Top 20 Albums of 2016 (PART 1)

2016 was a tragic year for everyone, countless celebrity deaths, a concerning shift with today's politics, but at least we can agree 2016 was a great year for music as I list down my favourite albums that was released.

20. Skepta - Konnichiwa


Even if you are not an admirer of this type of genre, this album is the definitive grime sound. Skepta experiments with some insane samples, unpredictable production and lyrical dexterity that makes him one of the best in the business right now.


Check Out: Man, Numbers

For Fans Of: Boy Better Know, Kano, Stormzy









19. Dance Gavin Dance - Mothership


Their past two albums have been mediocre as the current singer Tillian Pearson's vocal style have drastically changed the band's sound for a more poppy direction but in this album they have experimented different styles from electronic to 70s funk blended in their post-hardcore technical abilities and Pearson explores his vocal range that are far superior than his past work.


Check Out: Young Robot, Flossie Dickey Bounce, Inspire The Liars

For Fans Of: Circa Survive, The Fall Of Troy






18. Roosevelt - Roosevelt



Marius Lauber knows how to blend indie rock and electronic together in this album as it gives out some techno-infused pop ranging his music inspired from different decades, throwing some funky basslines some 80's Casio tones and tropical instruments. It's catchy and it gives an overall easygoing vibe that would make the perfect night out soundtrack.


Check Out: Belong, Night Moves

For Fans Of: Hot Chip, Glass Animals






17. Hands Like Houses - Dissonants

Not all tracks are necessarily a standout but the post-hardcore band are one of the few bands in the scene that goes more aggressive than their previous efforts as they throw in some djent riffs and metalcore breakdowns out of their comfort zone within their anthemic tracks, it's thoroughly catchy, the production is more refined and vocalist Trenton Woodley's lyrical content is more visceral and poetic than ever.

Check Out: New Romantics, I Am, Colourblind

For Fans Of: Our Last Night, Pierce The Veil, Memphis May Fire




16. HalfNoise - Sudden Feeling

It's definitely an improvement to his debut album Volcano Crowe, changing his style to a more danceable indie pop vibe as almost every track is high tempo and wavy with its mesmerizing riffs combining the vintage 80s synthesizers that's loud yet beautiful. It's short but packed with upbeat summer tracks that feels sensational considering it's mostly about the concept of breakups, just expect some of the tracks on the Spotify Chilled Indie playlists anytime soon.

Check Out: Sudden Feeling, Pictures Of You, Know The Feeling

For Fans Of: Tame Impala



15. Touché Amore - Stage Four



This concept album influenced by the death of vocalist Jeremy Bolm's mother from cancer, is heart-wrenchingly beautiful, expressing the story with such clarity and emotion without being too depressing. It's still fresh, aggressive and relentless which they are mainly known for.

Check Out: Palm Dreams, Skyscraper

For Fans Of: La Dispute, Being As An Ocean









14. Warpaint - Heads Up!

Maybe this album seemed more rushed rather than spontaneous, it's not in the same level as with their last effort self-titled album but because of the influences the members had with their side projects, like JennyLee's album Right On!, there's fresh sounds and style incorporated within this album. From undeniably danceable pop tracks and gorgeous yet intense sounds, they have taken their hypnotic sensuality to different directions.

Check Out: Heads Up, New Song, Dre

For Fans Of: The Kills, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bat For Lashes





13. Architects - All Gods Have Abandoned Us


Despite following the similar vein of style from their previous album Lost Forever // Lost Together, it still packs with aggressive tracks with important political messages and influences some electronic sounds. The recent death of guitarist and songwriter Tom Searle make its atmospheric production much more haunting, it's certainly their heaviest and darkest album to date.


Check Out: Memento Mori, A Match Made In Heaven, Nihilist

For Fans Of: Parkway Drive, While She Sleeps, Enter Shikari




12. Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool

Their latest effort is less experimental than their previous works but it's soothing and elegant with those little details of edgy and cynical sounds, putting you through different emotions. There's perfectionism and ambition within this record, and almost cinematic with its brooding and symphonic arrangements, which is a step up to The King of Limbs.

Check Out: The Numbers, Burn The Witch, True Love Waits

For Fans Of: Massive Attack, Bjork





11. Young Guns - Echoes

It almost seemed like their previous album Ones and Zeros was recently released so I had the lowest expectations with this album for its immediacy. However, it is their most honest and emotional album since their debut All Our Kings Are Dead, but also subtly throwing in electronic sounds within some anthemic tracks that are innately catchy, it's less visceral than their previous effort but it's more abstract thanks to its lyrical content. They're finally polishing their overall sound.

Check Out: Living In A Dream Is Easy, Echoes

For Fans Of: Mallory Knox, Lower Than Atlantis