50 Best songs of 2016

50 Best songs of 2016

2016’s year in music was a year defined by optimism. In the hip hop scene, there were inviting faces telling us to have a little fun. Old indie rock bands were putting smiles on our own faces. Young artists were springing out left and right, in folk rock, in indie pop, in modern R&B. Not all of the music this year was happy music, with some experimental artists exploring the darker, sonic sounds that hip hop could create. It was also a year dominated by the greatest city on Earth. 12 of the 50 songs on this list had a Chicagoan contribute to them. No matter how your year went, these are the 50 songs you should be listening to from 2016.

 

  1. Kansas City

The Storm

Tech N9ne feat. The Popper, Rich the Factor (Prod. Seven)

Tech N9ne has somehow managed to be at the edge of mainstream success for his whole 17 year career. In this upbeat track about Tech’s home town of Kansas City, Missouri, Tech brings aboard two lesser known emcees, typical of his independent attitude. A detail not to be missed is that both The Popper and Rich the Factor, as well as the producer Seven, all trace their origins to KC MO. In fact, both the features have popular hits about the city as well. This song is nothing but a Kansas City lovefest, and even if you don’t understand the many references made to the largest city in Missouri, you can’t help but get caught in the infectious energy and love that all of the rappers clearly feel about their city. Lyrically, it is nothing too complex, but the structure and wordplay are all centered around the same motif, which keeps it engaging from start to finish. All of these artists have collaborated before, and thus know each other’s tempos well enough to keep the energy high. This song will be several times more enjoyable if you’ve visited Kansas City, but even if you haven’t the strong beat will get you up out of your seat.

 

  1. Liquor Locker

There’s a Lot Going On.

Vic Mensa feat. Ty Dolla $ign (prod. Papi Beatz)

Whitney Young alumn Vic Mensa’s 2010 mixtape, Straight Up, showed a lot of promise. He had a distinct flow that definitely had an impact on his immediate comrades’ (think Chance the Rapper and Joey Purp) later work. Then, in 2013, he followed up with the InnaneTape (pronounced innanet-tape), which was an incredible mixtape that capitalized on the homely, nostalgic Chicago sound that his collective, SAVEMONEY, were forming. Standout tracks like ‘Lovely Day’ and ‘Orange Soda’ capture the essence of what Vic Mensa’s aura was. Unfortunately, as soon as he was signed, he seemed to lose what made his vibe so beautiful. He started making Dubstep-influenced rap, collabing with Skrillex and later Kanye West to make some pretty disappointing tracks. 2016’s There’s a Lot Going On was no different, and although he gets respect for tackling real issues, like the shooting of Laquan McDonald on ‘16 Shots’, it still was an unfortunate mix of techno beats with an unnecessary amount of autotune on the hooks. None of the distinct sound we heard on InnaneTape remained. The one exception is ‘Liquor Locker’ on which producer Papi Beatz takes a risky guitar sample but flips it into a compelling melody. A clutch feature from Ty Dolla $ign ties the whole track together, a surprisingly enjoyable song on a wholly disappointing album.

 

  1. The Law

Do What Thou Wilt.

Ab-Soul feat. Mac Miller and Rapsody

Despite a scathing review from Pitchfork, Ab-Soul’s new album made a lot of sense in it’s nonsensicalness. Ab-Soul, of course, is a member of the Black Hippy group that also includes such successful rappers as Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, and Schoolboy Q. ‘Soulo’ is known for showing a very human side in his previous albums, These Days…, Control System, and Longterm Mentality. This habit is continued into Do What Thou Wilt., with this standout track detailing Ab-Soul’s tough time with women through an extended metaphor to the Thelemic Holy Book, The Book of The Law. Ab-Soul himself has said he doesn’t follow any religions, but he has made many religious allusions throughout his discography. Although at times it feels like he gets too caught up trying to center his wordplay around Thelema, the song is beautifully brought together with a hook from longtime friend Mac Miller. Rapsody, whose own project this year was unimpressive, is able to add to the effect with a quality feature not quite matching the flow but retaining the chilled, relaxing tone. The Angie Stone sample gives the song it’s due soul, making it a quite enjoyable track. Ab-Soul may be an eccentric character, but he knows how to put a catchy rap together.

  1. Sucker For Pain

Suicide Squad: The Album

Lil Wayne with Wiz Khalifa, Imagine Dragons, Logic, & Ty Dolla $ign feat. X Ambassadors (prod. Alex Da Kid)

Suicide Squad was admittedly a terrible movie. And the majority of the soundtrack sounded like they were trying to ride the artists’ names to their full potential with little regard to the content of the song. But hidden between 21 Pilots’ inane ‘Heathens’ and Skrillex/Rick Ross’ shameful ‘Purple Lamborghini’ is a hidden gem. The beat that Alex Da Kid whipped up for this track accomplished it’s goal- spooky. There have been so many failed attempts at making Halloween hip hop albums and songs, it should be recognized when a great track like this one gets created. Imagine Dragons really captures the mood on the hook, and Ty Dolla $ign carries it through his verse. In his typical half-singing, half-rapping way, Ty engages the obvious motif of the song quite well. Then Logic, whose Bobby Tarantino mixtape this year wasn’t terrible, but did not live up to his 2015 concept album The Incredible True Story, brings the energy up a notch with his quick and consistent delivery. Young Sinatra seems to get brought slightly off topic, but Weezy brings it all together with his killer verse. Hitting several great rhymes in a row while keeping a consistent delivery and topic, Wayne is definitely the highlight of the song. Khalifa’s bit seems squished in, not unlike the bland X Ambassadors outro. An impressively spooky rap track that succeeds where many have failed.

