Albums of 2017

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1. 1
   AntisocialitesAlvvays

   Antisocialites

   Alvvays · 2017 · Alternative & Indie

   A bright, hook-laden indie-pop peak of dreamy melody. Charming and acclaimed. Their finest.

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2. 2
   ArcaArca

   Arca

   Arca · 2017 · Electronic

   A raw, vulnerable art-electronic peak of fractured beauty. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

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3. 3
   BicepBicep

   Bicep

   Bicep · 2017 · Electronic

   A lush, nostalgic dance debut of emotional house and techno. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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4. 4
   CapacityBig Thief

   Capacity

   Big Thief · 2017 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

   A tender, intimate indie-folk peak of vivid songwriting. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.

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5. 5
   MigrationBonobo

   Migration

   Bonobo · 2017 · Electronic

   A warm, intricate downtempo peak. Lush and acclaimed. A high point.

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6. 6
   ChronologyChronixx

   Chronology

   Chronixx · 2017 · Reggae & Dub

   A bright, accomplished reggae-revival debut of roots and modern polish. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.

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7. 7
   Colter WallColter Wall

   Colter Wall

   Colter Wall · 2017 · Country & Americana

   A weathered, deep-voiced traditional-country debut. Raw and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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8. 8
   FreudianDaniel Caesar

   Freudian

   Daniel Caesar · 2017 · Soul & R&B

   A warm, gospel-touched neo-soul debut of intimacy and faith. Gentle and acclaimed. A standout modern R&B record.

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9. 9
   Dua LipaDua Lipa

   Dua Lipa

   Dua Lipa · 2017 · Pop

   A glossy dance-pop debut, home to 'New Rules'. Tuneful and big. A breakthrough.

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10. 10
    DivideEd Sheeran

    Divide

    Ed Sheeran · 2017 · Pop

    A blockbuster of acoustic-pop and global rhythms, home to 'Shape of You'. Polished and enormous. His commercial peak.

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11. 11
    Pure ComedyFather John Misty

    Pure Comedy

    Father John Misty · 2017 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A sweeping, sardonic song-cycle on humanity and modern life. Ambitious and acclaimed. A bold statement.

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12. 12
    New EnergyFour Tet

    New Energy

    Four Tet · 2017 · Electronic

    A warm, meditative peak of melodic electronics. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A high point.

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13. 13
    Harry StylesHarry Styles

    Harry Styles

    Harry Styles · 2017 · Pop

    A classic-rock-leaning solo debut. Tuneful and acclaimed. A striking start.

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14. 14
    BrutalismIDLES

    Brutalism

    IDLES · 2017 · Alternative & Indie

    A furious, visceral post-punk debut. Loud and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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15. 15
    Beast EpicIron & Wine

    Beast Epic

    Iron & Wine · 2017 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A warm, mature folk peak of gentle craft. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.

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16. 16
    4:44Jay-Z

    4:44

    Jay-Z · 2017 · Hip-Hop

    A mature, confessional late peak of reflection and soul samples. Sharp and acclaimed. A creative high.

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17. 17
    Turn Out the LightsJulien Baker

    Turn Out the Lights

    Julien Baker · 2017 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A spare, devastating indie-folk record of faith and pain. Intimate and acclaimed. A quiet peak.

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18. 18
    DAMN.Kendrick Lamar

    DAMN.

    Kendrick Lamar · 2017 · Hip-Hop

    A sharp, Pulitzer-winning blockbuster balancing introspection and hits. Bold and acclaimed. A modern landmark.

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19. 19
    American DreamLCD Soundsystem

    American Dream

    LCD Soundsystem · 2017 · Alternative & Indie

    A reflective, age-aware comeback of dance-rock craft. Bold and acclaimed. A worthy return.

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20. 20
    Semper FeminaLaura Marling

    Semper Femina

    Laura Marling · 2017 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A graceful, intimate folk peak. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.

