This year has been both good for music and bad. But luckily, the good over-weighs the bad. In fact, there's been so many good albums that I haven't had much time to listen to most of them (besides a couple) more than once or twice. Here's the list of my favorite records released so far this year. Yes, they are in order.
It took Andrew McMahon 3 projects and nearly 20 years to have a hit song. But when "Cecelia and the Satellite" was released in 2014, he finally did it. 3 years after his debut, self-titled solo album, Andrew released the lead single "Brooklyn, You're Killing Me" from Zombies On Broadway. I was very intrigued seeing it was so different from the material from his first album. So, I bought tickets to his show. I'm so glad I did because he is a great performer. And this album is one of the best pop albums in recent years.
Top 3 songs: Brooklyn, You're Killing Me, Dead Man's Dollar, Walking In My Sleep
5. New Found Glory - Makes Me Sick
The debut solo album from the (most popular) frontman of One Direction came as a total surprise. We knew that he was making a new album but we didn't know what kind of album. But Harry took us on a trip through the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The rock and roll of this album could land him a spot opening for Paul McCartney or The Rolling Stones or U2. I wish his tour dates wouldn't sell out so freaking fast because I would love to see him live.
Top 3 songs: Sweet Creature, Only Angel, Ever Since New York
So there you go! This year has already been so great for music and its not even done. We still have albums/releases from Echosmith, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, The Killers, and many more coming out so we will see how the rest of the year pans out.
Until Next Time, Alex
1. Paramore - After Laughter
Paramore's transition to pop has been a lot smoother than say All Time Low or Fall Out Boy. For one, they still are very guitar based. And second, for the most part, the fanbase isn't pissed off about it. This is EXACTLY how I imagined a Paramore pop album sounding like. To be honest, this could very well be my favorite album by the band. I keep getting more and more addicted with each listen.
Top 3 songs: Told You So, Rose-Colored Boy, Fake Happy
2. The Maine - Lovely Little Lonely
For some reason, I never really got into The Maine. They play alongside bands that I'm fa fan of, but I still never checked them out. I even have a shirt by them because I found it during Hot Topic's Hot Mess sale a couple years back. But, without seeing any reviews, I decided to listen to Lovely Little Lonely on the way to work the day after release. I'm glad I did. I listened to it at least once a day for like a week or two. I couldn't stop. And it didn't get old. I give them props for finding a way to blend Pop Punk and Ambient Indie Rock in a perfect way. And for the record, yes it was my favorite album until After Laughter came out.
Top 3 songs: Bad Behavior, Taxi, Black Butterflies & Deja Vu
3. Hollyn - One Way Conversations
Hollyn is going to be the next big thing in music. Her voice is amazing, and although she is a Christian and some of her songs are inspired by her faith, she does have some songs that aren't about her faith. I could easily hear "Can't Live Without" or "All My Love" getting played on Top 40 radio and being very successful. Her debut album is so good and I can't wait to hear more from her.
Top 3 songs: Party In The Hills, Obvious, In Awe
4. Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness - Zombies On Broadway
4. Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness - Zombies On Broadway
It took Andrew McMahon 3 projects and nearly 20 years to have a hit song. But when "Cecelia and the Satellite" was released in 2014, he finally did it. 3 years after his debut, self-titled solo album, Andrew released the lead single "Brooklyn, You're Killing Me" from Zombies On Broadway. I was very intrigued seeing it was so different from the material from his first album. So, I bought tickets to his show. I'm so glad I did because he is a great performer. And this album is one of the best pop albums in recent years.
Top 3 songs: Brooklyn, You're Killing Me, Dead Man's Dollar, Walking In My Sleep
5. New Found Glory - Makes Me Sick
The 9th studio album from Pop Punk band is very different from anything you've ever heard from the scene. They added synthesizers to their signature brand of pop punk which made the album sound both very unique for 2017 and like it was made in the 80's. But I'm not complaining. Besides Sticks and Stones, this is my favorite album by them and I can't get enough.
Top 3 songs: Party On Apocalypse, Say It Don't Spray It, Happy Being Miserable
6. Kendrick Lamar - DAMN.
DAMN. is right, Mr. Lamar. Although you didn't top 2015's To Pimp A Butterfly (which lets be honest, you never will no matter how hard you try), you still made an amazing album. An album that makes you think. An album that changes every time you listen to it. An album that once again, is changing the rap game. I think one of my favorite lines from any mainstream rap song is on this album. "Show me something natural like ass with some stretch marks." That'e one way to get ahead and tell the world that you're sick of fake.
Top 3 songs: HUMBLE., DNA., XXX. (feat. U2)
7. Phoenix - Ti Amo
Before their spring tour was announced, Phoenix remained pretty quiet. Besides their Christmas song, they weren't really active and people, including me, questioned if the band was still together. We were relieved when the tour trailer had a new, yet unreleased song. That song turned out to be "J-Boy," which is the lead single from the album. This was a perfect album to be released in June because it just screams Summer.
Top 3 songs: J-Boy, Ti Amo, Tuttifrutti
8. Elevation Worship - There Is A Cloud
Unfortunately, Elevation Worship has been overshadowed by the huge successes of Hillsong UNITED and Bethel Music. So it's not surprising that in their latest album, they use some of the electronic elements that made both of those artists so unique for worship. But, they truly have made an amazing album that literally made me emotional because of the beauty in the lyrics and music.
Top 3 songs: There Is A Cloud, Do It Again, Yours (Glory and Praise)
9. Hillsong UNITED - Wonder
The 5th album from the Australian Worship band came as a surprised. It was announced, then released 3 weeks later. The band really knows how to keep it fresh as well as keep you thinking while listening. They are obviously trying to reach out to the broken with the music sounding like modern Pop and Indie.
Top 3 songs: Wonder, Shadow Step, Shape Of Your Heart
10. Harry Styles - Harry Styles
10. Harry Styles - Harry Styles
The debut solo album from the (most popular) frontman of One Direction came as a total surprise. We knew that he was making a new album but we didn't know what kind of album. But Harry took us on a trip through the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The rock and roll of this album could land him a spot opening for Paul McCartney or The Rolling Stones or U2. I wish his tour dates wouldn't sell out so freaking fast because I would love to see him live.
Top 3 songs: Sweet Creature, Only Angel, Ever Since New York
So there you go! This year has already been so great for music and its not even done. We still have albums/releases from Echosmith, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, The Killers, and many more coming out so we will see how the rest of the year pans out.
Until Next Time, Alex
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