We’ve polled our writers and editorial staff and have gathered 50 of our most recommended albums of the year. We didn’t include reissues and only included releases reviewed in 2018. Some titles released in December 2018 will be considered in the 2019 “Best of” list.

Two of our Top 10 choices are being considered for a GRAMMY, Cha Wa and Sean Ardoin, and both are performing at the B...