2016 has come and gone, during the year we anticipated videogame releases like Uncharted and Final Fantasy XV, and Superhero movies like BvS, Deadpool, X-men, and of course Captain America: Civil War!
But what about music? Well, 2016 was good with music as well! I am not much a "what's trending" kind of guy but this year tho, I anticipated album releases for the first time in my life. So here are MY favorite 2016 albums/EPs
1. Eden - I think you think too much of me ( https://open.spotify.com/album/69UxOX12PC4ukcyTigpNhD )
I personally never heard of Eden before until one day on my Spotify radio, his song End Credits was on. I was hooked then checked his songs out. This dude is one talented dude and he's only 20 years old!
Listen to: Rock + Roll, sex
2. Chance the Rapper - Coloring Book
( https://open.spotify.com/album/71QyofYesSsRMwFOTafnhB )
The first time I've heard of chance was on one of Childish Gambino's song, The Worst Guys (awesome song, check it out). Checked his then latest album Acid Rap and loved it. I heard that his upcoming album (Coloring Book) would have a gospel vibe on it and would include a choir or gospel singers. I was curious on how will that play out, and boy did he pulled it off. Chano is nominated for 7 on this year's Grammy, and he's only 23 and without a label! How cool is that?
Listen to: Finish Line, How Great, Blessings, All We Got
3. Childish Gambino - Awaken, My Love!
( https://open.spotify.com/album/0jR6E4KQGrVLbnG6Fw3pe9 )
Aahhhwww Yiiiis it's mah boy Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino. 2016 is his year, this year he made his own hit TV show called Atlanta, his Pharos concert was a huge success, and the most important news... It was announced that he'll play Lando Calrissian for the upcoming solo Han Solo film (see what I did there?) but enough on that, how was his album? Well it's kinda of a mixed bag for me (in a good way) Awaken, My Love is a lot LOT different than his previous albums like Camp and Because of the Internet, tho Kauai is different as well from his previous releases but Awaken, My Love is far too different. Gone are the "are you eating tho" and in are the "my peanut butter chocolate cake with Kool-aid". So basically it's a switch of genre, from Hip-hop/R&B to what I think is called Psychedelic Funk. I dunno if it's the fanboy in me but I actually welcome the change and enjoyed the album. I'm still hoping for an Atlanta official soundtrack, that black Justine Beiber song was catchy as hell. Do it Donald, be the Donald that'll make America great again
Listen to: Me and Your Mama, Redbone
4. The 1975 - I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It
( https://open.spotify.com/album/12zl1WmHPFCSyKYbL4vBZn )
2014 I only know of their name until a friend told me tongice them a try. I loved Girls and Chocolate. I anticipated their 2016 album and I loved it. It sounded a bit like their previous work with more electro synths kind of sound. It's a perfect fit.
Listen to: The Sound, She's American, Please be Naked
5. Dance Gavin Dance - Mothership
( https://open.spotify.com/album/1FSVYIieMIpJCWjucTjrao )
DGD is not your typical post-hardcore band! For a metal band they have this kind of funk that is hard to explan. The screams are clean which is always a plus for me.
Listen to: Young Robot, Flossy Dickie Bounce
6. The Weeknd - Starboy
( https://open.spotify.com/album/09fggMHib4YkOtwQNXEBII )
I don't listen to mainstream pop that much and at first I thought the Weeknd was a rapper (because his stage name is kinda like those names from Def Jam fight for NY). One day I was talking to a colleague about music and she told me that she likes old songs like Kenny Rogers (she's only 20!) but there's one pop dude he liked, the Weeknd. I liked this girl so I gave The Weeknd a shot and the rest is history. Around October he released the music video for Starboy and False Alarm (directed by the guy who made Hardcore Henry), my hype level was so high when I heard Starboy and I'm glad that the album is as great as Starboy.
Listen to: Starboy, A lonely night
