MY TEN FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2016
(IN NO PARTICULAR HIERARCHY)
/// ANDY SHAUF - THE PARTY
The sound of this album brought tears to my eyes on multiple occasions. It was definitely something to drown my sorrows in throughout 2016 with a live performance in Seattle to match.
/// VINYL WILLIAMS - BRUNEI
It’s a transcendental, way-outer space, neo-spiritual, kinda vibe… You know what I mean, man? Brunei isn’t music, it’s an experience. You feel me?
/// C DUNCAN - THE MIDNIGHT SUN
C Duncan is like a male Enya, but instead of being influenced by old-world folk, his primary influence seems to be modern pop and electronica. This album has been my soundtrack to the softly falling snow this winter.
/// ODDISEE - THE ODD TAPE
Oddisee makes old school beats fresh again. Nothing flashy or groundbreaking, just reliably dope to the core.
/// LAURA MVULA - THE DREAMING ROOM
While much of the world felt gripped in tumult for 2016, this album was a much needed expression of love, joy, and faith. The orchestration, seemingly from the golden age of Hollywood, was yet another comfort to wrap yourself in while in The Dreaming Room.
/// BADBADNOTGOOD - IV
I’ve always respected Jazz and enjoyed it in small doses, but BadBadNotGood continues to make Jazz records that I put in heavy rotation. IV is probably their most versatile collection of tracks to date.
/// ALOHA - LITTLE WINDOWS CUT RIGHT THROUGH
I don’t know if I would have enjoyed this album as much as I did if I wasn’t a long-time Aloha listener. This album just came at the right time. I simply needed Aloha again without realizing it.
/// RADIOHEAD - A MOON SHAPED POOL
It’s Radiohead, no explanation needed.
/// HARRIS COLE - PAUSE
Pause is draped in dreamy beats from top to bottom. The perfectly appropriate cover art sums it all up beautifully.
/// BAND OF HORSES - WHY ARE YOU OK
This is 100%, grade-A, good ol’ fashioned “Dad Rock” at it’s finest. I often describe it as a Band of Horses Best-Of album created with new material.
::: || HONORABLE MENTIONS || :::
Animal Collective - Painting With
Another bizarre turn in the AC catalogue which always peaks my interest.
Thao With The Get Down Stay Down - A Man Alive
Thao feels very raw and deeply personal in A Man Alive and Having Merrill Garbus in the mix was a huge bonus as well.
Youandewan - There Is No Right Time
A fairly eclectic and minimal electronic record that I kept returning to in 2016.
Kadhja Bonet - The Visitor
A voice like honey, singing about honey, flowing through the mind like honey. Pure gold.
The Album Leaf - Between Waves
I hadn’t connected with The Album leaf’s music in about a decade, but this one brought me right back in like the tide pulling a ship out to sea.
MJ Guider - Precious Systems
Beautiful desolation abounds in these borderless soundscapes.
::: || SOME OF MY FAVORITE SONGS OF 2016 || :::
Beck - Wow
Whitney - Golden Days
Radiohead - Dreamer
Vinyl Williams - Feedback Delicates
David Bazan - Both Hands
Mitski - Your Best American Girl
Liima - Your Heart
Aloha - Signal Drift
Suuns - UN-NO
Whitney - No Woman
