We might only be half-way through but as we’ve heard so much amazing music already we thought it was fitting to pull some of our favourites together in a mega post of Great Records 2017.
We know there is always more music that we should be hearing and would love if we found it (although that Ed Sheeran album is possibly not one for us) so please leave a comment below with your recommendation of track, EP or album released in 2017 or by hitting us up on Facebook or Twitter.
And we know there is loads more good stuff to come in 2017 – long players from our own LIINES, Unqualified Nurse Band and Grawl!x, an EP from Dactylion and a single from Mower among them. But we’re also looking forward to releases from Dingwei, Paul Draper, Katie Von Schleicher, Goddesses, Panji and The Buffalo, Haiku Salut, Waxahatchee, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, and Oh Sees.
Anyway – that’s all still to come – here’s our list of great records from 2017 so far.
Great Records 2017: Albums
Desperate Journalist – Grow Up (Fierce Panda)
We were lucky enough for Desperate Journalist to come and headline a sell-out show for us at the Hairy Dog back in January and the release of their second album followed soon after. An evolution of their post-punk noir-pop sound and released through one of our favourite labels, it’s been a regular on the Reckless Yes stereo all year.
Pet Crow – A Simple Guide To Small And Medium Pond Life (Reckless Yes Records)
Our only LP release so far for 2017 and of course it’s one of our favourite records – tumbling melodies, cow bell, grunge guitars and pure joy shot through the lot. An amazing debut from a band who’ve only been together a year – well deserving of the praise picked up. You can buy the ltd aquamarine 12″ vinyl in our online shop and read all the love sent their way in their press file. More coming from this band soon…
Biscuit Mouth – Hot Change (self released)
As if being in Pet Crow wasn’t achievement enough Sean Kenny also released an album from his other project Biscuit Mouth. Riotous and experimental noise to blow your mind. Read Pete’s review on Storge.
Dystopian Future Movies – Time (Kozmik Artifacts / Oak Island Records)
This band are partially responsible for the existence of Reckless Yes (their JT Soars gig in December 2016 caused Pete to contact Sarah to post his review to Louder Than War and the rest is history) so it was with great anticipation we’d been waiting for their debut album. It didn’t disappoint. You can read Pete’s review for Louder Than War here and Sarah’s for Circuit Sweet here.
Japanese String Movement – self-titled (self-released)
We’re really excited to be releasing music by Dactylion later this year but we were left breathless by this spontaneous album from guitarist Liam McLaughlin. Finding himself with downtime from Dactylion he conceived, recorded and released this album of gorgeous prog-infused shoegaze and alt rock in just three weeks earlier this year. You can read Sarah’s review on Storge.
Diet Cig – Swear I’m Good At This (Frenchkiss Records)
We both totally fell for this album on its release and love the ‘radical softness’ ethos of this band. Upbeat indiepop melodies mixed with vulnerable and occasionally bleak lyrics make this one for the pop-punk kids now finding themselves required to adult. There’s a certain loneliness in that premise, compounded by the division at the heart of modern times, and yet this is a record which tops up your sense of togetherness both on an individual and collective level. You can read Sarah’s review for Louder Than War here.
Cherry Glazerr – Apocalipstick (Secretly Canadian)
The second album from Cherry Glazerr, and lynchpin Clementine Creevy is world-wise beyond her 19-years. Big crunching riffs, loud/quiet dynamics and lyrics that reflect as much the modern age as coming-of-age this is a vital record from a vibrant garage pop band.
Bedouine – Bedouine (Spacebomb Records)
Aleppo-born, Saudia Arabia-raised, American settled Azniv Korkejian, AKA Bedouine, has created a beautiful, wistful album full of ’70s folk charm that’s bound to be one of the highlights of the year. It might hark back to music past rather than be breaking new territory but its no less brilliant for it.
Chastity Belt – I Used To Spend So Much Time Alone (Hardly Art)
Often with a downbeat feel to the delivery the vulnerability and introspection are striking making this a record that opens up its true beauty over time, rewarding loyalty.
