Top 20 Albums of 2016 (PART 2)

Before I list down my top 10 albums of 2016, I thought I would give my honorable mentions that didn't quite make my list:

Black Foxxes - I'm Not Well
Broods - Conscious
Deap Vally - Femijism
Highly Suspect - The Boy Who Died Wolf
Kings of Leon - WALLS
letlive. - If I'm The Devil
Moose Blood - Blush
PUP - The Dream Is Over
Shura - Nothing's Real
Weezer - The White Album

10. Bon Iver - 22, A Million

I wasn't sure whether Justin Vernon was just being kitschy with this album as he strands away from the folk-ish style from his previous albums, and experimenting with its production using samples, glitches and tricks almost like Radiohead's Kid A. Although it sounds abrasive, Vernon's lyrical ability flourishes and there is a lot of layered complexity within the tracks. This album will take time for the audience to get used to but will eventually admire what the purpose and intention was with this album.

Check Out: "45", "22 (Over Soon)", "33 "GOD""
For Fans Of: Radiohead, Jamie xx, James Blake





9. Kero Kero Bonito - Graduation

Stumbling upon their single "Flamingo" on YouTube got me intrigued because of its sugarcoated pop style and sound blended with so many influences like 90s trance, J-pop, and trip hop so I went to listen to this album, unexpected of what's to come. Its production is cheerful and filled with massive singles that are annoyingly catchy despite most tracks being understandable (mostly in Japanese) but discusses simple but honest topics complemented with vocalist Sarah Midori Perry's sweet lyricism. Be warned, it's an acquired taste but it'll surely brighten up your day.

Check Out: Lipslap, Trampoline, Break
For Fans Of: Grimes, The Naked and Famous



8. Crystal Castles - Amnesty (I)

Never thought I would hear a new Crystal Castles track since vocalist Alice Glass left and considering the line up change, the tracks they have recently produced are still just as good as their previous albums, they still have that familiar gothic tone within this album but thanks to new vocalist Edith Frances' lyricism focusing on themes of freedom and liberation from oppression injected within unrelenting dance tracks and some slow burners, this is a brilliant comeback album for the duo.

Check Out: Frail, Kept, Char
For Fans Of: Metric, The Knife, Sleigh Bells





7. Milk Teeth - Vile Child



This Bristolian band have built quite a reputation within the punk rock scene as their EPs Smiling Politely and Sad Sack were very promising, but this debut album is a nostalgic throwback to 90s grunge that is very sentimental to troubled teenagehood. It resonates through hard-hitting emotions thanks to its honesty within the song-writing and dexterity within its ever-changing stylings.

Check Out: Kabuki, Brain Food, Swear Jar (again)
For Fans Of: Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Hole






6. Basement - Promise Everything



After a three year hiatus, they are back with the same cohesiveness and dynamic they had from their past albums which made them fresh within the emo scene in the first place. Constructed with lushing melodies and brooding angst in almost every track but refined with new found maturity and confidence with its crisp production, Basement is one of the few bands to produce such an angsty album with subtlety and optimism.

Check Out: Aquasun, Promise Everything
For Fans Of: Brand New, The Wonder Years






5. Issues - Headspace



By far an improvement to their self-titled debut album, they are taking so many risks, from vocalist Michael Bohn handling more clean vocal duties than screaming, Tyler Carter exploring his vocal range, and the band tampering with different mixes of genre from country, jazz, funk and hip hop within a post-hardcore album by utilizing jazz chords and choppy rhythm progression. They have developed in a mature level without ruining the fun, thanks to the two frontmen with strong personalities complementing each other. This album's replayability is endless.

Check Out: Flojo, The Realest
For Fans Of: Bring Me The Horizon



4. Deftones - Gore

They have been a band for 20 years and I would have thought Deftones would start to lose their charm and unpredictability. But their creative songwriting and dynamic hits their peak as this eight album has acuity and depth that we have not explored before in their past discography. Experimenting with some tracks may have not worked, but the complete album is the quintessential melody-heavy Deftones sound with lots of very fresh, unique and interesting ideas without being too chaotic. The more you approach this album, the more your opinion will change on different aspects.

Check Out: Phantom Bride, Doomed User
For Fans Of: Alice In Chains. Tool



3. The 1975 - I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it

After the massive success of their self-titled debut album, they have done a complete slate with their image, completely eclipsed the acclaim and fame they have received and they strained that message within this album. It's filled with catchy radio friendly tracks and ambient experimental interludes, but it's the overall production that flourishes here. Vocalist Matt Healy's witty lyricism concerning religion, image and fame brings out different vibes within an expansive 17-track collection. This effervescent record has more iconoclastic character than its debut, and goes deeper than you'd imagine.

Check Out: If I Believe You, Love Me
For Fans Of: My Bloody Valentine, Sigur Rós


2. Childish Gambino - Awaken, My Love!

Donald Glover is one of the only few to pull off releasing an album that completely strands off the genre he is known for. Here out of the blue, he has unexpectedly presented us a retro-futuristic album, paying homage to 70s psychedelic rock, funk and soul and Glover goes beyond the limitations within his vocal range, utilising unbelievable falsettos and beautifully layered vocals blending with its groovy yet complex instrumentals. Few tracks seems out of place but I understand the satirical comment Glover gives, which he also offers commentary on black culture, parenthood and his anxieties as a new father throughout the album. Fans, expect to have plenty of listens to appreciate this album.

Check Out: Redbone, Stand Tall, Terrified
For Fans Of: Funkadelic, Tame Impala, Prince

1. Bruno Mars - 24K Magic

What else is there to say other than this album is near perfection. The production itself is flawless, and every track is a possible hit. Bruno Mars have crafted these exuberant 9 tracks that brings back the sounds of the 80s and 90s hip-hop and R&B in a fresh way that will get everyone on the dancefloor thanks to Bruno's mischievous tongue in cheek lyrics and vocal abilities that shine throughout these throwback influenced jams, giving an overall funky vibe. Bruno Mars might have just released an instant classic like Michael Jackson's Thriller, only time will tell.

Check Out: There are only 9 tracks, check the entire album out
For Fans Of: Michael Jackson, Prince, James Brown