The 50 Best Albums of 2016
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Although some claim that electronic music has finally run out of ideas, we feel like albums have been more varied in 2016, spanning more genres and mixing more diverse influences than ever before. Within our Top 10 you can find Afrobeat, Future Jazz, House, Broken Beat, Ambient, Techno...
There is also a mix of old and new, from Yussef Kamaal's stellar breakthrough to A Tribe Called Quest's final album, Convextion's long-awaited return or the LP debuts of Dorisburg, Funkineven aka Steven Julien and The Pilotwings.
Enjoy the selection. (Due to Christmas and limited stocks, we are sold out of a lot of these – we will endeavor to restock those that are available, just add your email on the albums' page to get a notification!)
Although some claim that electronic music has finally run out of ideas, we feel that the LPs to pass through the shop this year have been more varied, and mixing more diverse influences, than ever before. Our top 10 reflects both the diversity of opinion amongst staff members here at Phonica and the sheer variation amongst records being made in 2016. With only a quick glance you will see Afrobeat, Future Jazz, House, Broken Beat, Ambient, Techno, and indefinable records which explore new boundaries. These records couldn’t be more different, and that, in our opinion, is a very, very, good sign of things to come.
You’ll notice that, without intention, our top 20 LPs are all on independent, mostly very small (we’re talking one-man-operation small) labels. We see this as a continuing and maturing trend away from the majors, a democratisation of music for the multitude, allowing open-minded consumers and producers to create and buy brilliant long play records away from corporate influence. The sound of 2016 is one of fusions, experimentations, and independent thinking.
1
In a time when most genres feel like have been already discovered, explored, mutated, rediscovered, regurgitated and forgotten again, Lucio Aquilina and Massimo Di Lena aka Nu Guinea have been able to channel their broad influences into a unique, genuine handmade sound. In the era of big data, innovations seem to come from the way we organise the different parts of a composition, rather than single individual elements. Nu Guinea’s sample-based output achieves the perfect balance between jazz, funk, disco and afrobeat. Quite an eclectic and tasteful blend!
2
United Vibrations and 22a come together on this huge release. On Black Focus, Yussef Dayes and Henry Kamaal frame jazz inside the bass saturated, pirate radio broadcasts of London. In a year where the ripe fruit of the South East London scene has finally been plucked by a larger audience, the importance of this record cannot be understated.
3
Deep, emotive techno workouts from one half of Genius Of Time. A record that is both geared towards the floor, yet still playful and adventurous with a wide ranging sonic palette that has kept us hooked since Feb when it first surfaced...
4
The only record that featured heavily on all our individual lists, Huerco S.' "For Those Of You Who Have Never (And Also Those Who Have)" brings to mind those early Tim Hecker releases that established said artist as a heavyweight in the modern electronic scene. Will be very surprised if it doesn't have the same effect on Huerco's career. A record of blissful music from start to finish.
5
First long player from mr Julien is a gripping, rewarding listen from start to finish. Moody, deep, raw and definitely self assured, this shows a producer that's finally finding his swagger.
6
So we feature the CD here as there are 3 vinyl releases related to this sublime Japanese release. The two Tokyo-based US artists' collaboration sit here side by side with Will's original versions on the first CD and Sprinkles' versions on the second. Some of the lushest, deepest house music you will have heard recently. The vinyl versions of this are the Purple / Blue LP, the Mint / Clay LP and the Yellow / Ivory / Rust.
7
Convextion's second album, ten years since the first, joins the canon of science fiction inspired electro techno. 2845 features painstakingly crafted percussion meets synth programming of the highest order. The chord progressions Convextion generates give the album a timeless quality. The record is stimulating intellectually, emotionally and physically in equal measure. It encapsulates what machine soul music is all about: robotically meticulous and alien yet at once yearning and supremely funky.
8
Our love for Sad City is evident, having released two twelves by the talented Glasgow based producer. This is his first long player and it ticks all the right boxes for us; flows cohesively throughout the ten tracks, cinematic, ethereal and meditative. Nice.
