Music in 2016 Review [Top 10 Albums]

[Shaun]

http://i.imgur.com/2yv2Hjp.png

My hundred greatest tracks of 2016 will be revealed, ten by ten, rather soon - now that the likelihood of something amazing being released before the year is out has all but died :pipe:

TiBB Disclaimer: Ariana Grande does feature. Britney does not.

Albums, videos, artworks and "the worst of 2016" will all follow :hee: Feel free to use the hashtag #Shaunty16 x

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

mitski

[Pete.]

Justice for Make Me

[Gstar]

Perched for this.

But.. wait, why isn't Britney part of it?

[reece(:]

https://media.giphy.com/media/dZJ4F8g0ueaTm/giphy.gif

[Ross.]

where is the top song thingy

[Shaun]

done when the last chart of the year is revealed fam

[Nicky91]

justice for Britney :fist: :fist:

[Crimson Dynamo]

Britney is a washed up hag why do people even start with this bolloxio?

[Gstar]

Perched for this.

But.. wait, why isn't Britney part of it?

@Shaun

[UserSince2005]

Are you charlie brooker? I think not.

[Shaun]

Don't tell Konnie Huq that I've been trying to have a gander at her for months.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

when does it start :x

[Shaun]

now hunty!

http://i.imgur.com/zA35vij.png

#100 - "Honey" by Katy B & KAYTRANADA
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The first song from the album of the same name that I heard sadly turned out to be the best one. That's not to say 'Honey' was a bad album, it just sort of peaked too soon. It did introduce me to KAYTRANADA though, whose album did excellent things in 2016.

#99 - "Where Is Home?" by Elliphant & Twin Shadow
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She looks like the sort of woman you'd expect to see in a Lostie! avatar in this video which is all very fine and well but it's the song that matters and it's quite nice tbh!

#98 - "Cruel" by Foxes
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She really kept that spot warm in January 2016 for better and more interesting popstars to come along and do the job properly didn't she? This was the best song on 'All I Need' by a country mile.

#97 - "All in the Name" by Bright Light Bright Light, Elton John & the Scissor Sisters
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The video is cute but also sort of why I wouldn't let Lucas anywhere near childrens' TV.

#96 - "Unstoppable" by Sia
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I think this song's in an advert for a charity? Which is a fair bit of exposure I suppose but when this is the best song on her newest album and you hear that ****ing Cheap Thrills dirge every single day at work it BEGINS TO PISS YOU OFF.

#95 - "Roses" by Carly Rae Jepsen
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An excellent pop song, you should expect no less from Miss Jepsen.

#94 - "Old Skool" by Metronomy
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They continue to be one of my favourite "bands I don't really care that much about". Even though they're very much 'local' to me. Which is a shame. Also the video is very much one of those videos that someone like Will would post as the subject of a thread with the title "TiBB house party?" and 3 people would reply and oh gosh there'd be so much laughter

#93 - "Jonathan" by Christine and the Queens & Perfume Genius
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There wasn't a chance the world's best queer musician and the world's best Frenchwoman were going to team up and not make this 100.

#92 - "High and Low" by Empire of the Sun
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After their second album I feared they'd just disappear into obscurity and never match 'Walking on a Dream' or 'We are the People' and whilst this isn't QUITE as good it is rather bloody close.

#91 - "One Dance" by Drake, Wizkid & Kyla
This isn't on YouTube which is just as well because I'm bloody sick of it now.

10 more tomorrow darlings. Maybe 20! x

[Ross.]

Cruel :love:

[Black Dagger]

All In The Name :lovedup:

[Tom4784]

Jonathan :clap1:

Not the scottish one though, basic ho.

[Shaun]

Three replies is a very rare thing for me so I'm going to steam right ahead

http://i.imgur.com/zA35vij.png

#90 - "Borders" by M.I.A.
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I ummed and ahhed about including this in the list at all, because 'AIM' was a heaving barrel of turd and I'm not sure this is any different. How can a woman responsible for BirdFlu, YALA, Paper Planes and Galang retire with this wet fart? It's very troubling. Borders is ok though.

#89 - "Nothing Else Matters" by Little Mix
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The entire album is full of choruses like this - the same title barked beyond repetition over a hodge podge of various trendy sounds that all come off as tedious. But 'Nothing Else Matters' is a title that applies to its status on Glory Days - delete everything else, and pretend this is all they released in 2016.

#88 - "Higher" by The Naked and Famous
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They sit on a pedestal that might as well be emblazoned with "not as good as CHVRCHES but still worth the odd listen". This is nice?

#87 - "Crack Baby" by Mitski
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In which Mitski's only fan, That Girl, submits his life story and gets a rather lovely song made around it.

#86 - "The Greatest" by KING
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Who doesn't love an 8-bit video? This girl group were championed by Prince and have a sound that's somewhere between Erykah Badu and Solange and that's a nice spot to find yourself in, really.

#85 - "E.V.P." by Blood Orange
https://play.spotify.com/track/0e43YnIeghIkDOW146x3G5
Speaking of Prince, this is so heavily influenced by him that it's almost as if he never died ha ha ha *whatever's keeping me together slowly begins falling apart* ha ha ha all my icons died ha ha oh god

#84 - "Belong" by Roosevelt
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If you have a smoke machine and some neon lighting and nothing better to do with your time might I suggest putting this on and doing some angry yoga to it?

#83 - "Stop Desire" by Tegan and Sara
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I saw someone (I think it might have been Pitchfork) claiming this was the greatest thing they'd ever released, and whilst it obviously isn't (it's 'Closer'), it is really really really good anyway.

#82 - "Dancing Makes Us Brave" by Nimmo
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Even though their band name sounds like something that the_truth would call Niamh before passing out in a puddle of his own bile, and even though the bloke's voice sounds somewhere uncomfortably between Alison Moyet and that annoying **** from Years & Years, they do put together some really fun and exciting 'tunes' so yes, support them and give them a chance. Let them into your heart etc.

#81 - "No Problem" by Chance the Rapper, 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne
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No, I don't like having Lil Wayne on these lists either (he wouldn't have featured since popping up on Kevin Rudolf's "Let it Rock", really). But the video does have DJ Khaled being DJ Khaled so there's no arguing with it, really.

#80 - "Dancin' in Circles" by Lady GaGa
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Just including this before I forget about Joanne

#79 - "A Love Song" by Ladyhawke
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I think I am resigned to the fact that I just lap up anything that has a chorus that sounds like it was released in 1983, yeah. The video is how I imagine Stranger Things.

#78 - "The Colour in Anything" by James Blake
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It does seem a bit silly trying to force a James Blake song on people because he's more of a "sit down and listen to the album whilst you sew together a patchwork quilt for that homeless woman on the corner" kind of guy but here you are anyway.

#77 - "Identikit" by Radiohead
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(presented without comment because if you like radiohead you'll like this and if you don't you won't so there's little point arguing it)

#76 - "Shut Up Kiss Me" by Angel Olsen
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Sia's changed a bit

#75 - "The Pop Kids" by Pet Shop Boys
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It makes growing up in London in the 90s sound a lot of fun although it probably wasn't any more or less than it is now?

#74 - "00000 Million" by Bon Iver
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I'm not at all a fan of the whole "let's name everything by pressing the ALT button and any 3 numbers" theme of their third album but I am a fan of the music on it and this is lovely and relaxing as ever.

