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#1 Few artists can boast about such a successful year as much as Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino can. Coming off the success of his critically acclaimed and now Golden Globe award winning FX series Atlanta, the Atlanta artist surprised and wowed fans and critics alike with his third studio album Awaken, My Love!. After a near three year absence from the music scene, Glover closed out the year…

9 Favorite Artists/Albums from 2016 (in no order)

2016 kinda sucked yeah but these albums got me through it!

01. BON IVER / 22, A MILLION

It only takes a quick glance down the tracklist to deduce that 22, A Million is the most audacious and experimental product we’ve seen from Bon Iver. Justin Vernon’s vocals are as arresting as ever, but the real win is the more outward and broad vision he and his bandmates have expressed. It maintains the delicate nature that has become synonymous with Bon Iver while confidently ratcheting up the noise.

02. KAYTRANADA / 99.9%

Kaytranada, winner of this year’s Polaris Music Prize, is less of a musician than he is a sonic artist. 99.9% is a vibrant affair, bringing together jazzy electronic rhythms with classic hip-hop production and cleverly curated vocal performances.

03. RADIOHEAD / A MOON SHAPED POOL

A Moon Shaped Pool is perhaps the most meticulously-crafted Radiohead release ever, which is remarkable for a band who has existed for nearly a quarter-century. As with much of their work, there’s a well-designed tension between the dark emotional tone and the beautifully-rendered musicality that deepens the listening experience.

04. A TRIBE CALLED QUEST / WE GOT IT FROM HERE... THANK YOU 4 YOUR SERVICE

2016 claimed some pretty great musicians, including Phife Dawg—one of rap’s early greats. With We Got It from Here..., his Tribe mates have finished and delivered a unanimous masterpiece and a perfect tribute to his legacy. At once, it feels both like something that’s been bobbing heads for years and something entirely fresh and unexpected.

05. PINEGROVE / CARDINAL

Pinegrove channel some of the most heartfelt alt-country songwriting I’ve heard in a while. Singer Evan Stephens Hall’s voice reminds me of a cross between Ben Kweller and Ben Gibbard, made more honest by the cracking imperfections as he sings.

06. BOXED IN / MELT

Boxed In is the product of British musician Oli Bayston, whose roots as a pianist serve as the foundation of his music. Melt is full of punchy house grooves and animated rhythms akin to the work of acts like Cut Copy, Hot Chip, and LCD Soundsystem.