27 Best Songs From 2016

11. “A 1000 Times” by Hamilton Leithauser/Rostam

“A 1000 Times” is an indie rock song emphasizing an incredible vocal performance. The lyrics are a most basic love song, but the production and singing take it to the next level.

“A 1000 Times” and its album I Had a Dream That You Were Mine was a collaboration between Hamilton Leithauser and Rostam, the former producer for Vampire Weekend. The production is deceivingly simple, with plenty of details and unique sounds.

12. “Human Performance” by Parquet Courts

Parquet Courts are notorious for being a bit obtuse or unapproachable for new fans. “Human Performance” is no exception, pushing the boundaries of music and giving fans an arty track and accompanying album.

The simple nature of the lyrics belies the complex production. The song deals with the grief one feels about a love that was lost. “Human Performance” is a simple song packaged in a complex way.

13. “Black Beatles” by Rae Sremmurd (ft. Gucci Mane)

“Black Beatles” was a smash hit for the duo Rae Sremmurd, and helped put them on the map outside of America. The song charted well in New Zealand, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

The song’s production took cues from lo-fi and trap music, with a hint of psychedelic music thrown in for good measure. The lyrics are youthful and showcase the forward-thinking nature of the band.

14. “We the People….” by A Tribe Called Quest

A Tribe Called Quest went out with a bang with its final album, and “We the People….” is one of the enduring hits of the band’s catalog. The group did not plan on making another album until a live performance inspired them to put aside differences for one last record.

Lyrically, “We the People….” is a politically-charged song about the contemporary landscape of America. A Tribe Called Quest lays down its political philosophy and sings about the upcoming election.

15. “Best to You” by Blood Orange (ft. Empress Of)

Dev Hynes has gone through a few names in his career, most notably Lightspeed Champion and Blood Orange. The different names allow Hynes to experiment with genres and styles.

“Best to You” is an R&B song with more avant-garde inspirations that lands it on our list of good music from 2016. The lyrics deal with independence and a quest to be the person you want to be. A complex and musically fascinating track wraps up these simple themes.

16. “Angels” by Chance the Rapper (ft. Saba)

Thanks to his popular mixtapes, Chance the Rapper was already a household name before ever releasing an album. 2016 saw him release his first album, Coloring Book. The album and its singles helped cement Chance the Rapper as a major player in modern hip-hop.

“Angels” has a bouncy production and showcases the upbeat nature of Chance’s music. The song is an ode to Chance’s hometown of Chicago.

17. “29 #Strafford APTS” by Bon Iver

Bon Iver made waves with its debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, thanks to its sparse production, straightforward folk sound, and unique vocal qualities from lead singer Justin Vernon. Fast forward two albums and Bon Iver released 22, A Million, an album full of complex production and electronic sounds.

“29 #Strafford APTS” is a powerful song in the middle of the album. The lyrics do not particularly tell a story but rather conjure images in the listener’s head.

18. “Fill in the Blank” by Car Seat Headrest

Indie fans appreciate Car Seat Headrest for keeping the spirit of rock and roll alive. “Fill in the Blank” is another example of the band taking inspiration from the 1960s and 1970s rock and roll to create something unique and different from many of its contemporaries.

“Fill in the Blank” deals with love, as most of the songs on its accompanying album do. Lead singer Will Toledo said he was in a bad place in his life when recording the album, and the lyrics reflect those feelings.

19. “Come Down” by Anderson .Paak

Anderson .Paak was still finding his footing in the hip-hop world in 2016, but his album Malibu helped earn him a spot at the table with other big players in the genre. The artists even received a Grammy nomination for the album.

“Come Down” is one of the standout tracks of the album and is both positive and negative. The song features plenty of bragging and cockiness while remembering that things can change in a heartbeat.

20. “Good As Hell” by Lizzo

Today, Lizzo stands as one of the top artists in pop music. In 2016, she was still a mostly under-the-radar artist that only superfans knew about. “Good As Hell” was the first hit of her career, though it did not catapult her into stardom quite yet.

“Good As Hell” is all about self-empowerment, and Lizzo sings of someone who realizes their worth in a relationship and decides to make a change for the better.