From the grand returns of Janelle Monáe and Neko Case to the compelling storytelling of Mitski and Alejandro Escovedo to the exuberance of Kids See Ghosts and Low Cut Connie, 2018 gave us a tremendous amount of attention-worthy music to explore. We begin with our overall best-of list, and will explore a different genre each weekday until the new year.

Alejandro Escovedo The Crossing The singer/songwriter teams with Italian rockers Don Antonio for a song cycle of two young men chasing a dream of America.

Alice Bag Blueprint The L.A. punk pioneer's second solo album is intelligent, eclectic, and impassioned music by a gifted songwriter and vocalist.

Ariana Grande Sweetener Ariana Grande matures on the focused and fine Sweetener.

Autechre NTS Sessions Sprawling, eight-hour set of material Autechre recorded for NTS Radio, ranging from intense hyper-glitch to tranquil yet abrasive drone.

Billy Gibbons The Big Bad Blues A down and dirty blues album that's looser than the average ZZ Top platter.

Blood Orange Negro Swan Dev Hynes' most touching LP mixes and bounds between bedsit post-punk, desolate dream pop, chillwave-coated quiet storm, and low-profile hip-hop soul.

Brothers Osborne Port Saint Joe Brothers Osborne get funky and funny on this assured sophomore set.

Christine and the Queens Chris The singer/songwriter's triumphant second album borrows from '80s R&B and questions gender roles, engaging minds, hearts, and bodies along the way.

Damien Jurado The Horizon Just Laughed The singer/songwriter's first entirely self-produced album blends Rockwellian portraiture and personal remembrances for a deeply affecting set.

Draco Rosa Monte Sagrado After two prolonged battles with cancer, the artist returns with his first studio album in nine years and it's a rocker.

Field Music Open Here The Brewis brothers show no signs of running out of ideas, crafting (yet) another brilliant album of smart and shiny pop.

Fred Thomas Aftering Fred Thomas vividly describes his life experiences through energetic rock songs as well as sprawling experimental pieces.

Ghost Prequelle After a tumultuous 2017, the Swedish ghouls emerge with new personnel, a new fictional frontman, and the best music of their career thus far.

Gilbert O'Sullivan Gilbert O'Sullivan Working with producer Ethan Johns, Gilbert O'Sullivan delivers one of his very best records.

Janelle Monáe Dirty Computer Artful resistance and pop music aren't mutually exclusive on the multihyphenate's first album in five years.

John Prine The Tree of Forgiveness The venerable songwriter sounds like a smart and rascally old man on this album, and it suits him perfectly.

Jon Hopkins Singularity The proper follow-up to Jon Hopkins' 2013 breakthrough Immunity is more intense, reflecting a deeper spiritual quest.

Julia Holter Aviary The multifaceted artist's sixth album responds to the chaos of 21st century life with some of her most challenging and beguiling music.

Kacey Musgraves Golden Hour An emotionally candid, blissfully soft blend of classic country composition and modern pop.

Kadhja Bonet Childqueen Enchanting and exceptional folk-soul from the multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and producer, only her second release.

Kali Uchis Isolation The singer and songwriter's wonderful debut fulfills the promise of (and continues) her shrewd collaborative work with Tyler, The Creator, Gorillaz, and Bootsy Collins.

Kamasi Washington Heaven & Earth On his sophomore full-length, the Los Angeles-based saxophonist, arranger, and bandleader retains his maximalist aesthetic to excellent effect.

Lotic Power The Berlin-based artist's long-awaited debut album confronts racism and gender conformity while standing strong and fearless.

Low Cut Connie Dirty Pictures, Pt. 2 Deepening their attack without abandoning their signature, Low Cut Connie deliver their most complete album to date.

Luluc Sculptor The Australian folk duo turn a bold corner on their more cinematic and neatly crafted third album.

Makaya McCraven Universal Beings The drummer's "organic beat music" is articulated brilliantly by editing the music of four different ensembles improvising live in four cities.

Marc Ribot Songs of Resistance 1942-2018 With an all-star cast of vocalists, the guitarist delivers an album of angry, inspired topical songs to inspire political unity in a dark, difficult era.

Melody's Echo Chamber Bon Voyage Free-flowing prog-psych made under the imaginative direction of Melody Prochet with help from members of Dungen and the Amazing.

Mitski Be the Cowboy The follow-up to Puberty 2 switches to a fictional perspective with equally compelling results.

Mount Eerie Now Only Written shortly after the heartbreaking A Crow Looked at Me, Phil Elverum explores the inevitably changing nature of loss.

Nathan Salsburg Third The Louisville guitarist's gorgeous and earthy third outing features nothing but a solo acoustic guitar.

Neko Case Hell-On Lush but intimate, the Canadian vocalist and songwriter delivers a grand-scale triumph with her first solo effort in five years.

Noname Room 25 Remarkable debut album from Chicagoan rapper/poet Noname, effortlessly blending introspection with humor over lush, jazzy arrangements.

Old Crow Medicine Show Volunteer Working with producer Dave Cobb, Old Crow Medicine Show expand their sonic horizons and sharpen their focus.

Oneohtrix Point Never Age Of The producer's fascinating ninth album scorns existing musical genres and invents android folk, mutant R&B, and futuristic opera along the way.

Ovlov Tru The re-formed band overload the speakers with guitar noise and pluck heartstrings with melancholy songs on this instant classic indie rock album

Pistol Annies Interstate Gospel Pistol Annies return from a hiatus with a fully realized, resonant record that's their best to date.

Robyn Honey Returning from years of grief and healing, the pop mastermind delivers some of her most satisfying and innovative music.

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever Hope Downs The band's debut album surpasses the jangle pop potential of their previous EPs to become an instant, hit-packed classic of the genre.

Rosalía El Mal Querer The Barcelona-based singer, songwriter, and actress delivers her sophomore outing that weds flamenco and copla to R&B and urban pop.

Shopping The Official Body The trio's frequently dazzling third album is a joyous celebration of post-punk's outsider status.

Shy Layers Midnight Marker The Atlanta-based musician's follow-up is a mesmerizing oddity of organic/electronic grooves and quirky composition.

Sons of Kemet Your Queen Is a Reptile The ensemble led by Shabaka Hutchings debuts on Impulse! with a political album that sounds like a street party in the making.

SOPHIE Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides The producer's debut album is a bold and affecting exploration of imagination and reinvention.

Superchunk What a Time to Be Alive Written and recorded in a burst of passion after the 2016 elections, the album is full of fire and powerful, political punk-pop anthems.

Superorganism Superorganism Fresh and fun sample-heavy pop jams from a London collective that sounds like the house band on a Pee-wee's Playhouse reboot.

The Orielles Silver Dollar Moment Stunning debut by a young U.K. trio that gives the baggy indie dance sound of the early '90s a serious upgrade.

Travis Scott Astroworld The Houstonian's third solo album, titled after his hometown's demolished theme park, contains some of his most vivid and vulnerable material.

Viktoria Mullova / Paavo Järvi Arvo Pärt A superb fresh take on Pärt from Russian violinist Mullova, approved by the composer.

Vince Staples FM! Brisk third LP from the Long Beach emcee that overflows with addictive beats and thrilling bars.

Virginia Wing Ecstatic Arrow The duo's heartfelt, innovative third album is its finest work yet.

Yamantaka // Sonic Titan Dirt The third effort from the Canadian-Asian collective whips myth and sci-fi with psych and prog metal in a thrilling sonic squall.