Top 50 Albums of 2017
2017 has been a tumultuous year, but luckily it's been soundtracked by some incredible music, from debut albums to re-emerging figures, furious punk rock to luscious R&B, there's been something for everyone this year.
Before we kick off into my top 50 albums of this year, an honourable mention has to go towards Run the Jewels whose album 'Run the Jewels 3' missed out on last years list due to being surprised released on Christmas day.
Compiling and writing up this list has been one of the most time consuming things of the past couple of months, so I'm glad to finally get a list together I can look back on and also hopefully the two of you who read this enjoy it too!
So, without further hesitation, here are my Top 50 albums of 2017!
50. Diet Cig - Swear I'm Good At This
Diet Cig's debut album is a super fun run of indie pop tunes, packed to the brim with hilariously honest lyrics, a great band dynamic and undeniably catchy hooks. Songs like 'Sixteen' and 'Tummy Ache' showcase Diet Cig's songwriting abilities to their best potential on 'Swear I'm Good at This'.
Favourite track: Sixteen
49. Menace Beach - Lemon Memory
'Lemon Memory' sees Menace Beach taking the foundations of the energetic garage rock tracks from their last album 'Ratworld', and improving upon it tenfold. Highlights include the stabbing chord led 'Maybe We'll Drown', the riotous 'Sentimental', and the odyssey of 'Can't Get a Haircut'.Favourite track: Sentimental
48. The Cribs - 24/7 Rockstar Shit
Engineered by the legendary Steve Albini, '24-7 Rock Star Shit' showcased The Cribs at their heaviest. The first two songs on the album being perfect examples of this from the distortion fuelled 'Give Good Time', to the most aggressive song in The Cribs discography 'Year of Hate'.
Favourite track: Year of Hate
47. Loyle Career - Yesterday's Gone
Lyrics focusing on friends, family and growing into adulthood are the mainstays of Loyle Carner's debut album, backed with ear worming production, it shows promise for the future of the poetic UK rapper.
Favourite track: NO CD
46. Aldous Harding - Party
Between the minimal instrumentation and Aldous Harding's wide ranging vocals, and atmosphere created on 'Party' is quite like no other, intense yet delicate, powerful yet somber. Harding's unqiue voice leads this album, with song's such as 'Horizon' standing out as some of the best songs this year.Favourite track: Horizon
45. The Amazons - The Amazons
After years of building their craft, The Amazons released their debut full length, an album packed
with singalongs, massive riffs, and a point to prove. Songs like 'Little Something' and 'Burn My Eyes' are already sending audiences across the country into mosh pit heaven.
with singalongs, massive riffs, and a point to prove. Songs like 'Little Something' and 'Burn My Eyes' are already sending audiences across the country into mosh pit heaven.
Favourite track: Junk Food Forever
44. Leah Senior - Pretty Faces
Brilliant instrumentation and heart warming vocals are what makes Leah Senior stand out as one of the best contemporary folk artists in 2017. Her second album 'Pretty Faces' draws you into her world for half an hour, and leaves you wanting more when you depart.
Favourite track: Pretty Faces
43. Gorillaz - Humanz
Although it sometimes feels as if 'Humanz' revolves more around it's features than Gorillaz itself, this is an
album that diverges away from what you thought you knew about Gorillaz. Leaning heavier on electronic production, and hip-hop influences, 'Humanz' features some of Gorillaz best songs to date.
album that diverges away from what you thought you knew about Gorillaz. Leaning heavier on electronic production, and hip-hop influences, 'Humanz' features some of Gorillaz best songs to date.
Favourite track: Ascension
42. Daniele Luppi & Parquet Courts - Milano
2017 was looking to be the first year without a Parquet Courts release since their debut album, but that was proven to be wrong, when their fruitful collaboration with composer, Daniele Luppi, was released. 'Milano' adds unique flavours to the already familiar Parquet Courts formula and also feautres guest vocals from Yeah Yeah Yeahs' very own Karen O.
Favourite track: Soul and Cigarette
41. Alex Lahey - I Love You Like A Brother
Melbourne's Alex Lahey has been creating a buzz over the past couple of years with her grunge influenced songs, with catchy hooks and relatable lyrics. This year saw her release her debut album 'I Love You Like a Brother', winning over new audiences across the world with songs like 'Lotto in Reverse', 'Backpack' and 'I Haven't Been Taking Care of Myself'.
