Top 20 of 2016
Excellent year for releases, overall probably my strongest since 2013. |
| 1 |  | Russian Circles
Guidance
These guys can do no wrong in my eyes. Every new album they release is their best. Love the production on this as well. |
| 2 |  | Every Time I Die
Low Teens
The context of the lyrics really pushes this over the top for me. Lots of raw, desperate emotion on this release. I put it slightly above their previous album as their best |
| 3 |  | Norma Jean
Polar Similar
Love the sound these guys have developed over the past few albums, very heavy and atmospheric. |
| 4 |  | Injury Reserve
Floss
Coming into their own, excellent production and flow |
| 5 |  | Carly Rae Jepsen
E MO TION Side B
Emotion was one of last year's best album for me, so naturally, the B-Sides are pretty darn good too. |
| 6 | | Anamanaguchi
Capsule Silence XXIV
Another B-Sides album that crushes it. |
| 7 |  | Run The Jewels
Run The Jewels 3
A little darker and not as "fun" as their previous releases, but still high quality stuff. |
| 8 |  | Nails
You Will Never Be One Of Us
If Slayer still made good music. |
| 9 |  | TTNG
Disappointment Island
A bounce-back effort for me, very chill and laid back. |
| 10 |  | Meniscus
Refractions
Progressive post-rock/instrumental rock that is very engaging and well done. |
| 11 |  | Sumac
What One Becomes
More varied and technical than their previous release, which was an excellent progression for these guys. |
| 12 |  | The Dillinger Escape Plan
Dissociation
Their previous album was so focused, I was disappointed that they went more chaotic this time around. Still an excellent release, however. |
| 13 |  | Red Velvet
Russian Roulette
Some great straight-forward pop and some great experimental tracks. Sometimes it falls flat but overall a great listen. |
| 14 |  | Metallica
Hardwired... to Self-Destruct
Doesn't reach the heights of their prime, but dammit, it ain't bad. |
| 15 |  | Neon Bunny
Stay Gold
Really chill, great singer. Almost hypnotic in it's delivery. |
| 16 |  | Taeyeon
Why
A little generic here and there, but still a great summer pop album. |
| 17 |  | 2814
Rain Temple
Last year's album was so, so good, and this one just doesn't quite live up to it, but some great tracks to be found here. |
| 18 |  | Red Velvet
The Velvet
A ballad collection that took a while to grow on me. Some great songs, but it needed more variety. |
| 19 |  | Explosions In The Sky
The Wilderness
A refreshing change of pace from these guys, but it still doesn't engross to the level of their early material. |
| 20 |  | clipping.
Splendor and Misery
Really liked the experimental side of this, but it took a while to grow on me. |
|
