Year in Review: The Best Songs of 2017

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Tim Nguyen
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Song: “Despacito (Remix)”
Artist: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber
Album: Despacito (Single)
Label: Universal Latin / Republic / Def Jam / RBMG / School Boy
Released: April 17

Probably considered the Song of the Summer of 2017; “Despacito” is equally catchy and sensual. Being the first Spanish song to chart No. 1 on the Hot 100 since “Macarena” in 1996 combined with Bieber’s singing en Español, this is a banger that will ring nostalgia for years to come.

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Song: “Green Light”
Artist: Lorde
Album: Melodrama
Label: Universal
Released: March 2

“Green Light” pushed Ella Yelich-O’Connor, known professionally as Lorde, to new uncharted territory. Straying from a minimalist tone in her debut release, Pure Heroine, “Green Light” is more complex from a production standpoint and the vocal delivery is sharp, heartfelt and overall, theatrical – setting the tone for the full-length album; the perfect breakup song.

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Song: “After the Party”
Artist: The Menzingers
Album: After the Party
Label: Epitaph
Released: March 23

Lead vocalist Greg Barnett stated he wanted their latest release to retain the “integrity” with the storytelling aspect in their songs and this song does just that. The slow pace and lyricism bring me back feelings of nostalgia from my adolescence to recent house parties in my years in early 20s chasing the girl who’s currently got your heart on lock.

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Song: “Hard Times”
Artist: Paramore
Album: After Laughter
Label: Fueled By Ramen
Released: Apr. 19

Paramore is constantly evolving and with the return of drummer Zac Farro and departure of former bassist Jeremy Davis, “Hard Times” (and in turn, After Laughter) have a completely new vibe in terms of sound. Blending 80s new-wave with their signature sound, Hayley Wililams and co. break down the walls of conventional pop and one can feel how much fun they’re having with it.

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Song: “Reminder”
Artist: The Weeknd 
Album: Starboy
Label: XO/Republic 
Released: May 9

Although not the biggest commercial hit, “Reminder” is one of my favourite singles off The Weeknd’s latest release Starboy. Almost a fuck you to his haters after he abandoned his sound that gave him his initial success, Abel states that he’s still the same: bleak drug-heavy and sex-induced outlook, not wanting to be a role model to teenagers and justifies his musical progression as others had tried to mimic the sound of his old mixtapes. Oh, and it’s catchy too.