 

  1. Change

4 Your Eyez Only

  1. Cole

If you can get past how annoyingly present his fans are in the hip hop community, always condescendingly talking about popular rappers who aren’t their savior, J. Cole is actually a decent rapper. Often he struggles with making convincing hooks and choruses, which is why the singles ‘False Prophets’ and ‘Everybody Dies’ fell somewhat flat. However this is not the case with the infectious ‘Change’ off of his new project, 4 Your Eyez Only. This album followed Cole’s friend James, and tells most of the story through his perspective. Cole’s strength has always been storytelling, and it really shines through on this album. As a whole, 4 Your Eyez Only is not quite the sequel to 2014 Forest Hills Drive it’s chalked up to be, but it is worth a listen. The beat off this track is what Cole thrives on- some dirty drums and a soulful sample that aids him on the chorus. If you’re going to keep putting out albums with no features, that’s how to do it (see also: Logic’s 2013 Under Pressure). J Cole keeps a steady flow making this a satisfying track of Cole staying in his lane.

 

  1. Really Doe

ATROCITY EXHIBITION

Danny Brown feat. Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, and Earl Sweatshirt (prod. Black Milk)

You can read the Beacon’s review of Danny Brown’s incredible Atrocity Exhibition here. This album, just like Brown’s two previous studio releases, XXX and Old, was an exploration of Brown’s inner emotions. However, this track stands out for multiple reasons; firstly, as one of the very few songs with features. And what a list of features: Kendrick Lamar, who despite releasing one small project this year, manages to appear multiple times on this list through features, Ab-Soul, who impressed us this year with Do What Thou Wilt., and Earl Sweatshirt, who had a relatively quiet year. The second reason this track stands out is because it is a much more fun track, one not about Brown’s dark inside emotions. The beat by Black Milk is super intriguing. At the same time it is both spacey, with sonic tones and bells in the background, but the drums (in coordination with the flow of the verses) make you want to bounce up and down. As strong and energetic as Danny Brown’s opening verse is, the song soon sounds like Kendrick Lamar feat. Danny Brown, as K. Dot covers the hook in addition to a post-hook and his own verse. Ab-Soul’s verse matches the energy of Brown’s, keeping the flow of the bouncing drums. Finally, Earl Sweatshirt ends the song with his signature aggressive but restrained delivery. Overall, an extraordinary song on a lyrical and aesthetic basis.

 

  1. Alaska

Alaska (single)

Maggie Rogers

Thank god Pharrell Williams visited New York University earlier this year and heard student Maggie Rogers’ song ‘Alaska’. The virality of his reaction contributed to it’s popularity, and it is well-deserved. Rogers told Pharrell that she comes from a folk background, but after a recent visit to France, she had the revelation to combine her postmodern work with French dance music. The result is a song unlike anything you’ve ever heard before. The bouncing drum in the background overlaid with sonic tones and an absolutely beautiful voice, layered several times over the chorus. The song paints an extremely vivid picture, aided by a penchant for storytelling that can no doubt be traced to her origin in folksy banjo-playing. Even if Rogers hadn’t explained her story to Williams before listening to the song, you would know exactly what she’s been through by listening to the track. An absolutely beautiful song that melts into your ears, a definite must-listen.

 

  1. Free Lunch

The Sun’s Tirade

Isaiah Rashad (prod. Cam O’bi)

Despite some questionable end rhymes in this track, the reason this song made it onto this list is Rashad’s flow. Unquestionably consistent, he really knows how to tie a verse together through a catchy delivery. But while it is his strongest attribute, it is far from the only positive in this song. The beat is what makes the flow so compelling- they compliment each other beautifully. Producer Cam O’bi has appeared on some of the best projects, especially from the Chicago scene, in the last few years (hint: This is not the last time you’ll see his name on this list). For this track, the strings bounce off of the drums very well. This works in coordination with Rashad’s flow-based delivery to create a very catchy tune. The story is also quite touching, as Isaiah remembers back to when he would get free lunch because he was too poor to afford it.

 

  1. Starboy

Starboy

The Weeknd (prod. Daft Punk)

It’s hard not to bob your head along to this great collab. The Weeknd has come to be known for his music on the edge of rap and techno, and with Daft Punk’s incredible production, he has achieved his third chart topper. This album was a surprisingly large hit compared to his previous albums that he’s been releasing since 2012. Great features from Lana Del Ray, Kendrick Lamar, and Future showcase The Weeknd honing in on his genre. A hollow beat with a great bass compliment the keyboard in a great instrumental that serves as a platform for The Weeknd to deliver his flow-centered singing that blends beautifully with the auto-tuned “hah”s that sound during the chorus. The Weeknd has really made a name for himself in the music industry.

 

  1. Get Bigger/Do U Luv

Yes Lawd!

NxWorries

If you heard Anderson .Paak’s part in the 2016 XXL Freshman Cypher and decided you weren’t going to give his music a listen, you can’t be blamed, but you did make a huge mistake. NxWorries is the name for the duo of .Paak and producer Knxwledge. Yes Lawd! is the group’s first full studio album. It is an accomplishment in modern R&B. .Paak’s strained but emotional vocals stretch beautifully over the sweet instrumentals Knxwledge drops under them. This particular track is very groovy, the slower beat with a lot of instrumentation and a quieter drum beat compliments .Paak’s sound in the perfect way, allowing him to articulate his storied past. Anderson has been through alot in his life. His dad went to jail for abusing his mom, and .Paak left home at 17 to make it easier on his family. He goes through his tales in the song, with the uplifting moral that it all led to him getting bigger. A beautiful listen not to be missed this year. If you’re tired of all the modern R&B singers sounding like Chris Brown, Anderson .Paak is a name you’ll be hearing for years to come (or maybe even farther down on this list).

 

  1. Touch

Nothing’s Real.

Shura

2016’s pop scene was filled with big names making tired tracks about nothing new. However, former Manchester football player Aleksandra Denton, better known as Shura, called back to earlier years of synth-pop with her drop, Nothing’s Real. A good portion of this album is being compared to pop greats like Madonna. But this single, ‘Touch’ is much heavier on the “synth” half of synth-pop. The overlaid keyboards transport the listener into the alternative world of this alt-pop masterpiece. The vocals blend into the background to make it a very psychedelic single for a pop star.

