Good day to you all. I am sure many of you reading are extremely FED UP with all of these top 100 lists. What’s in and what’s out? Why don’t you like this Well, trust me, I share the same quarrelsome restlessness that many of these pompous websites make you feel. However, here, allow your conscious to roam free. I wish to provide you all the tools necessary in order to feel at peace with yourself. This is what music does to me. Although this project has been a true labor of love, I couldn’t force myself to work on anything else. Music is the greatest gift and I hope you enjoy all of these 2017 albums as much as I did. With that being said, I am mighty tired, so just bear with me. Enjoy.

100. William Ryan Fritch- Behind the Pale

-Fritch is no stranger to churning out music in a tumbleweed velocity during a sandstorm. Multi-instrumentalist and composer, the ambient folk mastermind has released four albums this year, but Behind the Pale is the most remarkably haunting of the bunch.

99. Meatbodies-Alice

-With the auditory similarities of garage psych bands like Thee Oh Sees and Wand, this California frenzy channels fuzzy rock and acid drenched chaos to achieve the perfect buzz.

98. Kadavar- Rough Times

-German trio, Kadavar, has been hard at work since surfacing their self-titled debut on the scene in 2012. Releasing four albums since then, their heavy psych and stoner thrash crossover is hypnotic, leaving the listener in a constant state of disorientation. It is hard to say that anyone has perfected it as much as Kadavar.

97. Unsane- Sterilize

-Unsane’s red stained dominance has their bloody fingerprints all over the scrapbooks of New York’s monumental post-hardcore scene. Even since ’94, they still continue to sharpen their blade and set suggestive templates for many bands to learn from.

96.   Born Without Bones- Young at the Bend

-A well-balanced emo rock outfit that incorporates the intimate forms of Pinegrove vocals and early Foo Fighters instrumentation. You can hear it so faintly in the song “Shy Away” as it loosely represents a “My Poor Brain” power anthem.

95.   Dirty Art Club-Club Séance

-With the likes of the Avalanches and late J Dilla, the Charlotte native masters the ability to execute downtempo with groovy sampling and chillmatic flare.

94. Vieux Farka Touré- Samba

-Son of critically acclaimed Western African guitar colossal, Ali Farka Touré, the next of kin attempts to make a splash in the grand ocean of world music. It is seemingly well-produced and accompanied with infectious West Africa guitar reverb and catchy vocal work.

93. Jlin-Black Origami

-Wonky Gary, Indiana native produces a drum cadet aura with her brash footwork style electronica. There is a careful balance of worldly influences present and each song’s rhythm is shot in a million directions throughout the duration of its 47 minute longevity. It presents quite the challenge to keep up.

92.   Triptides-Afterglow

-In a world where we grow forever inpatient with building anticipation on when we will receive the next Tame Impala album, Los Angeles psych-rock group makes the band seem like a distant memory. It goes without saying that these lo-fi flower children aggressively channel intimate 60s groove into a carefree personality.
91. Benjamin Gibbard- Bandwagonesque 

-While this album was first created by 90s sweethearts, Teenage Fanclub, the current Death Cab for Cutie singer pays tribute to one of the most influential records of his lifetime. Folky and gloomy, every rendition is humbling and accurate.

90. White Reaper- World’s Best American Band

-Louisville, along with multiple other medium sized cities with exploding DIY scenes (Pittsburgh, Austin, Minneapolis), White Reaper reiterates that their rock clout is not only getting larger, but much more persuasive.

89. Guided By Voices-How Do You Spell Heaven

-Robert Pollard and his gang of misfits have released around 25 studio albums since their initial ripple in 1987. Despite their high volume in supply, the quality of their total project should never be overlooked. A sleeper record no one expected to enjoy.

88.   Black Grape- Pop Voodoo

-The bubonic aftermath of the Happy Monday’s breakup was enough to completely disrupt singer Shaun Ryder from a further career in music. Black Grape, forming as a comeback band, has surprisingly developed a secure post-Madchester following. A Sleadford Mods blunt articulation pairs well with this Primal Scream airiness.

87.   Dude York- Sincerely

-Hailing from the melancholy city of Seattle, Dude York channels Haley Williams Paramore and garage lo fidelity where it is edgy, yet extremely vulnerable. Hardly Art has been busy at work snatching roster spots with exceptional potential.

