Staff Picks: Rachel Hislop's Top 5 Albums of 2017 So Far
Rachel Hislop, Editor in Chief
We’re are halfway through the year, searching for sanity in our political overseers while reading the news with timidness and sleeping with one eye open. 2017 has been a weird little year so far, but history has shown that the oppression and turmoil anyways brings forth great art, and the music released this year is no exception. Halfway in, with some solid releases in the rearview, and anticipated upcoming releases ahead, here are my picks for the the top albums of 2017 so far.
Photo courtesy of Twitter.
1. SZA - CTRL:
The self-proclaimed young savage girl is lost amongst the lily pads no more. The first time I heard SZA’s Z it was from down the halls of my office at the time, coming from the desk of a co-worker. “Who is that?” was the first thing I asked, and as a fan of SZA, the answer to that question is something we are all watching her work through. This album is a culmination of her growth and discovery entangled in the fight for creative freedom that most artists grapple with on their sophomore projects.
Tackling issues of self-doubt, (“I get so lonely, I forget what I'm worth,” she sings on “Drew Barrymore”) fluid sexuality (“I love on my ladies, Luh-love to my ladies, I dated a few” on “Love Galore”) and bucking traditional relationship structure to the wind (every line of “The Weekend”), CTRL is a departure from SZA’s breathy ballads on Z that solidifies her space not only as a the first lady of a male dominated roster, but as an artists who can stand heavy-hitter adjacent while exploring personal themes that typically go untouched.
Source: Twitter
2. Sampha - Process
Who could have foreseen such a monumental Freshman LP release from Sampha? Stepping out from the shadows of big-name features, Sampha’s Process is hauntingly beautiful as he processes the grief of losing his mother and moves through self-discovery lacing textured layers of emotion into every track.
The panting on “Blood on Me,” as he runs from his fears.
The passion-packaged ballad of “(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano”
The sound of desperation in his plea on “Timmy’s Prayer.”
How refreshing to hear a man so bare and open about emotions, hurt, loss and all of the life that happens in-between. The road to Process began in 2010, and as we stand at the finish line marveling at the product, it is evident that sometimes the race to excellence requires a little more time.
Source: Twitter
3. Thundercat - DRUNK
DRUNK is a sonic trip. A departure from Brunner’s earlier somber works DRUNK is a fun funky album that tests our ability to hone in on sometimes somber lyrics when an upbeat vibe is at the forefront. Meticulously orchestrated, DRUNK is a journey of sounds, tempos and a healthy fusion of ‘70s funk and R&B that plays with vocals as instruments. Add a smooth ass Pharrell feature, subtle proclamations of blackness, a game show theme-esque track highlighting our obsession with screens, and you’ve got a skip-free listen from me.
Source: Twitter
4. Syd - Fin
Fin is a dive into the world of The Internet’s front woman offline. Syd’s nonconformity is what pulls me in and I always stay for the talent. On her first solo release, Syd takes a step away from The Internet to tangle herself gracefully in the crossroads of the bravado of hip-hop and the sensualness of R&B, while still playing to true to her neo-soul roots, finding comfort in the intersection in a way only she can. With velvet vocals on “Body,” and made for the club tracks like “Dollar Bills,” and an unconventional female anthem within “Got Her Own,” Syd’s Fin is an aptly named mic drop solo offering.
Source: Twitter
5. Drake - More Life
I love Drake, and contrary to popular opinion (tax me on this) I love when Drake is in his feelings. More Life was marketed as a “playlist” to skirt around the heavy sampling of songs from different genres, including Grime, Reggae, and South African house to name a few. All is forgiven though, because “Passionfruit” and the remake of Black Coffee’s “Superman” are the vibes I need in rotation this summer. Is this Drake’s best effort to date? Absolutely not. But…sometimes our top prospects can be about what we want playing while we’re two stepping in the sunshine.
Honorable Mentions:
Kendrick Lamar - DAMN: Let’s be real, it is one of the best albums of the year hands down, but I can’t lie about keeping the whole thing in my rotation end-to-end.
2 Chainz - Pretty Girls Like Trap Music: This makes honorable mention off the strength of 2Chainz’ gratitude and affirmations through trap, alone. Also, for a solid IRL marketing plan that is often overlooked for album releases in the age of digital.
Little Dragon - Season High: I didn't even know I was waiting for a new Little Dragon album until I got one.
Calvin Harris - Funk Wav Bounces Vol 1.: Listen, this album isn't even out yet, but with singles like “Feelings” and “Slide” as leads from this project, I am sure it will be a top contender by the time you read this.