 

  1. The Worst in You

The Party

Andy Shauf

Folk rock and folk pop had a pretty great year, and Andy Shauf deserves some of the credit. Shauf has been around since 2009’s Darker Days, making folk music that’s slightly more pop than it is rock. The Party is reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens’s 2005 masterpiece Come On! Feel the Illinoise in that Shauf does a great job matching his vocals to the guitar and keyboards. Shauf has very soft vocals, not having to go too high to achieve the folk sound. The instrumentals remain acoustic and open. ‘The Worst in You’ was the second single off The Party and it carries the best tune off the album. The keys follow him all the way up and all the way down. The track is very slow and soft, definitely something to calm down to.

 

  1. Nobody Speak

The Mountain Will Fall

DJ Shadow feat. Run the Jewels

This track definitely gets the award for most hilarious music video of the year. DJ Shadow has been producing tracks for a while now- his first project, Endtroducing, dropped in 96. But Shadow isn’t the kind of producer that hip hop artists recruit to make beats for their albums. Shadow releases his instrumentals without any rapping and, usually, without any vocals at all. Acclaimed for his use of sampling (Endtroducing was made completely out of samples), Shadow has some pretty impressive work. His more recent tracks hold a slightly electronic sound, with a whole lot of energy. Run The Jewels, whose own project RTJ3 made this list as well, are a great feature for this song. Apparently, Shadow decided to let someone rap over his beats, and who better than the great rapping duo Run the Jewels, consisting of El-p and Killer Mike. Dj Shadow knows how to set the mood- the intro riff immediately introduces you to what seems to be a showdown scenario. Mike and El-p play with some over-the-top lyrics and match each other’s flow and energy perfectly. And how perfect for a producer known for his reluctance to let artists spit over his beats, the RTJ duo spit some insane lyrics, mocking the typical artist in their genre.

 

  1. F.U.B.U

Starboy

Solange feat. BJ the Chicago Kid and the-Dream (prod. David Longstreth and Solange)

Beyoncé’s hit album this year, Lemonade, was an accomplishment, but her younger sister pumped out some great tunes as well. While ‘Don’t Touch My Hair’ was a more viral hit, ‘F.U.B.U.’ was a much more developed thought. Featuring the heavenly vocals of BJ the Chicago Kid and the Kanye West-collaborator the-Dream, this song is a black anthem. Although the lyrics don’t directly reference the brand, Solange titled this track F.U.B.U. after the fashion brand started by now-Shark Daymond John. F.U.B.U. stands for ‘For Us, By Us’ and represents a black pride of community. The lyrics also highlight this sound over a slow, pop instrumental.

 

  1. Stupid Rose

Nat Love

Kweku Collins

Although not from Chicago (but a close suburb, Evanston) rapper/producer Kweku Collins has really come through with a very Chicago vibe. The D’Angelo sample definitely has the extreme synth sounds that we heard on many great mixtapes this year. But the high keys that compliment it on the chorus make it slightly more dance-able. What the beat is really able to do is reflect the mood of the story that Kweku lays over it. It’s a classic heartbreak story told with the extended metaphor of the stupid roses. It’s a very sweet but somber song and the beat matches, especially with a high-pitched solo from an unidentified instrument after the first hook. The lyrics that may at first seem simple have some complex thought behind them, making this song hard to ignore. A great song both to chill out to and to analyze deeply. The outro seems unnecessary, but does adequately add to the message.

 

  1. New Year

Remember Us to Life

Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor is often cast off as an artist for “quirky” 15-year-old white girls. And while she does appeal to that genre, she is an amazing singer-songwriter who deserves more than that image. Much more somber than 2006’s great Begin to Hope, this year’s Remember to Life has Spektor returning to her piano and setting aside the tight radio beats. She slows down the tempo to tell the audience touching stories of everyday people. The deluxe edition is worth getting over the regular simple for this masterful track, ‘New Year’. You may have missed the one day a year it becomes incredibly relevant, but no song better showcases Spektor’s ability to display emotion through storytelling. A very relatable tale is told about a woman on new year’s eve, and Regina Spektor lays down her exceedingly beautiful vocals over a slow, intensely emotional piano. Fair warning that this track and entire album might make you a tad emotional.

 

  1. Smile

Prima Donna

Vince Staples (prod. John Hill and DJ Dahi)

For someone who never intended to rap, Vince Staples is pretty darn good. His deadpan personality and dry delivery translates pretty well to his music, and he is very talented at keeping a consistent flow. His 2014 mixtape Shyne Coldchain Vol. 2 best hinted at his Odd Future-esque style with experimental beats and very straightforward bars. But fame hit him quite hard. As you can see in the short film that accompanied this EP, Staples has struggled with the attention that comes with fame. This song in particular highlights his awareness of the industry expectations of him, and how they sometimes become unbearable. The production from industry veterans John Hill and DJ Dahi uses a very catchy electric guitar riff for the intro and the drum beat keeps up with Staples’s up and down flow. Then, another example of an outro that doesn’t add anything musically to the track, only continuing the message. This rap will get stuck in your head and, when you listen to the lyrics, hit you hard in your gut.

 

  1. Dis Generation

We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service

A Tribe Called Quest feat. Busta Rhymes

This song had to make the list just for the Busta feature. Although Mr. Rhymes didn’t give us an album this year, he did make a catchy single with the ever-present Chance the Rapper, but his best lines came on A Tribe Called Quest’s We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service. ‘Dis Generation’ captures the essence of the entire album, and seems to make the album title make sense. ATCQ haven’t made an album since ‘98. They were huge in the ‘90s and any hip hop head crying about the death of hip hop should rejoice about the group re-joining this year to pass the torch. Members Q-Tip and Phife Dawg have made the occasional projects since the group stopped making music but this project was everything it needed to be. Older rappers known for their work in the ‘90s, Busta included, calling out the artists that they see taking over for them in the hip hop game. The callouts include Joey Bada$$, Earl Sweatshirt, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole. This track uses a great sample of the kid reggae group Musical Youth to emphasize the message. ATCQ and Busta Rhymes have no distinct verses and actually interrupt each other and rap together, a technique long lost in the days of ‘90s hip hop.

