Music has been one of the only saving graces of what’s otherwise been an awful, horrific 2016. There has been absolutely no shortage of tremendous new releases from all corners of the musical globe. Indeed, putting these lists together of our favourite albums and songs has been one of the more difficult tasks here at H&E HQ. So as the year’s end is right around the corner, let’s forget about all the terrible shit for a moment, and focus on the good: the music.
One of my personal favourite aspects about Howl & Echoes is how diverse our phenomenal team is; we have different passions and personalities, unique writing styles, and vast variety of musical preferences. From hip-hop to pop, from electronic to heavy metal, from Australian sounds to those around the world, from established superstars to upcoming talent, there’s almost too much on offer.
As is our favourite annual tradition, each team member has picked their own favourite ten albums of the year; some of these albums have had intense personal meaning, while others can’t keep us off the dance floor, and others still are in our headphones so often that they feel like they’re our best friends.
We are incredibly proud to present to you Howl & Echoes’ contributor’s favourite albums of 2016.
Enjoy!
Lauren Ziegler
A Tribe Called Quest, We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service
A.B. Original, Reclaim Australia
Beyoncé, Lemonade
The Body, No One Deserves To Die
Chance the Rapper, Colouring Book
Cobalt, Slow Forever
Frank Ocean, Blonde
Rihanna, Anti
RLYR, Delayer
ScHoolboy Q, Blank Face
Review: Chance the Rapper’s Colouring Book is a remarkable, religious celebration
James Tait
A.B. Original, Reclaim Australia
Bon Iver, 22, A Million
Bugs, Growing Up
Client Liaison, Diplomatic Immunity
Frank Ocean, Blonde
Kanye West, The Life Of Pablo
King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard, Nonagon Infinity
The Ocean Party, Restless
Twin Peaks, Down In Heaven
Violent Soho, WACO
Review: A.B Original are the most important thing to happen to Australian music in 2016
Alex Crellin
David Bowie, Blackstar
Frank Ocean, Blonde
Kanye West, The Life of Pablo
Russian Circles, Guidance
ScHoolboy Q, Blank Face LP
Swans, The Glowing Man
The Drones, Feelin Kinda Free
Alex Osborne
A Tribe Called Quest, We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service
A.B. Original, Reclaim Australia
Anderson .Paak, Malibu
B Wise, Semi-Pro
De La Soul, and The Anonymous Nobody
Drapht, Seven Mirrors
Flatbush Zombies, 3001: A Laced Oddessy
Isaiah Rashad, The Suns Tirade
Michael Kiwanuka, Love & Hate
Remi, Divas and Demons
Interview: De La Soul’s Posdnuos on Longevity & …and the Anonymous Nobody
Elizabeth Ansley
A.B. Original, Reclaim Australia
Ruby-Rose Pivet-Marsh
Angel Olsen, My Woman
Martin McConnell
A Tribe Called Quest, We got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your service
Anderson .Paak, Malibu
Chance The Rapper, Colouring Book
Dave, Six Paths (EP)
Flume, Skin
KAYTRANADA, 99.9%
Noname, Telefone
NxWorries, Yes Lawd!
Remi, Divas And Demons
Skepta, Konnichiwa
Riley Fitzgerald
Angel Olsen, My Woman
The Avalanches, Wildflower
Cate le Bon, Crab Day
Clever, Kewdi Udi
David Bowie, Blackstar
Goat, Requiem
The Goon Sax, Up to Anything
Juliana Barwick, Will
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Skeleton Tree
Suzanne Ciani and Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Sunergy
The Stars Look Very Different Today: In Memoriam, David Bowie
Dani Hansen
DIIV, Is The Is Are
Fat White Family, Songs For Our Mothers
Flume, Skin
Green Buzzard, Eazy Queezy Squeezy
Kaytranada, 99.9%
Kendrick Lamar, Untitled Unmastered
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Nonagon Infinity
Tourist, U
Twin Peaks, Down In Heaven
Whitney, Light Upon The Lake
Andrew Adrian
Wild Nothing, Life of Pause
Alasdair Belling
Chris Palmer
A Tribe Called Quest, We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service
A.B Original, Reclaim Australia
Alex Lahey, B-Grade University
B Wise, Semi-Pro EP
Childish Gambino, Awaken! My Love
J Cole, 4 Your Eyez Only
Kanye West, The Life of Pablo
L-FRESH The Lion, BECOME
Ta-ku and Wafia, (m)edian EP
Yeo, Ganbaru
Interview: B Wise “You need grounded people to remind you there’s a reason you’re here”
Tobias Handke
Angel Olsen, My Woman
Chance The Rapper, Colouring Book
Charles Bradley, Changes
Danny Brown, Atrocity Exhibition
Kamaiyah, A Good Night In The Ghetto
Kano, Made In The Manor
Kanye West, The Life Of Pablo
Solange, A Seat At The Table
Skepta, Konnichiwa
Young Thug, JEFFERY
A Tribe Called Quest, We Got It From Here… Thank You For Your Service.
Flume, Skin
Kendrick Lamar, Untitled Unmastered
Jordan Rakei, Cloak
Noname, Telefone
Remi, Divas and Demons
RUFUS, Bloom
Solange, A Seat At The Table
Sticky Fingers, Westway (The Glitter and the Slums)
9. Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool
8. Solange, A Seat At The Table
7. Flume, Skin
6. David Bowie, Blackstar
5. Chance The Rapper, Colouring Book
4. Kaytranada, 99.9%
3. Frank Ocean, Blonde
2. A.B. Original, Reclaim Australia
1. A Tribe Called Quest, We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service