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20 KEY SONGS OF 2017 SO FAR

SUMMER IS COMIN IN WITH SOME GREAT TUNES

Eyewear likes lists, and loves music. Hence our regular updated best of music lists. 2017 has been a difficult year, and a tragic one, but there is no harm in seeking some solace, some respite, some beauty or expression of concern, in song.

There are many fine artists we love who do not make this list, like Blondie, Goldfrapp, Pile, Paramore, Spoon, Fleet Foxes, Sleaford Mods, Alison Moyet, Drake, Little Dragon, The National, the xx, but here are 20 popular music tracks - all available on Spotify - that have struck us as diverting, compelling, and undeniable this year. These others may well make our final list at year's end. At close to mid-year, and summer's height, however, here is the playlist we have for you, now.

1. 'All Things Pass' - The Jesus and Mary Chain
As good as their best, a classic indie pop song.

2. 'Beehive' - Mark Lanegan
Dark, indie, imagistic, potent, and brilliant - a classic.

3. 'Bon Appetit' - Katy Perry, Magos
Saucy dance pop from a masterful duo.

4. 'Cherry Pop' - Anteros
New Wave rock with a thrilling '77 twang.

5. 'Don't Know Why' - Slowdive
Hauntingly luminous shimmering dream pop.

6. 'Fire' - Beth Ditto
She's great, and this song is hot.

7. 'Howl' - Black Asteroid, Zola Jesus
Want crow-dark indie? Coming right up.

8. 'In Cold Blood' - alt-J
Weirdly catchy drama from quirk-meisters.

9. 'International Space Station' - British Sea Power
Anthemic indie pop in the peppy-OMD mode.

10. 'Junk Food Forever' - The Amazons
Soaring rush to the main stage for snot-nosed youth.

11. 'Kinda Bonkers' - Animal Collective
Brooklyn's presiding geniuses of song-surprise are back.

12. 'Lions' Den' - Pumarosa
You thought Siouxsie was intense?

13. 'Love' - Lana del Rey
Pure Lana, pure class. Swoon.

14. 'Nothing Feels Natural' - Priests
Masterful alt-rock response to awful 2016/17.

15. 'No Security' - Skepta
Powerful rap/ hip-hop that speaks to our time.

16. 'Paper Love' - Allie X
J-Pop tune, and oddball bliss.

17. '(Pressure) In Decay' - The New Division
Homage kids reinvent 80s synthpop.

18. 'Say My Name' - Tove Styrke
Dizzyingly wonky dance pop.

19. 'Scum' - Depeche Mode
The best anti-Trump song yet.

20. 'Weak' - AJR, Louisa Johnson
Joyously camp showstopper celebrating cheating.


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