Editors Picks: Top 20 Songs of 2017
Resurget Magazine has a unique mix of contributors with a span of music tastes, allowing for a more diverse experience in content.
Editor-in-Chief and creator, Robert, is an established and published writer and photographer. He has helped provide images to bands like Rise Against, Our Lady Peace and Bring Me The Horizon, and is ecstatic to bring coverage of the Detroit music scene, both locally and nationally, to you!
Check out Robert’s Top 20 songs from 2017 below!
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20. “Forever” – Code Orange – Forever
The definition of a quality metal song, Code Orange went all in when it came to their album Forever, and the title track does not disappoint. This song is heavy as all get out, and finishes with the singalongs “Code Orange is forever…Code Orange is forever”. Catch me moshing in my car to this song, and so should you.
19. “Rose-Colored Boy” – Paramore – After Laughter
Off everyone’s favorite album of 2017, After Laughter, this is easily the best song (in my opinion) on the record that just didn’t connect with me the way it did for other people. Something about the pessimistic nature of this song just connected with me, and I jam it all the time. The line: “I want you to stop insisting that I’m not a lost cause, ‘Cause I’ve been through a lot. Really all I’ve got is just to stay pissed off, if it’s all right by you.” hits my soul.
18.” Let Me Down Again” – Four Year Strong – Some of You Will Like This, Some of You Won’t
One of the few unreleased tracks on Four Year Strong’s “reimagined” type of album. SOYWLTSOYW is a record full of the bands favorite and fan favorite songs, recomposed to give them a softer and more intimate sound. “Let Me down Again” is the only new song on the tracklisting that I really enjoyed. The song could have easily come off of Rise or Die Trying or their self-titled, and highlights their songwriting chops without having to hide behind breakdowns and drop chords.
17. Caution – Tiny Moving Parts – Swell [2018]
I can’t think of anything more positive to say about the guys from Tiny Moving Parts. I had the pleasure of photographing them three times in 2017 and every time I walked away in awe of their energy and passion. I didn’t think they could top 2016’s Celebrate, but it seems like Dylan Mattheisen’s brand of incredible guitar chops and lyrics on “Caution” should change the way we go into 2018’s Swell.
16. A Portrait Of – Sorority Noise – You’re Not As _____ As You Think
The first time I heard this song, it hit me like a four tons of bricks. The first lyrics you hear on this track are: “I’ve been feeling suicidal and if I need remind you. It’s not becoming of my heart and my brain. I was thinking about how great it would be. If I could make the tightness in my chest go away.” If that doesn’t make you step back and listen deeper to the true meaning of this song, then you aren’t listening close enough. Take note of this song, and definitely take note of this band.
15. How Can We Go On – Story of the Year – Wolves
Is Story of the Year back and better than ever? Yes. Is this perhaps one of the best songs they’ve ever written? Yes, again. The first actual track on their comeback album, Wolves, starts out with an uptempo and fierce track all about hopelessness wrapped into a catchy chorus and heavy verses. Start with “How Can We Go On” and you’ll find yourself listening to the entirety of the record. Welcome back Story of the Year!
14. Before I Cave In – Too Close To Touch – Before I Cave In
The second single to be released in this year from Too Close To Touch, is very comparable to its predecessor “Leave You Lonely”, but “Before I Cave In” makes the list because of its sonic capacity. Hopefully the consistency of the singles mean that the next album from TCTT will be their breakout record in terms of growth, but only time will tell. Regardless, this song is very good and deserves its spot on this list.
13. Over and Over Again – The Used – The Canyon
Having not released music in close to three years, “Over and Over Again” came from nothing, and was immediately judged for not sounding like The Used. But newsflash, it isn’t 2004 anymore and lyricist Bert McCracken isn’t the same person that he was 13 years ago. “Over and Over Again” is a song written by a band that has been reborn. 2017 was obviously the year of dark lyrics combined with pop inspired composition, and it is evident on this track as well. The lyric: “The bite from the taste and the smell of the sick somehow reminds me to be myself”, is classic McCracken over an updated sound.
12. Tired Eyes and Heavy Hearts- The Gospel Youth – Always Lose
One of the best tracks on the UK-based bands debut album, Always Lose; “Tired Eyes and Heavy Hearts” is about choosing to change positively as a person, yet reflecting on the event that sparked that choice, and proving people wrong in the process. The song is full of “tweetable” moments, for example: “I am more than just a gallery of a person painted gold. I am everything that’s in between, there’s so much more that you don’t know.” If you haven’t checked out The Gospel Youth, this song would be a good start.
11. Everybody Stay Calm – Run The Jewels – Run The Jewels 3
This entire album is an absolute banger, but this track exemplifies the expertise of flow, rhyme, and alliteration that El-P and Killer Mike provide in their typical “one-two punch” delivery method. No political undertones, no gimmick; just two friends showcasing their incredible talents in front of entertaining production.
10. The Afterglow – Silverstein – Dead Reflection
When you think of a song from Silverstein, you’re probably not expecting a complete pop-punk anthem about a break-up occuring while on the road, but that’s exactly what you get with “The Afterglow”. This track has a complete lack of Shane Told’s screaming, which is a welcomed change from the typical Silverstein template. Dead Reflection in itself experiments with songs different that what we’re used to, but “The Afterglow” is easily the catchiest and best change of pace on the record.