#73 - "Read U Wrote U" by RuPaul
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I'm not sure that there'll ever be a performance on the show that tops this so this is probably as high as it gets for Ru. Yes, the Roxxxy bit is a bit...erm... but she tried, bless her. Plus Detox's verse is probably better than anything done by Drake this year don't @ me.

#72 - "Ain't My Fault" by Zara Larsson
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OmyOmyOmy.

#71 - "Don't Touch My Hair" by Solange
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(Not sure I'd want to with those bloody beads amirite?)

There, I want an essay on these twenty songs by this time tomorrow.

[Jamie89]

Christine, Mitski and Dancin' In Circles :love:

[Jamie89]

I'm listening to the Solange song now because I keep hearing about her, I like it

[Ashley.]

Great list so far, Empire of the Sun and the Naked & Famous are both brilliant.

[Firewire]

Jonathan :clap1:

Not the scottish one though, basic ho.

Kill yourself

[reece(:]

Nimmo :clap1:

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

out mit :clap1:

i'm poised for the album list bc i've listened to like 5 albums this year so i'll snatch some new ones from that https://az705183.vo.msecnd.net/onlinesupportmedia/onlinesupport/media/skype/screenshots/fa12330/emoticons/turkey_40_anim_gif.gif

[Gstar]

Don't touch my hair :love:

[Shaun]

Another twenty because I can already tell this will take a while.

http://i.imgur.com/zA35vij.png

#70 - "Still Falling for You" by Ellie Goulding
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Girl knows how to do an excellent soundtrack single for a terrible movie.

#69 - "Just Say" by KDA & Tinashe
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It isn't QUITE as good as 'Turn the Music Louder (Rumble)' and featuring Tinashe is basically asking for a flop to happen, but it pulses and beeps along rather determinedly nonetheless.

#68 - "You're the One" by KAYTRANADA & Syd the Kid
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It was tough to pick a second single from 99.9% to join the other one yet to come - especially ahead of tracks featuring Craig David and AlunaGeorge - but this is one of the catchiest retro things heard all year.

#67 - "Warning Call" by CHVRCHES
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Look, if it takes an appearance on a random video game's soundtrack, CHVRCHES will appear on these lists until they disband.

#66 - "Cranes in the Sky" by Solange
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I do love the fur coat in the video, and I do generally really like the song, but I've yet to hear the click in my head that makes me agree that this is one of the best 10 songs of the year like Pitchfork seem vehement about.

#65 - "Self Control" by Frank Ocean
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It's just quite cute really

#64 - "Get Bigger / Do U Luv" by NxWorries
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Anderson .Paak is the best thing I've found this year and that's including this recipe for peanut butter brittle.

#63 - "Blow Your Mind (Mwah)" by Dua Lipa
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In my head, this is the song I have to save myself from elimination with on season 11 of RuPaul's Drag Race. I'm not sure what I'll do but I'll enjoy it.

#62 - "Distant Sky" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
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One of the saddest duets I think I've ever heard - if you didn't hear, his son died a year or two ago falling from a cliff face, and the way his voice strains when singing "they told us our dreams would outlive us, but they lied" is just a bit devastating really.

#61 - "Higher" by Carly Rae Jepsen
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(yes I'm aware the mood of this countdown shifts drastically)
The best song on Side B.

#60 - "Dollar Days" by David Bowie
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I think it's probably my personal favourite from Blackstar but I've placed it a bit low for reasons I'm not entirely sure of.

#59 - "Pneumonia" by Danny Brown
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Beginning of the music video looks like one of Dezzy's creative deaths. The song gets progressively louder and it's a lot of fun.

#58 - "Middle" by DJ Snake & BiPolar Sunshine
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Was briefly torn on which of Snake's big singles this year to include in this but I definitely warmed to this one more than the Bieber track. A bit more laidback and unassuming.

#57 - "Adore You" by NAO & Abhi/Dijon
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NAO seems like the ideal sort of artist that people on here would like if they'd give her the time of day, she's the right mix of fka twigs, Dawn Richard and AlunaGeorge and the album's pretty great.

#56 - "Magnetised" by Tom Odell
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I don't like admitting to liking Tom Odell songs, so it's handy that it's only happened three times so far.

#55 - "True Disaster" by Tove Lo
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EXCELLENT POP SONG ALERT.

#54 - "Consideration" by Rihanna & SZA
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There isn't a vocal or word on this track that isn't fascinating to me.

#53 - "What's It Gonna Be?" by Shura
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I sort-of envy anyone who bought 'Nothing's Real' without having heard any of its tracks before, because it's been a really trying and irritatingly slow build-up with roughly 7 of the tracks floating around already. Of the new ones, this was the best.

#52 - "Thinking Bout You" by Ariana Grande
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One of those songs that gets better and better as it goes along.

#51 - "I Can Feel It Coming" by The Weeknd & Daft Punk
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An awful lot better than 'Starboy'. And it's really annoying how 'meh' the album was.

[Shaun]

Into the top half, then.

http://i.imgur.com/zA35vij.png

#50 - "One Strike" by All Saints
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This was far better than any comeback single from All Saints had any right to be - but then the same was true in 2006 when they released the fifth greatest song of all time, 'Rock Steady'. They may only come back every ten years with an excellent masterpiece so get your seats prepared for 2026.

#49 - "Raging" by Kygo & Kodaline
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I'm not quite sure how this is featuring an entire band because presumably everyone apart from the singer was just sat there going "yeah that's nice", but then what I've heard of Kodaline was trite and boring so never mind. This might be Kygo's best song yet.

#48 - "Talk to Me" by Run the Jewels
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Ruining everyone's end-of-2016 lists by releasing their album on Boxing Day, Run the Jewels' third album came about with this first single. They've spent the time since the 2nd campaigning for Bernie Sanders, oddly, and look how well that went :( "Went to war with the Devil and Shaytan, he wore a bad toupee and a spray tan" might be the most defining quote about Trump.

#47 - "BeFoUr" by ZAYN
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I know Pillowtalk was the biggest hit and was very good in its own right but this was my favourite of his album. It's all very well being the best part of a very good boyband, one of the most attractive men in the world, having a very nicely laid out Instagram feed and dating a supermodel but did he really have to release a strong solo album too?

#46 - "Feel No Ways" by Drake
https://play.spotify.com/track/6H7b2XG2xcpctrl602BwGl
I'm still in that awkward balance between "really liking one or two songs of his" and "not really understanding his God status" but that's fine because it's not as if I'm going without or anything. 'Views' was pretty decent though and this was its best track.

#45 - "The Flute" by Petite Meller
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She still only seems to get media attention from the sorts of "SHE'S APPROPRIATING CULTURE!!!" clickbait nonsense, which is frustrating, because she's got a pretty good success rate of "releasing one song a year that's incredibly joyous and fun and catchy and briefly reminiscent of what happiness used to be".

#44 - "Got It Good" by Kaytranada and Craig David
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Is this the best song whose title contains a portion of a Julie Goodyear catchphrase? Until Nicki Minaj storms back into 2017 with "TALK SHITE" you bet your ass it is! Craig David's had a good year (:hehe:) hasn't he?

#43 - "Cold Little Heart" by Michael Kiwanuka
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Look, I know this is over ten minutes long, so I'll just leave it here and say "it's very nice" and we'll both look the other way and know that no one's going to click it here.

