It’s that time of year again: school is out and the New Year is almost here! Time to reminisce on what music was my favorite this year.
Adornment- Grayscale
I couldn’t have had 2017 without Grayscale. They are some of the sweetest guys I’ve ever met, and by far some of the most talented musicians I’ve been fortunate enough to stumble upon in my young life. I am always so blown away by their kindness, energetic live performance, and just overall professionalism as a band and as people. Adornment was a staple to my summer; whether I was driving to my summer class at 7am screaming “Slipping Away” on an eerily quiet highway, doing my daily cardio to “Let It Rain”, or winding down with “Forever Yours”, there isn’t a playlist on my Spotify account that Grayscale is not a part of.
Feel Something- Movements
Need a good cry? Because I sure did when Movements released their sophomore album and put a soundtrack to many gloomy Syracuse nights this fall semester. I’m one of many who also craves that “pink cloud summer” from “Daylily” and the rythmic guitar in “Deep Red” always got me hyped no matter what kind of day I was having. In general, “Feel Something” is such a beautiful album that I’m sure will bring Movements much success in the upcoming year.
Chase Atlantic- Chase Atlantic
Something about this album makes me want to make bad decisions and I don’t know if that was the goal, but it definitely added an interesting listening experience. Chase Atlantic’s enticing lyrics and the way that every song tells a story is what drew me to them in the first place and their first full-length album delivered exactly that with songs such as “Walls”, “Dancer In The Dark”, and “Ozone”; I can’t wait to see what they accomplish in 2018.
Great Heights and Nosedives- ROAM
ROAM showed such a tremendous amount of growth with this album and I am so excited for what’s in store for them this year. While staying true to their pop-punk routes in songs such as “Alive”, “Scatterbrained”, and “Left For Dead”, ROAM also experimented with a softer side in “Home” and “Curtain Call”; a beautiful blend of new and old that has kept me hook since its release in November.
okay.- AS IT IS
This was the best birthday present I ever could’ve asked for in 2017 and if you don’t think I’m about to go hard to “Patchwork Love” on the okay UK tour in March then you are sadly mistaken. Patty Walters is one of my favorite lyricists because of his ability to string words together that you never would’ve thought to use, including my favorite from “The Coast Is Where Home Is” : “romance for past tense, rose tinted sunsets”. I can’t wait to finally experience these boys live across the pond in 2018 as we say goodbye to the okay. era and all of the love and memories that came along with this album.
Overexposed- Sleep On It
Sleep On It has always been a band that I’m pretty indifferent too, however between their collaboration with Derek DiScanio of State Champs in second single “Fireworks” and my ultimate favorite song on the album, “Always Crashing the Same Car”, Sleep On It has surely shown the world that they’re here to stay with an album that showcased their Chicago roots.
Vacation- Seaway
Seaway really outdid themselves with “Vacation” this year, filling it with nothing but energetic, upbeat bops that made me smile from beginning to end. “Vacation” was an ultimate summer staple and definitely complimented the warm fall we had this year with songs such as “Car Seat Magazine”, “Lula On The Beach”, and “Curse Me Out”. Extra points for Seaway‘s song “London” that will be sure to compliment all of my abroad adventures next semester.
Nothing Here Is Permanent- Bearings
Not technically an album, but nothing gets me more hyped than finding a new talented band. Bearings’ debut EP is a mix of raw emotion and heavy pop vibes in songs such as “Spent”, “Letters Home”, and “North Hansen”. After touring with State Champs in the fall and a sold out release show in their hometown of Ottowa, it’s no secret that Bearings is a name you’ll be hearing a lot in 2018.
Shapeshifter- Knuckle Puck
Honestly, what a genuinely beautiful album this is. A song hasn’t made me feel so unbelievably on top of the world as “Wait” did when I first heard the line “you always did feel just like home”, and I can’t even tell you how much fun it is to scream “Everyone Lies To Me” at the top of your lungs when driving your car for the first time in months after being away at school. Knuckle Puck demonstrated massive growth in terms of taking risks and shying away from typical pop punk sound while staying true to their routes and undeniable lyrics.
The Peace and The Panic- Neck Deep
There is no denying that 2017 had quite a harsh political climate and Neck Deep was able to bring their feelings about the turmoil to life in their sophomore album. “Don’t Wait” and “Happy Judgement Day” showcases these feelings the best while songs such as “19 Seventy Something” and “Wish You Were Here” brought on emotions of a different kind of loss. All together, this album had it all, bringing Neck Deep back and better than ever.
2017 was an amazing year for music and I’m so excited to discover even more amazing artists in the new year. Have a happy and healthy New Year, I’ll see ya in London in 2018!