 

  1. Surfin

Passion, Pain, & Demon Slayin’

Kid Cudi (prod. Pharrell Williams)

This song could be seen as the resolution to Cudi’s twitter rant earlier on in 2016. The theory that Cudder and Cole both seem to have that collaboration is just riding a wave is not too easy to agree with. Kanye’s greatest art has come from influence from younger artists. There’s no way The Life of Pablo would have been the same without the work put in from Chance. Regardless, this song is very catchy. Kid Cudi doesn’t have a great history of putting out good music, but Passion, Pain, & Demon Slayin’ was not terrible for what it was. This single was an easy standout because of upbeat production from the one and only Pharrell Williams. Lyrically, Kid Cudi professes that he (unlike people like Kanye West and Drake) doesn’t ride waves because he’s “too busy making his own waves…” The extended metaphor of surfin works pretty well, and Cudi rides the beat pretty effectively. There’s no doubt, however, that Pharrell’s production made this track, thus disproving the point of the song.

 

  1. Ultralight Beam

The Life of Pablo

Kanye West feat. The-Dream, Kelly Price, Kirk Franklin, and Chance the Rapper (prod. Kanye West, Chance the Rapper, Mike Dean, and Swizz Beatz)

Kanye West has had a rough year. But despite the messy rollout of his eighth studio album, The Life of Pablo it’s hard to say it wasn’t a great album. Kanye’s biggest talent, save for maybe his outstanding production, has always been his ability to bring great artists together to create something amazing from their shared talents. Thus created the longest credits for a song on this list. West worked with longtime collaborators Mike Dean and Swizz Beatz, and then added his biggest fan, fellow Chicagoan Chance the Rapper. The beat with its drawn out synths, its choir helping out on the verses, and its sampling of a vine, sounds like something Chance would hop on given his more gospel approach that we would later hear on his mixtape, Coloring Book. It is not unfair to compare this God-fearing song with ‘Jesus Walks’, West’s breakout single. It is very much a prayer put into a song. Kelly Price’s verse actually sounds like something you might hear in your local church (albeit probably not from as talented a vocalist as Price). The-Dream and Kirk Franklin only add to the very homely, welcoming, church/preacher vibes that the song sends. Then Lil Chano spits a contender for verse of the year, using quick-witted lyricism, constant religious allusions, and incredible rhyming ability to remind us that this is indeed a rap album, not a gospel one. This song is compelling, beautiful, and one extended prayer that you don’t have to be religious to enjoy.

 

  1. Thursday in the Danger Room

Run The Jewels 3

Run The Jewels feat. Kamasi Washington (prod. El-p)

This legendary rap duo stayed quiet up until the last days of 2016. Legendary producer El-p and conscious rapper Killer Mike are the example of what rap duos should be. Not two carbon copies of the same person. But two distinct personalities that compliment each other. El-p has great electronic productions that he lays down pretty impressively throughout this album, the third from the duo (As long as you don’t count 2015’s confusing Meow the Jewels). Despite the physical differences and distinct voices each member of the duo has, they match the flow and energy of each other to the t. A saxophone solo from Kamasi Washington will blow you away while the rappers do what they do and go in on the lyrics. This album was incredible production-wise and lyrically. Hard to complain that hip hop is dead when these two are still making music.

 

  1. Intro (My Calling)

Community Service 2

Towkio (prod. Knox Fortune)

Similar to SAVEMONEY groupmate Vic Mensa, Towkio’s drop this year was not what it should have been. Young Towki has been releasing quality music since at least 2014’s Hot chips n Chop stix, (his only previous release, 2012’s Community Service, is almost impossible to listen to) and most of it has been super intriguing. Tracks like ‘Sh!t 2.0’ hinted at Towkio’s future as possibly the most high energy member of the SAVEMONEY crew. Then, in 2015, he released .Wav Theory, an incredible blend of electronic dance music with rap. He even lended some softer vocals on songs like I Know You, showing a full character of the man whose name has changed from Preston to Presto San to Tokyo Shawn to just Towkio. He had a distinct sound (something not easy to achieve with such extraordinary contemporaries) and a very energetic delivery. Once he began tackling more complex topics than girls in every song, Towkio had a chance to become something very special. This year’s Community Service 2 did not deliver that complexity. Overall, the album seemed like he was trying to overplay his energy, and he still has yet to diversify his topics. There were some standout verses, on ‘Playin Fair’ (of which the music video was shot at the basketball courts behind Whitney Young) but it’s overshadowed by an overly cheesy hook, shouted by a crowd of burly basketball players. The EP, while disappointing in proportion to its potential, warrants a listen, and the standout track is the intro- My Calling. Production from Chicago native and consistent SAVEMONEY collaborator Knox Fortune puts Towkio exactly where he should be- elevated energy, beautiful aesthetics. Towkio carries the energy through his flow and delivery to make it a very strong intro to the EP.

 

  1. This is How it Feels.

These People

Richard Ashcroft

Those nostalgic for legendary alternative rock group The Verve’s ‘90s sound can find a home in former lead singer Richard Ashcroft’s new album, These People. Although not a critical favorite, this album calls back to the acoustic rock that The Verve mastered when they were still going platinum. Of course, there are definitely tracks that maybe should never have been released. The intro, ‘Out of My Body’ is a horribly overdone, pop-y version that loses sight of the acoustic basis of Ashcroft’s sound. However, ‘This is How it Feels’ does not make the same mistake. The croaking of the instrumental is extremely reminiscent of Verve singles like ‘Love is Noise’ and Ashcroft does what he does best on the vocals, an extremely British but a bit softer than the typical performance.

