One of the largest obstacles for those looking to listen to world music is where to begin. Although it exists as a single genre for most, there are a myriad of styles of world music from many different places. Starting to listen to it can be very daunting. This article lists a smattering of some of the best world music albums that have been released since January to get you started! The list is in no particular order, and represents a multitude of nations. Hopefully you will dig one or all of these, and pick them up at your local record store!

1. Zmei3, "Rough Romanian Soul"

Zmei3 hail from Romania, and perform a wild variation of Romanian folk music. Rough Romanian Soul came out in April on Six Degree Records, and it is a true testament to singer Paula Turcas' voice. As the album rambles through many different styles and languages, the power of her voice is a bright light shining.

2. Sainkho Namtchylak, "Like A Bird Or A Spirit, Not A Face"

"Like A Bird Or A Spirit, Not A Face" is a strange hybrid of different cultures that is immediately realized as something unique. The album came out in January on Ponderosa and is a collaboration between Tuvan singer Namtchylak and popular Tuareg guitar players from Mali, Tinariwen. Between Namtchylak's throaty, howling singing and Tinariwen's distorted guitar melodies, "Like A Bird Or A Spirit, Not A Face" is a fervent, energy packed album.

3. Mexrrissey, "No Manchester"

Mexrrissey's "No Manchester" is their debut album that came out in March on National, and there isn't a more accessible and fun album out there right now. Born out of a Mexican love for the Smiths, Mexrrissey takes the Smiths' songs and infuses them with Mexican flavor and redefines them. Filled with an all-star cast of musicians, including Ceci Bastida and members of Calexico, Mexrrissey have been selling out shows in Mexico, the United States, and England with good reason. No Manchester is an absolute blast for world music lovers and Smiths' fans alike.

4. Manhattan Camerata, "Tango Fado Project"

2016 may just be the year of fantastic fusions. "Tango Fado Project" is another stellar example, an album that has NYC based Manhattan Camerata imagining what it would sound like to link Argentinian Tango with Portuguese Fado. Still fairly new, this album was released by Manhattan Camerata in May on Sorel Classics. It's a stunning album, highlighting many virtuosic musicians, that leaves you satisfied in a way you didn't realize you needed before listening.

5. Imarhan, "Imarhan"

Imarhan are a young group, whose debut album on City Slang is bringing as much power and excitement as fellow listee Bombino's first American hit album, "Nomad." Their self-titled album, which came out this April, is an honest representation of Tuareg guitar music. There simply isn't a track that doesn't get your foot tapping. Expect more greatness from this band, and until then, enjoy this album.

6. Eva Salina, "Lema Lema: Eva Salina Sings Šaban Bajramović"

Eva Salina is an exceptionally talented Roma singer, and Lema Lema's updated presentation of Šaban Bajramović's classic songs only serves to enhance her exceptionality. Released in January on Vogiton, the album's role as a tribute sends up Bajramović and Salina at the same time. Lema Lema is a consistently good listen, and I highly recommend it as a starting point for those interested in the Roma tradition.

7. Debo Band, "Ere Gobez"

I dare you to sit still while listening to Ere Gobez. Seriously. You won't be able to. The only thing more energetic than Debo Band's May release on FPE Records is seeing Debo Band perform live. They're patented Ethiopian pop-funk sound is honed in to a tee on "Ere Gobez," which makes this album a serious contender for my personal favorite of the year. Make some time for this one, because once you finish it, you will just want to start it over again.

8. Céu, "Tropix"

Another Six Degrees release, I was surprised by Céu's March release, "Tropix." She's an established Brazilian singer, with a large discography of bossa nova and samba styles native to Brazil. But "Tropix" is a cooler, synthier album than what Céu has done in the past, and the stylistic change produces an album that is both modern and steeped in Brazilian style. Check out Amor Pixelado as a first for this album; it's a song that halfway through makes you say "yes! THIS!"

9. Bombino, "Azel"

Bombino has been the darling of world music fans and indie hipsters alike since his Black Keys-produced album, Nomad. His new album, out in March, which is produced by Dave Longstreth of Dirty Projectors fame and out on Amoeba Music, manages to dodge the hype and deliver on what makes Bombino such an incredible artist in the first place: his guitar playing. "Azel" sounds more like Bombino's first album than the one that made him a hit, allowing the listener to truly enjoy the Tuareg stylings without too much Western interference. Azel is a classic desert blues album.

10. Ana Moura, "Moura"

Ana Moura is the youngest Portuguese fadista, but you couldn't tell from her latest album on Universal, Moura. Internationally released this year, her voice soars across the album. Moura is an easy add to the list, as it's one of the best showcases of Fado out there.

11. BABYMETAL, "Metal Resistance"

Where do I even begin with BABYMETAL? Are they everything you'd expect them to be and more? Yes. Is it beyond ridiculous? Yes. If you're not familiar, BABYMETAL is a "metal idol" band from Japan, that takes the hard musical skeleton of metal, and replaces the cookie monster vocals with young, high-pitched Japanese pop vocalists. Metal Resistance is BABYMETAL's second album, out this March on Sony. Its an epic album that stretches genres and gives you what you want in a BABYMETAL album: high-octane fun. Those lamenting the death of pop-punk and emo, here's your album.

12. Honorable Mention: It's the 2016 "Eurovision Song Contest" Album!

Eurovision! The always honorable mention of the list. If you don't know what Eurovision is, do yourself a favor and go watch this year's song contest. Think, "American Idol" meets the "Hunger Games" in Europe, on Super Bowl level proportions. It is worth your time.