Top 50 Songs Of 2016: Part 1
Hey there! It’s time to start running down my favorite songs and albums (look for this list next week) of the year. Below you’ll find Part 1 of my Top 50 Songs of 2016 list. It (and every part that’s coming after today) consists of tracks that I found myself frequently revisiting throughout the year. Simple! Enjoy.
PS – One thing is a little different this year – I will not be including any Austin acts in this singles list. I’m going to be doing a two-part year-ender via 101X Homegrown (my radio show) that will detail my favorite Austin tracks. Look for Part 1 to air on 12/11, and then Part 2 on 12/18.
PPS – I got a ton of take down notices, so you’ll have to listen via Spotify.
50) :Sia – Waving Goodbye (Produced by Diplo): When I saw (and loved) The Neon Demon, I found myself really digging this anthemic number as it blasted over the credits. Oddly enough, I didn’t even realize it was by Sia until I got home and looked it up.
49) :Big Baby D.R.A.M. – Cute: This is such a silly song by D.R.A.M., but it’s so damn catchy that I’ve been unable to escape it for most of 2016. Just let it take you.
48) :Polica – Lately: If you ask me, this is the best song off of Polica’s latest album, United Crushers. It’s hazy and sparse and the line “seems like we’re too comfortable in love” is a sharp one.
47) :Father John Misty – Real Love Baby: Whether you’ve ever fully boarded the Father John Misty hype train or not, it’s hard to deny just how charming this track is on all fronts.
46) :Pity Sex – Bonhomie: The boy/girl vocals in this Pity Sex track are so on point. As is the 90s-lean it carries. And well, everything else about it.
45) :Screaming Females – Skeleton: I sure do love me some Screaming Females. This track was rightfully cut from 2015’s Rose Mountain, but I’m glad to have it now – it’s unhinged and great.
44) :LVL UP – Hidden Driver: You could criticize this LVL UP effort as being too Neutral Milk Hotel-esque, but that would be silly. It’s just a great song. Turn it up.
43) :Forth Wanderers – Slop: This one from Forth Wanderers has a meandering arrangement and lyrics loaded with obviously-youthful musings – “I love too much/Too hurt this bad” – but I dig it.
42) :Frightened Rabbit – Death Dream: I loved Frightened Rabbit, then I veered away, and now this song has brought me back to them. That’s how stellar it is.
41) :The Blow – Think About Me: There’s an early-era Rilo Kiley vibe on display here that I’ve been caught up since I first heard this song. Thanks for that, The Blow.
