2016 was a great year for music. With releases from renowned artists like Beyonce, Solange, Sia, Adele and many others, as well as debuts of many new faces to the mainstream like Chance The Rapper, Anderson .Paak, and the year got better and better as it progressed. Genres mixed, production improved and artists came together in unexpected ways.

Now it’s almost March of 2017 and this year is proving to be even better than the last. Here are my top 3 releases of 2017… so far.

3)  Castle on the Hill: Ed Sheeran

Sheeran released this single on Jan. 6, along with another song: Shape of You. In this song Sheeran explores his nostalgic memories of growing up in Halifax, England. He sings about a common theme of missing the freedoms and experiences that most teenagers experience, and the people that made him the man he is today. The single is accompanied by a stellar music video directed by George Belfield.

2) American Teen: Khalid

Over summer El Paso, Texas artist, Khalid, released his single, location, on his soundcloud account. Khalid’s buzz built surrounding the song in the months to follow and through the fall. On February 22nd, 2017, Khalid released another single called American Teen. In this track Khalid uses summery, R&B beats and atmospheric vocals to curate the perfect good mood song in the colder months of the year. Khalid sings about living the dream of an American teenager.

1) Slide: Calvin Harris ft. Frank Ocean & Migos

On this very unexpected collaboration, Harris mixes his EDM-focused beats with Oceans distinct R&B vocals, and Migos’ extremely influential triplet rap flow to make a song guaranteed to be played at parties and clubs in the warm months to come. After Ocean’s long awaited sophomore album released last year and Migos’ record breaking (having all 13 songs on their album as the Apple Music top 13) album, This is the single we all have been waiting for.