9
10
Seriously on trend first release from the Pillotwings on the budding BFDM imprint. Eleven tracks covering all bases - tropical, balearic, slo-mo, with the odd splashing of Carl Craig-style synthline. Plus winning the sleeve of the Year category for all the wrong reasons - bonus!
11
Couple of years back, " Music For The Uninvited" topped our end of the year chart... Fast forward to 2016 and Leon Vynehall almost managed to repeat the feat. "Rojus" has the rare ability to work perfectly in both club and home listening environments and is a definite crowdpleaser - it's been a constant feature on our shelves throughout the year.
12
Recorded at his suburban family home, warmed by ducted central heating and microwaved frozen meals, Andras Fox payed homage to his plumber father on this first release on H.O.D. Records.
13
Tim Hecker re-affirms his place as one of the premier electronic music artists out there with his latest on 4AD. Following his established narrative of heavily processed organic sounds, "Love Streams" is an enveloping listen from start to finish.
14
Omar-S' "The Best!" does exactly what is says on the tin. A mammoth quadruple LP package, showcasing the Detroit producer at the top of his game. It's big, bold, self assured and rather pricey; yet few of us found it possible not to fork out hard earned cash for it. Essential.
15
We have championed Lord of The Isles' output since day one and he has spent the better part of a decade steadily producing and releasing beautiful music. His work ethic and dedication to refining his vision culminated this year in the depth of his latest offering, In Waves.
16
Growing bin began 2016 with an antipodean ambient gem. A.R.T Wilson (Andras Fox) was brought back into the fold alongside Eleventeen Eston (John Tanner) for another journey into the heart of the horizontal. A dream team of Australian musicians (and a Blue Swimmer Crab on keys), came together for this release, on which lithe clarinet dances around tranquil piano, relaxed guitar decorates velvet synth textures and unhurried percussion makes an occasional appearance. Drop the needle and drift away.
18
Black Merlin Explored Bali and the neighbouring islands, working closely with local musicians. Recording Gamelan, Gong, Bamboo and a number of field recordings from around the island. Jungles, sea, island wildlife and everything in between were recorded to captured the atmosphere. Taking on a soundscape and hypnotic sound, the artist crafted music embodying the spirit of Indonesia through his own vision.
19
Mood Hut strike again with a set of loose-ish collaborations. Tip!
20
You wait for 15 years for a Sinichi Atobe LP and you get 2 in as many years... (rimshot!) 'Butterfly Effect' topped our 2014 list and 'World' was close to repeating the feat. " minimalist Japanese house, beatdown and ambient themes" hits the nail on the head - excellent album, in the best Chain Reaction tradition.
21
“Don’t Touch My Sister” was Romain Azzaro’s Rouge Mécanique debut Album. Cinematic hazy instrumentals and a heady mix of post-punk, Italo disco, ambient and noise shone through all the way.
22
Ambient synth textures reminiscent of ‘70s-era library music, established upon rhythms that evoked turn of the century Detroit house.
23
2016 saw the return of indie darlings Radiohead. "A Moon Shaped Pool" - launched via the band's slowly disintegrating online presence, has the music to match the hype that a new Radiohead album was bound to create... 'indie' albums aren't really our forte here at Phonica but this one definitely stood out for us.
24
Two titans of electronic music, Moritz von Oswald and Juan Atkins joined forces once again this year to reinforce the Detroit-Berlin axis. From techno-charged ambience to futuristic club-jazz, they showed us that the old guard are still to be reckoned with.
25
Two years in the making, "Too Many Voices" is the natural evolution of it's predecessor. Taking it's cues from a wide array of sources, the result is a multifaceted record that sounds deceptively easy to digest. Received heavy airtime here at Phonica HQ and that's enough to be featured here!
26
Many of us spent far too much time bingeing on one of 2016's hit TV series, in large part to the fantastic soundtrack. Pillowy synth-pads and rich textures, enveloped the 80s world of ‘Stranger Things’ and became one of the unlikely favourites of the year.