Atari's 2016 Highlights
Was a fantastic year for music and enjoyed my first year as Staff. Hope everyone enjoys the holidays! As a sendoff for the year, these are some random (not ranked) highlights that stood out to me in 2016. Favorite song(s) included |
| 1 |  | PUP
The Dream Is Over
Dvp. Even if it's not quite my favorite album of the year, it's definitely my favorite punk album of 2016 |
| 2 |  | David Bowie
Blackstar
Lazarus is contender for SOTY. Gives me chills every time |
| 3 |  | Regina Spektor
Remember Us To Life
Obsolete is one of the best songs she's written, and a nice change of pace that showcases a new sense of maturity for the singer/songwriter |
| 4 |  | Saor
Guardians
Hearth. Guardians isn't going to be remembered for how heavy it is, but rather, how gorgeous it is; the attention to detail here is astounding |
| 5 |  | Tiny Moving Parts
Celebrate
Can't pick between Common Cold or Birdhouse. Definitely one of the best of the year that should have made it in the top 50 |
| 6 |  | Woods
City Sun Eater In The River Of Light
Politics of Free. Pretty great indie/folk album. |
| 7 |  | Jenny Hval
Blood Bitch
Female Vampire. Hadn't heard her before, but after hearing this, was pretty hooked. Love her debut as well. |
| 8 |  | Angel Olsen
My Woman
Heart Shaped Face. There are some beautiful tracks here, but this one gets me every time. Lyrics are a huge plus as well |
| 9 |  | Coldworld
Autumn
Nightfall. Still my favorite track. BM purists will probably hate it, but I love the celestial feel to it. |
| 10 |  | Bon Iver
22, A Million
22 (Over Sooon). Wasn't really a fan of this until recently, but I'm glad I gave it more time. |
| 11 |  | Kevin Morby
Singing Saw
Dorothy is easily my favorite track on what I feel is one of the best folk albums of 2016. Shout out to Sowing as well because I believe his review is what got me into him! |
| 12 |  | Fossil Youth
A Glimpse of Self Joy
Sitting in a Spinning Room. Album is nothing terribly original, but I highly recommend this track - one of the better songs of the year for the genre |
| 13 |  | Numenorean
Home
Home. Intro/title track is one of the best from this great blackgaze album. |
| 14 |  | Solange
A Seat At The Table
Where do We Go, and Don't Wish Me Well are just 2 standouts in what turned out to be one of 2016's biggest surprises for me. |
| 15 |  | Sarah Neufeld
The Ridge
The Glow. All the songs are great, but this one takes the cake for having the most intricate and unique violin playing. Shout out to Spot Johnny for getting me into this one. |
| 16 |  | Woljager
Van't Liewen un Stiawen
Kuem to mi. One of the best albums that almost nobody heard this year. great neofolk RILY: Forseti, Nebelung, Sangre de Muerdago |
| 17 |  | Trophy Eyes
Chemical Miracle
Breath You In. One of the more underrated songs imo, incredibly atmospheric approach that's not too far off from what Turnover did with Peripheral Vision. |
| 18 |  | Moonsorrow
Jumalten Aika
Mimisbrunn. Gorgeous song that strikes a perfect balance between dark folk and the band's driving black metal guitars |
| 19 |  | Big Thief
Masterpiece
Masterpiece. The title track probably isn't even the best track tbh, but I can't help but think of it instantly when I talk about this album. Such a quirky and fun little folk rock tune |
| 20 |  | The Hotelier
Goodness
Piano Player. This song got a lot of flack when it was initially released, but hopefully some more people have come around to appreciate it like I have. Still prefer Home though |
| 21 |  | Jimmy Eat World
Integrity Blues
The End Is Beautiful. Love the Clarity vibes I get from this one |
| 22 |  | Julianna Barwick
Will
Beached. Song is pretty and I like just as much if not more than Nepenthe |
| 23 |  | Direct Hit!
Wasted Mind
Artificial Confidence. Song is a glowing example of two things this album has in spades: energy and humor |
| 24 |  | Be'lakor
Vessels
The Smoke of Many Fires. Whole album is pretty slick but this song in particular is cool as hell. Shout out to Kyle for his review of this |
| 25 |  | Conor Oberst
Ruminations
A Little Uncanny. Not being a big fan of Bright Eyes' last album, this came as a pleasant surprise to me |
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