I've followed Big K.R.I.T.'s career from the early mixtapes so when he dropped this double album it was a nice surprise. His studio releases have never quite been able to catch the vibe of his up-and-coming mixtapes but this record is the closest he has got to capturing that feeling. A few of the tracks could have probably have been cut but there is no denying K.R.I.T. is a rap powerhouse, producing stellar beats whilst still having the bars to match.
Mello Music Group have probably never dropped a bad record and this was no exception. The production caught me off guard: brooding and low key but still razor sharp, accentuating the wordplay and if anything giving it more impact than anything else I really heard this year. The whole record just seems to swell to a climax that never quite gets there but still knocks your head off at the same time.
I love music that is personal and it doesn't get much better than Jonwayne opening up about his deeply personal struggles over some decent samples. After falling off the map for a few years this comeback record is his therapy and the music is cathartic. The wordplay and delivery are second to none and the beats are the perfect compliment, hitting hard without ever distracting from the lyricism.
For me Vince Staples is one of the most exciting rappers to emerge in recent years. A rapper with intelligent bars and wordplay but who can also make tracks that absolutely bang. Some high profile features on here, but it's best when it's just Vince killing it by himself. Can't wait for whatever he does next
This record grew on me over the first month or two after its release but it wasn't until I saw him play it live in Manchester with my man @natureboy_yo that it took on a whole new level. His production is perfect with live instrumentation adding a new dimension to the classic rap sound. His bars and concepts are intelligent and articulate and a refreshing change to the majority of mainstream rap records. Even the pace and balance of the album is near perfect with a good mix of dark and light tracks. A brilliant artist well worth seeing if you ever get the chance
Despite a lot of hype there is no denying that this is a special record. Kendrick doesn't follow trends but he makes great music and this was definitely on point. Even tracks I didn't like at first (Loyalty) became favourites over time. Like all his other albums it takes a while to fully appreciate the music. I even listened to it in reverse to get the full experience, although it felt like more of a gimmick than adding any real value to the narrative. The record flows far better played forwards and I loved the overarching concept, themes and track names. No one can deny Kendrick is a gifted lyricist and he doesn't disappoint. The beats are all top notch, but the best moment is arguably when 9th Wonder pops up at the end with a killer sample to round everything off. Over-hyped but a brilliant record.
I stayed up late listening to OVO Sound radio to hear this live as it dropped and I wasn't disappointed. Drake insists it is a playlist rather than an album and although I'm fairly sure it is all the cuts that didn't quite make it onto "Views" it is still a strong body of work that manages to maintain a consistent flow despite the multiple features. In fact the features are what make the record, especially the first time I heard it with no tracklist or warning of who would pop up next. As ever the production is on point and the end product manages to stand up alongside his other records. In the end I love the overall concept more than anything else...More time with family and friends. More Life!
The risk of this record was that it wouldn't live up to its predecessors. Luckily everything about it was just as good, if not even better. The artwork, production, verses...all top notch. I've listened to El-P and Killer Mike independently for years but the combination of the two just seems to work and creates something spectacular. The timing of the record just after Trump's shock political win gave it a whole new element and the unexpected Zac De La Rocha feature at the finale was an absolute treat. In a world full of half baked rap music it is nice to listen to rappers with something worth saying, who can still provide a thoroughly banging record. I was lucky enough to see them on the World Tour and it was nothing short of incredible. For me they are probably the most important rap group of the last decade and this was a perfect end to the trilogy. Run The Jewels 4?
I've been waiting a long time for Jay to drop a new record so when rumours began to circulate I began to get a little worried. Would he be trying to rap about Xanax on Metro Boomin beats? Would it be able to live up to the hype I created for it in my own head? Luckily 4:44 is everything I could have wanted from a Jay Z record in 2017. Brilliant samples and production exclusively from the legendary No-iD and nothing but exceptional bars from the man himself. Dubbed as Jay's response to last years Lemonade, the honesty in his lyrics is unusual but also quite refreshing. I can't really relate to verses about multi million dollar property investment but when he opens up about his marriage, family and real life struggles it brings him back down to earth. It is a side of Jay Z that is very rarely seen, especially in the music. That combined with the flawless sampling/ production make it one of the best records in his entire catalogue and is probably the reason I enjoyed it so much.
