I am by no means an expert on music: I just love it. Music always knows what to say, how to act and where to be. Because I have spent so much time with music, I feel like I need to talk about it, share my opinions about it, write about it. So here it goes….
The female-male vocals within this duo, along with their folksy/ twang/indie sound bring many textures to their music. Their tracks are done with such grace and poise, that it feels like the music is physically moving, causing it to flood through the listener.
Where to start listening: “Poison & Wine,” “Falling,” “I Had Me a Girl”
I can safely say I’ve never heard another musician who sounds anything even close to James Blake. His ethereal vocals and incredible use of sound – not to mention his frequent collaborations with artists from every genre – produce exquisite albums, each guaranteed to let your mind drift off to the best parts of outer space.
Where to start listening: “Retrograde,” “The Wilhelm Scream,” “I Need a Forest Fire (feat. Bon Iver)”
You’ve got funk, soul and good ol’ rock ‘n roll vibes with Alabama Shakes. But the real star is Brittany Howard’s bad ass vocals – they tell so many stories with each and every lyric. Completely untouchable.
Where to start listening: “Hold On,” “Don’t Wanna Fight,” “This Feeling”
This Irish indie-rocker’s music is all power. Whether it’s with a full backing band, or just him and his guitar, his voice is always the strongest instrument. His music alone allows him to say so much; the listener remains forever moved.
Where to start listening: “Work Song,” “Nina Cried Power (feat. Mavis Staples),” “Movement”
A 3-person band, led by Hannah Reid’s stunning vocals, which carry a heaviness and wisdom far beyond her years. It’s nearly impossible to resist the pull of their music, which means you’re bound to get all wrapped up into it. You’ll thank me later.
Where to start listening: “Hey Now,” “Wasting My Young Years,” “Everyone Else”
I first heard a relatively unheard of Eilish perform on The Late Late Show with James Corden, and she blew me away. She continues to fascinate with her music, as there’s no one out there doing anything like her – from both a sound and vocal perspective. And she just turned 18 (!)
Where to start listening: “Everything I Wanted,” “Ocean Eyes,” “Bad Guy”
There’s a magnitude to their music, an orchestral vibe that goes hand in hand with Florence’s dynamic vocals, dramatic lyrics, and whimsical demeanor. You often feel like you’re floating through their songs, watching them unfold. A truly glorious musical experience.
Where to start listening: “Dog Days Are Over,” “You’ve Got the Love,” “Long & Lost”
It’s pretty hard to categorize Bastille’s music: it’s pop, indie, rock, electronic, but mostly so much fun. Their lyrics make you think, their sound makes you move, but most importantly, their music is infectious – once you start listening, you won’t be able to stop.
Where to start listening: Their first album, Bad Blood (or the extended version, All This Bad Blood.)
Soulful, beautiful, thoughtful music. tClark knows just how to dig right in and get you to feel every emotion possible with his velvety smooth voice, and incredible guitar licks. You’ll be instantly swept away.
Where to start listening: “Things Are Changin’,” “The Life,” “You Saved Me”
I am always in awe of everything these guys do. It’s perfect music, lyrically, musically and emotionally. You feel everything all over, in your bones, and just when they’ve broken you to pieces, they bring you back to life. Their music simultaneously hurts so bad, and makes you dance. Truly sensational
Where to start listening: All 3 of their albums – The xx, Coexist and I See You – in their entirety.
I need to see her music live. I don’t know of any other chart topper that puts that much physical effort into their show (based on what I’ve heard,) and it’s sure to make me have a better appreciation for her music. So win-win for me.
Seeing BSB live will channel the inner closeted boy band fan girl inside of me, and set her free. (In case you were wondering: Brian is still my fave.)
When I first heard “Someone Like You,” I hadn’t had such a visceral reaction to a song in a very very long time. Adele knows how to express the deepest, darkest of emotions, with a perfect voice, which glorifies the pain and the sadness. Her music must to be experienced live (it’s just impossible to actually get tickets to her show.)
I do my very best to be a well-rounded music fan, dabbling in as many genres as I can, to gain a more whole understanding of music. The Dixie Chicks were my gateway into country music, which is why I so badly want to see them live. Their music is beautiful, meaningful, and everything that makes them country, is what makes them so damn great.
I love Radiohead. My favourite way to listen to them is alone with headphones on, so I can drown out the world around me. I always hesitate to see them live when they come to town, because I don’t want that effect to get ruined when they play to thousands. Having said that, if I never get to see them live, I’ll never get over it. I missed them this year, here’s hoping they decide to come back.
It’s pretty certain most us would like to put 2017 behind us, and move forward to the (hopefully) better and brighter 2018. Musically speaking, 2017 was a decent year, so let’s celebrate all it had to offer (Note: once again, these are solely my opinions, and as usual I didn’t listen to every single record that was released this year.)
I’ll be honest: I didn’t fully get the “hype” behind Lamar until this album came out. It wins because Lamar’s lyrics are smart, honest, and he’s actually saying something. Plus, the album as a whole is a solid mix of rhymes, dope beats, and a whole lotta love.