86. Dirty Projectors-Dirty Projectors

-Glitchy electronica and swallowing soulful Sufjan Stevens-esque choruses  pair together instantaneously. Plenty of rhythmic hooks and admirable sampling work can be found in this incredibly exploratory record.

85.   Wolf Alice-Visions of a Life

-Releasing one of the most well accepted albums in 2015, Wolf Alice left the general public salivating for what was next. They dabble with shoegaze, heavy rock, and intimate story telling. Two years seemed to be enough to learn how to exploit their sound, but experiment with it as well.

84.   Hoops-Routines

-Hoops’s sunny aesthetic is full of jangle and airy Rickenbacker melodies. This lazy day pop never sounded so good.

83.   Fazerdaze- Morningside

-Another great add to the lo-fi edgy power rock in the woman who are taking over the world by storm.

82.   Waxahatchee- Out in the Storm

-Alabama’s own, Katie Crutchfield has become indie’s darling, but she hasn’t stopped wearing her vengeful aspirations of payback on her sleeve. Her introduction into music was soft and collective, but she doubles the feedback and brashness on her third record.

81.   Conor Oberst-Salutations

-Awesome singer/songwriter with a rustic, Americana twang feel to it.

80. Godspeed you! Black Emperor- Luciferian Towers 

-Establishing themselves as post-rock Gods among both Reddit fanatics and prog worshipers, Godspeed You! Black Emperor gave fans enough reassurance to anxiously pace all year long. Despite each band member’s lengthy list of side projects, their roots in gloomy experimentation remain extremely deep, but continue to awe.

79. Bicep-Bicep

-Debut of Belfast’s newest downtempo group makes every bass pulsation feel signature. Channeling some deep house qualities makes this album feel as colorful as the cover.

78. Curtis Harding- Face Your Fear

-Soulful ballads from sophomore Curtis Harding makes every listener feel reminiscent of the days with Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding. It is beautifully tragic and funky in every right way.

77. Rips-Rips

I am a sucker for Brooklyn based rock groups and Rips only solidifies my positive feelings about the edgy New York sound. Combing similar elements found from bands like B Boys and the jerkiness of the Taking Heads, this self-titled record embraces their dance worthy funk with heavy rock atmospherics.

76. Palehound- A Place I’ll Always Go

The sound that surrounds bands like Palehound has been in popular demand recently. Frontwoman Ellen Kemper displays her lo fidelity sharpness like razor thin blades behind a garage rock backdrop.

75. Alexander F- Alexander F

-It felt essential that I would include this dynamic group in the mix after their electric performance at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. While I was working security, observing from the balcony, the crowd went from meniscal to gargantuanous throughout the duration of their 40 minute set. Their fiery introduction to Rubblebucket was enough for me to invite myself to an extended garage jam session via my headphones.

74. Diet Cig-Swear I’m Good at This

-Diet Cig kept fans impatiently waiting after their 2015 EP, Over Easy. Their debut release is a string of catchy love songs and unfortunate social miscues all tied in a loosely frayed knot.

73. Airiel- Molten Young Lovers

-Chicago shoegazers create a whirlpool of infectious dream pop, swirling in your ears like soft-spun cotton candy. Sweet, melodic, and laden with emotions this gives the listener a sugary      aftertaste without it being too overwhelming.

72. Kelly Lee Owens- Kelly Lee Owens

-This self-titled debut from London’s Kelly Lee Owens, pairs terrific downtempo and two-step with cavern echo ambiance. Owens’s blood soaked harmonies are perfectly layered through each track and even has a cameo featuring the original Blood Bitch, Jenny Hval.

71. Rhapsody-Laila’s Wisdom

-Rapsody has been in the game since 2012, but reached sensational publicity after her features in Kendrick Lamar’s, To Pimp a Butterfly. From then on, she has proven to be the most knowledgeable, fearless female MC out right now. Her content, rhyming, and all around fierce finesse are unlike anything you’ll find in hip-hop right now.

70. Beach house- B Sides and Rarities

-North Carolina’s electric dream pop duo released two smash records back to back in 2015, barely designating enough time for listeners to soak up all the goop in each one. Both of these records were so monumental, that it felt necessary to release an additional 56 minute continuation of b-sides, remixes, and never released cuts. It comes to show that Beach House can make a project of tracks that never reached their studio LPs and still turn heads.

