2017 has been a great year for music. We've had a range of albums and singles released, and unforgettable music events that will be talked about for years to come. So as we're about to enter 2018, let's look back at some the best releases and moments of this year, with some recommendations from our readers.

Top 10 Albums

okay. - As It Is - Released 20th January 2017We saw a great start to the year when the Brighton-based pop-punk band released the follow-up to their debut album, Never Happy Ever After. Front-man, Patty Walters, has talked about the lyrical content covering a range of topics from dealing with mental health issues whilst on tour as seen on tracks like No Way Out, the title track Okay and Soap, to family as seen on Hey Rachel to the nostalgia of being at home as seen on The Coast Is Where Home Is. Take all of that plus an aesthetic theme of the 1950s and some great sounding pop-punk/emo based sound, you have yourself a brilliant album.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmKNa416gSMI Feel At Home With You - Luke Rainsford - Released 17 February 2017"This is Luke's second album, it's an all acoustic album with lyrics that are all very personal and raw. I find this album really calming and I love how all of the songs come from his own experiences. The songs which stand out for me are Home Safe, Nightmares and Burned. You all should check him out, he's an incredible musician." - Chloe Beardsley, 16 from Greatstonehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltnvyxgWovsEternity, In Your Arms - Creeper - Released 24th March 2017The debut album from the band who have been helping to to make horror punk have a comeback. The general aesthetic of the album was very clear from the moment promotion started when Creeper had fans work on a missing persons case for someone called James Scythe, as well figuring out where the band went after all of their social medias' were wiped. Not one song sounds the same, from the fast-paced Winona Forever to the dark Black Rain to the upbeat Suzanne and Hiding With The Boys to the emotional Misery and I Choose To Live. This band is exciting and we can tell that they're going to do great things in the future and are going to be a massive influence for bands in years to come.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhXZrSOGn4YAdornment - Grayscale - Released 5th May 2017"This album is incredible in every way; Grayscale have such a unique sound combined with amazing lyrics. Everyone in the band is incredibly talented and all the elements of their music fit so perfectly together. Adornment is an album unlike anything that I've heard before; it has the perfect blend of raw acoustic tracks such as Forever Yours, along with ones that are great to rock out to like Atlantic and If I Ever See You Again, and also many crosses between the two. For example Fever Dream and Mum really hit your emotions hard. My absolute favourite song from this album is Beautiful Things, it's extremely special to me for many reasons and the message it spreads is very inspiring and encouraging. I highly suggest that everyone gives Adornment a listen at some point, along with Grayscale's past releases, you won't regret it!" - Lyssa MH, 16 from Southamptonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8G9reMhbqQAfter Laughter - Paramore - Released 12th May 2017After a four years of waiting for a new album release, Paramore pulled though this year and released their fifth album After Laughter, a title which Hayley Williams says came from witnessing someone come back to reality after laughing and wondering what their thought process is during that moment. Not only did we see Zac Farro return as their drummer after six years, we also saw the band break from their pop-punk, emo roots and experiment with a new wave, 80s synth sound which, whilst being a risk, showed the band's versatility and creativeness. Despite the upbeat sound the lyrics still remain true to real life of feeling alone, confused and low as seen on the lead single Hard Times, Fake Happy and Rose-Coloured Boy, as well as on slower tracks 26 and Tell Me How. It's still Paramore at the end of the day and it's great to have them back.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw-RPm1uOM4Harry Styles - Harry Styles - Released 12th May 2017OK, now a few of you will be like "why is this here? This isn't alternative." And we understand why you would believe this. However if you were to listen to this album, you will see that it has the sound of bands like The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles, who Styles has said are influences for him. Don't put him in a box just because he was in One Direction, not that that was a bad thing to begin with. From the soft rock ballad Sign Of The Times to the folk rock Two Ghosts and Sweet Creature to the more upbeat Woman, Only Angel and, the stand-out track, Kiwi, this album is stunning and sounds incredible, so we're very excited to see what else Harry will release in the future. Please listen to it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN4ooNx77u0The Peace and The Panic - Neck Deep - Released 18th August 2017The third album to be released by the Wrexham pop-punk band. While the band was criticised by some fans for slightly changing their sound, apparently sounding more "generic", many have praised this album for the versatility amongst it's tracks, lyrical content and for it the chemistry between band members. Tracks like In Bloom, Parachute and Motion Sickness are stand-out tracks on the album, along with