Favourite track: Lotto in Reverse
40. Metz - Strange Peace
After two albums of face obliterating punk rock, Metz are back with another album of screaming guitars, dirty bass, and furious drums. If you like music that will rip your ears off, stick them back on, and then rip them off again, you will love Metz.Favourite track: Raw Materials
39. Otherkin - OK
Fast building a reputation for themselves as one of the most exciting live acts right now, Otherkin put
the same energy of the concerts into their debut album, 'OK'. Songs such as 'AY AY' and 'I Was Born' feature singalong choruses and heavy breakdowns, whereas 'Yeah, I Know' builds and builds into a climax that will send you into a frenzy.
the same energy of the concerts into their debut album, 'OK'. Songs such as 'AY AY' and 'I Was Born' feature singalong choruses and heavy breakdowns, whereas 'Yeah, I Know' builds and builds into a climax that will send you into a frenzy.
Favourite track: So So
38. Everything Everything - A Fever Dream
Everything Everything are masters at making the weird danceable, and on 'A Fever Dream' they took this talent and pushed it to 100. 'An Ivory Hand' is almost math rock like in it's delivery and 'Can't Do' is a club hit filtered though layers of quirkiness.
Favourite track: Night of the Long Knives
37. Blaenavon - That's Your Lot
Blaenavon's debut album proves indie rock can be more than a few power chords and a chorus pedal.
From the upbeat nature of songs like 'Let's Pray' to the darker moments on songs like 'Swans', 'That's Your Lot' is a masterclass in how to make your first album.
From the upbeat nature of songs like 'Let's Pray' to the darker moments on songs like 'Swans', 'That's Your Lot' is a masterclass in how to make your first album.
Favourite song: Take Care
36. At the Drive-In - in.ter a.li.a
Despite being seventeen years since their last studio album, At the Drive-In have lost none of the energy that made the exciting the first time around. Straight from the get go, the band pummel you senselessly with cryptic lyrics and aggressive instrumentation. Songs like 'No Wolf Like the Present' and 'Hostage Stamps' are particular highlights from the album, with 'Governed by Contagions' punching you in the face with it's pure intensity.
Favourite track: Governed by Contagions
35. Laura Marling - Semper Femina
Exploring concepts of what womanhood is in 2017, Laura Marling's musings on these topics is
undoubtedly interesting and undeniably enjoyable, her unique take on folk rock has always been engaging, but 'Semper Femina' proves that on her sixth album she is showing no signs of lacking in ideas and songwriting talent.
undoubtedly interesting and undeniably enjoyable, her unique take on folk rock has always been engaging, but 'Semper Femina' proves that on her sixth album she is showing no signs of lacking in ideas and songwriting talent.
Favourite track: Soothing
34. Tyler, the Creator - Flower Boy
'Flower Boy' sees Tyler, the Creator maturing, both lyrically and in production talent too. A more personal album lyrically compared to his previous efforts, the album can also be praised for it's imaginative production, full of Tyler's unique jazzy twists, and his heaviest moment on 'Who Dat Boy', that also features A$AP Rocky, full on with it's aggressive delivery and quotable lines.
Favourite track: 911 / Mr. Lonely
33. Open Mike Eagle - Brick Body Complex
Smooth production and relaxed vocals lead you through Open Mike Eagle's imagery filled album 'Brick Body Complex'. The
song's title track features a refrain that will whir around your head for days. Easily one of the best hip-hop albums released this year.
song's title track features a refrain that will whir around your head for days. Easily one of the best hip-hop albums released this year.
Favourite track: Brick Body Complex
32. Thurston Moore - Rock 'n' Roll Consciousness
Thurston Moore's unmatched style of playing guitar has influenced countless musicians, from his headache inducing forays into feedback, to his bizarrely tuned chords. On 'Rock n Roll Consciousness' Moore takes all the elements that he is known for and puts them into the best songs of his solo career to date.
Favourite track: Aphrodite
31. Girl Ray - Earl Grey
Girl Ray's debut album is a great mix of danceable indie pop songs, paired with more expansive moments. 'Just Like That' opens the album and sets the mood perfectly for the next 50 minutes, before 'Earl Grey (Stuck in a Groove)' shifts the dynamic to showcase Girl Ray's more ambitious side, pushing past the 13 minute mark in length.
