best of Tom Vercetti's Best Of 2017 | Finished

[madonnas]

Slip Away, Los Ageless, and Drugs   Great previous update tho.  I seriously think some people just don't like Drugs for arbitrary reasons and don't give it a chance. 

[Pedro]

Homemade Dynamite is such a perfect song! I love it!

[TheWayWeWere]

Homemade Dynamite misses top 10 it's a pop masterpiece

Banana Clip is such a ear-pleasure too

[lhdang2000]

Homemade Dynamite is amazing.  

 

[Navyofbadgals]

when is the update king

[Tom Vercetti]

That moment when you're about to update your final set

 

[Tom Vercetti]

 

 

 

 

10. Shabazz Palaces ft Thaddillac - Shine A Light (Abstract Hip Hop)

 

Spoiler

 

 

Shine a light on the fake, This way my peeps can have it all

 

This year i've been obsessed with their work, particularly Black Up & Lese Majesty. Took the time to digest their futuristic & psychedelic characteristics that are involved and while their recent back to back albums they released this year weren't quite as effective as the previous two, Shine A Light proved to be a  keeper. It's short and simple enough for replay, and the mystical Dee Dee Sharp instrumental sample compliments their jazz-rap figure. They don't fail in sophisticated wordplay but I wouldn't expect less from the former Digable Planet members. 

 

 

 

 

9. Chelsea Wolfe - 16 Psyche (Doom Metal)

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

I can't, she said, I'd save you, but I can't hide

 

Queen of fully transitioning from Goth Rock to Doom metal. Even though i'm familiar with her past work (not that early, around 2011 Apokalypsis),  Chelsea still remains as an arcane figure to me, which adds on to how intriguing her aesthetic is. 16 Psyche was the first taste of Hiss Spun and it appropriately captures what she's capable of in the metal scene while being accessible. What I like most about this is the dreamy quality her vocals possesses as she bellows out the chorus with the help of the intense guitars and takes a pause for that climatic "Hide". I don't think enough females get proper representation in this genre, so i'm in support of Chelsea riding that wave. 

 

 

 

 

8. King Krule - Dum Surfer (Art Rock)

 

Spoiler

 

 

Getting lashed. getting lashed by all of the Gods

 

King Krule sounds like a talented caveman. The majestic jazz rock instrumentals fits his rough Tom Waits'd voice and it just sounds right. There's something oddly hypnotic about his unique vocal delivery and it stands out in standalone tracks. Good or bad, he always leave a memorable impression, even in his collabs. Dum Surfer has that misty aura around it that makes me envision being in a dark street corner witnessing a night gone wrong. The appeal of the OOZ for me is the succession of setting a mood or atmosphere that fits whatever Archy is experiencing. 

 

 

 

 

7. BROCKHAMPTON - Gold (Hip Hop)

 

Spoiler

 

 

Keep a gold chain on my neck, fly as a jet, boy better treat me with respect

 

One of my favorite hooks of the year goes to.... Brockhampton had a busy year, pumping out a trilogy of albums (King Gizzard's Impact) and Gold was the track that stuck with me all year. At first Heat was getting most of the attention during the sat 1 session, but Gold has the catchy flow, slick production and confidence to have that golden edge touch. If I had to pick a favorite verse it would probably go to Dom, but Kevin's contribution overall gives Gold the flattering appeal. . 

 

 

 

 

6. Goldlink ft Brent Faiyaz & Shy Glizzy - Crew (Hip Hop/R&B)

 

Spoiler

 

 

You're just a fan, you don't hold rank 

 

How Crew wasn't even a top 40 hit remains one of the biggest mysteries of 2017. It has the polished production, momentary length for replay value,  the irresistible beginning and end choruses from Brent, the swagger from Goldlink and the charisma from Shy Glizzy should've been a winning mixture commercially. At least it's recognized by The Shammys but I don't care for that show. Overtime it definitely became my favorite Goldlink tune. 

