The following 15 records were my favorite releases of 2017 contributing to the extremely broad genre of Pop/Rock.
This includes the likes of Alternative Rock, Shoegazing, Dream Pop, Jangle Pop, Synthpop, Funk, Indie Folk, Blues, Experimental Rock, & many more.
#15)
Star Tropics-Lost World
Chicago-based trio Star Tropics grace our ear drums this year with a beautiful record blending enchanting vocals with pristine licks that would undoubtedly flatter Johnny Marr.
The writing here specifically brings the obscure Strawberry Wine-My Bloody Valentine era to mind sandwiched between their humble post punk flops and their signature sound. Lost World offers 9 tracks of pure dreamy, euphoric pop music.
#14)
Drab Majesty-The Demonstration
California’s up-and-coming, gender neutral goth project Drab Majesty returns for a sophomore LP basking in ’80s era darkened, synth pop.
The Demonstration boasts Deb Demure’s songwriting talents proudly wearing nostalgic influences on their sleeve with modern, atmospheric seasoning.
#13)
Japanese Breakfast–Soft Sounds From Another Planet
Little Big League frontwoman Michelle Zauner returns to her (in my opinion) vastly superior solo effort, Japanese Breakfast, for a charming sophomore LP.
Soft Sounds From Another Planet features twelve layered, pleasant, and dreamy pop tunes making use of her delicate vocals and songwriting in the best possible way.
#12)
Ryan Adams-Prisoner
I have admittedly never referred to myself as a fan of Ryan Adam’s catalogue but something about this record in particular sticks.
Adam’s breakup with Mandy Moore inspires his most intimate, emotional, powerful, and memorable work (in my opinion).
Despite the fact the majority of his work has nearly put me to sleep, Prisoner contains twelve well-written, solid tracks of pure Rock n’ Roll. Simple as that.
#11)
Crushed Stars–Displaced Sleeper
Dallas-based Indie rock outfit Crushed Stars return with their fourth entry balancing cold, distant ambiance with warm, intimate acoustic instrumentation.
Displaced Sleeper will comfortably fit on the record players of Mazzy Star fans around the globe that prefer dreamy, ethereal presence in their Alternative Country.
#10)
King Krule–The Ooz
Archy Marshall aka Zoo Kid aka Kid Krule releases his third (second under the KK moniker) LP blending the various unique influences his various projects have illustrated.
Marshall’s baritone vocals accompany his unorthodox soundscapes ranging from Hip Hop to Post Punk to Jazz Fusion to Trip Hop, and many more.
The Ooz feels like a smooth meeting ground for Six Feet Beneath the Moon and A New Place 2 Drown (his more Hip Hop-oriented LP released under the name Archy Marshall).
#09)
Night Sins–Dancing Chrome
LP#3 from Philadelphia Goth Rock/Post Punk outfit Night Sins is not necessarily groundbreaking or genre-bending, but they still remain damn good at what they do and Dancing Chrome fully illustrates their mastery of the craft.
They remain pone of the better modern acts recapturing the magic of Eldritch and their usage of synthesized layers on this record and overall darker yet upbeat tones make this record a somber yet fun listen.
If you like bands like Sisters of Mercy, Type O Negative, or Bauhaus you would be an absolutely fool to not give these young musicians your attention.
#08)
Quiet–Infinite Regress
I felt like Brand New’s Science Fiction was a boring, sloppy disappointment of a record far before the accusations of Jesse Lacey began to surface.
The only two things I ever felt the group accomplished was worth noting included The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Of Me and remaining relevant despite an eight year album gap.
The good news is LA-based up and coming Post Hardcore act Quiet released a debut LP this year that sounds identical to how I had hoped Science Fiction would sound.
The vocals are eerily similar to Lacey without the creepy child predator undertones and the instrumentation retains an emo-esque foundation while experimenting with droney Post Rock and pummeling gazey walls of sound.
It’s like a better Brand New without the guilt.
#07)
Hoops–Routines
Hoops began as a bedroom project of Indiana-based musician Drew Auscherman utilizing four tracks and tape reels to achieve a warm, nostalgic, sound.