Favourite track: Don't Come Back at Ten
30. Gang - '925 'til I Die
Evil guitars, doom laden lyrics, and a pounding rhythm section lead you through Gang's debut album, '925 'til I Die'. 'Messiah' riddles your bones with fear, whereas 'Dead' brings in the existentialism to end your experience with the feeling of gloom, but more importantly it leaves you wanting to press repeat and listen again.
Favourite track: Dead
29. OCS - Memory of a Cut Off Head
Reuniting with regular collaborator Brigid Dawson, John Dwyer took the Oh See's sound in a different direction for 'Memory of a Cut Off Head', returning to their original name of 'OCS', and embracing the bands acoustic beginnings. The album is a passage through beautiful harmonies, and soothing guitars. It is a much welcomed shift to commemorate John Dwyer's 20th year under Thee Oh Sees's name.
Favourite track: The Fool
28. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Sketches of Brunswick East
'Sketches from Brunswick East' couldn't be further away, in terms of vibe, to it's pre-desescor, 'Murder of the Universe', witnessing the band experiment in jazz influenced sketches that all link together. Joining forces with the L.A. based Mild High Club, this is an album to sit back and relax to, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you captivated.
Favourite track: The Book
27. Slowdive - Slowdive
This was an album many people thought they'd never see. Released 22 years after their previous album, shoegaze pioneers Slowdive returned in style. With effects drenched guitars, woozy vocals and a driving rhythm section, 'Slowdive' is packed full of fresh ideas.
Favourite track: Star Roving
26. Brockhampton - Saturation II
The self-confessed boy band, made up of rappers, producers, video directors, artists and more, released their second album 'Saturation II' only 2 months after it's pre-descesor, with a third instalment of the series being released in December. Full of fresh production, lyrics discussing sexuality on tracks like 'Queer', and the sound of a group whose mind is firmly in the future, Brockhampton prove they are here to grab the world's attention.
Favourite track: Gummy
25. Idles - Brutalism
With lyrics to quote to your heart's content, post-punk band, Idles, introduced themselves with a bang. 'Brutalism' see's frontman John Talbot exploring social, political and personal topics all whilst the rest of the band tear through each song at breakneck speed. Riddled with highlights, 'Mother', dedicated to Talbot's mother who passed away, will send shivers down your spine.
Favourite track: Well Done
24. Marika Hackman - I'm Not Your Man
Teaming up with The Big Moon for her second album, Marika Hackman takes a turn in a different direction, moving away from her folk origins towards an alternative rock tone. Songs like 'Boyfriend' and 'My Lover Cindy' are upbeat riotous indie songs that instantly connect, yet it's on the darker moments of 'I'm Not Your Man' such as 'I'd Rather Be With Them' where Marika's songwriting really shines.
Favourite track: Time's Been Reckless
23. Big K.R.I.T. - 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time
Big K.R.I.T.'s long awaited return was marked with a double album that doesn't wane despite it's 84 minute length. Covering a variety of genres, from jazz on 'The Light', to radio hit worthy '1999', to the gospel tinged 'Keep the Devil Off', this is one hip-hop album that is a must listen from 2017.
Favourite track: Mixed Messages
22. Pipe-Eye - Laugh About Life
Quirky instrumentation, warbled guitars, and fun lyrics are the make up of 'Laugh About Life', the debut album by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard rhythm guitarist Craig Cook. Songs like 'Private Little Holiday' and 'Sweets & Treats' are brilliant journeys through Cook's mind, with it's charming hooks and unique vocals keeping you coming back, time and time again.
Favourite track: Sweets & Treats
21. Japanese Breakfast - Soft Sounds from Another Planet
For her second album, Michelle Zauner, expanded her musical palette further, including electronic influences, seen on 'Machinist', psychedelic rock inspiration on 'Diving Woman', and pop sensibilities on 'Boyish'. 'Soft Sounds from Another Planet' is an insightful voyage through Zauner's mind, stories, and musical creativity.
Favourite track: Diving Woman
20. Tera Melos - Trash Generator
For the past decade, Tera Melos have been at the forefront of experimental rock, fusing unrecognisable time signatures with infinite effects pedals, and a driving rhythm section. With their latest release 'Trash Generator', the band finds the perfect balance between crafting coherent alt rock tunes, whilst still maintaining they're here to warp your mind into confusion.
