We're about halfway through 2016 and, thankfully, the music from this year has been far better than the movies. I decided it only seems right to give recognition to those brilliant albums that have already been released this year by naming my top 10 Favorite Albums from this year. Without further ado, here we go:
10. "99.99%" by Kaytranada
A SoundCloud phenom making his full-length studio album debut, Kaytranada does a brilliant job at combining unique rhythms and styles with an exceptionally bold cast of features to create a work that has incredible attention to detail.
9. "The Colour in Anything" by James Blake
While a bit lengthy and not the cheeriest of music, there is no denying James Blake’s ability to soothe the soul and excellence in song writing. Plus the vocals are spine-tinglingly good in a Bon Iver sort of way.
8. "Hopelessness" by Anohni
Daring in its delivery and bold in its content, “Hopelessness” doesn’t shy away from difficult topics and adds excellent production and instrumentals to back up the powerful lyrics.
7. "The Human Condition" by Jon Bellion
The debut studio album from pop/rap artist Jon Bellion, who’s ability to blend a incredible variety of sounds and textures in an ultimately uplifting and passionate way is just the medicine we all need amidst the various crises happening in the world.
6. "A Moon Shaped Pool" by Radiohead
A return to form for the incredibly influential band that has shaped music for the best part of three decades now. This album proves to be the perfect blend between pure elegance and intriguing experimentalism.
5. "Malibu" by Anderson Paak
Combine exceptionally personal songwriting and beautiful vocals with the jazz and R&B influences that undermine the entire album, and you get one of the most self-assured and wonderfully introspective creations of the year.
4. "The Life of Pablo" by Kanye West
For whatever faults you may accredit to TLOP for being too brash, too extreme, or not complete enough, Kanye rebuttals with some of the best moments in music from this year with songs like “Ultralight Beam,” “FML,” or “No More Parties in LA.” A sort of love letter to all his previous works, TLOP has a little piece of every one of Mr. West’s previous albums combined into a work that seems so incomplete yet so content with itself.
3. "Coloring Book" by Chance the Rapper
After a range of success from works such as “Acid Rap,” and “Surf," Chance takes center stage for his most fulfilling and best album yet. Chance has finally matured into the artist that we expected him to be, and shows room for even more growth.
2. "Blackstar" by David Bowie
While “Blackstar” may not be the late artist’s best album, it sure feels like his most emotional, with the tragedy of his impending death hanging over every lyric and rhythm in an experience that could only be created by one of the greats. His last musical gift to us before his death does nothing but add more praise to his everlasting legacy.
Honorable Mentions: "Untitled, Unmastered" by Kendrick Lamar; "Islah" by Kevin Gates; "Freetown Sound"by Blood Orange; "Human Performance" by Parquet Courts; "Bottomless Pit" by Death Grips.
1. "Lemonade" by Beyoncé
While I’m not as obsessed with Beyoncé as a majority of people seem to be, even I can admit that Lemonade is her best album and the best album of this year so far. Absurdly emotional, passionate, and powerful, Beyoncé manages to surprise us yet again by continuing to alter the landscape of modern pop music.
