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

[ColdKeane]

Bien por Dua Lipa  

 

Esperaba mucho mas de Everything Everything 

[Remmy]

Queen Elizabitch Dua Lipa CollXtion II Wish that was on the main list, but oh well

Vintage, Casanova, Old Habits, CPR, Barcodes, Genesis, Be the One, New Rules in your highlights

[prézli]

Queen Elizabitch This title still.......

 

Yes, Charli better release, even though she said she won't do. :(

[Topmaster 2]

OMGG Queen Elizabitch

Dua, Allie

Everything Everything   

[Lazuli]

Dua Lipa and A Fever Dream  

[Zay]

Saturation trilogy, the kid, neo wax bloom, and compassion that I've heard and really liked.

 

Queen elizabitch had great moments but it didn't go as far as it could imo. Perched for ha new album next year 

[Staryu]

Dua and Allie  

[TRF.]

On 22/12/2017 at 3:43 AM, TRF. said:

 

ALBUMS - HONORARY MENTIONS

 

I'm gonna make a top 50 albums this year! But because I listened and liked/loved a lot of albums this year, I'm going to make a list of 25 other albums that were pretty close... but not enough. No other order other than alphabetical.

.

.

 

Allie X - 'CollXtion II' (Electropop/Synthpop/Dance-Pop)

 

Canadian musician Allie X's debut EP 'CollXtion I' was a collection of pop tunes with sharp productions and hooks, excellent vocal performances. Her debut album, 'CollXtion II' is a little less aggressive and more lowkey than 'I', but still showcases other strengths, like her songwriting and lyrical abilities. Allie continues to show promise, and is definitely going to make something undoubtedly excellent, likely very soon.

 

Highlights: "Paper Love", "Vintage", "Casanova", "Old Habits, Die Hard"

 

 

Bibio - 'Phantom Brickworks' (Ambient)

 

Electronic musician Bibio's has always worked in a midpoint between indie folk, glitch, IDM and ambient. But on his 2017 album 'Phantom Brickworks', he decides to explore ambient on its own. The results are fantastic, often reminiscent of William Basinski's loop-based experiments – although there are a few gentle piano pieces – makes this one of his best albums, if not his best altogether.

 

Highlights: "Phantom Brickworks", "Phantom Brickworks II", "Capel Celyn", "Branch Line"

 

 

BROCKHAMPTON - 'SATURATION'/'SATURATION II'/'SATURATION III' (Pop Rap/Experimental Hip Hop)

 

One of the most important new acts of 2017 was rap and R&B collective (or as they call themselves, "boy band") BROCKHAMPTON. In this year they've released not one, not two, but three albums, in which they explore topics like race, LGBT identity, love, disappointment and religion in a way that feels both personal, deep and fun, as well as pushing the sonic posibilities of the genres in innovative ways.

 

Highlights (across all albums): "Heat", "Junky", "Sister/Nation", "Team"

 

 

CupcakKe - 'Queen Elizabitch' (Hardcore Hip Hop)

 

Chicago rapper CupcakKe is well known for her sexually-charged rap verses, and on her second album 'Queen Elizabitch' there certainly are a few of those, namely "CPR" and "Cumshot". But also this is the album that also proves her versatility, not being afraid to talk about other issues like sexual assault, her hard and long way up to the top, body positivity, as well as just demonstrating how badass she is as a whole.

 

Highlights: "CPR", "Quick Thought", "Barcodes", "Reality, Pt. 4"

 

 

DJ Python - 'Dulce Compañía' (Deep House/Ambient House/Reggaeton)

 

Thanks to labels such as N.A.A.F.I., Bala Club and Staycore, the lines between reggaeton and many genres of experimental electronic dance music became more blurred. But Miami-born producer DJ Python (also known as DJ Wey) took the combination between these two genres to an unexplored territory. Mixing lo-fi house music (like that of Anthony Naples or Huerco S.) with typical dembow beats, it is one of the most exciting takes on this kind of music I have ever heard.

 

Highlights: "Las Palmas", "Q.E.P.D.", "Acostados", "Yo Ran (Do)"

 

 

Dua Lipa - 'Dua Lipa' (Electropop/Contemporary R&B)

 

Dua Lipa's debut album was highly anticipated, and it certainly did not disappoint. Even though it might have some slow songs that do not live up to the expectations, basically every song on the album is a perfectly-sung, perfectly-written, amazingly-produced radio-ready hit. It is exciting that she has finally broken through in America and is achieving global success, and this record proves that this is just the beginning.

