2016... in Music

What a year. And even though we're not quite at the end of it, I feel it's time to finally write my annual 'Albums of the Year' post. Last year, I bowed down to the immersive psychedelia of Currents by Tame Impala, the ambient beauty of Syro by Aphex Twin and the reinvigorated 80s vibes of New Order's Music Complete.

This year I've been spoilt for choice- what with some of the incredible albums nominated for the Mercury Prize this year. I'm eager to see what lies within the BRITs nominations, especially as I'm a part of the voting panel this year. Praying James Blake gets his foot in there. Totally backing Radiohead.

So here it is, my top 2016 albums. In no particular order, because that would be torturous to do.

David Bowie - Blackstar

We cannot leave this album out. And not out of legacy either, this album was genuinely brilliant, proven by its widespread praise from critics even before he died. Some of the tracks in this are so atmospheric and so gorgeous I was blown away from the first listen...and there's some real meaning in there too, if you're keen enough to sit and try and interpret it. But "Lazarus" and "I Can't Give Everything Away" are the standout tracks for me.

Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool

A highlight of my year (which was a fantastic contender for the Mercury Prize. I was a bit miffed seeing as it was their 5th nomination.) An absolutely stunning album. Upon first listen, I was just so immersed. It wasn't what I expected, but I was spelbound. Tracks like "Daydreaming" just showcase pure ambience and beauty at its finest - A Moon Shaped Pool was haunting, melodramatic and emotional all at once- it was everything Thom Yorke.

...And of course he gave a nod to fans by finally releasing a studio version of"True Love Waits".

James Blake - The Colour In Anything

James Blake's newest album built further and further upon the firm scaffolds he'd set with Overgrown and his self-titled debut. His emotive vocal matched with the hollow soundscape of samples cannot be lazily described as electro-pop, it's unparalleled by anyone else in the music industry. With stunning tracks such as "I Need A Forest Fire" featuring Bon Iver and the chilling "Radio Silence" , The Colour In Anything is an album well worth the wait.

Bon Iver - 22, A Million

For a band with such a following, it's somewhat surprising that this year's 22, A Million was only Bon Iver's 3rd album. But ringmaster Justin Vernon continues to impress, taking a slightly more eclectic turn with this album, which is still equally extraordinary and meaningful as each of his others. Although it sometimes seems desperate, despairing, the use of glitchy vocals and samples carry a message about keeping on moving.

The Last Shadow Puppets - Everything You've Come To Expect

Dynamic duo Turner and Kane made their comeback this year, with the brave step of naming their sophomore album Everything You've Come To Expect. Seemed a bit brave, until they perfectly recreated and developed the melodramatic 60s style they'd established in The Age of the Understatement, but this time gave it a more chronological sense. This album is equally parts elegant, theatrical and sexy. Alex Turner in a nutshell- (thank God for understatedly cool Miles Kane toning it all down a bit).

Glass Animals - How To Be A Human Being

I was completely unaware of Glass Animals until I heard "Youth" on the radio earlier on this year, and knew I had to investigate. This intricate album is a patchwork of individual stories and characters woven together by frontman Dave Bayley, some real, some fabricated, but all gained from speaking to strangers during their last tour. It's humorous at one moment, and heart wrenching the next. "Agnes", a story of loss, is one of my favourite songs released this year. Above all, this album is a lesson against the concept of Stranger Danger, because they might teach you something.

Whitney - Light Upon the Lake

Whitney were my favourite festival discovery this year, and where else would I find them apart from End of the Road Festival. The one word to describe this album is cheerful- it's a sunny summer shaken up into an album, warm enough to keep you toasty through the winter months. It's a sort of folky rock n roll that feels so genuine and honest in its intentions that it'll have you hooked. And this is only their debut - I can't wait to see what Whitney come up with in future years.

Bat For Lashes - The Bride

Natasha Khan's haunting concept album about a bride jilted on her wedding day (due to the death of her husband) caught the attention of Mercury Prize judges and was subsequently nominated. Upon seeing her exceptional performance at End of the Road Festival, I was blown away. To come back with such a poignant album as The Haunted Man is no mean feat, but Natasha's dreamy vocals on "I Will Love Again" shock you with their wrought emotion.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Nonagon Infinity

Discovering King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard this year has been a joy in itself, even before this album. But I feel their insane psychedelic rock, with the odd flute solo (what else?) brings something completely new to the table. For a four-year-old band, Gizzard have a surprisingly lengthy discography (they usually release 2 albums in a year), ranging from sedative-infused jazz to insane rock. This album is one of the latter, with one or two somewhat slower tracks. It's absolutely crazy (and even more dangerous live, trust,) but it makes far more sense than a lot of things that happened in 2016. "Wow wow" is a stickout track of the year for me.

And, as always, we make the honorable track mentions. For those standout tracks whose albums didn't quite make the cut.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - First World Problem

Field Music - Disappointed

Miike Snow - Genghis Khan

Disclosure ft. Al Green - Feel Like I Do

Soft Hair - Lying Has To Stop

KAYTRANADA ft. Little Dragon - BULLETS

What a year for change. No, not in politics (...let's not discuss that mess...), but in music too, as artists seem to embrace the weird and eclectic more and more, and make it into something innovative and beautiful.

Bring on 2017.

- Ella