50. KING - We Are KING
This was one of the earlier releases this year, so I don’t exactly remember how I came across it. Maybe I was enticed by the vivaciousness of the album art. I’ve probably listened to more R&B music in 2016 than any other year, which is definitely a good thing. We are KING is a smooth, dreamy ride with comforting vocals and creative nostalgic synth work.
49. Cullen Omori - New Misery
Omori’s new solo work has helped to fill the Smith Westerns-shaped hole in my heart that has been longing for more of that glam sound for the past 3 years. Unfortunately, it didn’t do much more for me than that, but I appreciate New Misery for what it is.
48. VAPERROR - Acid Arcadia
To me, Acid Arcadia feels like a future tribute to acid house with a more poppy, and occasionally, IDM feel to it. It’s fun, but also has a level of quality in its sound that makes it stand out from the myriad of other internet electronica producers out there. While I enjoy this album, it seems like somewhat of a rarity among VAPE’s discography. He tends to be very hit or miss.
47. Tim Hecker - Love Streams
Tim Hecker’s music is great for listening to while looking at plants under a microscope. Seriously, you should try it sometime. I feel like it would be a mistake for me not to mention this beautifully atmospheric album. The strange mix of organic instrumentals and electronic sound effects creates such an otherworldly sound.
46. El Perro Del Mar - KoKoro
I had never listened to EPDM before this album, but I’m glad I did. From the opening track, I was hooked. A swedish pop artist with a spanish name and eastern instrumentals was bound to be something that I enjoy.
45. Animal Collective - Painting With
Although somewhat of a disappointment compared to some of their earlier releases, Painting With undoubtedly got a lot of plays from me. What seems to be one of the most creative releases of the year still seems to come off as something like a high school art student’s attempt to create “provocative and zany” piece of art.
44. Chairlift - MOTH
In recent years, I sort of took a break from indie pop music. Because of this, MOTH really wasn’t my thing at first. However, revisiting it proved to be a good experience as I realized indie pop doesn’t have to be vapid, and is actually quite capable of standing out (this was also proven to me in El Perro Del Mar’s album). MOTH sort of felt like a more ambitious version of Carly Rae Jepson’s EMOTION, with an undoubtedly Dolores O’Riordan-influenced singing style.
43. Mr. Yote - The Terrible Tales of Scurvy Jones
Mr. Yote’s pirate-like rapping was first introduced to me on IGLOOGHOST’s Chinese Nü Yr EP. It was so strange that I just had to have more. Mr. Yote appears as an emoji-like character on the cover of his debut LP; similar to how the Gorillaz identity is presented entirely in cartoon form. In fact, Yote’s style doesn’t sound too far off of something that could be featured on Plastic Beach.
42. Carly Rae Jepson - Emotion: Side B
Alright, so I’m a Jepson apologist. Actually, no. I won’t apologize. I’ve had a great time this year dancing with several other grown men at her Pitchfork Fest show. Ehem… Anyway, I think there’s something to be said about an artist when their B-sides are just as quality as their A-sides.
41. Cross Record - Wabi Sabi
The actual philosophy of “Wabi-sabi” is something I’ve always been intrigued by. Essentially, it is a Japanese world view about the acceptance of imperfection and impermanence. From the second you begin this album, that philosophy is evident in the distorted guitar. Walls of sound juxtaposed by gentle tones and folksy acoustics make Wabi Sabi a great listen for rainy spring days.
40. Young Thug - JEFFERY
People seemed really excited when YT’s newest mixtape came out, and I just really wanted to be part of the hype. This album is definitely something that I would not have even considered listening to otherwise. However, I was definitely pleasantly surprised with this one. I look forward to experiencing more of Mr. Thug’s work in the future.
39. Diners - Three
Phoenix-based band Diners’ third album, appropriately titled Three derives its name from the simplicity of its style. ‘60s and ‘70s inspired soft indie rock with a modern mood, laced with shimmering and twangy guitars that can somehow make you nostalgic for the days when you were “16 on a skateboard, skating through the neighborhood.” There’s something here that is very reminiscent of the American southwest, yet I can’t quite put my finger on it.
38. Magic Potion - Pink Gum
Speaking of nostalgia, here’s another indie rock artist with a little more glam and jangle that will make you feel like you’re right at home, watching cartoons on a CRT TV in an air conditioned room on a hot summer’s day. Similar to Diners, Magic Potion creates a very relaxed, summery feel with their sound.
