Chart of 2017: #24

 

Why you looking at me now?

 

 

#024 Grimes ft. Janelle Monáe “Venus Fly” Debut: 19th February 2017 / CR: 35-23-12-07-05-03-04-05-07-11-16-21-30-39 (14 weeks)

 

It wouldn't be a Doctor Blind chart without Grimes appearing somewhere, would it? The final single from 2015s Art Angles is this thundering anthem which celebrates the freedom to wear and become whoever you want to be on the dancefloor. Hopefully some new material from Ms Boucher in 2018?

Chart of 2017: #23

 

He's mashed, I'm mashed, we're mashed

 

 

#023 King Krule “Dum Surfer” Debut: 15th October 2017 / CR: 37-25-15-04-01-01-01-03-05-05-08-10† (12 weeks.. so far)

 

“Dum Surfer” was the clear highlight from recent album OOZ and shot to #1 in November - the unsettling ghoulish vocals and dark production on this track give it a very unique feel, like a 2017 updated version of “Monster Mash”, and one that keeps changing on repeated listens - at the moment I'm really enjoying the horn arrangement near to the end. Solid, and should hopefully continue charting well into 2018.

Edited January 1, 20187 yr by Doctor Blind

Chart of 2017: #22

 

 

#022 Bicep “Aura” Debut: 9th July 2017 / CR: 37-21-13-08-05-02-02-04-07-10-15-20-29-39-50 (15 weeks)

 

Bicep- the electronic duo of Andy Ferguson and Matt McBriar from Belfast have long been DJ’ing and part of the dance music scene, but in 2017 they finally released their self-titled debut. One of the most impressive dance albums of the year and from it, “Aura” was the first taste and IMO the best single. All of their singles have had four letter words including 2015s “Just” which is their only other appearance on my Year-End charts.

Chart of 2017: #21

 

Still acting like the same kids, I guess we didn't come that far

 

 

#021 Amber Arcades “It Changes” Debut: 26th March 2017 / CR: 50-31-23-13-09-04-02-02-04-06-10-14-20-27-40 (15 weeks)

 

This fabulous piece of indie from Dutch artist Amber Arcades aka Annelotte de Graaf stormed into the Top 2 in May- the propulsive and soaring “It Changes” feels quite laid-back 90s indie inspired but the production and addictive chorus mean it doesn't sound quite as dated. 6Music were playing this loads and I relented. :P

Chart of 2017: #20

 

It's so overwhelming, the thrill of affection

 

 

#020 The xx “Say Something Loving” Debut: 8th January 2017 / CR: 47-30-18-12-07-03-02-03-04-08-11-16-24-30-39-47 (16 weeks)

 

Jamie xx does it again with a fantastic use of sample from Alessi Brothers 1976 hit “Do You Feel It?” providing the backdrop to this lovely single - the 2nd - from I See You exploring the feeling of being infatuated with someone but wondering whether they ‘feel it’ too. I also loved the choice of premiering this at a Japanese karaoke bar!

Edited January 1, 20187 yr by Doctor Blind

Chart of 2017: #19

 

We said we’d never let anyone in, We said we’d only die of lonely secrets

 

 

#019 The National “The System Only Dreams In Total Darkness” Debut: 14th May 2017 / CR: 46-33-26-17-11-05-03-02-02-04-07-11-17-25-37-48 (16 weeks)

 

Matt Berninger on fine form here on this track which speaks to the dark state of affairs of the world politically in the US and the rest of the world. It was great to have them back this year.

Chart of 2017: #18

 

Girls from the pool say "Hi" (hi) :D

 

 

#018 alt-J “3WW” Debut: 12th March 2017 / CR: 40-30-19-13-07-04-02-01-03-06-08-15-22-29-42 (15 weeks)

 

“3WW” (or ‘3 worn words’) was the first single from the new Leeds trio's 3rd album Relaxer - unfortunately I wasn't a huge fan of the album however a bit like with Arcade Fire some of the singles from it were brilliant - and this smorgasbord of elements and genres really gelled well and became a firm favourite of mine at the start of the year. Their first #1 since 2012s “Tessellate”.

