2016
lewis takes off his shirt |
| 15 |  | Preoccupations
Preoccupations
Erstwhile reluctant provocateurs of nothing feed their social anxiety into dry-bone post-punk. Find no answers. Raise no flags. Album ends. And yet... repeat. |
| 14 |  | James Blake
The Colour in Anything
James Blake doubles down on his James Blake-ness, releases a classic album with nine bonus tracks to open the damn thing. No matter; luxuriate. |
| 13 |  | Krallice
Prelapsarian
The world's worst metal fan decrees: this rules. |
| 12 |  | Burial
Young Death/Nightmarket
Sometimes a brief call from an old friend is all you need to prioritize. |
| 11 |  | The Avalanches
Wildflower
Delightfully out of step with whatever trash your 2016 was on. |
| 10 |  | Cut Copy
January Tape
The dance mix not of your dreams, but for them. |
| 9 |  | Deakin
Sleep Cycle
Finally, tangible proof of the music we hear when we think about Animal Collective. |
| 8 |  | A Tribe Called Quest
We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service
Expect nothing, expect everything, the outcome is the same: a triumph. |
| 7 |  | David Bowie
Blackstar
That dark, rare moment of levity in the bleakest of moments. You can't help but smile at how much it hurts. |
| 6 |  | Nicolas Jaar
Sirens
A political album that waits patiently for your eyes to adjust to the darkness, then shows you its fangs. |
| 5 |  | ANOHNI
HOPELESSNESS
The bangers we don't deserve layered with the proselytizing we do. |
| 4 |  | Animal Collective
Painting With
Wander from the cynical / Take a look at this atypical |
| 3 |  | Danny Brown
Atrocity Exhibition
The bastard runs his nails down the chalkboard and the skies tear open and angelic voices billow out; blood and shit gurgle in the sewer. A rave and a half. |
| 2 |  | Jenny Hval
Blood Bitch
The most important songwriter of my era steps further outside of her comfort zone and sounds more comfortable than ever. Resplendent, odd. |
| 1 |  | Frank Ocean
Blonde
Placement is not indicative of a belief in 'Blonde' as the "best," but how it operates in relation to my own life. Dozens of listens later, retains the ability to transport me within and without myself. |
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