5 Days of Reviewmas 🎄 - Day #5 - My Top 17 Songs of 2017 🎵

Hello there Internet!

I hope you are doing well wherever you are in the world today 🌏

So, I need to apologise for how this post has manifested itself 😢😢😢😢😢

I had an initial plan for this post that wasn't music related, but it was nowhere near ready to go up when I needed it. So, I initially uploaded a super simple, unformatted post on Friday to keep up with the whole 5 reviews in 5 days thing. My intention was to go back and re-format, add more text and just generally improve it later on Friday afternoon.

Unfortunately, I wasn't well on Friday afternoon and I had plans later that night so I couldn't do anything more on Friday.

My Plan B was then to go back in on Saturday and update it before my family arrived for Christmas. But unfortunately I wasn't well again, and this has finally been updated late at night after my entire family has gone to bed. It's basically Xmas Eve right now as I'm writing this update 🙈

I'm really sorry for how this turned out time wise. It has definitely taught me some lessons about time management, but I am still glad I was able to see it through 👍

But enough self-pity for the moment. The last post in my Reviewmas series seemed fitting considering we are hurtling closer to the end of 2017. I like reviewing and reflecting, so I thought I would do a list/summary of this year in my music world 🎶.

So, here are some of my favourite songs from 2017...

(Disclaimer!: I haven't included any songs I've already mentioned on the blog in this list. Y'all already know I think they're awesome, so I've decided to talk about some other ones this time 😀)

2017 has been one hell of a year. Although some may argue it hasn't been the greatest in a number of departments, I think we can all agree that music this year was pretty freaking cool.

I love all different kinds, and my musical outlook expanded even further over the course of the year so narrowing this list down to just 17 was difficult. But I feel like this list is a really good reflection of what my playlists were looking like this year....

17. There’s Nothing Holding Me Back – Shawn Mendes

This pop rock track is a single from the re-release of Mendes’ second studio album Illuminate. Hitting the top of the charts around the world, I loved the fun and energetic vibe that always gets you in the mood to dance. The melody sat right in Mendes’ best vocal range and the guitar gave the production an extra punch.

16. Beautiful Mess – Kristian Kostov (Eurovision)

The Eurovision Song Contest was one of my favourite musical events of the year, and 2017 certainly didn’t disappoint. Aside from the recommendations I gave y’all back in May (which you can check out here), this particular entry from Bulgaria was one of the standouts. It was a dynamic combination of sparse, ballad-like verses and future bass, electropop production in the chorus and bridge.

15. Tell Me You Love Me – Demi Lovato

2017 was a big year for Demi; which included the release of her 6^th studio album and the premiere of a revealing documentary on YouTube. ‘Tell Me You Love Me’ is title track off the album, and the uplifting mid-tempo power ballad is one of Lovato’s strongest songs to date. It showcased her impressive vocal range with a healing lyrical message.

14. Is Your Love Enough? – Little Mix

Jesy, Jade, Perrie and Leigh-Anne have had quite the year touring the world. But Mixers were excited to receive some brand-new music on the Platinum Edition of their 4^th album Glory Days in late November. The latin-tinged dance track ‘Is Your Love Enough?’ was my favourite of the new tracks, and I love the sassy feminine vibe.

13. No Promises – Cheat Codes ft. Demi Lovato

One of the standout collaborations of the year, this vibrant and energetic dance anthem is a staple of any of my party playlists. The combination of the American DJ group’s signature flair and Lovato’s crackingly perfect vocals is brilliant, and I’m never going to get tired of hearing it. That’s a promise 😉

12. How Does A Moment Last Forever? – Celine Dion

Musical films don’t come any bigger than Disney, and the live-action version of Beauty and the Beast was one of this year’s finest. Dion’s version of this song accompanied the credits in the film, but it was one of my absolute favourites on the soundtrack. Her classic vocals were smooth like honey, the melody was absolutely delightful, and the lyrics were poignantly poetic. 10/10.

11. Hard Times – Paramore

2017 was the long-awaited resurgence of American rock band Paramore. Although not necessarily what people were expecting, the 1980's new wave bop aimed to brighten up a seemingly depressing message of not being able to achieve your goals. I loved it because of this crazy juxtaposition and Hayley Williams’ rocking vocals never fail to disappoint.

10. Drink Up – Train

Simplistic, no nonsense good times are the hero of this track. The second single from their 10^th studio album ‘A Girl, A Bottle, A Boat’, it’s got a wholesome pop rock vibe that allows you to have a bit of a dance without going crazy. I also have fond memories of this song thanks to having a brilliant time at their concert this year. ‘Drink Up’ opened the show, and I haven’t stop loving it since.

