Having explored the worst tracks of the year, it’s now time
for my favourite tunes of 2017. Buckle up and enjoy!
20. 'Power' – Rapsody ft. Kendrick Lamar & Lance
SkIIIWalker
Rapsody and Kendrick make such a good hip hop pairing on this single, complemented by a deliciously groovy beat.
19. 'Not My Fault' – False Advertising
The Manchester rock trio (who happened to release my favourite track of 2016) continue to make rewarding use of catchy
female-fronted vocals and sludgy guitar distortion.
18. 'Bad French' – Teen Dream Woman
Bad French deliver some uniquely hypnotic electropop. I’m in
love with the synths and wobbly percussion.
17. 'Bubble Butt' – Kink
After years of being a notorious live-only band, Kink released their first recorded single this year – a mix of carnivalesque surf rock and cartoonish feminist chants that’s stupidly fun.
16. 'Can You Talk To People Around The World On The Internet?' – Hot Dad
Hot Dad releases this ingeniously comedic synthpop track
centred around technology and the possible uses it may be able to bring us in
the distant future.
15. 'Ghost' – Liana Banks
The husky vocals and minimal instrumentation make for an
intimately sexy combo on this sleek R&b track. Its lyrics about ‘ghosting’
also make it a very current love (or indeed anti-love) song.
14. 'Afraid To Love You' – Native Kings
Liverpool 3-piece rock band deliver this infectious anthem
with an epic chorus and some satisfyingly groovy riffage.
13. 'Feels' – Calvin Harris ft. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry
& Big Sean
My pop guilty-pleasure of the year – it’s star-studded,
funky and catchy even if my mum thinks it’s ‘don’t be afraid to catch fish’.
12. '4:44' - Jay-z
The veteran rapper puts arrogance aside, instead offering a
raw apology over some equally raw soulful production.
11. 'Ruby Lips' – Dollie Demi
Nottingham singer-songwriter Dollie Demi delivers this catchy slice of girl-power-themed pop-rock.
10. 'Lemon' – N.E.R.D ft. Rihanna
This comeback single from N.E.R.D is an absolute banger an energetic
music video featuring some incredible dance choreography. Also, who knew
Rihanna could rap?
9. 'Loverboy' – Lomboy
It’s hard to put a genre label on this glitched-out hypnotic
track. The aesthetic of the video is just as unique. Lomboy appears to be a
collective with members based in Paris and Tokyo.
8.' tonite' – LCD Soundsystem
Set to a pulsing electro beat, ‘tonite’ confronts people’s
obsessions with living for the moment and never going out there and achieving
their dreams. It’s a mighty return to form for the indie electro-rockers.
7. '1st World Problems Solved' – Vulture St. Tape Gang
Aussie group Vulture St. Tape Gang deliver this hilariously
arrogant but utterly feelgood jazzy tune.
6. 'Yeah Right' – Vince Staples ft. Kendrick Lamar
Produced by SOPHIE and Flume, this instrumental is
absolutely monstrous. Vince’s lyrics meanwhile attack the braggadocio of other
rappers. The Kendrick verse is icing on the cake.
5. 'Ain’t Got Time' – Tyler, the Creator
The beat here is one-of-a-kind – it’s like some tango-trap
hybrid. Tyler’s ‘I ain’t got tiiiiime’
hook meanwhile is incredibly infectious. The beat change towards the second
half makes it all the more satisfying.
4. 'Everytime' – Boy Pablo
At first I thought I loved this song just because of the
goofy video, but having continuously returned to it I’ve realised it’s just a
brilliant song. It’s dreamy lo-fi pop-rock that takes you away to a happy
place.
3. 'Mother' – Idles
‘Mother’ is a song with few lyrics but so much meaning. It’s
a tribute to his mother, but more poignantly it’s a song about the oppression
of the working class. His angry vocals make it all the more moving.
2. 'Real Death' – Mount Eerie
‘Death is real/
someone’s there and then they’re not/ and it’s not for singing about/ it’s not
for making into art’. Many songs try to make sense of death. Not this one. Written
days after the death of his wife and played on her instruments, ‘Real Death’
captures raw grief like no other song has. It’s both horrific and beautiful.
1. 'Friend Zone' - Thundercat
Thundercat’s defiant anthem against being friendzoned isn’t particularly
deep or complex – but for whatever reason it’s had me hooked. With its humorous
lyrics and funky synth arpeggios, there’s something so feelgood about it. There
are lots of songs about unrequited love – it’s nice to hear a song about
breaking away.