2017 has proved to be an iconic year for music and has marked the beginning of new eras for countless artists. In no particular order, here’s what I’ve spent the majority of 2017 listening to:
Harry Styles by Harry Styles
Perfect For: Getting ready to go out
Favorite Track: Kiwi
Why You Should Give It a Listen: If you’re a former One Direction fan, I doubt you need any convincing. However if you were not a fan, Styles truly makes a name for himself with his debut album. The album includes edgier rock hits as well as some more mellow ballads.
Melodrama by Lorde
Perfect For: Late night listening
Favorite Track: Liability
Why You Should Give It a Listen: Lorde’s sophomore album was worth the four-year wait, with tracks reminiscent of the electro-pop that made her previous album, Pure Heroine, so popular. The album also includes ballads that introduce a new, more acoustic sound for the New Zealand singer.
Perfect For: Drives along the coast
Favorite Track: Mexican Fender
Why You Should Give It a Listen: Weezer has been a band longer than I have been alive, but by no means does that discredit their 11th studio album. Pacific Daydream’s classic guitar riffs and lyrics can still make any Southern California kid instantly homesick, and the album proves to be a suitable follow-up to last year’s Weezer (White Album). It may even be a future soundtrack for the upcoming summer.
After Laughter by Paramore
Perfect For: Singing along to while getting ready in the morning
Favorite Track: Told You So
Why You Should Give It a Listen: Paramore’s fifth-studio album delivers a high-energy, synth-fueled record complete with lyrics that are catchy, and still full of meaning.
The Water by San Cisco
Perfect For: Walking to class
Favorite Track: That Boy
Why You Should Give It a Listen: San Cisco offers easy listening, along with 80’s inspired hits that make you feel like you’re an extra on Stranger Things.
Divide by Ed Sheeran
Perfect For: Doing your homework
Favorite Track: What Do I Know?
Why You Should Give It a Listen: Ed Sheeran delivers yet another record full of an incredible (mostly) acoustic sound. Plus aren’t you curious to see if the rest of the album lives up to hit single, “Shape of You”?
Something to Tell You by Haim
Perfect For: Singing along with your girls
Favorite Track: Kept Me Crying
Why You Should Give It a Listen: Haim delivers a narrative about waiting for someone who doesn’t deserve it, which proves to be totally relatable. Who hasn’t had an unrequited crush or thought about getting back together with an undeserving ex?
Perfect For: Creating your next Instagram caption
Favorite Track: Heart Strings
Why You Should Give It a Listen: The indie duo’s latest record proves to be a top winner with electro-pop rhythms that will be impossible to get out of your head, along with strong vocals you’ll be dying to sing along to.