Don't Wait featuring Sam Carter of Architects that cover the general confusion and anger of reality. Of course there's also the hard-hitting Wish You Were Here that talk about losing someone close to you and Nineteen Seventy-Sumthin where Ben sings about his parent's love story and the sad passing of his father. What also needs praise is how the album concludes with Where Do We Go When We Go which, after talking about all the hardships and losses the band has dealt with in the past year in the previous tracks, tells the listener that yes, awful things happen, but don't let it stop you from living out your life. Make the most of it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1vfB0207boVacation - Seaway - Released 15th September 2017The third album from the Canadian rock band. Seaway describe themselves as "exuberant punk-pop and emo-rock" with publications like Rock Sound also praising them for their "unashamed pop sensibility". Along with touring with bands like Simple Plan, The Wonder Years and Real Friends, you know they must be doing something right. The song which we recommend the most from this record are; Something Wonderful, Neurotic and Day Player. It's a class album, you can't go wrong with it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLyV1m2QF5gFeel Something - Movements - Released 20th October 2017This band are going places. This is only their debut and already they have built up a huge following and have received massive praise from many rock publications such as Alt Press. Not bad for a band who only formed two years ago, oh, and who were signed after one local gig. A blend of psychedelic rock and pop-punk with incredible lyrics, this band stands out and deserves all of the good things coming their way. We recommend you listen to Deadly Dull, The Grey and Deep Red. DO NOT sleep on this band.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd4Q_j42cpgSunday Brunch - Chapel - Released 17th November 2017Fresh from opening for Waterparks on their UK and US tours, Chapel are on their way to becoming a successful band in their own right. A mixture of alt pop and "sad kids bop" (direct quote from fans) Sunday Brunch is the perfect way for the world to be introduced to bright, mad world of Chapel. From the pounding Caught Up to the catchy Don't You Love Me to sad and sombre See You Again, there's nothing this band can't do. Do yourself a favor and listen to this EP, it'll change your life for the better.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uoyZB2MBTc

Top 10 Songs

No Way Out - As It Is - Released 20th January 2017Of course there's going to be standout songs from standout albums. No Way Out sees As It Is take on a more darker, faster route to match equally dark lyrics as Patty Walters and Ben Langford-Biss tal cover depression and feeling trapped in a constant cycle of claustrophobia and confusion. A well put summary of those thoughts in your head that are hard to shake off. A fan favourite that became known for it's unbelievable live performance, especially with THAT breakdown where Patty talks about his battle with depression which gets more and more aggressive as he pushes himself to get through it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4uXICvX-OIWorthless - Better Days - Released 1st February 2017"This song stands out to me because the lyrics are so raw and relevant to a lot of their fans, myself included. However, the music is so contrasted as the song, on first listen, is so upbeat and catchy, it's when you pay attention to the lyrics that you realise it's true meaning. Better Day's sound is very distinctive and they are definitely a band worth keeping an eye out for next year. They've come so far and they're only going to get better...no pun intended." - Chloe Beardsley, 16 from Greatstonehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKqn2QowA2MBeautiful Things - Grayscale - Released 14th April 2017"This song means more to me than any piece of music in the world. It's a reminder to me that that even when everything around me is falling apart I need push forward, otherwise I'll miss out on so much. Music has always been a coping mechanism so I guess it was natural for me to fall in love with this song and it's message. It's truly helped me out when I'm at my lowest and for that I'm forever grateful." - Lyssa MH, 16 from Southamptonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guDW2STv9zASlow Burn - State Champs - Released 31st March 2017This single was released to promote the deluxe version of Around The World And Back and the live DVD to go with it. A upbeat pop-punk song, Slow Burn looks at being in a relationship with someone but having to be away from them to go on tour and travel the world. You tell yourself that "you don't care" but "cue reality" where they might move on with their life meanwhile you're stuck waiting and wanting.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsQYBKL6CrIHard Times - Paramore - Released 19th April 2017Paramore were teasing the release of their then-unnamed album for months so when they finally dropped this song everyone was excited. But wait what's this? A change in sound?! "Omg, they sold out, omg how dare they, omg why did they change..." - OK listen, shut up. Change happens, people grow up and develop, get over it. Regardless how the band used to sound, this is a great song. The experimentation with 80s synth, like think of an early Blondie, is a wonderful juxtaposition with the harsh lyrics of dealing with the sad realities of life and getting through difficult times.