2017 in Canadian music

The following is a list of notable events and releases that happened in 2017 in music in Canada.

Events

• April 2 – Juno Awards of 2017
• April – East Coast Music Awards
• May – Prism Prize
• June – Preliminary longlist for the 2017 Polaris Music Prize is announced
• July – SOCAN Songwriting Prize is won by PUP in the English division and Klô Pelgag in the French division.
• July – Shortlist for the Polaris Music Prize is announced
• September – Lido Pimienta wins the Polaris Music Prize for her album La Papessa
• Fall – 13th Canadian Folk Music Awards
• November 6 – Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute to Leonard Cohen , a memorial tribute concert to singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen to mark the first anniversary of his death, is held at Montreal's Bell Centre

Bands reunited

• Joydrop
• Northern Haze
• Slow ^[1]

Albums released

#

• 2Frères, La Route

A

• Afrikana Soul Sister, Afrikana Soul Sister
• The Age of Electric, The Pretty EP – February 17 ^[2]
• Lydia Ainsworth, Darling of the Afterglow – March 31 ^[2]
• Alaskan Tapes, In Distance We're Losing
• a l l i e, Nightshade ^[3]
• Alvvays, Antisocialites – September 8 ^[2]
• Ammoye, The Light
• Tafari Anthony, Remember When
• Arcade Fire, Everything Now – July 28 ^[4]
• Austra, Future Politics – January 20 ^[2]

B

• Jason Bajada, Loveshit 2 (Blondie & the Backstabberz)
• Aidan Baker, Aberration – December 8 ^{[5] [6]}
• Barenaked Ladies, Fake Nudes – November 17
• The Barr Brothers, Queens of the Breakers – October 13 ^[7]
• The Beaches, Late Show – October 20
• Begonia, Lady in Mind
• Beppie, There's a Song Inside Me
• Bernice, Puff EP
• The Besnard Lakes, Are the Divine Wind – February 3 ^[2]
• Beyries, Landing
• Big Brave, Ardor
• The Birthday Massacre, Under Your Spell – June 9
• Philippe Brach, Le silence des troupeaux
• Broken Social Scene, Hug of Thunder – July 7
• Roxane Bruneau, Dysphorie ^[8]
• Louise Burns, Young Mopes – February 3 ^[2]
• Spencer Burton, Songs Of
• Matthew Byrne, Horizon Lines

C

• Daniel Caesar, Freudian – August 25
• Steph Cameron, Daybreak Over Jackson Street
• Patricia Cano, Madre Amiga Hermana
• Lou Canon, Suspicious – April 7 ^[9]
• Charlotte Cardin, Main Girl
• Celeigh Cardinal, Everything and Nothing at All
• Casper Skulls, Mercy Works
• Keshia Chanté, Unbound 01 – March 24
• Choses Sauvages, Choses Sauvages
• Cold Specks, Fool's Paradise
• Corridor, Supermercado
• The Courtneys, The Courtneys II – February 17
• Rose Cousins, Natural Conclusion – February 3 ^[10]
• Crown Lands, Rise Over Run
• Alex Cuba, Lo Unico Constante – April 7 ^[2]
• Eliana Cuevas, Golpes y Flores
• Amelia Curran, Watershed – March 10 ^[2]

D

• Danko Jones, Wild Cat – March 3 ^[2]
• Daphni, Joli Mai
• Desirée Dawson, Wild Heart
• The Dears, Times Infinity Volume Two – July 14
• Death From Above, Outrage! Is Now – September 8
• The Deep Dark Woods, Yarrow
• Mac DeMarco, This Old Dog – May 7 ^[2]
• Le Diable à Cinq, Sorti de l'enfer
• Do Make Say Think, Stubborn Persistent Illusions – May 19
• Julie Doiron, Julie Doiron Canta en Español Vol. 2
• Gord Downie, Introduce Yerself – October 27 ^[11]
• Drake, More Life – March 18
• Marc Dupré, La vie qu'il nous reste
• Durham County Poets, Grimshaw Road
• dvsn, Morning After – October 13

