Albums to look forward to in 2017

We are mostly done looking back at all the great music that came out in 2016. You can see our best albums of the year bracket here, my list of the best EPs and other releases of the year here and guest best of the year lists from Nick Cvijovic, Adam Kreutzer, Connor McNerney and Ian Tomele. Now it is time to look to the year ahead. Here are some albums on the horizon to get excited about.

Nervous Passenger debut album

Local punks Nervous Passenger announced their first full-length will come out in 2017. They have released a handful of EPs and splits during the last six years or so. Last year's split with the Normal Years made it onto my list of the year's best EPs and other releases. I'm definitely looking forward to a full album from these guys. Nervous Passenger plays at Quenchers on January 21 with Archie Powell & The Exports, Boss Fight, Snort, TurboVamps, Otto Man and Eradicator. Stream their acoustic EP, released a few weeks ago, below.

Meat Wave - The Incessant

Meat Wave's second full-length album and second album on SideOneDummy Records comes out on February 17. This is the follow up to 2015's Delusion Moon. That album explored the local band's sound with brooding bass lines and probing guitar. "Witchcraft" was my favorite song from that album, both because of it's use of this leering sound and the great line "I never meant to throw your computer out the window." The Incessant will be available on black vinyl and 200 copies on ultra clear vinyl. You can see the full tracklist and preorder information here. Meat Wave plays their record release show at the Empty Bottle on February 25 with Paper Mice, Melkbelly and Foul Tip. Listen to "Run You Out" from the new album below.

Voice Of Addiction

Locals Voice Of Addiction announced they have finished recording a new full-length record. This will be the second full-length album from the socially conscious punk band. There is not a release date or title to report yet, but I am looking forward to hearing the new songs. The band's Facebook page states that there is also a feature-length documentary on the way in 2017. Listen to Voice Of Addiction playing five songs live in Canada below.

Swimsuit Addition - Dumb Dora

Swimsuit Addition announced that they are done playing live shows until this album is finished, or at least that is what it sounded like from various social media updates. The local band's bandcamp states that the record is coming out in 2017 and has a companion graphic novella by Jen Dot and Brett Manning. This will be the band's second full-length album, following 2015's excellent Wretched Pinups. Their bandcamp page also states that they are considering record labels to release the new album. Email swimsuitaddition@gmail.com if interested. Stream their latest, the Killin' Time EP, below.

Non-local releases

In non-local releases, Hellmouth (the metal band of Jay Navarro of Suicide Machines) has a new album coming out on January 27. Oblivion is the third in a trilogy of related records. It's coming out via Fast Break Records - 300 copies on black vinyl, 100 copies opaque blue/opaque metallic silver vinyl and 100 copies trans orange with opaque metallic gold/bronze vinyl. More information on that here. Ottawa's Crusades releases their third full-length album on March 7. This is a Sickness and Sickness Will End comes out via Anxious & Angry here in the US and on Crusades' own new label Countless Altars in Canada and Europe. Get a taste of the new album in this teaser video. Japandroids puts out their thrid album on January 27. Near to the Wild Heart of Life comes out via Anti- Records on white vinyl and clear vinyl. There is also a red 7-inch being sold with the record which includes a B-side that is not on the album. The Vancouver duo's second album knocked everybody over, so I think a lot of people are excited about this follow up. Japandroids plays at the Vic Theatre on February 15 with Craig Finn & The Uptown Controllers. Listen to the song "Near to the Wild Heart of Life" here. January 27 is a big release date as Cleveland's Cloud Nothings also have an album coming out that day. Life Without Sound is the band's fifth full-length album. It will be out via Carpark Records. Cloud Nothings plays Thalia Hall on February 10. Listen to the new song "Modern Act" here.