#42 - "There's Alot Going On" by Vic Mensa
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Still waiting for the album...

#41 - "Blood On Me" by Sampha
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He seems to be getting quite a lot of 2017 buzz (although I'm sure he appeared on a Drake album years ago so this is a bit slow now). This is a very good song.

#40 - "This Girl" by Kungs vs. Cookin' on 3 Burners
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ba ba ba ba da ba ba ba ba ba ab ababababaa

#39 - "Subways" by The Avalanches
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It's an animated video full of graphic innuendos set to a rather groovy song so yes that's all good

#38 - "Real Friends" by Kanye West
https://play.spotify.com/track/4TsRQ0onK2Lmjw9TvomNJZ
The Life of Pablo wasn't brilliant - at least by Kanye West Album Standards, so it'll still feature relatively highly in my albums list - but it did have four or five excellent songs and this was one.

#37 - "Last Dance" by Dua Lipa
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The start of what was the beginning of The Year of Dua Lipa.

#36 - "In Common" by Alicia Keys
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This album cycle seems to have been signposted by her refusal to wear makeup, which is rather a shame. 'Here' was a pretty strong comeback.

#35 - "I'm In Control" by AlunaGeorge
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Their second album was really rather 'meh' but this was as great as - if not better than - any of the singles from their first album/with Disclosure.

#34 - "Hurts" by Emeli Sande
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There isn't a queer in the world whose heart isn't set aflame by the claps and drums in this. Best heard whilst setting fire to an ex's car.

#33 - "Woman" by Angel Olsen
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:flutter:

#32 - "Kids" by OneRepublic
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Frontman Ryan Tedder usually saves his greatest songwriting for other popstars, so it was a bit of a surprise to see OneRepublic doing something actually worthwhile in 2016. A fantastic pop song.

#31 - "Sorry" by Beyoncé
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It gave birth to the greatest mystery of 2016: who is Becky with the Good Hair? Is it Rebecca Adlington? Yes.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

if laura mvula doesn't feature i'm hacking GSA reviews

[DouglasS]

Emeli Sande Hurts is really good

[Brooklyn]

RTJ :clap1: not sure which song off it is my favorite right now, but the one with the Danny feature slaps.

Love that Avalanches tune as well, never seen the video for it. How weird :joker:

[Shaun]

I'll post the top ten one at a time tomorrow because that's quite dramatic isn't it

http://i.imgur.com/zA35vij.png

#30 - "Freedom" by Beyoncé & Kendrick Lamar
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I was really torn between putting Daddy Lessons, All Night or this in here because all are amazing, but I guess the Kendrick verse tipped this one over the edge.

#29 - "When It Rain" by Danny Brown
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Uuuuuugh this is so good. The clock running throughout gives it a full descent into madness vibe and as usual Danny is on fire :clap1:

#28 - "This Ain't Over" by Alex Newell
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I think this is a contender for the best vocal performance of the year tbh. The song begins with Rocky Horror lips and it's the most dominant genre in pop music right now but Alex's delivery, style and general joy tip it far away from being over-done

#27 - "Black Beatles" by Rae Sremmurd & Gucci Mane
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I kinda assumed Mike WiLL Made It would be a passing fad and would be producing songs that peak at #89 by now but this came along. It didn't even need a meme, it's excellent

#26 - "The Big Big Beat" by Azealia Banks
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Whether it's just been forgotten because it was released at the top of the year, or people are justifiably blacklisting her and pretending this wasn't iconic, is immaterial, because this was one of the house anthems of the year. Kinda sad watching the budgets for her videos dry up though

#25 - "Strive" by A$AP Ferg & Missy Elliott
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Every year's "end of" list requires a Missy song quite high up and this was the best of them in 2016. Super catchy, motivational and funny.

#24 - "You Don't Know Love" by Olly Murs
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Obviously everyone and their aunt is vying for that Taylor Swift "Style" sound now and it's a commendable effort because it's resulting in some fantastic bops.

#23 - "False Alarm" by Matoma & Becky Hill
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Tropical house is generally wearing a bit thin now but any genre is capable of producing the occasional pinnacle. I'm sure acid jazz will have its moment soon. Becky continues to "appear on the occasional nice song" and do little else, bless her.

#22 - "On Hold" by the xx
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Jamie xx's solo album was one of my favourite things about 2015 and the tracks with fellow xx bandmates on it were my favourites too, so for them to reform so soon and release a third album was just the tickets. The sample in this is catchy but the centrepiece is their classic dreampop duet sound.

#21 - "Lazarus" by David Bowie
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Obviously one of the most striking videos/songs of the year so yes

#20 - "Burn the Witch" by Radiohead
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When this was popped online I briefly hoped that 'A Moon-Shaped Pool' would be a hark back to the Bends days. It wasn't, of course, but it was a nice month or two of this growing more and more menacing. The video alone... more kids shows should be cartoon/plasticine replicas of The Wicker Man.

#19 - "Heart Don't Stand a Chance" by Anderson .Paak
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Malibu sort-of reminds me of the feelgood nostalgia and well-produced magnificence of To Pimp a Butterfly, and this is one of the groovier cuts.

#18 - "Drone Bomb Me" by ANOHNI
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I didn't quite have "Naomi Campbell crying whilst lipsyncing a now female Anohni (formerly Antony & the Johnsons) song about drone bombs in thigh-high boots" too high up my list of predictions for 2016 but oh boy it's one of the better revelations of the year. The song is gorgeously produced and Anohni's voice is chilling as ever.

#17 - "Pink + White" by Frank Ocean
https://play.spotify.com/track/3xKsf9qdS1CyvXSMEid6g8
Beyonce is somewhere in the background providing vocals on this but Frank's voice is centre-stage.

#16 - "Real Love" by Florrie
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This should have been #1 for at least eight weeks. If Taylor pissing Swift had released it it may have been. Chorus of the year. :clap1:

#15 - "Your Best American Girl" by Mitski
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I really had a thing for the guy in the video but then my head associated him with "looking a bit like Zachary Quinto" and for some reason that killed it for me. Luckily the song gets better each time I hear it.

#14 - "Frankie Sinatra" by The Avalanches
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Oh god I'm so glad they came back :flutter: if you want a music video that best describes TiBB whilst BB11 was airing then this is it.

#13 - "Tilted" by Christine and the Queens
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Never quite hit the top of the charts (or indeed the top ten) but not to worry; it made a strong impression and her album has been dominating 2016. This song is perfect.

#12 - "Chill Out" by Ray BLK & SG Lewis
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OK so I wasn't expecting her to actually win the Sound of 2017 but I'm ecstatic about it. This song is ****ing gorgeous. I know the term "the next Lauryn Hill" gets thrown about all the time but this - and her mini album 'Durt' - is one of the purest and most exciting prospects in years. (Plus the video has African trans women petting rabbits so that's amazing as well).

#11 - "If I Knew" by Bat for Lashes
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With every Bat for Lashes album cycle comes a ballad that makes me want to cry and this is that song. The album tells the story of a bride whose fiance dies on the way to their wedding, and she goes on the honeymoon without him. As well as probably being the premise of Darkwood Isle this year, it's also rather beautiful.

and it's just occurred to me that I've completely forgotten to put any Bon Iver in this list but I'm sure that won't really upset anyone here

[Ashley.]

what I've heard of Kodaline was trite and boring

Their first album was brilliant to be honest

http://i.imgur.com/jdrcCea.gif

[Brooklyn]

the new bon iver is pretty good, but i can't really take it seriously with the moronic titles. so self important.

not even sure what the standout from it is. maybe "00000 million." even typing it out is absurd.

