Best Albums of 2016

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Listed below are the best albums of 2016 as calculated from their overall rankings in over 59,000 greatest album charts. (Chart last updated: 6 hours ago).

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2016 year summaryThe best artists of 2016 were Radiohead, David Bowie, Frank Ocean, Car Seat Headrest, Danny Brown, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Nick Cave, Bon Iver, Kanye West and Beyoncé.

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Skeleton Tree

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

"It really warms my heart to see how quickly this album has risen on the 2016 list. This is my first "new" Nick Cave album as I'm still not two years into him. I bought as soon as it came out last Friday, have listened to it at least a dozen times and I still have barely any words. When Nick Cave ..." [+] Reply

badseed | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +5 votes (5 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

2016

Appears in:

636 charts

Rank Score:

4,381

Rank in 2016:

Rank in 2010s:

Overall Rank:

381

Average Rating:

83 (706 votes)

Comments:

11.

Nonagon Infinity

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

"Really enjoyed this one! Sounds like if 60s Pink Floyd were a garage rock band..." Reply

- SamNassiri98 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +7 votes (7 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

2016

Appears in:

356 charts

Rank Score:

2,624

Rank in 2016:

Rank in 2010s:

Overall Rank:

648

Average Rating:

81 (486 votes)

Comments:

22.

Wildflower

The Avalanches

"My favourite thing about this album is that you can tell it took 16 years by the sound of some of the tracks. 'If I Was a Folkstar' for example sounds like an early-00's Daft Punk track, 'The Wozard of Iz' also sounds like it was from about the same time. Despite the fact that some tracks may sou..." [+] Reply

- Jordbord | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +4 votes (4 helpful | 0 unhelpful)

Year of Release:

2016

Appears in:

282 charts

Rank Score:

1,367

Rank in 2016:

Rank in 2010s:

189

Overall Rank:

1,273

Average Rating:

76 (401 votes)

Comments:

97.

Feelin Kinda Free

The Drones (AU)

"SOUNDS LIKE A stressed out drunk Australian slurring his grievances It starts with a noisy 30 second eruption, embraces a brief gasp for breath, and then unloads again. A deep roaring bass and slow smash of the drum kit sets the foundation while the vocals and guitars present an unnerving bit of ...""[Maniacal Aussie rock] SOUNDS LIKE A stressed out drunk Australian slurring his grievances It starts with a noisy 30 second eruption, embraces a brief gasp for breath, and then unloads again. A deep roaring bass and slow smash of the drum kit sets the foundation while the vocals and guitars present an unnerving bit of chaos. As Gareth Liddiard pleas for a free private execution, the furious noise of the guitars could potentially let loose at any given moment. “Private Execution” is a demanding re-introduction to one of Australia’s finest rock bands, and everything that makes them tick. The tension continues on “Tamad Shud”, which has a dance pop vibe in the type of way Deerhoof does it. Less dense and threatening than the lead track, it unassumingly becomes more and more demanding as the pace gradually increases, and open space constricts. A shift occurs with “Then They Came For Me”. It begins minimally, relieving some of the preceding tensions. Over the plodding bass and drums, Liddiard sounds relatively relaxed and reflective. Waves of guitars sweep through occasionally. Over the course of the song, that sense of relaxation gives way to frustration. Everything comes crashing together, no longer speaking with predictability. It gives way to scorned ballad, “To Think I Once Loved You,” a genuinely biting tale of broken heartedness. Opening with a transitional electronic hum, “Tailwind” follows with further contemplation. It’s an exploration of the aftermath of prior devastation. The song ends with an odd little aching piano and organ. “Boredom” restores the energy, delivering the closest thing to an infectious Drones pop song. It’s virtually new jack swing, highlighted by Liddiard’s paranoid political rants. On “Sometimes” Fiona Kitschin takes the lead, singing the dreamy ballad about witness protection. Liddiard returns to front the powerful finale “Shut Down SETI” which builds its way towards a loud cataclysmic end. Following their tremendous 2013 release I See Seaweed, The Drones sound even more ambitious on Feelin Kinda Free. Gareth Liddiard remains a central focus with his volatile vocal presence which often commands with an air of “Shut the fuck up! I’ve got something to say!” And he does have something to say. Liddiard holds nothing back, setting sight on his targets and then unloading with the unhinged attack that makes The Drones such a rare presence. While it’s not the conventional fast paced three chord rock we often think of with punk, this is punk rock as it should be. The Drones are dynamic, noisy, impassioned, and threatening in all of the right ways. FAVORITE SONGS Boredom, Shut Down SETI, Tailwind" [+] Reply