37. Moderat - III
Oh look at that, another group whose third album is directly referenced by name. Moderat’s latest work is a great mix of glitch, microhouse, and vocals. But frankly, I think I could do without the vocals some of the time. Fortunately, they also released an instrumental version of the same album, which is equally worth listening to on its own.
36. MONEY - Suicide Songs
Without a doubt, this album is one of the most emotionally-expressive records this year. There is so much beauty in the brokenness of the lyrics, and the expression with which they are sung. It was almost hard to finish this one at times.
35. Mitski - Puberty 2
Everyone always makes a big deal about puberty. But nobody really prepares you for Puberty 2: Adulthood. At least, that’s how I interpret the album’s title. Mitski powerfully and sometimes delicately displays her deepest feelings and fears on her fourth release. It’s at the very heart of music about depression, and I think it’s a great album to come to in order to feel some sort of sympathy for the ever-saddened youth finding themselves on the brink of what most people refer to as “the real world”.
34. Machinedrum - Human Energy
Several electronic sounds make their way into Human Energy, each one’s entrance more surprising than the last. Human Energy is an album that always keeps you on your toes; there’s plenty of artists featured here, and a lot of diverse tracks with interesting polyrhythms galore.
33. Three Trapped Tigers - Silent Earthling
Instrumental noise rock is not a genre I’ve delved into myself, but with the help of a friend (you know who you are) I was introduced to Three Trapped Tigers. Despite my lack of experience in this area of music, there’s still a lot for any listener to enjoy… as long as you enjoy instrumental music, of course.
32. Deakin - Sleep Cycle
Here’s an interesting debut solo album from Animal Collective member Josh Dibb. I’ve heard it had a messy funding process, but since I was not really involved in any of that, I’m just glad to have a finished product out in 2016. Sleep Cycle is very diverse and psychedelic, and contains a lot of the essence that perhaps AnCo was missing in their release this year. Either way, this album is a great trip for those who want to feel like they’re walking through some sort of... space museum.
31. Florist - The Birds Outside Sang
This album being released in January was one of the biggest mistakes, and yet one of the most clever devices it could have pulled. Listening to TBOS isn’t necessarily a joy ride, but forces you to face the mundane nature of reality, which can actually be quite beautiful now that you look at it. It helps the listener find solace in just being, and in the natural cycles and features of the Earth.
30. Kero Kero Bonito - Bonito Generation
The appeal to KKB is similar to that of Seinfeld: they are essentially a band about nothing. Well, of course their songs have to be about something, but starting your album with a song about waking up provides evidence for this sentiment. It really makes you wonder why more artists don’t write songs about graduation or taking a break. Sure, they may sound like a band your little sister might be listening to, but KKB puts fun first, and there’s a surprising amount of wisdom in the lyrics.
29. Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool
Surprisingly enough, I don’t have that much experience with Radiohead, so this was actually the first of their albums that I had a chance to listen to right when it came out. I didn’t get much of the hype about it at first, but it took me some time to fully appreciate its beauty. From start to finish, AMSP is filled with well-written songs.
28. Mild High Club - Skiptracing
Apparently Mac DeMarco’s travelling bandmates can make some pretty good music too, as we’ve heard with Homeshake. Now it’s Alex Brettin’s turn to give the world a taste of how sexy and laidback he can make music sound.
27. Teen Suicide - It’s The Big Joyous Celebration, Let’s Stir the Honeypot
Teen Suicide’s latest release is somewhat of a musical epic; the album goes on for so long you almost forget you’re still listening to it, but all the while, you are still enjoying it. I’m not quite sure what to make of this album as a whole. All I know is that there’s a lot of quality content on the album, and whether or not you prefer quality over quantity, you’re bound to at least enjoy some of this one.
26. ANOHNI - HOPELESSNESS
Any album co-produced by Hudson Mohawke and Oneohtrix Point Never is bound to at least be interesting. I overheard this fact shared somewhere at a concert, but it wasn’t until months later that I actually came across this album on the internet. Not only did I find the actual production of the music to be satisfactory, but HOPELESSNESS offers something greater than just that. This album offers deep political expression, including issues on drone warfare, climate change, Obama, and mankind’s separation from the Earth and the environment.
