Nate's 2017 Half-year list
Everything I listened to from this year thus far, and what I thought about it. Not everything was great, but there were some diamonds in the rough. |
| 1 |  | Drake
More Life
Drake doin his thing, some okay, but mostly bad. 2/5 |
| 2 |  | Depeche Mode
Spirit
The fact that they were able to put out an album this good this late in their career is an achievement all unto itself. Will revisit as time goes on. 3.5/5 |
| 3 |  | The XX
I See You
Eh, it was alright. Their best album by far, but that's not saying much. very unmemorable tbh. 3/5 |
| 4 |  | Surfer Blood
Snowdonia
One of my favorite albums this year by far. Surfer blood combine the best parts of weezer, the beach boys, and the pixies and it's all good. gonna write a review for this eventually 4.5/5 |
| 5 |  | Spoon
Hot Thoughts
Spoon is rapidly becoming one of my favorite bands. The last two have been awesome, and they have a great discography to dig into. Fricken shotgun and Can I sit Next to you are great. the very definition of all killer no filler. 4.5/5 |
| 6 |  | P.O.S
Chill, Dummy
My AOTY hands down. Stef really hit it out of the park with this one. This is probably his most cohesive with the best production, on point guests, and some of his best, if not his best, lyrics he's ever written. Superdrone/Superposition blows me away every time I hear it. 5/5 |
| 7 |  | Pond (AUS)
The Weather
Solid Psych rock to get your Tame Impala fix, and surprisingly stands out from the other band. The Title track is the best on here. 3.5/5 |
| 8 |  | Paramore
After Laughter
Probably the best pop album to be released this year. Pool is gorgeous and Zac's drumming is on point. I am absolutely loving the upbeat music with downbeat lyrics. 4/5 |
| 9 |  | Logic
Everybody
Kind of a big disappointment, seeing as how good his previous two records were. I feel like Logic's ambition is overtaking his musical ability, and the whole project comes off as contrived and a little bit pretentious. The fact that there's a fucking speech every other track annoys the heck out of me. I just want the music man. none of this pretentious bullshit. 3/5 |
| 10 |  | Kendrick Lamar
DAMN.
Damn. I don't want to call this his third classic in a row but holy shit, this slaps. I cannot get enough of this album and its production, and the only thing really holding this back are the tons or producer tags littered throughout. remove those and it's perfect. Love is still my fave track, but Yah is a close second. 4.5/5 |
| 11 |  | Gorillaz
Humanz
Gorillaz are back! not life-changing as I mentioned before, but really fucking good. Ascension and and Submission are my favorites with Busted and Blue and the apprentice being close seconds. 4.5/5 |
| 12 |  | Future Islands
The Far Field
Beyond good synth pop. Sam Herring has a great voice and that opening verse too Aladdin had me hooked from the get go. 4.5/5 |
| 13 |  | Dirty Projectors
Dirty Projectors
Great Art rock to which I keep coming back. I love the Bon Iver worship on this. 4/5 |
| 14 |  | Bleachers
Gone Now
Solid but as time goes on I'm liking it less and less. Perhaps my expectations were too high or Jack simply is too pretentious for his own good, but this was not my pop album of the year as I hoped. Still great tho, but just great. 3.5/5 |
| 15 |  | Alt-J
Relaxer
Great Art rock to which I keep coming back[2]. These guys are defo my jam, and it's abstract yet accessible, and super concise yet expansive. Hyperbole aside, this is simply awesome music. 4/5 |
|