Favourite track: Men's Shirt
19. Kendrick Lamar - DAMN.
After winning the worlds hearts with 'good kid, MAAD city', and then going on to prove he was hip-hop's greatest star on 'To Pimp a Butterfly', Kendrick Lamar returned this year to deliver 'DAMN.' to the world. Fuelled with heavy production, and aggressive lyrics, most notable on 'DNA', Kendrick showcased another side to his personality with his most confessional lyricism to date.
Favourite track: Lust
18. Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile - Lotta Sea Lice
The collaborative album of your dreams! Laid back melodies and winding guitars are the centrepiece for Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile's collaborative album 'Lotta Sea Lice'. Overflowing with charm and good vibes, this record is perfect for sticking on, sitting back, and chilling out.
Favourite track: Outta the Woodwork
17. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Murder of the Universe
Lead by furious energy and spoken word narration, 'Murder of the Universe' saw King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard creating their heaviest album yet. Split into three chapters the story chronicles the end of the world, legendary fights and the universe being consumed by vomit, all whilst keeping the listener head banging throughout.
Favourite track: Digital Black
16. SZA - CTRL
If there was one album to consistently blow everyone away this year it was SZA with 'CTRL'. An alt-R&B journey through SZA's experiences of love, drawing upon soul, R&B, as well as indie influences. SZA's incredible voice and vocal delivery take you through one experience to another. Truly one of the most enjoyable albums released this year.
Favourite track: Drew Barrymore
15. Jay Som - Everybody Works
From the eclectic swirls that open the album on 'Lipstick Stains' to the hypnotic refrain on album closer 'For Light', 'Everybody Works' is an album that never fails to keep you locked into Melina Duterte's every word. With every song being recorded by Duterte herself, it is impeccably put together, and is an album that grows on you with each listen.
Favourite track: For Light
14. Willie J Healey - People and their Dogs
With a name as wonderful as 'People and their Dogs', you can only imagine how great the music inside is. With relatable lyrics touching on topics of suburbia, love, friendship, and finding yourself in the confusion of being a 20 something in the South of England, Willie J Healey's debut album is an charming and engaging representation of what it is to be a young person, backed with lush instrumentation, best displayed on 'Somewhere in Between'
Favourite track: Subterraneans
13. Oh Sees - Orc
(Thee) Oh Sees take you through several twists and turns on Orc, from the ear splitting opening of 'The Static God', to the doom rock of 'Animated Violence', to the Can like 'Cooling Tower'. 'Orc' never loses energy and proves itself to be one of the Oh Sees best releases in their discography.
Favourite track: The Static God
12. Jay-Z - 4:44
In recent years Jay-Z's reputation as one of rap's leading stars has been questioned, with Jay seemingly running out of ideas, it was thought that seeing the heights of his lyrical talents wouldn't be seen again. This was proved to be completely false with the outstanding release of '4:44'. Lyrically focusing into his marriage, race, social issues, and politics, it showcased Jay looking inwards as well as at America's social flaws, backed with spectacular production, it's arguably Jay-Z's finest release in over a decade.
Favourite track: 4:44
11. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Polygondwanaland
Split into four movements, and beginning with the incendiary 'Crumbling Castle', 'Polygondwanaland' see's King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard fusing driving polyrhythms with folk, metal and experimental influences. With this being the fourth album of five projected albums for 2017, it shows a band who are all about quality and quantity.
Favourite track: Crumbling Castle
10. Girlpool - Powerplant
Girlpool's firm friendship and band dynamic shows through brilliantly on 'Powerplant', an album that is a fantastic mix of glorious harmonies, furious guitar work, and unpredictable structures, best displayed on the country twinged 'Corner Store', that unleashes into a Sonic Youth style freakout before cutting back into the twanged guitars.
Favourite track: Corner Store
9. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Flying Microtonal Banana
The first of five promised albums for 2017 saw King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard experimenting with microtones. From the pounding rhythmic drums on 'Open Water', to the eastern influenced 'Billabong Valley', to the screaming zurna on 'Flying Microtonal Banana', this is an album that never fails to keep the listener second guessing.