E

• Fred Eaglesmith, Standard
• Earle and Coffin, Wood Wire Blood & Bone (February); A Day in July (September)
• Efajemue, Fragile
• Coral Egan and Karen Young, Dreamers ^[12]
• Elliott Brood, Ghost Gardens – September 15 ^[13]
• Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton, Choir of the Mind – September 15
• Quin Etheridge-Pedden, Embark
• André Ethier, Under Grape Leaves

F

• Fast Romantics, American Love – April 28 ^[14]
• Stephen Fearing, Every Soul's a Sailor
• Feist, Pleasure – April 28 ^[14]
• Janina Fialkowska, Chopin Recital 3 – April 7 ^[14]
• FouKi, Extendo
• FouKi, Pré_Zay
• FouKi, Sour Face Musique
• Freedom Writers, Again
• Fucked Up, Year of the Snake ^[2]
• Nelly Furtado, The Ride – March 31 ^[10]

G

• The Garrys, Surf Manitou
• Ghostkeeper, Sheer Blouse Buffalo Knocks – March 31 ^[14]
• The Glorious Sons, Young Beauties and Fools – October 13
• Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Luciferian Towers – September 22 ^[15]
• Matthew Good, Something Like a Storm – October 20
• Jenn Grant, Paradise – March 3 ^[10]
• Great Lake Swimmers, They Don't Make Them Like That Anymore ^[16]

H

• Harm & Ease, Wonderful Changes
• Headstones, Little Army – June 2
• Hedley, Cageless – September 29
• Hollerado, Born Yesterday
• Matt Holubowski, Solitudes (Epilogue)
• Nate Husser, Geto Rock for the Youth ^[17]
• Andrew Hyatt, Iron & Ashes

I

• Brandon Isaak, Big City Back Country Blues
• Iskwé, The Fight Within
• Ivory Hours, Dreamworld

J

• Japandroids, Near to the Wild Heart of Life – January 27 ^[10]
• Julie and the Wrong Guys, Julie and the Wrong Guys – September 8 ^[18]

K

• Kae Sun, Canary – February ^[10]
• Khotin, New Tab
• Kid Koala, Music to Draw To: Satellite – January 20 ^[2]
• Brett Kissel, We Were That Song
• Keith Kouna, Bonsoir shérif
• Nicholas Krgovich, In an Open Field ^[19]
• Pierre Kwenders, Makanda at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time

L

• Land of Talk, Life After Youth – May 19 ^[14]
• Richard Laviolette, Taking the Long Way Home – March 10 ^[2]
• Exco Levi, Narrative – November 24
• Lights, Skin & Earth – September 22
• Loud, Une année record
• Russell Louder, Think of Light
• The Lowest of the Low, Do the Right Now
• Rob Lutes, Walk in the Dark
• The Luyas, Human Voicing – February 24 ^[2]

M

• Maestro Fresh Wes, Coach Fresh – November 17
• Majid Jordan, The Space Between – October 27
• Mama's Broke, Count the Wicked
• Manila Grey, No Saints Under Palm Shade
• Matiu, Matiu
• Mauno, Tuning ^[20]
• Matt Mays, Once Upon a Hell of a Time – October 20 ^[21]
• Jon McKiel, Memorial Ten Count ^[22]
• Patrice Michaud, Almanach
• Danny Michel, Khlebniknov – January 20 ^[2]
• Millimetrik, Sour Mash
• Mother Mother, No Culture – February 10 ^[2]
• David Myles, Real Love – September 15

N

• The New Pornographers, Whiteout Conditions – April 7 ^[2]
• Nickelback, Feed the Machine ^[23] – June 9
• Justin Nozuka, High Tide – September 22

O

• Ocie Elliott, Ocie Elliott ^[24]
• Oh Susanna, A Girl in Teen City
• Our Lady Peace, Somethingness EP, Vol. 1 – August 25
• Ouri, Superficial

P

• Partner, In Search of Lost Time – September 8
• PartyNextDoor, Colours 2 – June 2
• PartyNextDoor, Seven Days – September 28
• Peter Peter, Noir Eden – February 24
• Peter Henry Phillips, The Origin
• Dany Placard, Full Face
• Joel Plaskett and Bill Plaskett, Solidarity – February 17 ^[2]
• Chad Price, Chad Price
• Propagandhi, Victory Lap – September 29

