It's a list unlike others you've seen before

June 28, 2017 2:20 PM

NPR Music's Essential Songs, Albums, Performances And Videos Of 2017 (So Far) isn't going to rank anything. It's just going to explain why. And you'll be glad for it.

Rather than attempt to come to a consensus about the best albums or songs from the first six months of the year, we opted to select music that was meaningful to us as individuals, music that washed away all the background noise, songs and albums and performances that made sense to us, whether or not they made sense of the world. Moments like that are blessings, not to be taken for granted.

posted by hippybear (10 comments total)

I'll second the recommendation of the "remixed" Sgt. Peppers release (partly because I only discovered it last week, having missed/ignored the press coverage when it was released; previously).

I'm hardly a Beatles aficionado or audiophile, but the new release is really noticeably better, while somehow managing to not detract from the original. The changes to the mix are subtle, and blend the best aspects of the mono and stereo versions. The whole thing no longer sounds like it came off of a tape that had been copied 40+ times (which is exactly how the original mix was made).

Given the reverence with which an album like Sgt. Peppers is held, the fact that the remix has been met with nearly-universal acclaim (even though it changed a bunch of stuff!) should tell you something about its quality.

I'll also second the recommendation for Algiers' second album (previously), which is incredible and unlike anything I've listened to in recent memory. Lorde's new album (previously) is also excellent.
posted by schmod at 2:38 PM on June 28, 2017

Ha, before I clicked, I thought, I bet Charly Bliss is on this list.

Guppy really is an outstanding album. It's not just cargo cult 90s; they seem to understand what made that brand of power pop work under the hood, too.
posted by uncleozzy at 2:55 PM on June 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'll second the recommendation of the "remixed" Sgt. Peppers release (partly because I only discovered it last week, having missed/ignored the press coverage when it was released; previously).

Yes, the Star Wars Sgt Pepper mash up was amazi-


oh
posted by Sebmojo at 3:40 PM on June 28, 2017 [3 favorites]

Thanks for this! Making my way through this list slowly, but I listened to about 30 seconds of Bargou 08's album Targ and immediately went to buy it, because it is extremely My Shit. Looking forward to making more new discoveries!
posted by yasaman at 7:25 PM on June 28, 2017

If recommended by hippybear, I will check out. Thanks!
posted by persona au gratin at 1:23 AM on June 29, 2017

Yes! Lucky Girl made the cut. It's probably my favorite album release so far this year. Deb Talan just has such a way with words.
posted by PearlRose at 6:38 AM on June 29, 2017 [1 favorite]

Clicks link, sees Mike Hadreas in all his glory: yes, this is good.

It's not on the list, but I've been plugging Vagabon's premiere album since it came out. Here's NPR's take on it.

Looking forward to going through all of these
posted by FirstMateKate at 8:08 AM on June 29, 2017 [1 favorite]

I'm completely obsessed with Honey, off Pumarosa's debut album The Witch. I can't imagine any other 2017 release hitting me as hard as that.
posted by Sonny Jim at 9:11 AM on June 29, 2017

Thank you SO much. Just finished rockin' out to This Land is Your Land.
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 9:22 AM on June 29, 2017 [1 favorite]

IFE's "iiii+iiii" Thank You !!!!
posted by Dean358 at 1:20 PM on June 29, 2017