A Sweet Sixteen – 2016’s Best Music
A global list of albums from a year that brought the world more boundaries. It was also a year that brought us the shock of the new, yet with a nagging feeling of history repeating. In that spirit, these 16 albums from 2016 are listed with their spiritual cousins from decades past.
Europe, the US, Latin, and Asia – all are represented in this region-free rundown of the year’s best.
Kero Kero Bonito – Bonito Generation
Our decade’s equivalent of: 1997’s The New Transistor Heroes by Bis, askew indie-pop with enough smarts to bear out the cute.
Or the equivalent of: Hanging out in the common room of London’s funnest sixth form art college.
Standout track: Lipslap
Get it on iTunes
M83 – Junk
Our decade’s equivalent of: 2001’s 10 000 Hz Legend by Air.
Or the equivalent of: A technicolour trip through ’70s soft focus lenses.
Extra Notes: This is better than the reviews made it out to be. It’s more song based than soundscape, sure, but what’s wrong with that?
Standout track: Road Blaster
Get it on iTunes
Junior Boys – Big Black Coat
Our decade’s equivalent of: 2006s Color Strip by Jimmy Edgar.
Or the equivalent of: A soft, sleek sensuality amongst cold, sleek software.
Extra notes: Their best album in a decade.
Standout track: Kiss Me All Night from companion EP of the same name
Get it on iTunes
AlunaGeorge – I Remember
Our decade’s equivalent of: 1992’s Now Is Early by Nicolette.
Or the equivalent of: Early sunset on a humid night.
Extra Notes: Hey, UK press – be more supportive of British talent like this. Cheers.
Standout track: Mediator
Get it on iTunes
Neon Bunny – Stay Gold
Our decade’s equivalent of: 2001’s Simple Things by Zero 7
Or the equivalent of: The comforting glow of neon lights.
Standout track: Room 314
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