R

• Allan Rayman, Roadhouse 01
• The Real McKenzies, Two Devils Will Talk – March 3 ^[2]
• Alejandra Ribera, This Island – January 27
• Daniel Romano, Modern Pressure
• The Royal Oui, This Is Someday – May 19 ^[14]
• The Rural Alberta Advantage, The Wild
• Ruth B, Safe Heaven – May 5
• Serena Ryder, Utopia

S

• The Sadies, Northern Passages – February 10 ^[2]
• Julien Sagot, Bleu Jane
• Said the Whale, As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide – March 31 ^[2]
• Saukrates, Season 2 – November 17
• Jay Scøtt x Smitty Bacalley, Stockholm
• Seaway, Vacation – September 15
• Joseph Shabason, Aytche - August 25
• Shauit, Apu Peikussiak^u
• Crystal Shawanda, Voodoo Woman
• Vivek Shraya with the Queer Songbook Orchestra, Part Time Woman
• Sister Ray, Untitled ^[25]
• Silverstein, Dead Reflection – July 14
• Zal Sissokho, Le Palabre
• Sarah Slean, Metaphysics – April 7 ^[14]
• Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Snotty Nose Rez Kids – January; The Average Savage – September
• So Loki, Shine
• Souldia, Ad Vitam Æternam
• Leeroy Stagger, Love Versus – April 7 ^[14]
• Stars, There Is No Love in Fluorescent Light – October 13
• Jeffery Straker, Dirt Road Confessional

T

• Theory of a Deadman, Wake Up Call – October 27 ^[26]
• Timber Timbre, Sincerely, Future Pollution – April 7 ^[2]
• Tire le coyote, Désherbage
• Maylee Todd, Acts of Love – November 3
• Shania Twain, Shania Now ^[27]
• Twin Flames, Signal Fire

V

• Rosie Valland, Synchro
• Chad VanGaalen, Light Information – September 8
• Jennie Vee, Suffer – September 22
• Vile Creature, A Pessimistic Doomsayer
• Leif Vollebekk, Twin Solitude

W

• Frank Walker, 24
• The Weather Station, The Weather Station - October 6
• Weaves, Wide Open
• Whitehorse, Panther in the Dollhouse – July 7 ^[14]
• Wolf Parade, Cry Cry Cry – October 6
• The Wooden Sky, Swimming in Strange Waters – April 7 ^[2]
• Roy Wood$, Say Less – December 1

Y

• Neil Young, Hitchhiker – September 8
• Neil Young + Promise of the Real, The Visitor – December 1