9. Daylily – Movements – Feel Something
For a band trying to ‘slightly’ shake their emo background on their debut album Feel Something, “Daylily” successfully hands the listener a welcome change of pace. One of the most popular tracks on the record is highlighted by the complexity of Patrick Miranda’s lyrics regarding someone experiencing a “good day” when they’re used to the “bad days” is a welcome change from the surging California band.
8. Heaven – Pvris – All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell
Vocalist and lyricist Lynn Gunn is an expert in metaphorical writing, which is showcased on the opening track of PVRIS’ sophomore release All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell. The song is definitely about a break up, but the way that Gunn writes about the heartache is what elevates the track, and further, the band, above the rest. The 2017 release has been critically acclaimed, and “Heaven” is a clear reason as to why.
7. Rope – Counterparts – You’re Not You Anymore
“Rope”, a dark and emotion fueled track by hardcore band Counterparts is a unique approach to a scene that isn’t necessarily known for personal of vulnerable lyrical content. This song is unequivocally about death, evident by the lyrics, “ Positioned vertically, but a casket knows to catch me. Buried only waist-deep in the earth.We carve the fading features of our silhouettes into our coffin doors”. Brendan Murphy’s lyrics aren’t even the best part of the song, which is the breakdown that comes at the end of the track, after Murphy belts out “I know your rope was made for me.”
6. Window – Sleep On It – Overexposed
Sleep On It is a band with something to prove. Easily one of the most underrated bands in the scene, their songwriting chops combined with their grasp on what people look forward to in their favorite songs makes their debut album Overexposed, a low-key hit. “Window” off of that record is your prototypical break-up song, but lyrics like, “You were a window, I saw it all differently through you, now I carry on quietly”, is just one of the aspects that make the song great. Zech Pluister’s unique vocals joined with the bands take on pop-punk, elevates this track.
5. Black Butterflies and Deja Vu – The Maine – Lovely Little Lonely
Everything you want in a song. The Maine has matured far beyond what anyone would have imagined when they released Can’t Stop Won’t Stop and has become one of, if not the, best emo band that has come out of the scene. When Lovely Little Lonely dropped, it shook almost everyone to the core with its quality, cohesiveness and staying power. “Black Butterflies and Deja Vu” is easily the standout track on the record when you look at the variety in pace, mood and composition between the chorus and verses.
The best thing about LLL is that, truly, any song on the album could have made taken this spot, which speaks to the quality of the record, but “Black Butterflies and Deja Vu” happens to be my favorite song off the best independent record of 2017.
4. Young and Menace – Fall Out Boy – MAN I A [2018]
Fall Out Boy came back from a small break from touring and writing with perhaps the most polarizing song to be released in 2017. When it became clear that FOB were going to be releasing a song, we didn’t know it was going to sound like “Young and Menace” did. “Young and Menace” either pushed fans away from the band, or brought them even closer with the refreshing feel of a new style. The song involves a heavy arrangement of electronic composition from a band that helped pioneer the rebirth of pop-punk. The same cynical and dark lyrics remain from years of Pete Wentz songwriting, and genuinely makes us curious about what MAN I A is going to sound like.
3. Nobody Can Save Me – Linkin Park – One More Light
This song took on a whole new meaning to me after the passing of Chester Bennington. I’m not going to lie and claim that this song would have ended up at #3 had that not happened, but the tragedy forced me to look deeper into the song rather than just see it as a track off an album.
“Nobody Can Save Me” does what everyone with a mental illness tries (I fail at this, personally) to do when they’re explaining how it feels to feel like they do. It puts into words everything that one feels when they feel hopeless and alone. The song took on a new life after the suicide of Bennington, but outside of that happening, it’s a very good track. Linkin Park decided to get very personal, and very vulnerable on One More Light. This is something that is not new for the band, but with not with the consistency and frequency as this album, and “Nobody Can Save Me” is a shining example.
2. Summertime Gladness – Dance Gavin Dance – Summertime Gladness
One of my favorite bands of all time, their last two records Mothership and Instant Gratification are absolutely flawless, in my opinion. The band has easily hit its stride since adding Tilian Pearson to the fold. The songwriting has always been special thanks to guitarist and founding member Will Swan, but a fully healthy and drama-free Dance Gavin Dance is an incredible occurrence that is evident on “Summertime Gladness”.
The song is a standalone single, which is perfect because it’s very weird; even for a band that has found a niche in its weirdness. Lyrics like: “Endorphin, orphan morphin.
Lemon cheese equally. You know my origin story, born in the cemetery. I’m into stupid apps, like cry-yo-own self back to sleep. My rock is solid bucks, these people amenities.” Like what?
Complimentary to the screaming of Jon Mess and the singing of Pearson, is the iconic guitar sound of Swan and the accompaniment of heaviness that is the rest of the song. Don’t sleep on future DGD music.
1. Doomsday – Architects – Doomsday
In 2016, Architects lost not only their guitarist when Tom Searle sadly passed away, but they lost one of their primary songwriters. On their 2016 tour in support of All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us, Sam Carter made it clear that the band didn’t know how, or if, they were going to be able to continue in the wake of the loss.
Fast forward to 2017 and the British metalcore band dropped “Doomsday” out of nowhere, and shook their fanbase to the core. The song is heavier than anything off of AOGHAU, and the lyrical context is even heavier. “Doomsday” was partially written by Tom, and finished by his brother Dan Searle, also the bands drummer; as a way to deal with what had transpired through art.
Outside of that, the song is very good. It’s said that it is a true single, and won’t be on an upcoming album; but rather is a way for Architects to show that “there’s still a future.”