Bad Things' Top 10 of 2016 | #2 / #1 posted!

Bad Things

Hi! I'm a new member to ATRL this year and I'm beyond excited to share my top 10 albums and songs of 2016.

For the first 10 days, I'll be posting albums. I'll post three highlight songs from each, and my favorite lines from said songs. Next, I'll move on to my top 10 songs of the year and my favorite lines from those as well!

Here we go...!

Albums

#10 'Starboy,' The Weeknd

'Starboy' took me surprise! I used to not be much of a fan of The Weeknd and was hesitant to listen to this album, but I found myself enjoying almost every single track. It actually took me quite a while to come around to "Starboy," (the song) but once I did the rest of the album just clicked for me. It's a perfect driving or pre-sleeping album, which is something I was lacking in 2016.

My top 3 tracks were "Stargirl Interlude" f/ Lana Del Rey, "Party Monster," & "I Feel It Coming" f/ Daft Punk

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#9 'Lady Wood,' Tove Lo

Tove Lo's 'Lady Wood' comes in at #9 on my countdown! If we're being honest, I would have never expected to have an album titled 'Lady Wood' be one of my favorites of the year. Tove really proved herself to be an incredible artist with this album and the visuals are stunning (especially live!) The whole concept and sound of the album blew me away. The "natural" and kind of "dirty" aesthetic correlates really well with the sound and ideas of the album, which makes the actual record just that much better. Truly one of my favorite and most underrated (outside of ATRL) releases of the year!

My top 3 tracks were "Keep It Simple," "True Disaster," & "Don't Talk About It"

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#8 ‘7/27,’ Fifth Harmony

‘7/27’ was definitely my most hyped release of the year, obviously due to the fact that I stan the girls. It comes in at #8 because I know they can do better and they had songs originally intended for the album that were scrapped in place of “hot” trends. However, the album was clearly more cohesive than ‘Reflection,’ despite the blatant genre bandwagoning. They kept promise of trying to incorporate R&B influence into their songs (“Not That Kinda Girl,” “Voicemail,” “Dope,” “No Way,” “Flex,” “Work from Home,”) even if it was sometimes a hidden undertone (“Gonna Get Better,” “I Lied,” “Big Bad Wolf.”) I also sensed a huge maturity difference from their debut, in both image and sound. More innuendos, more blatant messages, and obviously, the heavy use of f**k in the standard closer and deluxe opener. All in all, '7/27’ served as my summer album, and a lot of the songs are still fresh sounding even half a year later.

My top 3 tracks were “1000 Hands,” “Dope,” & “Work from Home” f/ Ty Dolla $ign

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#7 'The Altar,' Banks

In place at #7, I have 'The Altar' by Banks! Before this album, I had only heard about Banks through ATRL but never got around to listening to any of her music since I thought she wouldn't really be my "thing," but I found myself really bopping to this album! I like how it's a great background noise album for when I'm doing homework or driving and what-not! I needed a lot of those since my current albums are getting a bit old. I really like Banks' artistry and think she's an incredibly underrated musician, and if anyone is looking for any kind of music recommendation– Banks is my number one answer for you!

My top 3 tracks were "Trainwreck," "F**k With Myself," & "27 Hours"

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#6 'Mad Love,' JoJo

I can't believe I'm writing my opinion on a JoJo album released in 2016; let alone a JoJo album in general. I'm so happy and proud of her for being able to finally release an album after so many years of fighting with that trash label. 'Mad Love' really felt like snatching every follicle of hair off of my scalp without permission, and I'm totally okay with that. She has a bad-ass, "don't **** with me" persona that doesn't come off as trying too hard or too in your face, which is something so many people struggle with. It contrasted well with the vulnerability on the album with songs like "Music," and "I Am." The collaborations with Alessia Cara, Remy Ma, and Wiz Khalifa were perfect fits for the vibe of the album, and I think that they all delivered on their parts as well. Overall, JoJo really delivered one of the most solid pop efforts of 2016 and I wish more people took the time to sit down and appreciate this gem of an album.

My top 3 tracks were "I Am," "High Heels," & "FAB" f/ Remy Ma

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#5 'Dangerous Woman,' Ariana Grande

Honestly, if you were to tell me that after releasing "Focus" Ariana Grande would have a spot in my top 5 albums of 2016, I would've laughed. Not that "Focus" isn't a bop, it just set me with low expectations for AG3. But whew, lord, was I wrong. 'Dangerous Woman' took my wig and threw it in the trunk of its car and just ****ing drove. But in all seriousness, Ariana really stepped up her game and had all the main pop girls shaking in their boots. You can tell the amount of work that went into the album, literally like every single harmony has so much detail and so much life in it and it's just ahhhhhh. So good. I also love the way she featured Future on "Everyday" and Macy Gray on "Leave Me Lonely". The visuals for the era have been nothing short of amazing, especially the album cover. I remember everyone was a bit fishy with the era at the beginning, including myself, but I'm glad we all came around and saw the light that is this flawless album.