 

Highlights: "Genesis", "Lost in Your Love", "Be the One", "New Rules"

 

 

Everything Everything - 'A Fever Dream' (Art Pop/Progressive Pop)

 

Everything Everything continue with their highly theatrical and progressive sound on pop and indie music found on their 2015 release, 'Get to Heaven'. This time, however, on 'A Fever Dream', they take influence from dance music, new wave and even house music. The results are excellent, probably one of their best albums, if not their best.

 

Highlights: "Night of the Long Knives", "Desire", "A Fever Dream", "Run the Numbers"

 

 

Forest Swords - 'Compassion' (Ambient Dub/Neo-Psychedelia/Downtempo)

 

The way in which Matthew Barnes a.k.a. Forest Swords manipulates the lines between the organic and the electronic is completely fascinating. While 'Compassion' does not have the big, ear-grabbing singles that his 2013 debut ('Engravings') had ("Thor's Stone", "The Weight of Gold") it still shows his creative vision in strong and wonderful ways.

 

Highlights: "War It", "The Highest Flood", "Panic", "Raw Language"

 

 

Giant Claw - 'Soft Channel' (Sound Collage/Plunderphonics/Electronic)

 

Giant Claw's break-through album ('Dark Web') had a really creative way of using pop and R&B samples in ways which were completely different and strange, warping them over juke and trap beats in a very abstract fashion. After the 2015 MIDI-centered 'Deep Thoughts', his latest work, 'Soft Channel', sees him going back to his sample-based origins, but done in a form that is even stranger. There are barely any beats and melodies, but an excellent sound work and a captivating atmosphere that will keep one at the edge of their seat.

 

Highlights: "Soft Channel 001", "Soft Channel 003", "Soft Channel 006", "Soft Channel 008"

 

 

Guerilla Toss - 'GT Ultra' (Art Pop/Dance-Punk)

 

Boston punk band Guerilla Toss leave their noisiness behind for a bit on this album, and it is really worth it. They come up with excellently written and sung experimental guitar-pop songs, featuring unusual song structures and a diverse number of themes, it is one of the most underrated albums of the genre this year. This album is a grower. Personally, I only wish it were longer.

 

Highlights: "Can I Get the Real Stuff?", "The String Game", "Skull Pop", "Dog in the Mirror"

 

 

 

Iglooghost - 'Neo Wax Bloom' (Wonky/UK Bass)

 

After the acclaimed EP's 'Chinese Nü Yr' and 'Little Grids', producer Iglooghost finally releases a highly-conceptual debut album that fullfills his expansive vision of fast-pased electronic, pop, dance and experimental music. It can occassionally be distracting and overwhelming, but more than often he does pull through, coming with some innovative sounds and rhythms.

 

Highlights: "Bug Thief", "Solar Blade", "White Gum", "Peanut Choker"

 

 

JFDR - 'Brazil' (Art Pop/Folktronica)

 

Icelandic musician Jófríður Ákadóttir has been making music for nearly a decade, despite being barely 22 years-old, gaining fans such as Björk and The xx. 'Brazil' is her debut solo album, after having been on bands like electronic-pop outfit Samaris, folk duo Pascal Pinon and R&B group Gangly, and it sounds like mixture of all of the sounds she has explored up until this point. The album is, to be honest, very underrated and a very promising debut.

 

Highlights: "White Sun", "Airborne", "Destiny's Upon Us", "Journey"

 

 

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith - 'The Kid' (Art Pop/Neo-Psychedelia/Folktronica)

 

'The Kid' is Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith's most accessible album, but that does not mean the album itself is easy to digest. But there is a lot to like in it, the way in which the electronics merge with the Enya-like atmosphere and her soft voice, it really sounds like a new age album from the future. Thanks to its concept, which is supposed to "document" someone's life from birth to death, it is also one of her most interesting works so far, and makes it exciting to see what is she going to come up with next.

 

Highlights: "An Intention", "The Kid", "To Follow and Lead", "To Feel Your Best"

 

PART TWO TOMORROW

 

 

bump  update still coming tomorrow. thxcx for the comments lol

[Bubble Tea]

It's amazing to see Dua Lipa actually get a huge hit. Like we'd been talking about her on here for years and suddenly everybody knows her and she has a smash single with amazing longevity. She really deserved it.  I respect the hustle.

[Delta]

Wow, a lot of good stuff here. 

[Eeveelution]

I can't argue with the majority being HMs. Allie and Dua were close to delivering actually good albums but they just feel ever-so-slightly flat for me.

