Somewhere in the loads of music that weltered upon us this year, some musicians made 2016 theirs. Here are the artists we discovered, re-discovered, and those who reminded us of their greatness.
S U R V I V E
Between a critically acclaimed full length album and arguably one of the best TV series soundtracks of all time, S U R V I V E, led by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein were propelled to the very top of instrumental music in 2016.
Gallant
From studio sessions with Sufjan Stevens to live performances with Sir Elton John, Gallant has had a busy year to say the least. He’s been all over the internet, TV and posters, unsurprisingly. His debut full length, whether considered vocal talent materialized by some or sheer show-off by others, certainly made an impact.
Anohni
When the outcasts become kings (or queens, in this case). If committed art should be done in any way, this is it. In 2016, Anohni stapled herself as the most influential transgender artist. Through her ambiguous yet powerful lyrics and music videos accompanying the marvellous Hopelessness, she became groundbreak personified.
Solange
Much like Anohni, Solange proved that music is more than personal, private and discrete, bigger than the self. She took A Seat At The Table, and played it on the rooftop of the world, putting black beauty on the forefront of socially driven art.
Whitney
Just when you think guitar music is giving away to synths and computers, that’s when it roars back and changes the game. With Light Upon The Lake, Whitney wrote the perfect album for summer vibes, fun and carefreeness. Able to make complex rhythm and melodic structures as seamless and enjoyable as the most accessible chord progression, the truly are a force to be reckoned with. So grab a friend, a beer, and listen.
Anderson .Paak
“The dot stands for detail”. Compelling us to pay attention to those, so we can take him seriously. And one cannot do otherwise once the rhymes start flowing and the bars start dropping, whether it be on Malibu, or while collaborating the Knxwledge. The beats and the voice is all that matters; that, and letting your body groove to the sweet sweet songs on one of the records that ruled 2016.
Frankie Cosmos
Miniaturism at its best. Greta Kline’s longtime music project put out one of the year’s most acclaimed record, all while redefining what an indie song should sound like. Short, sweet, weird and meaningful in its nonsense; songs from Next Thing, Kline’s second “real album”(although she’s done dozens of demos), are music for rejects and cool kids. We warn you though, you’re gonna wish they were longer. Or just infinite.
Laure Briard
Take a step out of the anglophone musical empire, and you’ll find Laure Briard. This French musician, part of the entourage of Melody Prochet and the gang, released her first record, Sur La Piste De Danse, in 2016. Through what sounds like a cleansed, somewhat elitist, thought and worked-through pop, Briard brought back the aesthetic of the 1970’s and 1980’s, for a 1990’s generation, with 2000’s instruments, and 2010’s lyrics.
Angel Olsen
Feminine strength, raw affection and what would be titanium fragility make Angel Olsen’s music so powerful. Everything on My Woman was so well defined, so authentic and sanely spread out between themes, and especially genres. Angel Olsen is everything: rock’n’roll, blues, pop, a hint of electronic and ambient, Folk and whatever is in between. She simply cannot be put in a box, and this versatility made us, and everyone else, fall in love with her all over again in 2016.
Chance The Rapper
In 2015, Kendrick Lamar was hailed, rightfully, as the greatest rapper of the moment. This year, however, his spot might very well be in contention. Chance The Rapper self-released Colouring Book, an incredible third effort, all while featuring on other great records. His live performances are still one of a kind, and reaffirm that true independent hip-hop is as good as it’s ever been.