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[Oersted]

1.

DAMN. by Kendrick Lamar

Can Kung-Fu Kenny do no wrong? So far it would seem so. DAMN was very well-received, earning the highest first week of sales for an album in 2017 (so far). It surpassed Lamar’s previous releases, becoming his top-selling album at 603,000 copies in its first week alone.

2.

A Crow Looked at Me by Mount Eerie

Songwriter Phil Elverum works through the sadness of losing his wife to cancer in A Crow Looked at Me, taking listeners along for the emotional ride.

3.

Melodrama by Lorde

Expectations may have been sky-high for this follow-up to her 2013 debut Pure Heroine, but the now-20-year-old New Zealand pop star managed to exceed them with Melodrama, produced and co-written by fun.'s Jack Antonoff.

4.

Big Fish Theory by Vince Staples

After wowing critics with his 2015 studio debut, the Southern California rapper scored even higher with this very different, electronica-influenced follow-up.

5.

Arca by Arca

The London-based producer and recent Bjork collaborator Alejandro Ghersi received the best reviews of his career for this third album and XL debut.

Full list here

http://www.metacritic.com/pictures/best-albums-of-2017-at-midyear

Lock if old

 

[Realeza]

Run the Jewels 3 should be in the top 5.

 

[CoolOff]

“The best record of the xx’s career.” —Zach Bernstein, Pretty Much Amazing

Nope.

 

[Corpsepyre]

No Pallbearer, Ulver, Elder or Slowdive? Yeah, no.

 

[HotHamBoy]

I know it was divisive but where's Humanz?

 

[smokeandmirrors]

Run the Jewels 3 should be in the top 5.

This

 

[Realeza]

I know it was divisive but where's Humanz?

In our heartz as the best Gorillaz album.

 

[Psychoward]

I know it was divisive but where's Humanz?

You answered the second part of your sentence with the first part of your sentence.

Spoiler

it sucked

 

[overcast]

Kung Fu Kenny he was born with a vision

 

[Fat4all]

my favorite album of the year isn't even on metacritic :/

 

[Oersted]

No Pallbearer, Ulver, Elder or Slowdive? Yeah, no.

Namedropping a band from Norway, when there is already one artist from Sweden. What next? South America? Asia? Africa? Get out.

 

[toastyToast]

I like Vince Staples but what the fuck is Big Fish doing there?

 

[HiiiLife]

Damn AOTY

 

[LegoArmo]

I was let down by the Lorde album.

 

[Thewonandonly]

Run the Jewels 3 should be in the top 5.

Damn when you said that I was thinking it was six... it's not even in the top 25 :O

Wonder if since it came out in December on Spotify that they count it as 2016 because that album is pure fire and run the jewels best

 

[El Topo]

Namedropping a band from Norway, when there is already one artist from Sweden. What next? South America? Asia? Africa? Get out.

I mean, these aggregator sites are extremely English-focussed. That's just how it is.

 

[Ivan 3414]

I like Vince Staples but what the fuck is Big Fish doing there?

It's a critical darling like Kendrick's project. Both shouldn't be close to the positions they are on the list

 

[trixx]

The beats on big fish theory is what made me dislike it. Headache to listen to after a while, seriously exhausted. Still want to listen to the Jay Z album, that single is really good.

 

[MugiwaraCole]

It's a critical darling like Kendrick's project. Both shouldn't be close to the positions they are on the list

Shiiiiiit, DAMN is easily number one.

 

[Thewonandonly]

It's a critical darling like Kendrick's project. Both shouldn't be close to the positions they are on the list

See yous a yous a yous a bitch with all that sucker shit inside your DNA

 

[Starfish Hero]

Where's Playboi Carti

 

[NotLiquid]

I know it was divisive but where's Humanz?

77 on MC is 5 points away from the 25th best at 82

 

[WaffleTaco]

Damn is pretty overrated, it was ridiclous that at one point it might have been the #1 reviewed album on the site. Saying it is on the same level as TPAB is just quite awful. I would state that Lorde's Melodrama is overrated as well.

Edit:

Also saw the xx album on there...it's an okay album, and does nothing special that the indie garage band next door can't do.

 

[Bronx-Man]

Big Fish Theory is basura. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a backlash against it 6 months from now.

Run the Jewels 3 should be in the top 5.

Looooooooool.

 

[Poor GRIMES]

I was let down by the Lorde album.

mmmmmm, try listening again

AOTY tbqfh, best pop album since Lemonade

 

[torre_avenue]

Damn. and Kendrick Lamar are getting to the stage where I'm getting actively annoyed with people who hold either up as the savior of rap music.

It was alright, probably an 8 or so out of 10, but its his weakest album since Section 80.

