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| Capturing hearts and capturing records- Ed Sheeran celebrating a 'Perfect' 2017 |
Promising much, 2017 lived
up to the hype of the big-names releasing music. There seemed to be an
abundance of popular figures unleashing albums and songs on the masses, as a
plethora of sound was produced in a bustling musical year. The popular
headlines, as well as the chart-breaking albums, formed a year of evolving and
entertaining sound.
The Best: ‘Divide’- Ed Sheeran
As predicted in my 2017
musical preview at Almanac Music, Ed
Sheeran did indeed rise to stardom and take the world by storm. Not holding
back in January 2017, Sheeran mixed it up and surprised the public with a
massive double single release of songs that immediately teemed the radio waves
– ‘Shape of You’ and ‘Castle on the Hill’. Since capturing the crowds with
these two chart-toppers, as ‘Shape of You’ broke all sorts of records in
numerous countries, the release of ‘Divide’, Sheeran’s third album, smashed the
charts and soared to a dominant level. With all songs on the album filtering
into the top 20 of Spotify and iTunes charts in Europe, America and Australia,
the album and its deluxe edition still perch in the upper echelon of rankings
in Australia. With the later single releases of ‘Galway Girl’ and ‘Perfect’,
the latter having two later remixes released to continue entrancing listeners, the
hype level was maintained, propelling him into early favouritism for Grammy
awards next year. These singles encapsulated an album that once more slightly
altered Sheeran’s sound, as his transformed acoustic sound on ‘+’ to the
well-produced booming popularity of ‘x’ has once more morphed into culturally
diverse music that includes hints of Irish/ Gaelic, African, Spanish and
inherently English background. With a huge global tour already underway, with
four Etihad Stadium shows prepped to hit Melbourne in March following up his
headline Glastonbury slot, Sheeran’s touring 2018 will further solidify his
standings as one of the modern powerhouses of contemporary music.
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| Sheeran on his 'X' tour- will 2018 produce the same heroic touring heights? |
A superb highlight: “Melodrama”- Lorde
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| Lorde finding her 'Perfect Place(s)' in Melbourne, November 2017 |
You would think after a 17
year old releases a world-wide hit album that included ‘Royals’ and ‘Tennis
Court’ that their sophomore album would most likely fall to the scrutinies of
pressure, but Lorde showed everyone in 2017 that she can surpass these lofty
expectations. Releasing ‘Melodrama’, introduced by the single ‘Green Light’
which has littered advertisements and soundtracks, as well as a likely top
three finish in Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown, ‘Perfect Places’ and ‘Homemade
Dynamite’ increased the demand for this superb follow-up album. Perpetuating
her popular sound full of hip-swinging melodies, a thumping beat and
introspective lyrics, Lorde wowed the crowd and rose into even higher
popularity amongst fans. Another artist likely to feature when it comes to
Grammy calculations, she has managed a rare feat- to transcend genres and
listeners to establish a cross-section of fans from differing backgrounds and
musical preferences. And for that, we all praise the Lorde.
Popularity for a rising genre: ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’- Stormzy
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| A stellar 2017 leaves Stormzy getting too "big for" his "boots" |
In a genre that is so often
globally ignored, or ridiculed, Stormzy has been a pioneer, as his debut album
became the first grime
(a genre of UK garage music) album to attain the number
one spot on the UK Albums Chart. After largely successful single ‘Shut Up’
first propelled his name in 2015, Stormzy’s follow up effort has been extremely
successful, going gold within a fortnight. Included on the album, it partners
hits such as ‘Big for Your Boots’ and both parts of ‘Blinded by Your Grace’ to
create a resounding sound that is comfortable in itself and its talent. With
more live acts to follow for the forefront of grime music, Stormzy is headed
for a 2018 that will continue the immense success he achieved in 2017.
A late challenger: ‘The Thrill of it All’- Sam Smith
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| Will he be "Too Good at Goodbyes" from the charts? |
From the lead single ‘Too
Good at Goodbyes’, it was easy to assume that Smith hadn’t lost a touch of his
sweetly devastating voice that crooned pessimistic love songs, such as previous
successful tunes in ‘Stay with Me’ and ‘Lay Me Down’. With his album release
flying under the radar due to being later in the year, it was hardly recognised
that Smith had debuted as number one in the UK Albums Chart, and went on to
become his first number one US album. In spite of tensions surrounding marriage
equality and homosexual rights in 2017, Smith’s change of sound between tunes
‘One Last Song’ and ‘Pray’ outline his diversity, as the use of gospel,
thumping beats and varying tempos has allowed him to secede his tag as a ‘slow song
specialist’.