Years have passed and their debut LP Routines basks in studio magic but finds the band at high points in terms of their writing. Twinkly, harmonizing leads mend well with Auscherman’s pristine vocal performance channeling the trending Jangle Pop comeback movement Mac DeMarco appears to be partially responsible for starting.
Routines is an ironic title as it appears to be absent of the routines the group previously utilized to record their music, but the makeover works in the favor delivering track after track of fun, upbeat, summery jams.
#06)
Airiel–Molten Young Lovers
Despite a full decade passing since their debut LP, Chicago Shoegaze act Airiel deliver a beautiful sophomore LP illustrating how they haven’t missed a step.
Molten Young Lovers explores the wonders of adolescent romance through a fun collection of layered, upbeat tracks. Frontman/Bassist Cory Osbourne brings a unique set of pipes to the genre I personally find strongly reminiscent of Ben Gibbard.
I recommend this record to any Death Cab fans that appreciate Shoegaze and want a new album to dance to.
#05)
Ride–Weather Diaries
British rock icons Ride got a bad break.
The quartet stormed the scene that celebrates itself in the late ’80s and eventually released a flawless Shoegaze opus on Creation Records known as Nowhere– predating even Loveless.
As many shoegazers are well aware, the success of label-mates Oasis saw a lot of bands under the genre/Creation label forced to shift towards a more Brit Pop-oriented sound and Ride’s attempt at such lead to nowhere (heh.)
2017 celebrates a revitalized, confident variation of Ride. They have learned from their mistakes and have used their decades apart to correct them to the fullest extent.
Weather Diaries feels like the true successor to Leave Them All Behind blending a now successful attempt at the Brit Pop genre coupled with the reverb-soaked tone that led us to love them in the first place.
The record additionally offers subtle influences of Post Punk, Goth Rock, Synth Pop, and other genres not yet toyed with delivering a reunion record managing to push forward instead of solely glorifying the days of old.
#04)
Thundercat–Drunk
Stephen Bruner (known better by his stagename Thundercat) is one of the most interesting characters in the modern music industry.
From my sole observation, he is quite possibly one of the most skilled bass players alive today and maintains musical resume ranging from humble beginnings in a boy band, slapping the bass for crossover thrash titans Suicidal Tendencies, and participating as one of the major creative forces behind the production of well-known artists including Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus, and Kamashi Washington.
Drunk serves as his third solo effort utilizing his sense of humor to assist him in the struggles of his daily life.
Kendrick, Kenny Logins, Wiz Khalifa, Pharrell and various other guests lend their creative skills to compliment the record’s bizarre recipe of Pop, Jazz Fusion, Hip Hop, and Electronic music.
Drunk is undoubtedly the most engaging, relatable, and overall fun release from Bruner’s catalog, and I strongly recommend it to fans of any genre.
#03)
Life on Venus–Encounters
Russian quintet Life on Venus channel exceptional songwriting as well as lush, dreamy soundscapes with their debut LP.
Encounters balances melds crushing walls of sounds akin to the stylings of Kevin Shields with well-written, pop tunes similar to the likes of Nothing, Pity Sex, and other trending Shoegaze/Alt-Rock acts.
#02)
Fleet Foxes–The Crack Up
It’s hard to not compare the third and latest LP from Seattle’s indie folk collective Fleet Foxes to the latest solo LP from ex-member Father John Misty.
Pure Comedy and Fear Fun are both deeply layered, ballad-heavy listens straying from the pop sensibilities both projects are known for.
Robin Pecknold’s writing takes an intimate dive inward with each song feeling like beautiful, folk-driven movements only suitable for a front- to-back listen.
The Simon & Garfunkle worship is as strong as ever but remains well-executed and far more progressively written.
The Crack Up is the ideal record of the year to compliment an early winter morning cup of coffee and deep meditation.
#01)
Slowdive–Slowdive
The Shoegazing pioneers known as Slowdive grace the ear drums of listeners with a triumphant comeback worthy of scoring my number spot of the year for Rock/Pop albums.
The Reading-based quintet illustrate a marvelous return to form (similar to the likes of their counterparts My Bloody Valentine) offering a self-titled masterpiece calling upon the sonic spectrum their entire discography.
Despite a 22 year album gap, Slowdive feels like an authentic return to form and fully avoids becoming a saturated backward glance.