Into the top three and into the last few days of 2017 - the homestretch. Bringing us into these next few days is the album that's moved around the most on this list - in fact just yesterday it was in a different position - DAMN. by Kendrick Lamar. After listening to this record backwards (we'll get into that later) and forwards again I have no doubts that this is at the very least the position it should sit in.

Kendrick has featured on every one of my top albums of the year lists since 2015 - and often multiple times, be it with his own solo album or as a feature artist on one of my favourite records. Everything that Kendrick touches just turns to gold and DAMN. is no different. This album managed to take a lot of the vibes and beats I loved about good kid, m.A.A.d city and the conscious verses and relevant topics in To Kill A Butterfly and put them together in this stellar album package. On top of this, one of the best things about it is that you can listen to it backwards (collector's edition) or forwards and it still sounds phenomenal. Some even say it sounds better backwards.

My go to tracks on this album are "DNA", "ELEMENT", "PRIDE", and "HUMBLE". These are some of favourite songs of the year to be honest. I can't even tell you how many times I listened to "HUMBLE" the day that it came out. That beat is something else and of course, this song has one of the best music videos of the year for it. This video and to be very honest, this album just reinforced what an innovator Kendrick is. Not necessarily one step ahead of the game but always thinking outside of the box.


Have a look at the album that brought us into my top three last year here.

Now, 2015 has been a pretty phenomenal year for new music - I'm sure I've still got a few albums to catch up on if I'm honest. However, there are some artists that I can't help but wish had released a record this year. There's always next year though!


DAUGHTER
It's been a couple of years since their debut If You Leave and I still listen to it on a very regular basis. Beginning to end, no matter the order, that record is stellar. Luckily, Daughter released a new single a couple of months ago here and if it's anything to go by, then their sophomore record out next year should have no problems making it onto my top albums of the year list - I just wish it'd come sooner, but suppose good things come to those who wait.

FRANK OCEAN
The king of procrastination himself. Frank had the whole world waiting for a new album this year around July and we're still all waiting - no news of a release date, time schedule, absolutely nothing. Channel Orange was a brilliant record and was maybe actually a little underrated as a whole piece but 3 years on - let's go Frank! I don't know when we'll get a second record but when we do, I'll be expecting very big things.

KANYE WEST
Speaking of procrastinators, here's another new record that I'd expected to hear around mid year and am still waiting (semi)patiently for. After the controversial Yeezus this new record was supposed to be a complete 180 and I was so ready for the differing views and undeniably brilliant tracks but instead we got a big bowl of nothing. Okay well, we got "All Day" but still - album in 2016 please.

RIHANNA
Continuing on the thread of artists who made us false promises this year, bad girl Rih Rih has been teasing us since the year began, with music videos, the absolute banger "Bitch Better Have My Money", album covers, and even album titles but still we've seen nothing. Still unsure of a release date at this point but with a tour already announced for next year, I'm sure we won't be waiting much longer.

THE NIGHT VI
To be honest, I've been waiting for this band to release an album since I first discovered them in 2013 here and last year seemed a little bit promising with new single releases and covers. We did get an EP this year to be fair so they didn't leave us with nothing but I just want a big breakout debut album that won't be able to hide under the radar. No signs of that happening anytime soon though so until then I guess I'll just keep listening to Maybe That's How I'm Feeling.

LAURA MVULA
Laura's been making new music ever since her debut record came out - we just haven't heard any of it yet. The only thing I'm worried about with her sophomore is that the same thing that happened to Alt-J and SBTRKT will happen. She was something so new and different when she debuted and now it might be too hard to keep a unique sound without overdoing it. Will just have to wait and see if she can prove this theory wrong.

HAIM
I feel like I haven't heard anything from Haim in the longest time! I know it's only been a couple of years but they blew up so quickly and had so many hits in such a short space of time that when they dropped off the scene to record new material, their absence was very noticeable. I wasn't their hugest fan but I liked what they were doing and a need them to come back and fill that Haim shaped hole in my life.

