First week of January, time to take a concluding look at the musical offerings of the last year, 2017. After thoroughly studying the year-end-lists by the likes of Gorilla vs. Bear, Paste Magazine, NME, Stereogum, Pitchfork and even Noisey, here now goes a list of 10 or so albums and EPs that we feel were somewhat overlooked in the mentioned rankings and yet really ruffled the Poule’s feathers last year. Complete with Spotify links, and in no particular order:
Washed Out – Mister Mellow | His debut EP almost a decade ago set the tone for a whole generation, Mister Mellow then is technically his third album and strongest offering yet. And his Stones Throw debut, fully visualized. | Out on Stones Throw | Spotify
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Kalaha – Masala | The quartet of producers Rumpistol and Spejderrobot, drummer Emil de Waal and guitarist Niclas Knudsen produced the most unique, thumping drums-fused jazzy debut. Truly a genre bender in the best way possible, music from the future. | Out on Rump Recordings | Spotify
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Bodebrixen – Ruins | Danish gents Bode and Brixen started almost ten years ago as trained jazz musicians. Ruins takes their sounds a bit back into the jazzy ends of the pop spectrum, with vast soundscapes and the force of a full-on orchestra while maintaining an infectious indie poppy vibe, a true hit. | Out on Antiphonics | Spotify
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Jesse Kivel – Content | Jesse Kivel has been behind some of the smoothest tracks in what has been more than a decade, from the indie pop classics in Princeton, to the dreamy summer vibes in Kisses and lately the more electronically inclined Mt. Si. This is his solo debut, full of charm and palmy grooves. | Out on New Feelings/Rallye | Spotify
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Summer Heart – 101 | His first LP in almost five years came in as a soundtrack to the year, telling stories of dreams, struggles and living in the moment, wrapped in lush drums and a poppy melody. Pure bliss. | Out on Sommarhjarta | Spotify
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Liima – 1982 | Second album by this supergroup and still bursting with fun and new ideas, co-produced with Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor and possibly soundtrack to the stranger things of the year. | Out on City Slang | Spotify
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Ten Fé – Hit The Light | The british smooth talkers’ debut carries eleven songs, showcasing the duo’s floating abilities to produce synthy drives, guitar moods and salty hooks. They have since taken on their live band as permanent members of the creative process, be advised. | Out on PIAS/Some Kinda Love | Spotify
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Pastel Coast – Vague Noire | Stellar dream pop debut by Quentin Isidore out of Boulogne-sur-Mer. Riffs and reverb to lose yourself in. | Self-released | Spotify
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VILDE – Study / Dance | Stockholm’s Thomas Vilde set himself an ambitious target. Starting October 2016, he set out to release a new track each month, to arrive at his debut album twelve months on. The final product arrived as promised, and stands firmly as a beautiful blend of dreamy electronics and analog instrumentation, topped with his delicate vocals. | Self released | Spotify
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Cigarettes After Sex – Cigarettes After Sex | They have been around for a while, and last year they finally released a debut album, and it really is very, very, very, very good. | Out on Partisan Records | Spotify
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BRAUN – Silent Silence | Ben Braun’s new solo endeavors, after Mackintosh Braun fame. His debut is a neat melange of on-point synths from the 1980s and a general dreaminess only the late 2000s managed to produce, a great companion for a sunny day under the skies. | Out on Driving Bell | Spotify
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CHINAH – Hints | Finally, the great Danes’ release. Hints offers Fine’s vocals flanked by production by the two Simons, creating a vast and grand harmony of modern electronic sounds and a distinct Scandinavian pop vibe that serve as your wonderful soundtrack throughout the seasons. | Out on No3 | Spotify
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So that’s that. If you enjoyed this, check out last year’s best-of-list or stay tuned for this year’s charms via our ongoing Spotify and Soundcloud playlists.