Year-End List

№	Artist(s)	Title
1	Ed Sheeran	"Shape of You"
2	Justin Bieber and Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee	"Despacito Remix"
3	The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey	"Closer"
4	The Chainsmokers and Coldplay	"Something Just like This"
5	French Montana featuring Swae Lee	"Unforgettable"
6	The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk	"Starboy"
7	Bruno Mars	"That's What I Like"
8	Kygo and Selena Gomez	"It Ain't Me"
9	Clean Bandit featuring Sean Paul and Anne-Marie	"Rockabye"
10	Justin Bieber featuring DJ Khaled, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne	"I'm the One"
11	Kendrick Lamar	"Humble"
12	Imagine Dragons	"Believer"
13	James Arthur	"Say You Won't Let Go"
14	Ed Sheeran	"Castle on the Hill"
15	Future	"Mask Off"
16	Shawn Mendes	"There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back"
17	Post Malone featuring Quavo	"Congratulations"
18	Lil Uzi Vert	"XO Tour Llif3"
19	DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller	"Wild Thoughts"
20	Charlie Puth	"Attention"
21	Sam Hunt	"Body Like a Back Road"
22	Zedd and Alessia Cara	"Stay"
23	The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk	"I Feel It Coming"
24	Zayn and Taylor Swift	"I Don't Wanna Live Forever"
25	Niall Horan	"Slow Hands"
26	The Chainsmokers	"Paris"
27	Bruno Mars	"24K Magic"
28	Liam Payne featuring Quavo	"Strip That Down"
29	Taylor Swift	"Look What You Made Me Do"
30	Ed Sheeran	"Galway Girl"
31	Julia Michaels	"Issues"
32	Calvin Harris featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean	"Feels"
33	Drake	"Passionfruit"
34	Katy Perry featuring Skip Marley	"Chained to the Rhythm"
35	J Balvin and Willy William featuring Beyoncé	"Mi Gente"
36	Nicki Minaj featuring Jason Derulo and Ty Dolla Sign	"Swalla"
37	Maroon 5 featuring Kendrick Lamar	"Don't Wanna Know"
38	Post Malone featuring 21 Savage	"Rockstar"
39	Calvin Harris featuring Frank Ocean and Migos	"Slide"
40	Kyle featuring Lil Yachty	"ISpy"
41	DJ Snake featuring Justin Bieber	"Let Me Love You"
42	Migos featuring Lil Uzi Vert	"Bad and Boujee"
43	Imagine Dragons	"Thunder"
44	Miley Cyrus	"Malibu"
45	Rae Sremmurd featuring Gucci Mane	"Black Beatles"
46	Ariana Grande featuring Nicki Minaj	"Side to Side"
47	Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid	"1-800-273-8255"
48	Harry Styles	"Sign of the Times"
49	Drake	"Fake Love"
50	Justin Timberlake	"Can't Stop the Feeling!"
51	Demi Lovato	"Sorry Not Sorry"
52	Drake	"Signs"
53	Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé	"Perfect"
54	Justin Bieber featuring David Guetta	"2U"
55	Cardi B	"Bodak Yellow"
56	Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug	"Havana"
57	21 Savage	"Bank Account"
58	Childish Gambino	"Redbone"
59	Pink	"What About Us"
60	Portugal. The Man	"Feel It Still"
61	Kendrick Lamar	"DNA"
62	Maroon 5 featuring Future	"Cold"
63	Kesha	"Praying"
64	Dua Lipa	"New Rules"
65	Machine Gun Kelly and Camila Cabello	"Bad Things"
66	Sam Smith	"Too Good at Goodbyes"
67	Twenty One Pilots	"Heathens"
68	Marshmello featuring Khalid	"Silence"
69	Selena Gomez	"Bad Liar"
70	Alessia Cara	"Scars to Your Beautiful"
71	Shawn Mendes	"Treat You Better"
72	Sia featuring Kendrick Lamar	"The Greatest"
73	Rihanna	"Love on the Brain"
74	Major Lazer featuring PartyNextDoor and Nicki Minaj	"Run Up"
75	Jon Bellion	"All Time Low"
76	Major Lazer featuring Justin Bieber and MØ	"Cold Water"
77	John Legend	"Love Me Now"
78	Migos	"T-Shirt"
79	Maroon 5 featuring SZA	"What Lovers Do"
80	Hailee Steinfeld and Grey featuring Zedd	"Starving"
81	Kodak Black	"Tunnel Vision"
82	Clean Bandit featuring Zara Larsson	"Symphony"
83	Justin Bieber and BloodPop	"Friends"
84	Shawn Mendes	"Mercy"
85	Khalid	"Young Dumb & Broke"
86	Shawn Hook featuring Vanessa Hudgens	"Reminding Me"
87	Macklemore featuring Skylar Grey	"Glorious"
88	Halsey	"Now or Never"
89	Ayo & Teo	"Rolex"
90	Katy Perry featuring Nicki Minaj	"Swish Swish"
91	The Weeknd	"Party Monster"
92	Martin Garrix and Dua Lipa	"Scared to Be Lonely"
93	Travis Scott	"Butterfly Effect"
94	Zayn featuring Sia	"Dusk Till Dawn"
95	Drake featuring Quavo and Travis Scott	"Portland"
96	Lorde	"Green Light"
97	Rae Sremmurd	"Swang"
98	Calvin Harris featuring Rihanna	"This Is What You Came For"
99	Big Sean	"Bounce Back"
100	Major Lazer featuring Travis Scott, Camila Cabello and Quavo	"Know No Better"

