Daily Playlist — Top 200 Tracks of 2017 (140–121)
The fourth installment of the Best of 2017 series
140. Charlotte Gainsbourg — “Deadly Valentine”
Stomping beats and pulsating synths meet a simple melody to make a killer earworm.
139. Ibeyi ft. Kamasi Washington — “Deathless”
“Deathless” was a song Ibeyi wrote because they “desperately needed” something, anything, that would remind them of togetherness and love, following the events the last quarter of 2016 and this awful year.
138. LCD Soundsystem — “how do you sleep?”
Arguably the centerpiece of LCD Soundsystem’s fourth full length album, “how do you sleep?” mirrors the John Lennon’s 1971 track with the same title, chronicling James Murphy’s deteriorated relationship with DFA co-founder Tim Goldsworthy.
137. Once and Future Band — “Tell Me Those Are Tears of Joy”
“It describes someone teetering on the edge confessing a secret love, drowning in a sea of doubt with only a glimmer of hope on the horizon,” the band shares in their interview with Consequence of Sound. Indeed, this is the ode to those struggling to confess their love.
136. Kendrick Lamar ft. Rihanna — “LOYALTY.”
The warped sample of Bruno Mars “24K Magic” on this track makes the most wonderful intro this year, and the rapper/singer pair has surprisingly good chemistry.
135. Arca — “Anoche”
The relationship between Arca and Björk is one to be desired: they help each other explore and expand their boundaries in music. On this track, while the traces of Björk’s 1995 track “I Miss You” is too obvious to go unnoticed, the biggest influence from Björk is her nudging the Venezuelan producer to explore using his vocals for maximum dramatic effect.
134. Brian Eno, Kevin Shields — “Only Once Away My Son” (not on Spotify)
The collaboration between the ambient music master and the mastermind behind My Bloody Valentine feels like a match made in heaven.
133. Björk — “Blissing Me”
“Blissing Me” draws out a beautiful tragedy: Björk is ready to fall in love again, but what is she loving? The man, the songs he sends her, or idea of falling in love? The song may be addressing the platonic relationship between Björk and Arca, but who knows?
132. Keyon Harrold ft. Gary Clark Jr. — “Circus Show”
On “Circus Show,” Keyon Harrold and Gary Clark Jr. trade verses and hooks while trying to make sense of America over the repeated phrase “What the hell’s going on?”
131. Maggie Rogers — “On + Off”
“On + Off” joins synth pop, folk, R&B, deep house, dream pop, into one stellar track.
130. Baths — “Dream Daddy Theme” (not on Spotify)
While Baths also released a full-length LP, the best material from him this year is surprisingly this 96-second theme song.
129. Mount Eerie — “Ravens”
Mount Eerie’s Phil Elverum is in no position for metaphor or fancy images. Like the rest of A Crow Looked at Me, “Ravens” is a song about memory and trauma. As he tries to make sense of the omen, he’s also coming to terms with his loss, and struggles to move on.
128. alt-J — “Adeline”
This beautiful ballad from alt-J starts off minimalistically, before gradually building up to a layered, grand sound. However, as the Tasmanian devil realizes he cannot be with Adeline, the sound also becomes more ominous and looming. The singer sounds resigned: “I wish you well,” he croons, but like the ill-fated love, his voice sounds as somber as ever.
127. Mount Kimbie ft. Micachu — “Marilyn”
Mount Kimbie are a world away from their big-room dancefloor aspirations, but their new sound is more than welcomed: the viscous synths, clicking drums, whirling ambient noise, irregular rhythms and off-kilter melodies.
126. Miguel — “Told You So”
In a year like this, even the slom-jam king can’t help but making politically-charged music. Still, the electrifying beat, and flirty howls remain intact, creating different layers of meaning.
125. Pinegrove — “Intrepid”
“Intrepid” builds tension with drowning instrumentals, harmonies, falsettos and powerful chest voice notes. Just as it comes to the edge of a booming peak, however, Pinegrove hold themselves back, mirroring the lyrics perfectly.
124. Ralph — “Something More”
Ralph captures FOMO brilliantly is this brisk synth-pop gem. Also, we need more pop songs with fade-outs.
123. St. Vincent — “Smoking Section”
Anne Clark faces her inner demons in “Smoking Section,” going through four verses filled with suicidal thoughts, insecurity, and conflicts. Then suddenly, the song makes a swerve when she starts pondering “what could be better than love?” She reminds herself “it’s not the end,” cooing over and over, before the song ends with something simple, bright, and instantly recognizable: a major chord on the piano. In the end, there’s always hope.
122. Lanark Artefax — “Touch Absence”
Lanark Artefax couples clanging beats and angelic tones on this glitchy ambient track, harkening back to Aphex Twin’s Syro.
121. Missy Elliott ft. Lamb — “I’m Better”
The third single from Missy Elliott in the 12 years since her last studio album is no where near as addictive as 2015’s “W.T.F. (Where They From)”, but it’s definitely more than enough to keep us interested.
