best of HONESTLY, 2017. - Singles/Albums TOP 10! / finished!!! :)

[volition]

I have to read through this whole thing, because I noticed it before and was slayed by the album choices and the quality write-ups. Just from the last page alone, Narkopop, Forget, Rest and Okovi are some of the best albums of the year. Your single choices are great too. I really love your little 'you'll like this if you listen to' section and it's obvious how much work you put into the write-ups. You might need to rush like me to finish in time though  Please continue! Oh and I haven't heard the Jay Som album but I'll listen to it eventually.

[Pink Matter]

Albums: Besides Jay Som (which I didn't like much) Okovi is the only one I know here  It's great though! I do have the Peasant album queued for later though.

Singles: This set slayed! Supermodel, Who Dat Boy, Alterlife, Midnight, and Rest are fantastic  

[Lazuli]

Alterlife  

I thought that Midnight didn't live up to most of Glasshouse tbh!

 

[World Eater]

Haven't visited this thread in a while but WHEW, nothing but talent keeps winning 

[mxtthewdelrey]

After Coachella is amazing, the best on 9  

 

Supermodel is wonderful  

 

Alterlife, RINA ha best song absolutely flawless. 

 

just listened to Jacaranda cause it looked amazing, and it absolutely is, I’m shaking 

 

Peasant was really cute!

 

Haven’t gotten into Okovi specifically cause I wasn’t a massive fan of Zola’s last album, but I need to listen to it!

 

[Playa Playa]

Only the real recognize Alterlife is Rina's best (so far)

 

Bad Gyal would've been around 50 for me too. It's a good listen.

 

I agrih with you on Zola. Okovi is a step up on Taiga & her best album to date. Love it

[Tom Vercetti]

peasant was one of the more interesting discoveries last year. not familiar with his past stuff tho. 

[TRF.]

SINGLES from 50 - 11

 

 

50    Kimbra - "Everybody Knows"
49    Alvvays - "Dreams Tonite"
48    Cardi B - "Bodak Yellow"
47    Richard Dawson - "Soldier"
46    CupcakKe - "Cartoons"
45    Lil Uzi Vert - "XO Tour Liif3"
44    Calvin Harris feat. Frank Ocean & Migos - "Slide"
43    King Krule - "Dum Surfer"
42    Paramore - "Hard Times"
41    ionnalee - "Gone"

 

 

40    The xx - "Say Something Loving"
39    Charli XCX - "Boys"
38    BROCKHAMPTON - "Junky"
37    Goldfrapp - "Anymore"
36    Jay Som - "The Bus Song"
35    Rina Sawayama - "Cyber Stockholm Syndrome"
34    Lana Del Rey - "Love"
33    Lorde - "Perfect Places"
32    Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna - "LOYALTY."
31    Juana Molina - "Paraguaya"

 

 

30    Chelsea Wolfe - "16 Psyche"
29    N.E.R.D. & Rihanna - "Lemon"
28    Fever Ray - "To the Moon and Back"
27    Kelly Lee Owens feat. Jenny Hval - "Anxi."
26    ionnalee - "Not Human"
25    Kesha - "Praying"
24    Arca - "Reverie"
23    Blanck Mass - "Please"
22    Vince Staples - "Big Fish"
21    Zola Jesus - "Exhumed"

 

 

20    Dua Lipa - "New Rules"
19    SOPHIE - "It's Okay to Cry"
18    Mount Eerie - "Ravens"
17    Björk - "The Gate"
16    SZA feat. Travis Scott - "Love Galore"
15    Danny Brown - "Ain't It Funny"
14    Kelela - "Blue Light"
13    Susanne Sundfør - "Undercover"
12    Alvvays - "In Undertow"
11    Laurel Halo - "Jelly"

 

 

Albums 25-11 tomorrow, and Singles/Albums Top 10 the following day. Cheers. Sorry.

