Every year always brings a clutch of interesting punk releases, and 2017 was no different. I’ve listed the ten best punk records that I heard in 2017, but realise that there were undoubtedly a number that slipped through the net. I would therefore be happy for any suggestions from readers as to other 2017 punk records that I should look out for. It’s a mixed list, in the sense that there are a few styles of punk music represented in the selections, ranging from hardcore punk, to 60s garage punk, to post-punk, to trap-punk. It’s also mixed in the sense that it’s a fairly international representation of artists, including Americans, British, Lebanese, Spanish and Norwegian performers. It also ranges from the much-hyped to the truly obscure. Indeed, some of these releases are cassette-only releases in very small numbers, so if you like them, I would hurry up and track them down before they become difficult to find, and ludicrously expensive. Anyway, I hope you enjoy them. (The records are listed alphabetically, according to the artists’ name):
- Barcelona – Los Astrados
Ear-bleeding hardcore, sung by someone who sounds like a Mexican serial killer. Unsettling sound and sleeve.
2. The Creation Factory – Let Me Go
Obsessive copiers of the 60s garage punk sound and aesthetic. (The Chesterfields and The Thanes come to mind quickly).
3. Flat Worms – Petulance
New band featuring members with strong ties to Sic Alps, Ty Seagall, and Thee Oh Sees. A bit like a 1970s punk 7″ covered by Pavement.
4. Girls in Synthesis – Suburban Hell
Post-punkish noise merchants on the Blank Editions label. A bit of Swell Maps in there.
5. Haram – Blood
A 1983-ish, Dead Kennedys hardcore sound. Sung in Lebanese Arabic.
6. Ho99o9 – City Rejects
Lots of hype about these guys, and with some justification. This is off the album. Trap (hip-hop’s even angrier cousin) mixed with punk.
7. Italia 90 – Competition
Art / post-punk. Cassette-only release. (They’ve obviously listened to a few Wire records).
8. Krimewatch – 小便 たれ
The title means “Pissed” in Japanese. Great hardcore punk.
9. Nekra – Sisters of the Yam
More female-fronted hardcore. Cassette-only release.
10. Purple X – Awaken
Unsettling, tempo-changing hardcore from Norway. Just manages to stay the right side of the punk/metal divide. Cassette-only release.
Music You Should Hear 
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