#03. Jessy Lanza - "It Means I Love You" Genre: Art Pop, Footwork, UK Bass, Alternative R&B, Shangaan Electro Album: Oh No
I don't know exactly why, but I always found this song so fascinating. It probably isn't the track from her record that it's you in the most immediate way (that would be "VV Violence"), but the shangaan electro sample and the whole footwork-meets-Björk vibe of the track is just excellent. I'm also surprised to see how much love this song got, but it's totally deserved.
#03. Blood Orange - 'Freetown Sound'
Genre: Alternative R&B, Synth Funk, Synthpop, Art Pop, Neo-Soul, Sophisti-Pop
Label: Domino || Country: UK
One of the reasons I was anticipating 'Freetown Sound’, was after learning what its concept was to make an album dedicated to those told that they were “not BLACK enough, too BLACK, too QUEER, not QUEER the right way”. And it is made clear by listening to its first track, “By Ourselves”, which features an Ashlee Haze poem in which she talks about how she felt identified with rap icons like Missy Elliott, Lil Kim and Angie Martinez as a black woman and a feminist, that this is a record that deals with themes of racism, mysogyny/mysogynoir, homophobia and identity. Dev isn’t the best vocalist exactly, but he makes that up by successfully expressing his emotions with his voice (as well as using it in a way that feels the most appropiate for this kind of music), and also with his amazing songwriting and production. This album is probably one of the most important ones of the year, not only because it comes from a critically acclaimed artist, or because of its subject matter (which, yes, makes it important, but that’s not the reason I’m talking about), it’s because it shows that there’s no about about how he’s probably one of the most talented songwriters and musicians of this decade.
#02. David Bowie - "Lazarus" Genre: Art Rock, Post-Punk, Jazz-Rock, Gothic Rock Album: Blackstar
“Lazarus” is probably the song where the references to death are the most obvious. First, its title, is a reference to the biblical figure of Lazarus, the man who died, but was brought back to life by Jesus himself, and is often a synonym of resurrection. In the video, we have him literally on his deathbed, fighting against his demons, but still creating art. But, the most important thing, the lyrics, are probably the most direct, poignant on the entirety of the record, with the soulcrashing opening lines “Look up here / I’m in heaven / I got scars that can’t be seen”, and its wonderful (but choatic) instrumental ending.
#02. David Bowie - 'Blackstar'
Genre: Art Rock, Experimental Rock, Jazz-Rock, Electronic
Label: Columbia || Country: UK
I must admit that David Bowie wasn’t really a strong… I guess, figure? For me, until 2012, the year where I really started to care about music that was more and more leftfield. And it took mme a while to realise that, nearly every musician I was a big fan of had been influenced or inspired by Bowie at some point, by his artistry, his personality, his approach to Rock music, everything. So, yes, I was definitely excited when I heard he was going to release a new album in 2016, specially after hearing the title track, a 10-minute-long space odyssey, with many different sections and dark lyrics with references to the occult, fame and death. Even more when I found out that it was, supposedly, inspired by Kendrick Lamar’s opus ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ , IDM duo Boards of Canada (!!), and Sacramento noise-rap group Death Grips (out of all things!!!!), as well as jazz music. The first time I heard ‘Blackstar’ was literally the moment it came out, on Spotify. I was impressed, since it was probably the weirdest and darkest he had sounded in decades, which, to me is obviously a good thing. But, after his death, on January 10th (literally two days after his album came out), the lyrics, as well as the music videos accompanying the record, started to make sense to me. Along with the announcement of his death, it was revelead that he had been diagnosed with cancer eighteen months ago. Which meant one thing: this album was meant to be a farewell to his fans and followers. Or maybe not exactly that, but he was trying to communicate what was going on with him in his music. This final album is likely to be the epitome of his artistry, I don’t know if this is exactly his best album (’Low’ still wins for me), I guess time will tell, but this is his final big statement. And he made sure we would talk about it for a long time.
Highlights: “Blackstar”, “’Tis a Pity She Was a *****”, “Lazarus”, “Dollar Days”, “I Can’t Give Everything Away”
You’ll like it if you like: Most importantly, Bowie (specially the Berlin trilogy), but also Scott Walker, Radiohead
#01. Rihanna - "Kiss It Better" Genre: Alternative R&B, Neo-Soul, Pop Soul, Psychedelic Soul Album: ANTI
TALENT WON.
Her best vocal performance (the ****ing harmonies!). Her best lyrics in the topic of sex (shout-out to Natalia Kills by the way!). Probably one of her best instrumentals too. This is the "Run Away With Me" of 2016, because honestly I still don't get why this wasn't a #1. smash. But anyways, talent won regardless.
#01. Solange - 'A Seat at the Table'
Genre: Neo-Soul, Alternative R&B, Sophisti-Pop, Art Pop
Label: Saint || Country: USA
For most people, specially minorities in the United States, Donald Trump winning the 2016 elections was a terrifying thought, many people didn’t even consider it an actual possibility because of that reason. But the truth is that homophobia, islamophobia, xenophobia and specially racism and misogyny are still alive in America, and the results of this elections proved that what was to many an unlikely possibility, became an awful truth. Made even worse by the multiple attacks black, Muslim, queer and Latin people (specially women) suffered after Trump won, at the hands of White supremacists. So right now, more than ever before, Solange Knowles’ first album in eight years (in 2012 she released the ‘True’ EP), titled ‘A Seat at the Table’, feels necessary. It was released on September 30th – which means, before the elections, but it still felt essential then. The entire album deals with many things she has experienced as a black woman in America in a post-Trayvon Martin Sandra Bland and Michael Brown world, but also explores some of her inner turmoil as well as trying to overcome it. Just like Kendrick Lamar, Blood Orange, and even her own sister Beyoncé to a certain extent, Solange has made a political record dealing with her identity and her struggles, while managing to make something engaging, interesting and complex, and all the acclaim and success it has achieved is well-deserved. I feel that, specially in this situation we are living in, this record will be remember for the years to come.
Highlights: “Cranes in the Sky”, “Mad” (feat. Lil Wayne), “Don’t You Wait”, “Don’t Touch My Hair” (feat. Sampha), “Where Do We Go”, “Don’t Wish Me Well”, “Junie” (feat. Andre 3000), “Scales” (feat. Kelela)
You’ll like it if you like: Kate Bush, Blood Orange, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, Frank Ocean
Lauryn Hill/Natalia Lafourcade, Movistar Free Music de la Mujer
Florence + the Machine/Marina and the Diamonds, Lollapalooza Buenos Aires
Empress Of, Festival BUE
Juana Molina, Teatro Vorterix
Koreless/Moderat, Sónar Buenos Aires
cranes 
FINISHED!