With new music more available now than ever before, it's easy to find yourself overwhelmed with all the options and falling behind on albums you meant to listen to. So as Q1 of 2017 comes to a close, we're rounding up our staff picks for the Best Albums of 2017 So Far, from heavy-hitters (Drake) to newcomers (Muna) to returning faves (LeAnn Rimes, y'all!).
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Best Albums of 2017 So Far: Staff Picks
With new music more available now than ever before, it's easy to find yourself overwhelmed with all the options and falling behind on albums you meant to listen to. So as Q1 of 2017 comes to a close, we're rounding up our staff picks for the Best Albums of 2017 So Far, from heavy-hitters (Drake) to newcomers (Muna) to returning faves (LeAnn Rimes, y'all!).
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Migos, ‘Culture’
According to Donald Glover, "Bad and Boujee" is the greatest song of all time. According to Twitter consensus,** "T-Shirt" is the greatest music video of all time. According to rap fans living in the United States of America in late Jan. 2017, Culture couldn't have arrived at a better time; it's the perfect distraction from the madness going on in this country by simply existing as a pure reflection of its trio of creators. There are no concessions to current mainstream rap trends — because the Migos created all of the current mainstream rap trends. Their ascension to chart success is well-deserved. – Dan Rys
**This is a made up statistic
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Ed Sheeran, ‘Divide’
Sheeran’s most risk-taking effort, Divide includes Irish sounds and African vibes — the singer-songwriter even tries his hand at Spanish — resulting in quite the impressive collection. Sheeran is more vulnerable than ever before here, especially on tracks like “Save Myself” and “Eraser.” Revealing lyrics aside, Divide is Sheeran’s best display of illustrating just about every emotion humans feel, making you sob through one song and immediately wanting to dance through the next. And while there’s heavy production on the album, his live performances of complex tracks such as the Billboard Hot 100-topping “Shape of You” prove that Sheeran doesn’t really need refining. When you put ambitious sounds, relentless vulnerability, and nearly flawless performances on one album, it’s hard to not give it a Best of 2017 spot. – Taylor Weatherby
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Spoon, ‘Hot Thoughts’
In the first quarter of 2017, I started listening to Spoon (I know, I know), which means I've spent the past few months playing catch up. After having "Do You" on repeat for weeks, moving on to "The Way We Get By" and "Inside Out" (Tycho Remix), I was just in time for the boys to drop their ninth studio album, which currently sits at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 chart. The title track is so catchy, it’s literally “in my mind all of the time” and I’m far from the only one to sing its praises. Other standout tracks include "WhisperI'lllistentohearit," “Can I Sit Next to You” and “Do I Have to Talk You Into It.” – Leslie Richin
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Big Sean, ‘I Decided’
As a fellow Michigander, Big Sean had to make my list. He definitely matured as an artist on this album and touched on a lot of personal topics, from family to making sacrifices. He focused on growth and coming to the realization that “this is bigger than me," making it feel like he wrote this album looking through a different lens. I Decided moves smoothly front to back and even though Sean has never shied away from getting personal, it feels like he lets people in on an even deeper level. Some of my favorite tracks are "Sacrifices" feat. Migos, "Halfway Off the Balcony" and "Jump Out The Window." – Alexa Shouneyia
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Flume, ‘Skin Companion EP II’
It's hard to make an instantly classic album. Flume's Skin made him an international superstar, after which he released a collection of tracks that didn't make the finished product that bumped like they could have been singles. Then, in Feb. 2017, he dropped another four tracks of even deeper unreleased material featuring Pusha T, Dave from Glass Animals, and Moses Sumney. It's devilishly hard, fantastically moody, and strangely sensual. It would be stellar as an official EP release. As a collection of throwaways, it's unbelievable. – Kat Bein
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Though packaged as a "playlist by OVO firm" instead of an album, Drake's More Life delivers exactly what the title suggests. Despite its lengthy 22-song tracklist, the set blends island vibes (see tracks 3-7, which include the instant favorite "Passionfruit"), global influences (U.K. rap stars Skepta, Giggs and Sampha make the cut), A-1 rap features (Quavo, 2 Chainz, Young Thug and Travis Scott) and a unique buffet of samples from Hiatus Kaiyote to Jennifer Lopez. Perhaps most impressively, a more mature Aubrey Graham emerges on the project, one who balances the emotions of Take Care with the aggression heard on Views. More Life’s versatility — the project could be blasted at the gym, the club, in the car and at family parties — make the project one of the year's most ovation-worthy efforts. – Adelle Platon