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEB6ibtdPZcWhere We Go When We Go - Neck Deep - Released 21st May 2017This song had to be mentioned, again, Neck Deep brilliantly chose this song to conclude The Peace and The Panic. It starts with children singing the classic "rain, rain, go away" nursery rhyme with a twist; "pain, pain go away", then going straight to a huge guitar sound. The lyrics talk about the confusion of life and death and what may or may not come after it, and whether life is worth suffering through without a conclusion. However halfway through the listener is reminded that there's a range of possibilities with life and there's so many people out there who are as equally lost as you. You are not alone. In conclusion, life is worth living, keep going until the end. Thank you Neck Deep, we really needed this song.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1kVFuAdRx0Mess I Made - Stand Atlantic - Released 24th July 2017This Australian trio made their debut in a big way this year with their EP Sidewinder and touring with UK pop-punk band, ROAM, on their EU and UK tour. This song is a brilliantly catchy as lead vocalist Bonnie Fraser sings about her insecurities of letting others in and self-doubt that doesn't go into the cliche "oh I'm so sad" emo bandwagon that we get too much of these days. It's upbeat nature makes you feel like everything will get better and that the hard times are only a temporary problem.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTlOmWwHrkETemple - Tonight Alive - Released 16th October 2017Tonight Alive are back with their fourth album due out in January 2018 and a huge UK tour to follow in March. Here we see the band go back to their earlier rock sound with an aggressive take on dealing with illness, both mentally and physically. Frontwoman Jenna McDougall has stated in interviews about how her eczema had gotten worse in previous months and her doctor wouldn't really listen to her pleas that she was in pain. This song gets out her frustrations of trying to get help and stating how control doesn't really exist, and if her body really is a "temple" then "why does it hurt like hell."https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xf0jQSP83ILucky People - Waterparks - Released 14th DecemberAn upbeat (on first listen) acoustic song that features only lead vocalist Awsten Knight singing and playing guitar. When you first hear it you think it's a sweet love song about his "missus" but only when you really listen to the lyrics do you realise that it's all about the hardships and realities of being in love that you try to mask by telling yourself that this is a wonderful feeling that you don't want to let go of. The reality is that you might be more attached than your other half is, that you might be doing/feeling a lot for them but not vice versa, that you rely too much on hearing their voice. They are your entire world but they not feel the same way. But hey let's look past it, "let's be lucky people you and me."https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZoKBdxhXpw

Top 10 Leeds Events

You Me At Six - 11th January 2017A last minute surprise from the band. They were in Leeds this day for an HMV signing when that morning it was announced that a little known band called 'The Underdogs' were playing in Key Club tonight. Within a few hours fans cracked who it really was and You Me At Six revealed that they were doing a secret gig. Fans were soon queuing up to get into Key Club in hopes to get a ticket for the show that night, what followed was chaos as You Me At Six played a tiny, sold-out show with a set comprised of new songs from their just released album Night People and of course their classics. A great way to start the year.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6EakBG9DuIA Day To Remember - 28th January 2017What a line-up, not only were A Day To Remember playing but we also had Moose Blood, Neck Deep and New Found Glory in the house. It's only January yet we already have the best pop-punk tour of the year. The show was incredible with it holding the record for the most amount of people crowd-surfing over the barrier at the First Direct Arena (not sure if this has since changed). The setlist was filled with non-stop bops with them opening with Mr Highway Always Thinking About The End, then going straight into Paranoia, as well playing fan favourites like It's Complicated, Have Faith In Me, All Signs Point To Lauderdale (complete with throwing toilet paper into the audience) and Right Back At It Again. Of course it ended with The Downfall Of Us All, just picture everyone chanting the intro and then screaming "Let's go!" at the top of your lungs then you've pretty much sussed what it was like.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SueGy-dM_8Green Day - 5th February 2017The legends made a huge comeback last year with Revolution Radio and were now back performing the UK on a three date tour that included Leeds Arena. For all those die-hard Green Day fans who have been waiting a long time for this, it was everything they could've wished for. From the iconic pink bunny that pumps up fans before the show, to the nostalgic classics like Basket Case, Hitchin' A Ride and Minority, to the madness during King For The Day that allowed everyone to witness Billie Joe Armstrong playing the kazoo, to the anti-Trump chants during American Idiot, to the emotional Good Riddance. It was an incredible night.