69. Yellow days- Is Everything Okay in Your World

-Initially not making the cut, I had to reevaluate and give this record a designated spot in my top 100. George van den Broek wears melancholy on his sleeve, but transforms his music into something that is mildly lackadaisical and radiant. This slacker-core King Krule has a promising future, and he is just 17.

68. Chad Vangaalen- Light Information

-Vangaalen’s catalogue blatantly displays his capabilities of being a stupendous songwriter. Each record progressively better than the last, his seventh LP demonstrates his witty, yet serious interpretation of his work.

67. Spoon-Hot Thoughts

-Spoon has been around since the late 90’s, but are better known for their defining characteristics of the alt-rock explosion in the early 2000’s. On their 10^th studio project, there are moments of flash-bang dancing and groovy hooks that are guaranteed to make any dance rock playlist.

66. St. Vincent- MASSEDUCTION

-Indie pop queen returns with her most “seductive” album yet, talking about love stories, old social encounters, and late night thoughts regarding Johnny and his birthday. The colorfulness and playfulness of the record goes well beyond the ornate cover art.

65.   Liars- T.F.C.F.

A synthetic explosion with elements from early Nine Inch Nails and sporadic glitchyness, this record is industrially chaotic and often hard to follow. However, each song effortlessly paints a sonic landscape of loosely-functioning computers and Moog Kraftwerk ingredients.

64.   Susane Sundør- Music for People in Trouble

Soft avant-garde veteran finally hits her stride with strategically classical hits that make the transition from a bitter winter to a blossoming spring. There is remorseful piano, heavenly harp and flute collaborations which are lite and delicate.

63.   Moses Sumney- Aromanticism

-A rising star on the ever-growing Jagjaguwar catalogue puts love center stage with art pop layering and intricate songwriting.

62. Cloakroom- Time Well

-Dreary shoegaze meets intricate post-rock to melt the perfect combination of solitude and charisma.

61.   Zola Jesus- Okolvi

-I have a premonition that the subjective charting of this album will lead to my inevitable downfall. However, I would like to emphasize my sheer respect for this record. It is full of sorrow, transparency, and dreariness, but it never loses its luster.

60.   Cloud Nothings-Life Without Sound

-Not to reminisce, but this was the first show I ever saw when I moved to Los Angeles. The Cleveland power quartet has not fallen behind in intensity, if anything it is more amplified and articulate. It is hard to follow up with such an astonishing project like Here and Nowhere Else, but the transition seems effortless.

59. Pond-The Weather

Every member of Tame Impala seems to have their own side hustle, but Pond has willfully separated themselves from the pack. Harmonious sunshine psychedelia along with some 1980’s jam hooks are scattered all over

58.   Real Estate-In Mind

-New Jersey’s Real Estate still prove to be the textbook example of slacker indie rock. But here, they have added in some more production and poppy flare. Despite the thunderous fall from grace from key band member Matt Mondanile, Real Estate remains as one of indie’s favorite “Darling”(s) (do you see what I did there, because they have a song called darling). If you didn’t laugh at that, I wouldn’t recommend finishing the rest.

57. Foo Fighters- Concrete and Gold

-I grew up being served shovel sized amounts of Foo Fighters practically since I was born in 93 (FF first record in 95). To me, Dave Grohl and his band of misfits are what every rock band wishes to accomplish in their career. And while this album seemingly got some mixed reviews, it is clear that there was unimaginable time recording and putting the classic Foo Fighters charm all over it.

56.   Pissed Jeans- Why Love Now

-This is a disclaimer saying that Pissed Jeans is definitely not for everyone. The forceful mundane shriek from lead singer Bradley Fry channels Husker Du and bludgeoning aesthetics of early 80s hardcore punk. This album is like taking a sucker punch to the nose from an extremely attractive Instagram model.

55.   Downtown boys- Cost of Living

-Rhode Island Spanish punk group has hit the ground running with a vengeful start. As one can imagine, this Sub Pop debut is chalk full of blatant political messages involving immigration and capitalist reform. While many of the lyrics are delivered in a bellicose manner, it is nonetheless punchy.

54.   Sleadford Mods-English Tapas

-Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a Sleadford Mods and grime collaboration? This hopeful wish can kind of illustrate what these two misbehave Englishman shoot for these days. The beats and instrumentation are jarring, but it works so well with the quick-jab English rhyming that goes along with it.
53.   Jesus and Mary chain- Damage and Joy

-Surprisingly, I didn’t see this album surface on any top list on the web. For what reason? I have no idea. Jesus and Mary Chain were one of the most revolutionary early fuzz/dream pop groups during the 80’s and after their 19 year hiatus, they return with tasteful feedback laced ballads.

