10.

Alex Cameron — Forced Witness

Top Tracks = Candy May // Runnin' Outta Luck // Politics of Love

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".

 

 

9.

Bonobo — Migration

Top Tracks = Outlier // Surface // Figures

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.

 

 

8.

Courtney Marie Andrews — Honest Life

Top Tracks = How Quickly Your Heart Mends // Honest Life // Only In My Mind

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.

 

 

7.

Majid Jordan — The Space Between

Top Tracks = Gave Your Love Away // OG Heartthrob // My Imagination

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.

 

 

6.

MUNA — about u

Top Tracks = So Special // I Know A Place // If U Love Me Now

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.

 

 

5.

The xx — I See You

Top Tracks = Replica // On Hold // I Dare You

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.

 

 

4.

Anna of the North — Lovers

Top Tracks = Feels // Someone // Fire

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.

 

 

3.

Lorde — Melodrama

Top Tracks = Green Light // Supercut // Hard Feelings/Loveless

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.

 

 

2.

Rationale — Rationale

Top Tracks = Oil and Water // Re.Up // Fast Lane

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.

 

 

1.

Bleachers — Gone Now

Top Tracks = Don't Take The Money // Let's Get Married // Everybody Lost Somebody

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.

 

 

* BONUS *

Ralph — Ralph EP

Top Tracks = Lit the Fire // Crocodile Tears // Busy Man

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!