By Gabriel Crosetti @GABECROSETTI
We’re not even three months into 2017, and yet it feels like a year’s worth of music has already been released. The website NME.com estimates that over 110 albums have already been unveiled by mainstream artists for public consumption in the first two months of the calendar year.
If you are a music lover or just someone who turns on the radio while driving, this news may be just what you want to hear, but chances are you’ve had a hard time keeping up with music as of late.
It can be a bit overwhelming and takes some time, but once you find that time you’ll get a chance to listen to all the music you’ve been missing out on.
Despite album sales ending at its lowest figure in 25 years, last year provided us with an array of hit songs and quality albums.
One of the main reasons why album sales are at a record low, is because music is turning more digital by the day. According to billboard.com, the numbers showed that album sales dropped by 16 percent in 2016, while audio-only online streams rose a staggering 76 percent.
So when people see that album sales are going down, it is not an accurate indicator of the music industry as a whole. Rather, it just shows that the industry is evolving and artists are beginning to take greater pride in the number of online streams and views their songs generate.
New and talented artists are making a name for themselves in the ever-changing music scene. Last year kept us entertained as our favorite artists, like Drake and Adele, released chart-topping albums. One wouldn’t think it would be possible for this year to surpass 2016.
However, the first few months of 2017 have made consumers think otherwise. Just a few months into the year, several marquee artists have wasted no time in releasing their projects. Artists like Future, Big Sean and the hip-hop group Migos, have released albums that have not disappointed.
Migos’ set the tone early in January when their hit single “Bad and Boujee” claimed the no. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top 100. The song generated over 35 million streams in the first week of 2017, an impressive feat for the fairly new Georgia-based trio.
Soon after, they dropped their second album “Culture”, which also topped Billboard’s Top 200 album chart in February.
In early February, one familiar name in the music industry, Big Sean, also released his heavily anticipated album “I Decided.” The album also had the no. 1 spot on Billboard’s top 200 chart in mid February; marking the second time the Detroit native topped the list.
Recently though, no artist in the industry has been as hot as Future. Dropping an unprecedented two albums only a week apart from each other, the Atlanta based rapper has topped nearly every chart and has made it into the music libraries of countless fans.
The first album “FUTURE” took the no.1 spot on Billboard’s Top 200 in late February, just to be replaced the following week… by his second record.
Future’s subsequent album, “HNDRXX,” was released exactly one week after “FUTURE.” The latter project offers more of an R&B sound, a smooth change of pace from his usual harder beat-based tracks. Something we don’t see many other rappers do, except Drake.
His new albums, which don’t appear to be disappearing from the charts anytime soon, also featured well known artists like Rihanna and The Weeknd.
Lady Gaga and Lorde have also stepped out into the spotlight this year.
Gaga’s album “Joanne” has maintained a top spot on Billboard’s Top 200, especially after her Super Bowl Halftime performance, which boosted album sales in February.
New Zealand native, Lorde, also released her highly anticipated single “Green Light,” which currently sits at the no. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top 100 chart.
As we are only in the beginning of March, it’s hard to imagine that there are still nine more months left in 2017. There is seemingly plenty of time for a barrage of new music to be released.
Considering the music that has been unveiled so far this year has looked to be very enticing, make sure you leave enough room on your phone for the rest of it all so you don’t miss out.
