After a blockbuster 2016, the pressure to make innovative and timelessalbums was on for artists planning a release this year and many did not disappoint.

Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.'remainsincredible months on andDrake dropped one of the most successful sets of the year with his experimentalalbum-mixtape-playlist'More Life', whilethe anticipated releases from Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran certainly lived up to the hype. Debut albums from Dua Lipa, Khalid and SZA broke into the mainstream and dominated streaming platforms, and Jay-Z made one of the greatest comebacks of the decade.

Although, every year there seems to be gems that were overlooked, soon forgotten or simply lost among the bigger releases, and 2017 is no different. While many of these albums were released to critical acclaim and rank as some of the best of the year, they didn't quite soak into the public's subconscious the same way others did.

However, it's never too late to discover albums that might've passed you by which is why we're here to take you through 8of the most underrated albums of the year.

Kehlani -'SweetSexySavage'

Let's start at the top of the year when Kehlani released her long-awaited debut LP'SweetSexySavage', a masterclass in smooth R&B with plenty of '90s reference points and a lyrical versatility that sees the rising star do plenty of soul-searching, love-making and self-empowering. The bulk of the record was co-helmed by Pop & Oak, the team behind some of Miguel, Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato's best material.

The album release was preceded by two singles, the hands-in-the-air 'CRZY' and slinky sex jam 'Distraction', which not only sounds like what Destiny's Child would release in 2017 but just got nominated for Best R&B Performance at the 2018 GRAMMY Awards. From the bouncy 'Get Like' to the LGBT-dedicated, Akon-sampling 'Undercover','SweetSexySavage'is a stellar debut that was unfairly overlooked in a year that celebrated R&B newcomers.

'Listen to: 'Distraction', 'Get Like', 'Undercover', 'CRZY''

Charli XCX -'Number 1 Angel'

We're going to go ahead and say it: Charli XCX is the most underrated artist in the game. She has co-written enough hits to retire and had her fair share of solo hits - 'Fancy' anyone? - but artistically her music jumped ship to a new level of creativity and excellence in 2016 when she fully embraced her electronic influences to become a pioneer of avant-pop with the'Vroom Vroom'EP, and she secured her crown as the Future Of Pop with this year's'Number 1 Angel'.

Fans were anticipating XCX's third album when she surprised the world by dropping a 10-track mixtape that combined bubbly '80s-synthpop with PC Music's frenetic edge for an immaculate collection of party bangers and emo love songs about sex, drugs and boys, boys, boys. Joined by guests includingMØ, CupcakKe and RAYE, it's a star-studded affair that was recently followed up by'POP 2', an even wilder set that dropped last week.

'Listen to: 'Roll With Me', 'Lipgloss (ft. CupcakKe)', 'Emotional', 'Babygirl''

CupcakKe -'Queen Elizabitch'

The world was introduced to CupcakKe in 2015 when a series of her sexually explicit originals and their overtly raunchy visuals went viral - 'Deepthroat', anyone? - but she really broke into the mainstream this year withher eclectic second studio album'Queen Elizabitch'.

Fresh off a feature on Charli XCX's'Number 1 Angel', the Chicago rapper proved herself to be the Queen Of Sex and a whole lot more as she showcased her undeniabletalent and knack for catchy hooks while taking on social issues like violence, body shaming and sexual liberty with the same ferocity as the XXX-rated hits that got her noticed.

Soundtracked to bouncy production that mainly lies in thetrop-pop and house spheres, CupcakKe uses her voice to represent a new liberated generation that isn't afraid to get political just as much as itwants to have fun. 'CPR' should have become 2017's answer to Azealia Banks' '212'.

'Listen to: 'CPR', 'Biggie Smalls', '33rd', 'Reality,Pt. 4''

Kesha - 'Rainbow'

Arguably the greatest blessing of 2017 was the seemingly impossible return of Kesha, who released her third album'Rainbow'this summerfive years after her last full-length release. Lead by the incredibly vulnerable anthem'Praying', the album fully embraces the harder edges of Kesha's personality and the rock influences previously teased amongst the AutoTuned party anthems that catapulted her to supertar status, allowing her to embody the totality of her personality as opposed to just being'pop's party girl.'

