30. Renaldo & Clara - Els afores 
A sweet little record sung in Catalan which flows lightly like a soft summer breeze. There's definitely a lounge feel that could put me off but dunno, it's just so pretty.
29. together PANGEA - Bulls & Rosters 
Just simple, easy-going garage rock. Mostly on the cleaner and more melodic side of it. "Money on it" is a lost British Invasion classic.
28. Cherry Glazerr - Apocalipstick 
While we wait for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to release something, this might work. It's not the same, but there's a bit of that.
27. A Giant Dog - Toy 
Doesn't cast a shadow on their release from last year, mostly because it follows the same path (although with extra orchestrated passages). But the highs are quite high anyway. Weird dirty epic little band this one.
26. Blondie - Pollinator 
Much better than it had any right to be tbh. Once you get used to the sometimes overprocessed voice of Debbie (specially on the singles), this collaborative album works like a career tribute with a slight (more harmless than welcome) modern sheen.
25. The Big Moon - Love in the 4th Dimension 
Nice British indie rock with touches of the likes of the Libertines but I guess there aren't that many female bands like that. Also, they acted as Marina Hackman's backing band, another record close to making the list.
24. The National - Sleep Well Beast 
I have accustomed to receiving their records like a virus: they grow inside of you. I do like them but not THAT much and anyway I've had enough of their style. But still after some listens (for the third record in a row) I realize they have done it once again. This might be their worst one in 15? years though, which is a praise.
23. Phoenix - Ti amo 
A bunch of French rich people talking about hedonism, an idealized Italy, icecreams... What else can you ask? Well, a little bit of consistency but it's la vita bella we are talking about.
22. Temples - Volcano 
I don't feel like defending this against a jury. I mean, you might enjoy it more or less but it's surely a well done 60s psych pop record with more modern tints than the debut.
21. Ty Segall - Ty Segall 
Ty Segall does Albini, but it's more than that (I'm looking at you, Cribs). To be honest, for this time I prefer the strech of melodic songs on the second half where he embraces his inner Beatle.
20. The Shins - Heartworms 
Do you remember The Shins? It might be their (or his) freshest release since Chutes Too Narrow and I'm thankful for that. The arrangements are not too obvious but the songs are still catchy and direct, which is why I came here for.
19. Mujeres - Un Sentimiento Importante 
This Catalan band have become a three piece and changed English for Spanish, one for worse (the lost member did many guitar solos and arrangements) and the other could be for the better, as there aren't many Spanish bands who give the 60s yeyé style a modern garage twist. The scorpion on the Spanish silhouette is so iconic, they say it reflects the curse of all the miles they've traveled while touring the country.
18. Ariel Pink - Dedicated to Bobby Jameson 
It's far from his best record, but being one of my favourite artists I was going to enjoy this anyway. It has everything you've come to expect from Ariel plus a few surprises, but I'd say it's the first time since I'm following him where he doesn't really evolve. Truth is pom pom was hard to surpass, and besides the EPs I mentioned there are some ace bonus tracks scattered around.
17. Future Islands - The Far Field 
They are mostly a one trick pony and there's no discussion there. But they're also a well oiled elegant machine quite aware of their strengths and on this record they have put together a very consistent pack of songs.
16. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Flying Microtonal Banana 
From all the 4 (5?) of their 2017 records this is the best. Still far from Nonagon Infinity, but it reflects many of their faces: psych, jam, kraut, doom thematic, lighter tracks, all around fun, etc. Of course they could have just released one stronger album instead of many mediocre ideas attached to certain restrictions, but they did it in 2016 and after all every release has its own merits.
15. The Orwells - Terrible Human Beings 
One of those bands, you know. If they ever had their prime, it's already past. Not special at all, but they fit quite a bit with my tastes. For some reason though, I never really gave them a full chance until this year. This record is quite consistent, and a good representation of THAT kind of fun, careless and energetic rock.
14. Fleet Foxes - Crack-Up 
Although I'd say all the added complexity gets in the way of their real virtues, making this probably the least enjoyable record, the moments of beauty they reach on certain moments are out of this world.
13. The Jesus and Mary Chain - Damage and Joy 
The Jesus doing what they do best, specially the duets are gorgeous. I would trimm a track or two, the guitars and voices are less exciting, but their knack for melodies is nearly unparalleled.
