1. Beyoncé Lemonade
I’ve always respected Beyoncé, though admittedly, I was not the biggest fan of her music. That all changed when I drank the Lemonade. From the opening number, you realize you are in for an emotional ride, as she explores her marriage and rumors of infidelity. This is not your typical pop record as she pushes herself lyrically and musically, seamlessly shifting from genre to genre, with the help of Jack White, The Weeknd, James Blake, and Kendrick Lamar. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and Bey is certainly no exception.
2. David Bowie Blackstar
Released two days before his shocking death, Bowie released this incredible collection of songs that make quite a statement. Always looking to the future, he was inspired in part by Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly and combined elements of jazz, experimental rock, hip-hop, and more. He remained true to himself and his artistry until the very end. Talk about going out with a bang.
3. Weyes Blood Front Row Seat To The Earth
I stumbled upon this album on Pitchfork and was instantly captivated by the simplistic beauty of her voice paired with lush arrangements. Natalie Mering’s voice has pureness reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, Karen Carpenter, and Enya, which she blends with a Laurel Canyon sound, psychedelic folk, and touches of Celtic and Renaissance music. It sounds like a lot, but there is a delicate balance here, which pulls it all together.
4. Lissie My Wild West
Born and raised in Illinois, Lissie gave it a go in Hollywood, only to develop a love-hate relationship with the city. In 2015, she ended up back in the Midwest and bought a ten-acre farm in Iowa. She chronicles these changes with great sincerity. Her voice has an ache in it similar to Patty Griffin with traces of Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac. She finds the perfect balance in these songs, representing the urban and the rural, creating her own wild west.
5. Frank Ocean Blonde
It took four years, but it was definitely worth the wait. Ocean’s follow-up to the critically acclaimed Channel Orange is a bit more ambiguous and experimental, as he challenges the listener to engage. He seems like an artist who’s still exorcising his demons, and lets you into his world, without giving too much away.
6. Radiohead A Moon Shaped Pool
On their ninth album, these British veterans are still making viable music without regard to the latest trends. For me, this release didn’t have the initial impact of their previous work, but upon repeated listens, it began to take hold. This beautifully quiet piece is rich with subtleties as they continue to push themselves not only as a band but as artists.
7. Mitski Puberty 2
On the closing track “A Burning Hill”, Mitski sings “I am the fire and I am the forest, and I am the witness watching it”, which pretty much sums up the angst and sadness on this collection. Born in Japan and living in New York, the indie rocker’s fourth album is a hodgepodge of personal but relatable songs that recall St. Vincent and Liz Phair, yet are entirely her own. It’s spacious, grungy production may be reminiscent of the ’90s, but she’s not stuck in the past, as this sounds refreshing and current.
8. Sturgill Simpson A Sailor’s Guide To Earth
As one of country music’s new pioneers, Simpson is more roots-rock than twang. On his latest, he incorporates big brass with 1960s-soul that sets him apart from his peers. His reflective version of Nirvana’s “In Bloom” breathes new life into the modern-day classic.
9. Solange A Seat At The Table
Beyoncé may have topped most critics lists, but little sister Solange definitely came into her own this year. The album packs a punch, albeit a more understated one, with themes including rage, despair, and empowerment. Most impressive is that she wrote the majority of these songs unaccompanied. She says “It’s more than an album to me. It’s a transitional time in my life.” I couldn’t agree more.
10. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Skeleton Tree
Skeleton Tree is a dark and emotional album with minimal production that deals with loss and death, as well as survival, particularly in response to the death of Cave’s son Arthur. He reminds us how powerful grief can be and how eventually, we need to muster the strength to keep on living.
11. Leonard Cohen You Want It Darker
On his fourteenth and final studio album, the Canadian crooner offered a glimpse into his own mortality. It was created while Cohen was dying and there are plenty of references to death, God, and love. His light may be extinguished, but his music will continue to burn bright.
12. Michael Kiwanuka Love & Hate
“Cold Little Heart”, the opening track on his sophomore release, sounds like a collaboration between Bill Withers & Pink Floyd. Clocking in at ten minutes, it’s an epic piece full of intensity and drama that makes quite an impact. He does a lot of soul-searching on this record, tackling issues of isolation, race, and identity.
13. Car Seat Headrest Teens Of Denial
Car Seat Headrest began as a solo recording project in 2010 by Will Toledo, and on his thirteenth studio album, he formed a band that delivered guitar-driven music filled with riffs both quiet and explosive. It reminds me of what Pavement would sound like if Beck fronted the band.
14. Angel Olsen My Woman
Angel reminds me of a cross between Lana Del Rey and Neko Case. The music is both delicate and gritty, as she takes on a variety of styles. Influences include Fleetwood Mac, The Shirelles, and Crazy Horse, and it shows.
15. Lisa Hannigan At Swim
A native of Ireland, Hannigan was featured on Damien Rice’s first two solo albums which added an ethereal quality to his sound. She continues that on her third solo album, letting the nuances shine and placing the focus on her beautifully haunting voice.
16. Ray LaMontagne Ouroboros
This feels like a throwback to a time when you would listen to an album in its entirety. LaMontagne says “I wrote it as an entire piece, as a 40-minute piece of music...to really enjoy it, I think you really need to sit down and listen to it as a whole.” It’s the only way to really appreciate this album.
17. Pete Yorn Arranging Time
Pete has been quietly making records since 2000 and on his latest, he continues to let the songs do the talking. He says, “This new record represents a step forward in sonics and creativity while celebrating and honoring some of the groundwork I laid back in the early part of the century.” Understated and introspective, it showcases some solid tunes that are both accessible and memorable.
18. Savages Adore Life
It’s tempting to call their sophomore effort more accessible than their debut, but that would downplay the risks that they are taking with their music. It may contain a couple of ballads, but they’re still fired up and the intensity is there, just in a more subtle way.
19. Kaleo A / B
You wouldn’t know that they were Icelandic (except for one song sung in their native tongue) by the type of music they play: Bluesy, soulful, garage rock. Another great export, this foursome knows how to tear it up and makes a very memorable major-label debut.
20. White Denim Stiff
This album starts with a bang and immediately takes you back to bands like Thin Lizzy and other rock bands from the ’60s and ’70s. While their formula hasn’t changed much, there is an evolution on this album and a more cohesive sound.
Honorable Mentions
PJ Harvey The Hope Six Demolition Project
Rihanna Anti
Sia This Is Acting
Weezer Weezer (White Album)
Lucinda Williams The Ghosts Of Highway 20
Overrated Album Of 2016
Bon Iver 22, A Million
Not getting this one...maybe it will sink it later.
Overlooked Album Of 2015
Leon Bridges Coming Home