My top 3 tracks were "Thinking Bout You," "Touch It," & "Into You"

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#4 'Lemonade,' Beyoncé

I know everyone on ATRL could've predicted 'Lemonade' having at least a top 5 spot in this countdown since everyone seems to have it in theirs. But I mean, she did that! For real, Beyoncé has yet again topped herself in levels of artistry, music, and image. Self-titled was obviously a huge step in a new direction for Bey, but this was a whole other world. You can feel the emotion on each track. I always get angry listening to "Don't Hurt Yourself" and "Love Drought" always makes me feel like I did someone so wrong and should go forgive them. It takes a lot to play with people's emotions to the extent that Bey did with 'Lemonade' and I applaud her for that. Truly one of the best pop releases of the year, especially with the genre mixing! She did country... and she did it well. I can only imagine what B7 will be like and where it will take me. Truly, honestly, iconic. Congratulations, Beyoncé – my wig is forever yours.

My top 3 tracks were "Daddy Lessons," "Don't Hurt Yourself" f/ Jack White, & "Freedom" f/ Kendrick Lamar

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#3 'Glory,' Britney Spears

After the underwhelming releases 'Femme Fatale' and 'Tankee Jean,' I thought that the days of having a flawless Britney album were long over. But thank god she released 'Glory' and redeemed herself. I can't believe Britney got her s**t together somehow and released one of my favorite pop albums of the year. The use of "unknown" producers and writers like Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter were so refreshing! With 'Glory,' Brit really proved to us that she can still kill it and be on her A-game– even at 35 and with a kid on her arm

. There was also a nostalgia factor in a few songs that made me remember just why I fell in love with Britney in the first place. Songs like "Liar," "Man On The Moon," and "Do You Wanna Come Over?" brought me back to the 'Britney' and 'In the Zone' eras and I was living for it. Another thing I need to address is her vocal delivery. I know studio vocals will always be good and we'll never know for sure what someone sounded before all the editing, but I just can't believe the way she sounded on "Invitation," "Man On The Moon," and "Better". All in all, it's amazing that Britney Spears delivered such a solid effort for the first time in 8 years. I applaud her for coming back so strong and still killing it. My girl Knee knows how to do it.

My top 3 tracks were "Man On The Moon," "Invitation," & "Just Like Me"

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#2 'Joanne,' Lady Gaga

In all honesty, after my first time hearing "Perfect Illusion," I thought I wouldn't even bother listening to 'Joanne'. It wasn't the "pop Gaga" I was waiting three years for. But, after careful consideration and a few times listening over and over, I realized that "Perfect Illusion" was no different from old Gaga aside from some live instrumentation. 'Joanne' is very much a pop album, and people who say differently are just mad it isn't synth-dance-pop. I think this change was very natural coming off of the Jazz era and I also think that it was a very needed turn in direction for Gags. Introducing this album with a focus on the music, a minimalist cover, and a down-to-earth attitude (that was always there, just hidden behind the.... Gaga) was the perfect way to start. It made me think, "this is a new Gaga" and made me so much more interested than I was to begin with. Then, after the slow reintroduction of the wild shoes, the classic outfits, and the choreography– you come to your senses and realize that there was truly never anything different. But it worked. That whole approach made me love 'Joanne' so much more than I initially would have had she just thrown it at us in her traditional style. Bloodpop, Kevin Parker, Mark, and of course, Gaga really went to town with this album and it bops! "Dancin' in Circles" is literally a career highlight, "Perfect Illusion" is the perfect arena-stomping song, "John Wayne" has been proven to be the runway song of 2016, and "Sinner's Prayer" is just downright stunning. Truly an amazing body of work and I couldn't have asked for any other project from Gaga now that we have 'Joanne'. Iconic.

My top 3 tracks were "John Wayne," "Dancin' in Circles," & "Perfect Illusion"

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#1 'ANTI,' Rihanna

The queen of Rih-invention is at it again, earning the top spot on my album countdown! I remember the exact moment 'ANTI' was leaking via TIDAL. It was 5:36PM, I was sitting in the dark on my couch, and I opened the video of the "Consideration" snippet. I ran my ass upstairs to my laptop and waited anxiously for that .zip file to show up on my laptop. The album was perfect from 1 - 13, back then and even now. Which is exactly why it remained my favorite release for the entire year. Rih stepped up to the plate and ****ing swung. Home run. She proved that after years of being labeled as a "genre band-wagoner" and just useful for "a hit here and there," that she is capable of making incredible music and supplying stunning visuals along with it. I would like to note that the absence of too many features and the standalone singles proved yet another point that Rih doesn't need a hit or a fellow artist to excel. The production on this album is flawless and she wasn't lying when she said the record was timeless. I know it hasn't been a full calendar year, but I have a feeling I'll be playing the s**t out of this album in the years to come. I'm interested to see where she goes from 'ANTI,' but I think we have a long time to sit back and enjoy the album while she figures that out. Congratulations, Rihanna. You now have possession of every single last one of my wigs, forever and always.