[Shaun]

Right let's get this bit over with.

http://i.imgur.com/zA35vij.png

#10 - "Best to You" by Blood Orange & Empress Of

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Every year seems to have a really 10/10 Dev Hynes track and this was the 2016 edition of that legacy. The whole album is pretty much as solid and enjoyable as this but I had to pick one song!!!!

[Shaun]

#9 - "Glowed Up" by KAYTRANADA & Anderson .Paak

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One of those songs that, for me, I instantly disliked but then found myself humming it and wanting to go back and watch the video again. A little bit extra-terrestrial sounding, and the completely different outro takes me by surprise each time I hear it

[Shaun]

#8 - "Formation" by Beyoncé

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That week back in February where she dropped this just before the Super Bowl was one of the most exciting weeks in music in a long, long time. Lyrically excellent, vocally powerful and the beat is super catchy. Did the hot sauce cost Hillary the election, though?

[Shaun]

#7 - "Blessings" by Chance the Rapper

https://soundcloud.com/chancetherapper/blessings

Just really infectious and has so much going on in it that something new grabs my attention with repeated listens

[Shaun]

#6 - "Never Be Like You" by Flume & Kai

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Going to forever bug me that this was huge in Australia and America but made absolutely no impression over here. Guess we were too busy enjoying Jonas Blue in Spring... smh. Actually well-crafted, original and featuring a great vocal from Kai who I hope doesn't turn out to be a one-hit wonder.

[Shaun]

#5 - "Somebody Else" by The 1975

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The best musical turnaround of 2016 came from the 1975, whose debut in...2013, was it? Was one of the most insufferably bland debut albums in a long time. They may have adopted a touch of pretense with the newer album title and the 3 minute intro on this video, but that's just fine if they're going to follow it up with gorgeous pop music.

[Shaun]

#4 - "I Need You" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

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The whole album is a little difficult to stomach because it deals with the (widely publicised) death of his teenage son a few years ago, but the pain in his vocal on this track in particular is what gut-punched me the most

[Tom4784]

Bat for Lashes to soundtrack Darkwood Isle?

[Shaun]

#3 - "Kiss It Better" by Rihanna

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I know it's quite a bold claim to make, but I'll make it: this is the greatest song Rihanna has ever released. It's straight from the turning point of the 80s and 90s when heartbreakers were being released by Chris Isaak and Alannah Myles and is just effortlessly sexy.

[Shaun]

#2 - "Into You" by Ariana Grande

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Really deserved a better video. There should have been insane hair-whipping choreography to this. At least Don Benjamin is pretty.

[Shaun]

#1 - "Ultralight Beam" by Kanye West (and roughly 84 other people)

https://play.spotify.com/track/0Wi7iEDGFY7I7NkYU6gS4n

This honestly gives me chills every time I hear it. It was going to take a lot to top this when it surfaced back at the start of 2016 and nothing ever did. Chance's verse is excellent, Kelly Price's vocal is transcendent, and then there's the choir throughout that make you question if you do actually believe.

[Tom4784]

:clap1:

[Shaun]

Plowing on. These aren't ranked bc there's only ten of them.

http://i.imgur.com/GHK4P4t.png

"Voodoo In My Blood" by Massive Attack & Young Fathers
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Getting a celebrity in your music video isn't a terribly notable feat in itself in 2016, so it's best to aim for the unexpected: Rosamund Pike (most recently of Gone Girl fame) here is chased through an underpass by a robotic ball that controls her body. It's a captivating video and - minor eye-stabbing aside - oddly satisfying too. Her hair at the end makes her look like a horror villain.

"Kill v. Maim" by Grimes
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A few of these are videos for music released in 2015 but oh well. Depending on who you ask, some would say this is what Tumblr thinks it's like and others would say it looks a hell of a lot of fun. A great mix of comic book heroes, gothic costume and standard romp.

"Angels" by Chance the Rapper & Sabi
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Speaking of comic book heroes... it feels like a long time since rappers made music videos that were actually fun rather than long adverts for luxury designers or bleak social commentaries. A great advert for Chicago, mind.

"Pull Up" by ABRA
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I've admittedly only watched this video since Popjustice championed her about half a year ago - apologies if it turns out she's actually amazing - but this video should've really inspired me to look at more. It's a neon-lit heaven, if heaven can really include someone using the toilet in a Ghostface mask.

"What's It Gonna Be?" by Shura
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The classic high school setting is familiar here but the choices of fashion, romantic affection and general "happy ending for queer people" are (sadly) new and refreshing. Really fun, quite sweet and the song being excellent helps.

"Subways" by the Avalanches
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All of their videos have been excellent - but then that's been true since 1999 (this may be the greatest of all time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLrnkK2YEcE)) - but this animated train ride full of innuendo just about pips the rest to this list. Plus it was my avatar for a while, so...

"Formation" by Beyonce
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yes it's an obvious pick i know but you don't just release videos like this and then let shaun from tibb ignore it on those review threads that like 8 people read

"Daydreaming" by Radiohead
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Didn't really grab me as a song until this video was released, and the fact it's directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (The Master, There Will Be Blood, Boogie Nights) helps cement it as one of the year's greats. A relaxing yet disturbing trip through hundreds of random doors.

"Gosh" by Jamie xx
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Also a 2015 song but shhh. Romain Gavras has been making stunning and all-time great music videos for the likes of M.I.A. (Born Free/Bad Girls), Jay Z/Kanye (No Church in the Wild) and Justice (multiple) for a while now but this may be his greatest video to date. Visually striking from the first second, and the choreography - particularly the scene of everyone running towards the Eiffel Tower - is brilliant. I know I said these weren't in order but this is a clear #1 for me.

"Lazarus" by David Bowie
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Oops forgot the 10th. If he hadn't died I might have made a joke about this being Scott in 40 years when Grindr finally shuts down. Instead it's just a music legend facing death in a brave and novel way. Pfft.

[Jamie89]

"Subways" by the Avalanches
bPIMfOIuEe4
All of their videos have been excellent - but then that's been true since 1999 (this may be the greatest of all time (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLrnkK2YEcE)) - but this animated train ride full of innuendo just about pips the rest to this list. Plus it was my avatar for a while, so...

:clap1: :flutter: (also @ the Frontier Psychiatrist promo)

[Jamie89]

(I think I actually prefer the Since I Left You video to Frontier Psychiatrist though, even though I prefer FP as a song)

[Shaun]

Yeah both are brilliant :love:

[Shaun]

I'm picturing Scott malnourished at the moment because I haven't finished this yet (sorry! work! rarely use my laptop! etc!) so i'll try and get these done before January ends because it's quite clearly 2017 now isn't it

http://i.imgur.com/7tAXlGG.png

I appear to have listened to 93 albums in 2016. Which is quite a good number but probably missing an awful lot of those that've been picking up praise in many other places. Apologies to the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Jenny Hval and Young Thug... didn't find the time, soz.

