With Donald Trump as president (let’s get this out of the way first, shall we?) many onlookers have speculated that 2017 might see the revival of great political music, with real life set to provide outspoken musicians with source material and give rebellion in pop a shot in the arm.

Within 24 hours of his inauguration, Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz returned from a five-year hiatus with ‘Hallelujah Money’, a sombre and non-chart-oriented effort featuring former Mercury winner Benjamin Clementine brooding on the nature of power and money. A short while later, the mighty Arcade Fire unveiled an unlikely collaboration with soul legend Mavis Staples, ‘I Give You Power’, addressed much the same issue and which is presumably leading up to a fifth studio album later this year.

Outside of these depressing themes, January has produced a healthy number of impressive records despite its reputation as a rather quiet time of year. The xx finally reached the top of the British charts with their long-awaited third album I See You; Run The Jewels gave their third eponymous record a physical release; and Frank Carter’s new album with The Rattlesnakes put British hard rock back on the map. In America, hip-hop duo Migos have been slaying the airwaves with ‘Bad And Boujee’.

There’s also been announcements of new records from British Sea Power, Tennis and The New Pornographers. Even Jarvis Cocker is making a comeback, revealing a collaboration LP with Chilly Gonzalez for March. It’s shaping up to be a great 2017 – for music, at least!

See below for our playlist of the highlights of January 2017 – or click here!