To say 2016 has been a rough year would be a vast understatement. In many people's minds - the worst one to date. We've seen a lot of death over the last 12 months from people very prevalent in our society. We went through yet another presidential election with more drama than I have seen in my 20 years of living. We've also seen disasters and crises in Aleppo, Syria, Indonesia and many more. During times of stress or sadness I, like many others, turn to music to help soften the blow. Here I give you 10 of my favorite albums of 2016. (In no particular order)

1. Coloring Book ~ Chance the Rapper

Release Date: May 12, 2016 | Favorite Song: "Same Drugs" | Favorite Lyric: "I thought you'd never grow up / I thought you'd never / Window closed. Wendy got old."

I am a huge fan of Chance's voice - in general. He has a natural rasp and vulnerability which is exactly what I look for in vocalists. I only started listening to Chance the Rapper this year off the suggestion of a friend and listened to this album completely through twice. This song is not necessarily slower than the rest of the album. However, when you look at songs with lots of production and features like "No Problem," and "Finish Line/Drown," this is very simplistic.

2. Haven't Been Myself ~ Too Close To Touch

Release Date: Sept 23, 2016 | Favorite Song: "What I Wish I Could Forget" | Favorite Lyric: "Take every memory ingrained in me. / Erase it from my thoughts so I can sleep. / I'd give anything to feel no pain."

There was so much hype around this album that, if I'm being honest, I was pretty hesitant. I'd heard of Too Close To Touch but I hadn't ever really ventured into their discography. I am so glad that I waited until this album came out because it hit me like a freight train. Between the catchy melodies, deep and emotional lyrics and the impressive vocals, Too Close To Touch is going to take over the world. If you haven't picked it up, I highly suggest it.

3. The Hamilton Mixtape ~ Various Artists

Release Date: Dec. 2, 2016 | Favorite Song: "It's Quiet Uptown" ~ Kelly Clarkson | Favorite Lyric: "There are moments that the words don't reach / There's a grace too powerful to name / We push away what we can never understand / We push away the unimaginable."

Okay, hear me out. Number one, "Hamilton," is one of the (if not thee) biggest cultural influences in the last five years, at least. This mixtape had almost everyone on it, from Queen Latifah, Sia, Regina Spektor, Ben Folds, Common, Chance the Rapper, The Roots, Wiz Khalifa, Alicia Keys, Busta Rhymes... everyone. "It's Quiet Uptown," is one of the closest-to-original songs on the mixtape but I love it. Clarkson's voice has a natural vulnerability to it, but is also incredibly strong ... if that makes sense. This song perfectly captures the story of Eliza and Alexander Hamilton following the loss of their son.

4. Death of a Bachelor ~ Panic! at the Disco

Release Date: Jan. 15, 2016 | Favorite Song: "Crazy=Genius" | Favorite Lyric: "She said you're just like Mike Love / But you'll never be Dennis Wilson"

This was, statistically, the best album Panic! has ever put out. With that being said, it's one of the first that is solely up to front-man, Brendon Urie. Anyone who followed this band, ever, knows Urie has a very unique style. He likes "old school." This album brings the brass, jazz and Sinatra-esque that Urie embodies. It is a huge jump from the band's first release, "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out," but continuously progressing from their release "Too Weird To Live Too Rare To Die." Between songs like "Victorious," "Death of a Bachelor," "Hallelujah," and "LA Devotee," you're going to have fun with this album.

5. The Human Condition ~ Jon Bellion

Release Date: June 10, 2016 | Favorite Song: "Woke the F*ck Up" | Favorite Lyric: "We live in an age where everything is staged | Where all we do is fake our feelings | I've been scared to put myself so out there."

My former roommates used to listen to Jon Bellion all the time last year but I only started to actually listen this summer. His music started coming on my 'Recommended' YouTube videos and he was on my "Discover Weekly," on Spotify. He is something I think pop music has been missing for a bit. There aren't too many guys in pop music that still make "pop" music. Justin Bieber is a pop star but his music is slowly switching to EDM/Dance vibes, meanwhile Shawn Mendes really brings a lot of guitar and pure vocals to his stuff. Bellion embraces the synth and playing with melodies which I love. His music brings a new twist while keeping a slight taste of nostalgia.

6. Promise Everything ~ Basement

Release Date: Jan. 29, 2016 | Favorite Song: "For You The Moon" | Favorite Lyric: "Ask me and I'll try to reach for further sky / All I need for flight is a feeling from inside"

Basement has taken over the alternative/pop-punk music scene pretty quickly. This doesn't mean that they're going to be headlining festivals or going on co-headliners with Blink but everyone knows them. Even if you don't really remember Basement, you know who they are and I think this album helped a lot with that. They remind me of baby Brand New and I'm so excited to see what they have for us next.

Release Date: Nov. 18, 2016 | Favorite Song: "Worst Luck" | Favorite Lyric: "You're doing good / You should keep going / Don't back pedal for me."

I'm going to be honest, I hadn't heard about 6lack (pronounced black) until about a month ago. One of my friends was listening to him and then he showed me this song and it was incredible. I listened to this entire album about three times. His songwriting ability is up there with the greats and you're really able to relate with it. When my friend showed me this he said, "I don't think you'll like it but this guy is going to be the next big thing." There is no doubt in my mind that he is right so you might want to just jump on this bandwagon right now.

8. Celebrate ~ Tiny Moving Parts

Release Date: May 20, 2016 | Favorite Song: "Breathe Deep" | Favorite Lyric: "But off in the distance I can hear you say / Like marrow in your bones you need me."

Tiny Moving Parts are my angsty band. This album from start to finish is an experience. You want to hear at least one song off the album in every indie movie they're making over the next three years. The band is a mixture of The Wonder Years and The Story So Far (in my opinion), and this album really brings it through. If you've never heard of TMP before, listen to this first. You'll want to start a road trip to see an old flame with your best friend, who absolutely hates your old flame but wants to support you anyway, and scream these lyrics at the top of your lungs.

9. Lemonade ~ Beyonce

Release Date: April 23, 2016 | Favorite Song: "Sandcastles" | Favorite Lyric: "Show me your scars and I won't walk away."

Beyonce shook the whole world up with the release of this album. When she releases any album the world goes through this weird obsession stage. But with this... it was even more. She shared so many secrets and started a full-blown investigation and every single member of the Bee Hive turned into Sherlock Holmes. I also am not the biggest Beyonce fan but this was a pretty great and fun addition to her discography.

10. Yellowcard ~ Yellowcard

Release Date: Sept. 30, 2016 | Favorite Song: "Fields And Fences" | Favorite Lyric: "I don't have much that I can give to you / But I know I love the way you make me feel like I'm at home / And I am not alone."

This was the final Yellowcard album after twenty years. Their self-titled album was released with Hopeless Records and one they put their whole selves into. I've been a fan of Yellowcard for years and this was the perfect ending to a great career. Each song has a story and connects with their fans on a deeply personal level. Everyone has a story. Everyone has a memory. Everyone will remember the last time they saw Yellowcard. This album is a great sendoff.