 

 

[JGibson]

Hard Times + Perfect Places 

[Alessandra]

Dua, SZA, Kelela, and Susanne in your top 20

 

[potent]

Slide, Love, Perfect Places, Loyalty, Blue Light

[Remmy]

Singles #80-11:
Cartoons and Boys Woman Love  Paper Love, Hard Times, New Rules Perfect Places and Praying

 

Almost recognized none of the albums  Maybe a few artist names, but that's it. We'll see if there's anything I know!

[Lazuli]

49    Alvvays - "Dreams Tonite"
43    King Krule - "Dum Surfer"
42    Paramore - "Hard Times"

40    The xx - "Say Something Loving"
39    Charli XCX - "Boys"
37    Goldfrapp - "Anymore"
36    Jay Som - "The Bus Song"
35    Rina Sawayama - "Cyber Stockholm Syndrome"
34    Lana Del Rey - "Love"
33    Lorde - "Perfect Places"
32    Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna - "LOYALTY."
25    Kesha - "Praying"
24    Arca - "Reverie"
21    Zola Jesus - "Exhumed"

20    Dua Lipa - "New Rules"
18    Mount Eerie - "Ravens"
17    Björk - "The Gate"
16    SZA feat. Travis Scott - "Love Galore"
14    Kelela - "Blue Light"
13    Susanne Sundfør - "Undercover"
12    Alvvays - "In Undertow"

 

These are good  

[TRF.]

 

#25.

Visible Cloaks

'Reassamblage'

Genre: Progressive Electronic, Ambient

Sequencer & MIDI, New Age, Glitch

Country: USA || Release Date: February 17th, 2017 || Label: RVNG Intl.

 

Over the years, RVNG Intl. have proved to be one of the best, most trust-worthy labels when it comes to “forward-thinking” music. Having released music by Holly Herndon as well as The Body, they have some of the most diverse output. They also have the FRKWYS series, where two musicians of different generations make unexpected collaborations. While Visible Cloaks’ debut under the label is not particularly from that series, ‘Reassamblage’ definitely combines music from different times. 

 

In addition to that, there is a strong, heavy influence from japanese music, in all of its forms - going from new age, traditional folk music, “muzak”, experimental music, city-pop and even the extremely clean production from j-pop. However, it never really feels like an unusual, unjustified fascination (read: fetishism) for the music of the country, in fact it feels like a legitimate homage. There are also Japanese collaborators, such as avant-pop legend Miyako Koda and her group Dip in the Pool are featured on the vocal-based “Valve” and “Valve (Revisited)”, respectively.

 

You can link this music to the work of James Ferraro and Oneohtrix Point Never. However, there is a timelessness in their sound that does not make this particularly sound either nostalgic or futuristic. It is both and neither, and that is what makes it one of the best electronic albums of the year.

 

Highlights: “Valve” (feat. Miyako Koda), “Bloodstream”, “Terrazzo” (feat. Motion Graphics), “Circle”, “Mask”, “Neume” (feat. Matt Carlson), “Place”

You’ll like it if you like: Ryuichi Sakamoto, Susumu Hirasawa, Oneohtrix Point Never, James Ferraro, Suzanne Ciani, Giant Claw, Fennesz

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

#24.

The xx

'I See You'

Genre: Indietronica, Dream Pop

UK Bass, Alternative R&B, Future Garage, Ambient Pop

Country: UK || Release Date: January 13th, 2017 || Label: Young Turks

 

English band The xx were always known for their minimal, sparse indie-pop with depressive lyrics about love and heartbreak, and cold, distant vocals. Even though at the time it was unlikely, that style got them a fair amount of mainstream recognition. People like Shakira or Gorillaz have covered them, Rihanna and Drake sampled them, among many others. In 2015, Jamie xx released a solo album, ‘In Colour’, an electronic/dance record with a very, indeed, colorful sonic palette and a pop appeal.

 

After an album like 'Coexist' (which was good, but not as good as their debut), it was about time that their sound changed. And thankfully on ‘I See You’, perhaps inspired by 'In Colour', they decided to embrace their pop sensibilities full time. Once you listen to the lead single “On Hold”, you can hear how much the UK garage, sample-heavy music of Jamie has inspired the whole group. But the sound is not the only thing that changed, as in the multiple interviews they gave to promote the record, they talked about how they felt more confident to talk about their own issues, partially due to the changes in their own lives (Oliver Sim recovered from alcoholism, Romy Madley-Croft got engaged) – putting those feelings into their music.

