2016 is dead and gone. 2016 was a weird year. Yet, there was a part of the world that had a significant amount of good in it during 2016—specifically, the world of music. With that said, I would like to present to you my top ten albums of 2016.

Kings Kaleidoscope - Beyond Control*
Music Genre: Chamber Pop / Indie Pop
Best Track: “Dust”
Why The Album is Important: Kings Kaleidoscope is a worship album of authenticity, transparency, musical intricacy, as well as heart—all things that are missing in most popular Christian music today. Beyond Control deals with loss, heartache, anxiety, and what living in Christ truly can bring to us. With Chad Garner’s vocals and the band’s tight harmonies, this is truly an album any music aficionado can enjoy.
Enjoy Whilst: reading your Bible, relaxing on your day off, praying, or talking a walkabout through your city/town.
Links: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon

Anchor & Braille - Songs for the Late Night Drive Home
Music Genre: Electronica / R&B / Rock
Best Track: “Still Looking”
Why The Album is Important: Songs for the Late Night Drive Home not only delivers on it’s title, but it deals with not judging others, love, finding joy in hardship, lost love, and the human emotion of loneliness. With it’s humming synths and Stephen Christian’s stunning vocals, and haunting lyrical ending, this album is sure to stir up emotions and keep one awake for the late night drive home.
Enjoy Whilst: having a late night drive home, having an introspective night in, or a candlelit dinner.
Links: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon

Local Natives - Sunlit Youth
Music Genre: Indie Pop / Indie Rock
Best Track: “Fountain of Youth”
Why The Album is Important: Sunlit Youth delivers powerful lyrics with incredible drum parts and harmonies. This album deals with being a positive change with the world, and being in love. Sunlit Youth is an album that will invoke thought of what one’s place is in the world in the form of ear-candy.
Enjoy Whilst: Driving, cooking a meal, or writing.
Links: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon

Majid Jordan (Self Titled)
Music Genre: R&B
Best Track: “King City”
Why The Album is Important: Maid Jordan may have put out his first album this year, but the duo Maid Al Maskaati and Jordan Ullman are certainly no new voice to the world music. From producing and collaborating on albums for Drake, Maid Jordan in this break-out album shows how they will continue and begin to make the standard for hip-hop and R&B for years to come. 
Enjoy Whilst: Exploring a city, having friends over, or making your home a place for a dance party.
Links: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon

Jack Garratt - Phase
Music Genre: R&B / Electro-Pop
Best Track: “Weathered”
Why The Album is Important: Jack Garratt’s soulful vocals & electronic beat-backing, the music is wonderful. Not only this, but Phase deals with lost love, getting old, and doubting yourself.
Enjoy Whilst: Going for a run, or biking.
Links: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon

Gallant - Ology
Music Genre: R&B
Best Track: “Skipping Stones”
Why The Album is Important: Gallant’s silky smooth vocals take me back to a time where R&B was filled with soul & lyrical depth. Throughout the course of Ology, Gallant speaks on the importance of community, being in love, and feeling defeated but not giving up.
Enjoy Whilst: Spending a night in with your significant other, sipping coffee, or reading a book.
Links: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon

St. Paul & the Broken Bones - Sea of Noise
Music Genre: Soul / R&B
Best Track: All I Ever Wonder
Why The Album is Important: Sea of Noise wrestles with polarization of people, and seeing yourself as part of the world’s problems.
Enjoy Whilst: being on the morning commute, drinking that afternoon cup of coffee, or getting ready for the weekend.
Links: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon

Kendrick Lamar - Untitled Unmastered*
Music Genre: HIp-Hop
Best Track: Untitled 06 | 06.30.2014
Why The Album is Important: Even though this was Kendrick’s “throw away” tracks that didn’t make the cut for his previous albums, his lyricism and flow blows most rappers out of the water. Kendrick deals with issues like racial inequality, gang violence, and even being in love. This album make not be cohesive like his last release To Pimp a Butterfly, but Untitled Unmastered still tops the best hip-hop of 2016.
Enjoy Whilst: Jogging, cooking, or getting pumped up for the gym.
Links: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon

Bon Iver - 22, A Million
Music Genre: Indie Folk / Indie Electronica
Best Track: 33 “GOD”
Why The Album is Important: 22, A Million deals with domestic abuse, doubt, and trying to find joy when hope seems lost.
Enjoy Whilst: waking up in the morning, reading a book, or walking through the woods.
Links: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon

Childish Gambino - “Awaken, My Love!”*
Music Genre: R&B / Hip-Hop / Funk
Best Track: Riot
Why The Album is Important: Awaken my Love discusses gentrification and racial tensions in America. With it’s old-school bass grooves and relaxed tempos, this album is a great way to invite thought-provoking lyrics while being one with the funk.
Enjoy Whilst: cruising in your car, having a get-together with friends, or the post-work commute.
Links: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon

Honorable Mentions:

*there is explicit language and content in this album

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