Of the 43 that don't make my top fifty, the ones that came closest were (51st-61st) Justice, Azealia Banks, Empire of the Sun, The Weeknd, NxWorries, KING, one of Frank Ocean's, AlunaGeorge, The Naked and Famous, AURORA and the Kings of Leon. I'd apologise to them but they either made albums that were average or just not good enough. In fact if you just want a list of scores I gave to the ones that didn't make the cut, then here:

Justice - Woman - 7/10
Azealia Banks - Slay Z - 7/10
Empire of the Sun - Two Vines - 7/10
The Weeknd - Starboy - 7/10
NxWorries - Yes Lawd - 7/10
KING - We Are King - 7/10
Frank Ocean - Endless - 7/10
AlunaGeorge - I Remember - 7/10
The Naked and Famous - Simple Forms - 7/10
AURORA - All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend - 7/10
Kings of Leon - Walls - 7/10
Glass Animals - How to Be a Human Being - 7/10
Regina Spektor - Remember Us to Life - 6.5/10
Sia - This Is Acting - 6.5/10
Sleigh Bells - Jessica Rabbit - 6.5/10
Foxes - All I Need - 6.5/10
Bruno Mars - 24k Magic - 6.5/10
PJ Harvey - The Hope Six Demolition Project - 6.5/10
Blossoms - Blossoms - 6.5/10
M.I.A. - A.I.M. - 6.5/10
Petite Meller - Lil Empire - 6.5/10
Jack Garratt - Phase - 6.5/10
Childish Gambino - Awaken My Love! - 6/10
All Saints - Red Flag - 6/10
Ladyhawke - Wild Things - 6/10
Olly Murs - 24 Hrs - 6/10
Charli XCX - Vroom Vroom - 6/10
Santigold - 99c - 6/10
Tom Odell - Wrong Crowd - 6/10
Nick Jonas - Last Year Was Complicated - 6/10
Gwen Stefani - This is What the Truth Feels Like - 6/10
St. Lucia - Matter - 5.5/10
Majid Jordan - Majid Jordan - 5.5/10
Robbie Williams - The Heavy Entertainment Show - 5.5/10
Britney Spears - Glory - 5.5/10
Clare Maguire - Stranger Things Have Happened - 5/10
Emeli Sande - Long Live the Angels - 5/10
Bright Light Bright Light - Choreography - 5/10
Grouplove - Big Mess - 5/10
The Last Shadow Puppets - Everything You've Come to Expect - 4.5/10
Meghan Trainor - Thank You - 4/10
Little Mix - Glory Days - 4/10
Banks - The Altar - 4/10

Obviously there were probably worse albums than Banks and Little Mix but I try not to go out of my way to listen to a terrible album now. Sorry, fans of those two :worry:

2016 was a great year for albums. Here's the first ten I really liked.

#50 - "SremmLife 2" by Rae Sremmurd
http://cdn-images.deezer.com/images/cover/d9c957b88855e088940f96e955cf26be/200x200-000000-80-0-0.jpg
So obviously there was Black Beatles, which everyone knows. But after listening to their debut album I didn't have a lot to anticipate about this one. It's not a classic, clearly, but it's surprisingly solid and has a number of great tracks: Set the Roof is great fun, Real Chill lives up to its name and Came a Long Way is well-produced.

#49 - "HERE" by Alicia Keys
http://is3.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music71/v4/61/da/8a/61da8a03-23e9-1871-0ce8-22b124d6dbd8/source/200x200bb.png
I think with a little bit of trimming this could've been an excellent comeback, but as it stood it was just a little too long. Some strong retro R&B on her singles "Blended Family" and "In Common", and a politically charged album in a year of many, many politically-charged albums meant it was never destined to stand out but it's got its own merits.

#48 - "Mind of Mine" by ZAYN
http://t04.deviantart.net/zNHMW_KSmgcAoBFx1QX8K4yS0DA=/300x200/filters:fixed_height(100,100):origin()/pre00/e7b3/th/pre/i/2016/086/5/d/zayn___mind_of_mine__deluxe_edition__by_saviourhau nted-d9wqyur.jpg
Obviously having great singles is a good start for a pop album, and 'Wrong' with Kehlani, 'Like I Would' and 'Pillowtalk' are all just that. But it's strong elsewhere too: buzz tracks 'It's You' and 'Befour' are both solid, and the album is well-crafted and a hell of a lot more musically diverse and challenging than the direction his bandmates were headed in (both together, and in their apparent solo efforts - none of which have come close to beating Zayn's yet).

#47 - "Living Life Golden" by Elliphant
http://d2752rta4dscqv.cloudfront.net/ImageCache/elliphant_living_life_golden_0316.3415ec4fb396b01d 2f0a2b1badb1c9bf.jpg
OK so the album cover is pretty terrible, and the idea of a white girl singing in the voice that she has is going to alienate her from a lot, but if you're going to get behind a popstar that tackles current music trends head-on and emerges with at least five excellent singles - Love Me Badder, Where Is Home, Spoon Me, Step Down, Love Me Long - on a debut album, then this is a good place to start. MØ may have usurped her crown (which is a bit rude really considering she's on this album too) but there's room for more than 1, surely?

#46 - "Always Strive and Prosper" by A$AP Ferg
http://d2752rta4dscqv.cloudfront.net/ImageCache/asap_ferg_always_strive_and_prosper_0416.b303ea9d3 019bd9f0dd7777e442f2a81.jpg
It takes a LOT to make me like a song with Chris Brown on it, but A$AP Ferg's album achieved it with 'I Love You'. Big Sean, Missy Elliott, Skrillex, Future and ScHoolboy Q all assist in producing a smorgasbord of A$AP Mob wonder.

#45 - "Cloud Nine" by KYGO
http://cdn-images.deezer.com/images/cover/862fd3783290bde0cd5662f643644242/200x200-000000-80-0-0.jpg
He got in a bit of trouble with accusations of plagiarism on the few tracks that we hadn't already heard through smash singles of 2014 and 2015 - you tell me if his intro (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBlflLaugxs) is the same as this infamous one. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VPKfacgXao) But you don't assemble this collection of songs and have people write it off as a 'bad album'. It's not going to be a new experience for many but if any had escaped the past five years without hearing his trademark sound then now would be a good time to dive in.

#44 - "i like it when you sleep for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it" by The 1975
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1647/24544467144_3580582e66_o.jpg
I was not a fan of their debut (http://www.thisisbigbrother.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6551922&postcount=14). It seems so long ago now, because the change in music style on this is staggering. It is still far too lengthy, of course [/things Smithy wouldn't say] but there is so much to enjoy about this that it's silly. Writing the album title has taken it out of me to bestow any more love for now, though.

#43 - "Nightride" by Tinashe
http://is1.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music71/v4/55/cd/89/55cd8960-ea66-2a1a-5554-438977fd0457/source/200x200bb.png
It seems like I've been saying forever that I don't quite know where to place Tinashe. Of course this could be interpreted as a compliment if you're trying to pride yourself on your unpredictability and originality but she's often a popstar of "almosts". And comparing her to contemporaries always has an unfortunate tendency to place her second best. But if you were to stumble across 'Nightride' out of nowhere, you would find a gorgeous voice doing satisfying R&B.