Lorde – Melodrama (Universal)
It’s no secret that Sarah is massive fan of pop music (there’s even a Take That poster on the Reckless Yes office wall) but the second album from Lorde still came as somewhat of a surprise love. Under sparse melody and big beats lurks the vitality of youth and the shell-shock of coming of age. There is melodrama as the title suggests but melancholy too,
Slowdive – self titled
Shoegaze is having a generational resurgence and we’re certainly hearing the influence of the early ’90s sound in many new releases. This new album from one of the bigger bands of the classic era was hotly anticipated and didn’t disappoint.
Mount Eerie – A Crow Looked At Me (P.W. Elverum and Son Ltd)
A devastating album dealing with death, grief and sounding as unsettled as the emotions themselves. Recorded by Phil Elverum following the death of his wife, this album took shape in the room where she died, is played mostly on her instruments and is a striking reflection on the harsh reality of death.
Fazerdaze – Morningside (Flying Nun Records)
Gorgeously ethereal in sound, but pinned in garage pop lyrically. Superb album from New Zealand’s Fazerdaze.
Perfume Genius – No Shape (Matador)
Gothic songwriting laid bare yet an evolved and cohesive sound for Perfume Genius. Dark songs for dark hearts.
Sheer Mag – Compilation (Wilsuns Recording Company)
Bringing together their three EPs this album from Sheer Mag is a great intro.
Great Records 2017: EPs and Singles
The Hudson Super 6 – Ride The Tiger (Ingue Records)
Long-awaited release from the desert blues porno rock masters, and Derby supergroup, The Hudson Super 6. Led by single LSDH
Elsa Hewitt – Cameras From Mars
We first came across Elsa doing her thing at Ruby Tuesday’s in York and so we were highly anticipating the first of a trilogy of EPs from her this year. It didn’t disappoint – sparse but stunning electronica, experimental ambience and slight but ethereal melody. Gorgeous stuff and an artist to watch out for.
You Want Fox – Liar Liar (Reckless Yes Records)
Our only single release so far this year has been You Want Fox’s Liar Liar, which as Even The Stars said is, “loud, raucous, but also a whole lot of fun”. You can buy it from our online shop or from all of your usual download and streaming platforms.
SeiSui – This Forest Talks (self-released)
Releasing their first track on New Year’s Day 2017 This Forest Talks is the fourth from this somewhat mysterious Derby shoegaze / dream pop duo. With more than a hint of Galaxie 500 about this one previous tracks have invoked MBV, Slint and 18th Dye. Find This Forest Talks on Bandcamp.
Ride – Weather Diaries (Wichita)
The first new material in 20 years from the classic shoegaze era band and it’s got something for old and new fans alike. Steeped in their familiar rock and reverb there’s deeper influences at play and certainly a drive for the future rather than a nostalgia for the past. Read Sarah’s interview with the band in the current issue of Louder Than War magazine or her album review on Sounds Magazine.
Peaness – Are You Sure (Alcopop Records)
One of our favourite indie-pop bands who we’re massively excited to do an in-conversation with as part of this year’s Indietracks workshop programme. Get your ears on this EP and then catch up chatting to them on Saturday 29 July at the festival.
Cherry Hex and The Dream Church – Toska (self-released)
We fell in love with this Nottingham trip hop dream pop duo last year but were held in captivated silence, along with the rest of the audience, through their set at the last Six Impossible Things in May. Get the new single on Bandcamp.
Unqualified Nurse Band – Death Surf A52 / White Dove (Too Pure)
After releasing their debut album with us in 2016 Derby’s Unqualified Nurse Band went on to record this double-A for Too Pure Singles Club. Read Sarah’s review on Storge and you can still get your hands on the limited red vinyl of debut album Debasement Tapes in our online shop.
Follakzoid & J. Spaceman – London Sessions (Sacred Bones Records)
Tripping collaboration between Chilian psych band Follakzoid and J.Spaceman after they met backstage at a Wooden Shjips gig. He’s added guitar harmonics to live-to-tape reworkings of tracks from their 2016 III album and brings a different, even more brilliant, ambience to the sound.
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Leave a comment with your pick of the year so far and what you’re looking forward to release-wise in the next 6 months.
