The 11 best albums of 2017 (so far)
Yes, it’s already June, which means it’s time for AP’s annual mid-year report. Last week, we brought you the 12 best songs of 2017 (so far). Today, we’re breaking down the 11 best albums of the year thus far. Check them out below, and see the fan-voted five best albums of 2017 (so far) here!
'68 – Two Parts Viper
One part wiseguy, one part powerful drummer, 100 percent rock ’n’ effin’ roll. The team of Josh Scogin and Michael McClelland are schooling all the scenes via stentorian riffage, wild-ass noise, throat-shearing hollerin’ and arbitrary weirdness. Love them or hate them, just get off the damned fence, people! — Jason Pettigrew
AFI – AFI (The Blood Album)
AFI are 10 (yes, 10!) albums in and their latest release is very appropriately self-titled. AFI (The Blood Album) cohesively encompasses all of the things we have come to love about the band through the years. With enough grit to please fans of their hardcore era, polished New Wave elements and rock sensibilities, this album can’t be neatly summarized into any one genre. But that’s exactly why a quarter of a century into their career, AFI are still at the top of dark rock. — Rabab Al-Sharif
All Time Low – Last Young Renegade
All Time Low have never really been an out-and-out pop-punk band, and on Last Young Renegade, they’ve finally fully realised their goal of becoming alt-pop icons. Alex, Jack, Zack and Rian have so much experience under their belts now, and it shows in both the quality of their songwriting, and the care that’s gone into the musical world-building they’ve done on this album. From the bangeriffic pop-rock of the title-track to the accomplished Tegan & Sara collaboration that is “Ground Control,” this is an album of seriously high quality. — Jake Richardson
Blackbear – digital druglord
Blackbear is one of the hardest working artists in recent memory. His latest full length, digital druglord, dropped on the exact same day as his side-project's full length, Mansionz. What proves Blackbear's work ethic even further is the sonic separation digital druglord exhibits from his previous works. His latest LP dives deeper into R&B roots all while still maintaining his sweeping vocal runs and high-energy trap beats. digital druglord is the R&B record of the year, and we're only six months into 2017. — Anthony Lauletta
Code Orange – FOREVER
Code Orange stormed 2017 with an industrial hardcore record that broke boundaries. Highly inventive, jarring and belligerent as well as reflective, FOREVER is going to stick in the revered hardcore cannon for sure. This band and their 2017 record are as ruthless and unfiltered as it gets. — Taylor Markarian
Creeper – Eternity In Your Arms
Eternity, In Your Arms, the debut full-length from Creeper was received with well-documented. Its effect that's not so easy to research is the culture this cinematic punk concept album created. Only one release in, Creeper's fans are meme-ing and recreating and worshipping this music, and it's looking like the band are soon to take over the world. If you've been sleeping on it, listen to this over-the-top album that flounces between speedy hardcore punk, alt-country and Bowie-inspired anthems to say you knew them when. — Cassie Whitt
Hundredth – RARE
Hundredth take a chance and flip the script on their fourth album, a near-complete reinvention of the band's melodic hardcore meal ticket. The sonic power remains but the atmosphere is now shoegaze-Southern Gothic, the howling cries replaced with cavernous murmurs, the tinted aggression supplanted with gleaming streaks of ether. — Philip Trapp
Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
DAMN. is one of the best examples of storytelling in music, period. The album is a perfectly constructed vehicle to be listened front to back on an extremely informational and emotional journey. The amount of soul and power in his songs (“DNA.,” “LOYALTY.,” “HUMBLE.,” and “LOVE.,” to name a few of our favorites) is unmatched. Do yourself a favor and allow yourself to get lost in Kendrick’s third iconic album. — Amber Funk
The Maine – Lovely Little Lonely
Lovely Little Lonely is more than just an album—it’s an experience. Ten years and six records in, the Maine have found a blend of indie and pop rock in a style that’s clearly influenced by their predecessors (that’s you, Third Eye Blind), yet molded together in a style all their own. Drawing on poetic lyricism and atmospheric instrumentals, Lovely Little Lonely is truly the best of everything we love about this band called the Maine. Set aside time to listen to this record from front to back and take in every emotion and lyric as it comes—I promise, you won’t be disappointed. — Maggie Dickman
Paramore – After Laughter
Misery will forever be a part of the business, but you can still dance to despondence. It's the “might as well try” bright side to the bullshit, the one After Laughter proposes with a cover presumably peeled from a Designer Series Trapper Keeper. “Oh please; I bet everybody here is fake happy, too.” — Brian Leak
Portugal. The Man – Woodstock
Portugal. The Man have returned. After waiting four years, fans waited with bated breath for Woodstock, PTG’s ninth album, wondering: Will this be as good as Evil Friends? Will all the songs sound similar to “Feel It Still”? What the hell are we about to get ourselves into? And the end result? It’s even better than Evil Friends. With a much heavier dose of pop, Woodstock is a perfect concoction of catchy choruses, beats and grooves that’ll keep you bouncing in your seat and lyrics focused nearly entirely on social commentary, political statements and, yes, an encounter with Harry Styles (in “Rich Friends”). This is not only a superb road trip album, but can you imagine dancing along to this album at one of their live shows? — Kristine Cannon
Be sure to check back on AP to see what you voted as the best songs of 2017 so far.
