Top 10 songs of 2017

1. Lorde - "Green Light"

Instantly iconic get-this-party-started anthem.

2. Japandroids - "North East South West"

Sometimes a great song isn't about what you do right — it's about what you don't do wrong. All hail Canada.

3. Tristen - "Glass Jar"

The year's best-written song, which makes it a bummer that the production is a little thin.

4. Now, Now - "SGL"

An incredible comeback from Minnesota's best pop band.

5. Matthew Dear feat. Tegan and Sara - "Bad Ones"

Could do without Dear's verse, but his guests make this track more than worthwhile.

6. Dizzy Fae - "Don't Hate For Me"

The year's sultriest song. Drop that long-player, Diz!

7. Miley Cyrus - "Malibu"

Gorgeously wistful.

8. The xx - "Say Something Loving"

Quietly epic.

9. Dua Lipa - "New Rules"

This year's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover."

10. Cardi B - "Bodak Yellow"

The jam that had everyone cheering.

Top 10 albums of 2017

1. Julien Baker - Turn Out the Lights

Light some candles and get a box of tissue. Bathtub optional.

2. The xx - I See You

Newly accessible, still rich and uncompromising.

3. Lorde - Melodrama

Taylor and Katy more or less bombed their Big Releases this year, leaving Lorde standing alone with the major pop release you can love.

4. SZA - Ctrl

Breakout star of the year.

5. Kendrick Lamar - DAMN.

An essential document of America in 2017. It's not pretty...how could it be?

6. Kelly Lee Owens - Kelly Lee Owens

Electronic bliss.

7. Vince Staples - Big Fish Theory

Fluid verses, vibrant beats.

8. Tristen - Sneaker Waves

How has the world still not discovered Tristen's genius? Despite rave reviews and a boost from NPR Music, this one didn't reach nearly enough ears.

9. St. Vincent - Masseduction

Like I See You, this is an album that's easy on the ears but reveals new hidden riches with each listen.

10. (tie) Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch - Blade Runner 2049 soundtrack; Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein - Stranger Things 2 soundtrack; John Williams - Star Wars: The Last Jedi soundtrack

Three sequel scores that build brilliantly on past greatness — especially impressive in the case of Blade Runner, which managed to Zimmer-ize the original Vangelis score without watering its weirdness down.

(I know, the Last Jedi score isn't out yet...but if John Williams disappoints, I'll drink a gallon of blue milk.)

The Current Hosts' and Staffers' Top 89 of 2017

Brett Baldwin • Bill DeVille • Jay Gabler • Jade • Cecilia Johnson • Lindsay Kimball • Mary Lucia • Jim McGuinn • Sean McPherson • Shelley Miller • Mike Novitzki • Brian Oake • Anna Reed • Jill Riley • Nate Ryan • Derrick Stevens • Andrea Swensson • Luke Taylor • Mark Wheat • Mac Wilson • Jesse Wiza