BAYOU CITY STANDOUTS
Houston’s best sounds of 2017 ran the gamut from bracing brevity to dazzling depth. Several of the year’s unique acts opted for projects that left little room for filler, focusing instead of the purity of their sound and massive potential. But a few local
1. “Costume,” Bling St.
The duo of vocalist Stoo Goo and producer/ instrumentalist Luis Cerda incorporates ’80s, ’90s and present-day influences into a five-song EP that feels urgent at every turn. But instead of going for kitsch, they approached it with a studied sense of fun. The result is a collection that makes your feet move and, quite often, your heart soar. Think of it as a set of anthems for the beautiful outsider. 2. “Soft Spot,” Tee Vee 3. “Wonderful”/” Decorative Pillows”/“Early Service”/“Untitled I”/“LAX”, Jett I Masstyr
There was no one busier this year than producer and musician Jett I Masstyr — dig the “Star Wars” reference — who released a glut of albums and EPs that showed off every aspect of his talent. His various projects boasted soulful samples, collaborations and genres from funk to hip-hop to rock. That each could have its own place on this list is no small feat. 4. “Skin,” Shreya
Indian-American singer Shreya comes off like a more mature, more focused, more confident Ariana Grande on this EP. The five songs map the sexual and social evolution of a young woman, couched in silky pop, hip-hop and traditional Indian rhythms. She’s a star in the making. 5. “All Good Things Come,” Kyle Hubbard
Rapper Hubbard’s fulllength album chronicles his musical and personal evolution over the past few years. It’s a confident affair, bolstered by full-bodied production and Hubbard’s unique, effortless flow, particularly on “Anywhere the River Flows” and “Welcome to Houston.” 6. “SauDaDes,” Guilla
Rapper Guilla calls this EP “an expression of a deep longing” and says he was unsure about releasing it because he was “afraid to be vulnerable.” Thank Houston he did. It’s a beautifully constructed collection that posits him as producer behind tracks that feature Vicki Lynn of Black Kite, Kay Weathers, Mojave Red, Turbo Goth and his mother, opera singer Angela Williams. 7. “1219,” RYMNA
Rapper RYMNA sets himself apart from so many other talented Houston rappers with a sense of fluidity. It permeates his flow and the production throughout “1219.” Vocals and music seem to fuse into one for a sound that’s at once modern and retro. Vocalist Chelsea Mariah adds sugar and sass to a trio of tracks, including standout “In the City.” 8. “Empty Plans,” We Were Wolves
Sometimes you just need to rock out. We Were Wolves scratches that itch with a sturdy, muscular EP that combines raging vocals with booming guitars and drums. Every person here works together as one. This EP should come with its own head gear — because you will be thrashing around from start to finish. 9. “Fragmentos,” Juan Treviño
Local songwriter Treviño, who has written for a multitude of Tejano and norteño greats, takes the spotlight on this thoughtful collection of originals. He gets star assists from David Lee Garza, La Mafia’s Armando Lichtenberger Jr. and AJ Castillo. It was good enough to earn him a Latin Grammy earlier this year. 10 “Talk,” Vodi
Full-bodied indie-pop and soft-rock balance this polished release, which gets better as it goes along. It’s anchored by the soaring vocals of Tom Lynch, who was an ’80s power balladeer in another life.