Best Live Act: The Killers
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| Dominating 100,000 ears pre-game while below aiding Jack Riewoldt in kick-starting a night of mass celebrations |
Evidence for this, from an
Australian point of view, is their effort at the AFL Grand
Final. Pre-game they were a spectacle, nailing an incredibly difficult position
through their classics, some swagger and a Midnight Oil cover. Perfect. After the
game, they performed a full length set to a bursting crowd, minus the
celebrating Richmond fans who had other things on their mind, namely football
glory. However, they were soon to
be pleased, as all-time favourite ‘Mr Brightside’ didn’t just turn the MCG into
a mosh pit, it sent global headlines out through Jack Riewoldt’s improvised
on-stage performance with them. Other than this, their tour after releasing
‘Wonderful Wonderful’ has wound back the clock, managing to release a new burst
of rock in live performances that are full of honesty, effort and a lot of
enjoyment. With a 2018 May Australian tour planned, they will be back once more
to wow the crowds.
Best New Act: The Jungle Giants
To Triple J listeners, the
name will be of no surprise, as they will feature heavily in the Hottest 100
Countdown after releasing the highly acclaimed ‘Quiet Ferocity’ this year.
Formed in 2011, this Australian band have released two albums prior to ‘Quiet
Ferocity’, with their craft building up through enjoyable and carefree tunes
‘She’s a Riot’ and ‘You’ve Got Something’. Moving to 2017 and ‘Quiet Ferocity’
heralded a maturing of their light pop and entertaining alternative melodies
that fuse synth undertones to a light-hearted feel. With songs such as ‘Bad
Dream’ and ‘Used To Be In Love’ they hooked in the listeners which led to them
being voted by the Triple J crowd as one of the top ten albums of the year.
When listening to ‘Quiet Ferocity’ further, ‘On Your Way Down’ and ‘Feel The
Way I Do’ are highlights, with their synth break outs evoking summer bliss and
passionate euphoria. Keep an eye out for them in the Hottest 100, as well as on
the tour circuit at special events such as the Australian Open.
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| A ferocity not so quiet- the Jungle Giants eliciting a 2017 celebration of pop |
2018 prediction: A mixture of possibilities
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| 'Where the **** are the Arctic Monkeys?!' |
Due to the unconfirmed
nature of several albums, there are a few options that I have been left with.
First up is experienced and chiselled English rock band Arctic Monkeys, who
have long teased a follow up to the 2013 smash hit record ‘AM’. They have supposedly
been recording in a ‘secret location’, leaving all fans hoping that 2018 is the
year where the fresh face of rock makes its renaissance.
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| Can Matty and his troops get the "Chocolate(s)" in 2018? |
Next is British
pop/alternative/indie/rock group The 1975, who have suggested that possible
album ‘Music for Cars’ will be released around the June 2018 area. Cryptic
hints from lead singer Matty Healy’s Instagram have suggested possible song
titles, but considering the popularity of their two albums since breaking onto
the scene, they will be a favourable musical act in 2018.
Finally, if both of these
acts fail to produce a much wanted record, then look no further then Australian
alternative band Ball Park Music. Experienced, the Queensland group have been
around since 2008. After 2014’s ‘Puddinghead’, which featured popular Triple J
and alternative rock song ‘She Only Loves Me When I’m There’, along with ‘Leef’
on 2016’s ‘Every Night the Same Dream’, they are primed to continue evolving
their true rock sound that inspires thoughts of Powderfinger. With singles ‘Exactly
How You Are’ and ‘The Perfect Life Does Not Exist’ already released, the album
has already been established as light, feel good and beautifully Australian and
sunny in its disposition. Enjoy listening to these heart-warming tunes. Hopefully
Australia can also be lit up by the return of Sticky Fingers.
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| Resonating with the old and the new as 'BPM' took on a Powderfinger classic in the Triple J Like a Version Lounge |
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