Deaths

• January 1 – Stuart Hamilton, 87, pianist and vocal coach ^[28]
• February 4 – Steve Lang, 67, bassist (April Wine)
• February 13 – Trish Doan, 31, bassist (Kittie) ^[29]
• August 30 – Skip Prokop, 73, drummer (Lighthouse) ^[30]
• October 17 – Gord Downie, 53, rock singer and songwriter (The Tragically Hip) ^[31]

References

1. Ben Rayner, "Short-lived band Slow makes a speedy return after 30 years". Toronto Star , May 8, 2018.
2. "2017 Canadian album releases: what we know so far". CBC Music, January 11, 2017.
3. Ryan B. Patrick, "a l l i e: Nightshade". Exclaim! , July 19, 2017.
4. Arcade Fire announce new album 'Everything Now', release title track
5. "Aidan Baker - Aberration". Indie Rock Mag. December 8, 2017. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
6. Masteller, Ryan (March 26, 2018). "Aidan Baker – Aberration". Tabs Out Cassette Podcast. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
7. "The Barr Brothers Return with 'Queens of the Breakers' LP, Share New Single". Exclaim! , July 21, 2017.
8. "Après la Dysphorie, l’Acrophobie de Roxane Bruneau". Ici Radio-Canada, October 30, 2020.
9. "Electronica songstress Lou Canon takes listeners on a trip on new album, Suspicious". The Globe and Mail , March 15, 2017.
10. "10 Canadian albums to look forward to in 2017". CBC Music, December 29, 2016.
11. "Gord Downie to release solo album Introduce Yerself in October". The Globe and Mail , September 27, 2017.
12. Philippe Renaud, "Better Together: Karen Young and Coral Egan". Words & Music , March 10, 2017.
13. "Elliott Brood Announce 'Ghost Gardens' LP, Premiere New Single". Exclaim! , July 27, 2017.
14. "Spring 2017 preview: 24 albums you need to hear". CBC Music, March 20, 2017.
15. "Godspeed You! Black Emperor to Reportedly Return with New Album 'Luciferian Towers'". July 13, 2017.
16. "Great Lake Swimmers Release 'They Don't Make Them Like That Anymore' Holiday EP". Exclaim! , November 24, 2017.
17. Nantali Indongo, "Little Burgundy's Husser poised to take up mantle of Canada's rap royalty". CBC News Montreal, November 20, 2017.
18. "Julie Doiron & the Wrong Guys Reveal Debut Album, Share New Song". Exclaim! , July 26, 2017.
19. Alex Robert Ross, "Nicholas Krgovich's 'In an Open Field' Is Very Chill and Kinda Scary". Noisey , November 29, 2017.
20. Brennan McCracken, "Mauno brings it all home". The Coast , November 23, 2017.
21. "Matt Mays Teases 'Once Upon a Hell of a Time' LP". Exclaim! , April 17, 2017.
22. Corey Van den Hoogenband, "Jon Mckiel, Memorial Ten Count". Exclaim! , March 7, 2017.
23. Childers, Chad (February 1, 2017). "Nickelback Reveal 'Feed the Machine' Album Release, Title Track + 2017 Summer Tour". Loudwire. Loudwire.
24. Rae Porter, "Tender musical connections mark Ocie Elliott’s latest album". Victoria News , January 31, 2019.
25. Paul Blinov, "Sister Ray: Untitled". Exclaim! , August 19, 2017.
26. Tyler Connolly of Theory of a Deadman – National Rock Review
27. cmt.com staff (June 14, 2017). "Shania Twain's New Single Arrives This Week". CMT. Viacom. Archived from the original on June 15, 2017.
28. Pelley, Lauren. "Opera community mourns loss of Canadian vocal coach Stuart Hamilton". CBC News. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
29. Kaufman, Gil. "Kitties Bassist Trish Doan Dies at 31". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
30. Bliss, Karen. "Skip Prokop, Co-Founder of Canadian Jazz-Rock Group Lighthouse, Dies at 73". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
31. Mazerolle, John. "Tragically Hip's Gord Downie dead at 53". CBC News. Retrieved 11 December 2019.