I fell out of the blogging habit in 2017, but not out of the listening habit. Music this year was a way to tune out the noise and turn up the warmth. Not a bad strategy in any year. Here are the warmest sounds of my year.
10. The XX, I See You - Call it electro-R&B or techno-soul, The XX are still making the smartest music around. "On Hold" makes that clear with its killer Hall & Oates sample. Name that tune.
9. Thundercat, Drunk - If Marvin Gaye had made "Dark Side of the Moon," it would sound like Drunk, a fever dream of funk, soul, jazz and dream pop, with tunes like "Show You the Way," where Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins (Kenny Loggins!) improbably turn up.
8. LCD Soundsystem, American Dream -- Make some noise for James Murphy, who brought LCD roaring back to life this year. Did you really think he'd be happy making coffee? "Change Yr Mind" shows him a worthy heir to Talking Heads.
7. Moon Boots, First Landing - At the intersection of French techno-pop and deep house, DJ Moon Boots and his vocalists deliver deeper shades of techno-soul. "Keep the Faith," with Nic Hansen, is this year's daytime disco champ.
6. The Black Seeds, Fabric - Brand new reggae. Did you forget it was still going on? It didn't stop with Bob.
5. Young Marco, Welcome to Paradise (Italian Dream House) - Deep house with a slinky dose of La Dolce Vita that's perfect with your first Negroni. Tracks from '89 to '93, compiled in 2017 but hey, "my blog, my rules."
4. - Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile, Lotta Sea Lice -These two are the Marvin and Tammi of the alternative scene right now, singing songs of disillusion laced with feedback. Heaven.
3. Snoh Aalegra, Feels - This soulful Swede calls up Eryka Badu, Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse and Mary J. Blige (no, really) with hip-hop accents. Nearly perfect. Thanks Jake for this one.
2. Beck, Colours - What's so funny about peace, love and pop music? This retro-Beck will make you happy doing anything.
10. The XX, I See You - Call it electro-R&B or techno-soul, The XX are still making the smartest music around. "On Hold" makes that clear with its killer Hall & Oates sample. Name that tune.
9. Thundercat, Drunk - If Marvin Gaye had made "Dark Side of the Moon," it would sound like Drunk, a fever dream of funk, soul, jazz and dream pop, with tunes like "Show You the Way," where Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins (Kenny Loggins!) improbably turn up.
8. LCD Soundsystem, American Dream -- Make some noise for James Murphy, who brought LCD roaring back to life this year. Did you really think he'd be happy making coffee? "Change Yr Mind" shows him a worthy heir to Talking Heads.
7. Moon Boots, First Landing - At the intersection of French techno-pop and deep house, DJ Moon Boots and his vocalists deliver deeper shades of techno-soul. "Keep the Faith," with Nic Hansen, is this year's daytime disco champ.
3. Snoh Aalegra, Feels - This soulful Swede calls up Eryka Badu, Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse and Mary J. Blige (no, really) with hip-hop accents. Nearly perfect. Thanks Jake for this one.
2. Beck, Colours - What's so funny about peace, love and pop music? This retro-Beck will make you happy doing anything.
1. Gabriel Garzon-Montano, Jardin - A whip-smart Brooklyn boy steeped in Jeff Buckley and Prince. The needle drops on a quiet storm of tuneful soul with the warmth of Bill Withers and the breakbeats of early hip-hop. "The Game" seals the deal.
Honorable Mention:
Nick Hakim, Green Twins
Chicano Batman, Freedom is Free
CZA, Ctrl
Miguel, War & Leisure
Brent Faiyez, Sonder Son