25. Porches - Pool
Every time I’ve listened to this album, I’ve sort of stopped and looked around at where I was. Each time I seemed to be in a different place: first in my old apartment, then in my new car, then seeing them perform live in Chicago, and then at my new apartment. It kind of stood as a reminder of how much my life has been moving forward this past year. In an interview, Aaron Maine stated that this album is about “reaching this content state and being there and not worrying about anything else, that feeling of just existing and not worrying about it—meditative, almost.” After reading that interview, I had realized that I had been doing exactly that every time without even knowing it was Maine’s intention.
24. Andrew Bird - Are You Serious
Andrew Bird’s appeal stems from his approachable music, straightforward singing style and heavy use string instrumentals to create a baroque, yet folky sound. All those elements are present here, but not to the point where Bird is just playing out his stereotype for another album. Are You Serious is consistent in that it hardly dips in quality, and it satisfies the listener throughout with quips and comments on introverts exploring romance.
23. Oddisee - The Odd Tape
Oddisee’s prowess really lies in his rapping, but his producing skills are nothing short of great. Had I included EPs in this list, his 2016 rap album Alwasta would definitely be near the top. The Odd Tape is some of his best instrumental work yet, and I can’t wait to hear what he puts out in 2017.
22. Open Mike Eagle - Hella Personal Film Festival
Equal credit on this album goes to Paul White, who produced the album. White doesn’t have too strong of a backlog of collabs, but his work with Danny Brown on XXX is probably his most well known work. However, he really shines on Hella with his use of soul samples, and occasional comedic soundbites from who knows where. Of course, this is all only the foundation on which Mike spits his earnest lyrics about racism, judging people, and phone culture (similar to something that could be heard on Erykah Badu’s 2015 mixtape). It’s lighthearted and serious at the same time, often comedic, but not overly so.
21. Venetian Snares - Traditional Synthesizer Music
Modular synthesizers have always looked intimidating, and learning how to use them has always seemed as daunting as learning an entire new language. I have respect for anyone who at least knows the basics of these things. Impressively enough, Aaron Funk displays his masterful talent and utilization of mod synths on Traditional Synthesizer Music, incorporating them into ever-changing breakcore rhythms with this crafty IDM LP.
20. LVL UP - Return to Love
Listening to this album makes me think of a great number of bands from the the 90s, 00s, and present day. I wasn’t quite sure what they were going for, but I knew I liked it. Due to the large amount of comparisons I was making, Return to Love was almost able to stand completely on its own as a sort of disguised amalgamation. Going into what I thought would be a totally emo sadboy album actually made me happy and pleasantly suprised me.
19. Badbadnotgood - IV
From the name of the band to the very cover of the album, one would not think that BBNG means business on any level of seriousness. However, once the fun synthy jazzy fusiony curtains of the first two tracks on IV part and Samual T. Herring’s familiar voice enters the scene (you’re probably more familiar with his band “Future Islands”) you immediately think “hey, these guys are actually capable of making some serious tunes!” Now you are ready to receive everything else BBNG has to offer, which is an astonishingly impressive catalog of hip-hop-inspired jazz riffs.
18. NxWorries - Yes Lawd!
Not only is Anderson .Paak capable of putting out his own full length 16 track album, but just this past year he’s collaborated with nearly a dozen other artists. One of those artists is the also heavily-collaborated with Knxwledge, who produced Yes Lawd! . While similar sounding to Paak’s 2016 album, Knxwledge brings impressive production skills to an album that seems much more than just some b-sides.
17. Blank Banshee - Mega
After much anticipation and frustration with delayed and changing release dates, Vancouver-based anonymous internet trap producer Blank Banshee returns with an album of angsty dystopian-sounding productions. With this album, BB seems to ditch some of the old played-out stereotypes that were present on his first two albums, and instead pushes through to a more mature sound, but without losing his essence.
16. Childish Gambino - “Awaken, My Love!”
2016 has been a strange year no doubt, but for Donald Glover, it has been nothing but an improvement on his portfolio. Both the FX show he created this year and the soul-driven psychedelic rock-heavy album have proven what he’s truly capable of. Many people have stated that Glover shouldn’t stray into unknown territory, but I personally find it impressive that he made the transition to a new style in a nearly flawless way.