 

  1. The New Cupid

In my Mind

BJ the Chicago Kid feat. Kendrick Lamar (prod. Joe Syring & BJ the Chicago Kid)

BJ the Chicago kid knows how to sing. If you need proof, here it is. His first major label studio album, In My Mind, showcases his extraordinary vocals in combination with some great production and even better features. The omnipresent Chance the Rapper dropped an impressive feature on this project that’s worth a listen or two or a few more. But the song that really stands out is ‘The New Cupid’, on which BJ really channels his Chicago soul sound over what can only be described as the sweetest, most romantic production on the record. The melting chords run beautifully under BJ as he sings about how busy Cupid is. The somewhat comical message of the song is that Cupid has been slacking on the job, and it’s BJ’s responsibility to pick up where the son of Venus left off. And BJ definitely accomplishes what he has set out to do, because this song is so romantic it could make you want to elope with your speaker. Kendrick comes through with another great feature. It must be difficult to make a romantic rap verse, especially when you’re going to be put on the same song as BJ’s killer chorus, but K. Dot effortlessly drops a sweet verse that keeps the tone of the song the same. This song will always put you in the mood.

 

  1. Sinister

Next Thing

Frankie Cosmos

Greta Kline, a.k.a. Frankie Cosmos, succeeded in making professional bedroom rock on her second album, Next Thing. Frankie Cosmos has always had a very soft sound, with minimal production over the guitar chords and natural voice. She plays with the idea of her lack of over-production on tracks like ‘Outside with the Cuties’, where she explicitly asks others to help her finish writing the song. This album is a great listen, Kline’s extraordinary vocals line up with the trajectory and sound that she was destined to follow. ‘Sinister’ is one of the most playful songs, slightly more upbeat and with a more present drum beat than the other tracks. Cosmos displays her versatility as well, going all the way up and all the way down the scales. This song is a fun take on Frankie Cosmos brand of soft indie sounds.

 

  1. Daddy Lessons

Lemonade

Beyoncé feat. The Dixie Chicks

It’s hard to deny that Beyoncé owned 2016. With her critically acclaimed album and nine grammy nominations, she broke boundaries of pop music and created one of the more iconic albums of the year. For most pop R&B artists, it would be a difficult leap to make a country song with The Dixie Chicks. Not for the Queen Bey. Her upbringing in Texas made it extremely easy for her to tell a story about the typical country tale of the lessons her father bestowed upon her. If you had guessed that the only good neo-country track made this year would be Beyoncé, most people would have told you that you were crazy, and rightly so. But this track achieves that acoustic jumpy sound without sounding too cheesy (thanks largely to the great Dixie Chicks) and Bey lays down distinctly country but still distinctly Beyoncé vocals. This kind of thing could have very easily come off as too gimmicky, but is actually a surprisingly satisfying listen, for fans of R&B and country alike.

 

  1. Thursday Girl

Puberty 2

Mitski

On this track, Mitski displays her more versatile vocals and beautifully draws out her singing on a minimally produced instrumental. This track is incredible touching, the echoes and the light descending notes on the chorus make it a very emotional listen. Mitski’s Puberty 2 went a long way in making her name a staple in indie rock. This is her fourth studio album, and definitely shows her both honing the sound she rests upon currently, but also exploring the boundaries of it. ‘Thursday Girl’ especially showcases some raw talent.

 

  1. Never Be Mine

MY WOMAN

Angel Olsen

Angel Olsen’s voice is a refreshingly new take on indie rock. With hard instrumentals with heavy guitars pair with her strong but feminine voice beautifully. This year’s MY WOMAN was an outstanding album, exploring the limits of what Olsen can achieve. ‘Never Be Mine’ is the story of Olsen and a love interest who, despite her attempts, will “never be [hers]…” It’s a much more emotional style of indie rock. The guitar is still heavy. But draws out the chords giving a feeling of longing. Definitely the saddest track on this album, but will put you right where you want to be in your emotions.

 

  1. 2 Styx

K2.0

Kula Shaker

While Kula Shaker is indeed another 90’s British indie artist that has kept making music despite being unable to gain the popularity they had in their heyday, this band is unlike anything you’ve ever heard before. Back when they were still going 2xPlatinum, they made the only song that ever charted in the U.K. Top Ten sang completely in Sanskrit, ‘Govinda’. And that eastern influence is apparent throughout all of their music, carrying over to this year’s release, K2.0. As you may guess from the title, it is a follow up to their debut 1996 album, K. Besides having some amazing cover art, Kula Shaker have a great Eastern psychedelic rock sound, showcased on this song, ‘2 Styx’. This song’s chorus is much more rock-influenced, with an overbearing electric guitar and harsh vocals. Then, halfway through the song, it stops for half a second, then slows down. It eventually picks back up, but the switch up is impressive and satisfying.

 

  1. A Loving Feeling

Puberty 2

Mitski

The description for ‘Thursday Girl’ was so short because there was much more to be said about this track, which is somewhat surprising given that it is by far the shortest song on this list. At one minute and thirty-two seconds, this song is extraordinary because it still is able to convey an entire thought, a raw feeling, and not leave any blank spaces. Of course the audience is left wishing the song was longer just for how powerful it is, but it satisfies and doesn’t actually leave any necessary content out. It feels like Mitski just had a distinct feeling and then masterfully made that emotion into a song. Listening to the song is experiencing that emotion, and it’s a very infectious one. You can rock out to this song, it is much more upbeat than ‘Thursday Girl’, but just as impactful.

