Alex Marchante's Top 25 Songs of 2017 So Far Part III [#10-#1] (with links for complete list)
- Alex Marchante
- Jul 4, 2017
- 8 min read
Gorillaz, Stormzy, Radiohead and Paramore. Greats of the musical industry have contributed to this year's music. Who will come out on top on my list?
Half of 2017 has come and gone.
Although 2017 has been either bleak or tremendous depending on your views in other areas of the world's news, the start of 2017's music scene has not disappointed.
Over the last couple days, I've reflected on the new music I've witnessed over the past six months. If you're just catching up, here is what you've missed in brief:
Honorable Mentions in Alphabetical order (click on the links to listen if you wish):
"Coolin'" by Bliss N Eso feat. Dizzy Wright and Rob Curly
"Dopamine" by Bliss N Eso feat. Thief
"Hallelujah Money" by Gorillaz feat. Benjamin Clementine
"Moments" by Bliss N Eso feat. Gavin James
"On Hold" by The xx
"Saturnz Barz" by Gorillaz feat. Popcaan
"Say Something Loving" by The xx
"Strobelite" by Gorillaz feat. Peven Everett
"Tidal Wave" by Portugal. The Man
"You'll Never Walk Alone" by Dropkick Murphys
#24: "Cherry Blossom" by ANA.LI
#23: "You're In Love With A Psycho" by Kasabian
#22: "Friend Like You" by Bliss N Eso feat. Lee Fields
#21: "Phantom of Aleppoville" by Benjamin Clementine
#20: "Systematic" by DJ Shadow feat. Nas
#19: "Let Me Out" by Gorillaz feat. Mavis Staples and Pusha T
#18: "Incomplete Kisses" by Sampha
#17: "The Way You Used to Do" by Queens of the Stone Age
#16: "Questions" by High Contrast feat. Boy Matthews
#15: "Cigarettes and Cush" by Stormzy feat. Kehlani
#14: "(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano" by Sampha
#13: "Don't Cry For Me" by Stormzy feat. Raleigh Ritchie (link not available)
#12: "Velvet / Jenny Francis (Interlude)" by Stormzy
#11: "Blood on Me" by Sampha
TOP 10 SONGS OF 2017 SO FAR
#10: "I Told You So" by Paramore
From: After Laughter (Released May 12)
Why I liked it: Paramore returned on 2017. That's exciting in its own right. Yet when the young yet veteran group released their singles, including this track, I was taken aback of their musical progress. The use of softer percussion and adoption of a more synth-pop sound as opposed to their earlier pop punk theme made Paramore a must-see in 2017. The continuously beautiful vocals of Hayley Williams and the newfound unity in the band has helped create strong tracks like this. The flow of "I Told You So" never ceases, with a changing, yet fluid rhythm throughout. It's a great track to sing along to and jam out to with friends.
#9: "Submission" by Gorillaz feat. Danny Brown and Kelela
From: Humanz (Released April 28)
Why I liked it: In yet another mention of what is easily the most star-studded album of 2017 in terms of tracks and musical talent, Humanz by Gorillaz provides yet another dance-inducing jam with this track. Like many tracks, the vocals highlight the ability of Gorillaz to collaborate with other artists without the use of Damon Albarn's vocals. In this track, the smooth and flowing voice of Ethiopian-American electronic artist Kelela combined with the nasally freestyle of Detroit native Danny Brown is brought to you by a blending beat with wonky electronic sounds and a choir in the background. In a track about relationships, this track's own musical chemistry sparks its way to this spot on the list.
#8: "Busted and Blue" by Gorillaz
From: Humanz (Released April 28)
Why I liked it: Straying away from the complicated electronics and multi-layered beats, we turn to an intimate, simpler track in "Busted and Blue". In one of the few tracks that doesn't have a "featured" tag in the title, fictional character 2D contemplates about the entire universe. Seriously. The discourse the lyrics of this track create is that of one debating reality and suffering through a crisis. In this track, we don't listen to anyone featured in a studio album or even Damon Albarn. We hear 2D and his cry for inner peace. A heartbreaking tale of whirlwind emotions and "what if" buzzing in the mind like a nest of wasps, this track is unique and beautiful in this album, let alone the Gorillaz discography and music psychology and artistry in general.
From: Gang Signs & Prayer (Released February 24)
Why I liked it: I'm not going to lie. At first listen, I liked "Cold" because the beginning sounds like an ice level from Kirby. That being said, I enjoy the instrumental to this track. "Cold" goes from remixed Kirby ice stage to a fantastic combo of a deep bass beat and trumpets. Stormzy uses this song immediately after the opening track "First Things First", where he criticizes those who have been critical of him and his mates. In "Cold", Stormzy takes a slight pivot to talk about how he created his career without piggybacking off of another artist's career. Stormzy is in charge of himself in this track. He attacks everyone who doubted his talent, especially after Gang Signs & Prayer came a full 10 months after any other music he released. As seen by the tracks on this album that are on this list, Stormzy has done well for myself. It was no surprise that his first album came with such hype and delivered with critical acclaim and praise from the grime community. Without a doubt, Stormzy made his case that he is one of the fresh new faces of grime. It's only a matter of time before those who criticized him place his name near the top of the list with Stormzy's idol, the "Godfather of Grime", Wiley.
