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.
year: 2016
tones of: james blake, kanye, anohni
genre samples: electronica, country, folk, pop, jazz
music: experimental, soft, layered, misty, beautiful, multifaceted, wispy, quiet, melodic, robotic, artistic
favs: 22 (over s∞∞n), 8 (circle), 666 ʇ, 33 "god"
notes: yet another album this year that just does so much in only about half an hour. amazing.
score: 8.5/10
year: 2016
tones of: lil wayne (the "lean" version), travis scott, rich homie quan, mystical
genre samples: trap rap, southern rap
music: ecstatic, cool, chill, smoky, bouncy
lyrics: unwieldy, disrespectful, improvised, shocking, unpredictable, cubist, irreverent
vocals: stretched, bruised, scratchy, intense, flexible, floating, uninhibited
favs: pick up the phone, swizz beatz, riri, guwop, harambe, kanye west
notes: don't mind the dress or the mumbling, thugger is the real deal
score: 8/10
year: 2014 (#latebutgreat)
tones of: shlohmoh, four tet, floating points
genre samples: electronica, house, ambient, 80s glam pop, techno
music: detailed, hopeful, intricate, scattered, light, slow, satisfying, airy, elaborate
favs: slam city jam, i met you on bc ferries, if sylvia built a house, telegraph my love
score: 8.5/10
year: 2016
tones of: local natives, iron & wine, modest mouse, the black keys (softer side of), the shins
genre samples: indie folk, country blues, indie rock, california rock
music: crooning, calming, weightless, beautiful, nostalgic, warm, soothing, shimmering
lyrics: longing, lost, confused, cathartic, contemplative, hopeful, reflective, mature
favs: no woman, light upon the lake, golden days, dave's song, red moon
notes: similar to Cardinal from Pinegrove this album only takes 30min to do what is does so well
bonus: lead singer is a former member of unknown mortal orchestra (a 2015 favorite, with a way overdue review)
score: 8/10
year: 2016
tones of: prince, stevie wonder, youth lagoon, the beach boysgenre samples: electronica, r&b, psychedelic rock, world music, indie folkmusic: experimental, sparse, warbled, robotic, stripped, futuristic, trippy, echoing
lyrics: introverted, honest, emotive, earnest, visual, experiential, realistic, authentic
best guest: andre 3k delivers yet again on another frank ocean track [solo (reprise)]
favs: self control, nikes, seigfried (lyrics), nights, futura free, be yourself
bonus: i was asked about it, and yes, i think this is def better than Channel Orange
score: 9/10
year: 2016
tones of: four tet, shlohmo, darkside
genre samples: indie electronic, post-dubstep, electropop, uk grime
music: energetic, uplifting, busy, human, delightful, positive, buoyant, downtempo
lyrics: inspiring, resolved, vulnerable, exposed, raw, determined
favs: copper wire, florida, five four, falling out of phase, no loss, 1804
bonus: all the vocals on this album are from unique posters that the range mined from the vast depths of youtube. and their stories make the album's documentary truly fascinating: Superimpose
score: 8.5/10