 

  1. Girl at the End of the World

Girl at the End of the World

James

This band is so great but so unknown. James peaked in the ‘90s British indie rock scene, but they haven’t stopped making music since. The world just stopped listening. Their albums have been a continuation of the same indie theme, and lead singer Tim Booth’s astounding vocals do not hurt this goal. 2014’s La Petit Mort was much more influenced by electronic dance music, but still retained something distinctly James. Then, this year they dropped a masterpiece with Girl at the End of the World, a beautiful return to their acoustic roots that hits softly but at your core. The title track is beautifully uplifting and borders on an almost psychedelic sound. This record was widely overlooked, but that says nothing about how extraordinary it was, because it was extraordinary.

 

  1. Dang!

The Divine Feminine

Mac Miller feat. Anderson .Paak (prod. Pomo)

Credits to producer Pomo for making a funky beat that suited these two personalities perfectly. Mac Miller has, in the past, succeeded by making rap that’s a little happier than the norm of the genre. 2011’s Best Day Ever was a great example of this optimistic, upbeat rap. Anderson .Paak, one of the most outstanding male vocalists in 2016, lays his beautiful hook down right over the beat with some extreme funk samples and a finger-snapping drum beat. The horns that come in to compliment the vocals work perfectly. Miller said on Genius that this song was originally about losing someone to death, but he flipped it to be about losing a girl. In a lot of ways, that works much better with the overall sound and vibe that exists in the instrumental. This is a light and happy collaboration between two artists who killed it this year.

 

  1. No Problem

Coloring Book

Chance the Rapper feat. 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne (prod. Brasstracks)

No ‘Best of 2016’ list would be complete without a young, energetic, gospel-influenced rapper you may have heard of. Chance the Rapper has had quite an amazing year, being the first independent artist nominated for 7 Grammy’s. He was heavily involved with his hero Kanye West’s album, The Life of Pablo, but his greatest music was on his own mixtape (the third in the trilogy), Coloring Book. Chance, who came out of the Chicago Public School system, is a founding member of the SAVEMONEY crew that has appeared so many times on this list. On this incredible track, Chance takes shots at the music industry, saying that the labels “don’t want no problem with me…” Chance has previously called himself the “Tubman of the Underground” in reference to leading young artists to be more independent of the major labels. The heavily affected choir beat is so fitting for Chance’s style, and is truly one of the best put together beats of the year. The duo that produced it, Brasstracks, are definitely a group to watch out for in 2016. Say what you want about the features, Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz, but they definitely were fitting for this track. Keeping the same vibe, Wayne and 2 Chainz bring their distinctive styles and flows while retaining the general sound of the track. And really what makes this song so great is Lil Chano’s own energy, shouting on the hook, making it as intensely catchy as possible. Chance takes after his idol, Kanye, in that one of his greatest talents is bringing together great artists. This is an amazing track through and through.

 

  1. You Give Drugs a Bad Name

What Are We Fighting For

Dodgy

Dodgy hasn’t put out a legitimate record of new music since 1998. They became well known in the ‘Britpop’ scene (think Oasis and Blur) for hits like ‘Staying Out for the Summer’ and ‘Grassman’ Their work back then was excellent, well put together British indie rock. It’s hard not to be excited when they reunited to put out this album, What Are We Fighting For. This track, ‘You Give Drugs a Bad Name’ is a classic Dodgy tune chock-full of references and allusions. To start, the title is a pretty obvious and somewhat comedic reference to Bon Jovi’s ‘86 hit, ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’. The story told in the lyrics is one of someone hooked on multiple substances, but interestingly told through the lens of an extended allusion to The Wizard of Oz. “Click your heels three times if you can get up off the floor” and lyrics like it compare the experience of taking drugs to the crazy vivid story Dorothy experienced in Oz. The guitar riffs in combination with a very catchy keyboard make this song an incredible song on an album that deserves ten times the exposure it has.

 

  1. Diddy Bop

Telefone

Noname feat. Raury and Cam O’bi (prod. Phoelix and Cam O’bi)

Pigeons & Planes’ 2016 New Artist of the Year Noname made the most Chicago project of the year. Noname (formerly Noname Gypsy) has made her name by collaborating with great Chicago artists like Chance the Rapper, Mick Jenkins, and Saba. A close SAVEMONEY associate, she got her start in slam poetry, and it really shows in her mesmerizing poetic flow. Even though it would no doubt be extremely easy to get Chance to hop on one of her tracks for this mixtape, Noname gets points for trying to make her own path by collaborating only with artists slightly lesser known that the Kanye West prodigy. This track, ‘Diddy Bop’, channels her inner Chi-town into a beautiful portrait of life in this city. Constant references that only Chicagoans would catch, a light chime-y beat, and local artists (Atlanta artist Raury gets a pass because of his incredible part on Chance’s Fallon appearance) show Noname capitalizing on the nostalgic feel that the SAVEMONEY crew have been creating for the last few years. This song will hit you right in the heart if you grew up here in Chicago, and even if you didn’t it’s hard not to get up and do the Diddy Bop.

 

  1. Cash Machine

Big Baby D.R.A.M.

D.R.A.M.

D.R.A.M. made a tiny impression last year with ‘Cha cha’, but hit it huge in 2016 with the grammy-nominated ‘Broccoli’. That song, off his album Big Baby D.R.A.M. was a quality song with an energetic hook and instrumental to match. However, it was brought down by one of the lowest effort features possible. Lil Yachty has had some success this year, dropping two popular mixtapes, Lil Boat and Summer Songs 2. Both projects had their merits, but Yachty did not fit ‘Broccoli’. Luckily, D.R.A.M.’s next hit was so similar and contained no life-draining features. ‘Cash Machine’ captures the best in Big Baby D.R.A.M., a lighthearted, piano-sampled beat underneath a smiling and energetic hip hop figure who’s not really afraid to act a little silly. This song is a jam that you can turn up to, but most of all, it will hit you with D.R.A.M.’s infectious smile.

