16 Albums of 2016 Part 1 (#16-9)
Even before we knew 2016 would be the tragic and eventful year it was already one of pointed artistic and musical responses. Police brutality and racial injustice are nothing new, but our consciousness and ability to talk about it has both increased and escalated to a new level of conflict, especially in light of the campaign for the USA's now president-elect. And as the whole world seems to be choosing hatred and discrimination over care for our planet, we've lost an especially high number of inspirational icons and artists. For many of us, the music of this year has produced the only visible (audible) glimmer of light in the midst of many seemingly hopeless unknowns.
A couple notes to get us started - this is the first year I've had such an early deadline for songs/albums I'm considering. While in years past I would include an album dropped in late December, this year I'm only considering complete LPs released between January 1st and December 1st. That way I can write this blog with a little less stress about giving enough of a listen to some hot LP dropped yesterday. I've also decided to break this list into two parts to make it a little more manageable. And with all of that out of the way, here are the first 8 of 16 albums that have helped lead me through the processes of grief, celebration, protest, and deep thinking in 2016.
#16 The Suffers - The Suffers
Easily one of my favourite new bands this year, The Suffers' debut LP is bright, energetic, soulful, and there's not a single dud on it. Whether you have the chance to see them live, or just blast the album over speakers in your living room, every member and section commands your attention without competing for it. Their lead woman, Kam Franklin, has so much charisma and attitude, matched only by her blaring horn section. Nearly. Oh hey, and three of my stand-out tracks happen to be what they perform for their smile-inducing Tiny Desk Concert! ...But also check out "Make Some Room" and the rest of the album while you're at it.
#15 Moon Shaped Pool - Radiohead
Although I had a lot of anticipation around the release of Radiohead's latest LP, it took a few listens for me to really fall in love. With every record they release, Radiohead manages to play with such different sounds and yet always create similar deeply moving melodies and soundscapes. Along with many electronic tools and effects, Moon Shaped Pool plays with a much richer orchestral instrumentation than their last several records. But ultimately what convinced me was Yorke's own voice, consistently dripping with emotional honesty whether I understand his words or not. Album highlights are "Burn the Witch," "Glass Eyes," and the last two songs on the album, "Present Tense," (which is embedded below) and "True Love Waits."
#14 Love Letter For Fire - Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop
A strong recommendation for anyone who loves The Civil Wars, since Love Letter for Fire is a collection of duets by two incredibly creative, talented, and often solo-performing songwriters. I've wanted Sam Beam of Iron & Wine to record more collaborations ever since first seeing him perform with his sister harmonizing at Sasquatch ten years ago, and this record is the answer to that prayer. Jesca Hoop is a new voice to me, but I especially enjoy her sense of humour and quirkiness when paired with often musically melancholic Beam. They balance each other out while adding layers of both harmony and depth to one another's songwriting. As much as I like their work separately, this collaborative album seems to be greater than the sum of its parts. I particularly like "Know the Wild that Wants You," "Soft Place to Land," and the rather odd "Chalk it up to Chi."
#13 Black America Again - Common
There is rarely a Common record that I don't love - I'm a sucker for his articulation and enunciation, not to mention his lyrical consciousness. But this is far from a favourite-rapper nod. The more I listen to Black America Again, the more I'm convinced it's Common's best work since the 90s, finding that perfect balance of sharp and smooth - angry as hell and calm as dawn - as he describes not only what is wrong with America, but also his hopeful imaginings for a way forward. On top of all of that, the list of features is stacked with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Bilal, Syd (from The Internet and Odd Future), BJ the Chicago Kid, and John Legend. My personal highlights are the title track, "Pyramids," and the chilling closer, "Letter to the Free."
#12 Chaleur Humaine - Christine and the Queens
I was listening to this album all year without realizing it could be a contender for this list. Héloïse Letisser (aka Christine) re-released her 2014 album for the Anglophone world in February of this year and has been picking up some serious interest outside of France ever since. On one level, this is creative work around gender, sexuality, and identity, while on another, it's a collection super poppy synth beats that manage to both excite and relax. The moments that especially stand out for me include her take on Kanye's "Heartless" in "Paradis Perdus," as well as "Tilted," and "Night 52." Oh yes, and her music videos are almost as cool as her live performances.
#11 Love You To Death - Tegan and Sara
The Canadian twin duo's 8th album was never going to be the year's most important album, but it might be the happiest, which is an impressive title given how much of it explores difficult confession, breakups, and regrets. I think Love You to Death is so satisfying for me because it sounds like the album I wanted in Heartthrob. Their journey into synth-pop feels right and complete, and yet they've managed to maintain the emotional honesty that made their earlier albums so effective. The whole record is super accessible, but my favourite moments include "That Girl," "Dying to Know," "100x" and "BWU."
#10 We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service - A Tribe Called Quest
The reunion album that no one knew whether they should hope for - especially in the wake of Phife Dawg's death in March - was released in two perfect volumes and is exactly what our imaginations promised and more. It has everything we'd expect - jazzy hip hop, Q Tip's classic lyrical flow and Phife's playful energy, a mix of unexpected samples with live instrumentals, and deep exploration of racism and political corruption in America and worldwide. The timing of this record is creepy, having been primarily recorded early this year but seemingly tailor-made for the post-election experience. The featured verses on this album feel both nostalgic, with old friends such as Busta Rhymes and Consequence, and poetic, with new(er) heavy-hitting friends such as Kendrick Lamar, André 3000, and Kanye West. 18 years was a long time, but it was worth the wait. Literally every song is a highlight.
#9 Blackstar - David Bowie
The year of 2016 basically began with the bad news of Bowie's liver cancer and death, which brought with it the release of his own personal epitaph. The entire collection is an appropriately dark and eerie prodding lament. There is a deep sense of importance - like we've been given this brief but valuable glimpse into the mortality of a legend. Actually, exactly like that. I wouldn't call this record fun or even enjoyable, but there is mysterious beauty in the jazz inspired arrangements, and David's own deeply exhausted voice. The title track and "Lazarus," are the two songs that haunt me most from this album.
That's it for the moment! Now it's time to lean into the spirit of advent, and wait for a week to check back to see my top 8 albums of the year!