This Year in Music, 2017

The end of the year is the time to think subjectively about the past year and determining the best creative output. I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoy the end of the year for this reason. Nothing makes me happier than seeing lists begin to fly with titles that read "Best ______s of 2017." I try to be as proactive as possible, so I can have thoughts on the year as well. So, I have opinions on this year in music! Here is my process:

Throughout the year, I checked out as much new music as I cared to based on various sites and blogs. By the end of the year, of the dozens I listened to, I had culled 33 albums that made my favorites of the year. Next, I listened exclusively to those select few and tried to sort them from there. This was enjoyable, as I had amassed (what I personally thought was) an excellent list of music. Some of the albums were not as amazing as I had remembered; others were surprisingly better than I had credited at the time. It goes without saying any of the following are worth listening. Still, I've separated them into three tiers: 'B' for pretty good, 'A' for pretty great, and 'S' for must-listen. They are listed alphabetically. Follow along, and Happy 2018!

B-Tier

Aromanticism - Moses Sumney
DAMN. - Kendrick Lamar
Halo - Juana Molina
In Spades - The Afghan Whigs
Near to the Wild Heart of Life - Japandroids
Pleasure - Feist
Ty Segall - Ty Segall

A-Tier

American Dream - LCD Soundsystem
CCFX EP - CCFX
Culture - Migos
A Deeper Understanding - The War on Drugs
Exile on the Outer Rings - EMA
Hope - Shamir
Hug of Thunder - Broken Social Scene
I Used to Spend So Much Time Alone - Chastity Belt
Love What Survives - Mount Kimbie
MASSEDUCTION - St. Vincent
Melodrama - Lorde
Playboi Carti - Playboi Carti
Rest - Charlotte Gainsbourg
Rocket - (Sandy) Alex G
Routines - Hoops
Science Fiction - Brand New
Significant Weather - Real Life Buildings
Sugar at the Gate - TOPS

S-Tier

A Crow Looked at Me - Mount Eerie
Guppy - Charly Bliss
Last Place - Grandaddy
Life Without Sound - Cloud Nothings
Nothing Special - Harmony Woods
Powerplant - Girlpool
Sorcerer - Tonstartssbandht
Turn Out the Lights - Julien Baker