Top 101 Songs of 2016

For a lot of people 2016 wasn’t the greatest year. From political turmoil and the failure of democracies all around the globe to terrorism and ISIS. But when humanity is so bad we need great music to cheer us up. 2016 had plenty.

#SubwayStop January

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

This January has been exceptionally full of music, and don’t get me wrong, it’s common to have some great album dropping out this month or late December and sticking for the rest of the year; but this year everything has been crazy. In the past there are examples of catchy albums that stuck around for a full year even though they had early releases: there was Destroyer’s Kaput back in 2011 or Beyoncé’s self-titled in December 2013 dominating all 2014, just to name a few.

January 2015 has had a lot of albums coming out: Joey Bada$$ commercial debut being the first great hip hop album of the year. Viet Cong releasing a solid debut and trying to change a little the sound of Women (the previous band of some bandmates). Björk pulling a Beyoncé and releasing her album out of nowhere after it got leaked in her most focused album in years. Dawn Richard with her second album of the Heart Trilogy. The return of Sleater Kinney with a vital album that doesn’t try to be nostalgic to their previous success and rather expands the brand a little bit. Noah Lennox with another Panda Bear album…You get the picture, there has been a lot of things going on.

Still, given of all things coming out this year I’m starting to ask myself a question, will 2014 be the year of nostalgia and flashbacks of artists recreating amazing 60’s and 70’s inspired music? From Joey Bada$$ taking on old school hip hop and reliving the Boom Bap to Tobias Jesso Jr.; could the year-end lists of 2015 end up looking like the biggest pastiche music has ever had? More so in the singer-songwritter style that’s starting strong with close sounds to The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Dusty Springfield and even Joni Mitchell and Nico. In the past, young kids like Jake Bugg or more seasoned artists like The Tallest Man on Earth took the Bob Dylan style to new territory, we’ve also had our fair share of Leonard Cohen wannabes around and the David Bowie wannabes, we’ve indulged in 70’s psychedelic rock with guys like Tame Impala or Foxygen, there has always been flashbacks, but I think that this year they’re attacking from everywhere with quality music. If the trend persists, 2015 will be a pastiche.

Let’s take some time and dive into the more obvious and the less obvious music that, in my opinion, could stick around for 2015, new music, music that had 2014 teases but 2015 releases and, of course, the last year jam that is starting to win memento this first month of the year. Let’s open up a conversation.

Watch: St. Vincent – “Birth In Reverse” Music Video

Watch the galactic and psychedelic video for St. Vincent’s “Birth In Reverse” song.

Album Review: D’Angelo and The Vanguards – Black Messiah

Finally, the highly anticipated album from D’Angelo is out, after almost 15 years of waiting! D’Angelo has had two previous works; Brown Sugar in the 90’s and Voodoo in 2000, both game changing and classic albums for modern R&B. And he’s done it again.

#BlackMessiahComingSoon D’Angelo and The Vanguard – Black Messiah

OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG!

Watch: Dan Deacon – “Feel The Lightning” Music Video

Dan Deacon releases a video of the song Feel The Lightning from his upcoming album Gliss Riffer

Watch: Hurray For The Riff Raff – “The Body Electric” Music Video

This video is about making a statement and bringing back a political stand in music.

Album Review: Wu-Tang Clan – A Better Tomorrow

The Wu-Tang Clan is one of those Essential bands that has an Essential Collection around. 20 plus years have passed since the infamous “Enter The Wu-Tang Clan (36 Chambers)” 90’s classic and on their sixth album they try to go deeper on their experimental side. A Better Tomorrow might not be the best hip hop album on their discography, in fact, is very far from being a classic album, but it has it’s merits; like legendary Ol’ Dirty Bastard coming back to life with new verses.

Watch: Joey Bada$$ – “No. 99” Music Video

Now that we’ve listened to the music, we’ve got a video.

Watch: Twin Shadow – “Turn Me Up” Video

First single of Twin Shadow’s Eclipse album.