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Future, ‘HNDRXX’
Future made history with back-to-back No. 1 albums, Future and HNDRXX, on the Billboard 200 in March, and the latter proved that rap's melody master is capable of churning out hits consistently. The second of the pair pushes Future’s pop sensibilities further into the spotlight with insanely catchy earworms like “Incredible,” “Use Me,” “Fresh Air,” The Weeknd collaboration “Coming Out Strong” and Rihanna duet “Selfish.” While his trappier tunes were reserved for its predecessor, HNDRXX doesn’t skimp on the honesty and vulnerability that Future shows in flashes, especially the emotional opener “My Collection,” where he assures that “these codeine habits ain’t got nothin’ to do with my lil’ child.” The Atlanta native's sixth studio effort serves as one of the brighter hip-hop masterpieces of the year. – Adelle Platon
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Residente, ‘Residente’
Bringing together musicians from literally every corner of the world, Residente's eponymous album is proof that music is a universal language. Setting up the unique masterpiece is an intro from Lin-Manuel Miranda (who just so happens to be Residente's cousin) where he spits "Let your rhymes be the puente (bridge)," and that's exactly what the Puerto Rican singer does on this thought provoking set where he takes the audience on a musical journey by tracing his DNA. His powerful lyrics about war, love and resistance are bridges that connect sounds and musicians from China, Russia and Africa. There was no need for big name collaborations on this game-changing and sonically pleasing LP. Residente (the album and the artist) is pure talent. – Griselda Flores
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Khalid, ‘American Teen’
If it seems like Khalid has exploded out of nowhere in 2017, that's not exactly true; his song "Location" caught some radio and critical buzz last summer, and remained steady through the second half of the year. But as good as that song is, it was hard to see this debut album coming — from the opening title track, American Teen is almost effortlessly excellent, and finds a way to blend the earnestness of a 19-year-old singer from Texas with a sort of world-weariness that manifests itself sometimes in sarcasm, sometimes in cynicism, sometimes in bare honesty. The kid is still so young, but this body of work is beyond his years. – Dan Rys
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Zara Larsson, ‘So Good’
Zara Larsson was smart to call her latest album So Good, both because it aptly describes the 15-song set and because it's hard to resist a headline about just how 'Good' it truly is. Look no further than the radio-ready title track, which sets the tone for Larsson's buoyant breakthrough. But things get serious too, like on the Ed Sheeran-co-penned "Don't Let Me Be Yours." Mostly, I love this album because it reminds me of fellow Swede Robyn's poppy 1995 debut Robyn Is Here, and that has me excited about what surprisingly sophisticated second act Larsson could have in store for us down the line. – Katie Atkinson
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Sorority Noise, ‘You’re Not As ____ As You Think’
Sorority Noise is a northeastern 20-something punk band that writes songs that go from loud to soft and soft to loud to instigate maximum audience catharsis. That’s cool, but hey, a lot of punk bands do that. Their third album is the best proof yet that Sorority Noise is a band whose set leaves you saying more than a polite “They were cool” or politely chatting up the bassist about his gear, if that’s your thing. Frontman Cameron Boucher writes Sorority Noise songs like he’s writing them to survive; the suicide of a friend, his own anxiety and depression, the useful bits of his Catholic upbringing — they breathe life into the new album, and I’m glad he came by Billboard to shine a little light on them. – Chris Payne
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deadmau5, ‘stuff i used to do’
Yes, deadmau5 is one of the best producers and sound engineers in the modern electronic music game, but if I'm being completely honest, a lot of his music sounds the same. Still, I have to admit, his latest release of unreleased material, stuff i used to do, is one of the most interesting collection of songs and sounds I've heard not only from deadmau5 but from anyone. It's got such raw power, such funk, such freedom of experimentation. It brings me back to Aphex Twin, to Daft Punk; some of it is just plain weird in the best sort of way. It's immediately captivating, and it showcases rare sides of his personality. I'm so glad he released this decade's worth of material, and I can't wait to see how it influences his releases in the future. – Kat Bein
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The xx, ‘I See You’ (Jan. 13)
