Something that has been somewhat obligatory for many movie/culture review outlets is the end of the year/best of the year list, where the "best" things from the year are ranked or merely recalled. Even though I've been writing on this blog for at least three years, I have yet to actually make on for myself.
To start, if I were going to compile some sort of end-of-the-year list, I certainly wouldn't rank anything on some arbitrary scale of ascending or descending value. That always struck me as kind of a waste of time, seeing that my favorites are in this constant state of flux. So, instead, I'll opt to simply list five things I watched/played/listened to that really stood out to me. This one will focus on albums I enjoyed.
Before, I do that, I'm going to have to clarify a few things first. For one, not all of the things I'm going to speak on actually came out in 2017. Some came out in 2016. Some came out even earlier than that. The second thing is that they are listed in no particular order. I'm literally just coming up with a list. At any rate, let's begin.
1.) Big Fish Theory - an album by Vince Staples
For the most part, I find mainstream hip hop to be lackluster. A seemingly endless stream of people imitating the same lyrical structures and melodic textures won't do more than leave me a little lethargic. Thankfully, I came across Vince Staples and his 2017 LP, Big Fish Theory. While being similar to much of the Top 20 crop of hip hop, Staples seems uninterested in staying in one lane, as he pulls from EDM, Grime, Noise, and a variety of other genres for his sonic layers. He also has a self awareness and introspection that I wish existed more in the more popular songs of our day. Some stand out songs include "Love Can Be", "Yeah Right", and "Bag Bak."
2.) Poppy.Computer - an album by Poppy
Few artists have the visual flair of Poppy. That's how many got to first know her, via her cryptic YouTube videos. Directed by her producer, Titanic Sinclair, these served to also be many people's introduction to her music, a sort of blend of J-Pop and American Pop sensibilities, with EDM and chiptune elements added in. Her first full length album, Poppy.Computer, is much more focused than her EP, Bubblebath, and leans even more into her thematic explorations of fame, the internet, and how tech effects us as humans. At first those themes may not seem apparent, but that's only due to her childlike cyberwitch aesthetic. Stand out songs include "Software Upgrade", "Interweb", and "Pop Music."
3.) The Most Hated - an EP by Polyphia
Leaning into their pop influences, the virtuoso progressive metal/djent musicians of Poplyphia crafted an album that seemed to take the ostentatious noodling of their genre of origin and blend it perfectly with the syncopated vibe of trap music. The end result is something that I listened to on repeat for no less than two months. More impressive than just the music itself is viewing video of their live performances of these songs, as they find a way to make it all work in concert. Stand out songs include "Goose", "40oz", and "Icronic."
4.) OK Computer - an album by Radiohead
I'm shocked it took me this long to listen to this one. As they are apt to do, the sad boys of found a way to the core of my anxieties and musical interests to craft an album that manages to be some combination of memorable, melancholy, and humorous. Poking and prying at the various monotonous actions taken on a day to day basis, along with the various barely there anxieties of modern life is a great way to get me to love whatever piece of art one makes. Stand out songs include "Airbag", "Paranoid Android", and "Karma Police."
5.) Ctrl - an album by SZA
With melodies and samples taken from and inspired by neo-soul and trap music, along with her cashmere-like vocals and extremely personal lyrics, SZA's first LP is like a warm blanket for my ears. The production is so sumptuous, velvety, and all other adjectives for extremely good. Hold on, there are others: it's like chocolate ice cream on a hot day; it's like sheets fresh out the dryer on a cold day; it's like a strong hug from an old friend I haven't seen in years. Needless to say, I loved it. Stand out songs included "Supermodel", "Go Gina", and "Prom."
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