Only 8 tracks long this still ended up being my favourite rap release of 2017. There is no denying Freddie Gibbs has the perfect voice for rap and combined with the perfectly curated beats on here it sounds better than ever before. His first music since being released from jail feels raw and honest whilst still absolutely banging. Maybe it's the quality of the production or maybe it's the fact he has a baby daughter a similar age to mine but in this era of mumble rap it's nice to hear something and someone who still feels real.
I'm almost embarrassed to put this into the end of year list given some of the sleazy lyrical subject matter and excessive/unnecessary use of the "P" word. I might just be a sucker for saxophones and catchy hooks but the fact of the matter is that I enjoyed this record more than almost any other this year. Full of hilarious lines and great pop melodies, it ends with one of my favourite tracks of the year "Politics of Love".
I listened to a lot more electronic music this year and this record was one of the standouts. Each track builds and builds with layer after layer of different sounds to make mesmerising music that you get lost in. For me the final track is the best with a perfect sample taking the lead and building into a brilliant climatic end to the record.
Its unusual for me to listen to country music but something about this record grabbed me. Calming, beautiful vocals, great songwriting and honest lyrics. Her voice is distinctive but soothing and the lyrics are honest without being cliched. The record balances the upbeat tracks with the softer introspective songs and there are some truly beautiful moments.
On my first listen I was slightly disappointed with this record after such a brilliant debut album in 2015. The more times I played it though the more I started to enjoy it until I found the melodies firmly stuck in my head . That is the power of the duo — they are trying to make music that is timeless, not just follow chart trends. The production is top notch and although the lyrics can sometimes fall a little flat the album flows well and provides some brilliant moments, especially the seamless blend between the first few opening tracks.
The slightly weird cover art doesn't do this record justice. With big melodies and big pop moments MUNA managed to make one of my favourite songs of the year (I Know a Place) as well as a great record. After a few big songs at the start the record lulls midway with the slower tracks although these are no less decent than the rest of the record. Gated snares and big driving bass synth lines make this a standout pop record of 2017.
This record dropped early on in the year but still sounds just as good at the end. What makes it for me is the clever sampling, popping out of nowhere and perfectly complimenting the songwriting and instrumentation. A perfect example is "On Hold" where the Hall and Oates sample flips the entire song into something completely unique.
Another record that got me out of nowhere. More gated snares, more lush synths. The songs are catchy, the production is great and there isn't really a bad track on here, just well made, decent pop music.
This record was on every end of year list I've seen and with pretty good reason. Lorde made a record that flows incredibly well with highs and lows and everything in between. The production is brilliant, the lyrics are surprisingly good and the overall sound manages to capture a mood and feeling that is hard to describe.
I discovered Rationales EPs early on in the year and went to see him live at Brudenell Social Club in October. I love a good pop record but this one is something special. His voice is powerful and the songwriting is fantastic. The production is modern yet his voice is so distinctive and different that the overall vibe is something quite unique. A very enjoyable record and an exciting artist....looking forward to seeing what he does next.
Never judge a book by its cover. When I first saw this record I thought I would hate it, but it ended up being my favourite of the year. Maybe it was the timing of when I discovered it (just after my Grandma died) or maybe it's the saxophone lines and Springsteen vibes, but I absolutely love it. There is a reason Jack Antonoff is one of the most sought after producers in pop. I watched a few making of videos on YouTube where he breaks down his process and walks through his home studio and analogue gear, which made me love it even more. There literally isn't a song on the album that I don't like. The production is awesome and the lyrics and songwriting are top notch. The overarching theme and narrative just seemed to connect with me on a deeper unexplainable level and every time I listen to it I discover something else I love about it. It was the only physical record I bought all year and will always bring back all kinds of memories and emotions the way good music should.
Somehow a 5 track EP became one of my favourite projects of the year. Something about the production made this such an enjoyable record to listen to that I couldn't put it down. Catchy hooks and gated snares... just fantastic pop music!
100 of the better songs I heard this year starting with some of my favourites before working through rap music, big chart hits, half decent pop music, exceptional electronic tracks, quieter songwriter stuff and everything in-between including the sentimental stuff at the end. A great year for music!