The xx were at the point in their career where they had to — to borrow a phrase from Moneyball — adapt or die. The '00s are littered with rock groups that broke through with a tremendous debut album, treaded water with LP2 and made a sweeping change in sound on their third full-length; some of these case studies were successful in their transitions (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend) and some were not (The Strokes, Bloc Party). For The xx, I See You represents the best possible outcome for a course correction: relying on Jamie xx’s eclectic production and allowing the interplay between Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim to become the dramatic focus, the group’s third outing is their most rich and affecting to date. – Jason Lipshutz
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Syd, ‘Fin’
Few albums in recent memory have been as context-dependent for me as Syd’s solo debut Fin. On the subway, at the office, out in the bright sunshine? Pretty good. At home, late at night, in a moment? Woah. It’s hard to remember an album since the first xx LP that made intimacy feel so electric, with smoky electro-n-B beats making the entire album sound black-lighted, and Syd’s voice — sensual, but also casual to the point of being conversational — proving singularly stealthy, seeping its way into your bloodstream and locking you in the zone. Smart to keep it to a tight 37 minutes, too, even though she probably could’ve held her trance for twice that long. – Andrew Unterberger
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Ryan Adams, ‘Prisoner’ (Feb. 17)
The way you approach Ryan Adams' Prisoner really depends on how closely you follow Hollywood relationship drama. I can blame it on my career or my curiosity, but I keep a close eye on the tabloids, and Prisoner is a clear breakup album following Adams' high-profile divorce from actress/singer Mandy Moore — and it's a classic Ryan Adams breakup album at that. Right from opening track "Do You Still Love Me?" (sample lyric: "Why can't I feel your love?/ My heart must be blind"), love and its absence take center stage. I want Ryan to be happy and all, but his romantic misfortunes have proven to be some seriously ripe album fodder. – Katie Atkinson
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Stormzy, ‘Gang Signs and Prayer’
The sucker-punch here is “Big For Your Boots,” the standout single from Stormzy’s tremendous debut album that veers from terrifying threats to Adele shout-outs with ease. A lot of Gang Signs & Prayer is blistering grime, with tracks like “Cold” and “First Things First” offering a decisively British inverse of Drake’s brashest moments (“Mr. Skeng” is essentially the U.K. “Trophies”). Yet Stormzy also excels at looking inward, and the second half of the title’s ampersand is well-represented; “Cigarettes & Cush,” featuring Kehlani, is one of 2017’s most tender R&B tracks. – Jason Lipshutz
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Laura Marling, ‘Semper Femina’
If you're the kind of person who occasionally needs to put on a Joni Mitchell album and have a cathartic cry, then you need to listen to Laura Marling's latest album, Semper Femina. Standouts "Nouel" and "The Valley" demonstrate why Marling's take on the '70s singer-songwriter styling feels relevant: Her voice, alternately firm and tremulous, cuts straight into your soul. There's an implied wisdom in her vocal delivery, not unlike what you feel while listening to songs from fellow British folkie Donovan — but in her case, there's no hippie treacle. Her gorgeous, stark guitar picking is mesmerizing as usual, and Blake Mills' production gives the songs room to breathe, accentuating the emotion with restrained strings that never overwhelm the song. Listen to with headphones on and tissues at the ready. – Joe Lynch
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Kehlani, ‘SweetSexySavage’ (Feb. 3)
Kehlani is all of the above on SweetSexySavage. Her willingness to get vulnerable shines through on tracks like “Not Used To It” where she talks about her rough past all the way to the “what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger” energy she gives off so well on “CRZY.” She’s unapologetic and the album has a full spectrum of emotions that Kehlani delivers with passion and honesty. The title couldn’t be more apt for this impressive major label debut. I saw her at New York’s PlayStation Theater and she brought the same energy to the stage that is felt on the album. – Alexa Shouneyia
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Rag’n’Bone Man, ‘Human’
I always know a song is great when my dad texts me about it, as was the case with lead single “Human” off Rag'n'Bone Man’s debut album of the same name. The rich rasp of the English singer-songwriter, whose real name is Rory Graham, adds an edge to his songs that are mostly about love, longing or loss. The lushly layered tracks fuse the storytelling sensibility of bluesy folk with the sound of gritty southern rock, and though uptempo hits “Human” and “Skin” broke big, it’s soulful tracks like “Bitter End” and “Odetta” — not to mention the a cappella closing track “Die Easy” — that show off Rag'n'Bone Man’s impressive range and versatility. – Lyndsey Havens
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Julie Byrne, ‘Not Even Happiness’
