my favorite albums of 2016
(from left to right, descending rows; in order I listened to them throughout the year:)
Linkin Park - The Hunting Party (2014)
Finally got around to listening to their 2014 album. It’s a great return to their metal/rap roots, and strangely nostalgic for me.
The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement (2008)
Disappointed in myself for not listening to this album that came out in 2008. Alex Turner is my favorite musician of all time, and this side project of his is so hypnotic and so damn beautiful. This album came into my life at exactly the right time.
Anderson .Paak - Malibu
A great R&B/hip-hop album that I could groove to forever. This guy is so damn talented. Watch his performance from Late Show with Stephen Colbert and fall in love with him like I did.
Kanye West - The Life of Pablo
I never listened to his older stuff, so this album is a pretty unique experience. So weird, so crazy but so fun.
The Last Shadow Puppets - Everything You’ve Come to Expect
Probably some of the most profound music I’ve heard this year. Alex Turner’s musicianship and lyricism is truly awesome. Here is another album that came out at the right time in my life, and the connection I made with each of the songs can never be broken. And “Sweet Dreams, TN” hasn’t failed to make me cry like a baby whenever I hear it.
Chance the Rapper - Coloring Book
My favorite album of the year hands down. I can never get these songs out of my brain nor disassociate them with this crazy year. Another meaningful album filled with so much joy, I can’t help but smile when listening to every song. It’s not just a hip-hop/rap album, each song has beautiful musicianship accompanying Chance’s unique voice. This is one of those albums that has shaped my life.
Catfish and the Bottlemen - The Ride
A great follow up to their last album. Just a fun rock out collection of songs.
Hot Hot Heat - Hot Hot Heat
With this being supposedly their final album, each song has more meaning, and Hot Hot Heat hasn’t lost their touch when creating magical and sweeping choruses and hooks.
Young the Giant - Home of the Strange
Tons of standout songs anchored by Sameer’s incredible voice. Not my favorite YTG album, but it has its moments.
Local Natives - Sunlit Youth
Great, layered music that can only come from these talented musicians.
Childish Gambino - “Awaken, My Love!”
I miss his rapping, but it’s a toe-dip into new waters, and I love it. Can’t wait to hear more of this Childish Lando.
LA LA LAND - Soundtrack
Refer to my LA LA LAND movie musing. These songs just remind me of the feeling of watching that movie for the first time, the joy, the wonder. I can’t help but smile and tear up when hearing “Mia & Sebastian’s Theme”. The movie is a great encapsulation of what I have aspired and am aspiring to, and the music just reminds me of that.
The rest of the new (to me) music I listened to in 2016 (in order of when I first got these albums):
Tinie Tempah - Disc-Overy (2011), Demonstration (2013)
Foster the People - Torches (2011), Supermodel (2014)
Oasis - (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995)
THE HATEFUL EIGHT - Soundtrack (2015)
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS - Soundtrack (2015)
Rihanna - ANTI (2016)
The Royal Concept - Goldrushed (2013)
Saint Motel - Voyeur (2012)
James Bay - Chaos and the Calm (2015)
Sia - This is Acting (2016)
Father John Misty - Fear Fun (2012)
The Internet - Ego Death (2015)
Lil Dicky - Professional Rapper (2015)
Wolfmother - Victorious (2016)
The 1975 - I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It (2016)
Surface Streets - Don’t Look Down (2016)
White Denim - Stiff (2016)
Beyoncé - Lemonade (2016)
Drake - Views (2016)
Reverend and the Makers - The State of Things (2007)
YG - Still Crazy (2016)
The Temper Trap - Thick as Thieves (2016)
Albert Hammond Jr. - AHJ (2013)
The Strokes - Future Present Past (2016)
Frank Ocean - Blonde (2016)
Allen Stone - Allen Stone (2011), Radius (2015)
Green Day - Revolution Radio (2016)
Bon Iver - 22, A Million (2016)
Kings of Leon - WALLS (2016)
Two Door Cinema Club - Gameshow (2016)
Saint Motel - saintmotelevision (2016)
Lady Gaga - Joanne (2016)
Nathan Sykes - Unfinished Business (2016)
D.R.A.M. - Big Baby D.R.A.M. (2016)
Bruno Mars - 24K Magic (2016)
Metallica - Hardwired… To Self-Destruct (2016)
DOCTOR STRANGE - Soundtrack (2016)