52.   Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever- French Press (EP)

-This Australian garage slacker rock outfit released their debut in 2015, but arguably this year’s EP was their most radiant work yet. I promised myself that I wouldn’t put eps in my list, but this group made it incredibly difficult because of the sheer quality this work possesses.

51. Grizzly Bear- Painted Ruins

– “Aquarian” is a good fucking song. That is really all I have to say.

50. Julie Byrne- Not Even Happiness

-Heartfelt, warm, and deeply spiritual, this well-travelled marvel has remained on her feet at all times. Her acoustics are fluffy and hard to not feel at ease with.

49.   Sza- Ctrl

-What website doesn’t have this on their top 100? This isn’t a statement of me conforming, but it is undeniably excellent. Her sophomore effort, despite many confusing it as her first, is blunt and brutally honest. Revealing the true desires of many men are told through an independent woman’s retrospect with unparalleled production from premium Top Dawg in house team.

48.   The Horrors-V

-V, of course better known as the roman numeral 5, this fifth studio project from the gothic rock Englishmen express familiar attributes, but take a slightly different direction with their new affiliation to legendary label Caroline Records.

47. Ride- Weather Diaries

-2017 was a monumental year for shoegaze reunions. Ride experienced volatile musical differences like many bands in the 90’s, but rest assured we were blessed with more sensational shoegaze dreaminess, at least for now.

46.   Kevin Morby- City Music

-Kevin Morby has never been a stranger to a hard work ethic. He is always releasing two song singles, collaborations, and hell, he even released one of 2016’s highest rated albums. Although it was a brief turn around, he still released a groundbreaking album dedicated to all of the fabulous adopted cities he calls home. This record truly feels grand, like going out on a Friday night in New York City, grand.

45. This Is The Kit- Moonshine Freeze

­-The newest quirky folk artist on the scene has really captured the industry by her serene and dashing vocal work. You can hear brief stints of neo-psych on “Moonlight Freeze” and many songs gently drift into the next one like a merging cloud.

44.   B Boys- Dada

-Do you seem a theme here? I can’t deny a spot to these brilliant Brooklyn antsy post-punk scallywags. Dada is definitely not motionless; in fact it is a never-ending misfit dance party full of sweat and empty PBR cans.

43. Bonobo-Migration

-I made a huge mistake in not having Bonobo in my initial charting. When I realized I left this out, I knew I had to give it a premium spot to make up for my idiotic ways. This has been an easily conspicuous downtempo anthem on heavy rotation for all deeper house appreciators.

42.   The Clientele- Music For the Age of Miracles

-This arrangement of glossy, rainy day English pop is delightfully congenial. At every corner it seems that the spring precipitation is blooming all vegetation that this record hangs from. From 2001, they have recruited a religious base to their mature riffs and visible new wave roots.

41.   Girlpool- Powerplant

-They added a drummer?? And a saxophone player feature?? The sad girl lo-fi rock duo may have added a third member, but the volume has not misguided their ability to deliver sentimental daily experiences.

40. Sharon Jones and the Dap- Kings –Soul of a Woman

-It is widely known that Sharon Jones was one of the hardest working women in soul and the music industry entirely. This album, serving as her final posthumous project, cements that she will be one of the most cherished icons in modern day soul.  .

39.   Destroyer- ken

-Dan Bejar has his hands in many musical pies including *wink another band on this list wink* and has still acquired enough time to release a beautifully orchestrated voyage across synthy meadow lands. His recognizable vocal twang is hard to miss, never breaking a sweat despite his lengthy discography.

38.   Death of Pop- Fed Up

-Charming dream pop Londoners triumph the difficulties of being a spacey band in England with mesmerizing jangle. It is like Orange Juice or The Clean, only with a much more modern twist.

37.   Benjamin Booker- Witness

-Rock’s next promising star has been gaining steadfast attention since the release of his self-titled record. In just a matter of months he went from opening for Portugal. The Man, to selling out his own shows in New York and Los Angeles. Here, you can trace obvious influences of bluesy Jimi Hendrix and soulful Gary Clark.

