year: 2017
tones of: michael jackson, prince, bruno mars (but better)
genre samples: alternative r&b, soul, funk, pop, rock n roll
music: groovy, energetic, attitude, bold, sincere, sexy, funky, grown, beautiful, head rocking, swaggerific, futuristic, smooth, confident
favs: pineapple skies, city of angels, now, sky walker, told you so, caramelo duro
note: not sure how i missed this in Dec. (unacceptable really), but i sure am glad i circled back around to check in on miguel for no reason. #latebutgreat
score: 8.5/10
year: 2017 (broader release)
tones of: floating points, todd terje, LNRDCROY, skee mask, shlohmoh
genre samples: jazz, techno, house, electronica, drum'n'bass, ambient
music: sonic, chaotic, impromptu, encircling, busy, layered, improvised, echoing, ecstatic, reverberating, drum saturated, off beat, lively, high frequency, colorful, crowded, energetic
favs: untitled a1, untitled b3, untitled d3, untitled a2, untitled c1, untitled d2
notes: apparently SW. never names anything, hence all the generics - from the album name, its tracks, and cover, down to his own moniker. i consider this just an unconventional but principled way of letting the music speak for itself.
score: 8/10
year: 2017
tones of: caribou, four tet (from the "rounds" era), massive attack (on "planet")
genre samples: electronica, ambient techno, jazz, indian classical, downtempo
music: spacious, frenetic, light, simple, charming, circling, fresh, sparse, bright, quirky, airy, amorphous, expanding, clean, happy, dainty, soothing, textured
favs: lush, two thousand and seventeen, daughter, planet, memories, you are loved, LA trance, the scientist
notes: beautiful enough at first listen but the intricacies really start to reveal themselves over time. keep listening until you get there. it's worth it.
score: 7.5/10
year: 2017
tones of: big boi, scarface, bone thugs-n-harmony (on "layup"), UGK, outkast, nappy roots
genre samples: jazz, indie rap, gospel, hip hop, big brass brand, southern rap, blues
music: soulful, banging, joyous, big, rattling, bass filled, majestic, swaying, horn heavy, chill
lyrics: humble, political, realistic, conscientious, authentic, serious, personal, boisterous, intelligent, confessional, introspective
vocals: crisp, drawling, precise, athletic, rhythmic, dexterous, smooth
favs: big k.r.i.t., drinking sessions, confetti, bury me in gold, 1999, price of fame, get away, miss keep the devil off (production), georgia fornia, mixed messages (lyrics)
best guest: lloyd (on "1999")
notes: the split personality that is Big King Remembered In Time offers up a rare double disc rap album that delivers nearly its full record length in musical gold.
score: 8.5/10
year: 2017
tones of: bright eyes, black keys, the flaming lips (on mal à l'aise)
genre samples: indie rock, punk pop, DIY rock, folk
music: jangly, marching, lofi, bright, jagged, melodic, soft, quick
lyrics: longing, regretful, reflective, abstract, nostalgic, insular, assured, cathartic
vocals: scratchy, straining, blue, angst-ridden, delicate
favs: fear & force, cold apartment, the embers, alive and well, cleaning house
notes: this album only clocks in at 28mins but it takes every advantage of that limited time
score: 8.5/10
A L B U M S
1. Kendrick Lamar: Damn.
2. Perfume Genius: No Shape
3. St. Vincent: Masseduction
4. Forest Swords: Compassion
5. Sampha: Process
6. Broken Social Scene: Hug of Thunder
7. Yumi Zouma: Willowbank
8. Kelly Lee Owens: Kelly Lee Owens
9. Vince Staples: Big Fish Theory
10. Blanck Mass: World Eater
HM. The Other People Place: Lifestyles Of The Laptop Café [2017 Reissue]
This year in music for me was a barbel-ed affair. I listened to a lot of albums during the first quarter of 2017 and then in the last half of the year. The albums represented here left bold traces in time or catapulted themselves by the force of their sonic presence. They have marked 2017 and left an indelible impression.
T R A C K S *
My preferred method of music consumption is listening to albums from start to finish. I believe song selection and album order are under appreciated dimensions in which artists construct unique listening experiences. From inside those spaces, these are the 2017 tracks that stood out the most from the comfort of my headphones.
* Not ranked. Scroll for complete list.
