What happens when you take 12 months, 24 five-star album reviews, 26 extra picks carefully selected from dozens of suggestions, and 37 Edge writers? A comprehensive look at 2016’s best music, of course! Today, we begin with a rapid dash through from 50 to 31 before pausing to give a little more detail from tomorrow. Check back daily until we announce the winner on December 31st and have a listen to our Spotify playlist to catch up with all the music in question in one handy place.
50: ANOHNI – HOPELESSNESS
“A unique proposal in modern pop, with confrontational and uncomfortable lyrics built to challenge as much as to make you dance.”
49: Miike Snow – iii
“I called this as my album of the year in March. Giving us ‘Genghis Khan’ is reason enough.”
=45: Mrs. Magician – Bermuda
“A mellowed out joy suitable for all your melancholic, out-of-body experience needs.”
=45: Deap Vally – Femejism
“A hard-hitting and empowering record for the masses.”
=45: Black Foxxes – I’m Not Well
“Aggressive, muscular, and diverse.”
=45: Against The Current – In Our Bones
“A near-flawless debut that proves pop-rock isn’t dead.”
=43: The Range – Potential
“A gorgeous collection of electronic dance music built around samples of anonymous YouTube artists – a celebration of art’s inherent value.”
=43: Lido – Everything
“An electric full-length debut from a Norwegian producer-cum-vocalist most comfortable with remixes and, it seems, passionate eruptions.”
42: Gold Panda – Good Luck And Do Your Best
“Foregrounding the essence and atmosphere of Japan, Gold Panda fuses organic sounds with an electronic construction that laces its elements together in a bold package.”
=40: Hands Like Houses – Dissonants
“Fresh, exciting, and utterly incomparable, this is a masterclass in experimental rock done right.”
=40: Crystal Castles – Amnesty (I)
“Channeling the concise production and compositional depth of (III) and with a new vocalist confidently in place, a return to the glowering witch house of its roots just might be Crystal Castles’ magnum opus.”
39: Solange – A Seat At The Table
“The piece of your life you always thought was missing. A professor of harmonies, a leader of a generation: Solange’s album is a defining moment of 2016.”
38: Michael Kiwanuka – Love & Hate
“A sombre, hypnotic affair, though slightly repetitive, that will catch you up in its rhythm.”
=36: The Superweaks – Better Heavens
“A unique, hugely enjoyable, and fresh listen.”
=36: Frightened Rabbit – Painting Of A Panic Attack
“A hauntingly beautiful record that moves the band in a brilliantly fresh direction: one that is undoubtedly dark, melancholic, and, as a somewhat strange result, gorgeously enticing.”
35: Gallant – Ology
“Without any doubt, Gallant’s is the most stunning new voice of 2016. His falsetto could make anything hypnotic, and fortunately Ology rarely needs it to.”
34: Grouplove – Big Mess
“‘You’re such a big mess / But I love you’ is the only phrase that can fully encapsulate this absolute beauty of an album.”
33: Alter Bridge – The Last Hero
“Almost a spectacular epic of rock and metal, Alter Bridge’s fifth album is a triumphant return.”
32: Peter Doherty – Hamburg Demonstrations
“A delightful album that showcases what Doherty’s really very good at: lovely poetic lyrics with fantastic melodies.”
31: A Tribe Called Quest – We Got It From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service
“One of the most important rap albums of the year, a fitting send-off for A Tribe Called Quest, and a wonderful tribute to Phife Dawg.”
