Allllright friends! That time of the year is finally here! Or, well... It came and went really. But, I was sick at the New Year, and my family was busy bumping our holidays, so my schedule was all out of whack. Now though! Is finally the time... My year end list of the best albums of 2016!
This was a pretty strange year for music for me. One of my favorite albums came out right away. One of them was released basically out of nowhere. A handful of top albums I never would have put on there any other year. And, another chunk just completely surprised me and have to be mentioned here.
No real use chatting away. Getting right into things, here's my top 25 albums of the year; with a quick rundown of my 25-11:
25. Béyonce — Lemonade
24. Conor Oberst — Ruminations
23. NxWorries — Yes Lawd!
22. Kaytranada — 99.9%
21. Blood Orange — Freetown Sound
20. Angel Olsen — My Woman
19. Wilco — Schmilco
18. Run the Jewels — Run the Jewels 3
17. Kamaiyah — A Good Night in the Ghetto
16. Flume — Skin
15. Leonard Cohen — You Want It Darker
14. James Blake — The Colour of Anything
13. Car Seat Headrest — Teens of Denial
12. Radiohead — A Moon Shaped Pool
11. Bon Iver — 22, A Million
Trust me, ordering those wasn't the easiest. Some real random albums on there, for me at least. A lot more smaller names than I ever list. And, a lot more music from the hip-hop world. Also, I'm pretty sure I've never placed Radiohead, Bon Iver, or James Blake outside of my top 10. With these fifteen out of the way though, onto the good part of the list! Here we go folks, my top ten albums of 2016...
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10. A Tribe Called Quest — We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service
18 YEARS. Eighteen years it had been since we last got an album from one of hip-hop's great acts. Drawing from formulas Tribe has proved successful, We got it from Here demonstrates why this group has remained in the upper echelon of artists, even in their absence. With deep influences of East Coast hip-hop, classic jazz undertones, guests spots from both long-time Tribe friends Busta Rhymes and Consequence, as well as current kings like Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Andre 3000, Anderson .Paak—Even a perfectly placed drop from the late former member Phife Dawg—this was arguably the best hip-hop album, and best surprise album of the year.
Favorite Tracks: We the People..., Dis Generation, Kids...
9. Vince Staples — Prima Donna
This one is sort of sneaking onto the list. I typically don't include EP's. But, Prima Donna had to be on this list. You get five seconds into War Ready, and you'll understand exactly why (hint: it has to do with a brilliantly used sample of Outkast/Andre 3000). Just seven tracks and twenty-one minutes long, this albums comes with a heavy punch right to your chest. Vince is a force to be reckoned with in this game. If you don't know his name yet, you're going to soon.
Favorite Tracks: War Ready, Smile, Big Time
8. Solange — A Seat at the Table
Yes, Solange made the better album of the Knowles sisters. Every year has an album that takes a political stance, covers our current events, touches on topics at hand—This is that album. A Seat at the Table brings funk, soul, and R&B blended together to deliver a message of empowerment, grief, healing, and weariness. We brush on prejudice, and struggles with racism in the current culture—in a way that truly speaks to you as a listener. Solange changed her sound and style, and she landed in a space I hope she plans to stay.
Favorite Tracks: Cranes in the Sky, Don't Touch My Hair, Don't You Wait
7. Anderson .Paak — Malibu
Okay, yes, I'm going to get flack from the crew over at VNYL for placing this so low (really, is 7 even low?). But, it still made the list! Put it this way, .Paak had one of the best years of anyone not named Chance or Donald Glover. He was everywhere (including earlier on my list). This dude not only has one of the most soulful voices, best bands, and killer features—he appeared on practically every big album of the last couple of years. .Paak and Malibu have drawn similarities to both Stevie Wonder and Kendrick Lamar. The most difficult thing to do to this album is categorize it. Blurring more lines than a horrible 2013 pop hit, Malibu reaches Funk, R&B, Soul, Hip-Hop, and a number of smaller sub-genres. This is an album for music fans, even if you doubt you'd like it. Put this on, and play it loud. You'll be dancing to it before the end of the opening track.
Favorite Tracks: Am I Wrong, Silicon Valley, Heart Don't Stand A Chance
6. Sturgill Simpson — A Sailor's Guide to Earth
A lot of people first heard Simpson's name from his beautiful cover of In Bloom. I so hope that you dove into this Grammy nominated album (Album of the Year and Best Country Album). Described as a "modern Waylon Jennings," Simpson is making country music for non-country fans. A more personal album than I ever expected, A Sailor's Guide is a letter written to his wife and newborn son while stationed away for the Navy. Singing over Sharon Jones' Dap-Kings, Simpson wrote and performed one of my favorite concept albums in recent memory. If this is the future of country music, consider me sold.
Favorite Tracks: Breakers Roar, Sea Stories, In Bloom
5. Chance the Rapper — Coloring Book
Another sort of cheat on the list, as I don't typically include mixtures either. But, when the mixtape is better than most everything else released that year—on the list it goes! With elements of hip-hop, gospel, and rap, Chance has never shined so bright. Put it this way, while recording, Chance was able to get the following artists on board: Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Francis and the Lights, Justin Bieber, and Ty Dolla Sign. He even locked down Kirk Franklin and the Chicago Children's Choir. There's a reason he played for President Obama so many times. Honestly, there isn't a lot to say about this album. It's a must listen. So, just go do that.
