Our 50 Most Anticipated Releases of 2017: PART 1
Posted: by The Editor
Here’s the first installment of our two-part most anticipated of 2017 list. We’re expecting great things from music this year to momentarily distract us from, or perhaps enlighten us to, pretty much everything else going on in the world.
Part 1 (the first 25) is below, check out Part 2 here!
Albums Already Out
We wanted to start off with a bunch of albums that would have made this list if we got it done earlier in the month. These records are out already, and we have reviews of all of them either on the way or already on the site. Point is, you should definitely give them a listen:
- Run The Jewels – RTJ3 (review)
- Oso Oso – the yunahon mixtape (review)
- Sinai Vessel – Brokenlegged (review)
- Cloud Nothings – Life Without Sound (review)
- Japandroids – Near To The Wild Heart Of Life
Alex G
Although 2016 resulted in gobs of brilliant releases from all across the musical universe, it was the first year in Alex G’s career that he did not release an album. In fact, his only material was his underwhelming contribution—a forgettable, vibey electronic instrumental—to the otherwise wonderful Orchid Tapes compilation, Radiating Light: Orchid Tapes & Friends. This was most likely due to his label Domino Records, who put out his sixth full-length Beach Music in 2015, telling the prolific multi-instrumentalist to hold off for a year so they could sell that record. Therefore, whatever Mr. G puts out next will ostensibly be his most thought-out work yet, given that he’s had at least double the amount of time to work on this than he has for any of his previous releases. Anyone who considers themselves a fan of the Philadelphia mastermind should be watering at the mouth for this project. —Eli
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are a foundational band for me. Their last album, their fifth, AM was a rock masterpiece that only added to their versatile discography. It also marked a change back toward their earlier rock n roll style that faded into QOTSA-influenced acid rock. I was definitely a big fan. It won our first ever AOTY award back in 2013. It’s been a few years since then, but Arctic are back in the UK recording now, so hope for a new album in 2017 is alive. – Hendo
Blanck Mass
I could never get on board with Blanck Mass before. I don’t know why. I think it was too meandering and too obtuse to really dig and get fully clothed in. But their new song “Please” has me pulling a full 180. Really atmospheric and cloudy. Mixing the ethereal temple-wall drum hits of Forest Swords and the sneakily darker industrial beats of moody NIN. I’m really very very excited to hear World Eater, which is out this March. – Findlay
Brand New
Brand New is one of those bands you love or hate – or more likely hate that you love. The band’s last studio album Daisy came out in 2009 and yet they still were selling out arenas last year. Since 2011, fans have been coming up with conspiracy theories while the band has teased a fifth (maybe final) studio album; interviews talking about writing, the band building their own studio, lyric booklets released almost a decade late, new songs “Mene” and “I Am a Nightmare”, the list keeps going. With the band’s self-given expiration date, RIP 2018, creeping up, this year should be the year they release new music. There’s no telling what the sound or subject matter will be, the band’s last two releases were darker and more experimental while the first two had a wider appeal and were more punk rock. The only guarantee is that it will be meticulous, self-approved, and hopefully worth the wait. – Hannah
Captain, We’re Sinking
After a long break since 2013’s The Future Is Cancelled, Captain, We’re Sinking are poised to release a new album later this year. Featuring several tracks from Bobby Barnett’s solo album Little Wounds, the band’s brand of fast paced but highly emotional punk songs will be sure to be a broad crowd pleaser. For a taste of what’s to come, listen to “Hunting Trip” from Barnett’s solo album. – Alex Northrup
Cayetana
Cayetana is a three piece from philly currently on tour with Lemuria and Mikey Erg, a dream team am I right? The power trio recently released a split with the Melbourne trio known as Camp Cope; featuring two new songs ‘Trails’ and ‘Mesa’, the latter you might be know from their killer live set or Audiotree session. Tiny Engine released their first album Nervous Like Me in 2014, but the trio plans to self release their new album early spring. The little taste we got from their Audiotree of the progression for the next release with ‘Mesa’ and ‘Certain For Miles’ has me wishing I could hibernate till early May so I can wake up to some new jams. – Ali
Conor Oberst
After last year’s minimalist return-to-form album Ruminations, famed Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst is back with another full-length in March. This one, called Salutations, reimagines Ruminations songs with a full-band and annexes seven new cuts. Helmed in part by members of the Felice Brothers, Oberst seems to be returning to the more rambunctious folk rock of 2014’s Upside Down Mountain and 2009’s Outer South. – Riley
Cool American
Portland, Oregon heartthrobs Cool American took the DIY community by storm in 2016. Transitioning from vocalist Nathan Tucker’s solo-side project, to a full and fleshed out band, they released You Can Win A Few, which told the well-known story of growing up and growing apart. Coming into their indie-emo identity, the band has somehow been able to avoid all of the aspects of traditional emo music that annoy me and many others – the whiny-ness, the overdone “she broke my heart” trope, and excessive use of twinkly guitars that serve no musical purpose whatsoever. Their second full length will be out this summer and promises to be anything but a letdown after their phenomenal debut. – Delaney
Del Paxton
I’ve been on board with Del Paxton since their first output “Worst Summer Ever” and they’re just so good. Really chilled and organic, with this really secret technicality hidden in the songwriting. Absolutely 100% music for big, summer, late-evening drives while sea winds whip in the window. The best thing about Del Paxton is that they sound a lot like a 90s emo band without even trying to, they just GET IT. “All Day, Every Day, All Night” is out in March and of the three songs released from it currently? There’s not a bad one. – Findlay