After a testing few years, the star had a lot to say and she lets it all out on'Rainbow': the anger, the forgiveness, the self-love, the sass. It's an empowering journey that is rooted in emotion but never short on the pop hooks or Kesha-isms that made us fall in love with her all those years ago. With a newfound vocal confidence and zero studio assistance, the $-less Kesha is greater than ever before and we are still elated to have her back in our lives.

'Listen to: 'Praying', 'Boots', 'Let 'Em Talk', 'Rainbow''

Superfruit -'Future Friends'

We have been waiting years for Superfruit - Pentatonix starsScott Hoying and Mitch Grassi - to release music as a duo after years of watching their unique dynamic on YouTube, knowing their varied music tastes outside of thea cappella world, and we were far from disappointed when their debut'Future Friends'finally dropped this September.

Combining their other-worldly vocals with the avant-pop productions of Danny L Harle and SOPHIE, the duo created their own synth-pop haven to soundtrack their honest experiences of love, anxiety, partying, finding the perfect guy and a lot more hella relatable. It's a forward-thinking take on pop that positions them alongside the likes of Charli XCX and Troye Sivan, and pop so sublime should never be ignored.

'Listen to: 'Worth It (Perfect)', 'Fantasy (ft.Amber Liu)', 'How You Feeling?', 'Deny U''

Kelela -'Take Me Apart'

After one mixtape and one EP, the time came for Kelela to share her long-awaited debut album with the world this year.'Take Me Apart'is an expertly-crafted R&B album that seamlessly melds an army of genres together, from UK garage to '90s house and trap, to tell the story of finding love after a break-up, both with someone else and yourself.

It's a testament to Kelela's extraordinary talentas a singer, songwriter and curator that her first album is so fully realised that her artistry immediately drawscomparisons to Janet Jackson's work. It's both polished and raw, emotional and empowering, structured yet fluid.'Take Me Apart'is all ends of the spectrum, centred by her storytelling that is so specific that it'suniversal, keeping the experience human no matter how alien the production is at times.

'Listen to: 'LMK', 'Truth Or Dare', 'Onanon','Frontline''

Miguel - 'War & Leisure'

It had been a long 30 months since Miguel's third album dropped when he finally decided to release its long-awaited follow-up earlier this month.'War & Leisure'contains everything we love about the singer - the dreamy vocals, lusty andpassion-fuelledlyricism - but with lighter production that is heavy on the funk and less so on the psych-rock, making for a more laidback listening experience despite the heavier subjects.

Althoughthe uber-chill vibe of the album could fool you into thinking it's all parties and sex, a number of the songs reflect on the darkness of the Trump era that we're currently. Whether it's J. Cole making explicit references to him or Miguel's more uplifting approach on the resistance anthem 'Pineapple Skies', 'War & Leisure'might sound timeless but itcertainly does not ignore its time frame.

'Listen to: 'Pineapple Skies', 'Caramelo Duro (ft. Kali Uchis)', 'Come Through and Chill (ft. J. Cole)', 'Told You So''

Katy Perry - 'Witness'

It seems odd to putKaty Perry's name on an 'underrated' list but thisyear saw a major shift in the public's reception to the pop superstar. While she may have intended for the album to be a full reinvention of her image, the marketing behind'Witness'completelychanged the trajectory of her career,whether due to her drastic make-under, more politicised character or the questionable lead single choice.

There is no doubt that her celebrity completely overshadowed her music this year and consequently songs that would, should and could have been recognised as her signature hits have been largely ignored. Like any Katy album,'Witness'is weighed down by a handful of clunky ballads but its moments of pop brilliance definitely outweigh it. 'Bon Appétit' is quite literally one of the best songs of her career, while 'Hey Hey Hey' and 'Roulette' are two perfect Max Martin bangers.

'Listen to: 'Bon Appétit', 'Déjà Vu', 'Witness', 'Pendulum''

Words: Ross McNeilage

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'WATCH KATY PERRY'S 'BON APPÉTIT' VIDEO WITH MIGOS BELOW'