Lorde (Melodrama), Sam Smith (The Thrill of it All), and Kelly Clarkson (Meaning of Life), lead the list of 12 Best Pop Albums of 2017. Â
After assembling and releasing the list of the 50 Best Albums of 2017, itâs time to roll out the genre-based, year-in-review lists. In regards to the album-genre year-in-review lists, many of the selected albums also made the 50 Best Albums of 2017. In some cases, however, the genre-based lists in general add entries that didnât quite make the cut in the overall, comprehensive lists. In regards to the 12 Best Pop Albums of 2017, Lorde (Melodrama), Sam Smith (The Thrill of it All), and Kelly Clarkson (Meaning of Life), lead the charge.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”1. Lorde” desc=”Melodrama” img=”14793″]
1. Lorde, Melodrama
Republic
Now a more mature, 20-year old, Lorde expands her artistry throughout the course of Melodrama. After a four-year hiatus, the alternative-pop artist returned soundly, delivering one of the yearâs most consistent and most intriguing efforts. Lorde successfully executes the concept, something incredibly tough to do with conceptual albums.
Gem of Gems: âGreen Lightâ
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”2. Sam Smith” desc=”The Thrill of It All” img=”18117″]2. Sam Smith, The Thrill of it All
Capitol
In 2013, Sam Smith won the hearts of the world with his excellent debut album, In the Lonely Hour. Smith follows it up sensationally with another gem in The Thrill of It All. Here, he serves up incredible, nuanced, vocal performances throughout, chocked-full of sincerity and emotion. Perhaps not every song is a âhit,â nor, is this a groundbreaking affair, but all in all, Smith âbrings the heatâ and personal perspectives to The Thrill of It All.
Gem of Gems: âToo Good at Goodbyesâ
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”3. Kelly Clarkson” desc=”Meaning of Life” img=”17511″]3. Kelly Clarkson, Meaning of Life
Atlantic
The best way to describe Kelly Clarkson is brilliant. The 35-year old pop musician continues to move us. On Meaning of Life, she releases the most soulful album of career. Throughout the album, she exhibits attitude (âLove So Softâ and âWhole Lotta Womanâ), and slaughters ballads (âMeaning of Life,â âMove You,â and âI Donât Think About Youâ). Clarkson sounds as fresh as ever vocally, dripping in grit, nuance, and power.
Gem of Gems: âLove So SoftâÂ
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”4. Kesha” desc=”Rainbow” img=”15983″]4. Kesha, Rainbow
Kemosabe
Kesha was âout of commissionâ for five years, an eternity in pop music. The hiatus was tough, as she was embroiled in an intense, legal argument with Dr. Luke, the producer who helmed her first two albums. Despite a turbulent, trying time, sheâs returned better than ever on her third studio album, Rainbow. Chocked full of eclecticism, shifting from style to style, most of it works well, particularly the soaring âPraying.â
Gem of Gems: âPrayingâ
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”5. Ed Sheeran” desc=”Divide” img=”14463″]
5. Ed Sheeran, Ă·
Atlantic
Ed Sheeran assembled another enjoyable, highly respectable album with Ă·. While Ă· doesnât supplant the singer/songwriterâs previous album, +, it has its own share of notable moments. Among the bright spots are âShape of You,â âCastle on the Hill,â and âPerfect.â
Gem of Gems: âShape of Youâ
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”6. Lana Del Rey” desc=”Lust for Life” img=”16088″]6. Lana Del Rey, Lust for Life
Interscope
Lana Del Rey is quite the character. Regardless, whatâs undeniable is her distinct voice. Throughout her fourth full-length album Lust for Life, Lana Del Rey showcases her best attribute. Lust for Life proves to be more exciting than Honeymoon, and more well-rounded than her debut, Born to Die. Perhaps it pales in comparison to Ultraviolence, but itâs a competitive fight to say the least.
Gem of Gems: âSummer Bummerâ
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[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”7. Calvin Harris” desc=”Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 1″ img=”15731″]7. Calvin Harris, Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 1
Columbia
Calvin Harris âputs in workâ on Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 1. By far, this is the best album of Harrisâ career. The Scottish musical beast assembles a star-studded cast and somehow manages to make it all work â for the most part. If nothing else, the grooves are just too good to resist. Plenty of âfeelsâ to catch â âdonât be afraid.â
Gem of Gems: âRollinâ
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”8. Demi Lovato” desc=”Tell Me You Love Me” img=”17323″]8. Demi Lovato, Tell Me You Love Me
Island / Hollywood
Demi Lovato delivers an enjoyable, well-rounded album with Tell Me You Love Me. The best attribute of the album are the soaring vocals of Lovato. She continues to get better and better. There are also some top-notch songs, led by the likes of âSorry Not Sorry,â âTell Me You Love Me,â and âYou Donât Do It for Me Anymore.â Also, the production work canât be neglected â da bomb.Â
Gem of Gems: âSorry Not Sorryâ
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”9. P!nk” desc=”Beautiful Trauma” img=”16996″]9. P!nk, Beautiful Trauma
RCA
P!nk delivers another well-rounded album with Beautiful Trauma, her first album following a five-year hiatus. Despite the extended absence, her voice is as awe-inspiring and powerful as ever. While Beautiful Trauma isnât her best album, there are ample consistent and enjoyable moments.
Gem of Gems: âWhat About Usâ
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”10. Harry Styles” desc=”Harry Styles” img=”15260″]10. Harry Styles, Harry Styles
Columbia
Harry Styles âsteps up his gameâ from his One Direction days on his debut solo album, Harry Styles. One of the selling points of Harry Styles is the fact that Styles takes a more rock-oriented approach to pop, eschewing any semblance of bubblegum pop. The crĂšme de la crĂšme is the soaring âSign of the Timesâ where his voice sounds absolutely terrific. Besides âSign of the Times,â Styles also delivers on gems including âCarolina,â âOnly Angel,â âEver Since New York,â and âWoman.â
Gem of Gems: âSign of the Timesâ
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”11. Taylor Swift” desc=”Reputation” img=”17266″]11. Taylor Swift, Reputation
Big Machine
Reputation earns the honors of being arguably the âmost polarizingâ album to earn a spot on this list. While the latest project by Taylor Swift isnât quite as âeliteâ as some that grace this list, itâs a compelling affair with its fair share of moments. Swift goes âall inâ on pop this round.
Gem of Gems: âCall It What You Wantâ
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”12. Halsey” desc=”Hopeless Fountain Kingdom” img=”15037″]12. Halsey, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom
AstralwerksÂ
Halsey characterizes herself as an alternative artist. Is she? Depends on who you ask, but Hopeless Fountain Kingdom seems closer to a pop album. Labels aside, Hopeless Fount Kingdom is an interesting album. Itâs imperfect, but has plenty of compelling moments, including â100 Letters,â âAlone,â âBad at Love,â and âStrangers.â
Gem of Gems: âStrangersâ