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21. 21
    MelodramaLorde

    Melodrama

    Lorde · 2017 · Pop

    A widescreen break-up record of heightened emotion and inventive pop production. Acclaimed and beloved. Her masterpiece.

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22. 22
    This One's for YouLuke Combs

    This One's for You

    Luke Combs · 2017 · Country & Americana

    A blockbuster mainstream-country debut of huge hits. Tuneful and enormous. A breakthrough.

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23. 23
    CultureMigos

    Culture

    Migos · 2017 · Hip-Hop

    A blockbuster trap peak, home to 'Bad and Boujee'. Catchy and huge. A commercial landmark.

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24. 24
    AromanticismMoses Sumney

    Aromanticism

    Moses Sumney · 2017 · Soul & R&B

    A spare, ethereal art-soul debut. Singular and acclaimed. A striking arrival.

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25. 25
    Stranger in the AlpsPhoebe Bridgers

    Stranger in the Alps

    Phoebe Bridgers · 2017 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A hushed, melancholic indie-folk debut. Intimate and acclaimed. A breakthrough.

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26. 26
    Nightmare LogicPower Trip

    Nightmare Logic

    Power Trip · 2017 · Metal

    Crossover thrash that felt genuinely urgent — one of the most ferocious metal records in years, and a tragic final statement.

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27. 27
    CtrlSZA

    Ctrl

    SZA · 2017 · Soul & R&B

    A candid, conversational debut about insecurity and desire that reshaped modern R&B. Relatable and beautifully sung. A word-of-mouth phenomenon that aged into a classic.

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28. 28
    ProcessSampha

    Process

    Sampha · 2017 · Soul & R&B

    A tender, electronic-soul debut of grief and warmth, home to '(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano'. Intimate and acclaimed. A standout.

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29. 29
    SlowdiveSlowdive

    Slowdive

    Slowdive · 2017 · Alternative & Indie

    A gorgeous, mature reunion record of refined shoegaze. Warm and acclaimed. A triumphant comeback.

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30. 30
    MasseductionSt. Vincent

    Masseduction

    St. Vincent · 2017 · Alternative & Indie

    A glossy, dark art-pop record of fame and desire. Sharp and acclaimed. A standout.

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31. 31
    Gang Signs & PrayerStormzy

    Gang Signs & Prayer

    Stormzy · 2017 · Hip-Hop

    A landmark grime-and-gospel debut that topped the UK charts. Bold and heartfelt. A genre milestone.

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32. 32
    ReputationTaylor Swift

    Reputation

    Taylor Swift · 2017 · Pop

    A dark, beat-driven pop record of fame and defiance. Bold and huge. A commercial peak.

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33. 33
    Sleep Well BeastThe National

    Sleep Well Beast

    The National · 2017 · Alternative & Indie

    A textured, electronic-leaning peak. Bold and Grammy-winning. A creative high.

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34. 34
    A Deeper UnderstandingThe War on Drugs

    A Deeper Understanding

    The War on Drugs · 2017 · Alternative & Indie

    A lush, Grammy-winning continuation of heartland-indie drift. Warm and acclaimed. A strong peak.

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35. 35
    PurgatoryTyler Childers

    Purgatory

    Tyler Childers · 2017 · Country & Americana

    A vivid, traditional-leaning Appalachian country breakthrough. Raw and acclaimed. A modern highlight.

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36. 36
    Flower BoyTyler, the Creator

    Flower Boy

    Tyler, the Creator · 2017 · Hip-Hop

    A lush, melodic turn toward introspection and self-acceptance, beautifully produced. Warm and acclaimed. The album that elevated him.

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37. 37
    Big Fish TheoryVince Staples

    Big Fish Theory

    Vince Staples · 2017 · Hip-Hop

    An experimental, electronic-leaning art-rap peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.

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38. 38
    Visions of a LifeWolf Alice

    Visions of a Life

    Wolf Alice · 2017 · Alternative & Indie

    A dynamic, shapeshifting rock peak. Bold and Mercury-winning. Their finest.

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