Favorite Tracks: No Problem, Blessings, All Night
4. Gallant — Ology
From the opening note of Ology, you can tell you're in for a treat. And then... And then you hear Gallant's falsetto. That incredible falsetto. Truthfully, I don't know if I've ever heard a more impressive introduction to a debut album. Gallant is a force. A voice this big, yet it feels as though you're peering into a room of just him and his pains. This album starts on a high note (figuratively and literally), and just builds and binds as you listen. Drawing the attention from artists such as Frank Ocean, Seal, even Prince, Gallant finally found his voice and gifted us the album he's waited his entire life to make. And we couldn't be more thankful.
Favorite Tracks: Bourbon, Skipping Stones, Bone + Tissue
3. Frank Ocean — Blond(e)
Yes, I attached/didn't attach the "e." Debate as you'd like. Is this a digital vs physical release thing? Is it a deeper gender rooted one from Frank himself? Right now, it's because whichever version you take, I'm talking about that one. This year, we were not only graced with the long awaited follow-up to 2012's phenomenal Channel Orange, but we were given TWO albums from Frank. Because Endless was never officially released in anything but video format, I'm not going to cover it. Blonde though... This album was everything we waited for and so much more. Full of twists and turns, loose ends and sprawling melodies, there are so many elements here that seem out of place, yet work as strengths. Carefully crafted landscapes weave us through the deep emotions Frank seems to shelter from everyone. We get a glimpse at the romantic, at the beauty, the depth that makes Frank Frank. This album was vastly different than his previous. This album is sparse, it's vacant, but not hollow. You're in an empty room, but there's no space to move. Pitchfork said it perfectly, stating, "These songs are not for marching, but they still serve a purpose. They’re about everyday lives, about the feat of just existing, which is a statement in its own right."
Favorite Tracks: Solo, Pink + White, Nights, White Ferrari
2. Childish Gambino — Awaken, My Love
I've been a fan of Gambino for the very beginning. The nerdy hipster that raps about Freaks and Geeks, and Sufjan Stevens—so different, and so relatable. Queue 2016 Gambino. When Glover decided to reinvent his musical persona and punch us all in the gut when he decided to channel his inner 70's and give us the record nobody ever saw being made. The rapper we knew is gone. No more Adele samples. Instead, we bring in R&B, psych rock, soul, and funk. With the lead singles Me and Your Mama and Redbone, a new era was upon us. Name drops of Prince, of D'Angelo, of Sly and the Family Stone, of George Clinton! Glover reinvented himself in a way that shocked the music world. Redbone was arguably the best song of the year. The retro fusion created, with the absence of rap altogether, is a treat. Hearing Glover sing, actually sing (and with no vocal manipulation), makes this album what it is. Yes, this is a different Childish Gambino. Yes, I miss the old. But, I'm not the slightest bit worried with where he is going. Glover was finally cast in a Spiderman. He created, directed, stared in his own new Golden Globe winning show. He was cast in a new Star Wars film. Then he wrapped the year by releasing one of the most groundbreaking records in the last few years. Needless to say, Donald Glover and Childish Gambino handedly won 2016.
Favorite Tracks: Redbone, Me and Your Mama, Have Some Love, Boogieman
1. David Bowie — Black Star
Look up here, I'm in heaven / I've got scars that can't be seen...
A true gift to the world, from the legend that is David Bowie, on his 69th birthday. A heartbreaking and beautiful farewell to his fans, just two days before his passing. Bowie's swan song, his departing gift. He had recorded the entire album over the previous year in complete secrecy. Upon its release, the world was shocked. Applauded as one of his best works—becoming his first, and only, number one record in the States.
Touching on genres from industrial rock, hip-hop, jazz, and art rock, influencers ranged from Kendrick Lamar to Boards of Canada. This is not a pop album. But, this is a Bowie album through and through. He experiments, he hides messages, he reaches out to touch those lost and confused.
Bowie was a star, a Spaceman, an anomaly. He gifted us with music that will last forever. This collection of songs is breathtaking. It's hauntingly beautiful, and uplifting. He will forever be missed, and forever be loved. Leaving us with some of his best work was a move that only he could make.
Sean O'Neal, of the A.V. Club, perfectly stated, "a sonically adventurous album that proves Bowie was always one step ahead — where he'll now remain in perpetuity."
Thank you for everything. Rest in peace, Mr. Stardust...
Favorite Tracks: This album is seven songs long. Listen to it all. Bowie deserves that.
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What a year of music. Truthfully, I wish I had spent more time with it. There weren't as many big albums as years past. But, so many more gems. There were albums from favorite artists of mine that I basically completely overlooked (Sorry Jimmy Eat World, Thrice, Regina Spektor!!!). I'm surprised as many of you with some of spots on my list. But, these were all amazing albums. Very excited to see what these artists have in store for the future.
Looking past these, and into 2017, I want to list my five most anticipated albums to come. Some we may not get (I see you Brand New), but hopefully these are all in the coming months.
- Japandroids
- LCD Soundsystem
- Gorillaz
- Fleet Foxes
- Spoon
Then, just because I'm not adding any honorable mentions to my best of list this year, I'm adding five more to my most anticipated. HEY, it's my list, I can do what I want!
- TV on the Radio
- Chromatics
- Grizzly Bear
- The xx
- Arcade Fire
Okayyyy... That's it! That's my wrap up. 2016 is done and gone. And I'm already diving into 2017. I'm excited to see what music is to come. I'm excited to expand my ever growing vinyl collection. I'm excited to see better and better concerts. And, I'm excited to experience those incredible musical moments with the my favorite friends and loved ones. Follow me on Discogs, Spotify, or Last.fm. Happy New Year everyone.