 

[Oersted]

I mean, these aggregator sites are extremely English-focussed. That's just how it is.

I thought I lampshaded that. Guess not.

 

[Prototype Viktor]

#1 shouldn't be there and number 4 should be 1

 

[Nipo]

Damn. and Kendrick Lamar are getting to the stage where I'm getting actively annoyed with people who hold either up as the savior of rap music.

It was alright, probably an 8 or so out of 10, but its his weakest album since Section 80.

His weakest is still better than anything else out this year.

 

[Diprosalic]

RTJ3 dropped christmas 2016 didn't it?

 

[Vincent Grayson]

Nope.

Care to elaborate? The second album was worthless, and the third has them doing better, more varied songs. I don't see how it's not their best work to date.

 

[El Topo]

I thought I lampshaded that. Guess not.

Oh, you did, don't worry.
Random Metacritic fact: No woman has ever had the highest-rated album of the year on Metacritic. The closest are Loretta Lynn in 2004 (same MC score as Brian Wilson, less reviews, ranked below) and Meg White as part of The White Stripes in 2003.

 

[Ristifer]

Damn is pretty overrated, it was ridiclous that at one point it might have been the #1 reviewed album on the site. Saying it is on the same level as TPAB is just quite awful. I would state that Lorde's Melodrama is overrated as well.

No.

Damn. and Kendrick Lamar are getting to the stage where I'm getting actively annoyed with people who hold either up as the savior of rap music.

It was alright, probably an 8 or so out of 10, but its his weakest album since Section 80.

And no.

 

[Perfect Blue]

It's a critical darling like Kendrick's project. Both shouldn't be close to the positions they are on the list

What does this even mean? The fact that they are critical darlings is why they are on this list lol.

 

[NipplesAndToes23]

Am I weird for not liking what the majority likes? Whenever I see lists like these or when someone recommends me something I don't like it. Most of the time.

 

[PolishQ]

Richard Dawson would be on there if anyone in the US knew about him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfaW-yD7DoA

 

[Kusagari]

Big Fish Theory sucks

 

[The Driver]

Most of the stuff on the list I've heard and think is good to decent but absolutely none have been solid from top to bottom. Nothing this year has grabbed me for its entire runtime, they all got flab.

 

[Various Artists]

RTJ3 dropped christmas 2016 didn't it?

Yeah. I think this is why it is technically not included. It had a surprise early release. It had me aching to leaving my families house early! 😊

 

[Bronx-Man]

Most of the stuff on the list I've heard and think is good to decent but absolutely none have been solid from top to bottom. Nothing this year has grabbed me for its entire runtime, they all got flab.

I'm feeling the same. It's really weird how we're in July and still have yet to get an album that's like a 9. Usually we'd have a couple by May.

 

[Phobophile]

No Pallbearer, Ulver, Elder or Slowdive? Yeah, no.

Not gonna lie, the latest Pallbearer and Elder albums don't have the same lasting power as their previous releases.

 

[marrec]

Big Fish Theory sucks

Big Fish Theory is better than DAMN.

EDIT:

HAIM's new album would be in my top 5, but it didn't hit with the critics quite as much.

 

[NipplesAndToes23]

I did not realize Stormzy released an album this year. I just listened to Ray BLK's Durt this year, but Stormzy didn't impress me on "My Hood". I'll give it a listen though.

Most of the stuff on the list I've heard and think is good to decent but absolutely none have been solid from top to bottom. Nothing this year has grabbed me for its entire runtime, they all got flab.

I'm feeling the same. It's really weird how we're in July and still have yet to get an album that's like a 9. Usually we'd have a couple by May.

Have you listened to Substantial's The Past Is Always Present in the Future or Moonchild's Voyager?

 

[Bronx-Man]

Big Fish Theory is better than DAMN.

Objectively incorrect. It's not even near Summertime 06.

 

[marrec]

Objectively incorrect. It's not even near Summertime 06.

I'd agree that it's probably not better than Summertime 06, but it's a damn fine album and I love that Vince didn't just make Summertime 06 vol 2.

Love Can Be is magnificent.

 

[Mi goreng]

I was so excited for that Arca record and haven't played it more than once. I should return to it.

Edit: Laurel Halo's Dust is on the list, and for good reason, it's dope. If you're an adventurous listener check it out.

 

[March of the Crabs]

my favorite album of the year isn't even on metacritic :/

Same

 

[NipplesAndToes23]

Same

I just looked up two of mine's. Me neither.

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

Weird, I think the last Paul Weller work was very weak.

Specially compared to something like Robyn Hitchcook new album, to put a similar old british rocker that released an album this year.

 

[Glazed]

See yous a yous a yous a bitch with all that sucker shit inside your DNA

perfect