15. Kanye West - The Life Of Pablo
The desire to forgo including this album in my list due to the controversy of Kanye himself was strong. However, it is very hard to deny that Kanye crushed it this year with TLOP. Through powerful lyrics and beats, Kanye reassures those who were disappointed by Yeezus (although I quite liked that one as well). It is at least comforting hearing self-aware and satirical tracks like “I Love Kanye”. To very whitely quote Tyrion Lannister, “Once you’ve accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you.”
14. DOWNLOWS - Hey Girl, What’s New?
From the internet record label DESKPOP comes a new band that blends neo-soul, jazz, and whatever they feel like, really. I especially love the DIY aspect of this album, and how it comes out sounding like something completely put together and original. I really give these guys props for creativity, as this is one of the most unique-sounding takes on love songs I’ve heard this year.
13. KAYTRANADA - 99.9%
Released around the same time as Radiohead, Death Grips, and James Blake’s new albums, 99.9% was no doubt overshadowed at first. However with time, I believe it got the credit it deserved. Kaytra’s lively and colorful music is reflected in the album’s cover. This is one album on which the collaborations aren’t what makes the album great, they only act as a sort of bonus feature.
12. Kendrick Lamar - untitled unmastered.
Putting off listening to To Pimp A Butterfly last year is one of my biggest regrets, since I didn’t get the time to fully appreciate it before making my end of the year list. But as soon as I heard Kendrick had released untitled unmastered., I jumped right to it. While technically this album is only a compilation of previously unreleased material, it stands on its own as a collection of high quality songs whose theming and styling could have placed them right into TPAB, had they not risked bloating the album.
11. Esperanza Spalding - Emily’s D+Evolution
Esperanza’s strong transformation into a jazz-fusion and funk artist as her alternate personality “Emily” is one of my favorite new discoveries of the year. Her powerful newly crafted identity allows her to remain a jazz singer, but upon a new stylistic backdrop. Her progressive songwriting is definitely something that feels right at home in 2016.
10. Kikagaku Moyo - House in the Tall Grass
Tokyo-based raga rock-inspired psychedelic folk band Kikagaku Moyo’s music will either have you grooving, or in a laidback daze. This album is wonderfully mastered and features talented drums, sitar, bass and guitar players, with some great vocal accompaniment. House takes the cake for “album most likely to make you want to go outside” this year.
9. Angel Olsen - MY WOMAN
Angel’s playful and flirtatious musings juxtaposed against her longing sobbings really portrays the bipolarity of love. MY WOMAN rotates through feelings of longing, uncertainty, nostalgia and anxiety, to name a few. It’s a roller coaster ride and a half, and Angel so excellently executes it, leaving nearly no room for criticisms. It’ll have you belting along to “Shut Up Kiss Me” and then crying to “Those Were the Days” about 20 minutes later.
8. Wazonek - Simple Life
Adam Wazonek probably wins the award for the most underrated rookie of the year. With only around 1,000 views on his album’s single on YouTube, he definitely deserves more praise for his work. If you desire some jangle pop mixed with 80s new wave, give Simple Life a chance. Wazonek seems to create mostly pessimistic songs about love, but with a laidback attitude that makes you think he just doesn’t care anymore. Is it really such a crime to want a simple life?
7. Whitney - Light Upon the Lake
Whitney is another band new to the indie scene that absolutely hit it out of the park with their debut. Two-thirds of the result of the Smith Westerns breakup (the other third being Cullen Omori (see top of list, #49 in particular)) form a fantastic new feelgood indie group that shines much brighter than just a side project or solo effort. What the band does best is their ability to make so much with seemingly so little, making you enjoy what may seem like nothing particularly special or unique. It feels like the next logical step in the Smith Westerns evolution, as harsh as that may sound to Mr. Omori.
6. Solange - A Seat at the Table
An album that is sure to make most “top 10s” of the year, A Seat at the Table definitely has A Spot on my List. As someone who never really caught my eye (or ear, rather) Solange definitely did so this year with her captivating music. Next thing I knew, I couldn’t stop listening to it. This album is definitely one of the most important listens of the year, as it’s packed with wisdom and emotion. Solange gives a voice to her inner doubts and provides comfort and advice to black women who struggle with self-valuation, as well as addressing racial issues. It’s beautiful and touching, and definitely worth the listen no matter who you are.