Buffalo, NY-bred singer-songwriter Julie Byrne’s delicate-yet-mighty sophomore effort Not Even Happiness served as the ideal mainstream breakthrough for the troubadour, earning her heaps of critical praise and an impressive touring schedule that sees her supporting fellow buzzy acts of years past — Whitney, Weyes Blood, Waxahatchee — on dates through the summer. Ripe with confessional gems, the ethereal set is anchored by Byrne’s skilled acoustic guitar fingerpicking and enchanting, otherworldly melodies. Perfect for a dreary rainy day or long solo drive. – Nick Williams
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Muna, ‘About U’
The debut from dark pop trio Muna builds on the buzz they garnered for years with help from an all-inclusive mantra and handful of heart-wrenching (yet somehow still danceable) hits, like the fragile “Winterbreak” or anthemic “I Know A Place." The latter hit hard following the election, especially when Muna threw in a new lyric during their performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live: “He’s not my leader even if he’s my president.” The L.A. outfit’s full-length debut sets the bar high for what will follow as it allows emotionally raw — and genderless — lyrical content, rock-driven instrumentals and haunting vocals to blissfully coexist. – Lyndsey Havens
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Gabriel Garzón-Montano, ‘Jardín’
With Jardín, Brooklyn-based Gabriel Garzón-Montano has crafted an album that's hard to categorize but easy to be awed by. "Fruitflies" pairs baroque pop with his fragile, pleading soulful voice, while psychedelic "Sour Mango" melds staccato handclaps with woozy strings. There are touches of hip-hop, jazz and rock in Garzón-Montano's vertiginous R&B, but ultimately Jardín is a genre-flaunting gem from a musical sponge with an astonishing gift for intricate craftsmanship. – Joe Lynch
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Maggie Rogers, ‘Now That the Light Is Fading’ EP
An of-the-moment phenomenon, Maggie Rogers first went viral via her single “Alaska,” which earned a co-sign from Pharrell during an NYU Master Class. Video of the once-in-a-lifetime encounter propelled the 22-year-old to ink a deal with Capitol Records, perform on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and launch a sold-out headlining tour. But despite her quick ascent, her debut EP Now That The Light Is Fading proves her success was no one-off. From wistful down-tempo cut “Dog Years” to exuberant “On + Off” to slow-burning closer “Better,” the glorious set brought the conversation away from her viral stardom and back to her songwriting and production prowess, cementing her status as one to watch for years to come. – Nick Williams
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Japandroids, ‘Near to the Wild Heart of Life’
I was a little scared to listen to a third Japandroids album, because their first two had meant so much to me, and because both had a One Last Chance to Make It Real urgency to them that would seem impossible to pull off a third time. Near to the Wild Heart of Life doesn’t do that, because it doesn’t need to — it’s the first ‘Droids record that sees the Vancouver rock duo leave home, fall in love, and acknowledge a world of possibility beyond the cheaper thrills of youth that fueled their previous LPs. It says that you don’t have to spend your whole life raging against the dying of the light, because the light never really goes out anyway, and it’s the most powerful album of early 2017 to me for that. – Andrew Unterberger
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Chicano Batman, ‘Freedom Is Free’
East Los Angeles band Chicano Batman deliver soulful, groovy tunes and powerful lyrics in their politically charged new album Freedom Is Free. Becoming the ultimate soundtrack for political resistance, the anti-capitalism sentiments, inner strength and messages of love and unity are consistent throughout the 12-song set. Aside from the album’s title track, two other personal favorites are “Friendship (Is a Small Boat in A Storm),” an organ and guitar-driven song about human relationships and betrayal, and the poignant Spanish track “La jura” addressing police brutality. – Griselda Flores
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Dams of the West, ‘Youngish American’
Alright, I’m a Vampire Weekend stan, so this comes with the disclaimer that I invested more emotional capital into this than is customary for a debut singer-songwriter album from a rock band drummer (who probably isn’t that great of a vocalist) writing songs of childhood sports fandom and nascent adulthood. If you’re not already convinced Chris Tomson's full-time band is above 97 percent of the criticism it’s taken over the years, I’m probably not going to convince you his album’s worth a special place in your life. But believe me when I say, lofty expectations and all, this album made me really, really happy. – Chris Payne
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LeAnn Rimes, ‘Remnants’
Twenty years after LeAnn Rimes was crowned the youngest Grammy winner in history, she wipes her slate clean. The archetypal stories of redemption and rebirth take center stage on Rimes' title track, "Remnants." With visceral lyrics and fiery vocals, she confronts the personal and professional struggles that have overshadowed her career as of late. Rimes digs deep, offering her own vulnerability as a reminder that sometimes you need to burn it down to rebuild it right. And so she has. – Everett Brothers