The Best Tracks & Albums of 2017… So Far
2017 has been a great year for music so far. There’ve been great comebacks, bold new arrivals and British artists have continued to enjoy success at home and abroad.
So here we are, halfway through the year and festival season has begun. What better time to quickly touch base on the best albums and tracks of the year so far.
ALBUMS OF THE YEAR… SO FAR
The current climate doesn’t seem all that hospitable to albums; with many artists choosing to focus on singles and big names such as Drake focusing on ‘playlists’. However there have been some great releases which you really need to listen to.
5. I See You — The xx
The xx returned in 2017 with another album of gorgeous melodies over sparse, emotive backdrops. Their sound continues to develop with album opener Dangerous feeling closer to Jamie xx’s solo material. A triumphant return.
4. Love in the 4th Dimension — The Big Moon
The Big Moon released their debut in April and it jumped out as a well-crafted, all-girl, indie album that wouldn’t have sounded out of place in the nineties. That is far from a criticism and tracks like Formidable will be sung at festivals across the summer.
3. Godfather — Wiley
No filler whatsoever from Wiley as he dropped his “final” album. The most accomplished grime album in a number of years. It’s more cohesive than Konnichiwa and is less reliant on pop sensibilities than Gang Signs & Prayer. It’s heavy on features and represents the scene well as grime continues to grow and reach new audiences.
2. DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar
This album will be number one on nearly every end of year list. Kendrick yet again proving that he’s the best rapper alive. He’s taken a step back from the jazz experimentation of To Pimp A Butterfly, delivering thunderous banger after banger. His bars tell you more about modern America than any textbook, let alone his competition. Drake’s playlist More Life could have been in the argument but when DAMN. was released it showed just how insignificant Drake was an artist compared to K-Dot.
- Slowdive — Slowdive
Okay, maybe I’m being contrarian in putting this ahead of Kendrick but Slowdive needs to be heard. I’m not sure that I’ve ever had my expectations shattered like I did with this album. When I listened to the album I had no idea who Slowdive were, assuming incorrectly they were a new band. I was wrong, they formed in 1989, reforming in 2014 after a 19 year hiatus. Shoegaze isn’t the easiest or most popular of genres but this album is perfect. It’s moody, atmospheric, emotive and would sound perfect as the sound track to a late night drive. You need to do yourself a favour and give this album a chance. Put on those headphones, hit play and just melt away into it’s dreamy pop, you won’t regret it.
TRACKS OF THE YEAR… SO FAR
10. Slide — Calvin Harris (Ft. Frank Ocean & Migos)
I’m not the biggest fan of Calvin Harris but you can’t deny that he knows the recipe for a summer banger. He returned here with Frank Ocean and Migos and the results were entirely as expected. Summer was here the second this dropped back in March.
9. Are You Looking For Action? — Kasabian
Kasabian are one of those bands that get easily dismissed by the critics but they’re consistently one of the best rock bands out there. Their latest album wasn’t sensational but Are You Looking For Action? continued the evolution in the dance sound that Treat did so well on the previous record.
8. Say Something Loving — The xx
Why are The xx always so damn good? Give somebody else a chance.
7. Wall Of Glass — Liam Gallagher
Remember when Beady Eye were one of the biggest jokes in music? They were rightly panned for being a boring, derivative load of tosh. Absence has made the heart grow fonder and the excitement around Liam’s return has reached fever pitch.
6. Mask Off — Future
It’s not often that you fall in love with a song because of a flute sample but it’s 2017 and the rules don’t matter anymore. There’s a good story around the sample but all you really need to know is that it weaves its way into your conscious and never leaves.
5. Blinded By Your Grace (Part 2) — Stormzy (Ft. MNEK)
His debut was accomplished but the real high point arrived on this gospel influenced track. MNEK’s soaring hook allows Stormzy to showcase his honest and open feelings of love. It’s a different side to Big Mike but it shows what a well rounded and important artist he has become. When this inevitably gets released as a single it will be massive.
4. Your Love — The Magic Gang
The Brighton lads have a real ear for a perfectly written pop hook and this track sees them at their most Beatles-like. It’s easy to draw comparisons with The Maccabees and many others but they have their own sound.
3. May I Have This Dance — Francis And The Lights (Ft. Chance The Rapper)
Chance The Rapper is the musical equivalent of hot sauce, you can add him to any recipe and create something brilliant. Here he joins Francis And The Lights and drops a song that’ll be closing high school dances for years to come.
2. Green Light — Lorde
I hadn’t planned to include this track but when I was going back over the last 6 months of music there is very little that stands out like Green Light. Harry Styles and Zara Larsson have led the way with great pop songs this year but Lorde has written the perfect pop song.
- HUMBLE. — Kendrick Lamar
There’s not much left to say about this song, it’s been the subject of thousands of tweets and many essays. It’s a banger which encapsulates the politics of America, race and wealth. This won’t be beaten.
What do you think of my rankings? Is Kendrick really all that? Who should have been in the list? Let me know in the comments or find me on Twitter and send your hate that way.
