These are some of my favorite albums releases of 2017. There were a lot to choose from this year seeing that I listen to lots of music. These are in order of release.
Lauren Alaina- Road Less Traveled
I am a huge fan of Lauren Alaina. I met her a little over a year ago and I cried. That is how big of a fan I am. Lauren’s album discusses a lot of issues that young women go through and I related to a lot of the songs on this album. Not only is her voice undeniably powerful and beautiful, the writing on the album is also one to remember.
Bebe Rexha- All Your Fault: Parts 1 & 2
I was a bit late to the Bebe Rexha fandom. I honestly had no idea who she was until her collaborations with Louis Tomlinson and Florida Georgia Line in the later half of the year but I must say, I love her work.
Ed Sheeran- Divide
Of course Ed Sheeran is on the list. Ed’s writing os one of a kind and will forever leave people feeling happy after they are done listening. Songs like Shape of You and Perfect have been smashing charts and records all over the place. His music is just as amazing live, if not better. In case you didn’t know, he wrote Perfect about his girlfriend Cherry. Ed and Cherry went to school together growing up before she moved to North Carolina to go to school and play hockey at Duke University. It’s all unbelievably romantic.
James Blunt- The Afterlove
You may know James Blunt by his hit You’re Beautiful in 2004 but in case you didn’t know, he is still on the scene. I got to see James live and meet him during Ed Sheeran’s concert, which James opened. Let me tell you how kind, caring and talented this man is. His song Don’t Give Me Those Eyes could leave you in tears and Bartender can help you dance the night away.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
I wasn’t going to put this up just because the album isn’t exactly new music but how could I not? Guardians of the Galaxy has way too good of music to deny form this list.
Harry Styles- Harry Styles
I need everyone to forget about the boy band past. Harry certainly showed that being in a boy band was not all he had in his play book. I like to describe his album as a mix of the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Lana Del Rey. People have been rocking out to Kiwi recently and I still feel all kinds of emotions when I listen to Two Ghosts. Let’s not even talk about Sign of the Times because I will cry. Just kidding, we are talking about it. Harry wrote the song from the point of view of a mother who wasn’t going to make it after giving birth to her child. It is supposed to be a good bye message to the children that she wouldn’t see grow up. You can certainly hear the influence that Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones had on Harry’s taste in music.
Linkin Park- One More Light
I have been a huge fan of Linkin Park since the punk emo days of middle school. Part of me, along with a lot of others, never left that phase in life. I was very excited for this album to come out and it breaks my heart that it will be the last. RIP Chester Bennington.
Hey Violet- From the Outside
I heard Hey Violet for the first time when I was at a 5 Seconds of Summer concert they were opening for a few years ago. I had never heard of the before and was pleasantly surprised the moment they started playing. Songs like Hoodie and Fuq Boi make you feel like, maybe you aren’t the only one who feels this way with guys. The writing on this album is also amazing.
Imagine Dragons- Evolve
We have to love this album especially with songs like Believer and Thunder. The songs are complete bangers and I know my students even love them because just about every day I have to tell a second grader to stop singing these songs during homework. Imagine Dragons is also the most featured music act in commercials with the use of these songs in 2017.
Lana Del Ray- Lust for Life
I have waited too long for this album. The vibes from Lana’s music keep me going. She is so unique and encourages me to be as well. The title track for this album featuring The Weekend is a song I listened to on blast with my windows rolled down when weather permitted it.
Thomas Rhett- Life Changes
Thomas Rhett is a man who I love to hear new things form. The amazing thing about this album is it documents milestones of life. How you felt when you were sixteen and you had the world at your finger tips without knowing it (Sixteen), when you fell in love knowing that was the person you wanted to be with for the rest of your life (Marry Me), and that one night you know you will never forget (Unforgettable) are all talked about in this album. The variety of music on this album is wide ranging as well.
Demi Lovato- Tell Me You Love Me
My woman crush on Demi has only grown with this album. I always tell my friends that no one can take me to church like Demi Lovato. Her use of choirs in her music gives me the chills every time. Demi has always had a talent for using her life experiences reflect in her music and in her current period of healing, she has continued to stun many, especially with her song You Don’t Do It For Me Anymore. Many people think this is a usual break up song but it is actually about her past self. The song is a break up song she wrote to her past. Her unbelievable talent and passion in what she does shows through her music. Let’s not forget her stunning and heartbreaking music video for Tell Me You Love Me. You should also check out her YouTube documentary Simply Complicated.
Pink- Beautiful Trauma
I fell in love with Pink when I was a little girl. I remember hearing her voice on the radio in the early 2000’s thinking “Wow. She sounds like an angel.” Years later I saw her perform at the MTV Music Awards and she was flying through the air on her silks. Her vocals only continue to grow and who would have thought that was possible. What About Us reminds me of past relationships that just couldn’t work and Barbies makes me yearn to be a little girl again without any worries or responsibilities. It is simply beautiful.
Niall Horan- Flicker
Again, forget about the boy band and embrace Niall’s americana sound. As an OG fan I knew about his love of Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles. Let me tell you, it shows through his album and it is amazing. With his help from the legendary Eagles member Don Henley on this album, he wrote many amazing songs to showcase his unique and natural voice. His collaboration with Maren Morris in Seeing Blind was one of the most anticipated performances of this years CMA Awards and he certainly proved himself worthy of praise. With Slow Hands as one of the biggest songs of the summer this album was sure to be highly anticipated. I’ve listened to this album more than I should be proud of, but I am.
Sam Smith- The Thrill of It All
This album is like reading this man’s diary. When Sam finished winning all of the awards he won for his debut album a few years back he said that he had to take a break from music so he could date more boys so he would have more to write about. THE WAIT WAS WORTH IT. I found myself crying during a few of the songs and of course, the person in me who is terrified of commitment related to so many of the songs including, Too Good At Goodbyes, Midnight Train and Say it First. He is just unbelievable. I will never get tired of jamming to Sam in the car at full blast.
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw- The Rest of Our Life
I have been waiting years for Tim and Faith to release an album together. I remember listening to I Need You on repeat as a little girl, loving the fact that these two individuals were truly singing about their love for each other and now we have it! Their title track has some of the most amazing harmonies I have ever heard. I know that everyone should listen to Break First because I know just about everyone can relate to it.
Artists to Look for: Noah Cyrus and Thirty Seconds to Mars