 

  1. Shut Up Kiss Me

MY WOMAN

Angel Olsen

This song was Olsen’s big hit off of MY WOMAN, and it makes a lot of sense. Still slow and emotional on the verses, it becomes more upbeat on the chorus where an extremely electric guitar and some background vocals lay the groundwork for Olsen to lay down a chorus guaranteed to get stuck in your head. But no one’s complaining either. It retains the longing we feel in the slower songs, but integrates a silly stubbornness that makes the song so easy to listen to.

 

  1. Stranger

Stranger (single)

Paul Simon & Nico Segal

The collaboration that no one knew we needed, but boy did we need it. Whitney Young alumni Nico Segal and rock legend Paul Simon gave us a beautiful song this year. Simon put out Stranger to Stranger, an amazing Simon album, but the most captivating music was the single ‘Stranger’. It’s a remix of two of the songs off of Stranger to Stranger, ‘The Werewolf’ and ‘The Clock’. The remix is done by the Social Experiment’s Nico Segal (formerly Donnie Trumpet) and Nate Fox, both close collaborators of Chance the Rapper and his SAVEMONEY collective. This remix takes Simon’s folksy vocals and puts them over a deeper bass drum and soft synth chords. A really well done remix, and a really exciting precedent for collabs between this up-and-coming Trumpet player from Whitney Young.

 

  1. Put Me Thru

Malibu

Anderson .Paak

In addition to the many features he put out this year and his collaboration album with Knxwledge, Anderson .Paak also put out his own project- Malibu. This album follows .Paak much more personally, and he confesses his true story over some great instrumentals. Anderson .Paak is on the edge of hip hop, but he doesn’t quite rap. He combines elements of soul and R&B into his singing, giving his voice a lot of character. The piano on ‘Put Me Thru’ is the perfect compliment, and this is no doubt the most soulful song on the album. The guitar riffs also blend with the drums to create a low key atmosphere. Then the background vocals come in to give the track a fullness that completes an amazing song off of an accomplishment of an album.

 

  1. Hold Up

Lemonade

Beyoncé

One would expect husband Jay-Z would be pretty upset when Beyoncé made an album about his infidelities, but if he actually listened to it without thinking of the meaning behind it, it’d be hard for him to be too upset. Of course ignoring the powerful lyrics on this album would take a lot away from your enjoyment, but the point is that Beyoncé managed to create an amazing pop-R&B album that spread like wildfire across the mainstream. With one of the most visually beautiful music videos of the year, every frame like a masterful painting, Beyoncé made a song with minimal soulful intrumentals so as to showcase her beautiful voice, and a great Yeah Yeah Yeah reference as the chorus completes the track.

 

  1. Peace Trail

Peace Trail

Neil Young

The aging king of folk rock managed to crack the top ten by doing what he does best. Peace Trail as an album was something best experienced in relaxation. With longing guitar solos and soft, high-pitched vocals, Young once again creates a sound that can only be experienced by listening to his music. The nostalgic, emotional texture over the rolling drum beats make for an incredibly emotional listen. Neil Young has been making music since ‘69 and some of it have crossed too far beyond that ill-defined but critically important line between country and folk. However, this album and this song do not take that risk. The homely feel will draw you in, and it’s very hard to stop listening once you start. Neil Young’s still got it.

 

  1. We The People…

We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service

A Tribe Called Quest

This song was really the star off of A Tribe Called Quest’s We got it from Here… Thank you 4 Your service. What this famed ‘90s rap group lack in brevity of titles make up for in hard hitting beats and smooth deliveries. The bass line of ‘We The People’ carried the track, but the sirens and grimy drums do not hurt the sound one bit. The beat drops out during the verses, an effective device to make the lyrics twice as impactful. The hook holds a powerful meaning, but is aesthetically not as strong as it could have been. The switching up and ganging up on the bars is incredibly enjoyable to listen to, even if it’s only on the bridge. Q-Tip knocked the production out of the park, and he, the recently deceased Phife Dawg decimated this track, which should hit on a musical level, production level, and emotional level.

 

  1. No Woman

A Light Upon the Lake

Whitney (prod. Whitney and Jonathan Rado)

While Young represents an old class (somewhat ironically, given his name) of folk rock, Whitney is the newest folk rock group to hit the scene. From where else but Chicago, this group is made up of the remains of the Smith Westerns, which was a much more garage, glam band. You can hear the influence from folk greats throughout the album. What makes Whitney such a sensation to listen to is their incredible falsetto vocals set over an acoustic, but produced, backing. This track in particular captures the beauty in the simple aesthetics of the band. The horns are so powerful yet soft, and the guitar gives it this incredibly homely feel, like something you’d play while warming your hands at the fire place. And the vocals just bring the whole thing together, wrapped in an incredibly beautiful chorus. The story told is one of a man with, simply put, “No woman.” The relatable story just adds to the slightly psychedelic, folksy texture of the song. This is a band to keep your eye on.

 

  1. Redbone

Awaken, My Love

Childish Gambino (prod. Childish Gambino and Ludwig Göransson)

Many fans of rapper/comedian/musician/actor/singer/songwriter Donald Glover, a.k.a. Childish Gambino, may have been disappointed that he chose not to rap on his new album. It’s clear from Gambino’s new styles both musically and fashion-wise that he is trying to surpass his ‘childish’ comedy rap persona and be taken a little more seriously. Some of the singles off this album fall a little flat, overdoing it and making them exceedingly cheesy. However, ‘Redbone’ perfectly captures the more adult theme Glover is chasing and succeeds at being one of the funkiest songs of the decade. The moogs and the bass make something you would expect to find in a ‘60s Funk section of the record store. Gambino also manages to fully display his vocal range, going all the way up on this song. A funky instrumental and a talented vocalist, you should be looking forward to Childish Gambino’s future priojects.

