Nothing New Nothing Original: 25 Words on 25 Albums from 2016

Chance the Rapper – Coloring Book

Predominantly more effusive than it is gospel, the album’s religiosity becomes grating only towards the final tracks. This is a well-produced and well-rapped summertime treat.

The Hotelier – Goodness

As stripped-down an emo record as you might ever find. The Hotelier effortlessly casts off the genre’s supposed limitations while still never straying too far.

Weekend Nachos – Apology

“Have you ever experienced real brutality?” asked Weekend Nachos on Worthless’ “S.C.A.B.” Well, now I have. A swan song to beat the earth to death.

Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas – Mariner

Who knew, that in 2016, Cult of Luna would figure as the most important godhead of the holy Cult of Neurisis triumvirate? A staggering album.

A$AP Ferg – Always Strive and Prosper

Fergy Ferg graduates from Trap Lord to Hood Pope to uneven results. Nothing measures up to singles “Hungry Ham,” “New Level,” and “Let it Bang.”

Sturgill Simpson – A Sailor’s Guide to Earth

An attempt to broaden his audience beyond diehard “true” country fans, this album is Oscar’s fetid corpse rotting in his foreclosed trashcan levels of garbage.

Library Tapes – Escapism

The appropriately entitled Escapism features neo-classical ambience with an economy of space that demands repeated listening. It is a delicately balanced entryway into contemplative requiescence.

Eagulls – Ullages

Gothy post-punk that owes as much to the Cure as it does the Clash. This has post-Thatcherism British angst and ennui written all over it.

Pity Sex – White Hot Moon

Their strongest effort to date. Though it lacks the grittiness of the debut, it is emotionally mature and devastating. Catch some feelings over catchy hooks!

Wode – Wode

I don’t know if there’s anything entirely novel about this British band’s particular brand of black metal, but everything is executed pitch-perfectly. A true ripper.

Kanye West – The Life of Pablo

I love “I Love Kanye,” but this album is a (purposeful) mess, and I have absolutely zero patience for it. Will I ever listen again?

Self Defense Family – Superior and The Power does not Work on Nonbelievers

Two EPs! One review! I purchase SDF albums indiscriminately. The spacy, bizarre “Deersong” is a nice departure for the prolific but possibly plateauing punk band.

Mike & The Melvins – Three Men and a Baby

Tough question: Everybody Loves Sausages (a cover album) aside, have the Melvins released a front-to-back good album since 2008’s Nude with Boots? I don’t know.

Spotlights – Tidals

As boring as the name, the album name, and the artwork, this attempted coalescing of shoegaze and sludge is utterly forgettable. Don’t believe the hype.

Thou/Barghest – I Hate Thou / Eyehatethou

Let’s just focus on Thou: “The Mystery of Contradictions,” one of Thou’s heaviest tracks, ends up turning into an abridged cover of Eyehategod’s “Blank.” Whew.

Modern Baseball – Holy Ghost

It’s not as gleefully adolescent as their previous records but maintains all the same infectious snot-nosed honesty. Not a growing up but a growing out.

Arbor Labor Union (FKA Pinecones) – I Hear You

Arbor Labor Union has always dared its audience to accept its joyful pronouncements on its own terms. They redefine what happiness looks and sounds like.

The Body + Full of Hell – One Day You Will Ache Like I Ache

A hulking mass of sprawl and detritus dragged through an urban apocalypse. It’s not so much music as it is an outpouring of unencumbered negativity.

Basement – Promise Everything

The title track proves that Basement is best when they haven’t forgotten the aggressiveness of punk rock as they continue to explore their 90s revivalism.

Nothing – Tired of Tomorrow

If we look back on this album as the culmination of the concomitant revivals of shoegaze and 90s alternative, I will say, "This is true.”

Culture Abuse – Peach

Imagine if Weezer was a 90s skate punk band that loved Agent Orange and Dick Dale and had enough edge to stay off the radio.

Gates – Parallel Lives

My premature excitement over Breathe and Bloom won’t be replicated. Gates tries to expand its sound but falters under the weight of its own pretensions.