 

i need to get onto Brockhampton ASAP.

[Tom Vercetti]

Brock, Igloo, Kaitlyn & Forest   

I heard pieces of Giant Claw. Haven't finished yet 

[Ewan Chaos]

Awesome HM's so far - Bibio was a lovely discovery for me this year and while the instrumental record from this year wasn't my favorite, I'm obsessed with A Mineral Love.

 

Everything Everything >>>> but of course, I'd say Get to Heaven is easily their best. Dua's album was nice!

[Uncatena]

y'all are doing Kaitlyn dirty and I'm pressed

 

great HMs tho, compassion especially

[Pink Matter]

Perched for your albums (and songs?) lists later. Saw some really good picks for your EPs and HMs  

[Sunderland 4ever]

Still gotta check Saturation II and III, but "Saturation I" was pure gold.

 

I've heard many good things about Iglooghost. I'll add his album to the ones I'll check in January.

[TRF.]

 

ALBUMS - HONORARY MENTIONS (part 2)

 

.

 

Lana Del Rey - 'Lust for Life' (Art Pop/Dream Pop)

 

Even though it has a change in mood and maybe songwriting style compared to her previous material, 'Lust for Life' is the most Lana Del Rey album that Lana Del Rey has ever made. Which might be a little too much for people who are casual fans, specially considering the record's overall length. But ultimately it reveals itself as one of the most interesting pop releases of the year, in which Lana shows lots of personality.

 

Highlights: "Love", "Cherry", "God Bless America - And All the Beautiful Women In It", "Beautiful People, Beautiful Problems" (feat. Stevie Nicks)

 

 

Moses Sumney - 'Aromanticism' (Art Pop)

 

Moses Sumney's highly anticipated debut album 'Aromanticism' presents a world in which there are no happy endings when it comes to love. Musically, the record fuses experimental pop with folk music, soul, jazz, psychedelic music and light electronic production in a way that feels enveloping and heartwrenching, accompanied by his soft but versatile and commanding voice. This is probably one of the albums that will grow on one once years have passed, as it presents him as a very promising artist.

 

Highlights: "Don't Bother Calling", "Quarrel", "Doomed", "Indulge Me"

 

 

Mula - 'AGUAS' (Alternative R&B/Latin Electronic)

 

R&B, synthpop, juke, trap, reggaeton, salsa, merengue, bachata... to put all of these completely different genres in one record might be a bit too much. Not to Dominican trio Mula, though, whose debut full-length combines all of these, sometimes even in the same song, without sounding overwhelming or "extra" in the slightest. One of the biggest surprises of the year, for those who love pop at its weirdest.

 

Highlights (across all albums): "Nunca paran", "Poción", "Quiero que tu quieras", "Juego de amor"

 

 

Pan Daijing - 'Lack' (Post-Industrial/Experimental)

 

China-born, Berlin-based musician Pan Daijing has been making waves in the underground techno and noise scene for her combination of club music, abrasiveness and highly demanding conceptual performances. But on her debut album, she leaves dance music completely behind on her debut album, in order to make a opera-like experiment that can be at times hard to listen to, but strangely addictive.

 

Highlights: "Act of the Empress", "Eat", "The Nerve Meter", "Lucid Morto"

 

 

Prurient - 'Rainbow Mirror' (Dark Ambient/Death Industrial/Noise/"Doom Electronics")

 

The sound of being consumed by darkness in the slowest, most graphic and painful way possible. One of the most unique musical experiences this year, and probably one of Dominick Fernow's most impressive and expansive records.

 

Having said that, maybe 3 hours and 20 minutes of loud, minimal dark ambient noise can be... a bit too much for the common human ear.

 

Highlights: "Midnight Kabar" "Falling in the Water", "Naturecum", "Path Is Short"

 

 

 

Rosalía - 'Los Ángeles' (Flamenco Nuevo)

 

Barcelona-born Rosalía cantaora comes from a background that is not necessarily linked to flamenco and copla themselves, but having discovered the genre through her friends, she fell in love with it. And thanks to musician Raül Refree, her creative vision is fullfilled. On her debut album, lyrics about death, covers of classic flamenco songs, fandangos and malagueñas over a guitar-based, slightly abstract background, sound like the most beautiful yet destroying thing in the world.