Diet Cig
The fact that the gold variant pre-orders for this album have already sold out should speak for itself. This duo first grabbed our attention back in 2015 with Over Easy and has held our attention since. Alex Luciano beautifully marries a take-no-shit attitude with catchy poppy tunes and the result is relatable and cathartic bedroom music for everyone. The first single off of the album “Tummy Ache” tells the all too common story of the “anything that isn’t a masculine male in punk” who’s fed up with the boys-club mentality, and sets what I assume will be the overall liberating tone of the entire album. – Delaney
Dollys
Dollys is a New Jersey band led by vocalist and drummer Natalie Newbold, and she is backed up my an equally talented band. Together, the band are able to write catchy driving hooks and also basement show bangers. They have long been known as one of the better bands in the talented Jersey indie scene, and are now working on their 3rd LP which we should get sometime this year. Check out their past work while you get ready for the new stuffs. – Hendo
Father John Misty
Oh boy. Well, there’s a lot to unpack in the new single and video from Mr. Josh Tillman. The title track for his forthcoming album is poignant and political. He covers religion, veganism, our current sociopolitical climate and more before stripping the meaning from it all, saying we’re “just random matter, suspended in the dark” – which he follows with the even more chilling “I hate to say it, but each other’s all we’ve got.” It’s another strange, dark, oddly romantic ballad akin to “Bored in the U.S.A.” So if that’s any indication, we don’t really know what the new album will sound like – but it should be interesting no matter what. – Riley
Fire Is Motion
This is an album I have been waiting a long time for. Jersey’s Fire Is Motion are a catchy and guitar driven indie band who write well crafted tracks. Their new switch to a dual vocals has created versatility and harmony in their songs that takes them a step beyond their past work. After seeing them live many times, I can almost say for sure that this album will be great. Can’t wait to hear it. – Hendo
Free Throw
“Those Days Are Gone” is both the catchiest and the most gut-churningly depressing emo record I’ve ever heard. Despite nearing the record’s third anniversary, those songs still sound absolutely phenomenal and constantly reinforce how excited I am to finally hear more Free Throw in 2017. Their new record will be given a boost by Triple Crown Records, so hopefully this thing can push them up into the sphere that The Hotelier, TWIABP, and Modern Baseball currently occupy. —Eli
GZA
GZA of the Wu-Tang has somewhat receded from the public eye for years. During all of this time he has been working on an album that is going to mix his intense lyrical rap with his interest in science and the universe. This album is ambitious as hell. I can’t wait to take a listen. – Hendo
Hemingway
The long and painful wait for another Hemingway release will finally be over this year. Almost three years after the release of their debut album Pretend to Care we will be graced with the second full-length from the band. Brainchild of the band, Benjamin Ward, has kept us on our toes with a handful of solo songs, and a few full band singles put out on Making New Enemies (a super rad art collective/record label out of Portland, OR) Compilations, but these have only really served to make the wait for more material that much harder. I am lucky enough to have already heard this masterpiece of an album that will be out on Making New Enemies later this year, and without revealing too much, I can say that it does not disappoint. – Delaney
Hodera
Hodera released their debut album United By Birdcalls in July of 2015 but people continued to discover it last year thanks to their DIY ethos of playing as often as possible. The band doesn’t shy away from important issues such as mental health – and more importantly striving to get better. New Jersey has given us lots of great music over the years and Hodera is no exception; a mix of nature’s calmness met with an east coast work ethic continues to inspire music that is both introspective but relatable. In times of political and social unrest it’s easy to forget about our own well-being but I have a feeling whatever Hodera has for us next will offer coping not only in their lyrics but in their sound. – Hannah
Japanese Breakfast
Look, I don’t even know if Michelle is making any new music or is even considering a release for this year, but ill be fucked if I’m not sitting on the edge of my seat waiting on it. This is all down to me seeing JB play in a basement last year and they played a song I never heard before about falling in love with a robot, and it was basically a mix of dreamy shoegaze fantasy, EUROPEAN NEW WAVE and VOCODED VOCALS. How in the name of baby jesus could I not be excited about hearing that again? -Findlay
Jouska
Late last year, Jouska released their sweeping indie rock breakthrough, Topiary, catching the attention of influential rock label (and perfect fit) Tiny Engines. Now, the Albany group is preparing a follow-up EP for the label, due out sometime this year. If you’re as excited about Jouska as I am, you can catch the band on tour with Prince Daddy & the Hyena in February and March. —Riley
Julien Baker
Julien Baker’s Sprained Ankle was one of the best records of 2015, period. The sad croon/weeping guitar dynamic has long journeyed into parody, self-parody, and back again, but Baker floats above such cliché. Her emotional honesty is married to an agonising vocal clarity and lyrical perceptiveness, impelled by the residual echo of plaintive guitars. She surgically incises a direct line to your #feels so wholesome it validates #feels as substantive rather than kitsch. The devastating ‘Funeral Pyre’, feasibly one of her best songs, released early January and heralded her exciting signing with Matador. Having grown two years wiser, what Baker offers next could be special. —Kieran
