1. Aimee Mann Mental Illness
Throughout her 24-year solo career, Aimee Mann has released a solid catalog of extraordinary work. This one is certainly no exception, and in fact, might be one of her best. She can inhabit an assortment of characters with her trademark wit, wrapping the songs in stark arrangements that really showcase her talent as a songwriter. She set out to make her “saddest, slowest, and most acoustic” album to date, and boy did she deliver.
2. Kendrick Lamar DAMN.
Damn. showcases the profound rapper at the top of his game. This album finds him more self-reflective, but his social consciousness hasn’t wavered. The unification of music, lyrics, samples, and guest artists are all spot on, yet it’s Lamar’s singular voice and his message, that takes center stage and really shines.
3. LCD Soundsystem American Dream
David Bowie was responsible for James Murphy getting the band back together after they disbanded in 2011, and the world is a better place because of it. There are remnants of Bowie’s influence, along with the Talking Heads, scattered throughout, and like their previous records, it contains danceable, disco-punk, with hints of melancholy and musings of middle-age angst.
4. The War On Drugs A Deeper Understanding
This album is filled with jammy guitar licks accompanied by striking melodies. Four albums in, the band have steadily improved. Their sound continues to remind me of Springsteen, with some Al Stewart sprinkled in. If you have a chance to see them live, I highly recommend it, as the music takes on a life of its own.
5. Moses Sumney Aromanticism
Ambient, dreamy, and lush are just a few words that come to mind when listening to this debut. He generates layers and textures through looping, to create a fresh sound that is uniquely his own. His falsetto and vocal range are impressive, and he has the songs to back up his sensuous voice.
6. Charlotte Gainsbourg Rest
Sung primarily in French, this album comes from a place of anguish, so naturally, it has some dark overtones to it. It’s perfectly balanced with upbeat synths and beats courtesy of SebastiAn, known for his work with Frank Ocean. It brings to mind the sadness of Lana Del Rey paired with the Euro disco of Madonna’s Confessions On A Dancefloor.
7. Perfume Genius No Shape
Mike Hadreas has said that one of the album’s influences was Talk Talk’s 1998 experimental album Spirit Of Eden and it shows. This album is a bit of a departure as he embraces a mellow prog-rock vibe, embellished with an array of instruments and sounds. He pushes himself to new levels, but the eeriness and intensity of his songwriting remain intact.
8. Slowdive Slowdive
How did I miss this shoegazer band from the early nineties? Their last album was released in 1995, and this comeback album sounds like it could be from that era, without sounding dated. Fuzzy, distorted guitars and swirling synths are in abundance. “Slomo”, the hypnotic opening track, says it all.
9. Kesha Rainbow
Talk about a personal revolution. After years of turmoil, she comes out on top with her frank lyrics and a wide range of musical styles. It’s been a long journey from her days as a wild child into adulthood. She has always owned her persona, however, I feel on this album she’s finally letting her true colors show.
10. Spoon Hot Thoughts
Spoon is one of the most consistent bands in music today, firmly playing to their strengths with continued success. Their ninth studio album has more of a dance vibe but is still indie and edgy enough to be considered alternative.
11. Tori Amos Natural Invader
Tori went into the studio to record an album made to reconnect with her mother’s family. The album took on a new direction after her mother suffered a stroke and the results of the 2016 election. It sways between personal and political, addressing themes of maternity, mythology, and environmental destruction. Tori sums it up best, “There are all these things happening in the record, this authority that seems to be making decisions about America’s resources, our Constitution – things are changing right before our eyes, and the record is tracking that.”
12. Miguel War & Leisure
War & Leisure, the fourth studio album from the soul singer, is an appropriate title for this collection of songs. Throughout the album, he comments on our current state of affairs, without sounding preachy. He doesn’t consider himself a political artist explaining, “The biggest thing I was setting out to do was to create something that felt upbeat.” Mission accomplished.
13. The New Pornographers White Out Conditions
After years of making music, the band finally piqued my interest with its catchy melodies, lively production, and blended vocal harmonies. Their combination of alternative synth-rock and powerpop is the pick-me-up that I needed this year.
14. SZA Ctrl
SZA (Solána Imani Rowe) made quite a splash with her debut. Her vibe is part Erykah Badu, part Amy Winehouse as she mixes R&B, neo-soul, and hip-hop to create her sound. A talented new artist with a fresh voice, who’s definitely not afraid to use it.
15. The xx I See You
On their third release, the London trio pushes the envelope and create a more accessible and livelier sound, without sacrificing any of the emotional intensity that defined their previous work. This album demonstrates a band that is willing to take chances and grow.
16. Laura Marling Semper Femina
The title Semper Femina, which roughly translates from Latin to “woman is ever a fickle and changeable thing,” takes a phrase that could seem derogatory, and puts a positive spin on it. A concept album about femininity and female relationships, Marling delivers a powerful and captivating set, most notably “Soothing,” the opening track, which is her most adventurous song to date and also one of her best.
17. Lana Del Rey Lust For Life
This release finds Lana embracing her sunnier side, although it’s hard to decipher at times through her veil of darkness. The songs are stark and vulnerable with a lushness that ties it all together. She expands her musical horizons, featuring guest artists for the first time, which include The Weeknd, Stevie Nicks, and Sean Ono Lennon.
18. Thundercat Drunk
Stephen Bruner has an impressive resume, playing with Kendrick Lamar, Kamasi Washington, and Suicidal Tendencies to name just a few. The album has a soft rock 70s vibe (Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald guest on one track), combined with some groove-filled jams, and rounded out with a mixture of jazz fusion, electronica, and R&B.
19. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah The Tourist
This album rocks most weirdly. Pitchfork summed it up best by saying, “with renewed confidence, focus, and contentment, Alec Ounsworth delivers a consistently satisfying Clap Your Hands album, the best since their debut.” I couldn’t agree more.
20. Strand Of Oaks Hard Love
Strand of Oaks is a project by songwriter and producer Timothy Showalter, who I discovered when he performed an acoustic set on a local radio station. I was pleasantly surprised to find the record filled with some straight-up rock and roll, loaded with crunchy, raw guitars that remind me of Neil Young and Built To Spill.
Honorable Mentions
Grandaddy Last Place
Queens Of The Stone Age Villains
Royal Blood How Did We Get So Dark?
Chris Stapleton From A Room: Volume 1 & 2
St. Vincent Masseduction
Overrated Album Of 2017
Lorde Melodrama
I enjoyed it a little more than I thought but was still underwhelmed.
Overlooked Album Of 2016
Childish Gambino Awaken, My Love!