2017 Year-End Roundup

Alright, so the big album-related lists from 2017 are out of the way (Best Albums & “Worst” Albums), so let’s jump into some more year-end lists! Let’s start with best songs. We’re gonna blow through the majority of these and then talk about the list-toppers a bit more in detail. Keep in mind this is all my personal opinion and you’re free to disagree! Let me know your favorite songs of 2017 down in the comments below.

Best Songs of 2017

  1. “All the Land Glimmered” by Julie Byrne
  2. “No Halo” by Sorority Noise
  3. “Main Attraction” by Sincerely, Me
  4. “Hiccups” by WATERS
  5. “Get By” by Real Friends
  6. “All” by Joseph
  7. “Better Off” by 7 Minutes in Heaven
  8. “Cannot Do This Alone” by Colony House
  9. “New York” by LEDGES
  10. “Take What You Want (feat. 5 Seconds of Summer)” by ONE OK ROCK
  11. “Feel Good” by Neon Trees
  12. “Apartment” by Seaway
  13. “The Last of the Real Ones” by Fall Out Boy
  14. “Paradise” by Broadside
  15. “Okay” by As It Is
  16. “Certainty” by Seasonal
  17. “What’s Wrong” by PVRIS
  18. “Sold” by Heavy Things
  19. “Caroline” by A Will Away
  20. “Everything You Want Me to Be” by Coldfront
  21. “Young for the Summer” by DALES
  22. “Celebrate the Reckless” by Magic Giant
  23. “The Fog” by LAYNE
  24. “Kids” by The Gospel Youth
  25. “Feelings” by Hayley Kiyoko
  26. “Don’t Take the Money” by Bleachers
  27. “Last Young Renegade” by All Time Low
  28. “The Breakup” by LANY
  29. “Slow Burn” by State Champs
  30. “Lookers” by The Menzingers
  31. “Fire” by The Dangerous Summer
  32. “In the Middle of It All” by Citizen
  33. “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles
  34. “Tiger Teeth” by Walk the Moon
  35. “Daylily” by Movements
  36. “Hiding With Boys” by Creeper
  37. “Liability” by Lorde
  38. “Beautiful Things” by Grayscale
  39. “Black Butterflies & Déjà Vu” by The Maine
  40. “Fake Happy” by Paramore

That’s it! My top choice is “Fake Happy” by Paramore because I found myself constantly coming back to this song and loving it more and more every time. The lyrics are amazingly well-written and give such an awesome commentary, and the melodies in this song are absolutely stellar. “Black Butterflies & Déjà Vu” is my second pick because this song is so emotionally-charged and “gives me all the feels,” if you will. The instrumental is fantastic and the guitar melody is always stuck in my head on repeat. “Beautiful Things” by Grayscale is next on the list due to its heartfelt lyrics and spectacular vocal performance, along with that catchy hook! “Liability” by Lorde is a song that I can personally relate to and is such a moving piano ballad, which is quite out-of-the-ordinary for Lorde. “Hiding With Boys” is an epic rock tune outlined by smoky nostalgia and heart-rending lyrics that makes me feel some type of way. “Daylily” by Movements also makes me … feel something … and is such a poignant song between its raspy, impassioned vocals and raw instrumentals. I’ve been waiting for a studio version of “Tiger Teeth” by Walk the Moon for AGES and we finally got it! It definitely lives up to and even surpasses the live recordings of this atmospheric, emotional tune. “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles isn’t what most fans expected from him, but my God, this monumental power ballad the best thing we could’ve ever dreamed of getting from this former boy band member. All of my top picks have something in common: they all made me feel. I don’t mean to get sappy, but that’s why I love music, it makes me feel things.

Best EPs of 2017

  1. Fade by Cold Climb It
  2. Likes Me Like That by Over Atlantic
  3. Aesthetically Pleasing by Sincerely, Me
  4. Do You Feel the Same Way Now? by Forbidden Envy
  5. Best When In Motion by Life Lessons
  6. Bloom by Seasonal
  7. Symmetry by 7 Minutes in Heaven
  8. Hard by The Neighbourhood
  9. Without You by pineview
  10. Wednesday by LAYNE

Click the links to read what we have to say about these EPs!

