2017 so far has been a mixed bag of drops, with blockbuster albums from names like Ed Sheeran and breakout debuts from rising stars like Khalid. Here are 10 of the best, chosen for their ability to reflect each artist’s distinct and powerful musical and social perspective—as well as their knack for making a full afternoon’s worth of tracks we’ll gladly listen to all the way through.

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Write to Raisa Bruner at raisa.bruner@time.com.

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