2016 Albums ----------- A significant portion of the music from this year was actually discovered during my attempt to reconnect with pop music in the following year. The other albums are all from established artists that I had be following for years. I'll remember this year mostly for the passing of three of my favorite artists: George Michael, Prince, and David Bowie. .. image:: images/2016.jpg :width: 900 :alt: My favorite albums from 2016 .. raw:: html - *Blackstar* by **David Bowie** - It is difficult to think about this record outside of the context in which it arrived. My pre-ordered copy showed up in the mail two days after Bowie, my favorite musician had died. It was so mysterious and exciting, but it was also the end of the story. Pop's ultimate performer had one last grand statement on the world stage, the big exit. Experimenting with new sounds until the very end, it is hard to imagine there will ever again be a musician who is both this massively popular and yet committed to pushing the boundaries of pop music. [*Memory*: I used to spend time thinking about what it would be like when my favorite artists started dying, it happened so fast it almost doesn't feel real] - *Foreverland* by **Divine Comedy** - In my opinion, this is the weakest of the Divine Comedy records released to date, but it is still among my favorites. Neil Hannon feels very content here, and I think it is reducing some of the tension and contemplation that have made his previous work great. I actually own two vinyl copies of this, since my first one is signed by the artist, but I had to buy the reissue because Hannon's liner notes are that good. [*Memory*: When it became apparent I would own all the classic Divine Comedy albums as vinyl reissues, I panic bought the only copy of this in the United States on Discogs] - *The Hope Six Demolition Project* by **PJ Harvey** - In 2016 we finally got the PJ Harvey saxophone record we had been waiting for. This record somehow feels like the capstone on what Polly has been up to for the last decade with her younger voice and harder sound rejoining her contemplative, social justice minded songwriting. I love the crazy aesthetic for this tour with Polly Jean dressed up in feathers playing in a chorus of saxophones. [*Memory*: I really wanted to travel to the UK to see the recording of this record which was presented in public as an art exhibition] - *King* by **We are KING** - This was the record that brought my attention back to modern pop music. I have an annual tradition of watching the Grammy awards ceremony. Most years I hate nearly everything, but I like to stay in touch with what is going on in pop. I heard a snippet of "Red Eye" from this record during the presentation of the award for the "Urban Contemporary Album of the Year". This would put me on a path of exploration in what we now call "Alternative R&B" that continues to today. [*Memory*: I keep watching the Grammys hoping it will help me find other amazing music like this, so far not happening] - *X-Communicate* by **Kristin Kontrol** - Kristin Gundred is a masterful mimic of the music of the past. Starting with her band **Dum Dum Girls** she excelled of mining the past without sounding totally derivative. Her first solo record manages to borrow liberally from late 80s Kate Bush, and 2010s synth pop, while adding just enough to stand up totally on its own. I really hope there will be another record from this project. [*Memory*: Being surprised that music like this was still being made, and getting high ratings from the likes of Pitchfork] - *I Had a Dream That You Were Mine* by **Hamilton Leithouser** and **Rostam** - This record ended up sounding like the combination of **The Walkmen** and **Vampire Weekend** that it seemed like it would be on paper. This is aging hipster music done right. [*Memory*: A person on a social VR platform (AltSpace) playing this for me excitedly, and dying under mysterious circumstances days later] - *Mass Gothic* by **Mass Gothic** - In what was a big theme to my middle 2010s, this album is some of my favorite artists of the previous decade moving on to their next project. In this case, the husband/wife duo from **Hooray for Earth** and **Zambri** teaming up to make some delightfully poppy noise rock. "Every Night You've Got to Save Me" is a stunning single that shows off what these underrated musicians can do. [*Memory*: The mixed emotions of a great new band, but the loss of two that were a bit better] - *blond* by **Frank Ocean** - [**2016 FAVORITE**] A stunning concept record by one of the best artists working today. My vinyl copy of this record is an amazingly made bootleg, because the real thing is worth over 400 bucks these days. Ocean seems intent on only being so popular, almost choosing artistic relevance over fame. It is hard to argue with the results. "Nights" might be the best song of the last 10 years. [*Memory*: Actively seeking out a bootleg for the first time to have a physical manifestation of one of my all time favs] - *Tigarello* by **Phonte** and **Eric Robertson** - Nothing says where my head is at these days than this album of rap songs about the bliss of monogamy and settling down. Hip hop for rapidly approaching middle age. [*Memory*: This album makes me feel really old, and I don't care] - *Jessica Rabbit* by **Sleigh Bells** - These guys are making some great tunes completely under the radar. I wish the hipsters that were buzzing about this band at the start of the decade were still paying attention. This is some surprisingly complex, rocking stuff. [*Memory*: ] - *Front Row Seat to Earth* by **Weyes Blood** - A transitionary record between her earlier dark, psychedelic folk and the brighter electronic infused indie that came later. Her voice isn't quite perfect yet here in a way that sounds great. Stunningly beautiful music. [*Memory*: I know I heard this on NPR back in the day and thought about checking it out. I didn't discover her until around 2022 and she has become one of my all-time favorites.]