36.   Ariel Pink- Dedicated to Bobby Jameson

-I don’t think many people had a clue who Bobby Jameson until the release of Ariel Pink’s latest project. Pink has gained a faithful following for his hometown in Los Angeles and I think ole’ Bobby would enjoy this acid-soaked bubblegum rock. I am still waiting on John Maus to come out and say he did all the synth work for this.

35.   Soccer Mommy-Collection

-Sophie Allison is only 19 and has made a forceful impression with her breezy bedroom anthems. In a time where many of these artists are sprouting all over, she glistens and leaves the listener salivating for the next project.

34.   Metz- Strange Peace

-Toronto’s METZ are a wild bunch, creating tornados of infinite disarray and destruction. Although their lawlessness may seem unorganized, believe me that the noise rock they have perfected is far from scattered. Prepare yourself.

33.   Laurel Halo- Dust

-As reiterated a million times, 2017 has showcased great female producers like Jlin and Kelly Lee Owens, but Laurel Halo has layered her beautiful voice into an instrument of its own. It is molded and integrates sensitive dubbing and scattershot sampling to usher in an inviting ambiguity of genre classification.

32.   Juana Molina- Halo

-Hailing from Argentina, Molina creates a dark black cauldron with electronica, beautiful Spanish folk, and experimental flare. Her veteran status and hypnotic narratives give her a triumphant advantage.

31.   Sheer Mag- Need to Find Your Love

Philadelphia’s biggest band has exploded and Tina Halladay has become a darling with her Brittany Howard-esque guttural omnipotence. There is so much 70s Thin Lizzy and power rock keynotes present that is difficult to indicate what time period you are in.

30.   Julien Baker- Turn Out the Lights

-Ever since her start, Baker has been one of the most transparent songwriters of this decade. She faced grand trials of living in the south and identifying as gay. Her tales are fragile and tear-jerkingly brave. On her second full-length record, she belts her voice out with authority and demands her talent should be uncomparable.

29. Omni- Multi-Task

– What a herky-jerky post-punk band these guys are! Hailing from Atlanta, legends of art punk like Pylon and the B52’s have played integral roles here. One of my most rotated records to date this year. If this came on at a party I would dance, no lie.

28.   Jay Som- Everybody Works

-Polyvinyl has allowed Jay Som to flourish and be heavily identifiable. Along with the multiple dominant female roster for 2017, Duerte exercises her bedroom pop with flavorful character.

27.   Chastity Belt- I Used to Spend so Much Time Alone

-So many distinguished examples have originated from the Pacific Northwest, Chastity Belt seems to fit in among the many An oddly abnormal name for a band coming from an uncharacteristically religious area, their form of satire plays well with their flagrant attitude. Their music portrays being nonchalant, even in emotional vulnerability.

26.   The National- Sleep Well Beast

-The National have had been around since the early beginnings of the new millennium, recording around seven since then, it is inevitable there could be a scuffle or two. The alienation of recording in a quaint, wooden studio ushered in elements of concentration and solitude. Rightfully so, you can find solemn headphone appropriate songs.

25.   New Pornographers- Whiteout Conditions

Did you guess it? Well, did you? Yes, this is the other album that Destroyer contributed to making this number 25 on my list. The whole album is fun, upbeat, and ceases to be repetitive. It is a synth-lovers wet dream and it is a must have for any Saturday night pregame.
24.   Vince staples-Big Fish Theory

-To say that Vince Staples is an instigator would be a gross understatement. His vocal objection to pop culture icons, race, and social matters are supposedly conceived in a lighthearted manner. Especially when they are vocalized on Twitter.  However, Vince’s career has only become more serious with his music. Even from the beginning, his double disc debut Summertime ’06, he worked with the production geniuses of Dj Dahi and No I.D. Here he upped the ante and got Justin Vernon and even Flume to curate some cataclysmic beats.

23.   Fleet foxes- Crack-Up

-Not too long ago, I had Fleet Foxes as the forerunner for my number 1 album, as of June. Well, a lot of things change during that time period as you can imagine. There are so many beautiful elements here such as the precise horn accompaniment, the unexpecting crescendos and decrescendos and…time. Time, as it was six years since their last record. The generously spent years working show and can be rotated over and over again.

22.   Ala.ni- You and I

I am such a sucker for a good jazz singer. ALA.NI, the London based vocalist comes from a lineage of extremely talented musicians and she unequivocally stands out the most. Her delicate tenderness is nostalgic of jazz giants like Billie or Ella and each note she exercises is nothing short of euphoric.

