Alright, it’s time to wrap up 2016 and get on with life. Here are my 10 favorite songs from the year and I’ll include a link to my Best of 2016 Spotify playlist. Rock on.
FAVORITE SONGS OF 2016
DJ Shadow (feat. Run the Jewels), “Nobody Speak” – This song grabbed me with the opening guitar lick and no matter how many times I played it myself or heard it get used commercially (like the season opener of Silicon Valley) it never lost the punch promised in the opening lines. (And it’s probably got the best music video of the year as well.)
Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop, “One Way to Pray” – In doing my review for the year I noticed there were a number of beautiful duets or male/female pairings (like this, or this, or this, or this). Enough in fact that they started to blur together. But for me this one always stood out – two unique voices equally bringing their own character to a song with just enough complexity.
Operators, “Control” – Yes, the synth sounds and sax could tip towards 80’s, over-produced cheese, but this song has what so much of 80’s music lacked – a bit of grit, a touch of fuzz, and a slight lack of control.
Divers, “Achin’ On” – A local Portland band combines Arcade Fire and The Replacements on this 2016 single. How can you go wrong?
Paul Simon, “The Werewolf” – There are so many terrific lyrical and sonic pieces tucked into this song that I might never have appreciated if it wasn’t for this wonderful interview with Bob Boilen. The song itself is great but I may have enjoyed listening to Simon tell the story behind it even more.
Nico Yaryan, “Just Tell Me” – Quite a bit of really good neo-soul out there these days but the delicious guitar sounds and a bitter-sweet refrain made this one stick out to me.
Jamila Woods, “Blk Girl Soldier” – This track makes a powerful statement, and it also has the ability to make certain middle-aged white guys with no rhythm dance around uncontrollably.
Lola Marsh, “You’re Mine” – It would have been easy to overproduce this track. Instead this is a wonderful example of how maintaining a sparse landscape can leave more impact for the pieces that remain. Oh, and good use of hand claps as well.
Ryan Beaver, “If I Had a Horse” – A dark, plaintive song with the heart of a classic country western tune that sounds like it could be the soundtrack for a Comac McCarthy story.
Pinegrove, “Old Friends” – Some muddy guitars mixed with country twang, a frayed voice that tells you as much about his regret as the lyrics do. It’s good song writing matched with the right delivery.
BONUS TRACK:
Bear’s Den, “Red Earth & Pouring Rain” – My guilty pleasure for 2016. Reliving synth-ridden, melodramatic 80’s heartbreak.
Not More Music Crap? 