Brandon’s Top 20 Albums of 2016

Editor’s note: Brandon Hughes has been a good friend to Tuned Up ever since our first go at Steadfast Festival. The Chicago based booking agent hooked us up with Shiny Penny and Stay Outside for the inaugural event, and has since joined our staff as a contributing writer. We are happy to have him on board! Here are some of his favorite releases of 2016:

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1. Air for FreeRelient K

Relient k die-hards have been chomping at the bits in anticipation for Air for Free. Now operating as a duo, the veteran band compiled a massive sixteen track record that released in the summer. I genuinely mean it when I say that every single one of the sixteen songs is tremendous in every way. Despite the beautiful craftsmanship of the individual songs, the real magnificence of the record is that woven between the seemingly unrelated pieces are underlying storylines (listen to the album in the vinyl sequencing for an easier illustration). Matt Thiessen doesn’t want to admit that he is a genius, but after finding the narrative in Air for Free, it is simply one of the most intricate and important works of recent years and absolutely my album of the year.

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2. Coloring BookChance the Rapper

Chicago rap phenom Chance the Rapper had a massive year. A feature on the intro to Kanye West’s newest album teased his own upcoming release Coloring Book. Multiple grammy nominations later, it is clear that nearly no one was disappointed with the young emcee’s follow up to Acid Rain. Transparent lyrics about his faith (‘How Great’, ‘Blessings’, and ‘Finish Line’) and his struggles with being a independent musician (‘No Problem’ and ‘Mixtape’) make the record feel more like a conversation. Coloring Book’s highlight tracks are ‘Same Drugs’ and ‘Summer Friends’ that tie together nostalgia of Chance’s adolescent days in parallel with his present struggles. The diverse and eccentric sound of Coloring Book makes it a worthwhile listen for any music fan.

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3. I’m Alone, No You’re NotJoseph

Folk-pop trio Joseph, comprised of three Oregonian sisters, is the best new act of 2016. I’m Alone, No You’re Not is a remarkable concoction of genuine songwriting, memorable melodies, and absolutely unforgettable harmonies. A major flaw with the contemporary folk-pop genre is that it often lacks variety, however Joseph offers us eleven carefully crafted songs that seem to cooperate with one another, but can each stand alone as an individual work as well. The percussive ‘SOS (Overboard)’ showcases each of the sisters’ voices while the milder ‘Honest’ wraps up the album in a hauntingly beautiful fashion.

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4. The Life of PabloKanye West

Perhaps sometimes Kanye West’s antics outside of the music realm distract us from his innovations within it. In 2016 Kanye gave us the first ‘living’ album with The Life of Pablo that he continually has been changing since its February release. Aside from being one of West’s more creative concepts, it is also one of his most honest releases. The troubled hip-hop superstar is a little bit more real with us in his lyricism. What some might read as hyperbole and cheap attention grabs might actually be a clearer window into the madness that Kanye faces daily. From gospel-intro “Ultralight Beam” through whatever the final track may be (‘Fade’ or ‘Saint Pablo’), The Life of Pablo is not far off from a masterpiece.

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5. Real EmotionPaper Route

Paper Route has been a staple of my end of the year lists since 2009’s Absence. This year was no exception as the indie alternative group released their major label debut Real Emotion through Kemosabe Records, a Sony Music Entertainment offshoot. Lofty synth melodies and vocals that range from calming whispers to fierce falsettos show off the stellar repertoire Paper Route can display. The up-tempo jam ‘Pretend’ and ardent title track are among the album’s standout moments, however Real Emotion is a consistent and clear listen that is best enjoyed as a whole.

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6. CollapseDBMK

Nothing quite surprised me like DBMK’s Collapse. An intricate and engaging release from a frighteningly underrated band, Collapse features just the right amount of left turns that make it unclear where the album is going, but obvious that it is a journey worth taking. Alt/Emo vocals over electronica layers blend with hip-hop elements to form a sound unlike anything on the market today. Occasional poetic interjections define the record’s serious demeanor while ingenious hooks make it impossible to ignore these songs. Collapse is not background music.

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7. Farewell, Starlite!Francis and the Lights

Francis and the Lights has been one of the best kept secrets of the past few years of music. After a feature with Chance the Rapper and a single collaboration with Bon Iver, Francis is finally gaining some very well deserved recognition with his 2016 release Farewell, Starlite! Funky pop reminiscent of the final two decades of the last century, Farewell Starlite! showcases influences from an eclectic mix of artists from Frank Ocean to Genesis and Prince. The record feels almost cinematic and each song feels like there is something so much more that Francis isn’t quite telling us. Tasteful but complex, Farewell, Starlite! has no strong or weak tracks and should be listened to in its entirety from start to finish.

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8. The RideCatfish & the Bottlemen

Few acts have mastered songwriting and live performance quite like Catfish & the Bottlemen. This double-edged sword of a band is a national sensation in the UK and are finally catching on here in the US as Catfish is starting to gain radio play and tour dates around the country. The raw brit-rock sound of Catfish & the Bottlemen echoes the intensity of garage rock greats (early Kings of Leon or Arctic Monkeys) but with more targeted composition that makes it clear time was well spent piecing together this album. The singles from The Ride are spectacular and ‘Soundcheck’ and ‘7’ are must listens, but also make sure not to miss later album cut ‘Red’. After only their second release, Catfish & the Bottlemen already sound like seasoned rock legends.

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9. The Human ConditionJon Bellion

This was a huge year for Jon Bellion. The songwriter who was best known as the pen behind tracks by Rihanna and Jason Derulo is now stepping into a spotlight of his own with his first major release. The Human Condition is the perfect introduction for Bellion’s signature style that combines pop hooks with alt-rap verses in a way that makes it nearly impossible to put his sound into a box. Intensely transparent lyrics that describe Bellion’s inner turmoils are packaged in an honest fashion that should be rewarded with a listen by fans of any music style. The record is tied together in a conceptual fashion with closer “Hand of God” that theatrically brings the story Bellion is telling together. Additionally my bet is that ‘Guillotine’ will dominate airwaves in 2017.

10. Alone TogetherLeagues

After what felt like an eternity for fans of this Nashville dance-rock duo, Leagues finally released the follow-up to 2013’s You Belong Here. The record thematically is a diverse offering of reflections by Leagues frontman Thad Cockrell about life, love, and other relatable concepts. Standout tracks like ‘Lipstick Coffee’ and ‘Young Lovers’ showcase the band’s ability to make infectious alternative grooves while dance anthems like ‘Mad Mad Fever’ and the record’s title track stay true to the organic dance style the band originally branded itself with.

11. CareHow to Dress Well
12. I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of ItThe 1975
13. Lady WoodTove Lo
14. Love and WarFleurie
15. The Headspace TravelerSOL
16. GameshowTwo Door Cinema Club
17. Death of a BachelorPanic! at the Disco
18. Spirit’s FurnaceThe Bones of J.R. Jones.
19. There’s Alot Going On – Vic Mensa
20. Georgica Pond – Johnnyswim

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