Critics and listeners often pick apart the music women create, studying their personal lives and movements; the notion that women’s music comes from deep within the personal and that their lyrics can only be autobiographical is to greatly underscore their musicality, their inventiveness, their artistry. Ultimately, their imagination.

But the women in music this year proved those investigative critics, who always mention the high profile relationship or the ex, wrong. And 2017’s best of mix is the embodiment of that triumph.

When cobbling together the massive end of year lists that would need (eventual) whittling, one thing stuck out: the best of the best was created this year, by women, for women, for all. Stand outs, top tens, top twenties, were overwhelmingly–if not always– female band leaders, vocalists, music impresarios, and guest tracks where the only guests were the men who invited the women to share on the track. There wasn’t a man in a band that stood a chance; the cards continued to stack.

And so, as part of the first end of year collaboration in Pulp and Circumstance’s history, it was decided: an all female list. It’s our way of showing the music world, listeners of ours, in just about 2 and 1/2 hours, that no one, and nothing, reigned more supreme.

Rigamarole, of course, includes that the podcast is available for streaming and download at mixcloud. And read all about, or wander through past episodes, over here.

Check out Zanimal’s other great mixes, particularly is long running mixtape series, while you’re at it.

Here’s to hoping 2018 is as strong in music as it was this year. Cheers.

Tracklisting is as follows…

Tei Shi – Keep Running

Big Thief – Shark Smile

Jamila Woods – Holy

SZA – The Weekend