Best Debut Albums of 2017

  1. Totem by Welman
  2. AM/PM by The White Noise
  3. Lovely Domestic Bliss by Guide Dog
  4. Prosper by Gold Route
  5. Love Jail by Julia Louise
  6. Tasha Sits Close to the Piano by Jaws of Love.
  7. Homecoming by LEDGES
  8. Busybody Lazybones by Woolbright
  9. Landmark by Hippo Campus
  10. Red, Green, or Inbetween by WSTR
  11. Fail You Again by Can’t Swim
  12. Float Around by Coldfront
  13. Overexposed by Sleep On It
  14. Coast Modern by Coast Modern
  15. Always Lose by The Gospel Youth
  16. The Heights by Knox Hamilton
  17. Dreamcar by Dreamcar
  18. Cigarettes After Sex by Cigarettes After Sex
  19. Greatest Hits by Remo Drive
  20. Here Again by A Will Away
  21. In the Wind by Magic Giant
  22. Eternity, In Your Arms by Creeper
  23. LANY by LANY
  24. Feel Something by Movements
  25. Harry Styles by Harry Styles

Click the links to read what we have to say about each of these albums!

Most Underrated/Overlooked Albums of 2017

  1. Apprise. Assemble. Arise. by Concealed in Clouds
  2. Enjoy the Great Outdoors by Spencer Radcliffe & Everyone Else
  3. Odyssey by The Accidentals
  4. Swear I’m Good At This by Diet Cig
  5. Fever Dream by Everything Everything
  6. Sincerely by Dude York
  7. Telephone by Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas
  8. Waiting on the Sun by Jule Vera
  9. Bear Your Mind by Free Throw
  10. come out, you’re hiding by flor
  11. Connect the Dots by MisterWives
  12. Make the Best of It by Have Mercy
  13. For Posterity by Dryjacket
  14. Overexposed by Sleep On It (ironic title)
  15. Vultures by Dead Leaves
  16. Orc by Oh Sees
  17. Chew by Muskets
  18. Hurts So Good by The Polarity
  19. The Same View With a New Light by WATERMEDOWN
  20. Easy by The Weeks
  21. Homecoming by LEDGES
  22. The Love You Let Too Close by Thousand Below
  23. The Good Life by Makeout
  24. Stranger in the Alps by Phoebe Bridgers
  25. Tasha Sits Close to the Piano by Jaws of Love.
  26. Waiting for Morning to Come by Being As An Ocean
  27. Totem by Welman
  28. Not Even Happiness by Julie Byrne
  29. Always Hope by Forever Starts Today
  30. Float Around by Coldfront
  31. Camp Cope by Camp Cope
  32. Busybody Lazybones by Woolbright
  33. Metaphysical by The Technicolors
  34. Landmark by Hippo Campus
  35. Content by Joywave
  36. The Heights by Knox Hamilton
  37. Goner by Heavy Things
  38. Dreamcar by Dreamcar
  39. Volcano by Temples
  40. In the Wind by Magic Giant
  41. Awkward Phase by Eternal Boy
  42. Coast Modern by Coast Modern
  43. Here Again by A Will Away
  44. Back to Beautiful by Picturesque
  45. Diverge by Hawking
  46. Something More! by WATERS
  47. All These Countless Nights by Deaf Havana
  48. Synesthesia by Courage My Love
  49. Origami by Vinyl Theatre
  50. After the Party by The Menzingers

Click the links to read what we have to say about each of these albums!

Those are all the lists we have for 2017! Let us know your thoughts down in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

October 2017 Alt Col Picks

A lot of great albums were released in October, so here are our favorite records of the month! (In no particular order.) Want a Spotify playlist? Click here!

  • Citizen – As You Please

Emo revivalists Citizen recrudesce with their third full-length out on Run For Cover Records titled As You Please. As You Please is nothing short of expressive and cultivated through heartfelt lyrics, enticing vocal delivery, and poignant melodies, demanding you to listen again and again to catch every detail. Standout tracks include “Jet,” “Fever Days,” and “In the Middle of It All.” As You Please will appeal to fans of Sorority Noise, The Wonder Years, and Turnover. Click here to listen.

  • Julien Baker – Turn Out the Lights

Emotional libretto and morose melodies define Julien Baker’s sophomore studio effort named Turn Out the Lights, displaying the solo performer exploring new instrumental territories within a more piano-driven realm. This haunting collection is eerie, emotive, and undoubtedly memorable. Standout tracks include “Appointments,” “Everything That Helps You Sleep,” and “Hurt Less.” Turn Out the Lights is sure to attract followers of Casey Bolles, Birdy, and Gordi. Click here to listen.

