnstile, Time & Space
  7. Lucy Dacus, Historian
  8. Underoath, Erase Me
  9. Soccer Mommy, Clean
  10. Florence + the Machine, High As Hope