HERE’S A LITTLE RECAP OF MY FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2016
The following albums are my hands-down favorite releases from over the course of 2016. Every one of these albums was great from start to finish, and skipping a track has never been an option.
I played these records the most, saw the most shows this year from these artists, and have been overall impressed with the production on these albums and how it translated to their live shows. Let’s get started!
MOTHXR – CENTERFOLD – Released February 26, 2016
I definitely have no intention of listing these albums in any type of order, but I’ve been literally bursting at the seams wanting to speak about this record for what feels like AGES! Centerfold was a well-timed discovery for me, and I immediately forced it upon my close friends – which was actually really easy because they were obviously impressed by the end of just the first song.
After repeatedly seeing the Centerfold album cover in my suggested YouTube feed for about a good 2 or 3 months straight- the last straw for me was seeing it suggested in my Google Music (or whatever it’s called). I was like “FINE. It’s right here…let me just sample through a few tracks and move on with my life.”
Well I learned quickly learned to trust my computer’s suggestions more often because this was the album of the year that I didn’t know I needed – a breath of ridiculously fresh air and like nothing I’d ever heard before.
I had absolutely no inclination of what to expect from this artist (or band?) from the album art and name, I didn’t even know what or who I was listening to to be honest. I didn’t Google “Mothxr” or anything like that first, I just wanted an unbiased first impression of the album solely based on the only image associated with it.
And just in case you’re wondering: yup, that’s definitely actor/vocalist/musician Penn Badgley, and I had absolutely no idea that that’s who I’d been listening to on the track. I’d heard his name once or twice in passing YEARS back, but as far as I’m concerned I only know him as a part of this band – with equal importance to the project as every other member on board.
2 tracks into the album, I’m immersed into this nostalgic, yet progressive collection of songs that are giving me glimmers or some of my favorite sounds of the 80s and 90s.
For example: “Underground” has these airy, climactic moments in the composition that remind me of Genesis, “Victim” is giving me (confirmed) D’Angelo vibes, with a little bit of She Wants Revenge, and even The Cure. “Impossible” and “Underground” have these deep, raw, vocals that are sometimes reminiscent of Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell at times.
The overall tone or “sound” would definitely be in the 80s / synth / R&B / soul category if my hands were tied and I was forced to categorize this masterpiece into some sort of genre. It pretty much sounds exactly the way the album cover looks.
Once I got a grasp on the basics surrounding these guys, everything pretty much went from 0 to 100 REALLY fast. The first night I listened to Centerfold, I pretty much bought the digital album immediately, ordered a physical copy on Amazon (duh), and also grabbed a ticket to see them play a show in less than 2 weeks.
3/30 – I bought the album & 24 hours later bought a ticket to their show
4/16 – Saw them open for Polica at Thalia Hall / took pics with the guys
4/17 – Literally gave away my ticket to Santigold for free to see them perform at The Minimal Beat’s 5 Yr Anniversary Party instead
They were so incredible live, that 10 days later bought another ticket to see them headline at Beat Kitchen 6/10
After a stint of amazing back-to-back events, my Mothxr Mania 2016 came to an abrupt end, once their follow-up US tour was suddenly cancelled and BOTH of my October show tickets were refunded. So for now I’m patiently awaiting what’s next from these guys, and I am so glad I caught them at just the right place and time this year. I’ve got so many amazing memories from this spring, and after chatting with the band you can see just how humble and appreciative they are that some of their fans are truly there for the right reasons.
Listen to their incredible album Centerfold, and be sure to check out the rest of my videos from various sets!
JESSY LANZA – OH NO – Released May 3, 2016
While on the topic of throwback vibes and nostalgic influence, Jessy Lanza’s Oh No hit the nail on the head and served us 90s beats, funk, R&B – and everything in between.
I feel like Oh No was this year’s follow up to 2013’s more experimental older sister: Pull My Hair Back. The progression of her sound from past to present was a seamless transition into a new era – and I can’t get enough.