12. The War on Drugs - A Deeper Understanding 
There's a string vibration 4 minutes into one of the most useless songs on this that melted me when I discovered it the other day. It's a bit overblown, a tad long and maybe a bit more dishonest than the previous one, but still a good dose of lovely heartland rock tunes.
11. Sheer Mag - Need to Feel Your Love 
Here we gan! To be honest, this is less accomplished than their early EPs, they've gone on some tracks for full blown arena 70s stadium rock. But they also apmlify the funk on other tracks, which fit right to that Jackson5 meets Thin Lizzy tag I've used a thousand times.
10. The xx - I See You 
I never got into them back then and in fact I don't believe their previous records are that great. But Jamie's taste and touch shines all over this one, making this a slow-disco kinda wonder. Less subtle and more parteyy.
9. Tennis - Yours Conditionally 
Velvety, bittersweet, irreproachable, shoothing. Absolutely love the guitars and production, there are some nice Fleetwood Mac vibes. I could live inside "My Emotions Are Blinding".
8. Alvvays - Antisocialites 
I find a huge leap on ambition and sound from their debut, which was average at best for me. I still find them a tad overrated, at least until I listen to the record again. What they do, they do really well.
7. St. Vincent - MASSEDUCTION 
I know I'm late to her but I discovered St. Vincent with this record and she's definitely one of the most interesting artists around. I'm already going back to her previous ones (think their 2014 selftitled might edge this), but this was a total surprise for me. Pop like it should be: fun, apparently light but purposeful, varied, catchy. 'New York' got under my skin like very few songs do. Also great work with all the associated design: cover, videos, performances.
6. Communions - Blue 
First track: it's alright. Second track: not bad either. Third track: the singer has a young Liam vibe. By the 5th song I was paying more attention. They don't reinvent the wheel, it's a good guitar record with pop sensibility and they definitely know how to throw a nice chorus. Probably a Mando Diao-case where I'm alone enjoying them though.
5. Declan McKenna - What Do You Think About The Car? 
My little darling. A guy that age (some songs have more than a couple years) talking about transexuality, religion, FIFA corruption and what else. All with a wonderful abbility to embed it all naturally and non preachy in a magnificent pop song. Well, maybe only a millenial can do it. Prerelease singles are miles ahead of the rest and gets the prize for worst cover in the decade (wait! LCD too!).
4. Foxygen - Hang 
La La Hang! At first I was a little deceived, it seemed a bit light and not what I expected. I'd say it was after listening to a 'making of' of Follow The Leader (highly recommended) that it all started to click. The Broadway vibe, the orchestration, the layers. They went for all that and definitely succeeded.
3. The Horrors - V 
So many bands I loved are releasing records that leave me cold lately (BRMC, Cribs, Wilco, Eels...). The last Horrors record was not bad... but it was a bit boring. From what I've heard they also were a bit stuck in their creation process and this all changed once they picked Paul Epworth as a producer. Geoff Barrow definitely was a key piece in the process of Primary Colours and here I guess we can say the same. They have added acoustic guitars, Madchester grooves, some industrial noise, synthpop elements and whatever they thought could fit the song. The result is their best effort since PC and their biggest hit song ever.
2. Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell Live 
I couldn't fully connect with Carrie & Lowell. I understood the big praise, liked it and knew it was a very special record, but not a masterpiece for me. Still I gave it a lot of listens hoping it would grow. Maybe it didn't, but it helped making me know the songs, so when I first listened to their live transformation I was pretty much ready to love this. I guess many people still prefer the naked version, but the way Sufjan dressed the songs adding hundreds of tasteful little details simply makes me melt. The varied instrumentation, the build ups, the voice(s), the amazing production for a live record... And that Drake cover!
1. Wolf Alice - Visions of a Life 
One of those bands you root for, you want to succeed. And when I say 'you', I obviously mean 'me', you insensitive old fuckers. There's a lot of variety on this record, both between songs and inside them, but at the same time it feels a lot more focused than the debut. The songs breath, build and rock when they need to. The influences are there but mixed and used as support for finding exciting new paths to explore. I could choose some highlights but I'll just say the title track is a fantastic way to close the record. I'd really like to catch them on tour soon because I caught 20 minutes before they even had their first LP out and they already were an amazing beast back then. Oh, and have I mentioned that I love Ellie?