9. It Ain’t Me – Kygo ft. Selena Gomez

I’m going to be honest, I’m always on the fence when it comes to Selena Gomez music. It takes me a minute to make up my mind. But in this case, ‘It Ain’t Me’ was a killer dance track that I loved the lyrical narrative of. The Norwegian DJ showcased the best of Gomez’s tone and vocals, and the tinge of tropical house and electropop in the production added a nice complexity to the overall vibe.

8. Issues – Julia Michaels

The debut single from long time songwriter turned solo artist, ‘Issues’ was one of the coolest songs of the year in my opinion. I especially love how well this song accentuated the intricate textures and tones in Michaels’ voice. Raw confessional lyrics and an offbeat, downtempo production gave this track an intensity that catches you off-guard but ultimately sticks in your brain for a while.

7. Love So Soft – Kelly Clarkson

Soul-trap R&B jam ‘Love So Soft’ was off the double a-side of her 8^th studio album Meaning of Life. A slight detour from Clarkson’s previous mainstream pop releases, this track is massive in the attitude department and I love it to the moon and back! Showcasing that wicked vocal range – especially in the bridge and later choruses, I feel so strong and powerful whenever this one comes on.

6. Dusk ‘til Dawn – ZAYN ft. Sia

An unlikely collaboration, but a winner in the great song department. There’s a strange kind of serenity that exists in this track thanks to the smooth blend of Zayn’s and Sia’s vocals. I’m also a huge fan of the lyrical message behind the melody and how the production builds from minimal to a driving mid-tempo smash. It’s understated but addictive, and I love a pop power ballad done right.

5. Strangers – Halsey ft. Lauren Jauregui

I still surprise myself by how much I love this song. The second promotional single off Halsey’s 2^nd studio album ‘hopeless fountain kingdom’, its 1980's synth-pop vibes were incredibly addictive and the strong drumline gave the track a dynamic extra depth. There’s also an underlying intimacy to this song that comes through in the gravelly vocals of both women. Basically, I’m obsessed!

4. Happier – Ed Sheeran

Any of the songs from Sheeran’s 3^rd studio album ‘divide’ could have taken this spot because I spent most of this year completely obsessed with it. But I chose the vulnerable acoustic ballad ‘Happier’ because the narrative is so beautifully heartbreaking and for some reason it stuck with me. The melody was really pretty and Sheeran’s exposed vocals leave no doubt about his ability to create a killer track.

3. Would You Be So Kind? – dodie.

English singer-songwriter dodie was a delightful new discovery for me this year. Her tone is so smooth yet so capable of hitting all kinds of melodic combinations, and I love how authentically she tells her stories in her songs. This particular up-beat ukulele love song was one of her happier moments from the EP ‘you’, and it’s just so sweet. It has such an innocent spirit, and I love how simple but special it was. A gem of my 2017.

2. New Rules – Dua Lipa

This tropical-house, electropop dance smash was sassy and catchy; effortlessly cool like the artist herself. I was drawn to this track because of its clever breakup and female empowerment lyrics, and there’s an edge to Lipa’s vocals that was strikingly addictive to me. The slick synths and unique production choices meant that it has a distinct, addictive quality. A party playlist staple for sure!

1. Too Good at Goodbyes – Sam Smith

I don’t call songs perfect often, but for Sam Smith I will make the exception. Everything about this song is just so damn good! Smith’s commanding yet vulnerable tones bring this song to life, adding light and shade that would otherwise leave this song feeling slightly hollow. There’s care in the fragility of the vocal delivery, and consequently this seeped into the melancholy lyrics themselves. Intelligent, relatable excellence.

★☆★☆★☆★

On reflection, I've relied a lot on music this year for a lot of different things. To laugh, to smile, to dance, to cry, to put into lyrics and a melody feelings I don't know how to express on my own. I'm more and more thankful every year for the artists I find, and the songs they give to me as a music consumer.

Thank-you for the music, here's to more good stuff in 2018 🌟

★☆★☆★☆★

So there you go! I hope you have enjoyed going back this weird trek back through the year and I'm sorry once again for completely screwing up my timings 😔

Thanks for also getting involved with Reviewmas 💗 No matter how many posts you read, you are valid and I appreciate you very much 💞💞💞

Before I go, I would also like to say a giant MERRY CHRISTMAS/Happy festive celebrations 😄! However you choose to celebrate your holiday, I hope it is full of laughter, joy and quality time with the people you love 💟

If you want to keep up with the blog, remember to follow me @miss_memphis98 on Instagram and/or Twitter and that'll let you know 💚

Thanks for reading,

Love and reflective lists, Emily xx 🎼