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