20. BRUTALISM by IDLES
UK Punk of the highest order.
19. SOUTHERN BLOOD by GREG ALLMAN
*BEST CLASSIC ROCKER ALBUM OF THE YEAR*
In addition to having some great origian
IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY: CARRY FIRE by ROBERT PLANT; SAD CLOWNS AND HILLBILLIES by JOHN MELLENCAMP AND CARLENE CARTER
18. THE NEVER STORY by J.I.D.
A groundbreaking debut that pushes the boundaries of ATL rap.
17. PLAY TILL YOU WIN by CASSANDRA JENKINS
Breathy, beautiful music.
16. GUPPY by CHARLY BLISS
*BEST 1990s GRRRRL ROCK ALBUM*
This band doesn’t run from its ‘90s roots, it revels in them. This is a party on wax—excellent guitars, sexy vocals, terrific lyrics…Flawless.
IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY: PUSSYCAT by JULIANA HATFIELD. A solid “come back” album, and her most personal to date.
15. HERE LIES MAN (self-titled)
Heavy metal afrobeat. Recals the early work of Death Grips, only without so much anger.
14. ONE NIGHT ONLY by COUSIN STIZZ
*BEST HIP HOP MAJOR LABEL DEBUT*
13. LOST ON YOU by LP
Forget Sia—this is the new voice of smart female pop.
12. ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ by JOEY BADA$$
It was interesting to see Joey turn a corner and mature a little. Of course the lyrics are fire, and the delivery is top-notch. We would expect nothing less. But this is his first political album, and if Trump can inspire this then maybe his Presidency isn’t all bad?
Nah.
IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY: SCUM FUCK FLOWER BOY by TYLER THE CREATOR. Another rapper who grew up this year, and got way more sincere.
11. DIABOLICAL BASTARD BILLIONAIRE GENIUS by ISA MANE
*BEST MIXTAPE DEBUT*
Stunning lyrics. I’m fairly certain I’m the only blogger who will put this album so high on his best of list, but that’s just because it was easy not to notice this album. It didn’t have as much hype, and Isa, as a person, is kind of an ass. But don’t sleep. This is a truly extraordinary record.
ANOTHER GREAT MIXTAPE DEBUT OF 2017: NYCK@KNIGHT by NYCK@KNIGHT
Another Pro Era project, this one throwing us back to the early days of Nickelodeon. Shout out to self-produced rap that focuses on craft and flow over slick beats and vocoders.
