In yet another year-end, year-in-review list, we highlight 13 albums that weren’t reviewed on The Musical Hype site in 2017 and why they missed the fame.

As a music critic, you have to pick and choose your battles. “Battles” in this case means which albums that you choose to listen to and pen a review for.  Obviously, there’s an overabundance of material to fuel any music critic’s fire, for better or for worse. Simply put, we can’t listen to everything. This list compiles 13 albums that weren’t reviewed on The Musical Hype in 2017.

1. AFI, AFI (The Blood Album)

Concord Music Group

Initially, the plan was to review the self-titled album by AFI.  Four singles were reviewed in advance of AFI: “Get Hurt”, “Aurelia”, “White Offerings”, and “Snow Cats.”  Sigh, I even bought the album, but, both listening and ultimately reviewing the project fell by the wayside.

2. Brett Young, Brett Young

Big Machine 

Despite reviewing single “Sleep Without You”, I didn’t have any plans to review Brett Young, the self-titled, full-length debut album by the California country artist. I certainly regret the decision following the success of singles “In Case You Didn’t Know” (#80 on our list of the 100 Best Songs of 2017) and “Like I Loved You.”

3. Incubus, 8

Island 

Despite being onboard with promo single “Nimble Bastard,” and reviewing a couple Incubus albums in the past, 8 just didn’t interest me.  I had “bigger fish to fry.” Apparently, everybody felt that way, considering the album didn’t perform well on the Billboard 200.

4. Kodak Black, Painting Pictures

Atlantic

Hmm.  Kodak Black just didn’t appeal to me personally.  I wasn’t a fan of “Tunnel Vision” either, which was selected as my 18^th worst song of 2017.

5. Dua Lipa, Dua Lipa

Warner Music

By the end of 2017, Dua Lipa earned a dedicated new fan from yours truly.  “New Rules” earned a spot on my 100 Best Songs of 2017 (#58) as well as spot on my 10 Best Music Videos of 2017 (#6).  Why didn’t I review the album? When Dua Lipa arrived on June 2, 2017, there were a number of high-profile album releases ahead of the quietly released debut project.

6.Brett Eldredge, Brett Eldredge

Atlantic

In 2015, I reviewed Illinois, the sophomore album by country musician Brett Eldredge.  This year, I was a fan of single “Somethin’ I’m Good At.” I actually listened to most of the album, but simply never penned the review.

7. XXXTentacion, 17

EMPIRE 

SoundCloud rappers were everywhere in 2017, much to my chagrin.  XXXTentacion first piqued my interest with the sexually-charged “Look at Me!”, which ended up earning a spot on The Worst Songs of 2017.  Additionally, XXXTentacion appeared on Rich Chigga single “Gospel” as well as Noah Cyrus single “Again.” Despite hearing a lot from the rapper, the surprise release of 22-minute project 17 – “Jocelyn Flores” and all – didn’t interest me.

8. Odesza, A Moment Apart

Counter

After being in awe of singles “Line of Sight” and “Corners of the Earth,” a review of A Moment Apart simply never came about.  Perhaps the biggest reason is that the album arrived during an incredibly crowded week that included releases from Thomas Rhett, Jack Johnson, The National, and Dustin Lynch.  

9. Prophets of Rage, Prophets of Rage

Concord Music Group

 Despite being on board with explicit single “Unf**k the World,” from the start, Prophets of Rage never compelled me.  Therefore, the album never received a listen or review.

10. Kid Rock, Sweet Southern Sugar

BMG Rights Management

Why didn’t I indulge in that Sweet Southern Sugar?  It’s simple – Sam Smith (The Thrill of It All), Maroon 5 (Red Pill Blues), and Blake Shelton (Texoma Shore) all released projects that piqued my listening interests more.  Also, it should be noted I have NEVER reviewed a Kid Rock album…oops.

11. Tove Lo, Blue Lips

Island

I’ll admit, I liked “Disco T**s.”  I wasn’t as ‘charged up’ as Tove Lo was mind you, but I liked the single.  Even so, I didn’t like it enough to pay much attention when Blue Lips, her follow up to Lady Wood, arrived.

12. U2, Songs of Experience

Island

This is by far the biggest album that I shunned in 2017.  I didn’t completely ignore it, reviewing singles “You’re the Best Thing About Me” and “Get Out of Your Own Way.” However, after listening to a little bit of the project, I just wasn’t feeling inspired. Therefore, I “got out of my own way” and didn’t finish listening or reviewing it.

13. Charli XCX, Pop 2

Atlantic

After spoiling us with all that eye candy on the infectious “Boys,” one would’ve thought that listening to and reviewing Pop 2 was automatic.  That didn’t end up being the case.  Despite enjoying promo single “Out of My Head” , Charli XCX found herself overshadowed by bigger releases courtesy of Eminem, G-Eazy, Jeezy, and N.E.R.D.

Photo Credits: Concord, Big Machine, Island, Atlantic, Warner Music, EMPIRE, Counter, BMG Rights Management