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
by Dirty Projectors
Domino Recording Company
Signature track: “I See You” (YouTube)
#24
Bulls and Roosters
by Together Pangea
Nettwerk Music Group
Signature track: “Money On It” (YouTube)
#23
Rocket
by (Sandy) Alex G
Domino Recording Company
Signature track: “Proud” (YouTube)
#22
Thx
by Lomelda
Double Double Whammy
Signature track: “Interstate Vision” (YouTube)
#21
Guppy
by Charly Bliss
Barsuk Records
Signature track: “Glitter” (SoundCloud)
#20
DAMN.
by Kendrick Lamar
Aftermath Entertainment
Signature track: “XXX.” (YouTube)
#19
Classically Trained
by The Band Ice Cream
Urban Scandal Records
Signature track: “Jerk It Off” (SoundCloud)
#18
THE OOZ
by King Krule
True Panther Sounds
Signature track: “Dum Surfer” (YouTube)
#17
Melodrama
by Lorde
Republic Records
Signature track: “Perfect Places” (YouTube)
#16
Mean Well
by Queen Moo
Topshelf Records
Signature track: “Gone” (YouTube)
#15
I Love You Like A Brother
by Alex Lahey
Dead Oceans
Signature track: “I Love You Like A Brother” (YouTube)
#14
Permo
by Spinning Coin
Domino Recording Company
Signature track: “Sleepless” (YouTube)
#13
#1 Hit Single
by Cende
Double Double Whammy
Signature track: “Bed” (YouTube)
#12
Run the Jewels 3
by Run the Jewels
Run the Jewels, Inc.
Signature track: “Panther Like A Panther (Miracle Mix)” (YouTube)
#11
Swear I’m Good At This
by Diet Cig
Frenchkiss Records
Signature track: “Sixteen” (YouTube)
#10
Rips One Into the Night
by Petite League
The Native Sound
Signature track: “Pocketknife” (SoundCloud)
#9
Boxing the Moonlight
by Mister Heavenly
Polyvinyl Record Co.
Signature track: “Makin’ Excuses” (YouTube)
#8
GN
by Ratboys
Topshelf Records
Signature track: “Elvis Is in the Freezer” (YouTube)
#7
Need to Feel Your Love
by Sheer Mag
Wilsuns Recording Company
Signature track: “Need To Feel Your Love” (YouTube)
#6
Capacity
by Big Thief
Saddle Creek
Signature track: “Shark Smile” (YouTube)
#5
Sincerely
by Dude York
Hardly Art
Signature track: “Black Jack” (SoundCloud)
#4
Everybody Works
by Jay Som
Polyvinyl Record Co.
Signature track: “The Bus Song” (YouTube)
#3
Los Angeles Police Department
by Los Angeles Police Department
Anti- Records
Signature track: “Grown” (YouTube)
#2
Plum
by Wand
Drag City
Signature track: “Plum” (YouTube)
#1
Out in the Storm
by Waxahatchee
Merge Records
Signature track: “Silver” (YouTube)