  • Knuckle Puck – Shapeshifter

Knuckle Puck returns with their pop punk sensibility and a desire to explore on their new record Shapeshifter. Fine-tuned production and stellar musicianship causes this LP to be instantly replayable, bound to suck you back in over and over between its head-bobbing choruses and intriguing lyrics. Standout tracks include “Gone,” “Conduit,” and “Double Helix.” Shapeshifter will capture listeners of Like Pacific, Homesafe, and The Story So Far. Click here to listen.

  • Movements – Feel Something

Movements’ debut album Feel Something will certainly make you feel something. This long-player hurts in the best way possible. As the artwork implies, Feel Something is haunting, dark, and raw, destined to keep your head spinning for hours to come when the closer ends. Standout tracks include “Colorblind,” “The Grey,” “Under the Gun,” and “Daylily.” Feel Something is sure to satisfy followers of Seahaven, Turnover, and Citizen. Click here to listen.

  • Wolf Parade – Cry Cry Cry

Cry Cry Cry, the fourth full-length album from indie rockers Wolf Parade, serves up some delectable tunes characterized by raucous distortion and gleaming synths, supporting the interesting melodies and effortlessly impressive vocal performances. Standout tracks include “Valley Boy,” “You’re Dreaming,” and “King of Piss and Paper.” Cry Cry Cry is sure to interest fans of Spoon, Islands, and Divine Fits. Click here to listen.

  • Coldfront – Float Around

After signing to Equal Vision Records in 2016, Coldfront issues their debut full-length titled Float Around, an energetic pop punk listen that is bound to turn heads in the scene. The opening half busts down the door and shakes you by the shoulders as the album fluctuates cohesively from more aggressive moments to calmer serenades. Standout tracks include “Everything You Want Me to Be,” “So Typical,” “Float Around,” and “Natalie.” Float Around will appeal to listeners of Neck Deep, State Champs, and Grayscale. Click here to listen.

  • The Front Bottoms – Going Grey

Going Grey marks a change of pace for The Front Bottoms, signifying a tonal shift to a more colorful array of electronic tinges throughout their indie pop rock blend. Still retaining their organic instrumentation, The Front Bottoms crafts a savory kaleidoscope of sounds begging for repeated listens. Standout tracks include “Vacation Town,” “Peace Sign,” and “You Used to Say (Holy F**k).” Going Grey is bound to attract listeners of The Mowgli’s, Slow Bullet, and Magic Giant. Click here to listen.

  • ROAM – Great Heights & Nosedives

Just one year following their debut album, Hopeless Records signees ROAM make a splash with their sophomore long-player release titled Great Heights & Nosedives, outlined by soaring vocal performances, upbeat percussion, and saccharine guitar work. Standout tracks include “Playing Fiction,” “Alive,” “Flatline,” and “The Rich Life of a Poor Man.” Great Heights & Nosedives will capture fans of WSTR, Neck Deep, and State Champs. Click here to listen.


MORE GREAT ALBUMS
  • Julia Louise – Love Jail

Standout tracks include “Brat,” “Philly Heartbreak Song,” and “Left Handed.”  Love Jail is for fans of Mitski, Slow Bullet, and Julien Baker. Click here to listen.

  • Cheem – Downhill

Standout tracks include “Kate,” “Game Boy Color,” and “Monster Gorp.” Downhill is for fans of Glass Towers, Guide Dog, and Remo Drive. Click here to listen.

  • Beck – Colors

Standout tracks include “Dear Life,” “Up All Night,” and “Colors.”  Colors is for fans of Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Weezer, and Smallpools. Click here to listen.

  • Stick to Your Guns – True View

Standout tracks include “Married to the Noise,” “The Sun, the Moon, the Truth: ‘Penance of Self’,” and “Cave Canem.” True View is for fans of Stray from the Path, Trapped Under Ice, and Counterparts. Click here to listen.

  • New Politics – Lost in Translation

Standout tracks include “One of Us,” “Lifeboat,” and “Tell Your Dad (feat. Rivers Cuomo).” Lost in Translation is for fans of The Griswolds, Finish Ticket, and Vinyl Theatre. Click here to listen.

  • The Used – The Canyon

Standout tracks include “Over and Over Again,” “Selfies in Aleppo,” and “Rise Up Lights.” The Canyon is for fans of Taking Back Sunday, Bayside, and Anberlin. Click here to listen.