 

 

 

 

5. The National - I'll Still Destroy You (Indie Rock)

 

Spoiler

 

 

It's just the lights coming on

 

Out of the tracks from Sleep Well Beast, this doesn't get much attention but it received mine from the very beginning that I heard it. Matt Berginer is best known for his deep & melancholic voice and how pertinent it is in delivering despairing pieces of work. As a fan of Kid A and The Age Of Adz type material, I welcomed the thought of them moving slightly towards the electronic route, and adding some extra details to give their songs more bite. I'll Still Destroy You contains enough of those elements to make a beginning and lasting impression. It's combined with the subject matter of how various factors in our lives while aging or medicating affects our judgment, views of the world as it goes on, and the relationship with loved ones. The last minute where it collapses into a demented instrumental event serves as one of SWB's most memorable moments. 

 

 

 

 

4. Kendrick Lamar ft U2 - XXX. (Hip Hop)

 

Spoiler

 

 

America, God Bless you if it's good to you

 

The first few opening lines already details a still current issue that America is facing regarding equality for everyone. From that moment, it was a clue that Kung Fu Kenny was going to be on some political sh*t. What makes XXX. special is the various amount of moods and atmosphere that occur and adapt throughout the song. The dynamics and crazy production in the first half as Kenny goes on a rampage and announcing how he'll take off and confront anyone who threatens his loved ones or path, which shows how he has no fear for anyone but God. As someone who's not a fan of current U2, I was one of the many who were cautious of this combination during the track list reveal. Perhaps that reason was why I was more impressed on the 2nd half of this song, where Bono & Kendrick take a sedated and enlightened approach on gun control and hypocrisy. Instead of a stadium rock contribution, Bono serves a faint trip hop vocal which works in favor here. The real achievement on this track is making two opposites work so smoothly together. On a side note, I've always thought the birds chirping in the background gave the track a sign of serenity. Tracks like XXX. are what I appreciate for its variety of approaches. 

 

 

 

 

3. Kelela - Blue Light (Alt R&B/Electronic)

 

Spoiler

 

 

My chains, they come falling down

 

Firstly, She Did THAT! Secondly, ever since I heard the first live snippet of this track, particularly that heavenly wobbling synth, a blue light bulb flashed above my head, signaling the case that this was going to be the one for me. The track starts off cautiously slow, mirroring the idea of how she originally wanted to not rush entering a new relationship. It's when she lets the guard down and allows that light to enter and glow the space they're occupied in that the song takes a sensual turn. Love how the 2nd verse implies she's trying to get herself together and remain stationary but the love is too strong and she gives in. Overall, the futuristic vibe Blue Light (song + video) has going on attracted me the most.  

 

 

 

 

2. Big K.R.I.T - Subenstein (My Sub IV) (Hip Hop)

 

Spoiler

 

 

They saying bass died, my sub came alive 

 

The way this SHOOK my ears when I first heard it. I love beat switch ups (evidently) and the 2nd half moment it came up I had the Jonny emoji expression. The title is dedicated to the fresh loudspeakers used in Cars and Sub IV is a continuation of the Sub track series he's been releasing all throughout his albums/mixtapes. The first one was back in the Return of 4eva days. Another set of traits that gets me weak in rap songs are flawless transitions and guitar solos. Safe to say, Subenstein covers each of them. From start to finish it's energetic, booming with fresh and impacting bass,  and is the complete package of what a banger should sound like. I guaranteed if you play this in the car it'll pass the whip test. 

[Unoriginal]

Blue Light  

[Tom Vercetti]

And my number 1 has to go to....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. The War On Drugs - Thinking Of A Place (Heartland Rock)

 

 

Dad Rock won in the end  The musical composition, the endearing lyrics, Adam's authentic vocals, the traces of Americana imagery, the sprawling duration. Everything about it entails a long and rich journey through the roadways of life and new experiences. There was a time where I hated songs that lasted longer than 4-5 minutes and this was mainly because all I was ever exposed to were radio songs, but as I got older and explored more I achieved greater patience and appreciation for songs that are in layered in sonic detail and progression. It's a poetic anthem that I can play at anytime of the day, from the bright early morning sunrise to the warm and settling evenings that are close to ending the day. When a song this monumental uses every second in favorable usage, it gets nothing but praise from me. No other track this year gives me the kind of vivid feelings that Thinking Of A Place achieved. 

