2017 has been a great year for music, which is fortunate because it's been a terrible year for literally everything else.

I have to be honest about something that probably makes me sound like an illegitimate music blogger: I have always been more drawn to songs and putting together my own playlists than whole albums. But with that said, it's a big deal when I really love an album. And there were a few this year that I found to be particularly noteworthy.

Melodrama by Lorde
Lorde's sophomore album offers up a portrait of a breakup and all the complications that come with it in a neat little package. I casually admired Lorde for her first record, but Melodrama turned her into an artist I really enjoy. Spotify confirmed today that this was the album I listened to most in 2017, and that's at least partially because it has a great flow from start to finish.

Rainbow by Kesha
I have already sung Kesha's praises this year, but I am happy to do it again! Kesha got her well-deserved comeback this year and she her new music in her own way. While Rainbow is certainly a departure from the club bangers of her earlier career, there are so many solid rock- and country-inspired songs on this record.

Going Grey by The Front Bottoms

I did not even realize The Front Bottoms were coming out with a new record until it dropped, but it was a happy surprise because it's another solid effort from the New Jersey duo. It's less of a surprise to me that I would include this album on the list since The Front Bottoms are also responsible for another record I find endlessly bingeable, Talon of the Hawk.

Sleep Well Beast by The National

Hear me out on this one because compared to other entries on the list, this album is a bit more challenging to listen. It's dark and moody and sounds like a divorce record, but it's lyrically interesting and the sound is pleasantly complex. I've heard it said that The National's albums aren't meant to take hold on the first listen, and I agree. Another common criticism is all their music sounds the same, and it's true that this isn't a terribly large departure stylistically, but it's still worth the time.