#6: "Man of War" by Radiohead
From: OK Computer OKNOTOK 1997 2017 (Released June 23)
Why I liked it: Radiohead did what Radiohead has done famously in recent years, release decades-old, previously unreleased music that turn into instant classics. This year, in commemoration of their hit album, OK Computer, (which I personally wrote an article about here) Radiohead released "Man of War", previously titled "Man-O-War (Big Hands)". This track dates back to at least 1995, making it one of the British legends' oldest songs. When finally released, the track was accompanied to a cleverly filmed music video that builds in suspense as well as the song does. As a regular theme in Radiohead's discography, "Man of War" follows the dichotomy of life and death. The slight, yet dramatic changes of the previously written version make "Man of War" a truly remastered track in a remastered masterpiece of an album.
#5: "Lift" by Radiohead (Current version not available, link provided is of unreleased live version)
From: OK Comptuer OKNOTOK 1997 2017 (Released June 23)
Why I liked it: Staying with Radiohead, a similarly dated track in "Lift" was finally released after at least 21 years (since their 1996 performance of the song in the Dutch festival Pinkypop) to the joy of many Radiohead fanatics. As its spot on the list suggest, "Lift" did not disappoint. "Lift" outdoes "Man of War" and "I Promise" in its way to match OK Computer's style. Anyone who has heard the album knows the musical flow of the album and after listening to this song, they would agree this song would've been great if it were originally released with the album. "Lift" is everything great about Radiohead. The melancholy feeling, the slow buildup and the absence of largely electronic influence radiates the OK Computer vibe. This song takes you back to 1997. It takes you back to Thom Yorke's short hair, the band's first exposure of greatness and the overall essence of what this band is defined by. As a longtime fan of Radiohead, I would say this song was long overdue but is everything we all waited for.
#4: "Hard Times" by Paramore
From: After Laughter (Released May 12)
Why I liked it: What can I say about "Hard Times" that hasn't been said before? The overall exceptionally happy, cheery, new-Paramore vibe, Hayley Williams' soft vocals make this song undeniably "summer". Although this song expresses the inner conflict that had occurred in the band back in 2010, it gives the sense of hope best described in the last line of the chorus: "And I gotta hit rock bottom." This line, as sad as it may sound, illustrates the hope of Williams that life and the band can only get better from here on out. If this song and album teaches us anything, is that Williams is right and we can only expect great things from Paramore in the future.
#3: "The Apprentice" by Gorillaz feat. Rag'N'Bone Man, Zebra Katz and RAY BLK
From: Humanz (Released April 28)
Why I liked it: The amount of talent in this track is astounding. Imagining the man that brought the world "Human" (as ironic as that is given this album is titled Humanz) in Rag'N'Bone Man, joined by one of America's more quirky and underrated rappers in Zebra Katz and one of the UK's most talented young singer/songwriters in RAY BLK is...just mind-boggling, not to mention Damon Albarn's presence in the chorus. The trio of featured stars control this song to perfection. The perfect blend of Soul, R&B and Rap swag make this song great. The combination creates the iconic gender-unspecific sensation that Gorillaz have been doing for years and it makes one hell of a song.
#2: "Plastic 100°C" by Sampha
From: Process (Released February 3)
Why I liked it: It was difficult to give justice to this track without making it #1 on this list. The instrument, the vocals, the emotions radiating from this song is best described as precious. It is a song that will likely be lesser-known and overshadowed by other tracks from Process. This song is incredible. The mix of keyboard, drums, mandolin and the dominant vocals of Sampha make this song tragically beautiful. Starting with a quote from Neil Armstrong just before his famous step on the moon, Sampha reflects on his fame and his tragedies, specifically in his family. After losing his parents, having to balance his musical career with helping his physically disabled brother and addressing an undiagnosed lump in his throat (hence the line "I didn't really know what that lump was"), Sampha provides this painful, emotionally tolling track that illustrates his anxiety, stress and humanity. The audible uncertainty and anxiety expressed in this song makes it human, touching and relatable. Any other year, this song would probably be #1. However, the promising career of Sampha gives me the sense this will not be the last time his music is this high on my list.
#1: "Andromeda" by Gorillaz feat. D.R.A.M.
From: Humanz (Released April 28)
Why I liked it: There was really no doubt that something involving Gorillaz would be at the top spot. This album has proven to be one of the best of 2017, as controversial as it was for Gorillaz fans worldwide. Although I'll agree that Humanz often lacked the true authenticity that we were listening to the animated band of 2D, Murdoc, Noodle and Russel, the final product of Humanz provided some of the year's top jams. In "Andromeda", a track that reflects as much on an old nightclub Damon Albarn enjoyed as a youngster as much as the reflection of life following the deaths of Bobby Womack, who previously worked with Gorillaz and Damon Albarn's mother, the track gives the party vibe that makes the audience appreciate the present and live it. The inclusion of American rapper D.R.A.M., famous for his hit "Broccoli" makes this song as mellow as possible, while also being the top song to dance to of the year. This song is an enjoyable on the dancefloor on a Saturday night as it is on a nice stroll down your neighborhood on a Wednesday morning. "Andromeda" by Gorillaz featuring D.R.A.M. is my favorite song of 2017 so far.
I hoped you enjoyed this list and even if you didn't, I encourage to send us a comment, message on Facebook or email us at thebullpenstaff@gmail.com. I hope you enjoy this summer and if you're ever bored or need a pick-me-up tune, try out my playlist on Spotify titled, "Alex Marchante's Top 25 Songs of 2017 So Far (From #25 to #1)" as seen here! Enjoy the summer and the rest of 2017.
Sincerely,
The Staff of The Bullpen.
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