BALANCE AND COMPOSURE
After The Things We Think We're Missing in 2013 I've been waiting for any opportunity to see this band live. That record was some of the best pop rock I've heard in a while! Again, an album that return to frequently, so when rumours started coming up about them breaking up earlier this year I was pretty devastated. Thank God they later came out with a statement that they're not breaking up and they're actually recording new music - just wish it'd come out this year.

ARCANE ROOTS
Another cop out - they did release an EP earlier this year here and it was definitely good, but after the gold that was Blood & Chemistry I was hoping to get my hands on another musical masterpiece this year. Either way, now that the band are getting more and more recognition this might result in more music soon. I haven't heard anyone in the same space do it quite as well as them just yet.

CHARLOTTE OC
In fairness, I did only discover her last year but since discovering her music, she's blown up quite a bit and released quite a few new singles - only right for me to assume that a new album's on it's way right? Well I was mistaken. She did however (like most of the other artists on this list) release an EP earlier this year here - no signs of a debut record yet but I'll keep my fingers crossed.

It happened again. So much has happened in the music world these past few days that I've had to split it into TWO POSTS. Well, I'm not complaining - more music for your ears. Here are the first bits of news...

RIHANNA NEW SINGLE "AS REAL AS YOU AND ME"
Rihanna has recently been talking about the release of her new album and how it will be "worth the wait" but she couldn't let us wait without giving us something to whet our appetites. This single won't actually be on her album but it appears on the soundtrack for new movie Home. Great ballad. Have a listen here.


BLUR NEW MUSIC VIDEO "THERE ARE TOO MANY OF US"
A second single from Blur's upcoming album The Magic Whip and now we can get more of a taste of what the overall album might sound like. However, this is quite a bit different from the first single that they put out here so I couldn't make any accurate predictions at this time. Currently, I'm not enjoying this single as much as their last but it's definitely not a bad song. Check it out here.


MALLORY KNOX NEW MUSIC VIDEO "GETAWAY"
I really, really liked this sophomore album from Mallory Knox and each of the singles that they've chosen to date from it have been great. However, I honestly thought that this would have been a single sooner - huge belter. Watch the cool new video here.


TAME IMPALA NEW SINGLE "LET IT HAPPEN"
I've loved each of Tame Impala's records before this upcoming one, but when I heard that this latest album would be a little bit more "rock-influenced", I was actually more interested. As such, I had no idea what to expect from the first single here. Still the classic psychedelic Tame but I see what they meant - this is a bit of a new leaf.


CURB NEW SINGLE "OUTSIDE"
Since seeing Curb at last year's One Beat Weekender here I didn't actually expect to hear much more from them any time soon if I'm honest but I'm glad that I did - this single here is great. I feel like they've had better songs but this is still a cool summer tune and it would be awesome live.


RAE SREMMURD NEW MUSIC VIDEO "THROW SUM MO"
I've been listening to this single since before the album - Sremm Life - even came out in February so I wasn't too fussed about having Rae Sremmurd put out a video for it or anything but just checked it out because I like the song so much. The video is cool, but I don't think that I'll make much of an effort to watch it again though. Have a watch here.


DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE NEW MUSIC VIDEO "LITTLE WANDERER" 
I'm excited to listen to this full record when it drops on the 31st of March. This music video is surprisingly pretty basic and uninteresting for DCFC in my opinion but the song is brilliant! Definitely a track I'll be listening to long after I've overplayed the record. However, again, I doubt I'd make an effort to re-watch the video here.


LIGHT YOU UP NEW MUSIC VIDEO "ALL WE'VE EVER KNOWN"
Another new album that boasts great instrumentals and vocals, if you haven't already - give Light You Up a listen. This is the lead single from it, so it's been out for quite a while but this music video actually made me like it a little bit more. So simple, but entertaining. Check it out here.


