Ahh there she is. Some of you may be asking "why is this so high". Well not sure if some got the hint but considering she's my fave and all who happened to deliver her best album since Rated R, it was bound to be my favorite female album of the year. It has everything I could want from her. She took the break she needed to deliver a fairly cohesive and mature record that shows off her versatility. When Consideration first played, that was a moment for me, and knew the album would be special. The replay value on it is one of the best too. She can sing about getting high, maintaining independence, sex, and empowerment and have the album feel completely authentic. It's her identity and it doesn't feel manufactured like LOUD/Talk That Talk did. I wish the shorter tracks (James Joint, Higher, Yeah, I Said It) were a bit longer and some of the bonus tracks aren't the business at all, but other than that, hardly any issues I have. I hope for the future she carries on with this direction cuz it clearly works for her. And poor those who hate Work too.
4. Danny Brown - Atrocity Exhibition
Atrocity Exhibition is as crazy as the name sounds and how the album cover looks. Danny took influence from Joy Divsion/Talking Heads and made his very own science project experiment. It's one of the most bizarrely produced rap albums i've recently heard. Give Danny any beat or sound and he'll find a way to effectively rap through it It's a journey through an dark industrial-like realm while Danny references addiction, inner demons, & depression. Atrocity Exhibition marks itself as a staple left-field project that had me saying "wow" after the first listen.
3. The Avalanches - Wildflower
The moment I realized that this album was actually happening after years of hints/teasing, I got giddy. I was also paranoid cuz I didn't think there was a way to actually top Since I Left You even tho I wanted a follow up. However, it's not about comparing Wildflower with their debut, but more-so looking at the two separately and like different journeys. Wildflower is more cheery and atmospheric than the predecessor, with samples and little details reflecting both child vocals, nature sounds, and that little sunshine magic that adds joyous charm to the album. There's no other album like this in 2016 and only The Avalanches are able to pull off such a carefree record with the amount of personality it has. The samples are all across from 16 years of discovery, travel, & positive aspects of the world. The album may be recently "new" but it still sounds nostalgic and it makes me happy to listen to it each and everytime.
2. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Skeleton Tree
In constrast to Wildflower's happy world, Skeleton Tree is an emotionally devastating world of grief, reality, & despair. In A Year where we had death add context to multiple albums (Blackstar, You Want It Darker) etc, Nick's record was certainly among the three, and it's where he reflects upon it occurring to his loved one. I wasn't particularly familiar with Nick Cave's discography before the album came out but with exploring, i've realized that Nick has touched upon death references before. It's not an album that's completely about his son, but the major theme is coming to terms that we all aren't going to live and see our loved ones be around forever. Each of eight songs serve their own purpose and makes the album one of the rare filler-free offerings, and with Nick's raw vocal emotion it just gives the songs more weight. Throughout the album he's expressing his grief, where in the end he comes into acceptance of fate. It's a touching masterpiece for me.
And my #1 album of 2016 is....
#1
1. A Tribe Called Quest - We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your service
One of the few albums of 2016 that surpassed my expectations, We Got It From Here is something that both I and 2016 needed to witness. Modern events of tragedy and recent injustice has feuled the old 90s hip hop group to return to us in present day anddeliver their political addresses and to bring back that classic rap feeling that the new era of hip hop has been relatively lacking. With the spirit of Phife Dawg in assistance, the group retains their natural flow /energy and makes their music sound both current and retro. It's a return of form, and touches the relevant theme of tackling minority issues and racial tension. Q-Tip has been one of my favorite rappers and one of the top MCs in a while, so it was nice to see him join the crew one last time to deliver another potential classic to Tribe's discography. As a double LP it does not drag on, and offers plenty of content to digest. Not to mention the features each have their role of fulfilling a complete experience, from Andre 3k, Busta Rhymes, Kendrick, Anderson .Paak, Talib Kweli, and so on. All in all, it's a rally-cry anthem, and the group succeeded in pulling off my favorite rap album of the year and in general.
5. Rihanna - ANTI
4. Danny Brown - Atrocity Exhibition
3. The Avalanches - Wildflower
2. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Skeleton Tree
1. A Tribe Called Quest - We got it from Here... Thank Your 4 Your service
Full albums list
50. The Northern Lights - Alchemy
49. The Weeknd - Starboy
48. Chairlift - Moth
47. The Field - The Follower
46. Aesop Rock - The Impossible Kid
45. Margo Price - Midwest Farmer's Daughter
44. PUP - The Dream Is Over
43. Ariana Grande - Dangerous Woman
42. YG - Still Brazy
41. Jamila Woods - HEAVN
40. Japanese Breakfast - Psychopomp
39. Gallant - Ology
38. Shura - Nothing's Real
37. Nao - For All We Know
36. Kanye West - The Life Of Pablo
35. Cult Of Luna & Julie Christmas - Mariner
34. The Black Queen - Fever Daydream
33. Nails - You Will Never Be One Of Us
32. Xiu Xiu - Plays the Music of Twin Peaks
31. Jenny Hval - Blood Bitch
30. James Blake - The Colour In Anything
29. The Dear Hunter - Act V: Hymns with the Devil in Confessional
28. Ka - Honor Killed The Samurai
27. Kero Kero Bonito - Bonito Generation
26. Angel Olsen - My Woman
25. Maxwell - blackSUMMERs'night
24. Death Grips - Bottomless Pit
23. Nicolas Jaar - Sirens
22. Alcest - Kodama
21. Isaiah Rashad - The Sun's Tirade
20. Vektor - Terminal Redux
19. Bon Iver - 22, A Million
18. Frank Ocean - Blonde
17. Beyoncé - Lemonade
16. Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool
15. Sturgill Simpson - A Sailor's Guide To Earth
14. Kaytranada - 99.9%
13. ScHoolboy Q - Blank Face LP
12. Mitski - Puberty 2
11. Solange - A Seat At The Table
10. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Nonagon Infinity
9. Car Seat Headrest - Teens Of Denial
8. Deakin - Sleep Cycle
7. David Bowie - Blackstar
6. Anderson .Paak - Malibu
5. Rihanna - ANTI
4. Danny Brown - Atrocity Exhibition
3. The Avalanches - Wildflower
2. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Skeleton Tree
1. A Tribe Called Quest - We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your service
Happy 2017 first and foremost. Looking forward to the new music this year. And thanks for sticking around through all this content
haven't listened to #2 yet but the rest of the top five is really excellent whew, especially the top picks for rih/the avalanches <3 and yes poor those who hate work! great countdown + i'll be perched for 2017!
spoiler alert, i actually hate on anti alot more than i actually do hate it hehe. That said while its not my favorite album (or in my top 20) of the year, she by far has the best singles run out of anyone this year
First rate where I've seen Wildflower this high!
I really messed up for not listening to Danny, I tend to like his singles but never get īnto the albums
Rihanna always wins your rate! lol agreed with Work imo but I see why people don't like it. The rest of your top 5 is great too, though I did not listen to Danny's album.
New day in 2017
An amazing album, definitely worth the long wait we were all put through.
And this was a great Best Of, hope to see you back this December
I'm really happy to see it on your top 5.
