Albums of 2017
The records from 2017 that made our lists.
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1AntisocialitesAlvvays
Antisocialites
A bright, hook-laden indie-pop peak of dreamy melody. Charming and acclaimed. Their finest.
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2ArcaArca
Arca
A raw, vulnerable art-electronic peak of fractured beauty. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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3BicepBicep
Bicep
A lush, nostalgic dance debut of emotional house and techno. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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4CapacityBig Thief
Capacity
A tender, intimate indie-folk peak of vivid songwriting. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.
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5MigrationBonobo
Migration
A warm, intricate downtempo peak. Lush and acclaimed. A high point.
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6ChronologyChronixx
Chronology
A bright, accomplished reggae-revival debut of roots and modern polish. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.
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7Colter WallColter Wall
Colter Wall
A weathered, deep-voiced traditional-country debut. Raw and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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8FreudianDaniel Caesar
Freudian
A warm, gospel-touched neo-soul debut of intimacy and faith. Gentle and acclaimed. A standout modern R&B record.
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9Dua LipaDua Lipa
Dua Lipa
A glossy dance-pop debut, home to 'New Rules'. Tuneful and big. A breakthrough.
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10DivideEd Sheeran
Divide
A blockbuster of acoustic-pop and global rhythms, home to 'Shape of You'. Polished and enormous. His commercial peak.
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11Pure ComedyFather John Misty
Pure Comedy
A sweeping, sardonic song-cycle on humanity and modern life. Ambitious and acclaimed. A bold statement.
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12New EnergyFour Tet
New Energy
A warm, meditative peak of melodic electronics. Hypnotic and acclaimed. A high point.
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13Harry StylesHarry Styles
Harry Styles
A classic-rock-leaning solo debut. Tuneful and acclaimed. A striking start.
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14BrutalismIDLES
Brutalism
A furious, visceral post-punk debut. Loud and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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15Beast EpicIron & Wine
Beast Epic
A warm, mature folk peak of gentle craft. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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164:44Jay-Z
4:44
A mature, confessional late peak of reflection and soul samples. Sharp and acclaimed. A creative high.
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17Turn Out the LightsJulien Baker
Turn Out the Lights
A spare, devastating indie-folk record of faith and pain. Intimate and acclaimed. A quiet peak.
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18DAMN.Kendrick Lamar
DAMN.
A sharp, Pulitzer-winning blockbuster balancing introspection and hits. Bold and acclaimed. A modern landmark.
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19American DreamLCD Soundsystem
American Dream
A reflective, age-aware comeback of dance-rock craft. Bold and acclaimed. A worthy return.
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20Semper FeminaLaura Marling
Semper Femina
A graceful, intimate folk peak. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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21MelodramaLorde
Melodrama
A widescreen break-up record of heightened emotion and inventive pop production. Acclaimed and beloved. Her masterpiece.
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22This One's for YouLuke Combs
This One's for You
A blockbuster mainstream-country debut of huge hits. Tuneful and enormous. A breakthrough.
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23CultureMigos
Culture
A blockbuster trap peak, home to 'Bad and Boujee'. Catchy and huge. A commercial landmark.
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24AromanticismMoses Sumney
Aromanticism
A spare, ethereal art-soul debut. Singular and acclaimed. A striking arrival.
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25Stranger in the AlpsPhoebe Bridgers
Stranger in the Alps
A hushed, melancholic indie-folk debut. Intimate and acclaimed. A breakthrough.
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26CtrlSZA
Ctrl
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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27ProcessSampha
Process
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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28SlowdiveSlowdive
Slowdive
A gorgeous, mature reunion record of refined shoegaze. Warm and acclaimed. A triumphant comeback.
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29MasseductionSt. Vincent
Masseduction
A glossy, dark art-pop record of fame and desire. Sharp and acclaimed. A standout.
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30Gang Signs & PrayerStormzy
Gang Signs & Prayer
A landmark grime-and-gospel debut that topped the UK charts. Bold and heartfelt. A genre milestone.
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31ReputationTaylor Swift
Reputation
A dark, beat-driven pop record of fame and defiance. Bold and huge. A commercial peak.
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32Sleep Well BeastThe National
Sleep Well Beast
A textured, electronic-leaning peak. Bold and Grammy-winning. A creative high.
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33A Deeper UnderstandingThe War on Drugs
A Deeper Understanding
A lush, Grammy-winning continuation of heartland-indie drift. Warm and acclaimed. A strong peak.
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34PurgatoryTyler Childers
Purgatory
A vivid, traditional-leaning Appalachian country breakthrough. Raw and acclaimed. A modern highlight.
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35Flower BoyTyler, the Creator
Flower Boy
A lush, melodic turn toward introspection and self-acceptance, beautifully produced. Warm and acclaimed. The album that elevated him.
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36Big Fish TheoryVince Staples
Big Fish Theory
An experimental, electronic-leaning art-rap peak. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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37Visions of a LifeWolf Alice
Visions of a Life
A dynamic, shapeshifting rock peak. Bold and Mercury-winning. Their finest.