Happy New Years, friends.

How's it going so far?

T'was a slow moving start to the '18 on my end complete with couch hangs and KEXP sessions, fish tacos, and an inadvertent subway adventure. You see, I boarded a G train going the opposite direction of that desired and didn't notice until 10 stops later. No, I didn't mistype that number. Yes, that is ridiculous (I'm aware and agree). No, I wasn't distracted by my music nor a podcast. I was very much tuned into the automated woman's voice overhead notifying me of the next stop. I was taking note that the journey felt longer than usual. I was enjoying the stretch of above-ground city skyline views with not one internal red flag going off for the fact that there is no above-ground station between Clinton Hill and Williamsburg. It was some version of insane. Where is my mind? Hard to say but great song, and with that, let's get to the music.

Here's a roundup of my most played albums of 2017.

10. Kamasi Washington | Harmony of Difference 

So soothing, so mellow, so upbeat. Hearing these songs live at Union Transfer was such a treat. Thank you to my friend Matt for turning me on to this record.

9. Big Thief | Capacity

Make a cup of tea and light your favorite candle. Bring your eyes to a close and still your restless mind. Let it spin.

8. Sarah Jaffee | Bad Baby

Thematically, this is the album that most resonated with me this year. Life changes, love changes, soul changes and perspective shifts. Anxiety, apprehension, breaking the chains, recaculating the stakes; this album tackles it all.

It also has my favorite opening track, tied with The National's "Nobody Else Will Be There."

7. Jay Som | Everybody Works

One more time, please.

Both the song and the sentiment.

6. MUNA | About U

This three-piece queer band out of LA brings the heat to the dance floor, dousing us in 80's synth-pop anthemic thrills centered around love, loss, the acceptance of such, identity, oppression and the road to self-worth. It's an album to dance your bones dry, paired with a few soft reflections.

5. San Fermin | Belong

Their most upbeat album to date, the band dives deeper into the pop sphere with synths, surging choruses, and an emphasis on percussion all while maintaining their big-band instrumental layering, notable Kaye/Tate vocal pairing and smattering of cacophonous undertones.

4. Sylvan Esso | What Now

This album bears my favorite song of 2017, "Die Young." It's catchy, addictive, morphing; both internally and physically. Get's me moving every time in a creaky, fluid, yearning kind of way.

In addition to the LP, Meath and Sanborn also released the Echo Mountain Sessions EP, a handful of their songs reimagined with a full band and recorded in a day. The best part? The band is comprised of their closest friends from the North Carolina music scene, including members of Wye Oak, Megafaun, The Mountain Goats, Hiss Golden Messenger, and Mountain Man, Meath's other band. I have a deep love for the North Carolina music scene and this swelled my heart with joy.

3. Feist | Pleasure

Dark, gritty and rowdy. A new sound unleashed.

2. HAIM | Something To Tell You

Summer breezy.

1. Middle Kids | Middle Kids EP

With just six songs in the world, it's this Australian band that rings in both my favorite album and band discovery of the year. The touches of surf rock, blues and Southern rock, the slight distortion and vocal bending, the prominent percussion; it winds through the maze of my inner workings, takes a bite and spits me out. Sets me right.

Their LP is due out in 2018. 

For a glimpse into these albums along with some individual tracks I couldn't get enough of, here's the Two Bars of Stardust :: 2017 Spotify playlist.

Here's to a new year of music that'll carry us through when we're on the wrong track, or going the wrong direction on the right one. 

xxChris