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Our staff picks the 28 best songs of 2017

Our list being 28 songs long should hint at one thing: A lot of good music was released in 2017. This definitely shows on the fact that our staff's choices include a Brand New song and, believe it or not, more than one b-side. From tracks that made us cry and lyrics that made us want to sing along to songs that got stuck in our heads for days, here are the best songs of 2017, according to the AP staff.

Read more: The 22 best music videos of 2017, chosen by the AP staff

Phoebe Bridgers – “Motion Sickness”

“Surrender to the sound.” You can't help it when absorbing the story of a relationship gone awry in Bridgers' pop-tinged indie heart-breaker, “Motion Sickness.” It's specific to her experience but wholly relatable—almost painfully so. If you've ever felt the powerful tide of love, this one's for you. —Brian Leak

Enter Shikari – “Rabble Rouser”

“Rabble Rouser” by Enter Shikari is a musical mish-mosh that works in the best way to create not only a sonically diverse and interesting listen, but a feeling. The band do a fantastic job of echoing the chorus' lyrical sentiments with the sound that backs them. “Warning, this escalates quickly/Are you getting nervous?” Well, considering eight seconds in, vocalist Rou Reynolds warns “I torture rock stars with pliers” over ominous jungle beats that echo a gloriously unsettling guitar riff, yes. Yes, I am getting nervous. From there, the danger-hinting music only, you guessed it, escalates quickly. —Cassie Whitt

Sorority Noise – “No Halo”

Sorority Noise’s 2017 record You’re Not As ____ As You Think is undeniably one of the year’s most heartrending releases. Drenched in brutal honesty on love and loss, the opening track of the record is one of the most poignant on the release—and might just be one of SoNo’s best tracks to date. Not to mention, the song’s Kyle Thrash-directed music video is a true masterpiece. Maggie Dickman

Lights – “Savage”

Taken from LightsSkin&Earth, there is no denying that “Savage” is a straight-up jam—plain and simple. The badass anthem is part of a bigger story (literally) as the vocalist’s album coincides with a comic series of the same name that she wrote and illustrated. Plus, bonus points for Josh Dun’s sick drum contribution. Rachel Campbell

Machine Gun Kelly ft. Quavo, Ty Dolla $ign – “Trap Paris”

Young Gunner collaborated with fellow rappers Quavo and Ty Dollar $ign on this boisterous track from his latest record, Bloom. Opening with a traditional French accordion, “Trap Paris” has more bounce than a hydraulic lowrider and was a floor-filler as soon as it was unleashed just in time for the summer. Chelsea Smile

The Homeless Gospel Choir – “Normal”

“You’re never gonna be normal cause you’re a punk!” Try to get this life-affirming chorus out of your headbet you can’t manage it. “Normal” is the cornerstone of the Homeless Gospel Choir’s stunning new album. This guy is going to do big things. Jake Richardson

In This Moment – “Oh Lord”

In This Moment keep raising the bar and pushing the limits in all directions. “Oh Lord” is an emotionally powerful ballad accompanied by an enthralling music video. Stevie James

A Will Away – “Here Again”

The title track off A Will Away’s Here Again proves to be one of the most driving and feel-good songs off the record. This band is not slowing down anytime soon. Tyler McFadden

Neck Deep – “In Bloom”

With heartfelt lyrics and a catchy chorus you can't help but belt from the top of your lungs, Neck Deep created the go-to pop-punk anthem of the year that paved the way for the rest of The Peace And The Panic. Whitney Paxton

Waterparks – “Blonde”

If you haven’t had Waterparks’ track “Blonde” stuck in your head at least once this week, then you’re doing something seriously wrong. The debut single from their forthcoming sophomore album Entertainment reflects the group’s evident musical development and can only be classified as one thing: a total bop. —Paige Owens

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Grayscale – “Forever Yours”

Take all the feels of a Mayday Parade or Dashboard Confessional song and combine it with the breath of fresh air Grayscale bring to pop punk to get a perfectly blended, cry your eyes out song you can't help but put on repeat. Whitney Paxton

Code Orange – “Bleeding In The Blur”

On Code Orange's latest record, Forever, the band proved they weren't a one-trick pony, boasting a variety of styles jam-packed in one record. “Bleeding In The Blur” is the catchiest and most melodic track on the record. Stevie James

Creeper – “Misery”

Though this song previously debuted on Creeper's 2016 The Stranger EP, its reworking for their full-length, Eternity, In Your Arms, is where “Misery,” a slow, brooding song painfully reflective of its title, started to squeeze the hearts of a wider audience. If you saw the band live on Warped Tour, you surely noticed that “Misery” was the sing-along moment of their set. Anyone who has felt heartache will find it hard not to sing along with forlorn vocalist Will Gould. “Misery never goes out of style” is the apt slogan our generation has been missing. —Cassie Whitt

State Champs – “Slow Burn”

State Champs prove they're not going anywhere anytime soon with the release of this pop-punk pleasure. Written in collaboration with All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth, these memorable lyrics are the type to stick around for many years to come. Whitney Paxton

Dangerkids – “Inside Out”

Picking the best song off Dangerkid's new record, blacklist_, is a difficult task, but the chorus of “Inside Out” is the most infectious of them all. Of course, rap and metalcore make an appearance on the track just as on other songs throughout the record, but there is no better representation of the band's pure rock songwriting than this. Taylor Markarian

Paramore – “Fake Happy”

“Fake Happy” defines Paramore’s After Laughter. The band are poppier than ever, but Hayley Williams apparently has never been as sad. At first, the song sounds pretty upbeat; then, the lyrics hit you…hard. Feel free to dance around to it, but be aware you might end up going out with mascara tears. Natasha Heinz

Bad Suns – “This Was A Home Once”

Bad Suns debuted their standalone track “This Was A Home Once” before hitting the road for their Love Like Revenge tour in support of 2016’s Disappear Here. The song fits the band’s electro-laden, indie rock sound, taking a bittersweet and nostalgic look at what used to be a beautiful home that has fallen to pieces. It’s a meaningful track that advances the band’s lyrical depth—and we only hope this could mean a new full-length will be coming our way soon. Maggie Dickman

All Time Low – “Good Times”

How poignant is this nostalgic ballad? So much so that many ATL fans believed it was the band foretelling their breakup via song. But fear not: Instead, Alex Gaskarth paints vivid vignettes of being young and in love—and being brave enough to leave behind safety in search of the unknown. (It’s also going to make one hell of a graduation song for some class next spring.) —Evan Lucy

Volumes – “Feels Good”

Typically defined by intricate rhythms and complex guitar work, Volumes switched up the formula to create a simple yet enduringly catchy chorus in “Feels Good.” Stevie James

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