Best Albums of 2017
selected by Andrea Putz

Ant Antic <BR> “Wealth”

Ant Antic
“Wealth”

Whirling, interwoven sound patterns, a trembling voice, and deep, thumping basses: Ant Antic has produced a small masterpiece with their release “Wealth.”

The songs are constantly digging their way into the consciousness, always amaze with sounds that were not yet known in the art-pop context.

Marco Kleebauer and Tobias Koett, the duo behind Ant Antic, were also involved in other projects. Tobias in an indie-band called Clains, and Marco produces music for his own electronic projects – Leyya and Karma Art.

♪♫ Listen: “Juggernaut” + album stream

Ant Antic on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, www.

Bilderbuch <BR> “Magic Life”

Bilderbuch
“Magic Life”

“Bilderbuch” are four extraordinary guys, which have developed from the indie band to a well-known art pop band in the german speaking countries.

Their fourth album “Magic Life” is a journey through squeaky all-inclusive club facilities, between relaxing holidays and booming entertainment events.

Synthesizer meets distorted guitar, crazy beats meet familiar rhythms. Maybe you need some time to get used to it, but after that you will love every note.

♪♫ Listen: “Bungalow” + album stream

Bilderbuch on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.

Bitten By <BR> “Relations” EP

Bitten By
“Relations” EP

Bitten By is the name of the project by Patricia Ziegler, which impressively demonstrates how beautifully a tender voice can be put over dreamy yet beat-heavy pieces.

With her first EP “Relations” she released pop music that you want to hear from the bedroom to the dance floor. It is suitable everywhere and therefore a perfect life companion.

♪♫ Listen: “Honey” + album stream

Bitten by on Facebook, Instagram.

Dives <BR> “Dives” EP

Dives
“Dives” EP

Which girl does not want to be part of a girlband? And of course, if you have the choice, it must be the coolest band of all. The coolest band of all currently is called “Dives” and has made a self-titled mini-album, which makes every guitar dream come true.

Determined, loud and unstoppable, they rush with speed and quality straight to the garage pop rock olymp. This memorable tunes on summery guitar riffs should be part of every good record collection.

♪♫ Listen: “Shrimp” + album stream

Dives on Facebook, Instagram.

Garish <BR> “Komm Schwarzer Kater”

Garish
“Komm Schwarzer Kater”

They are like an institution in the Austrian music scene: “Garish”. Since 20 years they are not getting tired when it comes to producing albums. “Komm Schwarzer Kater” is their 7th album which was released in February.

Well-known text fragments in their very own metaphoric language meet new sound gimmicks in some parts of their songs.

But most of the time, they are like everybody likes them: a little bit vintage, but nethertheless extremly cool. They are the Heroes, you always looked for.

♪♫ Listen: “Unter Strom” + album stream

Garish on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.

HVOB <BR> “Silk”

HVOB
“Silk”

“Her Voice over Boys” or “HVOB”, as they are most known, are a producer duo who travel around the world with a live drummer to perform in exotic locations.

Their kind of electronic music captivates you automatically and deliberately uses soft voices. On “Silk” you can hear not only singer Anna Müller but also Winston Marshall, who is known by Mumford and Sons. He perfectly embeds himself in the smooth, electronic sounds. A beautiful, swooping album.

♪♫ Listen: “The Blame Game” + album stream

HVOB on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.

Mavi Phoenix <BR> “Young Prophet” EP

Mavi Phoenix
“Young Prophet” EP

Mavi Phoenix is without a doubt an exceptional talent. At just 19 she released her first EP, the second followed in 2017 and was called “Young Prophet”.

On this she allows insights into her exceptional work – catchy, contemporary, somewhere between pop, RnB and hip hop. She grabs a little something from everywhere and creates one hit after another.

♪♫ Listen: “Aventura” + album stream

Mavi Phoenix on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.

Mile me deaf <BR> “Alien Age”

Mile me deaf
“Alien Age”

An excursion into floating pleasures, full of loops and samples, strange, familiar, always the same and yet new: maybe this is why Mile Me Deaf’s album is called “Alien Age”.

An invasion of the usual, rebuilt together. Sounds which are going harmoniously in the ear and yet you have to listen because they are “different”.

Vaporwave and Ambient are two important keywords when it comes to this release. The hit-singles are not missing, they flash up where they are not expected. A good album!

♪♫ Listen: “Alien Age” + album stream

Mile Me Deaf on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.

Onk Lou <BR> “Bogus”

Onk Lou
“Bogus”

A blast of positivity sweeps you through when you are listening to Onk Lou’s “Bogus”.

It’s the perfect, harmonic pop album (and his very first one!) which guides you softly through your day or your evening. It’s like the hand which always grabs you, so that you don’t get lost. It’s like a warm hug.

Onk Lou is the bearded guy, who always have a charming smile on his face, who always tells you beautiful stories and who always will help you through your darkest days.

♪♫ Listen: “Physical” + album stream

Onk Lou on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.

Paul Plut <BR> “Lieder vom Tanzen und Sterben”

Paul Plut
“Lieder vom Tanzen und Sterben”

This record is dark, somber and yet radiates a certain amount of warmth. “Paul Plut” has surpassed himself with his solo debut “Lieder vom Tanzen und Sterben” (which means “Songs of Dancing and Dying”).

Tense music that clings on and does not let you go, that makes you sad and hard to breathe. But hope can also be found in some songs. It is this kind of hope that comforts you after you’ve burst into tears. It has become a liberating album, and one of the most intense ever.

♪♫ Listen: “Lärche” + album stream

Paul Plut on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Twitter, Instagram, www.