#42 - "55" by The Knocks
https://files.musicmp3.ru/bcovers/alb97736.jpg
I stumbled across them purely through chance - but it's been three or four years in the making. Albums of course aren't quite the best format for groups like the Knocks, because this is essentially a collection of marvellous singles, but I'm too entrenched in my ways to consider listening to music in any other format. A star-studded list of features - Carly Rae Jepsen, Wyclef Jean, Alex Newell, Fetty Wap - build a pretty impressive debut.

#41 - "Boy King" by Wild Beasts
http://is2.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music18/v4/6f/e3/99/6fe399db-1bec-a211-b7ec-5868217ef0d1/source/200x200bb.png
The last three albums they released (I can't say I'm aware of their debut) all seemed to follow a similar musical direction that, whilst a lot stronger in terms of songwriting than this, grew a little tiresome. Boy King sees them rock up a bit, and the results are odd, but fun. Still a lot worse than Smother/Present Tense though.

[Shaun]

10 more then :cheer2:

http://i.imgur.com/7tAXlGG.png

#40 - "Honey" by Katy B
http://cdn-images.deezer.com/images/cover/f1b8fc83ffd4d09233e1fd2baff63cf0/200x200-000000-80-0-0.jpg
I don't think there will ever come a time where there's an object that can be identified as "a bad Katy B album", but this skated quite close to the edge for some. I can see why: it's a collection of random producers and DJs that are a lot more chilled-out than her older garage/dubstep sounds and it's not a terribly exciting listen. But for a winding down gathering it'd be pretty wonderful.

#39 - "Front Row Seat to Earth" by Weyes Blood
https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/imgrec/sl-111286.jpg
Her third album but the first I've heard, she came to my attention because of a future collaboration with Perfume Genius. Turns out she's done stuff with Ariel Pink too. In my head those are exciting names, but I admit on TiBB they're probably foreign-sounding appetisers. This album was an eye-opener for me, though, and she's something like an updated Karen Carpenter.

#38 - "Joanne" by Lady GaGa
http://is5.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music71/v4/d5/2d/92/d52d92db-90de-9270-0851-0292e5055fd4/source/200x200bb.png
Lady GaGa album cycles invariably come along with trying moments: will it match the Fame Monster, will she have RedOne back, is Beyonce going to finish that story, has she ditched the jazz crap? All questions that flatter her command on the world of pop. Perhaps the buzz flattered to deceive: Joanne landed with not so much a bang as a light thud. It's an odd direction for her, not without its fun songs and misfires, but five years ago we were all lauding her unpredictability and now we seem to bemoan it. Joanne is a pretty decent-to-good album.

#37 - "A Seat at the Table" by Solange
http://cdn-images.deezer.com/images/cover/36b361c2c916b333a0b7c6f949c32099/200x200-000000-80-0-0.jpg
I would imagine it's inevitable that this'll creep further the list retrospectively but as of January 30, 2017, Shaun Collins cannot grasp what it is about this album that is supposedly Pitchfork's best of 2016. It is good. It has great tracks. But it's so padded out with waffle and really not all that memorable to me?

#36 - "Night Thoughts" by Suede
http://www.suede.co.uk/night_thoughts_media/videos/tbyt.jpg
They've been pottering about with mediocrity since 1996's 'Coming Up' album. Even 2013's "Bloodsports" - which was received well - wasn't up to much for me, but something clicked with this album and Suede became a band I liked again.

#35 - "Love You to Death" by Tegan and Sara
http://d2752rta4dscqv.cloudfront.net/ImageCache/tegan_and_sara_love_you_to_death_0616.3d23c45003ec 9777b2e17fa0214395f7.jpg
Whilst the artwork is markedly similar to Taylor Swift's "1989", and it was never going to match the record label money spent on such a project, "Love You to Death" almost as overblown and majestic as it. They've become almost rivals to Robyn now in their sheer dependability with which they release excellent pop music. Speaking of which...

#34 - "Emotion: Side B" by Carly Rae Jepsen
http://is3.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music41/v4/ef/7c/b5/ef7cb55b-d7a9-840b-1f7e-0ecec504fe89/source/200x200bb.png
If you are a queer person online (and let's face it, 67% of you are), chances are you're already sick of reading about her. I hope this doesn't serve as a barrier between you listening to the second wave of her 'Emotion' albums, though, because you'd be missing out on a lot of fun. 'Higher', 'Roses', 'The One' and 'Fever' could've all easily crept onto the main event in 2015, but for now they serve as highlights from a surprisingly solid group of eight off-cuts. 'Store' kinda sucks though. Sorry not sorry.

#33 - "Summer 08" by Metronomy
https://www.banquetrecords.com/item.png?SUMMER08
In the three albums now that I've been following Metronomy (a local band to me, which is rare) all of them have been complete surprises and 180 turns of genre and inspiration from the last. Where 'Love Letters' embraced psychedelia and space-age imagery, 'Summer 08' stomps into a weird 70s disco that is just as captivating.

#32 - "Lady Wood" by Tove Lo
https://artwork-cdn.7static.com/static/img/sleeveart/00/058/625/0005862582_200.jpg
It didn't come as a huge surprise that Tove Lo didn't quite come back to the same success that the likes of 'Talking Body' and 'Habits' did from her first record, but what she may have lost in commercial marketability she's more than made up for - in honing albums without significant gaps of lapsed interest. 'Queen of the Clouds', for all of its innovation, was very stop-start. 'Lady Wood' cannot really be faulted.

#31 - "Super" by Pet Shop Boys
https://www.banquetrecords.com/item.png?PSBSUPER
I understand that the idea of still listening to the Pet Shop Boys in 2016 is not going to be a terribly popular idea. I also understand that "they've still got it!" is the cry of a defeated man. But I like them :(

[Pete.]

Let Store live

[Jamie89]

I love (most of) Joanne :flutter: Solange too :clap2:

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

Shaun Collins cannot grasp what it is about this album that is supposedly Pitchfork's best of 2016. It is good. It has great tracks. But it's so padded out with waffle and really not all that memorable to me?

Let me critique your review. Your inane blathering makes me embarrassed for you. You're pretty clueless when it comes to music and even basic writing. You have no business reviewing anything. You should go back to flipping burgers.

[Shaun]

:joker:

and then she went and made herself the most hated woman in the world

GSA 1-0 Natalia Kills stan

[Shaun]

Not long left!!!! (although I still intend on posting my 10 favourite artworks, 10 biggest disappointments and...no that's it actually. Not bothering with a '10 worst songs' or '10 worst albums' thing bc I generally avoid albums if I think they're going to be especially bad now).

Could do songs I suppose...

http://i.imgur.com/7tAXlGG.png

#30 - "Anti" by Rihanna
http://popandpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/rihanna-anti-cover-art-copy-200x200.jpg
I know a lot of this album was a load of old rubbish (which is why it doesn't place higher, I suppose) but the bits that she got right were some of her career-bests. 'Consideration', 'James Joint', 'Close to You', 'Higher' and of course 'Kiss It Better' are all very fine tracks indeed, and who'd have seen a Tame Impala cover coming? Could grow on me a bit more with time, too.

#29 - "There's Alot Going On" by Vic Mensa
http://is2.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music60/v4/9e/d3/5d/9ed35de3-fac4-a816-eef5-7ab57c66c8fd/source/200x200bb.png
Still awaiting that debut album, but this EP was more than enough to tide me over... at only seven tracks it might not endure in many memories but it's a great opening act for the main event. 'Danger', 'New Bae' and the title track were all great.

