I’ve long held that music is one of the world’s great counterbalances — the worse things are in general, the better the soundtrack seems to be (conversely, when things are pretty good overall, stuff like this tops the charts). My general belief held true this past year, which was one of the worst-ever for humanity and its future prospects. But in terms of new music, it was unbelievable.

These are the 25 albums of 2017 that I most often go back to — the ones I can listen to from top to bottom, over and over again, and still be enchanted. And in the spirit of being the change I wish to see in this world, SOMETHINGGOOD’s Top 25 Albums of 2017 countdown arrives after (!) the year’s conclusion (all those 🔥🔥🔥 Christmas releases deserve consideration, as well).

#25

Dirty Projectors -- Dirty Projectors

Dirty Projectors

by Dirty Projectors
Domino Recording Company

Signature track: “I See You” (YouTube)

#24

together PANGEA -- Bulls And Roosters

Bulls and Roosters

by Together Pangea
Nettwerk Music Group

Signature track: “Money On It” (YouTube)

#23

Sandy (Alex G) -- Rocket

Rocket

by (Sandy) Alex G
Domino Recording Company

Signature track: “Proud” (YouTube)

#22

Lomelda -- Thx

Thx

by Lomelda
Double Double Whammy

Signature track: “Interstate Vision” (YouTube)

#21

Charly Bliss -- Guppy

Guppy

by Charly Bliss
Barsuk Records

Signature track: “Glitter” (SoundCloud)

#20

Kendrick Lamar -- DAMN

DAMN.

by Kendrick Lamar
Aftermath Entertainment

Signature track: “XXX.” (YouTube)

#19

The Band Ice Cream -- Classically Trained

Classically Trained

by The Band Ice Cream
Urban Scandal Records

Signature track: “Jerk It Off” (SoundCloud)

#18

King Krule -- The OOZ

THE OOZ

by King Krule
True Panther Sounds

Signature track: “Dum Surfer” (YouTube)

#17

Lorde -- Melodrama

Melodrama

by Lorde
Republic Records

Signature track: “Perfect Places” (YouTube)

#16

Queen Moo -- Mean Well

Mean Well

by Queen Moo
Topshelf Records

Signature track: “Gone” (YouTube)

#15

Alex Lahey -- I Love You Like A Brother

I Love You Like A Brother

by Alex Lahey
Dead Oceans

Signature track: “I Love You Like A Brother” (YouTube)

#14

Spinning Coin -- Permo

Permo

by Spinning Coin
Domino Recording Company

Signature track: “Sleepless” (YouTube)

#13

Cende -- #1 Hit Single

#1 Hit Single

by Cende
Double Double Whammy

Signature track: “Bed” (YouTube)

#12

Run the Jewels -- Run the Jewels 3

Run the Jewels 3

by Run the Jewels
Run the Jewels, Inc.

Signature track: “Panther Like A Panther (Miracle Mix)” (YouTube)

#11

Diet Cig -- Swear I'm Good at This

Swear I’m Good At This

by Diet Cig
Frenchkiss Records

Signature track: “Sixteen” (YouTube)

#10

Petite League -- Rips One Into the Night

Rips One Into the Night

by Petite League
The Native Sound

Signature track: “Pocketknife” (SoundCloud)

#9

Mister Heavenly -- Boxing the Moonlight

Boxing the Moonlight

by Mister Heavenly
Polyvinyl Record Co.

Signature track: “Makin’ Excuses” (YouTube)

#8

Ratboys -- GN

GN

by Ratboys
Topshelf Records

Signature track: “Elvis Is in the Freezer” (YouTube)

#7

Sheer Mag -- Need to Feel Your Love

Need to Feel Your Love

by Sheer Mag
Wilsuns Recording Company

Signature track: “Need To Feel Your Love” (YouTube)

#6

Big Thief -- Capacity

Capacity

by Big Thief
Saddle Creek

Signature track: “Shark Smile” (YouTube)

#5

Dude York -- Sincerely

Sincerely

by Dude York
Hardly Art

Signature track: “Black Jack” (SoundCloud)

#4

Jay Som -- Everybody Works

Everybody Works

by Jay Som
Polyvinyl Record Co.

Signature track: “The Bus Song” (YouTube)

#3

Los Angeles Police Department -- Los Angeles Police Department

Los Angeles Police Department

by Los Angeles Police Department
Anti- Records

Signature track: “Grown” (YouTube)

#2

Wand -- Plum

Plum

by Wand
Drag City

Signature track: “Plum” (YouTube)

#1

Waxahatchee -- Out in the Storm

Out in the Storm

by Waxahatchee
Merge Records

Signature track: “Silver” (YouTube)