What a year for music. From Kendrick Lamar to Beyonce. From The Avalanches to Glass Animals. From Radiohead to Bon Iver. Month after month, I was overwhelmed with the sheer number of great albums that were released. And yet, none of these or so many albums were my favorites of 2016. So what did make my list? Those albums that not only really grabbed me from moment one, but those that I was drawn back to throughout the year. Each one is something special. And, I will go out on a limb and say that together, they may represent the strongest collection of albums that I compiled in a single year in a very long time. Enjoy.
Michael Kiwanuka, Love & Hate
Max Jury, Max Jury
The Amazing, Ambulance
David Bowie, Blackstar
Song: Lazarus
Airbag, Disconnected
Villagers, Where Have You Been All My Life
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Marillion, F.E.A.R.
The Dear Hunter, Act V: Hymns With The Devil In Confessional
A few months back I heard I'll Drown, the first track off of Sóley Stefánsdóttir's recently released debut album We Sink. I was completely captivated by the song and by Sóley.
Sóley's, who is a member of the Icelandic band Seabear, has a beautiful, warm, and subtle voice that floats in a just under-the-radar kind of a way. She reminds me of Emiliana Torrini, who I have admired for a long time. I had read that after many years of singing in private, Sóley got used to the sound of her own voice and finally discovered her own vocal skills. I'm glad she did.
Released last month, We Sink is a wonderful album that feels less like thirteen individual songs and more like a journey through a dark and restrained musical dreamland. In it, Sóley uses her subtle vocal style and singing to weave stories, some quirky, some odd, all seemly other-worldly, through her musical landscape. With open and minimalistic instrumentation, perfectly placed elements and little touches throughout.....a simple dancing piano line, adding something whimsical to an otherwise dark and somber moment, a snapping finger or clapping hand to create musical texture, as well as rhythm....Sóley ultimately creates imagery in one's mind that that lingers long after the music has stopped. This is especially true for songs like Kill The Clown and About A Funeral which have a Danny Elfman-Like feel to them.
I'll Drown While my first listen to We Sink was enjoyable, I did not truly appreciate it until I listened to it again and let myself be drawn into it's stories and landscapes. We Sink is an artful album on which everything Sóley does is intentional, but nothing feels forced or false. This is a great debut forSóley and one that is definitely worth taking the time to explore.
Smashed Birds One of my favorite songs on We Sink is Smashed Birds. It's a beautiful and haunting song. Below is a video for the song that really compliments it well. Enjoy.
What I love about music is its power to transport me. Sometimes it’s unexpected, sometimes it’s exactly where I want to be. A single melody can unlock memories I didn’t realize I still carried, while certain chords or lyrics take me to another time or place. Some songs feel like home, offering shelter, while others deliver me to an unknown place or space, stirring emotions I can’t quite name. In this way, music isn’t just sound—it’s a sonic subway, delivering me to a station of refuge or one I never knew existed.
Music has always been an important part of my life. My family and friends knew this well, often asking me what I was listening to and what I liked. It was always humbling to be asked, and eventually, I gathered the courage to create this music blog—to put into words what draws me to certain music and why.
Over the years, my passion for writing has grown, along with my excitement for sharing musical discoveries. I hope your time here sparks excitement and leads you to a musical discovery of your own. More than anything, I hope your visit brings a little joy to your day.
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