Top Tens? The TWO TENS!
What a year in music 2017 was. The pundits have said this year heralds the age of hip hop. Why? This was the year that hip hop cut itself loose from its roots from bangerz “in da club” to branch out in tempo, composition, realization and instrumentation to become, more than any other musical genre, so much more than a genre. Collaborations between hip hop and indie artists led the way. Starting with this year’s Grammy nominations, hip-hop’s dominance has gained recognition with the mainstream audience (and fusty NARAS members). And hip-hop artists headlined formerly indie music festivals and held festivals of their own.
We present here some playlists from our Knitting Factory News’ staff and, while we might be late to the party, we’re definitely AT the party. A look back. Spotify playlists linked to each of our lists for your enjoyment!
Sampha
1. Washed Out: “Hard to Say Goodbye,” Mister Mellow
2. Sampha: “Plastic 100 Degrees C,” Single
3. Thundercat: “Bus in These Streets,” Bus in These Streets
4. Sza: “Doves in the Wind (feat. Kendrick Lamar),” Crtl
5. LCD Soundsystem: “Other Voices,” American Dream
6. The xx: “Say Something Loving,” I See You
7. Kendrick Lamar: “YAH,” Damn
8. Drake: “Madiba Riddim,” Single
9. Father John Misty” “Total Entertainment Forever,” Pure Comedy
10. Grapetooth: “Trouble,” Single
Ariel Pink–Dedicated to Bobby Jameson
1. Ariel Pink, “Feels Like Heaven,” Dedicated to Bobby Jameson
2. Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile, “Over Everything,” Lotta Sea Lice
3. Father John Misty, “Dying Man,” Pure Comedy
4. Rostam, “Bike Dream,” Half-Light
5. Mondo Cozmo, “Automatic,” Single
6. Slowdive, “Sugar for the Pill,” Slowdive
7. Toro Y Moi, “Girl Like You,” Boo Boo
8. Chicano Batman, “Freedom is Free,” Freedom is Free
9. Real Estate, “Darling,” In Mind
10. Belle & Sebastian, “We Were Beautiful,” How to Solve Our Human Problems, Part 1
Lee Ranaldo–Electric Trim
Justin Long, Knitting Factory Entertainment (Albums, but we made him a playlist)
1. JD McPherson: Undivided Heart & Soul
2. Lee Ranaldo: Electric Trim
3. Jane Weaver: Modern Kosmology
4. Kamasi Washington: Harmony of Difference
5. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard: Flying Microtonal Banana
6. Foxygen: Hang
7. LCD Soundsystem: American Dream
8. Photay: Onism
9. Dream Syndicate: How Did I Find Myself Here
10. Peter Perrett: How the West Was Won
Chaz Burnett Meets the Mattson 2–Star Stuff
1. Mr. Jukes (feat. Charles Bradley): “Grant Green,” _From Gold Stars Comes Silver Dew_
2. Tyler the Creator, Frank Ocean: “911/Mr. Lonely,” _Single_
3. Arcade Fire: “Creature Comfort,” _Everything Now_
4. Chas Bundick meets The Mattson 2: “JBS,” _Star Stuff_
5. Michael Kiwanuka: “Cold Little Heart,” _Cold Little Heart_
6. Elbow: “Magnificent (She Says),” _Little Fictions_
7. Chicano Batman: “Friendship (is a Small Boat in a Storm),” _Freedom is Free_
8. Grizzly Bear: “Mourning Sound,” _Painted Ruins_
9. The War on Drugs: “Holding On,” _A Deeper Understanding_
10. Seun Kuti and Egypt 80: “Black Times (feat. Carlos Santana),” _Single_
Holiday Christmas Clearance:
Even though we choked the post with holiday music last time around, we missed these two: Jeremih and Chance the Rapper’s deluxe edition of 2016’s mixtape with ten new tracks. Download it for free from Soundcloud here. Meanwhile, Amazon released twenty more songs in as a follow up to 2016’s sprawling Indie For Christmas playlist.It features exclusive tunes from everyone from the Lemon Twigs to Best Coast to Mexican Institute of Sound. It’s NOT free.
Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night!
killerhooch 