Year-End Albums List

2017 is rapidly setting and this twilight always causes me to reflect on the records that moved me over the last 12 months. I’m always torn what’s worth sharing because I so rarely return to the albums over and over. I listen to new music once or twice and move on to whatever is released next.

This year I’ve decided to include 2 lists. I will simply list some albums that grabbed me this year either because of their excellent song-craft or for the innovative production that inspired me to try some new things in the studio. I’m not including links in this list because I assume you either know how to find these are more realistically, you’ve found them already. Nothing crazy-surprising here. In no particular order:

  • Harry Styles – Harry Styles
  • Bleachers – Gone Now
  • Randy Newman – dark matter
  • Lana Del Ray – Lust for Life
  • Passenger – The Boy Who Cried Wolf
  • PJ Morton – Gumbo
  • John Mayer – The Search for Everything
  • Jay-Z – 4:44
  • Stu G – Beatitudes Project
  • Shawn Mendes – Illuminate

This next list is more vital to me. A bunch of my current and former students have released projects this year. The songwriting program in the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University is truly unparalleled the world over. There is some genuinely BRILLIANT music in this list. I’m certain everyone will be able to find something that moves you on the playlist below. I have NOT included all of the singles that students have released or co-written for others. I’ve also excluded songs by students that graduated from our program before I got here. (it’s sad how many great songs you’ll miss because of this exclusion. My apologies for robbing you of great songs by Devin Dawson, The Rooftop Secret, LANY, Adison, Coin, Rand, Nilka, and Mitchell Rose). Merry Christmas. Happy New Year and happy listening.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *