Weāre finally here. The moment of truth as arrived. Another dramatic short sentence. My top 10 albums of 2016.
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10. The Dream Is Over - PUP
PUPās The Dream Is Over is less an album and more a series of flaming boxcars careening downhill into you at breakneck speed. Their kamikaze approach to punk music makes their second full-length a rambunctious, hyperactive listen that doesnāt afford itself the luxury of being boring. With plenty of heroic choruses and the rapier-sharp wit to match, this has rushed out of nowhere to become on of the albums of the year.
9. Konnichiwa - Skepta
By no means Skeptaās best work or the best grime album to come out this year, but Konnichiwa represents a landmark in the scene he worked tirelessly to legitimise for the last 10 years. The archetypal record in the new wave of the genre it remains his most polished, most focused studio album to date. With each cut as dark and infectious as the last, it will forever stand as a benchmark for the scores of up-and-coming MCs in grimeās burgeoning international movement.
8. Nothing I Write You Will Change What Youāve Been Through - Trash Boat
In whatās been a great year for the ever snowballing UK alternative scene, Trash Boat stood on top of the pile when it came to pop-punk. Nothing I Write Youā¦ combines soaring melody and penetrative emotional resonance with a touch of hardcore bite. Guided by a legend of the genre in The Wonder Yearsā Dan Campbell, the growth in songwriting maturity between Trash Boatās early EPs and their debut full-length is remarkable and they deserve their praise. Ā
7. Landlord - Giggs
The Dark Knight of the UK hip-hop scene stepped out of the shadows and produced a record with a sleek, commercial veneer but all the explosive hood energy with which Giggs has become synonymous. Giggs is a master of the mechanics of rap; his command of flow is unrivalled and heās always known how to use words to crushing effect. Landlord just proves that given the right ingredients and environment, the Peckham rapper can be a world-beater.
6. Awaken, My Love! - Childish Gambino
After coming away one of the biggest winners of 2016, Donald Glover puts an end to his polarizing rap career and goes full funk on Awaken, My Love!.The hands of Redbone, Bootsy Collins, Parliament and Funkadelic definitely helped mold this record but their groundwork is given a perverse, modern sound that Gambino fans will be familiar with from Because The Internet. By far the most interesting record of 2016 from a vocal perspective where Glover shows exceptional talent and willingness to experiment.
5. Made In The Manor - Kano
Few people have talked about Kanoās position as the true king of grime but Made In The Manor absolutely cemented that assertion. The record is a masterclass in how to perform urban music with variety, sentiment and an expressive punch, often straddling hip-hop and pure grime. With lush instrumentation and Kanoās phenomenal lyrical acrobatics, itās a must-listen album for the discerning grime fan.
4. Blackstar - David Bowie
What can you say that hasnāt already been said about David Bowieās last masterpiece? Itās passage to the world and posthumous deification is one thing, but the content also, frankly, astounding. The loss of the Thin White Duke was huge blow to music fans worldwide, and Blackstarās unflinching exploration of death through the eyes of the icon does nothing to soothe that loss. We can however find solace in the fact that, with Blackstarās stark lyricism, bonkers experimentation and incredible vocal performances, Bowie left us at his creative best.
3. Blonde - Frank Ocean
When it finally came, Blonde landed like a UFO - vast, eerily beautiful and unlike anything weād ever seen before. Frankās bold decision to embrace his reputation as our generationās greatest mystery - and to make an album that reflects that - is admirable. Another Channel Orange would have surely made him the biggest male star in the world. Instead, Blonde is 18 doses of sweet avant-garde, psychedelic R&B with a bitter aftertaste that adds character like the sour smell in perfume. Yet more proof that Frank is an international treasure.
And with this, I have to eat a fucking huge slice of humble pie. Having written one of my best reviews on what I perceived to be a misstep by Kanye, I arrive at the beginning of 2017 absolutely loving The Life of Pablo. From its constant updates and patches, to the songs themselves, it was a constant in 2016. Ā It not only combined all the textures for which Kanye is beloved but it invoked a range of emotions from its listeners, namely myself. The ups and downs of Pablo and Kanye himself were also my ups and downs. It was an artistic journey as much as it was a standalone piece. And the finished product, compared to what I originally reviewed, is incredible. It took a bumpy road to become the album that it is now but no album defined 2016 for me like this one.
SANITY UPDATE: Iām nearly at the top 20 but Iām DEFINITELY starting to bite it a little bit. Also, Tumblr lost my first draft and I retyped most of this by throwing my body weight at the keyboard from a great height. Expect my metaphors to get way more rogue as the process goes on. Ugh. Anyway, here are the roaring twenties...
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30. Gore - Deftones
Deftonesā heavy yet beautiful music is a treasure and theyāve proven it yet again on Gore. The album hangs its hat on singlesĀ āPrayers / Trianglesā and āDoomed Userā but the deeper cuts are brutal and atmospheric in their own right, giving the impression of a band expanding in all directions.
29. Simplicity - JAWS
I went to university in Birmingham so the shame I feel for having slept on JAWS for so long is absolute. One of the best young bands in Britain making pensive and cool rock music right under my very nose. Simplicity is a must for everyone who likes their guitar music moody and clasutrophobic.
28. Hopelessness - Anohni
Bleak, unsettling and experimental as all hell, Anohniās Hopelessness goes for the jugular on environmentalism, drone warfare and power of suveillance. The avant-pop overtones on this thing can be as beautiful as they are deeply disturbing - check out the druidic chanting ofĀ āObamaā for proof of that. A worthy Mercury Prize nominee who maybe even deserved to win.
27. Atrocity Exhibition - Danny Brown
On this weekās episode ofĀ āDanny Brown Will Rap Over Anythingā, a brass band on fire and a cabaret drowning in a pool. All this and more is delivered on Atrocity Exhibition which sets up a lot of completely outlandish production for Danny Brown to bounce off of. Naturally, at no point does that make for a boing listen.
26. Starboy - The Weeknd
Abel Tesfaye finally reveals a complete picture of himself on this album, instead of relying on his coke-fuelled, sex-loving alter ego. At 18 tracks it seems long, but with a pop banger every 2.5 tracks on average, thereās a lot of fun to be had in that time. Starboy will definitely be a kingmaker for The Weeknd.
25. Death of a Bachelor - Panic! At The Disco
Brendon Urie finally completely takes the reins of Panic! At The Disco and makes the album heās always wanted to make. Itās come off pretty well too. With Sinatra-inspired grooves all over shop spit-shined with alt-pop veneer, this is one of the most creative pop-rock album to come out this year for sure. Time to start giving the Vegas native the mainstream credit he deserves.
24. Six Paths - Dave
Arguably no-one has had more of a monster year than Dave. The 18-year-old rapper has had his name on the BBC Sound of 2017 list and has been anointed with the Drake feature that has become essential for worldwide success in this day and age. Mostly self-produced and packed with wisdom far beyond his youth, his Six Paths EP thoroughly deserved its high praise and success.
23. Promise Everything - Basement
With a grungey, alternative sound which also feels euphoric, Basement have made a pedastal for themselves in British rock. There wasnāt a record with better sounding guitars released this year. Thatās a fact. With that and their natural talent for songwriting, expect things to get even bigger for the Ipswich band.Ā
22. Blank Face LP - ScHoolboy Q
If Oxymoron was at all cold and cynical for a major-label debut, Blank Face is just the tonic. Qās playboy gangsta personality shines through definitively on this record with some of his bst ever verses and collaborations on gloriously expansive production. TDE may soon have two stars on their hands.
21. I like it when you sleep for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it - The 1975
The nationās favourite cheeky chappies have more than embraced their new mantle ofĀ āflippinā huge pop bandā, so much so that they actually tried to make their new LP more opaque than the last one. Spacey instrumental tracks, easing back on the guitars and ballads a-plenty, Matt Healy and co. took risks on this ridiculously titled album that paid dividends. Ā
The fact that Kendrick Lamar can drop a mish-mash collection of half-recordings and scrapped songs and still have it be much better than Drake and Coleās new studio albums speaks volumes. Ā
From the strange, to the explosive, to the downright whacky, these 8 songs give the impression of an artist at peak creativity having the time of his life.
39. If Iām The Devil... - letlive.
Savage Los Angeles punks letlive. try something different on this album and I never thought a new record from these guys would be so far from my top 10. Yet, here it is.Ā
Their snarling leftist politics will go down sweeter for many with a spoonful of pop-rock sugar, but I for one miss the gutteral rhythms and nasty riff wok that made me fall in love with this band in the first place.
38. Freetown Sound - Blood Orange
I actually listened to Freetown Sound for the first time in Freetown.Ā Iād like to say the two synced up. They didnāt. Plenty of pretty chord progessions and harmonies on this neo-soul odyssey, but not much intent in the concept that seemed promised in the title. As scenic routes go though, this one isnāt bad.
37. The Stranger - Creeper
Southamptonās Creeper have made quite the splash among the new generation of scene kids with their macabre sound and their ghost-baiting lyrics. This EP is a fun blast of the gothic for those who like their pop-punk with a slice of My Chemical Romance-esque showmanship.
36. Cody - Joyce Manor
Joyce Manor do an album about all the minor catastrophes that come with being a young person better than most. Cody is a short, punchy record thatās as funny, moving and relatable as anything else on the market right now.
35. Working Under Pressure - Bonkaz
Pressure makes diamonds and the final appearance from Bonkaz on this list is the best thing he put out this year. Even more impressive that is he made the whole thing - mixing included - in just 4 hours. Some great production which borrows from contemporary R&B and lyrical mastery to boot make this one of the most inventive grime releases of the year.
34. Holy Ghost - Modern Baseball
In whatās been a big year for punk bands growing up, Modern Baseball release their most docile album to date. The sweary lyrics about Facebook statuses and life at college are left at home in favour of a newer, more expansive sound inspired by U2 and The Killers. Results varied but all in all it was a solid record in what I imagine will be a period of transition for the band.
33. Durt - RAY BLK
24 years after Andre Harrell dubbed Mary J BligeĀ āThe Queen of Hip-Hop Soulā, RAY BLK is making a name for herself as The Queen of Grime Soul. Durt takes the classic soul-inspired R&B sound that penetrated 90s America and applies it to growing up in the ends of South London, to devastating effect.
32. A Moon Shaped Pool - Radiohead
Itās a good thing Radiohead are the biggest band in the world, because youād hardly notice listening to their album if you werenāt paying attention. So heart-rendingly ethereal that itās barely even there, the contrite emotion of Ā A Moon Shaped Pool is a rewarding listen for the patient music fan. But I love Radiohead when theyāre being immediate and they werenāt here.
31. Light We Made - Balance And Composure
Iām going to make a huge claim and say Balance And Composure managed to out-Radiohead Radiohead this year. Clear influences from Thom and the boysā seminal record Kid A, along with shades of The Cure and The Smiths run all through this brilliant record. Add a little of Balanceās Pennsylvania alt-rock flavour, and weāve got a hell of a recipe on our hands.
Things donāt often go well after a line-up change as major as the one Bloc Party had. Nevertheless, Kele and the gang managed to come though with some compelling music, though you have to wade though a fair amount of cheese and bore to get there.
49. Weezer - Weezer
People have been overusing the phrase āreturn to formā so much with Weezer youād think between Make Believe and now theyād been reptilian shapeshifters as opposed to humans.Ā
Affectionately dubbedĀ āThe White Albumā, it embraced all the popular hallmarks of previous work, even getting a little weird a la Pinkerton in places. Letās just face up to the truth guys. Weezer are great and they have been for a while now.
48. 99.9% - Kaytranada
Canadian producer Kaytranada made everyone swoon with this swish combination of house, hip-hop and soul. Aside from that, his plethora of special guests - everyone from Craig David to Syd to Anderson .Paak put in a great shift on his fresh compositions to make a stunning record.
47. California - Blink-182
Speaking of line-up changes, who knew that a Blink-182 album in 2016 without self-professed alien bounty hunter Tom Delonge would be the best thing theyās released in years. California left a lot of esteemed music critics looking incredibly stupid as Matt Skiba more than rose to the occasion and the three showed unmistakable chemistry as if theyād been playing together for years.
46 Ā Still Brazy - YG
Another great album completely out of left-field. YGās monument to West-Coast G-funk with a modern twist was a ton of fun to listen to, and Iād be lying if I said thatĀ āFDTā didnāt sum up how weāve all felt this year.
45. Goodness - The Hotelier
You can argue that The Hotelier jumped the shark on this one, drunk with critical acclaim from 2014ā²s Home, Like Noplace Is There. The album goes long with plenty of weird interludes, but the rock music that intercedes is some of their best yet.
44. Dissociation - The Dillinger Escape Plan
Whatās touted to be the last outing for the destructive mathcore band, Dissociation kept up TDEPās penchant for making virtuosic, schizophrenic, inpenetrable but sensational music. They will be missed for sure.Ā
43. Mixtape of The Year - Bonkaz
Back on the list for a second time, Bonkaz made a defiant statement to his peers by dropping a release titled Mixtape of The Year... in January. In fairness, it took a long time for anyone to better this well-excuted collection of stories about growing up in the ends.
42. Wildflower - The Avalanches
The Avalanchesā sample game isĀ šÆšÆšš¾šš¾, that much is clear. On their first album since they left us after 2000ā²sĀ Since I Left You, they donāt sound rusty at all. Theyāve also wisely learnt in their time off that the addition of Danny Brown to anything instantly makes that thing better.
41. Stillness In Wonderland - Little Simz
Little Simz is one of the most creative souls in hip-hop right now, and she can spin your favourite rapper to boot. With Stillness In Wonderland, she creates her own universe in which to escape only to be trapped by love, responsibility and fame. Lush production and lyrical excellence abound
AlunaGeorge have been very busy blowing up in America and trying convince people theyāre a solo act (where the fuck is George?) but they did stop to drop off an album full of bangers. Though theyāve eschewed their slick, futuristic take on New Jack Swing in favour of the tropical pop-house everyoneās doing right now, they do it much better than most.
59. Lil Tracey - AJ Tracey
With Lil Tracey, AJ Tracey doesnāt tread any virgin ground in the already over saturated market for grime, but he does the basics extremely well. The EPās standout trackĀ āBuster Cannonā is a moshpit in the making with a strangely melodic feel which lends itself to radio play.
58. Telefone - Noname
Noname is a shy Chi-town rapper whose verse on Chance The Rapperās āLostā was my personal highlight of his geniusĀ Acid RapĀ mixtape. Thereās a lot to like about her debut solo mixtape from the sweet low delivery, dreamy production and her very obvious talent for wordplay. One to watch? For sure.
57. Misadventures - Pierce The Veil
The Texas post-hardcore outfit seem to get grow aggresively as time goes by like the nicest tumour youāve ever had. Misadventures saw that trend continue in a move that saw them include more pop-punk and melodic elements than ever before. Looking at where they are now, itās definitely paid off.
56. ANTI - Rihanna
The Barbadian songtress seemed poised to dominate 2016 whenĀ āWorkā dropped but went strangely quiet around the time Lemonade came out. That said, ANTI is her most complete sounding, perhaps her strongest album yet, and employed lots of textures not usually found in pop music to devastating effect.
55. Fuck Fame - Bonkaz
The first release on this list in what was a busy year for the South London MC. Fuck Fame sees Bonkaz at his most confident and celebrates his numerous achievements in the year 2016, ironically setting him up to be a star iin the future.
54. The Colour In Anything - James Blake
Smooth electronic sounds are the name of the game here on another understated but enjoyable record from James Blake. The length certainly presents a problem but the stronger tracks persist to make up for the mistakes of the weaker ones.
53. System Killer - Frisco
Long live Friscoās competitive spirit. Every time he featured on a Boy Better Know song, he came away with the best verse and he more than delivered on his new solo project. Nothing fancy here, just hard-hitting production and explosive production. Grime in its purest, most potent form.
52. Hardwired... To Self Dectruct - Metallica
The long vaunted return of Metallica went surprisingly according to plan after lukewarm and hostile receptions to their last two projects.Ā Hardwired...Ā sees them attempt to recapture their old magic with little in the way of self-awareness or wasted motion. The best theyāve sounded in a long time.
51. Be Nothing - Boston Manor
Pop punk workhorses Boston Manor have the potential to go far in the UK rock scene and definitely gave their contemporaries a run for their money on this record. Be Nothing combines dark, emotional themes and combines them with soaring melody to pack one hell of a punch.
Vince Staplesā win streak continues with this chilling EP tackling depression stemming from the trappings of fame and blackness in America.Ā On Prima Donna, the LA rapper continues to come on leaps and bounds. Not as memorable as the incredible SummertimeĀ ā06, but much more concise.
69. Integrity Blues - Jimmy Eat World
The Arizona rock heroes show no signs of slowing down on their ninth studio album.Ā Integrity Blues features all the classic hallmarks of a Jimmy Eat World record with modern sensibilities, adding a fresh sheen that was missing on the folky, stripped back Damage released in 2013.
68. The Home Inside My Head - Real Friends
The transition from youth to experience swings at you like a wrecking ball on Illinois pop-punkers Real Friendsā second album. They attack many of the same subjects as before but thereās a world weariness that wasnāt there on 2014ā²s Maybe This Place Is The Same And Weāre Just Changing. This gives it somewhat more of an edge compared other albums from the scene this year.
67. Magma - Gojira
Grammy-nominated French metallers Gojira come through in a big way on what they promised on their last record. A clear progression on LāEnfant Sauvage, the bandās composition and riff work is more brutal than ever before. Trying to keep your head still during songs like āStrandedā andĀ āOnly Painā is a challenge.
66. Ellipsis - Biffy Clyro
Iām against double albums in principle (just make two albums ffs) so 2013ā²s Opposites didnāt hit big with me. On Ellipsis, madcap Scot rockers Biffy Clyro go back to what got them to the dance, getting as much musical experimentation done as they can over the albumās 13 tracks. And it works tbh, they sounds as cheeky and impenetrable.
65. Facing Time - Bugzy Malone
2016ā²s been a rough year for the Bugzy Malone. From the UK urban scene, only Skepta and Giggs charted higher than Facing Time, yet the Manchester MC has been maligned and overlooked constantly. There isnāt too much on this EP one can use to argue his case, but āGone Clearā and āLate Night In The 0161ā² are among the best grime songs to be released this year.
64. Tired Eyes - Pretend Happy
Pretend Happy roared onto the UK rock scene this year with an album that would suggest years of experience. This is a record where every song sounds wounded; thereās no air of complacency or apathy here. Tracks like āHellpā andĀ āArsonistā prove that Tired Eyes is the album every young person trapped in a small town needs.
63. Views - Drake
It really doesnāt matter how good they are, 8 amazing songs on a 20-track record does not make for a good record.Ā
Of course, the shit-eating nonchalance shown by Drake on Views means he doesnāt care about its critical reception, but I wonder if the fact that whatās potentially his worst album is also his most popular eats away at Drake at night. But this is 2016, where the bad guys win, so it STILL went platinum in its first week.
62. 4 Your Eyez Only - J. Cole
North Carolina rapper Jay Dot Cole announced his surprise return just a few short weeks ago and dropped two very interesting comments on hip-hop in 2016 in the form ofĀ āFalse Prophetsā andĀ āEverybody Diesā. Unfortunately, neither of these made it in on to 4 Your Eyez Only, Coleās first attempt at a concept album.Ā
As well as the ideas not being too fresh here, thereās little musical progression from 2014 Forest Hills Drive and itās lyrically stale. Itās hard to defend Cole against theĀ āboringā accusation that has plagued him his whole career when thereās literally a song about folding clothes on this album.
61. Malibu - Anderson .Paak
Anderson .Paak rightly deserved to pop up pretty much everywhere this year. Heās one of the most talented rappers in the game right now and has huge upside potential.Ā
Malibu sees .Paak trying to create a signature sound based on vintage R&B and funk which has already been appropriated by a lot of his comtemporaries. Thatās something which makes him seem like a Johnny Come Lately rather than an innovator.
Come back tomorrow for Pts. 3 and 4, counting down from 60-41 #RankAllTheRecords
Welcome to #RankAllTheRecords, my attempt to make sense of 2016 in music by wearing my typing fingers down to one inch stumps.Ā
More info on what this projectās all about here.
Hereās the bottom end of the list. Technically, these areĀ āthe worst albums I listened too this yearā but I wouldnāt call them that. I enjoyed them all - some disappointed me, some while good were simply not as good as others.
81. Ā Skin - Flume
Purely by virtue of it not really being for me, Austrailian producer Flume ends up going first. There was still a lot to like about this album though; in parts it was very commercial with some great features (āSay Itā with Tove Lo is a showstopper, āSmoke and Retributionā with Vince Staples also very good). Otherwise, plenty of off-the-wall moments and zany instrumental sections that didnāt grab me. Still one of the few people I think deserves his Grammy nod.
80. Zero Worship - Young Legionnaire
Young Legionnaire is a post-hardcore supergroup consisting of the guitarist from The Automatic, the former Bloc Party bassist, and a guy who used to drum for La Roux. I forgive you for not knowing that.Ā
They did, however, drop an good album and a blistering EP in 2011 and 2012 respectively, which had me looking forward to their next full-length. Sadly, the mathsy face-shredding riffs were traded in for downtempo middle-of-the-road alt-rock on this effort, which made for an uninspiring listen.
79. Major Key - DJ Khaled
2016 was a big year for the DJ Khaled brand, solidifying himself as the unchallenged King of āThe Snapā. His renaissance as a public figure also carried over somewhat to his music.Ā
With some superb singles (āNas Album Doneā,Ā āI Got The Keysā),Ā Major KeyĀ is the most focussed Khaled has ever sounded, but this clusterfuck of bombast beats and even bigger features still feels more of a compilation than an album.
