Jonah's 10 Best Albums of 2016: Part Two

Let's face it. 2016 has been one shit year all-around. Well, for everything except for music, which has been phenomenal. And through all the amazing work that has come out this year, here are the 10 most must-listen-to albums as told through two articles and curated by me, Jonah Kue.

Click here for Part One

Bon Iver – “22, A Million”

Frank Ocean did a complete 180 in his follow up to “Channel Orange”. The contemporary genius known as Bon Iver, however, took a more grounded approach, keeping to his signature sound with only enough of a deviation for the sake of distinction within his discography. The result? Another remarkably put together and brilliantly written string of songs that breaks its way into the company of best albums of the year. The lush beauty of the album is consistent but never uniform, as traits such as the pounding percussions of “10dEAThbREasT” and the crisp strings of “8(circle)” add just the right amount of nuance. One would be hard pressed to find a more well-rounded project that came out this year.

Childish Gambino - “Awaken, My Love”

A friend of mine recently told me that, if done right, funk is universally the best kind of music that can be made. And Gambino came pretty damn close to doing everything right on 'Awaken'. This is, in every sense, a throwback album. The fact that it not only stands up, but exceeds most other works, in contemporary times speaks on two things: the appeal of the genre and the talent of Donald Glover. Every song sounds crafted with care from the smallest detail on up, from the thought-provoking rhythms of “Boogieman” and “Riot”, to the sweet personal grooves of “Redbone” and “Stand Tall”. I know “California” is a rather polarizing track, but it fits as a welcome poppish break. This is definitely Gambino's standout in his discography, which is saying something.

Solange - “A Seat at the Table”

By far the most soul album dropped since early Maxwell and Erykah, and probably the most socially relevant. While the instrumentation and production have all the gorgeous intricacies of soul and r&b like never heard before, the lyrics are unapologetically unsubtle. Solange holds nothing back, as she croons songs like “Don't Touch My Hair”, “F.U.B.U.”, and “Cranes in the Sky” with the most defining intent. This album is all Black, all Woman, and all phenomenal.

David Bowie - “Blackstar”

The consistent inconsistencies of the late great have arguably never been showcased as much as it is in “Blackstar”. And it's one hell of a journey. There is nothing catchy about this album, which is a rarity for Bowie. The beauty is the ride it takes you on through eight tracks, mesmerizing you as it cascades through sweetly composed melodies and powerfully subtle and haunting lyrics. It's easy to lose sight of what track you're on, which is a refreshing experience to simply indulge in the complete narrative of an album. Bowie's best? No. One of the best of the year? Without question.

Chance the Rapper - “Coloring Book”

There hasn't been an album as uplifting as Chance's latest in 2016. No less personal than his previous projects, Chance recognizes the entirely problematic issues that were presented to us in the year, yet takes a stance to cherish what we have and build on it. And he does so with bold and angelic production and a flow that can't help but be infectious. Songs such as “All We Got”, “Smoke Break”, and “Juke Jam” turn stressful experiences into endearing ones, whereas tunes like “No Problem” “Mixtape”, and “Angels” are party jams that you could play anywhere and get everybody on the floor. The theme of the album is simple. The composition is simply amazing. And by far, this is Chance's best work to date.