36 Favorite Albums of 2016

End of the year music lists are always so exciting to me, but I also always have this looming feeling of not including all the music that I did not know about, so please share your favorites with me as well!

Here are 36 of my favorite major label releases of 2016. Stay musically woke, and just woke in general, my friends.

If you want a playlist of highlights from these album, click HERE!

1. Rihanna – ANTI
Album of the year is a bold statement, but ANTI defintiely is in the running IMO.

2. JoJo – Mad Love
Mad Love is honestly R&B/pop perfection. Stay woke, listen to JoJo.

3. Anderson .Paak – Malibu
Anderson .Paak is the embodiment of talent. If you like urban/contemporary/jazz/R&B/etc., this guy will rock your world.

4. Rachael Yamagata – Tightrope Walker
My all time favorite singer/songwriter serves songs from the heart, always.

5. Bruno Mars – 24K Magic
Some people were born ready to perform and entertain people, and Bruno is one of them. If you don’t like this record, you should reevaluate your music listening habits.

6. Young the Giant – Home of the Strange
Sameer is here with a voice of butter and YTG never disappoints the alt crowd.

7. Sia – This is Acting
Sia is a kween of pop. Legendary songwriting and powerhouse vocals.

8. Lights – Midnight Machines
Lights is forever underrated. With every release, she proves her mastery of pop composition and performance.

9. Panic! At The Disco – Death of a Bachelor
I will admit that I am a late addition to the P!ATD fan club. DOAB may be the year’s best male pop/rock vocal performance.

10. Gallant – Ology
Gallant is the epitome of EFFOERTLESS. He oozes soul, passion, and everything else you ever wanted

11. Childish Gambino – Awaken, My Love!
I don’t even know where to start with this guy. Donald Gover literally does it all and does it all impeccably.

12. Gwen Stefani – This is What the Truth Feels Like
One of my first idols came back with an album that is solid from top to bottom. Whatever Gwen does, she does it with style, class, and authenticity.

13. Tor Miller – American English
Discovering Tor this year felt like finding that gem in a vintage store. Although youthful, his old soul seeps through each track.

14. Lizzo – Coconut Oil
Sass kween of 2016? Hell yeah.

15. Waitress (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
The amount of times I’ve listened to this OBC may be concerning. Sara Bareilles is a genius, and this cast portrayed her score perfectly.

16. Kacey Musgraves – A Very Kacey Christmas
Not only did Kacey make the classics her own with her quirky country old time-y charm, her original Christmas songs may as well be considered classics now as well.

17. ZAYN – Mind of Mine
Zayn’s first solo release post-One Direction is an A+ execution of the R&B/pop/dance genre lead by Bieber and The Weeknd.

18. Beyonce – Lemonade
Because Beyonce.

19. Saint Motel – Saintmotelevision
Feel good AOTY? I’d say so. If you need to dance, turn this up!

20. Banks – The Altar
I firmly believe some people are born cool.

21. Solange – A Seat at the Table
The Knowles family just knows. Solange has outdone herself in this neo-soul treasure of an LP.

22. Lady Gaga – Joanne
Yes Gaga, YAS. This woman is a force. Her Americana/rock n’ roll infused record is unstoppable and just screams women empowerment.

23. Jacob Collier – In My Room
I’ve followed Jacob since his YouTube days. He’s the jazz prodigy we all needed.

24. Mayer Hawthorne – Man About Town
Hello, is this the smooth operator? Put this on if you want something groovy.

25. Weezer – White Album
Let’s go back, back to yet another perfectly Weezer record.

26. Glass Animals – How To Be A Human Being
Love this band and their music as much as their aesthetic. That’s saying a lot.

27. Frank Ocean – Blond
The LONG AWAITED come back of Frank did not disappoint. It’s a lot more “artsy” than Channel Orange, but still some great melodic structures here.

28. Stanaj – The Preview EP
If you don’t know Stanaj, you are SLEEPING! The agility and smoothness of his vocal style could slay anyone. Swear.

29. Pentatonix – A Pentatonx Christmas
Another xmas album on my list you say? Duh. I’m one of those “Christmas music in September people.” PTX is as flawless as ever.

30. Nick Jonas – Last Yeah Was Complicated
Nicky Jaaay. TBH this guy is still so underrated. Bacon may have some of my favorite lyrical zingers this year.

31. Santigold – 99 cents
Santigold is always killin’ the game with her effortlessly unique and edgy style.

32. Jimmy Eat World – Integrity Blues
Hearing Jimmy Eat World play this record live (along with their oldies) for the first time was honeslty a highlight of the year. They still got it y’all!

33. Bastille – Wild World (Complete Edition)
Do people even know this record happened? TBH my favorite release from the guys to date.

34. Little Mix – Glory Days
Yas hunnies, you bettah werq.

35. Phantogram – Three
Female vocalists in alt bands always slay me. This record is a just another example of Phantogram’s quality production and performance.

36. Carly Rae Jepsen – EMOTION SIDE B
TFW all your B-sides tracks are fire enough to have been on the initial release. Listen to Store and tell me it’s not the catchiest chorus ever.