2017 in Music: Top 15 Songs in Pop

Mainstream pop is evolving and perhaps that's a good thing. Monstrous bangers like Into You, Beautiful Now, We Don't Talk Anymore, We Found Love, WorkX2, Only Girl (In The World), Sorry, Lean On, Till The World Ends and On the Floor may sound like they are from a different era, but music in 2017 continued to be just as interesting and experimental. So here are some of my top picks, the ones that broke through the crushing monotony of this year's pop charts, in no particular order -

New Rules (Dua Lipa) - Advice about staying away from your ex has never been this fun!
Told You So (Paramore) - A catchy, synth-driven dose of inspiration from the Tennessee-based alt-rock trio.
Boys (Charli XCX) - If all you care is dreaming about boys, Charli XCX has got you covered.
Wild Thoughts (DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna/Bryson Tiller) - Killer vocals from badgal RiRi take DJ Khaled's renewed take on Maria Maria to soaring heights.
Malibu (Miley Cyrus) - If this is what getting back together feels like, sign me up!
It Ain't Me (Kygo ft. Selena Gomez) - Tropical House veteran Kygo teams up with Selena Gomez for an upbeat EDM fusion.
LOVE. (Kendrick Lamar ft. Zacari) - A song where Kendrick sounds so unlike himself, and for the better.
Chained to the Rhythm (Katy Perry) - Political wokeness mixed with an addictive hook like no other!
Mask Off (Future) - Those flute loops — sampled from Tommy Butler's Prison Song — are the best thing about this drug-fuelled creation!
Dusk Till Dawn (ZAYN ft. Sia) - Zayn Malik's anthemic ode to love, a towering piece of pop music that's more an emotional outburst closer to Sia's trademark style.
New Year's Day (Taylor Swift) - Taylor's new album about her bad reputation is packed with bullet-proof hits, grinding synths and club-ready refrains, but it's New Year's Day and Delicate that show the singer at her vulnerable best. And they make for beautiful listens too!
Symphony (Clean Bandit ft. Zara Larsson) - I have a thing for strings (if that wasn't obvious by now), and this song's hook is everything.
Slide (Calvin Harris ft. Frank Ocean/Migos) - Calvin Harris ropes in Frank Ocean and Migos for what's a catchy take on affluenza.
Supercut (Lorde) - It's hard to pick one single song from Melodrama, but Supercut, about an idealised relationship, is just beyond beautiful.
Passionfruit (Drake) - Where Drake talks about his religious devotion to his girlfriend and the need for me-time.

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