 

I would have never expected to hear tracks like "Dangerous" or "Lips" from them. However, even though they have matured enough to realize that they are a pop band, they also grew enough to talk about their own turmoil. They also talk about their relationship as a band multiple times. Since they lived in different places and were going through different situations, their friendship and eventually their creative goals started to fade. 'I See You' is one of the most personal, defining pop records of the year, and rightfully puts The xx as one of the most important bands this decade.

 

Highlights: “Dangerous”, “Say Something Loving”, “Lips”, “Performance”, “Brave for You”, “On Hold”, "Test Me"

You’ll like it if you like: Jamie xx’s ‘In Colour’, Moderat, Katy B, Beach House, James Blake, Four Tet, Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Vida’

 

 

Spoiler

[TRF.]

 

#23.

Chelsea Wolfe

'Hiss Spun'

Genre: Gothic Rock, Doom Metal

Ethereal Wave, Atmospheric Sludge Metal, Darkwave, Noise Rock

Country: USA || Release Date: September 22nd, 2017 || Label: Sargent House

 

Even though Chelsea Wolfe's music is remarkably dark and has always been, her music has never been particularly abrasive. Having said that, she has always been interested on metal music, and that was something you could hear if you listened closely. But on her 2015 album, 'Abyss', those influences were put straight to the front, with a heavier and louder production, while still maintaining the gorgeousness from her usual material, making it her best record to date.

 

However, 'Hiss Spun' takes that even further. This is, first and foremost, a metal record. There are collaborations with members from bands like A Perfect Circle and Isis. In fact, this is probably the best metal album released this year. And Chelsea definitely uses that on her favor. The darkness present on the lyrical imagery, where blood, trauma, sexuality and emotion are key, matches the overwhelming abrasiveness of the music itself, while maintaining her typical soft, dreamy vocal delivery.

 

With every record, Chelsea Wolfe does something different from the other, and that is admirable. While not as diverse as its predecessor, 'Hiss Spun' is probably her most consistent record to date, containing several career highlights like "16 Psyche", "Particle Flux" and "Twin Fawn". It is one of the most unique rock albums of the year, and one cannot help to be excited to see what does she come with next.

 

Highlights: “Spun", "16 Psyche", "Vex", "The Culling", "Particle Flux", "Twin Fawn", "Static Hum"

You’ll like it if you like: Sleep, Electric Wizard, Sunn O))), The Body, Isis (the band ofc lmao), Nine Inch Nails, Cocteau Twins

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

#22.

Alvvays

'Antisocialites'

Genre: Indie Pop, Jangle Pop

Dream Pop, Twee Pop, Indie Rock, Noise Pop

Country: Canada || Release Date: September 8th, 2017 || Label: Polyvinyl

 

Canadian band Alvvays' self-titled debut album was promising. It had some of the better written guitar pop songs of this decade (like "Archie, Marry Me" or "Adult Diversion",) and albeit not being really consistent overall, it still was one of the most exciting indie rock releases of the past few years. And their follow-up, 'Antisocialites', is the exact opposite of a sophomore slump.

 

Yes, there is no track as big "Archie, Marry Me," instead there are several. Most tracks on 'Antisocialites', like "In Undertow", "Dreams Tonite",  sound like potential hits, with beautifully sung hooks that stick like glue, wonderful production that is hazy and dreamy, but still clear enough to make out what is being said. The lyrics are also beautiful in its simplicity, Molly Rankin's songwriting is at the top of its game in this record. It sounds like an evolved version of their debut.

 

Not only that, but the risks taken on the album also pay off. Tracks that are more abrasive, like the noisy "Plimsoll Punks", or the opposite, such as the synth-heavy "Forget About Life" are amazing in their own ways. 'Antisocialites' is how indie pop and indie rock should sound like in 2017, and Alvvays prove they should be considered one of the most important bands in the genre.

