My Favourite Country Albums of the Year

2017 was…ahhh…it was a year that happened. The music was great though! Now everyone’s taste is a little different, music is subjective after all, but these are my favourite country albums of 2017. I hope you check em out.

 

Brett Eldredge – Brett Eldredge

The first of the self titled Brett albums to land on the list. Brett Eldredge’s third album shows a bit of his softer side than it’s predecessors. Mix in personal vulnerability and passionate performances, ya get this album. The up-tempo tunes are good, but it’s the ballads that will keep you coming back for more listens.

 

Midland – On The Rocks

A pretty appropriate debut album name for a band whose first single was Drinkin’ Problem. Midland is a throwback to the more mellow, easy sounds of 80’s country music. If you’ve ever complained about hearing too much pop in your country, you need this album.

 

Russell Dickerson – Yours

If you like a little pop in your country this is your album. Russell Dickerson does not shy away from his pop influences on his debut album and I couldn’t be happier. Fun, this album is just plain sing along at the top of your lungs fun.

 

Chris Stapleton – From a Room Volume: 1 & 2

Fans got a treat this year with Chris putting out two albums. They are both albums by Chris Stapleton…so they are obviously really, really, really, really freakin’ good. Blues, soul, country, it’s all in there. He can write, he can play, he can sing, and boy can he make you feel all the feelings.

 

Brett Young – Brett Young

Self titled Brett #2! This is probably the album I listened to the most this year. It is only his debut album and from it he has already had 3 hits on the radio. There is so much more to this album than the singles, some of the best tracks are deep cuts. Brett Young, just like Brett Eldredge, is helping to steer the genre away from “Bro-Country.” His album show’s the fellas it’s okay to be vulnerable.

 

Carly Pearce – Every Little Thing

Carly Pearce’s debut single, the title track from the album, has probably made more than just a few JR listeners a case of the feels. Don’t worry, not every song on the album is as haunting a ballad as that one. Pearce is an exceptional writer and even better vocalist. She is another new comer that deserves your attention.

 

Kip Moore – Slowheart

In his third studio album you really get a sense of who Kip Moore is. This is his album, done his way. The current trend the in country genre has become one that frequently embraces pop-country infused sounds and R&B styled production. I like it, some people hate it, and sometimes you want something a little different. You won’t find many pop influences on Slowheart, this one feels like a rock album. A damn good rock album at that. The songs from this album will stay on my playlist long after 2017.

 

Lindsay Ell – The Project

Canadian! Lindsay is an extremely talented singer, song writer, and just a killer guitarist. I get Colbie Caillat/Sheryl Crow vibes. Lindsay shines on The Project; it is  a collection of beautiful songs that highlight her skills perfectly. The songs are unique from one another and yet work so well as a cohesive album. This is an album worth coming back to again and again. Expect more great things from Lindsay in 2018.

 

Charlie Worsham – Beginning of Things

Charlie Worsham is criminally underrated in country music. It’s criminal I tell ya! His sophomore album has an amazing mix of songs. Worsham understands there is more to the genre than songs about loss and longing; a little silliness and sarcasm certainly never hurt. Mix it all up with some amazing guitar licks and you’ve got one heckuva album.

 

-graeme