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7 Artists & 7 Songs of 2017

My favorite hits of this year, that could become yours in the next.

By Berlin BrooklynPublished 6 years ago 5 min read
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PSA: This article is strictly based on my opinion and experience of 2017. Some of these artists may not be NEW to the scene, but they are to me. They have all release SOMETHING new in 2017.

2017 has been a wild year, in a way that makes all the other years before it seem sane. One thing I loved about this year is that I finally took the bait and got Spotify premium (I couldn’t take the ads! They were madness). Needless to say, to get the best out of my money, I listened to music twice as much as I usually do. Here are some of new finds this year for me and a few oldie-but-goodies.

~Zayn~

He has the voice of an angel. I was not a huge fan of 'Dusk till Dawn' which dropped this year in September, but it did get me to give Zayn’s debut solo album 'Mind of Mine''' another try. I am so glad I did. He has such a different sound than One Direction which I was never a real fan of. He has amazing vocal range. It is rare for me to like every song on an album, but I did. His voice and lyrics seem to come from a raw place inside of him which I love. He really has come into his R&B sound, and it fits him well. Between his iconic looks and his angelic notes it was hard for me not to play every song on my commute.

Listen to my favorite: dRuNk

~James Vincent McMorrow~

I have fallen in love with James’ sound ever since I heard “We Don’t Eat” while binging The Vampire Diaries. Then I heard “Wicked Games” while on another binging with Gossip Girl. He has a folk-alternative-indie vibe which I wasn’t really into until I heard him, but what I love is he constantly changes his sound while keeping his signature fireside voice. Then I finally listened to 'Post Tropical' (my favorite album of his to date), and was blown away. His new album this year, 'True Care,' was just as good as he experimented with new sounds, and once again displayed his phenomenal storytelling. If you’re looking for something to listen to while drive through the countryside, give James a chance.

Listen to My Favorite: Cavalier

~Lana Del Rey~

She is the queen of alternative pop in my opinion. Her new album 'Lust for Life' dropped this year in July, and it was different that what she usually puts out. Personally, I applaud her for trying to put out a different feeling and message than in her past few albums. Songs such as “Coachella-Woodstock In My Mind” and “God Bless America” discussed political problems in the world, and tried to make her listeners think about the world they live in on a bigger scale. This is drastically different than her debut Born to Die. Overall, Lana kept it classic with her siren voice whilst giving a bit of food for thought. She had wonderfully productive collaborations with The Weeknd, ASAP Rocky, Playboi Carti, and a few other classics to make this album one for the 2017 record books.

Listen to My Favorite: Cherry

~G-Eazy~

Hear me out. I really liked These Things Happen back in 2014, but since then Gerald has really dropped off my radar besides the occasional top 40’s hit. I have to say, “No Limit” was a bop that wouldn’t stop! It is well composed and the three artists (Cardi B, A.S.A.P Rocky, and G-Eazy) melded really well and made the best rap collab for the second half of the year, in my opinion. His new album 'The Beautiful & Damned' was really well done, not to mention artfully written. It sounded like magic, and had a beautiful array of collaboration artist. His flows came from a raw place that his past albums barely touched on. Also, the album’s aesthetic is everything you could wish for with a tile like 'The Beautiful & Damned.'

Listen to My Favorite: Summer in December

~Loyle Carner~

Smooth. That is the best way I can describe Loyle’s sound. If you haven’t heard of him or his music yet, JUMP ON IT! I first heard his music in an iPhone commercial, and since then I have been hooked. He has such a different sound than what I am used to, and I think that is because he, much like Adele, lets his accent come through in his music. His song "Florence" is one of my favorites because it talks about a type of love and relationship that is not typically heard in everyday music. Loyle has a lot of soul and tells wonderful tales through ebbs and flows. The album he released this year, 'Yesterday’s Gone,' doesn’t have one bad song on it.

Listen to My Favorite: Damselfly

~Harry Styles~

I am going to say it; One Direction has some vocalists. Not everybody in their group is pulling off the solo act very well, but Harry is definitely doing it right. His debut solo album this year, 'Harry Styles' was honestly jaw-dropping. I think 1D was a great jumping point for him, but in no way did it do him justice. His vocal range (much like Zayn) is crazy, but unlike Zayn, Harry did a great job of having variety in his album. He went from a slow heartbreakingly raw song like “From the Dining Table” to a head-banger like “Kiwi” which was just a lot of fun. The lyrics on the album are expressive and curious without trying too hard to break away from his past like his other members. If you have only heard him in One Direction, give Harry another listen.

Listen to My Favorite: From the Dining Table

~DVSN~

OVO has wonderful artists, but my favorite is surprisingly not Drake. DVSN has been my slow-jam go to since is debut album 'SEPT 5TH' last year. I had his song “Hallucinations” on loop for months! What I think sets DVSN apart from other artists on the label is Daniel's vocals. It has elements of choir boy mixed with 2000s R&B like R. Kelly or Joe. That and elements of gospel mixed in with classic OVO emotion-grabbing lyrics is a hit. This year the duo (Daniel Daley and Nineteen85) released 'Morning After in October,' and it felt just as genuine as their debut. They artfully mixed classic R&B soul and modern alternative to produce the bedroom music of the year. The vocals are clean and soul taking.

Listen to My Favorite: Mood

This was a hard list to compose. There was a lot of good music this year. I also discovered a lot of artists who haven’t put out anything new in a while or at all in 2017, but I just fell in love with them. Here’s to a new year of music to hear.

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About the Creator

Berlin Brooklyn

In college. Trying to show the world my writing capabilities.

I promise that I know you very well

Your eyes never lie even if they tell

Sweet lullabies that come with a smell

Of a dozen roses flippin' down the green hill

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