EGO ELLA MAY NEW SINGLE "HOW FAR"
Even though Ego Ella May has reassured us that she's working on putting out something big, there's only so many tantalising single releases that a fan can endure! I hope that this is the last before she releases her masterpiece. Have a listen to the tune here.


WHILE SHE SLEEPS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "OUR LEGACY"
The full album is actually streaming now over at wssofficial.com but this is the latest single from WSS's incredible (8/10) album. I whole-heartedly suggest checking out both. The lads are sounding better than ever! This is right now one of my favourite albums out this year. Check out the music video here.


ALBUMS ALBUMS ALBUMS
Speaking of albums, a lot of awesome records have dropped in the past few days. Of course the first mention has to go to Kendrick's masterpiece - To Pimp A Butterfly - pure gold. As well as that, Tinashe has also released a new mixtape Amethyst. Finally, Earl Sweatshirt, Tonight Alive and Bloc Party have all announced new albums on the horizon. Stoked.


FOREVER CULT NEW SINGLE "WINTER'S GLOW"
Clue Records keep spoiling us. Between Allusondrugs, NARCS and of course Forever Cult I'm smiling at least once a week at something awesome they've done. Now this song here has me smiling again AND it'll be available for free download on the 30th of March... like I said - spoilt.


MUSE NEW SINGLE "PSYCHO"
In time for their killer tour that they're embarking on with Marmozets in tow, comes this gem of a Muse single. Definitely a band that I would love to see before I kick the bucket and with singles like this on their back I can vouch that when I do see them, it'll definitely be one to remember.

Now for the final part of January's music news and after this we can start off February on a clean slate and with glorious new music on our iTunes...

YEARS & YEARS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "KING"
So I've actually only just caught wind of Years & Years in 2015 but they're good... like really good! I saw them featuring on Tourist's newest track "Illuminate" and since then they've just continued to impress me. I'm interested to see what an entire record of theirs would be like but for now check out their new music video here.


NAO NEW SINGLE "IN THE MORNING"
After her stunning support performance on the Little Dragon tour last year I've been waiting for something new to come from Nao. January just seems to be granting all of my wishes. If you get the chance to see her live, don't pass it up - great performer. I mean, just listen to these vocals here.


THE STAVES NEW SINGLE "STEADY"
Speaking of spectacular vocals, the queens of harmonies are back with a new track from their upcoming album - If I Was. I really love the way that this track swells - this is going to be a brilliant sophomore record. The Staves are definitely ones to check out if you haven't already. I'd start with this new single here.


THE NIGHT VI NEW SINGLE "TOO LATE TO LIE"
I've been writing abut The Night VI's new singles for over a year and a bit now and I still haven't heard a whiff of a new full length album!! As good as this new single here is, I am just more than ready for a full record.


DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE NEW SINGLE "BLACK SUN"
I've never really listened to Death Cab religiously. I've heard quite a few of their songs and I've liked each one including this new single here. However, now I think it's time for me to play catch up - I've missed out on a lot of good music here it would seem.


KANYE WEST, PAUL MCCARTNEY & RIHANNA NEW SINGLE "FOURFIVESECONDS"
There has been so much press surrounding this collaboration that it'd be pretty difficult for anyone to get away from it but I thought I'd write about it anyway. Although this might seem like a strange mix of artists at first, each of them offers up something great to make it work. Have a listen here.


ST. VINCENT NEW SINGLE "BAD BELIEVER"
I'm not sure that I'll ever figure out for certain how I feel about St. Vincent's music to be honest. This song does not appeal to me at all, but I know that a bunch of people out there will really enjoy it. I guess it's just each to their own in this situation but as much as I like St. Vincent as a person and a performer, most of her music is just not enjoyable. Have a listen here.