 

Highlights: "In Undertow", "Dreams Tonite", "Plimsoll Punks", "Your Type", "Hey", "Forget About Life"

You’ll like it if you like: GOOD indie music.

 

 

Spoiler

 

[TRF.]

 

#21.

Laurel Halo

'DUST'

Genre: Art Pop, Electronic, Ambient Pop

Glitch Pop, Sound Collage, IDM, Free Jazz

Country: USA || Release Date: June 23rd, 2017 || Label: Hyperdub

 

Laurel Halo, along with other producers, musicians and contemporaries, is known for using vocals in inventive ways that transcend the concepts of “pop music,” but the follow-up to her debut album ('Quarantine'), the 2013 record 'Chance of Rain', was an interesting yet completely instrumental take on Berlin ambient-techno. So it surprised me when the first single of her following record, 'Dust', not only had vocals but had them at the forefront of the poppiest song she’s done so far.

 

And man, is 'Dust' the best thing she has ever done. Even though that track in particular is not representative of the record itself, it still makes the record overall fascinating. Elements of jazz, catchy pop hooks, techno and some of the most abstract forms of electronic/experimental music can all be found here, sometimes even simultaneously. And there is not a single track that feels out of place or ruins the flow of the album, its diversity feels essential to it.

 

This goes without saying, but it is obviously Laurel's best record to date, the one where she puts everything that made her music interesting in the first place throughout her career. There are not many other acts who does what she does on here, if at all. It also proves that the mixture of electronic and experimental music and pop still has a ridiculous amount of potential.

 

Highlights: “Sun to Solar", "Jelly", "Koinos", "Moontalk", "Who Won?", "Like an L", "Syzygy", "Do U Ever Happen?"

You’ll like it if you like: Laurie Anderson, Sweet Trip, Autechre, Julia Holter, Clarence Clarity, Holly Herndon, The Knife's 'Shaking the Habitual', Yves Tumor

 

Spoiler

 

 

[Pink Matter]

I see your trying to finish things up, huh?  

Albums: I See You and Hiss Spun are my faves here! Not familiar Laurel Halo or Alvvays and Reassmblage didn't hold my attention unfortunately   

Singles: Love your singles set! I know pretty much all of them but my fave would have to be Undercover  

[TRF.]

 

#20.

Natalia Lafourcade

'Musas'

Genre: Nueva canción latinoamericana, Mexican Folk Music

Folk Pop, Bolero, South American Folk Music, Chamber Pop

Country: Mexico || Release Date: May 5th, 2017 || Label: Sony

 

The 2015 album 'Hasta la raíz' presented Mexican musician Natalia Lafourcade moving into a more folk-oriented sound, with a more organic instrumentation and production. It was her best album to date, and probably still is. But on the album 'Musas', she straight up makes an excellent and exciting homage to the folk music present throughout the entirety of Latin America, with the help of guitar duo Los Macorinos, who were icon Chavela Vargas' live guitarists up until her death in 2012.

Every track on this record except for 5 (among them lead single "Tú sí sabes quererme" and "Mi tierra veracruzana",) is a cover of a classic folk track from the continent(s.) That, personally, initially worried me as I am not particularly a huge fan of covers, but every track is interpreted in fascinating and gorgeous ways, while still respecting the sound and the creative vision of the songwriters.

 

Not only that, but the original tracks on this record also are amazing, and seem timeless, so much that I could totally see them becoming classics in the future. 'Musas' is the first part of two albums, the second part will be released this February, and if it is anything like this record, then I can totally expect that one to also be one of the best releases of the year.

 

Highlights: “Tú sí sabes quererme", "Soledad y el mar", "Mexicana hermosa", "Qué he sacado con quererte", "Rocío de todos los campos", "Mi tierra veracruzana", "Te vi pasar", "Tonada de luna llena"

You’ll like it if you like: Violeta Parra, Mercedes Sosa, Chavela Vargas, good folk music (regardless of the language.)

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

#19.