My top 3 tracks were "Same Ol' Mistakes," "Consideration" f/ SZA, & "Woo"

Songs

#10 "Reaper," Sia

To kick things off, we have this lovely summer bop gem by Sia, "Reaper"! Every time I listen to this song, no matter what is happening or going on around me, I'm instantly in a better mood. It literally does things to my body. It's the perfect summer bop and I'll forever be mad at Rihanna for not snatching it up when she had the chance (and I'll never understand how Sia didn't release it as the follow up to "Cheap Thrills," but whatever). However, Sia did kill it with those raspy vocals, so maybe it's a good thing she got to latch onto it and bless us with her version!

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#9 "Formation," Beyoncé

If you didn't see this coming, you're either lying to yourself or you're lying to yourself. The political REALNESS that Beyoncé served, while still providing a bop, is unreal. I mean, you get so into it and mid-ass shake, you realize that this song is all about empowering women and celebrating black culture– which is like a double win for everyone! But in all seriousness, Bey, Pluss, and Mike-Will did THAT. I know all the geys are tired of seeing this on everyone and their mothers' countdowns, but there was literally no escaping this song, or Beyoncé in general, this year. Truly iconic.

#8 "Do You Wanna Come Over?," Britney Spears

Oops!... She did it again (and again, and again....) Coming in at #8, I have Britney's "Do You Wanna Come Over?" – this song is serving 'In the Zone' / 'Britney' era realness and I am here for it! Every little detail of the song adds so much to the whole product, and it's so fun because over time you notice more and more small things about the song! The soda can cracking noises, the guitars, the harmonies, the shouts, etc. just make me so excited. This song is pure pop but, more importantly– it's pure BRITNEY. Something she hasn't really served in a while and I can't get enough of this song. Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter made some magic with this one!

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#7 "Cry," Carly Rae Jepsen

Carly Rae Jepsen serving yet another 80s bop (are we even surprised at this point?) "Cry" is my #7 favorite song of the year, but my #1 favorite CRJ song. The lyrics, the calm verses and slightly amped chorus, the melodramatic instrumental. I•CO•NIC to say the least. I love to go on long night drives and listen to this song at the highest volume, whether I'm jamming or crying. It's straight out of a soundtrack for an 80's movie and it makes whatever you're feeling at the time of listening 10x stronger. I don't know how she manages to play with my E•MO•TIONS like that, but she does it and manages to grab all of my hair along with it! Great job, Carly Rae Jesus. Great. Job.

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#6 "That's So Us," Allie X

Earlier this year, a friend of mine showed me Allie X's music and I thought, "okay I can see myself bopping" and whatever. But when I heard this song, I literally fell in love. I don't have much to say about this song other than the fact that it perfectly describes so many of my friendships and has become one of my favorite songs to cry and bop to in a matter of months. If you haven't gotten into Allie X, get on that. Her production and her music in general will just wow you completely. Truly, a pop gem.

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#5 "Dangerous Woman," Ariana Grande

Securing both top 5 spots in the album and song countdown, is "Dangerous Woman" by Ariana Grande! "Dangerous Woman" served as one of the best reinventions in recent pop history. I like to associate this as her GGGB. The production, the guitars, the vocals, whewwwww lawd. I can't tell you a day I've been in the car since this song's release that I haven't heard it on the radio. Even with "Side to Side" and it's massive airplay, I'm still hearing "Dangerous Woman" – which shows that even the GP can have taste sometimes. DW is one of Ariana's top 3 songs for me, she really proved herself. Both as an artist and as a person. It's not easy to bounce back from something like "Focus" and to get out of a box you unintentionally are put in due to a couple of hits. So, Ariana Grande, congratulations... You're a winner, baby.

