Cayetana's Augusta Koch discusses her favorite lyrics & songs of 2017

Cayetana released their sophomore album New Kind of Normal this year, and we asked singer/guitarist Augusta Koch what her favorite music of the year was. She replied saying that since she’s always been a huge lyric person, she decided to make a list of her favorite lyrics and songs of the year. Her list includes Katie Ellen, David Bazan, Lorde, Allison Crutchfield, Worriers, Emperor X, and more. Check out her full list, including commentary for each pick, below.

Cayetana were recently in NYC opening one of The Hold Steady’s holiday shows. The Philly band have a hometown show on January 17 at The Boot & Saddle, which is a benefit for the Attic Youth Center. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday (12/15) at 10 AM.

Augusta Koch’s Favorite Lyrics/Songs of 2017

Katie Ellen: “Lucy Stone”

“I don’t wanna have your children. Does that make me less of a woman? I don’t believe in getting married It’s a social economic prison”

Anika is my hero and writes so urgently. She’s one of the few people I know that can make “social economic prison” fit in a pop song.

David Bazan: “Make Music”

“Didn’t we make music? Didn’t we always risk our hearts to do this?”

My most listened to song/album of the year for sure. I guess you could say I just relate to this line and song a lot.

Lorde: “Liability:

“They say, ‘You’re a little much for me, you’re a liability, you’re a little much for me'”

I normally don’t listen to super huge pop records but Lorde is an amazing lyricist. This record was incredibly vulnerable and catchy as hell.

Allison Crutchfield: “I Don’t Ever Wanna Leave California”

“On the avenue of the giants, the sun really cuts through. Unless you force your way in, I don’t think about you”

I listened to this a lot while driving through the redwoods on tour and missing home. Allison has a real way with words. This record really encapsulates my year.

Jessica Lea Mayfield: “Too Much Terrible”

“I can speak to you in song But I can’t look you in the eye”

Jessica writes some of the most painfully relatable lyrics and her new record made me crawl into a ball and cry (in a good way).

Worriers: “Future Me”

“Dark nostalgia and the tapes I haven’t played, since that deck broke in my old room in the house you never went to. Here I am, future me”

I think of Lauren’s writing the same way i do John L Samson’s… it’s so good, how the hell do you do it?

Sharon Van Etten: “I Wish I Knew”

“I wish I knew what to do with you But the truth is I ain’t got a clue. Do you?”

Sharon’s songs always cut me like a knife. Her cadence and melodies are like no other.

Emperor X: “Wasted on the Senate Floor”

“To get wasted on the senate floor

She said, Blah blah blah, I’m getting bored

Republican watchman from Virginia wraps his fist in a flag To punch our lights out”

I listened to this a lot given this incredibly horrible shit year. Emperor X is not only an incredible performer but a truly unique lyricist.

Dead To Me: “Comforting the Disturbed and Disturbing the Comfortable”

“There’s a payphone at the psych ward that knows me by my first name”

I love this band so much I was so thrilled to hear new music by them this year. Especially songs with so much honesty and strength.

Cherry: “Forever Overhead”

“I was in my parents’ bedroom I was paging through dirty magazines. I’d never seen a body folded up like that, I guess that’s what “I love you” means.”

This song paints such a visual of adolescence and curiosity. One of my favorite records this year for sure.