I had a real struggle with this one. So many great records came out this year and I tried to nail it down on 35. Please enjoy this list and tell me about your favorites of the year in the comment section. This article includes releases from the first half of the year!
Latitudes
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Old Sunlight
Amazing and intense post metal with breathtaking ambience.
Naia Izumi
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Soft Spoken Woman
She will get the attention she deserve, I’m sure. This EP is superb, catchy and tasty.
Hypno5e
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Shores Of The Abstract Line
An absolutely top-notch prog metal record. Magical melodies, immersive lyrical contant and hypnotic atmosphere!
Textures
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Phenotype
The masters of math metal are back with their newest, highly-anticipated record, and they struck stronger than ever. Catchy, complex and with punishing grooves, Textures proved their standing in an impressive way.
Submotion Orchestra
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Colour Theory
The amazing mixture of electronic, post rock, jazz and trip hop. Submotion Orchestra never fail to amaze me.
Pinegrove
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Cardinal
Some of the best songs I’ve heard in 2016. Their feeling for dynamic, rhythm and composition is flawless, because it seems to be absolutely natural. And these vocal lines…..
GoGo Penguin
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Man Made Object
One of the finest modern jazz bands out there. Incredible feeling. Worthy successor for the amazing v2.0. In the vein of the great Esbjörn Svensson Trio.
Obsidian Kingdom
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A Year With No Summer
I needed a good amount of time to delve into this masterpiece, but it was worth every minute. Massive and epic prog metal album which focus less on technical aspects and more on art rock-ish elements.
Oceans Of Slumber
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Winter
This year is full of great metal records, but nothing shines more for me than this. Doomy progressive metal with a soulful voice and amazing lyrics.
Koi Chil
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Koi Child
I can’t resist the Nujabes-vibe. Fantastic jazzy hip hop with delightful sound, thanks to Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker.
dvsn
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Sept. 5th
Very groovy and catchy r’n’b. I know that’s nothing for everyone, especially if you’re more into the other topics of It Djents, but I recommend to check this record.
The Mercury Tree
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Permutations
Experimental rock at its finest. You’ll get addicted to that record.
Bibio
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A Mineral Love
Bibio’s newest indietronic masterpiece with some great disco influences.
Haken
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Affinity
If a band progress from album to album, it’s always a good sign. Haken started strong many years back, and they manage to release Affinity, their best record to date.
Black Peaks
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Statues
Interesting songs, very creative and with a fascinating vibe. Proggy post hardcore with some southern rock and mathcore influences. Fans of Arcane Roots, Every Time I Die and Norma Jean will love this.
Mice On Stilts
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Hope For A Mourning
The Pink Floyd is strong with this one. Beautiful prog rock.
Snarky Puppy
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Culcha Vulcha
First studio album since Bring Us The Bright, and Snarky Puppy don’t disappoint us. Flawless and joyful jazz/fusion/world as usual.
No Party For Cao Dong
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The Servile
One of the best math rock bands I’ve discovered this year. This record is so full of energy and passion, very authentic and unique. I love the shoegaze/indie influences!
Vektor
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Terminal Redux
Close your eyes, listen and delve into the mystic and haunting world of Vektor’s Terminal Redux.
JMSN
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It Is.
If you are searching for more classic r’n’b and soul, this album should be your choice.
Bent Knee
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Say So
Absolutely special and unique. There is no band out there like Bent Knee. Trippy, dreamy and psychedelic post/art rock with some chamber pop, indie and electronic elements and outstandingly good vocals. A hidden diamond which deserves way more attention.
A Great Adventure Of Nothing
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A Great Adventure Of Nothing
One of the best instrumental prog records you’ll hear this year. Very creative and diversified, full of great ideas and surprises. The production is a little bit rough, but it fits very well with the composition.
Tiny Moving Parts
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Celebrate
The connection between 90’s pop punk, math rock and post hardcore is just magnificent. I didn’t expect a record that good from TMP, despite the fact that I really like their previous work.
Nothing
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Tired Of Tomorrow
I’m a big fan of Downward Years To Come and Guilty Of Everything, but Nothing‘s newest record is a masterpiece and a highlight of their career. Alternative rock meets post rock meets wave meets post punk meets shoegaze meets stellar songwriting.
Sioum
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Yet Further
Hey, big post rock bands! This is how you mesmerize your listeners. A masterpiece.
Thrice
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To Be Eyervwhere Is To Be Nowhere
To keep things short: This is everything I wanted from the new Thrice album. One of my favorite bands for a reason.
Gold Panda
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Good Luck And Do Your Best
The whole backstory of this record is amazing, and it’s one of Gold Panda’s best work to date.
Frost*
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Falling Satellites
One of these prog rock bands everyone should know but so many doesn’t. A splendid piece of art.
Gorguts
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Pleiades Dust
Every other prog death metal band seems so childish compared to Gorguts. An august joruney.
Mammal Hands
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Floa
Sax, keys and drums. You don’t need anything else to create real magic.
Sumac
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What One Becomes
Heavy, dark, complex, gritty, angry. Sumac found the essence of their existance while opening new doors.
Gojira
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Magma
While some fans don’t like the new direction, I love the new, psychedelic visage of these legends.
Black Crown Initiate
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Selves We Cannot Forgive
I was a little bit diappointed after the first singles, but the whole record showed me that the new BCI is absolutely amazing and don’t have to hide behind The Wreckage Of Stars.
Astronoid
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Air
Every one who likes music should listen to this record. Dream thrash at its best.
Little Tybee
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Little Tybee
Let the video below speaks for itself.
Strong first half. Well played, 2016. Excited for part II.
Thanks for scrolling.