21.   LCD Soundsystem- American Dream

-Alas, Pitchfork rejoices! James Murphy, the ultimate prankster of 2017, initially announced the end of his band in 2011. Even after their “break-up” they played some covers, did some holiday-hinged work, and then suddenly announced they were getting back together. I don’t think many people bought that they were going to break up for real, right? Anyway, this record is brilliant, strobe-like dance-punk that will remain a heavy favorite for years to come.

20. Broken Social Scene- Hug of Thunder

-It has been the better part of seven years since we got a studio album from Broken Social scene, but how can you blame them? Coordinating recordings, tours, publicity briefing for  6 + band members (highest was 19) has proven to be quite the challenge. Plus, not to mention their families and side projects remain a defining attribute to their music. However, it feels like they continued just where they left off in 2010. This album is full of life, celebrating lifelong accomplishments and each other, which seems to be a forgotten theme in today’s world.

19. War on Drugs- A Deeper Understanding

-Lost in the Dream was a colossal step in Granduciel’s career, as he ushered in lush forms of woozy Americana. This time, on the first of a two record deal on Atlantic, War on Drugs sheds some feathers and transpires into powerful Heartland rock. It is uniquely crafted, snatching up award winning attention from all across the board.

18. Songhoy Blues- Resistance

The journey involving this charismatic Malian group is not easy to digest. Due to the obtrusive implementation of Sharia law during the civil conflict in Mali, they were forced to exile, thus creating their smashing first record, Music in Exile. They were picked up and brought on the surface by many existing successful artists, like Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. This message of resistance and oppression is amplified loud through their bluesy African rock anthems.

17.   Algiers- The Underside of Power

-Algiers continue to be one of the most progressive bands in rock right now. The Underside of Power is sheer pandemonium with scattershot fuzziness ingrained in the record. Political oppression being a hot topic in today’s world, their second project is brutally honest and pledges for change. The group possess the heart of a punk rocker, but the cryptic appearance of the Birthday Party.

16.    Chelsea Wolfe- Hiss Spun

-Do we have a new queen of doom? This dark, ominous string of atmospherically gloom metal will give you nightmares. Plus, a sidenote: I had no idea that was her on the cover crouched in a fetal-like position.

15. Mountain Goats-Goths

-Mountain Goats new record is shining and reminiscent, dedicating odes to states far and wide, especially California on “Paid in Cocaine.” Darnielle and Co. have a lengthy back catalogue that is rather expansive, but arguably release something distinguishing every time. This one is for all of us goths out there, melancholy and all, it still presents incandescent musicianship.

14.  Queens of the Stone Age- Villians

Despite their rather overwhelmingly disappointing …Like Clockwork, Josh Homme and his band of desert rockers bounce back with one of the most dense in their career. Now affiliated with one of the most cherished original indie labels, Matador, the label really hit a grand slam with thi sone.. It is up for several awards, like Best Rock Album of the Year. *yawn*

13.   Big Thief- Capacity

-Bone chilling stories and mournful goodbyes from rising indie darling Addrianne Lenker define the pensive, folk rock Brooklynites. Much of the record encapsulates tearful, overcast melodies with delightfully trembling vocal accompaniment. Capacity, along with their other recent release, Mastermind, has had music critics remorseful for actions they never committed.

12.   Angel Olsen- Phases

-I still, have not stopped listening to this lustrous Avant-folk collection of personal masterpieces since it came out. Even though it is practically a collection of b-sides and demos, it contains more rawness, emotion, and all around finesse than most records out right now. Olsen and St. Vincent both, have become the figureheads of indie rock as we know it.

11. Benjamin Clementine- I Tell a Fly

-It’s been a difficult voyage for Clementine, both personally and professionally. Struggling on the streets of Paris as young boy and trying to penetrate into the ever so difficult music market were twice as rigorous if you were Benjamin. Thankfully, an agent recognized his talent enough to let him showcase his ability in front of a decently sized festival in Europe. A series of unfortunate events were to follow shortly after, eventually not performing and walking 30+ miles with bruised and bloody feet just to make it there. Another opportunity presented itself and now we have this elegant, contemporary classical debut. Ranging on topics from bullying to immigration, his songwriting has defining chamber elements and astute avant-garde.

10.   (Sandy) Alex G- Rocket

We have reached no. 10! Congrats to all who have stuck around long enough to see this. Or if you just skipped to the top 10, that’s ok too. Nonetheless, newly metamorphisized (Sandy) Alex G, instead of regular Alex G, startles the crowd with his eclectic mix of music ranging from feedback driven garage rock to lush Americana. Songs such as “Bobby” and “Brick” show his ability to be a creative songwriter and not only embrace his lo-fi Philadelphia roots, but to tread water in other genres well, too.

9. Japanese Breakfast- Soft Sounds from Another Planet

-Originally in the Philadelphia DIY group, Little Big League, Michelle Zauner has grown impressively in the matter of her two back to back releases. Her first, Pyschopomp, was released in 2016 and shortly after she released her fantastic experimental dream pop project. There is plenty of heart here, glazed over with infectious wooziness and outer space gravity, which perfectly describes the approach Zauner was going for.

8. IDLES- Brutalism

-IDLES is one of the most boisterous groups I have seen to date, and yet I have never visibly seen them perform. Their auditory brashness is so incredibly surreal that it easy to envision what they might look like. Each song is overly combative, but never violent. It is such a treat to hear this record every time I put it on its like I am listening to it for the first time.

7.  Mount Eerie- A Crow Looked at Me

-This record succeeded as being the most gut-wrenching record I have listened in 2017, if not my entire life. Every song, former Microphone Phil Elverum, sounds like he will rightfully burst into tears on each track, but the fringe of ruminating and trying to forget is what makes this album so memorable. No one deserves to go through the torment that Elverum has gone through, especially having a daughter at such young age to witness. Unimaginably, he strengthened all his courage to write and produce the heartbreak record of the year. Have your tissue box ready if you wish to embark on this adventure.

6. Protomartyr- Relatives in Descent

-Motor city’s post-punkers are back with a third vengeful album and it is absolutely spectacular. Paul Casey’s has a rather mundane, but sharp delivery with political powered waves that ripple you into oblivion. It is dangerously edgy and is as conscious as ever. This was an easy choice for me because I just love Protomartyr so much.

5. Mount Kimbie- Love What Survives

I often find it hard to categorize Mount Kimbie at times. Over the better part of their 7 year start, it seemed applicable to describe them as a dynamic duo of young Londoners exploring the deep abyss of electronica and house. However, on their third studio LP, it seems clear that the addition of melodic features like James Blake and Andrea Balency, has ultimately transgressed the threshold of typical dub house. With these features adding such a more intimate aura to the record already, Mount Kimbie matches this sound with various bursts of future garage brilliance.

4.       Slowdive-Slowdive

-Another cherished shoegaze reunion. Rejoice! After what seemed like an ETERNITY, one of the most legendary groups returned with an jaw-dropping record, picking up exactly where the left off.

3.  Kendrick-DAMN.

Does this one really need any explaining? I haven’t seen a chart with this project on there.

2. King Krule- The Ooz

-Gloomy jazz punk by Englishman, Archy Marshall is raw in delivery and transparent. We haven’t heard from King Krule in a while, but Archy released A New Place 2 Drown in early 2016, which was glorious downtempo melancholy hodgepodge. The Ooz, however, stands out as the most mature, even if he is only 23. It is for walking home in the rain, smoking a cigarette, contemplating life’s past romances.

1. Priests-Nothing Feels Natural

I did it. I finally reached number 1. Thank you for reading this, it sure means a lot. I am pretty exhausted after writing all this. But, this album wakes me up every time. My band and album of 2017 goes to political DC punks none other than Priests. One of the most energetic and sheer chaotic frontwomen in rock right now, Katie Greer is righteous in every definition of the word. I would vote for her to be my president. The lyricism is openly conscious about injustice regarding political and social agenda and it is well accompanied by the gun-slinging guitar work of GL Jaguar. The great James Chance-like saxophone is incomparable, even indescribable is they wail on my favorite piece, “Suck.” I saw them in south Pasadena at the Highland Ebell and it was one of the coolest shows I have ever seen. I will never pass up in opportunity to go see them. Congratulations Priests, you all are the top of the top for me right now.

Honorable Mentions that didn’t make the cut, but should have (there are just too many)

-Feist-

-Jen Cloher-Jen Cloher

-Guerilla Toss- GT Ultra

-Perfume Genius- No Shape

-Oxbow- Thin Black Duke

-Kelly Stoltz- Que Aura