Lorde

'Melodrama'

Genre: Synthpop, Art Pop

Electropop, Alternative R&B, Dance-Pop

Country: New Zealand || Release Date: June 16th, 2017 || Label: Island

 

I was very afraid of this being a disappointment. Lead single "Green Light" was... decent, but also not one of Lorde's best songs. And Jack Antonoff being one of the main producers on the record was not exactly helping either. But it turns out that this album was, indeed, a worthy follow-up to her debut 'Pure Heroine'.

 

This album might not be perfect - I still do not get the hype behind "Homemade Dynamite", and I think the production could be a little bit better - but this still has some of the pop music written this year. Also some of the best lyrics, in which Lorde talks about everything she has experienced since her rise to alternative pop stardom as a teenager. Love, lovelessness, partying, sadness, loneliness, self-acceptance, everything is present on here. It also has some of her best and most ambitious tracks ever, namely "Sober" (which, in my opinion, should have been the lead single,) "Hard Feelings/Loveless" and "The Louvre".

 

It took me a while to get used to the fact that Lorde was not the 16-year-old who wrote "Tennis Court" anymore. Lorde has matured in a way that I maybe did not expect, but you can definitely see that she still has her songwriting talents present, in fact, they might be the strongest they have ever been. Overall, we love this album which I never said anything bad about!

 

Highlights: “Sober", "The Louvre", "Liability", "Hard Feelings/Loveless", "Writer in the Dark", "Supercut", "Liability (Reprise)", "Perfect Places"

You’ll like it if you like: Kate Bush, Robyn, Lana Del Rey, Carly Rae Jepsen, Perfume Genius

 

Spoiler

 

 

[Remmy]

Melodrama  It missed the top 10 tho  At least it wasn't snubbed from the top 20.

You can keepT that Jack shade  The best track, Hard Feelings/Loveless, in your highlights

[TRF.]

 

#18.

Paramore

'After Laughter'

Genre: New Wave, Alternative Dance, Pop Rock

Power Pop, Synthpop

Country: USA || Release Date: May 12th, 2017 || Label: Fueled by Ramen

 

In the past three years, a lot of stuff happened to Hayley Williams and her band, the pop-punk greats Paramore. Line-up changes, Hayley divorcing her husband Chad Gilbert, as well as being more open about her struggles with depression and anxiety. So it is kind of surprising that ‘After Laughter’ is a complete deviation from the emo-pop that made them popular about a decade ago.

 

They traded that sound for something closer to new wave or straight-up 80’s-inspired pop music. Yet lyrically it feels like exact opposite. Even though they had themes of angst, sadness, betrayal and rebellion in their lyrics, this feels like it is centered on depression, to be at one’s lowest point in every possible sense. 

 

As much as I liked Paramore’s 2013 self-titled album, the “pop” songs on the album (like “Still Into You”) felt a little shallow. ‘After Laughter’, on the other hand, might not have the teen punk angst of ‘Riot!’ or the chaos of ‘Brand New Eyes’, but the way they use pop to convey an actual message, to talk about those themes, in such an explicit way, results in what is their best album to date. Specially after the death of Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, this album feels the more important. “I can still believe” is the last line on the record. Not only do I hope that Paramore will continue to get bigger and better, but also that Williams will get over her “little rain cloud”.

 

Highlights: “Hard Times”, “Rose Colored Boy”, “Told You So”, “Fake Happy”, “Pool”, “Caught in the Middle”, “Idle Worship”, “No Friend”

You’ll like it if you like: their self-titled album, Blondie, CHVRCHES, La Roux, Talking Heads, Haim, Dutch Uncles

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

#17.

Jlin

'Black Origami'

Genre: Footwork, IDM

Afro-House, Post-Industrial

Country: USA || Release Date: May 19th, 2017 || Label: Planet Mu

 

For some reason, Jlin’s music is commonly thought to be footwork. And that kind of makes sense, since her breakout came with the Planet Mu footwork compilation ‘Bangs and Works’ back in 2009, and her debut album ‘Dark Energy’, released in 2015, seemed like a very unique take on the genre. It might also be because she comes from Gary, Indiana, not so far from the genre’s origins in Chicago. However, Jlin (real name Jerilynn Patton) does not see herself as a footwork act.