5. David Bowie - Blackstar
Last year while reading up on David Bowie, I found it interesting that he was still committed to actively creating music, despite the fact that he had been doing it pretty much consistently since the 1960s. I remember reading that he stated he wanted to create music until he died, and that is just what he did. Bowie’s unfortunate passing was the first of many celebrity deaths that would contribute to a gradually increasing sentiment of “Fuck 2016”. Fortunately, he has left us with a myriad of wonderful albums, the final chapter being Blackstar. Some call it performance art; he calls it a “parting gift”; I call it brilliant. Though obviously not his best album musically, it’s hard to deny that Bowie’s finale is still magnificently planned and executed.
4. Anderson .Paak - Malibu
From its outset, I knew this album would be one of my favorites of the year, despite it only being released in the third week of the year. It stuck with me, and sure enough, here it is at spot #4. I previously raved about Paak’s abilities on his collaboration with Knxwledge (among other artists), but it is here that he has a chance to slap his title on an album and show the world what he’s about. Normally I despise albums that are longer than they need to be; however, Malibu requires all of the real estate that it has staked out in order to prove everything it’s worth. With track after track of quality content, this album well never leave you bored and keep your ears thirsty for more.
3. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Nonagon Infinity
Before listening to this album, you’d better be committed. It’s a ride that literally never stops; each track blends into the next, and the end of the album even loops around to the beginning. You’ll never want to put it down. However, that’s not necessarily what I like about this album (though it definitely does contribute). The fast-paced nature of this album alludes to their frantic album production style. King Gizzard is a band that is always consistently putting out music, and while Nonagon may be a hit among misses, it is a hit nonetheless. Each album of theirs progressively etches out new territory, and this time they’re going for a psychedelic punk rock journey through hell. This album definitely has some of their best songs, as it delves into catchy syncopation, abnormal time signatures, and blues scales.
2. Car Seat Headrest - Teens Of Denial
A compilation of Will Toledo’s songs written over the years, Teens is a showcase of Toledo’s full potential as a musician. With songs that encompass a variety of millennial struggles, each song on this album is a wholehearted and rich attempt at capturing young adult life. His humorous yet deep-cuttingly true lyrical banter paints feelings of anxiety, paranoia, depression and disappointment in such a way that you didn’t realize you were relating to all of these. Though it has the word “Teens” in the title, this album is definitely one for the 20-somethings who seek sympathy for their struggles.
The Avalanches - Wildflower
Where do I even begin? I guess I’ll start with a little bit of background for the less-informed. In 2000, The Avalanches, an electronic plunderphonics band from Melbourne, released their debut album Since I Left You. The album was phenomenally received, and remains a classic from the ‘00s decade. Then, basically nothing for 16 years. Fans were oozing with anticipation for a sophomore album. Fortunately, they appeared from the void in 2016 with a trailer for their new album, which would soon be revealed as “Wildflower”.
Now, the amount of time a band is missing in action does not necessarily improve the actual quality of music. But the fact that this band has been working on their album since 2005 means they at least care deeply for their craft. How much time would you spend on an album if you knew it had to live up to the expectations of an album like Since I Left You? Some argue that their lengthy disappearance is a symptom of their production style. I mentioned the term “plunderphonics” earlier. A little explanation on that: Plunderphonics is a form of sampling in which most of the end product is constructed of fragments of different music. Of course, sampling brings up a variety of legal issues, as there is a lot of gray area as to the ownership of a thing made of other people’s things.
All that aside though, this album is no doubt more than a satisfactory sequel to SILY. With featured artists such as Danny Brown, Chaz Bundick (Toro y Moi), and MF Doom to name a few, the quality is outstanding. It’s artful, creative, emotionally provocative, and silly (sometimes a little too much, maybe). It’s hard not to just fall in love with it. While the former half of the album is coated with the many singles that lead up to the album, the latter half is definitely equal in quality, if not better. The album is definitely a journey, but one that is wonderfully unique from SILY.
The masterpiece of Wildflower will have you floating through a paradise of happiness, embrace you with feelings of warmth and love, and leave you with a feeling of nostalgia as if you just experienced one of the best summers of your life, fell in love, and found your place on this beautiful planet.
