My Favorite Albums of 2017

Not the strongest year for music from my perspective… one great album, one pretty great album, and five really good albums make up my not-quite-top ten.

1. Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.

No doubt about this one. Intense & intricate, DAMN is approachable yet complex, rewarding repeat listening both musically and lyrically. It’s both deeply personal and universally relatable.

2. Lorde – Melodrama

When I first heard Melodrama, I thought Lorde had gone full-on overproduced pop, but while the production is certainly glossy, the songwriting is excellent, and neither the songs nor the performance feel at all artificial. A compelling portrait of intense, fumbling youth.

3. The War on Drugs — A Deeper Understanding

I can’t get enough of Adam Granduciel’s epic, driving, jangling, floating rock. If all the songs run into each other a bit, I don’t mind.

4. The Regrettes – Feel Your Feelings Fool!

A bunch of teenagers delivering teenager songs on teenager subjects with infectious, snarling enthusiasm. The songs bounce back and forth between “fuck you, don’t tell me what to do!” and “you’re cute, I have a crush on you!” I found the raw, catchy pop undeniable.

5. Waxahatchee — Out in the Storm

The third strong effort in a row from Waxahatchee. Great songwriting and emotionally direct, urgent delivery. The primary topic remains her deeply troubled relationship.

6. Big Thief – Capacity

Another emotionally raw album, full of great songwriting. Big Thief’s sound is dark and intimate. “Mary” is the most beautiful song of the year (also the only song on here without any guitar):

7. Julien Baker – Turn Out the Lights

One last album from a twenty-something female songwriter! The darkest of the three, Turn Out the Lights weaves achingly gorgeous music around themes of depression and personal struggles. So beautiful… listen to when the harmonies kick in on “Appointments,” first at 0:50, or when she starts to really wail at 4:00: