Since we're just about half way through 2017 (ok I'm a little late) I figured I would do something to brush the dust off this ol' list journal. I didn't feel like going all out on a best albums so far list though, so instead I'm going to bring you my ten favourite songs of 2017 so far. Turn your speakers up, grab a bottle of the good stuff, and lets get into it.
10)
Homeboy Sandman - Clarity
I think Sandman has spent far too long in Aesop Rock's shadow. It's hard to go bar for bar with a guy like Rock, but Sandman has done it time in time again on their collaborative efforts. Despite that he still seems to struggle to gain much traction with his solo material. This year he delivered yet another stellar album showing just how good he truly is. Clarity was undoubtedly the highlight of said project. The way Homeboy's flow floats over the beat with such melody causes it to almost feel as if it's just another instrument in the production of the beat. Once you start focusing on what he's saying, you'll likely need a dictionary to decipher the emcees word play.
9)
Priests - Appropriate
There are plenty of standout tracks on Washington D.C based post-punk act Priests' debut full-length. Nothing hits me with the same wave of intensity and punk aesthetic as the opener though. From the noisy chaos at the 2 minute mark, to the snide left-wing shouts "
feels good to buy something you can't afford!
At over 5 minutes long, the group take advantage of the long run-time to slow things down and even incorporate some nice sax work in the middle section of the song, that is before building things back up and bringing it crashing down again.
8)
The Mountain Goats - Rain in Soho
In the back of my mind I knew that The Mountain Goats couldn't surpass their last full-length
Beat the Champ. At least not for someone who grew up a die-hard wrasslin' fan like myself. With
Goths however, the band took an entirely new direction, looking to do something different, rather than something better. Focusing much less on a guitar based sound and instead looking to build around some lovely piano work and a wider array of instruments, Rain in Soho perfectly sums up what you'll find on this album. It's loud, dynamic, and booming, and ultimately does it's job in convincing you to listen to the rest of the album.
7)
Mac Demarco - My Old Man
I'm not entirely sure what the consensus on Mac Demarco is around these parts. Sure, he's become a little overrated in recent years, but he's also put out some pretty solid material to earn him such a reputation. His newest project didn't wow me in the way I was hoping, but
My Old Man was the track that really stuck with me after I had stopped giving the album spins. Maybe it speaks more to my current state in life, but hearing Mac sing about how he's becoming more and more like that man who raised him is something I can relate to quite heavily.
6)
Remo Drive - Art School
'cause what's a top 10 list without a little pop-punk right? Remo Drive blew my away with their debut effort this year by giving us a pop-punk album that is fun and melodic, but also has balls when it needs to. Similar to how PUP won over many fans with their LP last year, Remo Drive's ability to create an accessible and catchy sound while staying creative and carving a niche of their own has established them amongst the most exciting bands in the scene. Seriously, try to listen to
Art School without shouting along to the chorus. It's harder than you'd expect.
5)
Mount Eerie - Real Death
I won't waste much time on this one as I've already spoken about the album in length on multiple occasions. Heart-wrenchingly raw, Mount Eerie may just bring tears to your eyes with this one. It's the kind of song that fits far better in the context of the full album, but just hearing this one track will give you an idea of what you can expect from the LP.
4)
Wiley - Holy Grime
Grime emcee Wiley made a comeback for the books in 2017. Not only is
Godfather perhaps Wiley's best album to date, it's also a testament to the state of grime and another crucial chapter in the genre's growing history. From my very first listen it was
Holy Grime that stood out to me as the best track. With Wiley and Delvin trading verses over a thunderous bass-line this album highlights not only the production you can find with Wiley, but also gives you a peak at his lyrical prowess. Surprised I haven't blown a speaker listening to this one yet.
3)
Laura Marling - Soothing
Shouts out to Edgar Wright for this one. Every once and awhile I'll flip on XM radio at work just to see what's popping at the moment, and sure enough one day a few months back I caught Edgar Wright's radio show. While showcasing some of the featured artists in his new film Babydriver, he slipped in a song by singer-songwriter Laura Marling. I was instantly taken a back by the British singer's powerful voice and lovely instrumentation. This one is definitely a must-hear in my books.
2)
(Sandy) Alex G - Bobby
I have no idea what's up with the whole (Sandy) thing in Alex G's stage name now, but the change worked. After being relatively unimpressed with his last album, Alex G turned me into a fan after hearing Bobby. One of the best country songs I've heard in recent years, Bobby allows Alex to showcase many of the traits he's been praised for. His heart is on the table for this one. He's honest, he's weak, and he's spilling his guts. These traits allow for a rather unconventional country album to still feel country to the truest extent.
1)
Algiers - The Underside of Power
Fuc
k a sophomore slump, isn't that right Algiers? On the band's follow-up to their critically acclaimed self-titled debut, they manage to somehow improve on what was already one of the most exciting sounds in the modern post-punk world. The fusion of post-punk and industrial combined with stunningly brilliant vocals creates one of the most fun and diverse albums I've heard this year. The title track stands out as the best example of that found on the album. It's a toe-tapping, sing-a-long cut that still takes plenty of risks and highlights the band's ability to blend so many influences into one coherent direction.