Guiltiest Pleasure: “There’s Nothin’ Holding Me Back” by Shawn Mendes
He’s so plain and vanilla; boring and unoriginal. Yet this songs makes me dance, and I just can’t help it.
Coldplay has been dead to me for some time now. The minute they shed everything that made them them, I cut the cord. The Chainsmokers were never on my good list, because there’s nothing good about them. This is a musical abomination on so many levels.
David’s smooth vocals against Bastille’s rock operatic ones; David’s R&B sound, with Bastille’s rock-electronic vibe. Mash it all together and what you get is beautiful music. Not to mention: Craig David is back!
At first glance, Post Malone leaves nothing to be desired. That should teach me to judge a book by its cover. Although he screams drug addict trailer trash, with nasty grills and hair that hasn’t been washed in months, his music is actually pretty good (I can’t believe I just admitted that.)
Most Disappointing Track: “Walk on Water” by Eminem feat. Beyoncé
This wins this category because in spite of its huge potential, it falls flat. The content of Em’s flow is pretty good, but his delivery is lazy, slurry and sounds a little too much like Macklemore (sorry Em!) Bey’s chorus makes the track listenable, but otherwise, it’s a bit of a snoozefest (I can’t believe I just admitted that.)
Best Indie Track: “Nobody Else Will be There” by The National
It’s moody, dark, and puts your stomach in knots. Everything a National song is supposed to be.
One of the best tracks off Miguel’s release War & Leisure, it shows off his velvety vocals, a sick beat, and also appeared on HBO’s smash hit Insecure.
Delicate vocals full of vulnerability and soul, Australia’s Shark is a singer-songwriter who has managed to dominate radio waves, in spite of the fact she’s only ever released a 6-track EP. Look out for her in 2018.
This track wins mostly because the sound is just more to my liking. A little more rock ‘n roll, a little edgier. Niall’s offering was too cheesy boy band pop; Zayn’s was too over the top and all over the place.
Worst Track from an Ex-Member of One Direction: “Strip That Down” by Liam Payne feat. Quavo
Payne just isn’t vocally strong enough to be a solo act. Everything about this screams someone who’s a little too keen on changing his image. Newsflash, Liam: it’s not working.
Question: what’s better than watching a stiletto-wearing Charlize Theron kick ass to the sound of new wave/rock/pop/punk 80s music? Answer: nothing.
Best Canadian Album: Everything Now by Arcade Fire
I will agree that Arcade Fire is definitely an acquired taste. But once you get into them, there’s something unique about the way they make music and put it all together, that sets them apart. This wasn’t their best album, but a solid one nonetheless.
It’s been 7 years since N.E.R.D. released an album, and 16 years (!) since their anthem “Rock Star” was released. This year’s No One Ever Really Dies is such a force, both musically and lyrically; there’s nothing out there that sounds anything like it. Bravo.
Technically ToaD put out an album in 2014, but let’s be honest – it’s been at least 12 years since they released anything anyone heard, and, frankly, it should’ve stayed that way. They are, and have always been a poor man’s Nickelback.
Look, I know it’s easy to come down hard on Sheeran, but it’s just as hard not to. His music is formulaic, his vocals aren’t anything special, and he’s a ginger. Somehow, he’s heralded as the best of the best, and his smugness exacerbates with each accolade. I will never understand his appeal.
The key to a good cover song is to maintain the integrity of the song, while putting your own spin on it. London Grammar has done exactly this with The Verve’s 1997 classic. Grammar stripped it down, and made it more haunting. As far as covers go, it’s perfection. Not to mention, lead singer Hannah Reid kills it on vocals.
Worst Cover Song: “You Get What You Give” by Felix Cartal
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – if you’re going to cover a song, make sure it’s a song that’s worth covering. The New Radicals’ original from 1998, wasn’t a good song. It was mediocre at best. Then completely changing the sound from pop/rock to techno is an even worse decision.
I’ve been to my fair share of concerts, and I can say without a doubt, The xx came out on top this year. Their music builds up so subtly, until it takes over and pulls at every emotion inside your body. The only option you have left is to dance off the emotional wreck you have become – it’s the best way to heal.
Swift needs to take a chill pill. Her attempt at shedding her “good girl” image is so predictable, and so not working. No one believes her to be this villainous vixen (except maybe her millions of fans.) She tried to throw shade at the Kardashian-Wests, her music gets worse and worse with every album, and she needs to stop with the red lipstick.
Album of the Year: I See You by The xx
This album has the ability to make you feel things you never thought you could feel; it’ll make you hear things in ways you never thought possible; it’ll break your heart, sweep you off your feet; it’ll understand you like your best friend, and hurt you like your past love. All while making it impossible to resist dancing like no one’s watching.
The first time I heard this song, it permeated through my skin, invaded my soul and sunk my heart; time actually stopped. The story it tells is one that resonates with us all, and its honesty is so real, it hurts. In a good way.
Me vs. the Music 