2017 was an INCREDIBLE year for music of all genres, with a lot of breakout stars and songs that will be hits for years to come! Thankfully, there seems to be a general push towards making real full albums and not just an album with 1 or 2 hit singles accompanied by a bunch of garbage! Check out our favorite albums that were released this year!
Top 25 Albums:
25. H.E.R. - H.E.R.
24. Kane Brown - Kane Brown
23. Khalid - American Teen
22. Logic - Everybody
21. LaPorshea Renae - Already All Ready
20. RaeLynn - Wildhorse
19. Little Big Town - The Breaker
18. Haley Reinhart - What's That Sound?
17. Thomas Rhett - Life Changes
16. Chainsmokers - Memories...Do Not Open
15. TLC - TLC
14. Imagine Dragons - Evolve
13. Kelly Clarkson - Meaning of Life
12. Kesha - Rainbow
11. Niall Horan - Flicker
...Are you ready for the Top 10!?
10. Mary J. Blige - Strength of a Woman
9. Halsey - Hopeless Fountain Kingdom
8. Taylor Swift - Reputation
7. SZA - CTRL
6. Lauren Alaina - Road Less Traveled
...Can you guess our Top 5!?
5. Maren Morris - HERO
Country music newcomer, Maren Morris, took over the music world with her hit single "My Church," followed by two singles that were just as powerful yet different: "80's Mercedes" and "I Could Use a Love Song." Every song on this album is worthy as a lead single, and it actually flows well like an album should! Did we also mention her duets with fellow country star Thomas Rhett and Ex-One Direction member Niall Horan? Save some radio time for the rest of the world, Maren! Although this album was snubbed by the Grammys, she is nominated for Best Country Solo Performance for "I Could Use a Love Song."
4. Harry Styles - Harry Styles
Determined to break down the "Pop Boy Band" image, Harry Styles decided to release a single that was an incredible rock ballad a-la Queen. This song will be played for years to come, along with the whole album, as a classic masterpiece. It was a risky, but great move on his part! If his wish was to be taken more seriously in the music industry, he got his wish! Sadly, the Grammys snubbed him & his album, but there's always next year...
3. Kendrick Lamar - DAMN
Rated as #1 best album of 2017 by Billboard with the 4th best song of 2017 (HUMBLE), DAMN is a Rap/Hip-Hop masterpiece. This album has secured Kendrick Lamar a place in Rap/Hip-Hop history as one the "greats" alongside Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Drake.
2. Demi Lovato - Tell Me You Love Me
This is definitely Demi's best album to date! Although it is not her best selling or highest charting album, it is rated much higher by critics. The album's lead single, "Sorry Not Sorry" scored Demi her first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #6 and amassing over 350 million plays on Spotify! This album also features some untapped gems including: "Lonely," "You Don't Do It For Me Anymore," "Sexy Dirty Love," and the title track, "Tell Me You Love Me." Tell Me You Love Me is a raw and real album. We can't wait to see what she releases next!
1. Ed Sheeran - Divide
Is anyone really surprised? The number 1 single of the whole year, "Shape Of You" and the number 1 Billboard artist of the year, Ed Sheeran, has released his most up-beat and commercially-successful album yet! Although it is more Pop than Singer-Songwriter, we will let it slide because it boasts incredible hits such as: "Shape of You," "Galway Girl," "Perfect," "Castle on the Hill," "Happier," and "Dive." Love him or hate him, this album is near perfection!
Be sure to let us know your thoughts & be on the look-out for our list of the best singles by genre of 2017!