 

That might seem weird at first, but once you listen to her latest album, ‘Black Origami’, it really feels obvious. As opposed to her debut, which one could consider it a full-on footwork album despite its experimentation and overall oddness, it is even harder to put a tag on ‘Black Origami’. It is surely influenced by the genre, but it also feels like so much more than that. Influences from 90's IDM, like Aphex Twin or Autechre, as well as kuduro, batucada and even industrial music can be heard, and Jlin twists that in a very unique and oddly captivating way.

 

Personally, I find ‘Black Origami’ to be an improvement over ‘Dark Energy’ in almost every way. The usage of metallic percussion feels even more inventive than before, and while the melodic aspects of the music are not as obvious as they were on her debut, it actually works because of that. Jlin’s second full-length album is just about as challenging as it is fun and engaging, and is definitely an unique experience that is not concerned with genre at all, it is above limits.

 

Highlights: “Black Origami”, “Enigma”, “Holy Child” (feat. William Basinski), “Nyakinyua Rise”, “Hatshepsut”, “1%” (feat. Holly Herndon), “Never Created, Never Destroyed” (feat. Dope Saint Jude), “Challenge (To Be Continued)”

You’ll like it if you like: DJ Rashad, Autechre, Aphex Twin, DJ Marfox, Holly Herndon

 

Spoiler

 

[TRF.]

 

#16.

King Krule

'The OOZ'

Genre: Art Rock

Trip Hop, Post-Punk, Experimental Rock, Jazz-Rock, Alternative R&B

Country: UK || Release Date: October 13th, 2017 || Label: True Panther

 

King Krule's debut album '6 Feet Beneath the Moon' was one of the strongest of 2013. You could definitely hear that with his intense songwriting and his deep voice, as well as the wonderful instrumentation present on it. But after that, the direction of his career seemed a bit... undefined, or maybe aimless. He toured a lot, released a decent (albeit, in my opinion, inconsistent) rap album under his real name, Archy Marshall, and was featured on tracks from people like Mount Kimbie or Ratking, but was mostly silent throughout that period of time.

 

However, the album that he released this year, 'The OOZ', was more than excellent. In fact, it was an album that fullfilled all his potential in a very exciting way. He has diverse influences which range from jazz to hip hop, from ambient to R&B, from post-punk to electronic music, and even though he has shown that he had the talent combine them on his 2013 record, the way in which merges all of these sounds in a coherent way on this feels like an amazing surprise.

 

One can be forgiven for not really getting the hype behind Marshall's music, but it is hard to deny that there is a lot of talent on this record. There is a reason why King Krule is shown to be one of the most promising figures in rock music. And you can hear that on here.

 

Highlights: “Biscuit Town", "The Locomotive", "Dum Surfer", "Slush Puppy", "Cadet Limbo", "Emergency Blimp", "Czech One", "Half Man, Half Shark"

You’ll like it if you like: Radiohead ('Kid A', 'The King of Limbs' and 'OK Computer', particularly), Frank Ocean, James Blake, Kamasi Washington, Priests, David Bowie (all at the same time.)

 

Spoiler

 

 

#15.

Fever Ray

'Plunge'

Genre: Art Pop, Electropop

Electro-Industrial, Darkwave, Synthpop

Country: Sweden || Release Date: May 19th, 2017 || Label: Rabid

 

Karin Dreijer is well known for her work within The Knife, one of the most iconic electronic-pop acts of all time. But she is also known as Fever Ray, a mysterious artist who, on her self-titled debut album, pitched down her voice, sung abstract lyrics over light electronic instrumentation and made some of the darkest yet most beautiful and inventive pop music ever.

 

Which is why, perhaps, the second Fever Ray album, 'Plunge,' was not as well-received as its predecessor. Not only did it come 8 years after, but had more abrasive instrumentation, little-to-no vocal effects, and heavily personal, political and sexual lyricism. It is not a big change at all if you ever carefully paid attention to The Knife's music in general, they are definitely no strangers to that sort of thing. But at the same time I sort of understand that feeling. However, it also has everything that I found interesting about Fever Ray's (and The Knife's) music to begin with: amazing and inventive songwriting and production.

