Top 50 Albums Of 2016

 

Lemonade isn’t in my top 50 albums of the year. As queen Bey herself would say, “Sorry, I ain’t sorry.” If that makes you say “Boy, bye” than I’ll quote her again: “I ain’t thinkin’ ’bout you.”

Like most years, 2016 was neither as bad as some would like to make you think nor great. Unless you’re just talking about the year as a whole. Then it was complete trash. But, musically not so horrible. Certainly enough good music to fill up a list of 50 albums you should’ve heard. I actually could have stretched it out to 75 if I really wanted.

Below, find the 50 albums released in 2016 that I found worthwhile. I’ve spent a decent amount of time with each one, but the top ten or twenty were my favorites. Beyond that you could mess around with the order and I wouldn’t disagree with your opinion. Please feel free to list your own favorites in the comments below, or tell me why I’m an idiot for not including something you liked this year.

50. Bleached-Welcome The Worms

49. Islands-Taste/Should I Remain Here At Sea?

48. Mudcrutch-Mudcrutch 2

47. Gallant-Ology

46. Jamila Woods-HEAVN

45. J. Cole-4 Your Eyes Only

44. Cousin Dud-Sunspots

43. Okkervil River-Away

42. Cross Record-Wabi Sabi

41. Kaytranada-99.9%

40. Arkells-Morning Report

39. July Talk-Touch

38. Hiss Golden Messenger-Heart Like A Levee

37. Solange-A Seat At The Table

36. Santigold-99 Cents

35. Ezra Furman-Big Fugitive Life

34. Shovels And Rope-Little Seeds

33. Fort Frances-Alio

32. Rihanna-Anti

31. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds-The Skeleton Tree

30. Mitski-Puberty 2

29.Skepta-Konnichiwa

28. Twin Peaks-Down In Heaven

27. Brian Fallon-Painkillers

26. Deap Vally-Femejism

25. The All-About-Be Safe Goodbye

24. The Felice Brothers-Life In The Dark

23. HÆLOS-Full Circle

22. Jason Collett-Song And Dance Man

21. St. Lenox-Ten Hymns From My American Gothic

20. Sons Of An Illustrious Father-Revol

19. Conor Oberst-Ruminations

18. Blood Orange-Freetown Sound

17. A Tribe Called Quest-We Got It From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service

16. Glen Hansard-A Season On The Line

15. Night School-Blush

14. The Thermals-We Disappear

13. Slothrust-Everyone Else

12. Wilco-Schmilco

11. AJJ-The Bible 2

10. The Strumbellas-Hope

9. Savages-Adore Life

8. Hinds-Leave Me Alone

7. Kendrick Lamar-untitled unmastered

6. Childish Gambino-Awaken, My Love!

5. Frank Ocean-Blond

4. Leonard Cohen-You Want It Darker

3. Angel Olsen-My Woman

2. David Bowie-Blackstar

1. Christopher The Conquered-I’m Giving Up On Rock & Roll