#28 - "Views" by Drake
http://cdn-images.deezer.com/images/cover/f42a9b3f041d22c93386186a83191011/200x200-000000-80-0-0.jpg
Still making albums a little too overblown to challenge for the "best of our time" accolades, and I really really wish the memes and the Twitter chat that comes with each new Drake release would die already, but as long as each new LP contains strengths like 'Too Good', 'Feel No Ways', 'Controlla' and 'Still Here' - not to mention the obvious mega hit - then I'll let him live.

#27 - "Roosevelt" by Roosevelt
https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8130/29166858940_91e127215f_o.jpg
A great debut dance record, and I suppose it's pertinent that I applaud something German from 2016 after the referendum.

#26 - "Skin" by Flume
https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/imgrec/sl-109438.jpg
Not a debut like Roosevelt but it felt just as much of a startling breakthrough. A pretty star-studded affair with tracks from AlunaGeorge, Beck, Tove Lo and Vince Staples, it does have a tendency to leave you wondering how on earth it all comes together, but the component parts are almost all brilliant.

#25 - "Dangerous Woman" by Ariana Grande
http://e-cdn-images.deezer.com/images/cover/78c89acae365bd0ba4829e891fa834ec/200x200-000000-80-0-0.jpg
It doesn't seem like a terribly unique thing any more, to produce an excellent pop album, after the efforts we've seen in recent years from Carly Rae Jepsen, Taylor Swift, Ke$ha, Robyn and Kelis (and Beyonce, of course), but as they become more and more mainstream and the stars releasing them are bigger names, you can't help but marvel at certain record labels' abilities to get their **** together. Grande's third is far and away her best, and even non-singles like 'Thinking Bout You', deluxe tracks like 'Touch It' and odd surprise collaborations like 'Leave Me Lonely' with Macy Gray (remember her?) leave you pretty wigless.

#24 - "Love and Hate" by Michael Kiwanuka
https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/imgrec/sl-110005.jpg
We're now entering the territory where I fret and worry that I've placed albums too low: all albums from this point forward were scored 8/10 or higher by me. His first album - the foundations of which picked him up the BBC Sound of 2014 award - was largely forgotten (whilst pleasant), but the follow-up was unprecedented in its power. It's a heavy listen, incredibly political and features some masterpieces. Yeah I think I've placed it too low :(

#23 - "For All We Know" by Nao
http://e-cdn-images.deezer.com/images/cover/9243d8faa84646d0b54be19d93b80acf/200x200-000000-80-0-0.jpg
When trying to nominate for "breakthrough" categories at the end of 2016 I did briefly consider the idea that there weren't really many and that perhaps 2016 was a poor year for debuts. This album serves as a solid argument to the contrary: British electronic musician Nao dropped one of the year's most exciting records. Her ear for a great beat and soulful vocals make it a great listen.

#22 - "Durt" by Ray BLK
https://artwork-cdn.7static.com/static/img/sleeveart/00/058/333/0005833367_200.jpg
...and if the names that were floated around for the BBC Sound of 2017 were anything to go by, then this year's breakthroughs should be stellar. Step forward the winner: Ray BLK. Her second EP, Durt, was released in October and is a collection of her biggest singles out on YouTube, and there's so much to get excited by; the feature spot from Stormzy, the masterful production, her own wordplay. 'Chill Out' continues to grow on me and may be one of my favourite songs of the decade, and the rest of 'Durt' is almost as strong.

#21 - "The Bride" by Bat for Lashes
https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/imgrec/sl-108309.jpg
I didn't immediately love this - certainly not as much as the previous effort 'The Haunted Man' anyway - but the theme behind it was so heartbreaking and a little terrifying that it didn't take too long to strike a chord. A record about a woman whose fiance dies on their wedding day, it's a dark but beautiful album of loss and grief.

[Shaun]

Lalalalalalala...

http://i.imgur.com/7tAXlGG.png

#20 - "Untitled Unmastered" by Kendrick Lamar
https://files.musicmp3.ru/bcovers/alb97743.jpg
Was never going to dominate 2016 given its nature as a collection of offcuts without titles, artwork or promotion, but it's a fairly solid selection of eight tracks. Of course, stacked next to the two proper albums before it, it may be quickly forgotten.

#19 - "The Life of Pablo" by Kanye West
http://e-cdn-images.deezer.com/images/cover/e055ecc8d01680cda0460017087728be/200x200-000000-80-0-0.jpg
I haven't got over just how awful the artwork for this is, yet. Like, there's deviating from the idea of "eye-catching art" and then there's dicking around on Microsoft Paint at primary school. The album itself? It may be one of West's weakest... in fact it is... but its highlights are good enough to warrant a top twenty placing. The editing and cutting process of it was extremely well-publicised (by West himself) and it did get to the stage where I felt he didn't have any idea of what he wanted to present: even with all of its post-release edits and tweaks, it's relatively flawed. But the foundations are all there for another Kanye classic, and some tracks will be some of his career-best if he ever does retire.

#18 - "Chaleur Humaine" by Christine and the Queens
https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/imgrec/sl-109537.jpg
Released originally in France in 2014, her breakthrough in 2016 was most unexpected. The idea of a French genderfluid person being one of Britain's most beloved new musicians in the same year as Brexit is quite laughable on paper, but her stage presence, unique performance styles and a bag of memorable songs made it quite justifiable.

#17 - "A Moon Shaped Pool" by Radiohead
http://static.metacritic.com/images/products/music/9/e65081daca2efb25fc9b64d83981fde5.jpg
Now approaching the part of the list where everyone could've arguably made the top ten on a good day, but the competition was just so tight. Five years after the terribly divisive 'King of Limbs' came their ninth album, and probably their strongest since Kid A. Many would argue the merits of In Rainbows ahead of this and that's fine, since arguing over which is the best Radiohead album is often like arguing over how to make the best cup of tea; 'True Love Waits' finally got its centre stage moment and all of the surroundings were just as rewarding.

#16 - "99.9%" by Kaytranada
http://dhgkpqsiufwl2.cloudfront.net/media/ArticleSharedImage/image200/.f7MJmFQV/ArticleSharedImage-61999.jpg
It won Canada's equivalent of the Mercury Prize and it's not hard to see why: the album contains some of the most exciting and wonderful production in a long time. He's worked and written for Alicia Keys, Katy B, Craig David, Chance the Rapper and Azealia Banks and that's just in 2016 alone: given time and honing he can only grow from here. 99.9% doesn't require a lot more to be the perfect 100 after all.

#15 - "Nothing's Real" by Shura
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As already mentioned in the singles countdown, the fact that most of this album had already been floating around as singles and soundcloud files for the more diehard of Shura fans meant that this debut's eventual release wasn't quite as impactful for me as it should've been. For the casual pop fan though - I do envy you - this would be a perfect pop record upon hearing for the first time.

#14 - "Puberty 2" by Mitski
https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/imgrec/sl-109809.jpg
(thank you Scott)
This year was the first I'd heard of her, but this is her fourth LP now. That it's her first with a Wikipedia page might illustrate its status as something of a breakthrough, however. I look forward to (eventually) getting around to the three that precede it, but for now, Puberty 2 is captivating enough to keep me entertained for a while. Her song titles might sound like things Scott says whilst huffing glue ("I BET ON LOSING DOGS", he cries), and that's part of its charm.

