Welcome! 2016 has been odd, in more ways than one, but despite all this artists came hard this year. Established acts creeped out of the woodworks to present their next piece of art, whilst the newcomers dropped a selection of new material hoping to get their name on the map.
Due to this being my very first 'Best of' I decided to keep things simple; I'll be sharing my Top 10 albums & EPs, my favourite 10 artists of the year as well as the 50 tracks that made me dance & swoon around my laptop all year.
To give you a taste of what's to come here's a quick bubbling under chart of 6 tracks that just missed the top 50 song placement:
56.
Keke Palmer - Hands Free
Keke has never been on my radar, like, ever. But has she been on anyone's? Well she is now. I don't think anyone knew she was capable of making such a dancehall anthem; my only complaint is that this wasn't released in the summer, but hey, everyone needs a bop to tide them over the winter season.
55.
Bridgit Mendler - Do You Miss Me At All
I've been following Bridgit since her Disney days, hell, she's one of the only Disney girls to have actually produced fantastic music over the years. I don't appreciate the four year drought she made us suffer, but when the comeback material is this strong I can only forgive her.
54.
Anna of the North - Us
This Norweigan beauty has been releasing pop-perfect singles since the start of her career; she'll make you sway from side to side, and is just one of many examples of European artists doing it best.
53.
MUNA - Winterbreak
I genuinely believe MUNA are the future for bands. Their presence and inability to hold back is what draws me to them the most. The LA trio are unafraid to speak their minds and express their emotions, with Winterbreak being their most heart-wrenching track yet.
52.
Tegan & Sara - U-Turn
Canadians are killing the music biz right now, but these two are my favourites. When they dropped U-turn as a promo track I knew they were going to deliver 2016's best pop record , and they didn't disappoint.
51.
Will Joseph Cook - Sweet Dreamer
Don't be scared of male artists, they can actually be quite brilliant. Will is only 19 and I can't quite believe it; the track is addicting and the visual attached only makes you love it more!
You may know her for the otherworldly videos she posts to YouTube, albeit I wish to focus solely on her music, because she's great at it. Poppy hides behind a façade of the average blonde pop girl; it's genius how she's imitating the industry as we know it today, all whilst making some of the best pop we've seen this year.
9.
Kiiara - Low Kii Savage
What makes Kiiara so exciting is her originality; now hear me out, trap/electronic music may be very in at the moment, but let's not pretend that Kiiara didn't expand the craze. Terror Jr wouldn't exist without her, and that's just one example. Low Kii Savage feels like a miniature greatest hits EP, compact with all her past releases along with a few new wavy sounds.
8.
Ta-ku & Wafia - (m)edian
Usually EPs are just a taste of an artist's work and include rarely any depth, Ta-ku & Wafia however wanted to portray a story, and so they did. (m)edian digs deep into the issues revolving around both their families and how they dealt during the times of darkness. No doubt will this EP take you on a journey.
7.
Bridgit Mendler - Nemesis
Bridgit delivered. What else is there to say? Four years may have been way too long of a wait for just an EP, but at least she gave us quality and not worn out electronic music. Bridgit knows what's up in the industry right now, and I can only imagine what's she's going to put together for a second album.
6.
KLOE - Teenage Craze
Stamping her name on countless 'ones to watch' lists this year has only made KLOE gain more attention, and she knew that with all eyes on her she needed to put out something incredible, and that's when she drops her stunning debut EP, Teenage Craze. The EP itself dwells on her youth, and how she's giving less of a f*ck now she's becoming an adult. A must listen.
Artists
10. Thomston
New Zealand is the home for most talented newcomers; delivering some the best new acts we've seen over the past few years. Here's Thomston, he posted his first ever EP back in 2014 and has since been releasing an abundance of forthcoming EPs and standalone singles to please his online following. The transitional process from his first EP to his debut record Topograph felt seamlessly smooth; and by touring with Broods and Selena Gomez the future is looking bright for the 20-year-old.
9. HUNTAR
HUNTAR is making the music industry as interesting as ever with his electronic flow & experimental beats. With quite a back catalogue already up his sleeve and touring a mass amount this year, 2017 is only looking better and greater for the Londoner.
8. Lauren Aquilina
Lauren Aquilina has guided me through the past few years; with each new year came a new EP and that's what made things exciting. Last year she was supporting Taylor Swift and this year she finally released her debut (and turns out her only) record filled with coming of age related gems.
7. Wafia
2016 has led me to believe that Australians do the whole 'music' thing the best; Wafia being a prime example. If it's not the sleek production that draws you in then no doubt will her silky smooth vocals caress you seamlessly.
Songs
50.
Sundara Karma - She Said
There's no better way to start my top 50 than to dive straight into the indie-alt bands. There's something about the way the video looks and the production of the track that makes me love it so much. The repetition of lyrics works well with this one.
49.
AURORA - Conqueror
It feels like an eternity since this one was released, it's been almost a whole year! AURORA reassured me that 2016 was going to be a great year in music when she put this track out; this was a wonderful pop introduction.
48.
XYLØ - BLK CLD
XYLØ have been on my 'to watch' list ever since they dropped their debut single America last year, and thank god they were because they delivered such a cohesive EP. I hate when people force artists down people's throats, but I cannot recommend this duo enough.
47.
CL - Lifted
Lifted is a track that can take a while; maybe one listen is enough, sometimes you'll need a few, but when it finally hits you it hits you good. I'm obsessed. CL, please release more of these.
46.
Kiiara - Hand up tha Phone
Kiiara has been my homegirl the day she dropped Gold, it was pretty much inevitable that it was going to blow up at some point. Calling her EP low kii savage is just genius and represents her 'IDGAF' attitude perfectly. This track highlights the EP.
45.
Rosie Lowe - Woman
Rosie speaks the TRUTH in this one. I love her. I love the video. This track is perfect. Rosie's debut record Control is pure beauty, and such a cohesive body of work.
44.
Gallant - Bourbon
From the now Grammy nominated album Bourbon is as celestial as they come (also, please listen to the entire album from start to finish, it is an experience and you will love it.)
43.
MADEIRA - Oracle / Horoscope
Genius. I love listening to this whole EP at night. Madeira truly deserves the whole world and more, this debut EP is a gem!
42.
Tigertown - Make It Real
Tigertown became the first new band I discovered this year and they are yet to disappoint. Touring with Troye Sivan has only gained them new supporters that they so rightly deserve.
41.
KINGDM - Baby (feat. Kevin Garrett)
I tend to think that if this ever came on at a party I would lose it, it's just that good. From the very first second I'm all .
That Keke song took me by surprise when I heard it earlier. The video is also.
Bridgit also really delivered this year too.
I hadn't heard of that Will Joseph Cook guy before but that song was really nice.
That Keke song took me by surprise when I heard it earlier. The video is also.
Bridgit also really delivered this year too. I hadn't heard of that Will Joseph Cook guy before but that song was really nice.
I'm SO glad! I need everyone to get into him, hopefully this list will gather Will a few more fans.
Quote:
Originally posted by TheWayWeWere
Atlantis > DYMMAA video is cute tho
Lowkey agriheed, we shall see...
Quote:
Originally posted by This Is Acting
Yasssss @ Hands Free & DYMMAA
flawless
gonna follow this for sure!
The Hands Free and DYMMAA acclaim already. And these were only bubbling under!
hands free is quite good. do you miss me at all grows on me a lot (i didn't like it at first listen so i'm really surprised when i woke up and found myself humming to this song )
us is also great and ha music video omg yas @ u-turn! really like this hope to see stop desire on your list