[Navyofbadgals]

hmm not that big a fan of XXX, would actually say it's at the bottom for my DAMN. ranking

Never heard of this #1, but I skipped to somewhere around the 4 minute mark and I am slayed. Adding this to a playlist or w/e, great pick for #1  

 

also Blue Light  

[Unoriginal]

wow that #1 is a choice  immensely deserved too 

[Tom Vercetti]

That's it for songs. I will post a playlist momentarily. Next Update will be albums  

 

Top 10 Recap:

Spoiler

 

10. Shabazz Palaces ft Thaddillac - Shine A Light

9. Chelsea Wolfe - 16 Psyche

8. King Krule - Dum Surfer

7. BROCKHAMPTON - Gold

6. Goldlink ft Brent Faiyaz & Shy Glizzy - Crew

5. The National - I'll Still Destroy You

4. Kendrick Lamar ft U2 - XXX.

3. Kelela - Blue Light

2. Big K.R.I.T - Subenstein (My Sub IV)

1. The War On Drugs - Thinking Of A Place

 

 

 

Full Song List:

Spoiler

 

200. Rex Orange County ft Benny Sings - Loving Is Easy

199. Zack Villere - Bloo

198. Matt Martians ft Syd & Steve Lacy - Dent Jusay

197. FKJ - Skyline

196. Katy Perry - Tsunami

195. Jens Lekman - How We Met, the Long Version

194. Channel Swimmer - Look Up, Paradise

193. Oneohtrix Point Never - Leaving The Park

192. Unsane - Distance

191. Gabriel Garzón-Montano - Crawl

190. Moiré ft DRS - Bootleg

189. Jadu Heart x Mura Masa - U Never Call Me

188. Your Old Droog ft Danny Brown - Grandma Hips

187. Yung Lean - Red Bottom Sky

186. Wiley ft Manga - Laptop

185. Real Estate - Darling

184. Bones - Oxygen

183.  Wiki - Pretty Bull

182. Everything Everything - Good Shot, Good Soldier

181. Lapalux - Rotted Arp

180. Julie Byrne - Natural Blue

179. The Mountain Goats - Rain In Soho

178. Joe Goddard - Home

177. Nick Hakim - Roller Skates

176. Moonchild - Cure

175. Allie X - Vintage

174. Cigarettes After Sex - Opera House

173. Benjamin Booker - Believe

172. Rapsody ft Kendrick Lamar & Lance Skiiwalker - Power

171. The Doppelgangaz - Boston Beard

170. Gang of Youths - What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out?

169. Sam O.B - Revolve

168. Jlin - Holy Child

167. The Magnetic Fields - '83: Foxx and I

166. Phoenix - J-Boy

165. Tei Shi - How Far

164. Immolation -  Lower

163. Porter Ricks - Port Of Tangency

162. Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith - To Feel Your Best

161. Fabiana Palladino - Mystery

160. Mondo Grisso - ラビリンス

159. Dirty Projectors ft Dawn Richard - Cool Your Heart

158. Drab Majesty - Kissing The Ground

157. Corbin - All Out

156. TR/ST - Bicep

155. Charlie Puth - How Long

154. Sinjin Hawke - Don't Lose Yourself To This

153. Gucci Mane ft Offset - Met Gala

152. Cut Copy - Standing In The Middle OF The Field

151. Rhye - Taste

150. Danny L Harle ft Morrie  - Me4u

149. Broken Social Scene - Hug Of Thunder

148. Carly Rae Jepsen - Cut To The Feeling

147. Bicep - Glue

146. Quelle Chris ft Big Tone, Roc Marciano, 87 - Fascinating Grass

145. Yaeji - Feel It Out

144. Baba Stiltz - Can't Help It

143. DEAN ft Syd - Love

142. The Afghan Whigs - Demon In Profile

141. G Perico - Bacc Forth

140. Kimbra - Everybody Knows

139. Spoon - Hot Thoughts

138. Beck - Dear Life

137. Young Thug ft Future - Relationship

136. Chris Stapleton - Broken Halos

135. Remo Drive - Art School

134. Big Boi ft Killer Mike & Jeezy - Kill Jill

133. Trouble - Snake Eyes

132. Destroyer - Tinseltown Swimming in Blood

131. Peach Pit - Alrighty Aphrodite

130. Billy Woods ft Aesop Rock & Homeboy Sandman - Wonderful

129. U.S Girls - Mad As Hell

128. Superorganism - Something For Your M.I.N.D