 

Not only that, but, when taking the into sonic territories that she had never explored before, there are lots of amazing results. There are many collaborators, like NÍDIA (listen to "IDK About You", I dare you telling me that this is not one of the most fun things you have ever heard,) Deena Abdelwahed, Paula Temple and Peder Mannerfelt, who all bring different and exciting things to the table, but at the end of the day, this is probably the most Karin that this project has ever sounded like. And just for that reason alone, it is deserving of lots and lots of respect.

 

Highlights: “Wanna Sip", "Mustn't Hurry", "A Part of Us" (feat. Tami T), "Falling", "IDK About You", "This Country", "To the Moon and Back", "An Itch"

You’ll like it if you like: All of The Knife's previous albums, Nine Inch Nails, Goldfrapp, Jlin, TR/ST, ANOHNI

 

Spoiler

[TRF.]

 

#14.

Charli XCX

'Number 1 Angel'

Genre: Electropop

Bubblegum Bass, Trap, Pop Rap, Alternative R&B

Country: UK || Release Date: March 10th, 2017 || Label: Asylum

 

I believe it to be slightly frustrating when people only credit Charli XCX’s pop experimentation to her collabs with SOPHIE and/or A.G. Cook and the rest of the PC Music crew. She has always done stuff like that, and not that I have any problem with this group of people, the music or anything, in fact I enjoyed the ‘Vroom Vroom’ EP quite a lot. But on her first two mixtapes, ‘Super Ultra’ and ‘Heartbreaks and Earthquakes’ she made interesting collages of witch-house, R&B, cloud-rap, glitch and bubblegum synthpop over beats by people such as Baths, Sinjin Hawke, Gold Panda or How to Dress Well.

 

Those two mixtapes felt like actual side-projects (while her albums were fully-fledged pop releases), but her latest ‘Number 1 Angel’ sounds like proper record. The 37-minute release was recorded in two weeks with A.G., features both her experimental and pop side, with a vulnerable touch in a completely balanced way, yet with total creative freedom. This has some of the best lyrical work she has ever done, and matched by a production like the one found here, she is absolutely unstoppable.

 

Not to mention the amazing collaborations, from people such as Abra, MØ, Uffie or CupcakKe (!!!), who deliver some of their best performances yet. The best thing about ‘Number 1 Angel’ is how, regardless of sounding rather leftfield or pop, she is the one that makes the music sound great. She is the one with the artistic vision.

 

(also s/o to 'Pop 2', for being even better! which I didn't include for personal reasons but GOD is it good)

 

Highlights: “Dreamer” (feat. Starrah & RAYE), “Blame It on You”, “Roll with Me”, “White Roses”, “Babygirl” (feat. Uffie), “Drugs” (feat. ABRA), “Lipgloss” (feat. CupcakKe)

You’ll like it if you like: Her debut album, the ‘Vroom Vroom’ EP, Carly Rae Jepsen, ABRA, Allie X

 

Spoiler

 

 

#13.

SZA

'CTRL'

Genre: Alternative R&B

Neo-Soul, Art Pop, Psychedelic Soul

Country: USA || Release Date: June 9th, 2017 || Label: RCA

 

One of the biggest break-out acts of 2017 was definitely SZA. Even though she was a big presence in R&B music since, at least, 2013, she did not only have a major mainstream crossover ("Love Galore" and "The Weekend" both hit top 40 in the U.S.,) but also thanks to an amazing proper debut (which took long to be released,) she also gained lots of credit amongst critics. Why though?

 

Well, first the production on this record seems to be a lot more focused and way cleaner than on her first EPs. It is more accessible but still interesting enough. The hooks have definitely improved as well. But what really makes you interested on the album is the lyrical content. The lyrics are easy to relate to − but not in a shallow way, I truly believe that SZA's songwriting is deeply personal. She talks about sexuality, love, disappointment and coming-of-age in a way that feels timeless and effortless.

