Blog Post: Nick's Picks - The Best Albums of 2016

A selection of 2016's finest recordings, in no particular order:

• Radiohead  A Moon Shaped Pool - How can something so harrowing sound so sweet? Rich in symphonic and folky lushness, it’s big, beautiful and a little nightmarish.
• Beyoncé  Lemonade - With profound and touching songs about family ties, racial pride and female strength, Beyoncé makes a powerful personal statement and her career-defining album.
• David Bowie Blackstar - Bowie’s swan song, a trippy, jazz-infused art rock album that includes the shape-shifting, apocalyptic title track.
• Solange  A Seat at the Table - A stunning accomplishment for Beyoncé’s once-overshadowed sister: a gorgeous album that is both political and deeply personal.
• Leonard Cohen  You Want It Darker - Cohen’s 14^th album proved to be his last, released two weeks before his death and serving as his own eulogy with haunting songs of deep eloquence.
• Michael Kiwanuka  Love & Hate - The British singer’s latest is another retro-soul-inspired classic, expressing hope with gospel and Marvin Gaye-inspired protest.
• case/lang/veirs  case/lang/veirs - The supergroup of Neko Case, kd lang and Laura Veirs shines on harmony-rich songs that are stark, dreamy and consistently enchanting.
• Bob Dylan  Fallen Angels - The self-described “song-and-dance man” once again interprets Frank Sinatra’s standards and finds new beauty in some vintage tunes.
• Norah Jones  Day Breaks - Jones returns to her jazz roots with warm covers and fresh original numbers that explore romantic and socio-political themes.
• Paul Simon  Stranger to Stranger - Rich in sonic experiments and songs that are dark, wry and always compelling, Simon’s 13^th solo album is another timeless collection.
• Kacy & Clayton  Strange Country - With beguiling and dreamy songs steeped in British folk, the Saskatchewan cousins serve up an intoxicating, otherworldly brew.