127. Upper Wilds - UFO

126. Nicolas Jaar - A Coin in Nine Hands

125. Sorority Noise - No Halo

124. The Body & Full Of Hell - Didn't The Night End

123. Kesha ft Eagles Of Death Metal - Let Em Talk

122. Converge - A Single Tear

121. Nadia Reid - Richard

120. Joywave - Content

119. Mount Kimbie ft Micachu - Marilyn

118. Sabrina Claudio - Belong To You

117. John Maus - Touchdown

116. Manchester Orchestra - The Grocery

115. IDK - Black Sheep, White Dove

114. Baths - Adam Copies

113. Xiu Xiu - Forget

112. Mac Demarco - Moonlight On The River

111. Milo - Magician (Suture)

110. Feist - Pleasure

109. Alex Cameron - Running Outta Luck 

108. Jesca Hoop - Pegasi

107. Clark - Catastrophe Anthem 

106. SOPHIE - Ponyboy 

105. Clap! Clap! - Ode To The Pleiades 

104. Richard Dawson - Ogre 

103. Big Thief - Mythological Beauty 

102. Open Mike Eagle - Happy Wasteland Day

101. Benjamin Clementine - God Save The Jungle 

100. N.E.R.D & Rihanna - Lemon 

99. Brent Faiyaz - Talk 2 U 

98. Laura Marling - Next Time 

97. Four Tet - Two Thousand and Seventeen

96. Queens Of The Stone Age - Feet Don't Fail Me

95. Drake ft Jorja Smith & Black Coffee - Get It Together

94. Gallant ft Tablo & Eric Nam - Cave Me In 

93. Wolf Alice - Don't Delete The Kisses 

92. Iglooghost - Bug Thief 

91. Idles - Well Done 

90. dvsn - Can't Wait

89. The xx - Dangerous 

88. Jessie Ware - Selfish Love 

87. Tove Lo - Shedontknowbutsheknows

86. Migos T-Shirt 

85. Actress - X22RME 

84. Jay Z - 4:44 

83. Daniel Caesar ft H.E.R - Best Part 

82. Moses Sumney - Quarrel 

81. Jordan Rakei - Nerve

80. Mall Grab - B.F.O.D.A.A.S

79. Fyfe ft Kimbra - Belong 

78. The Dear Hunter - The Right Wrong 

77. Priests - Jj 

76. Pond - Paint Me Silver

75. Goldfrapp - Systemagic 

74. Arca - Reverie 

73. Zola Jesus - Soak 

72. Fever Ray - Mustn't Hurry 

71. Godflesh - Parasite 

70. Homeshake - Every Single Thing 

69. Thundercat ft Kendrick Lamar - Walk On By 

68. Offset & Metro Boomin - Ric Flair Drip 

67. Caligula's Horse - Songs For No One 

66. Melody's Echo Chamber -  Cross My Heart 

65. Majid Jordan - OG Heartthrob

64. Sufjan Stevens - Wallowa Lake Monster 

63. Oxbow - Letter Of Note

62. Octo Octa - Fleeting Moments Of Freedom (Wooo) 

61. Hoops - Rules 

60. Washed Out - Floating By 

59. Father John Misty - Pure Comedy 

58. Algiers - The Underside Of Power 

57. Alex G - Sportstar

56. Protomartyr - The Chuckler

55. Sampha - Kora Sings

54. Ariel Pink - Feels Like Heaven

53. Charlotte Gainsbourg - Deadly Valentine

52. Toro Y Moi - Mirage

51. Freddie Gibbs - 20 Karat Jesus

50. Lana Del Rey ft A$ap Rocky & Playboi Carti - Summer Bummer

49. French Montana ft Swae Lee - Unforgettable

48. Gorillaz ft D.R.A.M - Andromeda

47. MGMT - Little Dark Age

46. SZA - Broken Clocks

45. Laurel Halo - Moontalk

44. Forest Swords - The Highest Flood 

43. Gas - Narkopop 5

42. The Horrors - Machine

41. Kelly Lee Owens ft Jenny Hval - Anxi

40. Calvin Harris ft Frank Ocean & Migos - Slide

39. Slowdive - Sugar For The Pill

38. Alvvays - In Undertow

37. Grizzly Bear - Losing All Sense

36. Jefre Cantu-Ledesma - A Song Of Summer

35. Clarence Clarity - Naysayer Godslayer

34. JMSN - Slowly

33. Björk - Loss(s) 

32. Future - Mask Off

31. Smino - Netflix & Dusse

30. Charli XCX ft Abra - Drugs

29. Lil Uzi Vert - XO Tour Lif3

28. St. Vincent - Los Ageless

27. Playboi Carti - Magnolia

26. Fleet Foxes - Third of May / Ōdaigahara

25. Elder - Sanctuary

24. Jamiroquai - Cloud 9