 

Highlights: "De Plata", "Nos Quedamos Solitos", "Catalina", "Por Castigarme Tan Fuerte"

 

 

Slowdive - 'Slowdive' (Shoegaze/Dream Pop)

 

One of the most surprising yet most expected comebacks of the year, Slowdive returned to the sound that made them popular and acclaimed on their album 'Souvlaki', although it certainly has some of the experimentation of the underrated 'Pygmalion'. While not, perhaps, as consistent as these two records, it also has more than a few career highlights, proving their comeback absolutely necessary not just for the genre of shoegaze, but for music in general.

 

I just wished I had listened to this a bit more.

 

Highlights: "Slomo", "Star Roving", "Sugar for the Pill", "Falling Ashes"

 

 

St. Vincent - 'MASSEDUCTION' (Art Pop)

 

Even though, due to several reasons, this is for many reasons a bit too... inconsistent, all over the place, and probably, personally, my least favorite St. Vincent record, it still would be a career highlight for most artists. Even though Jack Antonoff's production can be a underwhelming more than often, there are many times where it matches her striking songwriting, leading to some tracks that are career highlights.

 

Highlights: "Hang on Me", "Sugarboy", "Los Ageless", "Smoking Section"

 

 

 

The Caretaker - 'Everywhere at the End of Time - Stages 1-3' (Ambient/Turntable Music)

 

Leyland Kirby a.k.a. The Caretaker continues with his experiment regarding the topic of dementia. Now, the three parts of his 6-part series 'Everywhere at the End of Time' are officially released in the collection, which at first sounds like his typical turntable-based loops of dixieland and other music from the 40's and 50's, until it starts to get all blurred and distorted by the third album, akin to the long-form effects of the disease, memory loss and other signs. These are some unique records, and I am personally excited to see the rest.

 

Highlights: too many lol

 

 

tricot - '3' (Math Rock)

 

Japanese rock band Tricot come through with their third album, their second since their drummer left the group, and probably their most accessible one. While they have always had strong and powerful hooks, this time around they tone down the unusual song structures and time signatures in favor of more "pop"-oriented sounds, but are still odd enough for it all to be as interesting and fun as always.

 

Highlights: "Tokyo Vampire Hotel", "DeDeDe", "Sukima", "Melon Soda"

 

 

Varg - 'Nordic Flora Series Pt. 3: Gore-Tex City' (Minimal Techno/Post-Industrial)

 

The third release in the ‘Nordic Flora’ series perfectly sums up everything he stands for to an extent. Described as a “**** off, but it’s a smirking **** off”, it combines different styles of music that he has dabbled into, as well as new forrays thanks to its collaborators, working as some sort of dystopian post-genre classification paradise where dark ambient, banging techno, R&B and ironic spoken word poetry all coexist under one nocturnal atmosphere.

 

Highlights: "Champagne Ceremonies", "Platform Surrounded by Fences (EU)", "Forever 21/Valium" (feat. Chloe Wise), "Red Line (127 Satra C)" (feat. Yung Lean)

 

 

Ziúr - 'U Feel Anything?' (UK Bass/Post-Industrial/IDM)

 

Even though there are several artists making "deconstructed club music," (whatever that means) there are not many of them doing it like Ziúr does. The Berlin-based musician's debut album has influences from not only club and experimental music, but also some of the hardest, most fast-paced metal out there and sweet melodic pop, all coexisting in a place that feels both pleasant and welcoming, but also aggressive and unpredictable.

 

Highlights: "U Feel Anything?", "Soaked", "Laughing and Crying Are the Same Thing" (feat. Zhala), "Fractals"

 

ALSO:

 

MERRY XCXMAS TO THOSE WHO CELEBRATE IT!

 

 

 

 

[SLIME]

Slowdive, St. Vincent, Moses too low! But glad you enjoyed them. I wanna listen to Kaitlyn & Tricot

 

Merry XCXmas ;)

[Αnt]

Lust for Life should've made it. Cherry alone slays careers! 

[Lazuli]

Lust For Life, Romanticism, MESSEDUCTION and Slowdive only making HMs? Bitch no  

[TRF.]

15 hours ago, Lazuli said:

Lust For Life, Romanticism, MESSEDUCTION and Slowdive only making HMs? Bitch no  

I didn't listen to Slowdive and Romanticism enough  and L4L was very good but too long. and Masseduction was a mess lol even though it has some bangers

[Wicked]

I finally listened to MASSEDUCTION and I feel the same way. It's a ****ing mess. 

[grandewhispers]

Dua Lipa 

[madonnas]

Lovely set of HMs.  Besides Cupcakke/Saturation II AND MASSEDUCTION I wouldn't put them in my main lists but agree they have moments that make them worthy of praise :o  

[MP2K]

Mosses & Mass