I actually first heard of Jessy through her debut album, actually. I overheard “5785021” at work one day, and surely thought I was hearing a recording from over two decades ago.
Her dedication to such a conceptual sound and aesthetic really interested me and I started going through all of her work.
I dare you to get through this video without falling in love with her sound.
And then 3 years go by.
Here I am in 2016 like: Does she have more material? Was I late to the party and I’m screwed?
But OH NO.
OH NO literally came out of nowhere – like I manifested this album into existence by praying for sick beats. I’m not gonna lie though – I was a little taken aback by the first single “It Means I Love You”. It was something SO different and unlike anything I’d heard from her or any other artist at the time. (I obviously later learned to love it TO DEATH after she broke down the song’s composition in an interview).
Although the first impression of new material caught me off guard, I still pre-ordered the album as soon as I could.
Once again, I was taken back the the 90’s but with more futuristic and progressive elements incorporated into the music. Some of my favorites right off the bat were “Never Enough” (which was the most similar to Pull My Hair Back era), “Could Be You” (a dark, heavy, R/B groove with a witchy cast to it, and “Still Here” (which she performed at the Junior Boys show ahead of the album’s release).
She really threw it back to some of the greatest musicians of all time, with “Going Somewhere” giving me peak Janet Jackson Control vibes, and “I Talk BB” could easily be featured on the Purple Rain soundtrack. This album was released about a month after Prince’s passing and it was crazy how heavily I felt his essence within this track. It may be the best song on this album for me and is a must-listen for sure.
The spectrum of genres covered on this album are endless, and I love watching her teeter between being a literal beast live, yet so soft-spoken and sweet face-to-face.
Let us never forget that she stopped me mid-sentence at East Room to tell me she already recognized me, and that my friends and I singing front and center “got her through her set” at the Metro – BYE.
Take a look at this adorable pic of Jessy and I, and then browse a few videos from her sets!
MAJID JORDAN – MAJID JORDAN – Released February 5, 2016
To some Majid Jordan listeners, 2016’s LP was called overproduced and/or too mainstream. I’d heard some of my friends say it was too far-fetched or “radio-friendly”, but for me this self-titled debut was a long time coming and it really solidified their sound.
I’ve been listening to these two since their Soundcloud days under the name “Good People”, and it was about time the “mainstream” world heard what real music is supposed to sound like.
2013’s Afterhours and 2014’s A Place Like This really established the foundation for what these guys can do with just about every genre – with Majid Jordan being the most conceptual and harmonious album, in my opinion. You really feel the inspiration through the lyrics and analogies that are used, and their sound is so organic and real because it’s based on their common love for all things music.
What I really love the most about these two is that they have absolutely no regard for “fame” or being flashy – even with their rising success. They’ve continued to maintain a very minimal visual aesthetic with their look – forcing only their music into the forefront.
But by minimal I surely do not mean careless. The quality of every single piece of music or video that is released is of the cleanest, purest form with these guys. They really take the time to make sure their visuals mirror extremely minor elements of the song composition that you may have missed, first time around.
They always do this thing where for every heavy deep bass line, the track is complemented by some obscure high – which evens out the plane and holds the song together. (For example: “Every Step Every Way” with the really metallic, high-pitched pinging sound effects, that are reflected in the equally stunning visual.)
At first listen one may not even h ear may not hear this, but for example – the details that went into “Small Talk” are impeccable. There’s these little whispers of cricket sounds during the chorus that almost create the atmosphere of lingering on your front doorstep at curfew, waiting to see if you’re gonna get that kiss goodnight. It’s so romantic and girls live for that shit.
It’s 2017, guys – this is what women want to hear:
Sensitive, emotional, honest words coming from strong male figures, and that’s why this music is received so well on the female front.
Men, please take note. Matter o’ fact, take two notes LOL!
Here’s some highlights from Majid Jordan, and then go take a look at some live clips from their shows and my meet-and-greet pics!
SWOON <3
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