Best of 2017: Graham Wall

1. The Ongoing Concept – Places

This is how you make a rock album. Whereas Saloon can be a bit too intense and Handmade a little reserved, Places finds the sweet spot. You can check out my five star review here. Favorite songs: “You Will Go,” “Off the Cuff,” “Domesticated”

2. Theory Hazit – IT’S WHATEVER

The Portland, OR emcee and producer released an instrumental album (with the exception of an MF Doom remix album) every month this year. Simply put, he is a beats and rhymes wizard and IT’S WHATEVER is the album that kicked off 2017. Favorite songs: “so i moved on,” “your apologies are lame,” “no, i don’t wanna talk”

3. K I D S – Side A

I was thrilled when Kids in the Way announced last year that they were returning to the scene. This EP has more of an indie flavor than their past work, but I still think it’s a good release and look forward to Side B. Favorite song: “Sons of Old Glory”

4. Digre – The Way of a Pilgrim

The Way of a Pilgrim is easily the most unique project I heard this year. If Eastern Orthodox dungeon synth music catches your attention, don’t miss out on this one! Favorite song: “The Anaphora for the Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great”

5. Bonobo – Migration

While I don’t yet enjoy this as much as Dial ‘M’ for Monkey or The North Borders, Bonobo has nevertheless made my favorite chillout album of the year. Continuing the sounds of the last album, Migration is a charming mixture of downtempo, ambient, and even house at times. Favorite songs: “Kerala,” “7th Sevens,” “Figures”