78. Genesis - Domo Genesis
The former Odd Future standout went to great lengths to mature on this record, but in doing so became persistently boring for the most part.Ā
Promising singles, including the amazingĀ āDapperā which featured Anderson .Paak, couldnāt save the record which remains the best thing heās ever done, but still... meh.
77. Bad Vibrations - A Day To Remember
The Florida popcore giants seem to try and make the heavy songs heavier and the lighter songs lighter with every passing album. On Bad Vibrations, that disconnect is huge, sometimes irreconcilable.Ā
Brooding metal ruminations on love and betrayal stand side-by-side with cutesy rock songs about growing up a teenage idiot. Not a disaster but definitely a misstep.
76. Thereās Alot Going On - Vic Mensa
Vic Mensa loves to show off and why not? He has proven himself time and again to be one of the most versatile hip-hop artists of his generation.Ā
Frequent Chance The Rapper collaborator Jamila Woods has an angelās voice and a beautiful mind.Ā
Inspiration seemed to wear thin as the end of this project got closer but the artistic direction was well executed for the most part and songs like āVRY BLKā will bring happy tears to the eyes of anyone who has lived the black experience.
74. American Football (2016) - American Football
Beloved emo outfit American Football returned to their old house with a sequel to their beloved 1999 self-titled, which definitely sated my craving for new music from them. There is a noticeable dip in energy levels, but after 17 years stewing, thatās to be expected.Ā
73. Chemical Miracle - Trophy Eyes
On Chemical Miracle, Trophy Eyes make wistful and sharp pop-punk, thatās really enjoyable. Whether breakneck or cruising, the Austrailian band sound comfortable at any speed and prove they can do both well, often mixing dreamy riff work with gutteral angst.
72. Growing Over Life - Wretch 32
The Tottenham rapper commands a ton of respect in the UK scene and on Growing Over Life, itās easy to see why.Ā
Wretch can occasionally resort to the corny (and the Emeli Sande) but when he gets the kind of tunnel vision he gets on this record, he can be hard to beat. His Young Fire, Old Flame mixtape with Avelino was a better outing in my view, but this makes a good companion piece.
71. The Stage - Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged get spacey on this new record, and not a moment too soon. Though they increased their audience with 2013ā²s Hail To The King, they sounded utterly bereft of ideas.Ā
The Stage sees them experimenting and writing great riffs, with new drummer Brooks Wackerman injecting new life into the band. Not as catchy as usual, but a great record nonetheless.
A quick explanation of this silly thing Iām doing AKA my most ambitious personal project yet.
One of my friends at work passed along a quote that stuck with me:Ā ā2016 has been a shitty movie with an awesome soundtrack.ā
I always wanted to do an album year-end list and now seems like the perfect time - time off, no essay deadlines, no sleep debt from raving too much at uni. I want mine to be different though, cause there are a hundred of these out there from people who actually get paid to do this. How do I solve this?
Well, itās Christmas. So the answer is excess. Sheer volume. Fuck a Top 10.Ā I listened to 81 albums this year. Iām going to rank them all. I figure this is a great chance to get this article Iāve always wanted to do out, provoke some debate and test my stamina as a writer.
DISCLAIMER
You are DEFINITELY not going to agree with this list. The things I usually consider when reviewing: cultural impact, critical and commercial acclaim, musical brilliance, relative strength against previous work were all important this time. But crucially, Iām ranking the feelings each of these records gave me this year. This is the tome of my 2016 in music.
Because of that, Iāve got tiny mixtapes ranked above universally adored albums. Pitchfork Top 10s that didnāt make my Top 20. If you feel some type of way about that, thatās okay. Come to my Twitter and letās discuss it.
THE PLAN
Hereās how itās gonna run (I hope)
Boxing Day: 81-60 (11 in the afternoon, 10 in the evening)
27th Dec: 60-40 (10 in the afternoon, 10 in the evening)
28th Dec: 40-20 (same deal)
29th Dec: 20-10
30th Dec: 10-1
Thatās basically it. Hope you feel it. #OneMan81Albums #RankAllTheRecords
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Skepta at Alexandra Palace last night was my one hundredth gig. No better way to celebrate. 1ļøā£0ļøā£0ļøā£šš¬š§ #greatnessonly #shutdown #gig100
I won my first award for writing tonight! Gassed to have helped Music win Best Section and to have won Best Review for my TLOP article at the Redbrick Newspaper Awards. Shout out to the current and former music editing team, the writers and all the nominees and winners! @redbrickmusic @redbrickpaper #redbrickawards
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