I was looking back at my playlist of Top Albums of 2017:

THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY GREAT ALBUMS THIS YEAR!

This has been a fantastic year in music. I can't say there was a life changing album, BUT it's still been so consistent across the board and much better than last year.

That tangent has nothing to do with this week's music, it's more of an observation that we're very lucky mohave Kendrick Lamar, Ryan Adams, Hippo Campus, Future, John Mayer, Chris Stapleton, Fleet Foxes, Vince Staples, SZA, Washed Out, Haim, Foster the People, Electric Gues, LCD Soundsystem, and so many more, creating such great music.

#blessed.

ANYWAY, this week's mixtape is weighted by Alvvays, a band whose 2014 debut was really impressive yet their sophomore album even more so! You know me and sophomore albums: they're usually regurgitations of the previous album at half the quality and originality. This album is an exception, and the two tracks from them on this mixtape are my faves from their new album about a certain love lost. "What's left for you and me? I ask that question rhetorically...There's no turning back / after what's been said," Molly Rankin sadly states on "In Undertow."

Alvvays gets a bit more upbeat with the catchy "Saved By A Waif" that all comes to a crescendo with that amazing chorus.

Bully relased one of the more raw rock releases this year. A kick ass album with no sheen, just distortion and a bit of yelling. I really dig, "Spiral."

Slackers Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile made their own record and it's about what you'd expect: a bit unfocused and rambled, a bit by the seat of their pants, but it's got some good tracks, highlighted by "Over Everything."

ODESZA is one of those huge bands adored by the EDM crowd that I'll get on board with. They relax me, they bring me up, they just do it for me. You too?

This mixtape is ended with King Krule, a young kid (I think he's now 22 or 23) and critical darling, who just released a new album. Some may immediately turn away at his voice, but his music and production is always on point and original, and I just love the beat of this track. ]

Have a great week all!