 

There is a reason why SZA broke through in a big way this year. And this album proves that all the success she found in 2017 was well-deserved. 'CTRL' is an excellent record. Already one of the defining R&B albums of the decade, without a doubt.

 

Highlights: “Supermodel", "Love Galore" (feat. Travis Scott), "Doves in the Wind" (feat. Kendrick Lamar), "Prom", "The Weekend", "Go Gina", "Garden (Say It Like Dat)", "

You’ll like it if you like: Solange, Erykah Badu, Tinashe, Kelela, Lauryn Hill, Brandy

 

Spoiler

[TRF.]

 

#12.

Perfume Genius

'No Shape'

Genre: Art Pop

Ambient Pop, Minimal Wave

Country: USA || Release Date: May 5th, 2017 || Label: Matador

 

Since his debut album, 'Learning', Mike Haedras' music as Perfume Genius always had themes related to personal struggles, queerness, depression, loneliness and being overwhelmed by emotion. Over the years, as he released more music and his popularity began to grow, he started to find a stronger personality as a songwriter and musician, a stronger sense of identity.

 

That can be seen in 'No Shape', which is essentially the logical evolution from his previous album, the 2014-released 'Too Bright'. Except that the glam influences are nowhere to be found on here. Instead, he decided to go for a more minimal approach, and even though that might not be as immediate as you can expect from him ever since that record, it still is gorgeous. In fact, it might as well be the masterpiece I have personally always expected from him.

 

Sonically, 'No Shape' sounds like a midpoint between Kate Bush's essential art-pop (particularly 'Hounds of Love',) and the raw, queer electronic-punk of bands like Xiu Xiu, with touches of Enya and Sade sprinkled throughout it. Lyrically, it explores some of the themes it had before, but coming from a place of maturity that truly feels wholesome and precious.

 

Highlights: “Otherside", "Slip Away", "Just Like Love", "Go Ahead", "Every Night", "Choir", "Die 4 You", "Sides" (feat. Weyes Blood), "Alan"

You’ll like it if you like: Kate Bush, Enya, Xiu Xiu, Suicide, Sade

 

Spoiler

 

 

#11.

Mount Eerie

'A Crow Looked at Me'

Genre: Indie Folk, Contemporary Folk

Slowcore

Country: USA || Release Date: March 27th, 2017 || Label: P.W. Elverum & Sun

 

In the past year, Phil Elverum has been through a lot. His wife, Geneviève Castrée, had been diagnosed with cancer in 2015. After a long battle (in which fans supported by donating money for the treatment) she died in July 2016. Next year, Phil announced the first Mount Eerie album after her death, ‘A Crow Looked At Me’. The song “Real Death”, the opening track, helps you understand the place it is coming from.

 

Unlike the average Elverum record, it is not concerned with the “artistic experience”, in this case connected with her death, as opposed to the recent works of for example, David Bowie or Nick Cave, which were awesome records dealing with death, dying, and seeing your loved ones die unexpectedly. This record is rather meant to express raw, pure emotion. Other than an acoustic guitar, there is no other instrumentation. On his lyrics, Phil talks about his wife, his daughter, death, cancer, grief and everything related to that situation in a form that feels extremely direct. And it probably would not work if it were done in any other way.

 

Tracks like “Ravens”, “Soria Moria” (the drone-y bass is a nice, surprising touch, though) and “Swims” sound as beautiful as they are heavy and heartbreaking. It is not an album meant for a regular listen. This, in fact, would have been higher had I listened to the record more than 5-6 times in full. ‘A Crow Looked at Me’ is a personal record about a bleak situation. But it is about as honest and beautiful as it gets.

 

Highlights: “Real Death", "Seaweed", "Ravens", "Swims", "Soria Moria", "Crow"

You’ll like it if you like: feeling lots of emotions.

 

Spoiler

[TRF.]

Now I'll finish this soon! Gonna tag some of you for this time only so that you guys don't miss the top 10

 

 

Spoiler

@Tom Vercetti @AlexisNeiers @volition @Playa Playa @conatus @collin @Pink Matter @ColdKeane @mxtthewdelrey @Lazuli

 

 

[Playa Playa]

Here for the Top 10