Edited January 2, 20187 yr by Doctor Blind

Chart of 2017: #17

 

If you'll never see 'em coming, you'll never have to hide

 

 

#017 Perfume Genius “Slip Away” Debut: 2nd April 2017 / CR: 39-28-19-13-05-01-01-02-04-07-12-18-24-30-38-45 (16 weeks)

 

Perfume Genius rightly stormed to #1 in May with the fantastic “Slip Away” - the lead single from new album No Shape; which sounds very much like it was inspired by Kate Bush and is all the better for it. A short, sweet track full of clattering drums which collide and collapse into a colossal hook.

Chart of 2017: #16

 

I'll be your dreamboat lover and roll the dice, we'll shine in paradise

 

 

#016 Ariel Pink “Feels Like Heaven” Debut: 10th September 2017 / CR: 44-30-21-17-12-07-03-02-03-05-08-12-18-26-36-40 (16 weeks)

 

Dedicated to Bobby Jameson was as you'd expect dedicated to the troubled, and recently deceased, cult 1960s songwriter Bobby Jameson - who had a serious of misfortunes and alleged wrongdoing against him on the part of various managers and record company agents. “Feels Like Heaven” is NOT a Fiction Factory cover, though it definitely has some of those 1980s influences within it. A dream pop anthem that slowly worked its way into my affections near the end of the year.

Chart of 2017: #15

 

A rush of blood is not enough, I need my feelings set on fire

 

 

#015 The xx “I Dare You” Debut: 25th June 2017 / CR: 40-25-17-08-04-02-01-01-03-05-09-15-22-30-41-50 (16 weeks)

 

The highest placed 2017 single from I See You is this emotionally charged track which explores as with other chart topper “On Hold” dealing with strong feelings in adolescence and holding on to love. I love the video with Millie Bobby Brown and Paris Jackson!

Chart of 2017: #14

 

Dreams change and I know that I'm gonna die. But I don't need what I know now

 

 

#014 Broken Social Scene “Halfway Home” Debut: 9th April 2017 / CR: 47-37-22-15-09-05-03-02-03-03-06-10-14-20-29-38-49 (17 weeks)

 

Broken Social Scene returned in 2017 with the anthemic and uplifting “Halfway Home”, which was the blistering return of a group who have been away for 7 years and previewed their forthcoming album Hug Of Thunder. Still one of the happiest and most upbeat tracks that I've heard this year.

Chart of 2017: #13

 

The old guys are frightened and frightening to behold

 

 

#013 LCD Soundsystem “Call The Police / American Dream” Debut: 7th May 2017 / CR: 30-18-12-07-02-01-01-02-04-07-09-15-25-31-39-46 (16 weeks)

 

The excellent “Call The Police” was the clear highlight here of this double A which led out James Murphy’s surprisingly good new album. The track is a politically-charged dance behemoth which did an excellent job of building up anticipation and hype of their return this summer, and it was needed.

Chart of 2017: #12

 

You're sleeping night and day... How'd you do it?

 

 

#012 The National “Guilty Party” Debut: 23rd July 2017 / CR: 49-32-15-08-04-03-03-01-01-03-06-09-17-23-32-39-48 (17 weeks)

 

A number 1 in September and clear highlight of Sleep Well Beast, “Guilty Party” explores the fictional break-up of Berninger’s marriage and has some wonderful orchestral-based structures that match that of British contemporaries Radiohead, adding up to become their first #1 on my chart since 2010s epic “Bloodbuzz Ohio”.

Edited January 1, 20187 yr by Doctor Blind

Chart of 2017: #11

 

'm waiting for it, that green light, I want it

 

 

#011 Lorde “Green Light” Debut: 5th March 2017 / CR: 33-22-14-09-05-03-01-01-03-06-09-14-19-25-33-45 (16 weeks)

 

Each year there is a pop single which goes on to be hailed as a modern classic of that genre, in 2017 that song was for me undoutably “Green Light” - a dizzyingly eye-popping hook and catchy and unconventional bridge that makes each and every second as addictive and gratifying as the last. “Green Light” raced to #1 in April and gave the New Zealander her first #1 on my chart after only getting as high as #5 with the singles from previous album Pure Heroine ( “Tennis Court” charted the highest in 2013 - at #5).

