My 6 Favorite Albums of 2016
In no particular order.
Between the long-awaited return of Frank Ocean, the world’s recognition of Solange, and the metamorphosis of Childish Gambino, there is no doubt that this year left its mark on the music industry in an unforeseen way. However, there certainly were several moments in 2016 when it seemed that music would never be the same due to due the innovators we lost this year. Legends like David Bowie, Prince, and Leonard Cohen, whose cultural reach went far beyond their chart-topping music, were losses that felt personal for so many. However, these losses made way for new icons to emerge, and emerge they did. There was such an influx of unbelievable albums this year, so it seems unjust to name any number of them “the greatest.” However, these are the six that I simply could not stop playing because of how they solidified their place in music history as new age classics.
1. Malibu — Anderson .Paak
In his second studio album, Anderson .Paak created possibly the most charmingly vintage album of the year. The production of Malibu has the groovy funk of the 70’s combined with the signature vocals that create the persona that Anderson .Paak has perfected through his music. What makes this album so great is the fusion of romanticism and reality. Tracks like “Silicon Valley” that aesthetically border on 80’s ballads are contrasted by the flirtatious, yet honest lyrics, epitomizing the personality of this album. Like its creator, Malibu is beautifully multifaceted and speaks to all parts of the human experience — a quality which has not gone critically unrecognized.
2. A Seat At the Table — Solange
In my opinion, Solange has been nothing short of a creative genius for several years. However, this album garnered such a massively positive response simply because of how relatable it is, and not necessarily in terms of the lyrics. There is no comparison to the way the ethereal quality of Solange’s vocals is complemented by the simple, yet mesmerizingly intricate production of each track. She soothes, empowers, enlightens, all in one album. The beauty of A Seat at the Table truly lies, however, in the way that the listener can see her heart in the album as a whole. Tracks like “Mad,” which features rap legend Lil’ Wayne, could not come at a more appropriate time for people (particularly women) of color. Solange wrote out the thoughts of marginalized people everywhere, added unbelievably beautiful production, and put it out as this album. Plus, what is there not to love about “Cranes in the Sky”?
3. Awaken, My Love! — Childish Gambino
When I first started listening to Childish Gambino, I don’t think I ever would have expected to see an album like Awaken, My Love! from this down-to-earth artist. There are few rappers who have evolved in such an unbelievable arc as Childish Gambino. His discography, from his mixtape, Culdesac, to Awaken, My Love!, is nothing if not demonstrative of an artist’s journey. However, his most recent work may be his best work simply because of how bravely he varies from everything else he has ever done. In listening to “Baby Boy,” and “Redbone,” we hear an exquisite tribute to funk that is unheard of in recent times. Gambino captures the lovable grime of the 60’s, and adds the unfiltered passion of the 70’s to make a modern tape for the old at heart.
4. Coloring Book — Chance the Rapper
In his third mixtape, Chance the Rapper solidified his place as one of the best “feel good” rappers of our time. Not only was Coloring Book the perfect Summer album, but it remains riddled with undeniable classics. “No Problem,” “Summer Friends,” and “Blessings” showcase the diverse abilities of the Chicago rapper, who showed even more of his sentimental side on this mixtape than he has in his previous work. Chance not only welcomed us into his past, present and future, but invited us to stay a while and share moments of our own. I once heard someone describe his style as “how it feels to talk to your best friend over a bag of Sour Patch Kids,” and that affectionate style is only exemplified in this album.
5. Blonde — Frank Ocean
Personally, I had given up on ever hearing another album from Frank Ocean. So much so, in fact, that when Blonde dropped the day after his visual album, Endless, I didn’t even want to listen to it. Four years after the release of his first studio album, there was immense pressure on Frank Ocean to drop an album that was as, if not more iconic than Channel Orange. It’s safe to say that the music industry’s favorite recluse came through. The beauty of this album is so elusive because it truly lies in every facet of this body of work. Transitions that are equally as beautiful in and of themselves as Frank Ocean’s characteristically nostalgic vocals support each entrancing song. Blonde was an unbelievable return to the scene.
6. Still Brazy — YG
Anyone who doubts the storytelling abilities of current California rappers needs to listen to YG’s Still Brazy. If the beats and production on YG’s previous album, My Brazy Life, were great, they were unreal on Still Brazy. Between YG’s frank style of recounting his larger-than-life experiences and the sheer authenticity of these accounts, this project is so much more than a rap album. Still Brazy is a revival of the West Coast rap that the 80’s created and the 90’s excelled in. Even though not everyone can relate to the stories he tells on this album, it is simultaneously politically aware — see “Police Get Away With Murder” — and blithely ignorant — see “She Wish She Was” (feat. Joe Moses & Jay 305). He erases the idea of mutual exclusivity, and invites you to do the same. YG hopefully signifies the return of the original intent of rap music: sharing stories.
For all its flaws, 2016 was a year in which music flourished. Although we hope for a better 2017 in these terms — a mirrored music performance to 2016 would be quite alright.
