Top 10 Albums of 2017

I know I shouldn’t have kept you waiting… But I’m here now.

In no particular order (because I’m indecisive and could never adequately rank them) here are my picks for the best albums of the year. You’re likely to notice a theme; black women of R&B absolutely killed it this year with some phenomenal albums that blew everything else out of the water, while the spaces in between are filled with the miscellaneous pop and ambient/chillwave LPs that kept me sane during this bonkers year.

SZA, “Ctrl”

No one who knows me will be even remotely surprised that “Ctrl” is on this list. Hell, a friend gave me SZA stickers for my birthday — that’s how much I’ve talked up the singer and her album all damn year. But can you blame me? “Ctrl” is a stunning debut filled with track after track of pure magic. Even if you’re not a fan of SZA, you have to admire her consistency; each track is unmistakably hers. From opening track “Supermodel,” the album is upfront about shrugging off traditional sounds and themes in favor of SZA’s signature brand of R&B that expertly melds vulnerability and cockiness. It’s fresh, it’s different, and it’s exactly what the music world needs right now.

Perfect for: Everything. Go listen to it.

Erik Hassle, “Innocence Lost”

It’s downright criminal that Erik Hassle has flown so far under the radar for so long. He opened for Tove Lo on tour a couple years ago, he’s got a duet with Tinashe… and still no one stateside seems to know his name. It’s unclear what happened to delay the release of this album for so long (I’m going to assume some kind of label nonsense), but the end result is a compilation of all of his best singles from the past few years, packaged with some new material for a very, very solid debut full-length album from the Swedish phenom. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait so long for the next one.

Perfect for: Solo dance parties and/or solo cry parties.

Jhené Aiko, “Trip”

Where do I even start? Jhené excels at melodic slow-burn R&B that defies expectations, and this album is more of the same, in the best way possible. It’s also a lesson in experimentation, grief and healing, as Jhené takes listeners along for her personal journey of discovery, crafted while she took both physical and metaphorical trips after the death of her brother. Tracks like “LSD” and “Psilocybin (Love in Full Effect)” are clear references to the hallucinogenic trips she took, while also featuring the sounds of nature (namely Hawaii) that allude to her road trips and meditative solo journeys. The result is an atmospheric and deeply emotional experience that shouldn’t be missed. There’s a lot of great R&B coming out right now, and Jhené deserves more attention amidst all the noise.

Perfect for: Intro/outrospection. Physical and metaphysical trips.

Kesha, “Rainbow”

This album is a masterclass in “comeback” albums. After a “label dispute” (aka rape trial) that threatened to hold her career hostage, the artist formerly known as Ke$ha came roaring back this year with a strong, empowering, and yes, fun third album that features the closest thing to the “real” Kesha we’re ever likely to see. It’s rough around the edges, it’s raw in its emotion, and it’s absolutely effective in its power. If this is the real Kesha, I’m happy to throw out the over-produced party girl garbage from her early career in favor of this newer, more mature material.

Perfect for: Kicking ass and taking names. Here’s looking at you, Dr. Luke.

Thrupence “Ideas of Aesthetics”

I’m seriously obsessed with Thrupence right now. In addition to his gig as ambient musician Thrupence, Aussie Jack Vanzet also operates as a painter (if that’s what you can call it) who creates some seriously stunning artwork. He’s a master of blending layers of color and texture, and that aesthetic comes through in his music, like a less-hipstery take on Washed Out’s brand of bright, elemental chillwave with a healthy dose of Apparat thrown in for good measure.

Perfect for: Painting (obviously) or anything else that requires a boost of creative energy.

Eluvium, “Shuffle Drones”

I’ve appreciated Eluvium’s penchant for crafting impeccably moving instrumental tracks for a few years now, but he deserves extra props this year for an album that purposefully and explicitly shirks tradition in favor of a modern sonic experience. As the tracklist indicates, the album comprises short 30-second “drones” consisting of only a few notes, which are meant to be played on random with no space in between tracks. The result is an album that changes every time you listen to it, as each drone is virtually indistinguishable from the others on its own, but fits into the larger album as a whole. Go listen to it. Really. And while you’re there, check out the rest of his exceptional work.

Perfect for: Zoning out, zen-ing out, or getting your creative juices flowing

Kehlani, “SweetSexySavage”

There’s a reason my best-of list is arriving so late in the year, and that reason is “SweetSexySavage.” I’d heard of Kehlani, and I’d listened to her single “Crazy” a handful of times on the radio, but for some reason I hadn’t given this album a fighting chance until it started popping up on other “top 10” lists for 2017. I’m mad that I waited so long to give it a listen, but boy am I glad that I finally did. Kehlani manages to straddle the lines between sweet, sexy and savage in a way that others can’t, and her unfiltered honesty seeps into every track, lending emotional weight all throughout, but especially on tracks where she showcases her vulnerability. Kehlani has lived much of her life in the spotlight thanks to some high-profile romances, and the turbulence of a love life on display is in full effect here. The album sits squarely in R&B territory, but even when it attempts Brandy-style R&B/pop, it soars with authenticity and more than its fair share of certified bops.

Perfect for: Breakups, makeups, or hazy late-night chill-outs.

Fifth Harmony, “Fifth Harmony”

Goodbye Camila Cabello, and hello to a newly invigorated foursome. It’s pretty clear that Camila’s exit from the group was what the girls needed to come into their own as artists for this album. With more than a slight nod to late-’90s pop (and, of course, a sample of MC Hammer’s “Pumps and a Bump”), Fifth Harmony build on previous themes of empowerment and finally deliver a mature, sexy, and catchy-as-hell album that tells us, definitively, who these girls are. Camila who?

Perfect for: Pre-funking before the big party.

Dua Lipa, “Dua Lipa”

Anyone with their finger on the pulse of gay Twitter or gay tumblr has, no doubt, heard alllllll about Dua Lipa this year — and for good reason! The ascendant pop star was dangerously close to becoming a no-hit wonder after very solid singles “Be the One,” “Hotter Than Hell” and “Blow Your Mind (Mwah)” somehow failed to make an impact. But thanks to a great video, catchy lyrics and a painfully relatable premise, “No Rules” shot Dua Lipa to the forefront of the gay music community. It’s been a slow burn of a breakout for her since then, but “No Rules” has given Dua Lipa her highest position yet on the Billboard charts. One can only hope the album isn’t done pushing her into superstardom because Lipa is easily the most promising solo pop stars to come out of the blue in a long time.

Perfect for: Talking yourself out of calling that ex-fling.

HAIM, “Something to Tell You”

Bear with me for a moment while I indulge my inner basic white girl because there’s a soft spot in my heart for HAIM. Do I know what they’re singing most of the time? Absolutely not. But I know I’m feelin’ it (and feelin’ myself )when this album is on, so, naturally, it earns a spot on my list. I can’t say much that anyone hasn’t already said about it, so I’m just going to leave it here.

Perfect for: Enjoying a nice glass of Chardonnay while you browse the LL Bean catalog.

Honorable Mentions:

• Washed Out, “Mister Mellow”
• Perfume Genius, “No Shape”
• Lorde, “Melodrama”
• Wolf Alice, “Visions of Life”
• (Sandy) Alex G, “Rocket”
• Miley Cyrus, “Younger Now”