#13 - "Malibu" by Anderson .Paak
https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/imgrec/sl-107170.jpg
Another breakthrough that isn't strictly a breakthrough, Anderson's second album was strong enough for even the BBC to pay attention. Not enough to put him above whatever a 'Jorja Smith' is, but that battle's a lost cause. 'Malibu' is a sort-of psychedelic, soulful masterpiece that is only topped by two other hip hop records of 2016. One's immediately to come and the other scrapes into the top ten. But this is one of those albums that stands alone entirely on its own terms: it's difficult to describe with genres but is perhaps best described as Anderson .Paak's little world.

#12 - "Coloring Book" by Chance the Rapper
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"He said let's do a good-ass job with Chance 3, I hear you gotta sell it to snatch the Grammy. Let's make it so free and the bars so hard that there ain't one gosh darn part that you can't tweet." - Chance's own words on a little song called Ultralight Beam that preceded the release of this, his third mixtape, by roughly three months. Were it eligible for those awards and were Chance more concerned with coins than free music, this would surely sweep the board, but is there something commendable about taking his road? Sure. He stands as a refreshing alternative to the legions of artists out to boast their own wealth, but that's really of some insignificance when it comes to his music. Faith, Chicago, his daughter and his other relationships all make for some of the drawings in this coloring book, and it's more than a little enjoyable.

#11 - "The Colour in Anything" by James Blake
https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/imgrec/sl-109498.jpg
In hindsight I may have been a little harsh on Blake's debut album. That I've gone on to love Overgrown and now this should indicate that I've probably changed my stance on his sound somewhat. In the same year that James Blake has written not one but two songs for Beyonce's Lemonade, he's welcomed Frank Ocean, Bon Iver and Rick Rubin onto his own work - hell, he only needs Drake and he's won Hipster Bingo. Those two tracks on Lemonade may be a lot stronger than what's on display here, but he's made a great step here from indie darling to production superstar.

[Jamie89]

Her song titles might sound like things Scott says whilst huffing glue

:laugh2:

Christine, Radiohead and Mitski <3

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

:joker::joker:

[Shaun]

right let's get this over with

http://i.imgur.com/7tAXlGG.png

#10 - "Atrocity Exhibition" by Danny Brown
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It's just... idk... I thought I had put Danny Brown into a box where he was yapping and running around like a ball of energy, with little else to surprise or impress me in terms or production and lyrical output, but then this happened and I didn't really expect it. His previous albums were both strong but I feel like this somehow surpassed both of them? I'm not sure. It's a Mad Hatter's Tea Party of drugs, paranoia and violence, and pretty compelling.

#9 - "Hopelessness" by ANOHNI
http://www.codamusic.co.uk/img/dyn/products/large/471750-large.jpg
Her first solo album, and also her first with her new name, saw her take a huge departure from the style of Antony + the Johnsons and embrace electronics. The album's political enough to get Alf and LeatherTrumpet to moan about it when she (hopefully) wins Best Female at the BRITS soon, tackling issues like capital punishment, Barack Obama's presidency and war, but retains the same kind of poetic beauty that thrived on her albums with her band. Some of the tracks are career-bests, and when that career includes the likes of 'Hope There's Someone' and 'Cut the World', that's high praise indeed.

#8 - "My Woman" by Angel Olsen
http://www.codamusic.co.uk/img/dyn/products/large/528326-large.jpg
I know it's a childish impulse to go all "yes X is nice but she's not as good as Y", so I did briefly flirt with the idea that Mitski vs. Angel Olsen was a thing I wanted to tackle and instigate in this list, but given it's a ranking I guess Angel won anyway? Sorry Scott. Their sounds are similar and in a year that PJ Harvey collapsed under her own pretentious weight, there were many stepping forward to take her crown. For me, this was the most consistent and mind-blowing album from a solo rock/alt-rock/whatever woman.

#7 - "22, A Million" by Bon Iver
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I like Bon Iver ok

#6 - "Skeleton Tree" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
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Dark as hell and maybe the saddest album I've ever heard? I dunno, it's sort of on the same level as Joni Mitchell's Blue in terms of tugging at my heart.

#5 - "Wildflower" by The Avalanches
https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/imgrec/sl-109914.jpg
I would appreciate not having to wait another 17 years for the next album. In a year of frightening politics, endless death and terrorism, this was a brief flicker of optimism and colourful fun. Their unique production style was the perfect method of execution for a psychedelic, beautiful album that'd sit happily and strongly next to the likes of Sgt. Pepper's or Love's 'Forever Changes'.

#4 - "Freetown Sound" by Blood Orange
https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/imgrec/sl-110622.jpg
Another monster of an album (at 17 tracks and 59 minutes), Dev Hynes' latest masterpiece was the perfect blend of the funk & grooves of Prince (I honestly believe that Hynes may be the reincarnation of him) and the fraught world-view and cutting insight of 70s-era Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Freetown Sound should go down as one of the greatest albums on black identity... if not of all time, then certainly the past 30 years.

#3 - "Blackstar" by David Bowie
http://images.popmatters.com/music_cover_art/d/davidbowieblackstarcover.jpg
The second stage of five in dealing with grief is anger, and for a brief while I did feel it: specifically because after decades of nothing, certainly nothing of much strength, released by David Bowie, he popped back in 2013 with the brilliant 'The Next Day'. All seemed to be great, and it turned out his follow-up would be too. That it would be his last was the most unpleasant of surprises. The mental strength and solemnity with which this must have been recorded is something I've yet to understand, but something I'll forever admire. 'Dollar Days', 'Lazarus' and 'I Can't Give Everything Away' are particular highlights, and nicely serve as the Low or Lodger alternatives to much of the more early Bowie-sounding tracks available on The Next Day.

#2 - "Lemonade" by Beyoncé
https://files.musicmp3.ru/bcovers/alb98422.jpg
Just phenomenal. I toyed with placing this at #1 for a long time - in fact everything in this top four has been #1 for at least a month or two over the course of 2016 :laugh: - and whilst the singles and tracks definitely stand more memorable than those available on my winner, it would seem that Lemonade losing out is the recurring theme of 2017. Not a single weak track, and some of the most startlingly personal lyrics and poignant melodies ever released by the most compelling woman in music right now.

#1 - "Blonde" by Frank Ocean
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In 2012, I put 'Channel Orange' second to a staunchly political masterpiece (good kid, m.A.A.d city). It really did look like I was going to do the same for his follow-up - perhaps just out of spite for it taking so long to surface more than anything. The hype that surrounded it would be enough to quash even the highest of expectations and leave you disappointed but Blonde did nothing of the sort. I haven't had nearly as much free time as I used to to let albums sink in so I've probably yet to fully let Blonde sink in, but oh god it's so good

[Gstar]

:clap1: :clap1:

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

:(

[Marsh.]

Where is Mel C?

[Shaun]

She was disqualified for being a lesbian

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

i really don't GET the lemonade hype ahtcbgcbh like idk

[Marsh.]

i really don't GET the lemonade hype ahtcbgcbh like idk

why are you so contrary just for the sake of itt

[Shaun]

yeah piss off to the controversial music opinions thread with the other desperate-to-be-edgy ASSHOLES