  • Hotel Books – Equivalency

Standout tracks include “Celebration,” “I Knew Better, but Did Nothing,” and “I’m Almost Happy Here.” Equivalency is for fans of Casey Bolles, Kyle Fasel, and Levi the Poet. Click here to listen.

  • Weezer – Pacific Daydream

Standout tracks include “Mexican Fender,” “Sweet Mary,” and “La Mancha Screwjob.” Pacific Daydream is for fans of Best Coast, Big Data, and The Mowgli’s. Click here to listen.

  • Muskets – Chew

Standout tracks include “Truck,” “Chewing Gum,” and “17 Years.” Chew is for fans of Modern Baseball, Moose Blood, and Brand New. Click here to listen.

  • The Polarity – Hurts So Good

Standout tracks include “// No Different Than You //,” “// Cigarette Burns //,” and “// Runaway //.”  Hurts So Good is for fans of Vinyl Theatre, Catfish and the Bottlemen, and Knox Hamilton. Click here to listen.

  • World War Me – World War Me

Standout tracks include “War Zone,” “Break a Leg, Kid,” and “Mr. Misery.”  World War Me is for fans of ROAM, Seaway, and WSTR. Click here to listen.

  • We Came As Romans – Cold Like War

Standout tracks include “Cold Like War,” “Lost in the Moment,” and “Wasted Age.”  Cold Like War is for fans of Our Last Night, A Skylit Drive, and Crown the Empire. Click here to listen.

  • Wild Ones – Mirror Touch

Standout tracks include “No Money,” “Invite Me In,” and “They’re Not Me.” Mirror Touch is for fans of Broods, Oh Wonder, and HONNE. Click here to listen.

  • Thousand Below – The Love You Let Too Close

Standout tracks include “No Place Like You,” “Sleepless,” and “Sinking Me.” The Love You Let Too Close is for fans of Counterparts, Stick to Your Guns, and Too Close to Touch. Click here to listen.

 


Extended Plays
  • Oh, Weatherly – Make You Bright

Standout tracks include “Make You Bright,” “Six Feet,” and “Say You’re My Friend.” Make You Bright is for fans of Every Avenue, The All-American Rejects, and With Confidence. Click here to listen.

  • The Band Royale – Delusions of Grandeur

Standout tracks include “Dying in California” and “Who’s Got It Better.” Delusions of Grandeur is for fans of, um, Foo Fighters, Wolfmother, and Glass Towers. Click here to listen.

  • Heavy Hearts – On a Chain

Standout tracks include “Easy Mark,” “Unravel (Your Love),” and “Headroom.” On a Chain is for fans of Citizen, Movements, and Balance and Composure. Click here to listen.

  • Kill the Ideal – Kill the Ideal

Standout tracks include “Dangerous!,” “Know Your Name,” and “Crazy.” Kill the Ideal is for fans of Nothing More, Nothing But Thieves, and Our Walking Hour. Click here to listen.

  • COPE – Tooth & Nail

Standout tracks include “The Great Divide,” “Tooth & Nail,” and “Stray Bullets.” Tooth & Nail is for fans of Expire, Trapped Under Ice, and Stick to Your Guns. Click here to listen.

  • New Chums – See It for Myself

Standout tracks include “Come On, Come On,” “Cave In,” and “Disposable Music.” See It for Myself is for fans of Beach Weather, LEDGES, and Bad Suns. Click here to listen.

  • LIMBS – SLEEP

Standout tracks include “POISON,” “SLEEP,” and “BONES.” SLEEP is for fans of Thousand Below, The News Can Wait, and Hail the Sun. Click here to listen.

  • Hold Close – I’ll Never Go Back

Standout tracks include “Autumn,” “Bloom,” and “Blue Dream.” I’ll Never Go Back is for fans of Coldfront, Seaway, and Homesafe. Click here to listen.

  • Brian Clifford Dowling – Learning to Laugh Again

Standout tracks include “Eternal Defeatist,” “Learning to Laugh Again,” and “Show Your Cards.” Learning to Laugh Again is for fans of Dave Hause, Front Porch Step (ugh), and Casey Bolles. Click here to listen.

  • Shine Bright – More Wild Than the Wind

Standout tracks include “Remorse,” “More Wild Than the Wind,” and “Grow Up.” More Wild Than the Wind is for fans of Like Ghosts, What We Lost, and Counterparts. Click here to listen.


Let us know what you think of October’s releases down in the comments below!