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#4 "Consideration," Rihanna f/ SZA

"Let me cover yo **** in glitta, I can make it gold, oh!" Rihanna and SZA.... You did THAT! The industrial beats with the harsh hitting drum pattern... ahhhhhhh. So. F**king. Good. I mean, who would've ever thought that Rihanna would collaborate with SZA? But oh god am I glad they did. The song is a perfect album opener and a perfect introduction to the new image that Rihanna has adapted with 'ANTI' in my opinion. I would love to see a video for this song

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#3 "Hands to Myself," Selena Gomez

The first installment of my top 3 songs of the year is..... "Hands to Myself" by Selena Gomez! Every time I hear this song, I will literally be singing it in my head for days afterward. It was one of the biggest bops of 2016 and practically inescapable for me– that is, if I were to try escaping it. I ran to this song, not away from it lol. Max Martin did an incredible and surprisingly minimalistic job on this one! Upon first listen, I never really understood why Selena loved this song so much and why all her stans were hyping it up, but after the HQ version... WHEW lord! The song is so catchy and obviously, the bridge's ending, "I mean I could but why would I want to?" is nothing short of iconic. Not to mention, HTM was written by my favorite pair, Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter, so that's a plus!

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Songs #2 & #1 coming 12/23 + 12/24!

Superpower

Great start with Starboy

Navyofbadgals

Good start with Starboy

AshleeSimpsonFan

Amazing design, I'm loving those banners!

Can't wait for this

Ivan

amazing banner, can't wait

Bad Things

#9 'Lady Wood,' Tove Lo

Tove Lo's 'Lady Wood' comes in at #9 on my countdown! If we're being honest, I would have never expected to have an album titled 'Lady Wood' be one of my favorites of the year. Tove really proved herself to be an incredible artist with this album and the visuals are stunning (especially live!) The whole concept and sound of the album blew me away. The "natural" and kind of "dirty" aesthetic correlates really well with the sound and ideas of the album, which makes the actual record just that much better. Truly one of my favorite and most underrated (outside of ATRL) releases of the year!

My top 3 tracks were "Keep It Simple," "True Disaster," & "Don't Talk About It"

#8-1 coming 12/7 - 12/14

KarlosVzla

2/2 so far.
This is probably my favorite layout I've seen. Slay!

Superpower

True Disaster and Influence were my favorite from Lady Wood

Mark Rih

Lady Wood and Starboy are both amazing.

Auris

Starboy

Bad Things

Quote:

Originally posted by KarlosVzla

2/2 so far.
This is probably my favorite layout I've seen. Slay!

Thanks fellow Mamba Gang member

Quote:

Originally posted by Superpower

True Disaster and Influence were my favorite from Lady Wood

Amazing taste

Quote:

Originally posted by AshleeSimpsonFan

Amazing design, I'm loving those banners!

Can't wait for this

Thank you!

Quote:

Originally posted by Ivan

amazing banner, can't wait

shelven

Lady Wood

AshleeSimpsonFan

Lady Wood is... ummm... I don't know. Is not a bad album, but "Queen Of The Clouds" was miles better for me

I still love Tove Lo!

Remmy

Very cute banners

Love the color scheme and lips

Albums:
Starboy is nice

BBTM is the first release I heard from him and I hated most of it, but only 1 song was bad on this one. It also had more standout tracks.

Lady Wood

Pretty solid album with tons of bops. I prefer Chapter 1 though.

Rihlana

YES STARBOY AND LADY WOOD

You have flawless taste, especially with theLady Wood and Starboy trinities!

t.A.T.u.

Lady Wood

Bad Things

#8 ‘7/27,’ Fifth Harmony

‘7/27’ was definitely my most hyped release of the year, obviously due to the fact that I stan the girls. It comes in at #8 because I know they can do better and they had songs originally intended for the album that were scrapped in place of “hot” trends. However, the album was clearly more cohesive than ‘Reflection,’ despite the blatant genre bandwagoning. They kept promise of trying to incorporate R&B influence into their songs (“Not That Kinda Girl,” “Voicemail,” “Dope,” “No Way,” “Flex,” “Work from Home,”) even if it was sometimes a hidden undertone (“Gonna Get Better,” “I Lied,” “Big Bad Wolf.”) I also sensed a huge maturity difference from their debut, in both image and sound. More innuendos, more blatant messages, and obviously, the heavy use of f**k in the standard closer and deluxe opener. All in all, '7/27’ served as my summer album, and a lot of the songs are still fresh sounding even half a year later.

My top 3 tracks were “1000 Hands,” “Dope,” & “Work from Home”

K$Ellie

Lady Wood is amazing

Tove delivered this year

Keep It Simple in your Top 3

7/27 so low

I liked it far more than Reflection. Stan for Dope tho

Starboy had a few bops

Navyofbadgals

I expected you to put 7/27 in the top 3

yay @ Lady Wood!

Bad Things

Quote:

Originally posted by K$Ellie

7/27 so low

I liked it far more than Reflection. Stan for Dope tho

It definitely had a stronger group vibe than Reflection did! But yes fellow Dope stan

Quote:

Originally posted by Navyofbadgals

I expected you to put 7/27 in the top 3

They can do better in my honest opinion!