Favourite track: Billabong Valley
8. Alvvays - Antisocialites
Alvvays long awaited sophomore album had high expectations to match up to from their brilliant jangle rock packed debut album, and they rose to the hype with a 33 minute piece of indie pop perfection. 'In Undertow' sweeps you off your feet and lays you back down into the emotional lyricism of 'Dreams Tonite'. On the other hand songs like 'Hey' and 'Saved by a Waif' were made to be danced to in the crowds of their live shows.
Favourite track: Saved by a Waif
7. The Big Moon - Love in the 4th Dimension
The Big Moon's debut album showcased the band's unique take on indie rock in 2017. Featuring humorously relatable lyrics, such as in album highlight, 'Cupid'. Backed by upbeat instrumentation, The Big Moon proved themselves to be one of the most exciting new bands to come out of the UK in recent years
Favourite track: Cupid
6. Wolf Alice - Visions of a Life
Stepping it up a gear from their debut album, Wolf Alice returned with a collection of songs with huge variety between them. From the shoegaze leaning 'Heavenward' to the pop sensibilities of 'Don't Delete the Kisses' to the spoken word 'Sky Musings', to the fat riffs in 'Visions of a Life', this is an album that showed Wolf Alice were more complex than their peers.
Favourite track: Visions of a Life
5. LCD Soundsystem - American Dream
LCD Soundsystem had the tough task of delivering 'American Dream' to their audiences extremely high expectations. Luckily for their fans LCD delivered one of the best albums of the year. Huge bass, funky rhythms, sprawling song structures and quieter moments are all features of 'American Dream'. Songs like 'Call the Police' build and build to an almighty crescendo, in contrast to 'Oh Baby' that opens the album on a somber note, however, it is 'How Do You Sleep?' that takes the crown at creating an incredible atmosphere and owning a world of it's own.
Favourite track: How Do You Sleep?
4. King Krule - The OOZ
It's hard to describe 'The OOZ' in a few sentences. The album is so eclectic in tone, and subject matter, taking a different direction for each track, but still remaining consistent throughout. Opening with the moody undertones of 'Biscuit Town' the album shows itself to have a dark heavy atmosphere for much of the tracks that follow, with Archy Marshall detailing the breakdown of a relationship, depression and living in south london in a beautifully concise way over the next hour, whilst still remaining as poetic as ever.
Favourite track: Dum Surfer
3. Queens of the Stone Age - Villains
2013's '...Like Clockwork' saw Queens of the Stone Age gain a new set of fans and rise to the heights of headlining festivals and arena's across the world. 'Villains' see's the band taking pieces from every project they've released so far and making it danceable. Opening with the huge riffs of 'Feet Don't Fail Me', Josh Homme and co. are out to prove they can still blow the door down, with their off kilter guitar playing, rhythmic bass lines and John Theodore's dynamic drum work. Closing off with the emotional 'Villains of Circumstance' this is an album that rises above and beyond of any expectations.
Favourite track: Feet Don't Fail Me
2. Thundercat - Drunk
With quirky lyrics, soulful vocals and powerfully funky grooves, 'Drunk' showcased Thundercat's imagination has no bounds. Over it's 23 tracks, Thundercat gives you the weird, on 'Captain Stupido', the groovy on 'Friend Zone', and the unexpectedly brilliant collaboration, with Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, on 'Show Me the Way'. 'Drunk' will twist everything you think you know about music on it's head and filter it through a lens of unconventional song structures, video game references, and pure creativity.
Favourite track: Them Changes
1. (Sandy) Alex G - Rocket
'Rocket' saw Alex G taking his varied songwriting abilities and expanding them even further to include country, folk, and experimental influences. Tracks like 'Bobby' and 'Proud' are alt country singalongs that are already firm fan favourites, whereas 'Brick' and 'Horse' see Alex engaging in industrial music, with 'Brick' in particular being a complete counter point to everything else of the album. 'Sportstar' features Alex's effected vocals backed with somber piano chords, in contrast to the dark brooding nature of 'Judge'.
With so many different angles on 'Rocket' it could be easy to assume that it is a messy album, however, the flow is so seamless it only further extenuates how creative Alex is as a songwriter. With this album only coming five years into his solo career, it is incredibly exciting to see what the future has in story for Alex G.
Favourite track: Proud
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