GENGAHR NEW SINGLE "SHE'S A WITCH"
It's nice to see this band getting a bit more well deserved recognition. I'm expecting to see Gengahr on a few festival line-ups this year for sure. But sadly as we're a long way from summer, have a listen to this great new single to tide you over - here.


THE CRIBS NEW SINGLE "AN IVORY HAND"
The Cribs are finally blessing us with a new single from their upcoming record and as expected, it's a good'un. I'm really looking forward to seeing them do this track justice live later this month. I'm not sure how many more awesome tracks they have left in them but I hope that it's a lot because this is a gem. Check it out here.


FAKE LAUGH NEW SINGLE "DOPEY HEAD"
Another discovery that I made earlier this year on Twitter. It was nothing like what I expected it to sound like. In an age of electronics, often this isn't what you expect to click on on Twitter. I can't say that I like Fake Laugh much but maybe in a different time this would be a really great track. See for yourself here.


LIL' WAYNE NEW SINGLE "FINGERS HURTING"
I honestly didn't think that Lil' Wayne would be making anymore solo music. I'd expected that he would feature on a couple artists' tracks here and there but I hadn't expected another whole album. However, here it is! And here is a new single from it. Let's just say, in my opinion, he should've stopped a long while ago.


FKA TWIGS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "PENDULUM"
Still taking the world by storm. Even though most people will have heard this song a long while ago, having the new music video with it can definitely make you like it more. FKA Twigs is just as much as visual artist as she is a vocal one and this new music video here shows just that.


PETITE NOIR NEW SINGLE "SHADOWS"
Just after the release of his new EP -The King of Anxiety - Petite Noir releases this single from it to the world. I'm not sure - I really liked Petite Noir when I first heard about him last year and I was worried that the novelty would wear off a little bit. However, this new track here has definitely proven me wrong.


THE SUBWAYS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "TAKING ALL THE BLAME"
A name that I've heard around me countless times but have never really gotten into. When I saw this new music video pop up on my timeline I thought, no time like the present. I'm a little sad it took this long but yeah The Subways are a cool band. Not "my new favourite" or anything but a strong band nonetheless. Here's the new video.


DANGERKIDS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "WE'RE ALL IN DANGER"
I just sincerely want Dangerkids to get all of the recognition owed to them because they are amazing! Diligently waiting on a headline UK tour but until then, fans can enjoy this awesome new music video here, and maybe catch them supporting Crown The Empire on their EU/UK tour.


THE PRODIGY NEW SINGLE "THE DAY IS MY ENEMY"
If somehow you haven't already heard, The Prodigy have announced a relatively small venue UK tour commencing later this year AND they're releasing a new record - The Day Is My Enemy - out on the 30th of March. Check out the newly released title track here.


THE BOHICAS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "TO DIE FOR"
After seeing them at Field Day last year I knew that The Bohicas would be a strong studio band as they're each so technical gifted and precise. This new single (although fairly repetitive and predictable) proves me right. Have a watch of the slightly confusing but surprisingly entertaining new music video here.


DAVID GUETTA NEW LYRIC VIDEO "WHAT I DID FOR LOVE (FEAT. EMELI SANDE)"
It's been a long while since I've seen Emeli Sande feature on anything so I'm hoping this means that there'll be a sophomore album out any day now! Her voice still sounds fabulous and David Guetta is still making those annoyingly catchy pop beats. Have a listen here.


GALLOWS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "BONFIRE SEASON"
YEEEESSSSS! 2015 really is going to be an insane year for album releases. Gallows' new record - Desolation Sounds - comes out on the 13th of April. It will be big. It will be beefy. And if this new single is anything to go by, it's sounding a little different too! Have a listen to the new sound here.


CHILDISH GAMBINO NEW MUSIC VIDEO "SOBER"
From his latest EP - Kauai - Childish Gambino. He's a strange character for sure but his music is anything but. All of his tracks catch my attention in one way or another and this single here is no different. The mind of a true artist - I would love to see him live one day!