I gave up my regular "new music round-up" blogs many moons ago - too much like hard work, for diminishing returns (I would often find myself looking forlornly as no-one read, let alone commented on, them after hours of research). However, just occasionally I am tempted to revive the concept...
There were actually, after all, a few songs [no rappers, no Ed Sheeran, no Bieber, no Coldplay and no Miss Swift, obviously!] that were released in 2017 which piqued my interest - such as this absolutely brilliant one by Beck [a particular fave of the fantabulosa Ana Matronic; as she admitted when she played it while sitting in for Jo Wiley on her show on Radio 2 last night]:
Speaking of "faves", this track by the-latest-"weirdo"-on-the-block Lorde has topped many a "sensible" music critic's list - and, even I have to admit, (with its defiant, angsty style reminiscent of Robyn Dancing On My Own) it is rather contagious:
This was inescapable all through the summer of '17:
[The pre-Bieber version]
Speaking of inescapable - this one also dominated the year, and is likely destined to be a staple of every daytime radio station, advert and trendy boutique "mood music" playlist for ever more - unsurprising, really, since it is basically a bastard child of ABBA and Simple Minds...
But, then there's this! It became a huge "earworm" here at Dolores Delargo Towers when I first encountered it back in November [despite the fact it was already two years old at the time], and is likely to remain there for a good while yet. My "fave choon of the year", by a long chalk:
So what were your songs of the year 2017, dear reader?
I, for one love your selections - please remember us - your people out there in the Dark!
ReplyDelete"Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing, only a signal shown, and a distant voice in the darkness; So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another, only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
DeleteI shall consider whether to start this sort of "new music blog" again on a regular basis. Unfortunately, and increasingly, as so much "new music" is shit, it may prove even more hard work than before. Jx
Some nice stuff.
ReplyDeleteGod I miss Bowie
We all do. Jx
DeleteI like the Beck song a lot. It reminds me of late Beatles.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me more of Scissor Sisters - which may explain why Miss Matronic loves it, too... Jx
DeleteI thought the same, Jon. It really has the flavour of the Scissor Sisters' earlier stuff - if a little diluted.
Delete"A distillate of Scissor Sister." Sounds like an incantation. Jx
DeleteGreen Light really surprised me. I thought I was going to hate it (especially because I found those first head-shots of the singer really annoying - I shouldn't have watched the video!), but you're right, it has that Dancing On My Own feel which I love!
ReplyDeleteEverything Now is my favourite out of all these - so catchy! And, as well as the Abba & Simple Minds sounds, it also reminds me of another song that I've been trying to remember for months (possibly by Cliff Richard - I know!), but still can't!
Thank you for these. I'm going to be listening to Arcade Fire on a loop now!
Lorde gained my absolute admiration for her brilliant Bowie tribute at the Brit Awards in 2016. Jx
DeletePS the Arcade Fire track is remarkably addictive, but... Cliff Richard??? Aaaargh!
Fab
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the selection, dear! Jx
Delete