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9GSF3ROa58Sum 41 - 26th February 2017There was a theme of comebacks this year but none were more heart-felt than with Sum 41 whose front-man, Deryck Whibley, who might have not been here tonight following a health scare three years prior that nearly left him dead. And if you were there you would have seen how eternally grateful he was to be performing, grateful to be alive. The evening can be summed up as being a revisit to your childhood with them playing a lot of the classics that you would've no doubt heard being played in the soundtracks of many mid-noughties teen films. Try to find someone who hasn't heard Fat Lip, In Too Deep, The Hell Song and Still Waiting...yeah, impossible isn't it. Of course the newer material cannot be ignored, with songs like Fake My Own Death and God Save Us All (Death To Pop) also being stand-out moments in the show.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbqsGxm7iLQAll Time Low - 15th March 2017"This was my second time seeing them as I'd been to their last UK tour in February 2016, however that was at Manchester arena and this was a smaller venue so I was excited to be in a different atmosphere and crowd for this show. All Time Low are one of my favourite live bands as they always have so much energy and passion when performing. They even included some of my favourite songs on the setlist that I had not seen live before; guts and six feet under the stars, so it was an honour to be able to see these songs live after loving them for so long. Being barrier for an incredible band with all my best friends was the best experience and it was one of my favourite concerts of 2017." - Charlotte Hirons, 17 from Leedshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCg_anj5kWcState Champs - 16th March 2017Leeds was having a good week with two of the best current pop-punk bands playing back to back on two nights. State Champs bought along some of their friends in the form of the upcoming Northbound (check them out) and with As It Is (hmm a familiar name) as support acts. It was a fun evening full of non-stop tunes like Losing Myself, Shape Up and Elevated, a sweet acoustic section with If I'm Lucky and Stick Around and everyone screaming the iconic opening line, "I'm a realist and an optimist but I swear to you I'm not getting over this" with All You Are Is History.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMdxoWnqLJoSlam Dunk - 28th May 2017Every pop-punk kids' favourite day of the year. Slam Dunk was back in it's 11th year and what a line-up it had. From this year's headliners, Enter Shikari, playing Take to the Skies in full on it's 10 year anniversary, and, oh wait, so was We The Kings with their self-titled debut. Oh look, we also had Tonight Alive, Neck Deep and Bowling For Soup headlining on the other stages. Who's that over there? Oh, it's Boston Manor, With Confidence and Waterparks. Basically there was a range of options of who to see, we would be here all day if we were to list everyone. In simple terms, it was a brilliant day. Get yourself down next year; hey read this to find out who's playing next year.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDKIsHIizmwBlink 182 - 5th July 2017Another legendary band making a big UK touring comeback. Blink 182 have a had a bit of mad few years with the departure of long-time member Tom Delonge who was replaced by Matt Skiba from Akaline Trio, followed up with their first album in five years, California. This tour of course was everything you would expect. From the huge bright visuals during songs like Cynical, Dumpweed and Los Angeles, especially with the infamous "f**k" neon sign in the background, to the nostalgia with songs like First Date, Feeling This and The Rock Show to the ridiculous mini anthems Built This Pool and Happy Holidays, You Bastard. There was not one dull moment. Of course they had to conclude with All The Small Things and Dammit. Oh, and to top it all off, we also got to witness Mark Hoppus skipping around in a Olaf Mask. An icon.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czAKwUT-s_QLeeds Festival - 25th-27th August 2017This year had an incredible line-up that anyone could enjoy; headlining was Muse, Kasabian and Eminem, you can't go wrong with that. Along with them we had the likes of You Me At Six, One Ok Rock and Don Broco, to Against The Current, Neck Deep and The Amity Affliction to even the likes of Halsey, Marshmello and Charli XCX, there was something for everyone. Oh, and don't forget that we had the legend of Liam Gallagher playing. Even Simon from The Inbetweeners had a guest experience. What more could you want from a festival?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4ozdiGys5gMayday Parade - 19th September 2017It's been ten years since Mayday Parade released A Lesson In Romantics so why not have ten-year-anniversary tour playing the album in full? Seems appropriate. Anyone who went to this tour experienced a night of nostalgia as the band played through their debut and what's not more wonderful than seeing a crowd of people singing along (and some crying) to the likes of Jamie All Over, Miserable At Best and I'd Hate To Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About. As well playing a few extras at the end like Terrible Things (yes there was more tears) Kids In Love and Oh Well, Oh Well. Hopefully it won't be another ten years before we can do this again.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZaK37dheCMAnd that's it for 2017. See you all in 2018 where we can experience more great releases and go to more great live shows. Should be a good one.