Year in Review: The Best Albums of 2017

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Tim Nguyen
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Album: Melodrama
Artist: Lorde
Label: Lava / Republic
Released: June 16

Watching and listening to Lorde grow both as a musician and a woman as she transitions through a fairly large developmental part of her life has been both engaging and exciting. Melodrama adds more dynamism in comparison to her debut release Pure Heroine, laced with emotion – equal parts fun, dramatic and self-aware.

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Album: Big Fish Theory
Artist: Vince Staples
Label: ARTium / Blacksmith / Def Jam
Released: June 23 

In an age of mumble-rap, Vince Staples breaks the mould as one of the youngest, more talented and sophisticated hip-hop artists of our time. The juxtaposition of the experimental sounds alongside Staples’ nihilistic and bleak outlook makes for a fresh listen. Big Fish Theory takes risks in both production and lyricism – becoming a trendsetter of what the genre should aspire to be.

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Album: Skin & Earth
Artist: Lights
Label: Universal / Warner
Released: Sept. 22

An ambitious concept project coupled with a comic books series, LIGHTS has successfully fused post-apocalyptic vibes with addictive synth-pop vibes. Paced perfectly and with collaborators including Flor’s Dylan Bauld, Purity Ring’s Corin Roddick and Twenty One Pilots’ Josh Dun, LIGHTS has pushed her boundaries to make her fourth studio release both mature and well-rounded.

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Album: You’re Not You Anymore
Artist: Counterparts
Label: New Damage / Pure Noise
Released: Sept. 22

Perhaps the catchiest and riff-centric release by Canadian hardcore band, Counterparts, You’re Not You Anymore simply flows perfectly. Each song grows more intricate and melodic as it progresses with Brendan Murphy’s vocal delivery synergizing immaculately with the instrumentals. Equal parts technical and heavy, you’ll notice something new with every listen.

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Album: Phantom Anthem
Artist: August Burns Red
Label: Fearless
Released: Oct. 6

August Burns Red have long been considered pioneers in an ever-growing-stale genre, constantly perfecting their craft. Phantom Anthem synergizes the progressiveness of Rescue & Restore, the riffs of Messengers and the song-writing of Found In Far Away Places and the result is arguably of the best metalcore albums of all time.