Here are 20 albums from 2017 that I liked but did not love. Whether they were made by great artists just doing their thing but not pushing themselves or leaders of niche genres (hardcore, ambient), these albums are worthy listens — but maybe not a priority.
Here’s a playlist of highlights from these albums:
Bing & Ruth – No Home of the Mind [4AD]
Blanck Mass – World Eater [Sacred Bones]
Converge – The Dusk in Us [Epitaph]
Destroyer – Ken [Merge]
EMA – Exile in the Outer Ring [City Slang]
Future Islands – The Far Field [4AD]
G Perico – All Blue [So Way Out]
HAIM – Something to Tell You [Columbia]
Jessie Ware – Glasshouse [Universal]
Kehlani – SweetSexySavage [Atlantic]
Kevin Morby – City Music [Dead Oceans]
Laurel Halo – Dust [Hyperdub]
Mac DeMarco – This Old Dog [Captured Tracks]
The National – Sleep Well Beast [4AD]
Playboi Carti – Playboi Carti [Interscope]
Power Trip – Nightmare Logic [Southern Lord]
St. Vincent – MASSEDUCTION [Loma Vista]
Uniform – Wake in Fright [Sacred Bones]
White Reaper – The World’s Best American Band [Polyvinyl]
Zola Jesus – Okovi [Sacred Bones]
Bitter Melodies 