Looking back at 2017, I realized that their were four different albums that summarized my year. Coincidentally, they were released at the start of the four seasons, with each album helping me through the seasons. Listening back, each of these albums convey a vibe particular to the time of year and what occurred. Here is 2017 as told by the best albums of the year, in my opinion.

Winter: "Melodrama" by Lorde

I realize that "Melodrama", itself, was not released until June of 2017. However, the first two singles, "Greenlight" and "Liability" were released in January. Not to mention, when I listen to this album, I am taken back to those first few months of 2017, which were full of uncertainty and hope for a better future. While it tells the story of her first ever breakup, Melodrama is full of angst and hope. "Greenlight", a song I have accurately deemed "a bop and a half" gives the album its' much needed edge, while songs like "Writer in the Dark" that are melancholic and infuriating, give the album its much appreciated vulnerability.

Spring: "Divide" by Ed Sheeran

Unlike "plus" and '"multiply" that long for prior relationships and the hardships that he experienced, "Divide" evokes a Happier, pun intended, vibe. From "Galway Girl", an Irish-folk influenced song that tells the story of his grandparents, to "Perfect" a song more than likely to be played at any and all weddings from here on out, "Divide" is like spring's first bloom. The twelve songs on this album range from tearjerkers, such as "Supermarket Flowers" to pure nostalgia set to a beat, or "Castle on a Hill."

In a way I have yet to understand, Ed Sheeran manages to beautifully and perfectly capture the in-between feelings of late adolescence and your early 20s using just a guitar and his voice. While this album includes various genres and instruments, at the end of the day, it is all Ed and his pure talent.

Summer: "Evolve" by Imagine Dragons

While most of my summers consist of Electronic Music or classic bubblegum pop, summer 2017 consisted of electronic rock. All I did this summer was listen to "Evolve". While "Night Visions" was naive and perhaps juvenile, "Smoke + Mirrors" was dark and angsty, "Evolve" was content and exciting. THis album perfectly encompasses a summer of acceptance.

Perhaps I am bias, seeing that the "Evolve" tour was easily one of the best nights of my life, but this album summarized summer 2017 for me. Reckless abandon, reunions, serenity and sun, "Evolve" is that feeling of recognizing that you have grown up and are reaching early adulthood. Being an adult does not mean 9 to 5 jobs and pantsuits, being an adult means learning from your mistakes and making responsible decisions.

Fall: "reputation" by Taylor Swift

You knew it was coming. While "Reputation" isn't necessarily the best album of 2017, it's definitely my favorite. Her sixth full album, "Reputation" is the most different. With r&b, electronic and even rap influences, this album is the most adult of them all. Full of confidence and acceptance, reputation is fifteen songs of self love. Finally in control of her own life as she lets you know through songs like "Look What You Made Me Do" , Taylor tells you what she wants you to know, disregarding what you think of her, and taking her life and reputation into her own hands. You can tell that she has truly found happiness, through songs like "Call It What You Want" much like I have. "Reputation" is the perfect culmination to the past few years of her life, the same way it is the perfect culmination to the whirlwind that was 2017.