 

  1. Everything at Once

Everything At Once

Travis

Yet another British indie rock band that deserves the popularity that they did once have, in the early 2000s. Travis made it big with their single ‘Sing’ off of their 2001 The Invisible Band, and this song was a quality soft indie folk pop, bordering rock. They’ve been quietly making music since, with no outstanding success either on the charts or with critics. This new album, however, is much better than their previous few releases. They’ve fully embraced the ‘pop’ side of their folk pop and the ‘soft’ side of their soft rock. That being said, it is definitely not a pop album. It has the acoustics and spacey effects of a rock album, but it is much softer and more produced than their old work. They’ve started fully utilising background vocals, which adds a lot to the choruses. Travis is regaining the sound they’ve lost since their big hit, and it’s going to be fun to watch- or at least to listen to.

 

  1. Angels

Coloring Book

Chance the Rapper feat. Saba (prod. The Social Experiment and Lido)

Although ‘Angels’ came out in 2015 as a single, it really was the best representation of Chance the Rapper’s critically acclaimed mixtape Coloring Book, which was released this year. Chance, whose name has appeared all over this list, created a gospel-hip hop masterpiece with this album. Chance also helped create the Chicago rap collective SAVEMONEY, which has been rising to the national stage in recent years. Local rapper Saba, who dropped Bucket List Project this year, is also a SAVEMONEY associate, and he sang the catchy hook on ‘Angels’. If Telefone and iiiDrops were Chicago mixtapes, this song is a Chicago song. In the video, he circles Chicago landmarks on a CTA train, but he lyrically circles a Chicago theme. Making references and wordplay over a nostalgic beat, this is what SAVEMONEY was made for. Good luck to Chance on his seven Grammy noms.

 

  1. Death of Democracy

K2.0

Kula Shaker

A lot of us may tend to agree more with the message of this song after a hectic year for democracy. Despite a limited knowledge of economics (“…And it’s just printed money, so just go print some more!”) and seeming to veer off topic to rant on capitalism, Kula Shaker returns for another great song on the edge of psychedelic and folk rock. This song uses some heavy Greek mythology allusions to paint a picture that looks pretty similar to the world we live in today. The band rides the eastern sound they’ve always capitalized on to craft an acoustic guitar guide for the folksy lead vocals and incredible falsetto background vocals. A compelling track with clever wordplay while telling a story doesn’t always have to be a rap. Kula Shaker nail this one on the head.

 

  1. Girls @

iiiDrops

Joey Purp feat. Chance the Rapper (prod. Knox Fortune)

A former Whitney Young student managed to crack the top 3 of this list. Joey Purp, yet another member of the omnipresent SAVEMONEY crew, has been floating around since his first full length project, The Purple Tape, in 2012. This mixtape was nothing special, Purp was clearly still searching for his sound. He got a lot closer when he teamed up with fellow SAVEMONEY member Kami De Chukwu to create ‘The Leather Corduroys’. This rap duo pumped out Porno Music Vol. II in 2014. This EP was wholly unimpressive, two rookie rappers with no distinct sound quite yet. However, 2015 yielded their first full length project, Seasons. This album was incredible. Although it contained several throwaway tracks, it showed a much more soulful side of the two MCs. The standout song is definitely ‘Rocketman’, an experimental sort of track that definitely warrants a listen. But now, in 2016, Joey Purp decided to make another solo project and put out iiiDrops in late May. An incredible mixtape, iiiDrops displays Young Purple’s talent for storytelling, especially on tracks like ‘When I’m Gone’. Like Telefone, it is very much a Chicago mixtape. On this particular song, producer Knox Fortune makes an incredible bouncy beat with some playful sounds. Purp spits an engaging hook that works so well with the instrumental. The amazingly placed feature from Chance keeps you bouncing in your seat, and while Chance spits his typical witty lyrics you can’t help but just bob along. The music video showcases Purp’s aesthetic, something to be noted, as he has a penchant for some great fashion choices.

 

  1. Lazarus

Blackstar

David Bowie

This song makes it seem like this all-time legend knew his death was coming. Ever since his breakout self-titled album in 1967, David Bowie has been a glam rock icon, redefining the genre and himself with every smashing record he created. Bowie’s Heroes and The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars are hard to not call classics, as well as Hunky Dory and Aladdin Sane and so many just astounding records from this music machine. Towards the beginning of this year he released Blackstar, what was called ‘David Bowie’s jazz record’. More accurately, it was jazz instruments and sounds molded by the master craftsman. It soon came to be known also as his farewell album, since the legend died shortly after the project was released, becoming the first major music icon death in a year of many. This song, ‘Lazarus’, like Bowie coming to terms with the illness that would claim his life. As slow and jazzy as it is, the song is intensely emotional, with Bowie dropping his signature vocals in a tune about coping with fame. Hard to listen to when you know the context, but a song not to be missed this year.

 

  1. Nothing But Love

Girl at the End of the World

James

There’s a number of reasons that this song is the best song of 2016. It’s partially because the message became more and more relevant throughout the year. It’s partially because the band is criminally underappreciated and needs much more recognition than they are receiving. It’s partially because bands that thrived in the 90’s British rock scene matured into something beautiful, and it needs to be noted. But mostly it’s because it’s just a great song. Since their ‘93 hit ‘Laid’, James has never been able to replicate the chart climbing that the record of the same name did. This by no means is a metric of the quality of their music, which has been consistently high throughout the several albums they have released in the past 16 years. This album called back to the acoustic rock that they succeeded with on Laid, but with a slightly more produced sound. Singer Tim Booth’s incredible vocals never disappoint, telling the story of someone who has become sad over the state of the world today. What could possibly make them feel better, what could possibly make someone optimistic in this day and age? Nothing but love. It’s a simple message that resonates with the listener, especially when it’s sung over a choir of ukuleles and other strings, as well as backing vocals. The tone of the song can be described only as intensely passionate, and the music video illustrates the message beautifully. It’s a sentiment that we should all keep in our hearts after such a chaotic year. “Nothing but love gives the world some meaning.”