Kevin Abstract is the ringleader of predominantly queer, self-described “All-American Boy Band” BROCKHAMPTON, who broke into the mainstream this year with a show on Viceland, numerous music videos and three studio albums, each one more killer than the last. He also can’t drive. To most, this detail is unimportant, but to me, someone who has struggled with driving anxiety and the shame surrounding it as I approach the age of 23, it means the world. It means that my flaws do not define me and that I also have the capability to work hard and utilize the resources around me to create something artistically satisfying.
If that seems heavy, well, 2017 was a heavy year – heavier than 2016 and with 2018 showing no signs of lightening up. Ironically enough, 2017 was a year of accomplishment for myself; I graduated from college, moved away from my hometown and worked on two studio albums, one of them being my own dream-pop debut and another being a friend’s hip-hop project. But BROCKHAMPTON has inspired me to push even further. I’ve recently taken to writing in a notebook, detailing the things I want to create (a podcast, a film script, the next Flower Crown LP) and the steps I need to take to get there.
If you’re reading this, I’m sorry that there’s not as much to latch onto in regards to other music from this past year. I suppose it just feels good to have this written somewhere publicly. For the most part, the music that spoke to me in 2017 taught me the importance of independence, honesty and understanding, With those values in mind, I plan to take control of my own narrative in 2018, and for anyone else wanting to do the same, this list of music is a great place to start.
Top 30 Albums of 2017:
- BROCKHAMPTON – Saturation Trilogy
- Tyler, the Creator – Scum Fuck Flower Boy
- Beach Fossils – Somersault
- Father John Misty – Pure Comedy
- Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
- King Krule – The OOZ
- The National – Sleep Well Beast
- (SANDY) Alex G – Rocket
- Japanese Breakfast – Soft Sounds From Another Planet
- Greet Death – Dixieland
- King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Flying Microtonal Banana
- Makthaverskan – III
- Sampha – Process
- Mount Eerie – A Crow Looked At Me
- Syd – Fin
- Jay-Z – 4:44
- Phoebe Bridgers – Stranger in the Alps
- St. Vincent – MASSEDUCTION
- Glassjaw – Material Control
- Grizzly Bear – Painted Ruins
- The Drums – “Abysmal Thoughts”
- The xx – I See You
- IDLES – Brutalism
- Smidley – Smidley
- King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard – Polygondwanaland
- Weezer – Pacific Daydream
- Alvvays – Antisocialites
- HOMESHAKE – Fresh Air
- Kindling – Hush
- Slowdive – Slowdive
Top 10 Songs of 2017:
- (SANDY) Alex G – “Sportstar”
- Yung Lean – “Agony”
- BROCKHAMPTON – “Junky”
- Tyler, the Creator – “Boredom”
- Kendrick Lamar – “YAH.”
- The Drums – “Heart Basel”
- King Krule – “Lonely Blue”
- Japanese Breakfast – “Road Head”
- Father John Misty – “Things The Would Have Been Helpful to Know Before the Revolution”
- King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – “Billabong Valley”