23. Tyler The Creator ft Rex Orange County & Anna Of The North - Boredom

22. Frank Ocean - Chanel 

21. Perfume Genius - Slip Away

20. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Crumbling Castle

19. Amenra - A Solitary Reign 

18. Ulver - Rolling Stone 

17. Japanese Breakfast - Diving Woman

16. Miguel - Banana Clip

15. Susanne Sundfør ft John Grant - Mountaineers

14. LCD Soundsystem - How Do You Sleep?

13. Lorde - Homemade Dynamite

12. Vince Staples - Big Fish

11. Blanck Mass - Please

10. Shabazz Palaces ft Thaddillac - Shine A Light

9. Chelsea Wolfe - 16 Psyche

8. King Krule - Dum Surfer

7. BROCKHAMPTON - Gold

6. Goldlink ft Brent Faiyaz & Shy Glizzy - Crew

5. The National - I'll Still Destroy You

4. Kendrick Lamar ft U2 - XXX.

3. Kelela - Blue Light

2. Big K.R.I.T - Subenstein (My Sub IV)

1. The War On Drugs - Thinking Of A Place

 

 

[Lucas32]

 

9. Chelsea Wolfe - 16 Psyche

5. The National - I'll Still Destroy You

4. Kendrick Lamar ft U2 - XXX.

1. The War On Drugs - Thinking Of A Place

 

Excellent picks Tom   . I'll be sure to check the two songs that are unknown to me.

[Tom Vercetti]

Here's a 225 song playlist w/ songs included from Eps and some various outtakes. Lemme know if it doesn't work. It should be public.

 

 

[World Eater]

I knew TOAP would be your #1 

Love your top 10, especially Blue Light (although I thought you'd put LMK over iT), XXX., I'll Still Destroy You, GOLD, Dum Surfer and Shine a Light 

[jose168]

shocked TWOD got our #1  

Blue Light, XXX and I'll STill destroy  

I have to listen to the bottom half

[Price of Fame]

1-4, 7, and 9 are all stellar picks.  

 

I was blown away by Thinking of a Place the first time I heard it. 

[Mark Rih]

XXX is good, BL is amazing, top 3 is great for Kelela  

I have to check out the rest 

[holocene]

perfect number 1 choice

[Wicked]

Never listened to King Krule 16 Psyche is the one and I agree with everything you said. I'd have different picks for Kendrick, The National, TWOD & Kelela but I like those choices too. Great songs list!

[madonnas]

HMM

well, I like #3 the most you should move it to #1 

[Tom Vercetti]

Spoiler

 

2 hours ago, AlexisNeiers said:

I knew TOAP would be your #1 

Love your top 10, especially Blue Light (although I thought you'd put LMK over iT), XXX., I'll Still Destroy You, GOLD, Dum Surfer and Shine a Light 

LMK is gr8 but always felt she had better.mp3 

 

1 hour ago, Price of Fame said:

1-4, 7, and 9 are all stellar picks.  

 

I was blown away by Thinking of a Place the first time I heard it. 

It was a clear soty choice since then for me  

 

29 minutes ago, Wicked said:

Never listened to King Krule 16 Psyche is the one and I agree with everything you said. I'd have different picks for Kendrick, The National, TWOD & Kelela but I like those choices too. Great songs list!

Idk if you'd like him or not to tell you the truth.

 

11 minutes ago, madonnas said:

HMM

well, I like #3 the most you should move it to #1 

It's already #1 in terms of female songs 

 

I'm thinking about updating the first album set around Saturday. I need a small break.

 

[clue]

XXX., and Blue Light

 

The War on Drugs did not really attract me, gotta listen to the album again. And I've been meaning to listen to The National's album

[Wicked]

5 minutes ago, Tom Vercetti said:

Idk if you'd like him or not to tell you the truth.

I will give him a chance since you **** with him, he can't be that bad.

 

[soml]

The War on Drugs #1 yas, the whole album is so good