My favourite albums of 2016 include a good number of psychedelic pop records; some post-punk revival; and several female singer/songwriters. Take a look at the top ten albums that shaped my journey through the year in music:
#10 Adia Victoria — Beyond the Bloodhounds
Adia Victoria’s debut album consists of bluesy-folk songs dealing with black womanhood and feminism in general. Adia’s music is also quite nostalgic as you feel you’re listening a singer/songwriter playing at Lilith Fair.
Best tracks: “Dead Eyes”, “Sea of Sand”, “Mexico’s Blues”
#9 The Mystery Lights — The Mystery Lights
Another pseudo-nostalgic record. If you enjoy seventies’ psychedelic rock, the Mystery Lights’ debut LP is a great rendition: Drug-induced experiences and rock n roll parties are major topics of the album.
Best tracks: “Follow Me Home”, “Without Me”, “21 & Counting”
#8 Mitski — Puberty 2
Mitski’s sophomore album, Puberty 2, is post-grunge meets psychedelic featuring both surreal and sensitive lyrics. In this record, Mitsky deals with the challenges of being Asian-American after a break-up, and how she does not fit in the mainstream culture
Best tracks: “Happy”, “Dan the Dancer”, “Your Best American Girl”
#7 Vinyl Williams — Brunei
Vinyl’s stellar voice and psychedelic pop sounds make Brunei the trippiest record of the year. Best tracks: “Riddles of the Spinx”, “L’Quasar”, “The Presence of Absence”
#6 Badbadnotgood — IV
With jazzy melodies blending hip-hop and psychedelic pop, the fourth album by the Toronto band is another amazing trippy record. If you want to relax to instrumental numbers or contemplate jazzy vocals, I highly recommend this record.
Best tracks:“…And that too”, “Speaking Gently”, “IV”
#5 ANOHNI — Hopelessness
Anohni’s Hopelessness was probably the most politically-charged album of the year. Topics include American foreign intervention, government surveillance, and drone warfare. Almost all of the lyrics are directly related to the outgoing Obama administration.
Best tracks: “Drone Bomb Me”, “Watch Me”, “Obama”
#4 Car Seat Headrest — Teens of Denial
Car Seat Headrest’s Teens of Denial features emotional and surreal lyrics dealing with the consequences of fame, depression, and the departure from the indie music scene. The production that will remind you to Sonic Youth’s Daydream Nation.
Best tracks: “Vincent”, “Destroyed by Hippie Powers”, “Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales”
#3 David Bowie — Blackstar
Who hasn’t like David Bowie’s final and farewell album? A perfect combination of experimental and haunting music, accompanied by lyrics dealing with losing a battle and the final stages of life.
Best tracks: “Blackstar”, “Lazarus”, “I Can’t Give Everything Away”
#2 White Lung — Paradise
If you though feminist punk rock was dead or outdated. You got to take a listen to the Vancouver band White Lung and their grungy record, Paradise which will remind you of Courtney Love’s enraged vocals and symbolic lyricism.
Best tracks:“Narcoleptic”, “Below”, “Hungry”
#1 Yeasayer — Amen and Goodbye
Lust versus love, chemical weapons, biblical references, heavily influenced by the sound of the Beatles’ post-Abbey Road music is what makes the Yeasayer’s fourth title Amen & Goodbye, the best album of the year. Seriously underrated by both the indie and mainstream community, I highly recommend this album specially if your favourite type of music is psychedelic pop.
Best tracks: “I Am Chemistry”, “Half Asleep”, “Gerson’s Whistle”
Rest of Top 50
11. Suzanne Vega – Lover, Beloved: Songs from an Evening with Carson McCullers
12. Cage the Elephant – Tell Me I’m Pretty
13. PJ Harvey – Hope Six Demolition Project
14. Jake Bugg – On my One
15. Solange – A Seat at the Table
16. Beyonce – Lemonade
17. Frank Ocean- Blond
18. Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool
19. Video Age – Living Alone
20. The Shelters – The Shelters
21. Future Generations – Future Generations
22. Of Montreal – innocence reaches
23. The Tragically Hip – Man Machine Poem
24. Eagulls – Ullage
25. Nothing – Tired of Tomorrow
26. Magic Wands – Jupiter
27. Prism Tats – Prism Tats
28. Carla Morrison – Amor Supremo
29. Leon Larregui – Voluma
30. Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression
31. Bat for Lashes – The Bride
32. DMA’s – Hill’s end
33. Angel Olsen – My Woman
34. Aurora – My Demons Greeting Me As a Friend
35. Audacity – Hyper Vessels
36. Sauvages – Adore Life
37. Bon Iver – 22, A Million
38. Wilco – Schmilco
39. The Warlocks – Songs from the Pale Eclipse
40. Red Hot Chili Peppers – The Gateway
41. Wintersleep – The Great Detachment
42. Rihanna – Anti
43. Santana – Santana IV
44. Spring King – Tell Me if you like to
45. Chance the Rapper – Coloring Book
46. Autolux – Pussy’s Dead
47. Pete Yorn – ArrangingTime
48. Panic! At the Disco – Death of a Bachelor
49. Jeff Beck – Loud Hailer
50. Drake – Views
