Every year I listen to a lot of music, either purchased via my subscriptions to eMusic and Stones Throw; or via the most excellent BandCamp, Soundcloud or various blogs and magazines such as Pitchfork.
This page collects all of the albums, EPs and singles I have listened to in the year 2016.
Not every album listed here will have been released in 2016, it’s a collection of the music I discovered, or finally gave the time of day too. I’ll be updating this page throughout the year with an end of year round up of my favourites in December soon.
Albums of 2016
Music in Exile by Songhoy Blues
Transgressive • 2015 • eMusic
Malian band Songhoy Blues created a wonderfully lyric and enchanting rock album that had me, and has continued to, have entranced in it’s hypnotic guitar lines and emotional melodies. This is music from the heart, soul and spirit.
Elaeina by Floating Points
Luka Bop / Pluto • 2015 • eMusic
I had been meaning to purchase this for most of 2015 before it appeared on many of the end of year lists. Solid album without being anything spectacular for me. Stand out track by far is Silhouettes (I, II & III).
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Iccky Mettle / All the Nations Airports by Archers of Loaf
Alias Records • 1993 / 1996 • Vinyl/MP3 Collection
Iccky Mettle has their breakthrough hit “Web in Front” but it’s All the Nations Airports that is their crowning glory in songwriting prowess. Been nice revisiting these albums after a hiatus.
Bumps by Bumps
Stones Throw • 2007 • Drip.FM
Bumps is a beat album created by John McEntire, John Herndon, and Dan Bitney of Tortoise. It’s pretty bloody forgettable.
a d w a by yuk.
Leaving Records • 2015 • Drip.FM
Debut album for beat maker yuk. was pretty uninspired.
Erased Tapes Collection VII by Various Artists
Erased Tapes • 2016 • Erased Tapes / BandCamp
For the cost of an email address I purchased this sampler direct from label Erased Tapes and was one of my go to working albums for the first part of the year. Some lovely classically based pieces from Nils Frahm, A Winged Victory for the Sullen and Ólafur Arnalds while Dawn of Midi and Kiasmos provided some nice pulsating electronica.
Soap by dakim
Leaving Records • 2016 • Drip.FM
The first EP by “producers producer” dakim was a solid little electronic beat package. This on the other hand just wanders and doesn’t fully grab me at all. It’s OK and by no means bad; it’s just there are only so many beat albums I can take.
Zipperlegs by Ryan York
Leaving Records • 2012 (Re-release 2015) • Drip.FM / BandCamp
Originally released in 2012, this EP came available via my Stones Throw subscription and an intriguing little package is it. Multilayered vocals, dark, ambient beats mixed with experimentation and sometime vocals. Simmering and recommended.
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Multi-love by Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Jagjaguwar • 2015 • eMusic / BandCamp
I’m so on the fence with this album. After II this album feels a bit patchy for me and difficult to really get into. Sure, there are some great singles, the opener and album namesake “Multi-Love”, “Necessary Evil” and the darn right hooky “Can’t Keep Checking My Phone”. And that’s the thing with this band, they can write some incredibly hooky songs, whilst still having some great pysch-out moments that it makes this album worth it’s admission.
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Original Rockers by Augustus Pablo
Greensleeves Records • 1979 • In collection
I love this album. Classic roots reggae. Channel One sound via King Tubby, Aston Barrett and Robbie Shakespeare on bass and Augustus’s lovely dulcet melodica and clavinet. Sit back and let the bass relax you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6DxKiRHAf4
So the flies don’t come by Milo
Ruby Yacht • 2015 • eMusic / BandCamp
Not sure how I came across this guy but I love his work. His flow reminds me of Kool Keith’s Dr Octagon in places but what sets this apart is the laid backing tracks and his laconic flow. Milo might seem like he’s caught in the haze of a buzz but this is intelligently lazy rhyming.
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vol 1. by The Blue Tapes House Band
Blue Tapes • 2015 • Blue Tapes / BandCamp
The Glowing Man by The Swans
Mute • 2016 • eMusic
Pile by A Giant Dog
• 2016 • eMusic
Oh No by Jessy Lanza
• 2016 • eMusic
Slow forever by Cobalt
Profound Lore • 2016 • eMusic