 

The TOP 10 will contain ten, yes you heard me, ten songs which have charted the best in 2017 - but what are they, what order are they in - and perhaps most importantly - does anyone actually care? Find out... after I've had my dinner.

Edited January 1, 20187 yr by Doctor Blind

 

Chart of 2017: #10

 

 

#010 Slowdive “Star Roving” Debut: 15th January 2017 / CR: 37-24-17-13-06-06-06-03-02-04-06-09-13-20-31-40-49 (17 weeks)

 

Early pioneers of the so-called shoegaze movement in the late 80s/early 90s, Slowdive had not put out new music since 1995s Pygmalion. In January after a 22-year break they came back in style sporting this upbeat, somewhat anti-shoegaze, anthem with guitars and drumming that just hits you from about the 26 second mark. Note to The Stone Roses: this is how you do a comeback!

 

Chart of 2017: #9

 

 

#009 Arcade Fire “Everything Now” Debut: 11th June 2017 / CR: 35-25-16-10-05-02-01-01-02-04-06-10-17-25-33-39-46 (17 weeks)

 

“Everything Now” has the kind of piano riff that you imagine has been lost in the mists of time, something that Abba casually cast aside in the late 70s - but instead it belongs to this wonderful pop single from Arcade Fire, a monumentally great song exposing our current, instantaneous consume-all culture of excess in a brilliantly upbeat fashion. It harbours the disco influences that were apparent on their last LP but are now turned up to foreground and yes, ok it sounds a bit like Abba - and for that reason it is AMAZING.

I really should know more of these songs since they're from artists I do quite like :lol: Glad tonite made the Top 30 though, not the sort of music I usually listen to but the lyrics in it are amazing. Say Something Loving was a great follow-up single also, deserved to get a bit higher in the charts I think :(

 

Magnificent is another great one, as is that Superorganism track (if it is indeed the song I think it is :P )

 

Chart of 2017: #8

 

 

#008 Run The Jewels “Legend Has It” Debut: 11th December 2016 / CR: 47-35-27-09-04-02-01-01-02-02-03-05-08-12-18-25-37-46 (18 weeks)

 

The very definition of a BANGER. Run The Jewels preceded their quick-fire 3rd album release RTJ3 in late 2016 with this - “Legend Has It” - a colossal track which features Killer Mike and El-P on fine form rapping with unrivaled bouts of energy on what is the sets strongest track. Debuting in December last year this quickly powered into the Top 10 and gave the duo their first #1 in January.

 

Chart of 2017: #7

 

 

#007 Sampha “(No One Knows Me) Like The Piano” Debut: 15th January 2017 / CR: 38-16-08-01-01-01-01-02-04-06-08-10-16-23-30-38-47 (17 weeks)

 

I was so incredibly happy when Sampha won the Mercury Music Prize last year, his music has gone on to inspire many a successful artist and it felt like he was never going to get the credit he so richly deserved. Last year the frantic and haunting paranoia of “Blood On Me” was in my Top 10 of 2016, and this year he does it again with the beautifully touching cathartic piano-ballad “(No One Knows Me) Like The Piano”, a song he dedicated to his mother (who he lost sadly to cancer) which speaks of his childhood home in Morden, south London.

Edited January 1, 20187 yr by Doctor Blind

 

Chart of 2017: #6

 

 

#006 Sylvan Esso “Kick Jump Twist” Debut: 5th February 2017 / CR: 35-22-13-08-05-03-02-02-01-01-03-04-08-11-17-27-39-50 (18 weeks)

 

Sylvan Esso are an electronic/pop duo from North Carolina who released their 2nd LP What Now last year - the stunning first single from it “Kick Jump Twist” - a mix of synths, percussive blips and drumming that builds a frantic energy that climaxes in the final minute to spectacular effect - became their first #1 on my chart in April. When I first heard this on 6Music I assumed it was just some amazing single from the 2000s that I'd overlooked at the time, but no - it was a new single, and sadly it was totally ignored by pretty much everyone. : (